Chapter 72

OLIVIA

IT WAS already evening when I went home. I sighed as I embraced myself while walking near the lake just beside our house. The cold night breeze blew my hair as it kissed my skin, and I inhaled sharply while I glanced at the beauty of the lake.

I knew Mathias was only a few steps away from me, and the rest of my bodyguards were scattered to ensure my safety while my husband was away.

I checked my phone a hundred times and did not find anything interesting in my inbox. Chase never contacted me. I had a feeling that he was trying to avoid me because of the rumors circulating in the country, and I could not get a grasp why he was letting me experience this all along.

"Mathias, have you heard anything from Chase?"

He cleared his throat before he answered, "Nothing yet, Madame."

I caught my breath. It felt as if there was a lump in my throat. I bit my lower lip, and I wished this was just a nightmare I would wake up from.

"Do you think the news about him is true?" I asked while I continued to gaze at the lake. "Do you think Chase can really cheat on me, Mathias?"

"Madame, I don't think Mr. Maxwell could do that," he replied, sounding confident about his answer.

"What made you say that?" I spun around and looked at him. "The pictures clearly show it was him with Nathalie. They went into the hotel, and God knows what they did there..."

"Mr. Maxwell isn't the type of man who will hurt you, Madame. If there is one thing I am sure of, that is the fact that he's head over heels in love with you," he explained.

"I actually don't know what to feel at this moment. The situation makes me uneasy..."

"Madame, please trust Mr. Maxwell. He will never hurt you, let alone cheat on you," Mathias assured me. "Don't believe a one-sided rumor. It will only ruin your marriage."

I sighed in defeat. Mathias had a point.

After a few minutes of pondering, I decided not to dwell on the negative thoughts I had in mind, as it would be best to trust Chase at this crucial time...

He was undeniably in love with Reese.

***

TWO DAYS had passed...

I started planning my day and excused myself from a few of my classes because I wanted to surprise Chase at the airport. He'd be coming home today and I was excited to talk to him regarding some matters.

I glanced at my face in the mirror multiple times to make sure that I hadn't overdone my make-up. I even called Lara at that time, early in the morning, so that I could get her opinion.

"Come on, Liv! Seriously? The rooster in my neighborhood isn't even up yet, and there you are, calling me already!"

I rolled my eyes at her as a response. "Hey, look at me for a sec. Did I look pretty? Do you think I overdid it a little bit?"

"Yes, you're pretty. Now let me go back to sleep." She yawned.

"You didn't even bother to look at your phone screen!" I hissed.

I sighed and ended the video chat. I once again glanced at the mirror, and I couldn't help but giggle. The thought of Chase coming home made me so energetic. He'd been away for a week and I missed him already.

I went to the car and saw that Mathias was still sleepy.

"Good day to you, Madame. I'm sure Mr. Maxwell would be surprised." He then cleared his throat. "You look pretty in your outfit today. Are you planning to go to a fancy breakfast or lunch later?

I was confused about his response to me for a little bit before I could answer. "We'll go straight to the university since I'll catch up on some classes. Do you think I overdid my outfit?"

Mathias's jaw dropped for a second, which made my brows furrow.

"You look great, Ms. Maxwell. I'm sure you're excited to see him. Let's go to the car, shall we?"

I then went inside and I could tell that the response alone indicated that I was over dressed and glancing at Matthias judging looks in the mirror could add up to that. The humiliation inside of me was building up. Hopefully, Chase wouldn't mind seeing me like this...

Do I really look like someone who'd go to a fancy diner?

I then sent a photo of myself to Lara via chat, and I received a lot of laughing emoji reactions to my photo.

"Are you sure that you're going to the airport, Liv? You're like going into a candlelit dinner, but it's fine. I'm sure Chase wouldn't mind though!"

Lara's message confirmed it and I closed our chat in frustration.

While we were heading to the airport, I checked the emails I received from Ellie that indicated the tasks I would be doing for the next couple of days. There were some training videos that I needed to watch and study.

I huffed. There is a lot going on in my life right now that I don't know where to even start.

First, my school project that is due next week; then now I'm the creative director of Ellie Steward's new company— as Elizabeth finally agreed to work as my assistant; and finally, being the wife of Chase Maxwell.

Admittedly, it was getting tougher and tougher that it bothered me. I was questioning myself whether I could still tell the truth to Chase or just stick with it forever.

My conscience struck me. However, I would regret it if I didn't grab this opportunity. To be able to study in an international school, to become a boss in a company—working as a creative director is a good start by managing people, and then to have a God-like husband like Chase Maxwell— the only man who makes me wet in my pants whenever he's half naked and kissing me.

This was the life that I was only imagining when I was in that nightclub.

I sighed. I missed Chase so much, to the extent that I had a lot of wet dreams because I'd been thinking about him a lot. I couldn't even help but imagine his lower torso, and how it felt whenever he was on top of me.

"Madame, are you hungry? We can take a stop at that burger chain for a drive through," Mathias asked concernedly.

