Spotlight {Completed}

Chapter Thirty Six

I let him inside the apartment, which wasn't a surprise that it was empty. I took off my coat and and shoes, relieving all of the pressure that those stupid booties gave me. I miss my old clothes. Where I wouldn't care, I was just a simple person who only wore neutral colors.

That's beside the point though. Chase took his jacket off and he set it on the couch, "are you thirsty?" I asked and he shakes his head no, "just make yourself at home, I'm going to get a water," I say and he smiles, taking a seat on the couch. I walk to the kitchen and grab two waters, just in case he changes his mind.

I sit on the left of the couch, leaving a seat between us and Chase chuckles, "I'm not going to bite, Ria," he says and my face gets hot.

"I know! I just don't know if you like your space," I shrug. I do mind, I don't like people getting too close to me. That sounds really rude, but it's true; I need my personal space.

Chase just laughs at me, "You're funny, but I don't mind people getting close; no, what I mean is, that I don't get uncomfortable very easy," he speaks with so much ease, he makes me feel as if we've known each other for a long while. The way his body moves with such careless actions, I feel more safe. Safe as in, he's a gentleman and I know he won't ever try to put me in an uncomfortable position. I scoot a bit closer, as I try to make myself more at home, in my own home, "look who's warming up," he winks and I slap his arm and he laughs more. I smile at him too and his fades, as he's lost in his own thoughts, "I... Is it weird to say I wanna know what's on your mind?" he asks and I giggle, thinking he's joking, ut he doesn't laugh.

I sit up straighter and cough, "No, I would say the same, but you seem to say everything on yours," I say and he chuckles.

"Oh, what I say, has absolutely nothing to do what's on my mind," he smiles and I stare in his eyes, remaining his gaze.

"What are you thinking about?"

"You," one word. That's all it took to make me feel bubbly inside. I slap myself mentally for always getting hyped up on what men say to me. It's hard to know when a guy wants you for just sex or a relationship, or just friendship. I'm definitely going to cross out the friend zone here.

My chest heaves up and down, "Do you think, if you were never engaged to Remmy... we could've had something?'' I ask with all playness aside. He looks up and sighs heavily as if he disagrees.

"No," my heart pounded and I just nodded, unsure what to say.

"Yeah, maybe you're ri-"

"You didn't let me finish," he interrupts. How ironic, I could say the same. I punch my conscience mentally, "yes, at the time, if there was no Remmy... or Zach," he says and my eyebrows scrunch up and he waves it off, "when I left, you and Zach got closer, you two were bound to get closer, considering you two we're in a fake relationship, but even if you weren't, you would've fallen for him; everyone does," he shrugs and I stare into his eyes, not knowing what to think. I hate that he's making me out to be another girl of Zach's. Another girl that's fallen for him, but no; I won't be that girl, I'm not.

I won't allow it.

"But... if there was no Zach, I think we would've stood a great chance," he smiles sadly and I grab his hand.

"I'm not in love with Zach, I'm not another girl, I'm me; Alexandria Braden and I don't love anyone in fact!" I said in one breath and he just nods.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean for it to come off that way; it's just when it comes to me and Zach, well I used to be the golden boy back when we were kids and Zach was the smart, chubby kid," he chuckles as he reminice over his childhood, "but now? Well, I don't usually stand a chance... Most girls see Zach for his looks, his ominous persona, craving this desire to know him, the real him; they think if they can make him fall in love with them, they can change him, but that's the thing; there's nothing to change! Zach is an amazing, loving guy, who most people underestimate. Especially his dick father, who I fucking hate," he rants and I remain speechless. I never knew Chase cared and loved his cousin so much, until now. It also reminds me of how this 'girl' Chase has been describing, matches me completely. I thought I could discover the real Zach as if there was something to hide... there wasn't. As I spent more time with him, I soon began to realize that.