CHAPTER FIVE

JESSIE'S POV

I sighted Chase coming back into the room and quickly put his phone on the table. 

Jacques Bernard, my ex-boyfriend from college suddenly showed up to annoy me. Chase walked up to us and we all talked for a while before I quickly dismissed Jacques, before he could expose the truth about my true identity.

Chase wanted to know about Jacques and I so I told him a little about us before changing the subject.

We sat in silence before Chase explained, "Sorry, I had to contact my secretary, Bianca. Something came up earlier, so she couldn't attend the wedding with me," Chase explained when he took his seat across from me.

"The lady with you at the lobby earlier?" I asked trying to find out what exactly she meant to him.

If they had a thing going on, it wouldn't be surprising, the lady was hot, I had to admit.

"Oh, you saw us earlier? You must have been staring for a while," he teased, revealing his perfect teeth and dimples.

"Yeah, I was. Is she your girlfriend?" I asked, avoiding his gaze.

"Bianca? No way! She's simply my assistant and she's happily married with a kid. What do you take me for?" He seemed offended.

"I'm sorry, it's just she's really beautiful. It won't be surprising if you both had something other than work going on," I apologized.

"No, we don't. You're more beautiful, you know?" He smiled.

"Thanks," I replied with a smile.

Chase seemed like a nice person and his constant smiles were very addictive. I felt like I had known him for a long time. 

He seemed sad when we discussed his music career ending abruptly. Now more than before, I wanted to discover his reasons for leaving his record label and fans just like that.

Lenore threw the bouquet and I caught it, almost as though she wanted me to.

I gave Lenore an annoyed look while she simply winked. 

"Why did you throw it to me?" I frowned.

"Congratulations in advance darling," Lenore replied. 

When we got back to our table, Chase asked if I knew Lenore personally.

"Why would you ask that? How can someone like me know Lenore Bernard?" I frowned.

"You both seemed quite friendly earlier," he said.

"Well, that's because she's probably an easy-going person. You wouldn't like it if your old classmate and friend got married to a haughty bitch, now would you?" I asked.

"Of course not, but what I want to know now is how you got to know about Cesare being my former classmate and friend. I don't remember telling you that," he said and my eyes opened widely in surprise at his question.

"Well, I heard someone mention how it while I sat waiting for you to return from answering your call," I lied.

"Okay, may I have this dance, beautiful Jessica?" Chase asked with a smile.

"Of course, handsome Chase," I replied, smiling, happy that he believed me.

We glided across the ballroom, waltzing and I realized how much I enjoyed being with Chase.

"When did you learn to waltz?" I asked him as we kept waltzing.

"When I had to do the waltz with the teenage actress Diana Rodriguez in my music video for my song, Darling."

"You must have put in a lot of effort. You and Diana seemed like professional waltzers in that video. There were rumours of you guys dating, was it true?" I asked.

"Yes, it was. What about you? You seem quite skilled at this," He changed the topic.

"My mother taught me to waltz," I replied, hating the fact that I had to mention the woman I hated and loved the most at the same time.

"Does your mother also stay in London with you and your Dad? Do you have other siblings?"

I wasn't sure of how to answer that question. For all I knew my family was still here in Paris. I thought of the step-siblings I got from my parents getting remarried to other people. My mum had a daughter and two sons from her present husband and my dad, two sons and a daughter from his second marriage.

I never quite fit in. I was the only child that my parents had together. When they were divorced, I was almost four and my mother got custody of me. It was a struggle to measure up to her standards.

My father wasn't wealthy, so that had been the major disagreement between them, so when they got divorced, my mother married a wealthy fashion designer with lots of designer stores to his name. 

She was already pregnant with my twins when they got married, I was only four when she gave birth to Pierre and Olivier.

Pushing away all thoughts of my divided family out of my mind, I realized that Chase had been talking to me.

"Jessica, are you alright? Can you hear me?" Chase asked.

I noticed that the waltz was over and everyone was heading back to their seats.

"Of course I'm fine. I was just thinking of what next to write about," I replied when we got to our table.

"I think it's time for us to greet the couple. Let's go over to them," Chase suggested, standing.

"Yes, of course," I replied and entwined my fingers with his.

