Capítulo 10: Anniversary Friend
"Is it really you?" Jafir said. I nodded then climbed over the seat to sit with him in the front. We hugged tightly both of our faces beaming. "Wow, look at you! You're beautiful. You've made it in the world."
"Thank you, Jafir. How have you been?"
"I'm doing well. Took a few years off to travel with my family."
"That's great! How are Brutus and Dima?"
"Oh, they are fantastic. I will tell them you asked about them."
"Good," I said, my smile still lingering but fading as I thought about that time in my life. Luca's face popped into my mind. It had been a couple of years since I'd seen or heard from him.
"So, my friend, where to?"
"Charlie's."
"Ooh, Charlie's. I guess you really HAVE moved up."
"Yeah, well, money isn't everything," I said, glancing down sadly.
"Oh, no. What have I done? You were a ball of light and now a dark cloud has fallen over you."
"No, no. It isn't you. It's just that, I'm meeting my ex. The one who divorced me when you and I first met."
"Him? That snake! Brutus and Dima told me they had to take care of him."
"Yes, he wouldn't leave me alone. I was so grateful. It inspired me to take up some self-defense classes and Taekwondo."
"Sounds like you can take care of your body but what about your heart?" he asked. I couldn't believe how insightful Jafir was. Maybe he was an oracle of sorts in the sim.
"Oh, nothing is going to happen there, believe me, but that doesn't mean we couldn't end up screaming at one another."
"Well, how about this? If he happens to be an *ss tonight, you call me. I'll be there to take you home."
When Jafir smiled at me and I could see the purity of his heart, I couldn't help but tear up.
"That sounds good."
Charlie's was about a ten minute drive. As I was leaving the cab, Jafir and I gave each other a nod of understanding. I walked to the martini bar but before I pulled on the cylindrical silver hollowed-out horizontal door handle, I spied inside for a minute.
Even when Chase was wearing the same thing as the next man, with the exact hairstyle and sitting back-to, I could recognize him. I'd know him anywhere, anytime, in any form. Part of that had to do with the vampire escapade. I had to make sure I recognized every inch of him.
I pushed the door open, watching the city lights swing in reflection upon the glass door.
Chase was in front of me, not realizing I was there yet. I still had time to turn back and he'd never know, but I walked with my chin held high toward his table. When I rounded to the other side, he glanced up at me once and then more fully. I watched his lips part in shock.
I hung my jacket on the chair behind me. He stood up scrambling to my side. I paused, staring at him.
"What the h*ll are you doing?" I asked, curling my lip up in confusion.
"Your chair. I just wanted to pull it out."
"Yeah, okay," I said, crossing my arms. Chase glanced at me.
"Jesus, Janessa. I'm not going to bite you."
"Ha!" I said, bringing my knuckles to my mouth, still laughing, my shoulders rolling forward. I couldn't tell if he was amused or not. I sat down in silence wondering if he remembered. Is he the same Chase in every single sim?
"I don't know if you've heard anything about me--"
"I haven't," I said, abruptly cutting him off. He gave me a half-smile. "That was rude. Please go on."
"Well, to be honest, my business has taken off."
"Oh, well, I haven't been paying attention," I muttered, pulling my extension around to the front of my right shoulder. As it spread over my right side, I could see Chase staring at me hungrily. I sat back in the chair feeling a little more at ease.
"My newest project has been a huge success and it is all because of you."
"Oh, really?" I asked. Chase watched me for a moment and then glanced down.
"Janessa … Let's be honest, I was an ignorant pr*ck. I'll be the first to say that to you."
"Yes, you were," I said, raising my eyebrows once.
"Now that we have that established, would you like a drink?" he asked flicking his fingers toward the bar. I studied him. He took a sip of his martini. After he was finished, his eyes remained down. I watched him playing with the edge of the red cocktail napkin.
"Um."
"You know, maybe this was a mistake," he said quietly. "I'm sorry. For some reason I thought things could be okay but once again, I'm out of touch with what is truly going on with you. My fault." He finished the martini, threw down some cash, and got up.
"No, don't go. I'm sorry," I said dropping my head, holding it in one hand. "I'm being an *ss. It would be nice to talk with you." I brought my eyes up to his. "Please."
Chase glanced at me and from his standing position he felt more powerful. I knew he needed that right now. He took his seat again and waved to the server. She walked over and took our order.
"Would you happen to have any Dom Pérignon?" Chase asked. I sat up, my eyes widened, and I shook my head. Chase chuckled as the server explained that isn't something they carry.
"You already know that Mr. Barrington," the server said, rolling her eyes at him.
"I'll have a gin martini," I said. Chase ordered the same. As the server left, I kicked Chase under the table. He laughed at me, flashing me a playful grin.
"So, how have you been?" he asked.
"I'm doing okay."
"Just, okay? That isn't what I've seen with Ascot stocks."
"Huh?" I asked. The server was quick and back at our table. She handed us our drinks. Chase picked his glass up and took a sip.
"What joke are you playing on me now?" he asked with a slightly nervous smile.
"What do you mean? What's that?" I had no idea what he was talking about.
"Janessa, that's your company, Ascot Intelligence. Are you feeling alright?" he asked. He was beginning to look at me sideways.
"Oh! I thought you said something else," I said, throwing out a laugh that I hoped he believed. I didn't remember my own company name. That didn't bode well for me but one thing I did know was that my business was crushing it, no matter what it was called. "Yes, I've been doing well."
"That's great. It's impressive, really," he said, with genuine humility in his words. I couldn't believe how much he had changed. It seemed like he had really learned his lesson. Were we finally on equal ground?
I drank the gin martini and then another. And another. We were having fun, laughing and talking just like old times. Before I knew it, we were walking out into the sidewalk together. He had his hand on my back holding me securely. It was nice to have his comforting touch.
As we waited, he called his driver. Within a few seconds his personal car drove around the corner and parked. I glanced to see if Jafir was nearby, but he wasn't. I sent him a text saying I was fine and thanked him again.
The chauffeur opened the back door for me. I climbed in and Chase came in behind me. I was giggling feeling the effects of the gin and I was enjoying our time. Once we were in the car, he asked, "Where do you want to go?"
I thought about it for a moment and then asked, "Where have you been living? Are you still in the townhouse?"
"No, I'm somewhere closer to where you live."
"Where?"
"Near forty-seventh and--"
"I know where you mean now." An image of a building where only the richest people lived flashed into my mind.
"It's close, right?" he asked. I was on the fence on whether I wanted to go to his place or not and he knew it. "Look, if you feel strange or uncomfortable, I'll have my driver bring you back. It's not too far to walk either, if you feel like you'd rather leave on your own terms."
"No, I think I'd like to come to your place."
"Wonderful," he said. His voice sounded warm, and it made me crave closeness with him.
On the way there, Chase was sitting next to me me, and I found myself touching his knee every other sentence. I wanted to remember what it was like to kiss him first hand but I held off.
"Now, no matter what, don't let me marry you again," I said in jest.
"We'll have to see about that," Chase said with a suggestive smile.
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