I came back to my senses, and I glanced at the car window and saw the burger chain that serves breakfast. I immediately wiped my mouth with my handkerchief as I didn't notice I was drooling. Sh*t!

"Yes, I am starving, thinking about burgers and those meats that I like inside of my mouth makes me drool," I said, trying to defend myself.

Mathias glanced at me through the rearview mirror with a confused look. I guess that came out in a weird way.

"Sure, Madame, let's go for a quick drive-through."

After ordering some breakfast meals, I then kept them on the side and decided not to eat them since it would ruin my make-up. I then just made some excuses to Mathias that I had lost my appetite.

We arrived at the airport after almost an hour. All eyes were on me when I stepped out. Everyone was wearing a jacket because it was so cold, while here I was, wearing a backless black dress.

I waited outside in the arrival area and I waited for Chase. Even though I mustered the act of not giving a damn about the gossip that was spreading about Chase having an affair in Singapore, part of me was still worried that he might have done it as well given that Nathalie Smith was undeniably beautiful.

I sighed and tossed the negative thoughts aside as I knew it would never help me.

My phone rang, which ripped my thoughts out, and I picked it up as soon as I saw Lara on the caller ID.

"What's the matter?"

"Listen, Liv. I checked the writer of the entertainment website and it was familiar. I knew that person, so I contacted him. I've worked with him before. He's one of those paid writers that are known for writing juicy scoops on celebrities in exchange for money..."

I furrowed my eyebrows, and I didn't know what to say to Lara at this point. My eyes widened as I saw Chase approaching with his luggage. He was smiling from ear to ear.

"Let's talk later. Chase is here!"

I ended the phone call, and he immediately gave me a hug.

His staff also arrived. They helped and brought his luggage back to the car.

While inside the car, I could sense in Chase that he was a bit uptight and different. He was probably tired and I didn't want to bother him. That would add to his stress. Especially regarding what transpired with me and his father, and also with his aunt, who already had a bad impression on me.

"Reese, I just received a call from my aunt yesterday."

I glanced at Chase and I was nervous about what he was about to say. Did her aunt talk about my bad behavior towards her? Before the anxiety kicked into my system, Chase then said something that I was taken aback by.

"She said she was happy to meet you and she also complimented you a lot. Like, I was very lucky to have you."

My mouth partly opened and I exhaled deeply. I was already on the edge of my seat. Why didn't she tell Chase? Everything was a blatant lie.

"Is that true? Your Aunt was really a joker. Anyway, I'm flattered. Tell her that I appreciate it and that it's my honor to meet her."

Chase smiled, and he went to his phone to check some emails. He then immediately received a phone call that he didn't answer. I was looking at him, and he was a bit nervous.

He was shaking while he was turning off his phone. I was worried about him because it was my first time seeing him like this.

When we arrived at home, I gathered all my courage to ask him if there was anything wrong. He said there was nothing. Then I could feel that he was changing the topic, and he switched to the rumor that was circulating online.

"I'm so sorry, by the way, Reese. I bet you heard the news about me in Singapore," he said.

He went up to me closely and touched my face.

"It's not all true. I don't know where it came from, but all I can say is that it's not true. I know you're upset about it..."

I shook my head and touched his hand.

"I trust you, Chase. I know that you're busy. You don't have time to do that type of stuff. Even though I lost my old memories with you, I know that you're a responsible husband and you're doing your very best for our future, especially helping me and my family."

While saying those words, Chase's face went blank. His eyes looked at the ground and the long sigh from him gave me such a negative vibe that I said something wrong.

I probably shouldn't have mentioned Reese family's involvement in his business right now.

"Is there something wrong with what I said, Chase? You've been acting strange the whole time. "

"Reese, actually..." He licked his lower lip and gazed at me. "I wanted to tell you..." He then smiled. "...That we made it! I'm just acting so that there's a surprise! But let me tell you what happened in Singapore. It was a success. I spoke to a venture capitalist and he is willing to invest in the winery business that I bought from your parents. They offer 10 million dollars!"

"That's so awesome to hear, Chase!" I was teary-eyed and embraced him tightly.

I was so glad that Chase made it. I was very scared to hear some awful news from his father and a strange deal to file an annulment in exchange for seven million dollars.

I know it was a lot of money, but I was hoping that I could leave Chase with dignity.

Somehow, I could tell him that I truly love him, not just because of his money but because he was indeed a great person. Even though I'm not able to tell him any piece of information about what happened at his last wedding.

However, I could not just remove from the back of my head what his father told me, and it made me somehow think of his involvement in Reese Jones' disappearance.

"We would celebrate this, alright? I'll plan a trip for our vacation!"

"Okay, but Chase, I want you to also surprise you..." I said.

His face lit up and he was excited to hear the next words that I was trying to say.

"I'm the creative director of Ellie Steward's new luxury clothing business. I'm managing a team now, isn't it great? I actually have a job now and will start earning money. I also have great stock options with her company!"

I saw Chase's reaction swiftly, and he then smiled at me and applauded his hands.

"Congratulations, you deserve it! This is a double celebration! "

He hugged me tight and I was wondering why the smile on his face was different. Was he expecting different news?