Chapter 6: Awkward Encounters

On the way, I found a women’s clothing store, changed into normal clothes, and then went home.

Back in my own room, I rolled around on my soft bed.

I hadn’t slept at all last night, and then woke up to… that… in the morning.

My nerves were finally starting to relax.

I told the housekeeper not to call me and slept straight through to the afternoon.

Luckily, Mom and Dad were traveling in Europe, so no one was around to bother me about meals.

I rubbed my eyes and went downstairs, planning to ask the maid to make me something to eat. As I looked down the stairs, I saw Chase standing at the bottom.

He looked up, his gaze sweeping over me: "Awake?"

I remembered how he said, "Babe, you’re awake?" this morning, followed by two hours of… physical activity.

I stopped short, gripping the banister. "Hey, Chase... what are you doing home?" My voice sounded too bright, too fake.

His eyes were dark and unreadable.

I forced a smile: "Why are you home today?"

He tapped his knuckles on the wooden railing: "What do you think?"

How would I know?

I changed the subject: "Have you eaten? I’m starving. If you haven’t, let’s ask the kitchen to make something extra."

He asked, "You’re only eating now?"

I kept a straight face and lied, "Yeah, when I got home yesterday I realized I’d missed an assignment. I stayed up all night finishing it and slept all day."

He half-smiled: "You did homework at home last night?"

I nodded: "Yup."

"Alright." Chase’s tone was unreadable. "Let’s eat. My dear sister worked all night, she should eat well."

His voice had a hint of sarcasm, and I could feel the tension simmering beneath the surface. I pretended not to notice, following him into the dining room where sunlight spilled over the gleaming table. Every clatter of silverware felt too loud in the thick silence. I kept my eyes glued to my plate, pretending the mashed potatoes were the most fascinating thing in the world.