WHAT COMES AFTER THE END OF THIS

Chapter 81

Chapter 81

Yrene's PoV

Alein had called Chase and apparently he had almost jumped out of the phone to get to my place as soon as possible, Alyssa and Katie had left for France thirty minutes ago and it was just me, myself and I in my apartment at seven thirty. Waiting for Chase. Never had I dreaded and anticipated a meeting at the same time, before this one. I paced around my living room in order to calm my nerves, considering the glass of whiskey I had had failed to do so.  I wrung my fingers, looking at the clock, counting the minutes till it would be eight.

At seven fifty five I went to my room and checked my appearance in the mirror; why was I so anxious to meet someone I had met a thousand times before? I had decided to keep it simple with a black mid riff bearing, cold shoulder, chiffon blouse paired with my black leggings and black Ted Bakers. As I was fixing my ponytail I finally heard the bell ring. Eight on the dot. Some things never change;as always Chase was extremely punctual. Quickly, I wore my black cropped cashmere sweater and opened the door.

My heart pounded, I could hear it in my ears as the adrenaline loaded blood rushed through my veins as I beheld the beauty of the man standing in front of me.
"Hi!"
"Hey!" I tried to put as much enthusiasm in my voice as I could muster considering I was still trying to process just how real the situation was. I was finally about to get some much needed answers but I didn't feel like wanting to know anymore.

He was dressed casually in khakis, spectacles that looked super hot on him and a blue button down with brown loafers, holding out a bouquet of white roses for me. The tension was so thick it cold be cut with a knife and I finally cleared my throat,
"Come in."
"Thought you'd never ask!" He kissed my cheek and, awkwardly, I let him. He stood by the foyer of the living room as I closed the door behind us and told him to get comfortable while I got us drinks.

"What would you prefer?"
"Have you forgotten already?" Although he had said it with a smirk I knew he was actually a little hurt. But he had hurt me too. A lot. And I had not forgotten his preference, I couldn't have even if I tried because it was similar to my own but I wasn't going to let him in on that; he liked scotch, iced.
"Well, four years of no contact is a long time."
"I'll have a scotch, please."
I poured himself a glass with four rocks of ice, just how he liked it and after pouring myself a tumbler of bourbon I walked out into the living room.

I handed Chase his drink and a smile spread across his face,
"You remembered I liked it iced." He looked so genuinely happy at my small act that I almost gave in to my temptation of pinching and kissing his stubbled cheek.
"I had a hunch." I turned to look away as I sat down next to him on the couch, pulling up my legs and placing them under my butt. We sat in silence for some time as we sipped our beverages. I could hear the clock tick. Could hear my heart beat. His heart beat. And the soothing cacophony of our joined rhythm of uneven breaths.

I was the first to break the silence,
"Want a smoke?"
As soon as I said it, I remembered the time Chase had found me crying in the middle of no where, crying and smoking and me being myself having offered him a cigarette. By the nostalgic expression on his face, I knew he was thinking the same thing. He nodded and I took out two cigarettes from my case and handed one to him; as soon as he placed it between his luscious lips I lit it up for him before turning the lighter the one hating between my own teeth.
"I thought you stopped." It was just a plain statement, anyone could have said it to me but there was a hint of disappointment in his voice that I couldn't bring myself to ignore.
"Yes, I did. I mean I only smoke twice to thrice a week. That's it. Because otherwise it was really difficult for me to let my habit go." I formed a weak smile at the end and out of the blue, he pulled me into his chest and hugged me. Tightly.
"I'm so proud of you, Yrene. For what you've done and the woman you've become; the woman you always have been."
I awkwardly returned the hug and patted his back.
"Thanks... I guess."
He finally let go of me and for a while we just stared at each other, our eyes spoke out to each other the way our lips never could have.
'I'm sorry!' His eyes seemed to say. To beg. 'Forgive me!'
'Why Chase? Why did you leave me?' I questioned, putting as much hurt as I could into my eyes. Real hurt that I had felt throughout  these four years. During this unsounded exchange somehow, Chase and I had moved closer to each other on the couch.