Zoey 101: You Must Of Had A Broken Heart ☑

Chapter 31

His mother was sparkling with her bobbed blond hair and bright blue eyes. She was covered in a fur coat and adorned with more diamonds than I’d ever seen on one person. She had soft, delicate features and looked very thin and breakable. She clutched a small black handbag that was sealed with more glitz.

In contrast, Mr. Mathews was a statuesque man, taller than Chase, but with strikingly similar features. He and Chase shared the same dark brown hair and green eyes. His face was angular and serious as he stood in a long black coat, concealing a tuxedo.

I took a deep breath before approaching them. I tried my best to smile cordially while I was introduced.

“Lauren and Shane Mathews, this is-

“Zoey Brooks,” Lauren finished, holding out her hand. I tried to conceal the shocked look on my face, especially with being called by someone I’d never seen before today.

“It’s very nice to meet you,” I said, shaking her delicate hand. Shane remained still with his hands by his side, making no attempt acknowledge me, forget about shake my hand.

“Well, aren’t you lovely,” Lauren admired. “We never get to meet Chase’s girlfriends.” I knew it was coming, but my heart still leapt when she said it, sending a flicker of heat to my cheeks.

Chase rolled his eyes. “Mom, you met Mia, remember?” His tone was impatient.

“Maybe for a second as you were leaving the house,” she countered. “Anyway, it’s a pleasure to meet you, Zoey. Shall we go in?” There was an air about her that made me stand up straighter and afraid to walk, knowing how clumsy I’d appear next to her grace and sophistication. I gave Chase a fearful glance as we approached the first set of stone steps. There were only three, but they might as well have been a flight.

Chase offered me his right elbow to clutch as I concentrated with each step. I don’t think I breathed the entire time. His parents glided ahead of us as I carefully placed one foot in front of the other along the stone pathway. At the top of the second set of steps was an enormous wooden door that opened as Lauren and Shane neared it. They waited for us before entering.

“Shane, Lauren,” the dual voices of a man and woman sang. “Welcome. It’s so wonderful to see you again.” Lauren and Shane were warmly greeted by whom I presumed to be Mr. and Mrs. Baez, with a quick embrace that included a brushing kiss on their cheeks and a handshake.

“Cesar, Vivian, you remember our youngest son, Chase, don’t you?” Lauren offered as they stepped aside for us to enter.

“Of course,” Mr. Baez greeted Chase with a handshake.

“And this is his girlfriend, Zoey Brooks,” she introduced. I smiled politely.

“Thank you for joining us,” Mrs. Baez said grasping my right hand between her two cool, soft palms.

“Thank you for having me,” I replied.

Chase slipped my coat off and handed it to a formally poised man, dressed in a tuxedo.

I was too distracted by the grand foyer, with its huge crystal chandelier and expansive stone staircase with a large red carpet running down the center, to notice Chase staring at me. I glanced over at him with a start.

“What?!” I was afraid I’d done something wrong already.

“Nothing". He smirked.

I looked at him with wide eyes, my face flooded with color. “Chase!”

He smiled as we followed his parents into a room to the right of the foyer. I wasn’t about to admit that seeing him in the dark tailored suit was just as distracting.