He seemed quite surprised by my move but didn't reject and we walked hand in hand to the latest power couple.

Lenore was happy that her plan was finally working out. At the sight of I and Chase's hands entwined, her smile turned into a mischievous smirk. 

"Cesare my man, you're finally married. That too, to a beautiful and successful lady. Hello Lenore, I've heard amazing things about you," Chase said, giving Cesare a hug and Lenore a smile.

"Thanks so much my friend for coming. I know how busy you are and how much of a favour you've done for us by coming from London. Here with you is?" Cesare asked Chase while Lenore simply smiled, acting like she didn't know me.

"Oh, she's Jessica Dubois. We met at the lobby this morning, she's French just like your wife, you know?"

"Oh really? It's nice to meet you, Jessica," Cesare said with a polite smile.

"You guys seem quite close for people who just met today. Is there anything special going on between you two?" Lenore asked suggestively.

"Come on let it go Lee. We just got married, but that doesn't mean that everyone else is in a relationship. They just met and my old friend here can't speak French, so Jessica is probably helping him out, right?" Cesare smiled at us.

"Yes, that's exactly what's happening," I replied.

"Okay, we'll talk later. Lee and I have to greet her parents and our other relatives," Cesare said.

"Of course. I wish you a happy married life," Chase said.

"Thanks a lot, please enjoy the party. Have some drinks, Ms Dubois, you seem a little bit too uptight," Lenore observed as they walked away.

"Lenore seems quite interested in you," Chase indicated.

"Really? I don't think so," I replied before taking a glass of champagne from a waiter passing by.

"You write novels, have you ever thought of writing articles for magazines? Lenore owns a very successful magazine company called Tasty," Chase said.

'Of course, I know that already. I work there smarty pants!' I screamed in my mind.

"No, I wouldn't want to ever get involved in writing for a magazine. I prefer my blog and novels," I said before taking the last gulp of champagne.

"Okay, but I think I could try talking to her about you. She pays her staff well, I heard," Chase said while eyeing me as I took another glass of champagne.

"Stop it! I told you I don't want to work for her. Do you think the pay would change my mind? I don't want to, don't you get it!" I raised my voice which shocked Chase and even myself.

I chugged down the drink and turned to Chase who seemed surprised by my outburst.

"I'm sorry I lost my cool. It's just I'm sick of being told what to do. Jacques did that a lot when we were dating."

"It's fine, I shouldn't have kept pressing. When did you break up with him?"

"Four years ago, I was staying here in Paris. I had to relocate to London to clear my head and eventually decided to settle there," I replied.

"I'm sorry for reminding you of him," Chase apologised.

"It's fine, I think we can finally call it a night, it's 8 pm already."

"Are you trying to pull Cinderella on me? Is it because I brought Jacques up" Chase asked, frowning.

"I'm serious, I think I need to head back to my room. I have an early flight back to London."

"Okay, so can I get your contact details as a souvenir?" Chase smiled.

"Of course, here you go," I took out my fake business card from my clutch, which described me as a novelist and a blogger without any information about me being a columnist.

"Thanks, here's my card," Chase said before handing me a black card.

I quickly put it in my purse and waved him goodbye, before walking out of the room.

When I got into the elevator, I sent information about my current progress to Lenore who seemed overjoyed and told me to do anything to get out more information from Chase.

When I got into my room, I sat down to think about all that had happened today. It was still unbelievable that the famous Chase Reed was interested in me.

I had to tell so many lies today and I'll need to tell even more lies. Chase seemed like a nice gentleman, he didn't deserve what I was doing. 

'Well, it's not like he'd get hurt by this. When I find out who those kids are and why he quit music, I'll let him go,' I thought to myself.

An idea came to my mind and I took out Chase's business card. I saved Chase's number and sent him a text., "Are you in your room now? From Jessica." 

"Yes, I am," He replied immediately.

"I wanted to know if you had your laptop with you. I forgot mine in my apartment and I need to post something important on my blog."

"What's your room number? I'll bring it up to you in person," he texted.

"No, don't worry. I'll come and get it from you. What's your room number?"

"1189."

"I'll be there in ten," I replied with a smile.