𝐼𝓃𝒻𝒶𝓉𝓊𝒶𝓉𝑒𝒹

Chapter 7- NatureSolumates' New Members

Chase's P.O.V

It's said that if you run away from your problems, they will chase you faster.
It's just that I didn't know that fast.

Cris stood in front of me, glaring. "Chase."

"Cris." I smirked. "Lovely meeting you here."

"Oh? I'm sorry, but not likewise." She turned to Carmen. "You employed him?"

Carmen blinked. "Uh... yeah? What's wrong?"

My smirk grew even more, knowing I'd annoyed her. I can't help it. It's amusing.

"A guy who owns and flaunts around a BMW Convertible limitlessly works in an NGO too?" Cris said, her gaze turning to me.

Yikes.

I turned to a shocked Carmen. "Chill, okay. I don't even use it that much."

"Really? You don't drive to school and back in that everyday? I'm clearly blind, then." Cris retorted.

I smirked. "I can stop using it. Not much trouble."

Carmen sighed. "At least, lower your usage. I don't want hypocrites in my NGO, yeah?" She said, tilting her head to emphasize her point. Then she turned to Cris. "Neither do I want high-school exes in a war during the working hours."

Cris raised an eyebrow. "We're not."

Carmen chuckled. "Whatever."

"I wish." I whispered. Then chuckled at Carmen's raised eyebrows and Cris's death stare.

"Anyway. Even though you two know each other, let's try this again, yeah?" Carmen said. She turned to Cris. "This is Charles Walker, our new member."

"Chase." I corrected smugly.

Then Carmen turned to me. "This is Simone Trehan Beaumont, or Cris."

"Pleasure." Cris deadpanned. "I think I need some punch, show me the way Carmen?"

I chuckled, then leaned in to Cris. "Come back soon. I'll be waiting for you." I whispered.

She raised an eyebrow, then pressing her palms gently against my chest, pushed me back. Familiar sparks shot through my chest. "Keep dreaming."

Carmen chuckled even more, then the two of them walked away.

I turned back to Carlos, one of the employees showing me around. He smiled.
"Got Cris? You're lucky."

"Soon enough." I smirked.

We went around and Carlos showed me the latest projects and schedules for the NGO, along with explaining some stuff about Carmen, our employer, and how he's hoping to get her one day.

"'Get her'? As in, a fling?" I asked, sipping punch.

"Nope. She's pretty, kind, a sweet-heart. Weirdly rich. Who doesn't want someone like that. Although idc if she's rich, or rather, her dad's rich or not."

I took another sip. "Ask her out maybe. You guys are in the same college."

"If only it was that easy." He muttered, rolling his eyes.

"Dunno. Do the rest yourself. I'm no matchmaker." I chuckled.

"Great help." He muttered again. "What's the deal with you and Cris though?"

I turned to look at him. "None of your business?"

He rolled his eyes, leaning on the bench. "I've experience, thus I've tips."

"Says the guy who thought asking his crush out isn't easy?"

"It's different when the person is different."

"Hm. True, I guess."

He turned to me. "C'mon."

"I wanna sweep her off her feet. But I can't, what else?" I rolled my eyes in frustration, to emphasize my point.

"Well, those situations require something in the guy to change. Like his dick size or personality."

I huffed, smirking. "I'm telling you, both of those factors are amazing for me."

"Right. You need to fix your ego."

"Yeah, right."

Just then, Cris and a guy trailing behind her, who I guess was Asher, walked to Carmen. After a few minutes of talking between the three, Asher and Cris walked across the street. Of course she was going home and avoiding me. What did I think?

Resisting the urge to run after the the pair that had just left and throw a nice cup of punch on that Asher, I sighed and turned back to Carlos ranting about our government leaders who can't give a flying damn about our earth. I kept putting in half-hearted agreements, then threw my fourth cup of punch in the recycling bin.

She knew. Yup, she knew about what I said to Amber.

Fuck.

I stayed for some more time, then waved byes to Carmen and Carlos and some more people, then walked home.

"Chase! Wait!" I heard Carmen's high pitched voice behind me.

I whirled around. "Hmm?"

"I'm not sure what happened between you and Cris, but I can fix you to come for some of the same days as Cris comes. My favor." She smiled, lightly panting from the run towards me.

A grin broke out on my face. "Really?"

"Yup. To make up."

"Honestly, Carmen, thanks."

She smiled, handing a piece of paper to me. "I am kindava mischievous thing." She chuckled.
"I mean, since you seem to really like her."

"Trust me, I think I do." I muttered.

I bid byes to her then looked at the piece of paper which had the days and timings of my volunteering. A purple mark indicating the days Cris would come were marked upon some days too, and I grinned.

I knew there was a reason Carmen was clearly not telling me behind her action, but I would find out soon.

<><><><><>

I pushed open the door of my condo, then closed the door behind me. Occasionally I lived at my parent's mansion or here. Depends on where I host my parties.

The trashed condo, a result of my laziness, would be cleaned today. I'd look at my school work later. It was honestly boring the hell out of me, especially since the only reason I looked forward to go there was because of my friends and the popularity. And so I would be spared from my dad's haranguing. My mind drifted to the thought of their faces for a second, then I shook my head and kicked my shoes in the corner.

I'll probably go to the sunroom after the cleaning shit, I decided. The sunroom, where my paintings and a grand piano lay. The only clean room in the entire goddamn place.
And my safe haven.