Chapter 78

OLIVIA

I woke up to the sound of an alarm. Scratching my hair, I turned off my phone’s alarm and noticed Chase was sleeping soundly beside me.

I shifted my position and stared at the ceiling. I wasn’t able to comprehend what happened last night, as we were both wasted. There were beers surrounding us on the floor, and the whole room was clearly a mess.

When I tried to get up, I instantly felt the sourness in the spot between my legs. Even my lower belly ached, which made me whimper a bit. I took several deep breaths, realizing the pain and weakness in my body. I couldn’t move, not even for a single bit.

I cursed under my breath. I noticed some movement beside me, and when I looked at Chase, I saw that he had finally woken up. His eyes were sparkling as he gazed up at me, and his hands automatically went to my waist as he embraced me.

Our smell of musk lingered in my nostrils. Both of us were dripping in sweat too, because of the heat.

"Good morning, my wife," he whispered in my ear, and then he kissed my forehead.

His hand traveled to my breast. He chuckled when I shoved it away.

"Chase, stop..."

"Why?" His voice sounded like he was teasing me.

"I’m so sweaty, and I still fear sour," I said, fighting the urge to roll my eyes because he continued to chuckle like a child.

"You look even sexier when you act so grumpy," he said huskily.

"I’m not going to buy that..." A ghost of a smile escaped my lips.

I gathered all my strength and finally stood up. Even though I was really tired and I wanted to rest, I knew I had to go to my classes.

"Come on, Chase. Get up now. I need to go to school," I said to him.

I also remembered that I needed to go to my doctor’s appointment and then proceed to the office to finalize some work with my team today.

"Alright, one more minute," he said, and then yawned.

"Chase!"

"Fine, I am getting up now."

Chase, with his bedroom look, was really appealing. I couldn’t help but admire his messy hair and his husky voice that sent me morning shivers. He assisted in every moment I did as my head throbbed in pain, thanks to the hangover from last night’s drinking.

"Are you alright, Reese? I’m not sure if I can let you leave in that state," Chase asked me as I prepared my school stuff.

"I’m OK. This is just a hangover, and I’ll take medicine to be relieved," I answered, and smiled at him to assure him I could manage.

"No, you look terribly pale. It’s not just about a hangover," he said worriedly as he walked towards me and checked my temperature by putting the back of his hand onto my forehead. "Let me prepare some food so you can eat, then I’ll excuse you to your class, okay?"

Perhaps Chase was right, as I was starting to really feel under the weather at this point. I was about to respond, but his phone rang. He motioned for me to wait, and then he picked up the call.

"Yes, I’m listening..." He said to the phone and stepped back. "Hmm, OK, what about it? Yes, I’m working on the funds... Sure, not a problem. Alright, bye!"

I sighed in frustration. I recalled the papers that I found in his home office. His company was facing bankruptcy, and he was trying to start a winery business by selling some of his property. Firstly, he sold his cars... I wondered what else he would sell just for us to get back on track?

And when was he going to tell me about it?

During our breakfast, I stayed speechless, pondering whether I would ask him about the papers I saw or just turn a blind eye and let him handle it. I was completely confused and still hurt that he hadn’t told me about it and he was acting like he didn’t have the intention of opening it up even though I was his wife.

Would Reese feel the same just like what I’ve been feeling all this time?

Would she also feel that she was betrayed and lied to?

"You’re not eating your food. Don’t you like it?" Chase looked worriedly at me.

I stared at him blankly. His eyes didn’t radiate any guilt for lying to me. All I saw was the sincere worry behind them, which made me feel worse.

"Reese..." he called, trying to get my attention.

"When do you plan to tell me everything, Chase," I said.

My statement left him confused, based on how his brows furrowed as he stared down at me.

"Tell you what, Reese?" he asked.

I let out a harsh sigh and gathered all the right words in my mind before I spoke.

"About the company that's going bankrupt," I told him firmly, and I kept looking at him intently. "I saw the bankruptcy papers you are hiding in your home office, and I don’t understand why you are not telling me about it."

Chase’s expression turned grim. His eyes widened as if he couldn’t believe what I just said at the moment. I pressed my lips together and didn’t back down. I waited for him to give me some answers I had been dying to hear.

After all, I was his wife, and I had the right to know everything that was happening.

"You went to my office without my permission, Reese?" he asked in disbelief. His voice sounded so disappointed.

I sucked in a breath. "That’s because you are not telling me anything, Chase. I don’t want to be blind to your current business problems anymore. I know something is happening. That’s why I looked for answers myself. And I am right, we’re having financial issues..."

"Reese, this isn’t your problem--"

"I don’t understand why it isn’t my problem, Chase." I cut him off. "Obviously, I am your wife and have every right to know what’s happening with you and your company!"

I couldn’t help but raise my voice. I was totally pissed off that he still acted like it was nothing when it was a serious matter. I couldn’t get a grasp on why he had to leave me in the darkness.

"I’m not that dumb to not feel that something is up, Chase."

"I don’t like it when you invade my office, Reese. Don’t do it next—"

"That’s not even the main issue here!" I almost yelled.

I avoided his gaze as I palmed my face. My head throbbed even more, and that doubled the anxiety I was feeling right now. I could only curse under my breath.

"You are making me feel that I have no right to stick my nose into your business..." I said, my voice sounded so hurt... offended and dismayed. "I am your wife."

Chase’s face softened when I looked at him. I noticed how he swallowed so hard, and for a split second, I saw the fear behind his ocean blue eyes.

"I’m sorry, baby..." he shut his eyes and uttered a curse, then opened them and reached for my hand that was resting on the table. "I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to snap on you."

I bit my lower lip. "Fuck. You’re getting on my nerves..."

"I’m really sorry..." He stood up and then went to me, kneeling on the side of my chair as he held my hand tightly. "Look, it is not my intention to hide it from you."

"Then, what?"

"The company is not facing any bankruptcy, Reese. I assure you of that. Please, don’t worry."

My forehead creased in confusion. What did he mean by that? The papers clearly told me that his company was going through bankruptcy...

"Are you lying to me?" I asked in disbelief.

"No. I am not lying to you." He looked at me intently. "I am telling you the truth. I am not facing any bankruptcy."

"Then what about those papers I’ve seen from your office?"

"Those are the papers that my lawyer prepared just in case I wouldn’t be able to fund my winery business in time." He let out a sigh before he continued. "I already have an investor in this business I am trying to start up, but it is not enough to support it, which is why I ended up selling my cars. I didn’t use them that often anyway."

My jaw dropped at what he said. I recalled the conversation I had with his father, and how that old man clearly told me that Reese and her family dragged Chase’s reputation into vain... Was he lying?

"You’re really not facing bankruptcy?" I asked, still confused.

He shook his head, taking my hand in his lips, and kissed my knuckles.

"We are not facing bankruptcy, Reese," he said firmly. "I am sorry... I should’ve explained it better why I sold my cars. I just didn’t want you to worry because everything is being handled according to my plan..."

It was as if a pail of relief had just washed over me. The thorn in my chest had just been removed, and I was completely at ease now that he clarified things.

"I’m sorry if I snapped at you too..." I said and bit my lower lip. "My mind was clouded with speculation, and since I never heard from you, I thought you were lying to me... I’m sorry. Chase..."

"You’re not at fault, baby." He took a deep breath and kissed my lips. "I’ll never lie to you. I promise."

I smiled thinly, thinking that I’d never be able to promise the same thing to him because I was only lying the whole time...