CHAPTER 4

Chase didn't go to the hospital because he didn't have time and would be late for work. He texted the doctor to tell his grandmother that he wouldn't be able to come today. He reasoned that he had a meeting early in the morning.

Before heading straight to work, he stopped by Starbucks to buy an iced coffee to treat his aching head from a hangover due to his drunkenness last night. As soon as he paid for the iced coffee, he drank it through the straw. The coolness of the coffee revived his dry throat and, in some mysterious way, assisted in the relief of his hangover and headache.

As much as he wanted to skip work today, due to the soreness and ache all over his body, particularly in his private part, he couldn't.

This was his first time getting drunk. He swore to himself that he would never drink again.

On his way to work, the picture of the man he had slept with last night suddenly sank into his mind. Although he was drunk last night, he clearly remembered the man's thick, noble-looking eyebrows and deep-set eyes that were darker than the night sky, his straight, well-defined, and prominent nose, and those kissable lips.

As he remembered the man's kissable lips, he was reminded of the man's skillful kisses—how he embraced his lips and how those lips touched every skin of his body, making him feel on cloud nine. Despite the fact that he had been in a relationship before, it was his first time being kissed like that. He was a conservative man, and he couldn't believe he had taken that man for a shaft, considering he was huge at the time and still a virgin.

It just goes to show how skilled the man was in bed and with women. There is no doubt that he had a lot of experience in that area, and for some reason, he felt bitter thinking about the women he had slept with, but he quickly dismissed it.

He believes the man is not gay or bisexual, so he believes he has slept with women.

But what made him sleep with me? He asked himself. He really doesn't seem into men.

Never mind. Anyway, I don't have the right to feel anything because it was only a one-night stand, so I'll just move on and forget about my experience with that remarkable man. He only thought. He leaned back against the seat and closed his eyes for a moment.

Ten minutes before eight o'clock, Chase arrived at the LCC Building. He went to the comfort room first to fix himself before heading to the design department, because he didn't have time to go home and take a shower or even change his clothes.

He wet his hand with water from the faucet and applied it to his hair. He combed his hair with his fingers. He paused and took a few moments to look at himself in the mirror as he was getting ready because what had happened the night before had disturbed him.

It wasn't easy for him to forget about what happened because the man made a lasting impression on him, and he found himself touching his lips with his index finger, reminiscing about the red kissable lips of the man kissing him. He also touched his earlobes and the area on his neck where the man had touched his lips.

"Damn, Chase. Get a grip on yourself!" When he became aware that he was becoming overly enamored with the amazing memory from the previous night, he reprimanded himself.

He turned on the faucet again, cupped some water in both hands and splashed it on his face. He bowed his head for a few seconds before returning his gaze to the mirror, leaving the faucet running.

"Forget about that, Chase. You won't see him anymore," he whispered to himself. He turned off the faucet and snatched a tissue from the tissue box to wipe his wet face.

He fixed himself again, and while fixing himself, he noticed that he had lost his necktie. He left it at the hotel, but he didn't mind at all. He stayed in the comfort room for another five minutes before going to the office. He has to make sure that there are no traces of the man from last night on his skin or polo.

When he exited the comfort room, he headed straight to the office. On his way to the office, his phone vibrated in the pocket of his black pants. He took his phone from his pants pocket and checked the phone screen to see who had texted him, and it was Gerald, his cheating boyfriend.

"Good morning, baby! I'm sorry. I was so busy last night at work. I wasn't able to respond to your text."

After reading his boyfriend's message, he cracked a bitter smile.

"You're a fucking liar." He grumbled in irritation, ignoring the message, and put his phone back in his pocket. He had to let out a deep breath because he suddenly felt a weight on his heart. But the words that the man said to him last night made him feel motivated to fight the heartbreak he was dealing with.

However, the thought of breaking up with Gerald seemed too difficult for him. After all, he still loves him. They had been together for almost two years and had a wonderful time together during that time. It can be easily thrown away.

He let out a deep sigh as soon as he settled himself on his swivel chair when he got to the office.

"Are you okay, Sir Chase?" Klaire, who was sitting at the other desk across from him, asked him in concern.

"Yeah. I'm okay. Thanks." He responded with a smile. He was unsure if he was telling the truth. He might be okay, but he is not fine at all.

"Are you sure? Do you want me to get you a coffee?"

"Thank you, Klaire, but I'm good." He gave her an assuring smile.

"Can you get me a coffee instead, Klaire?" Vincent stepped in. He is making Klaire notice him.

Klaire didn't bother to look at him. "Why would I? Am I your slave?" She asked calmly, but everyone in the office laughed. Chase just chuckled.

"You're not even Chase's slave. So, what is the difference?" Vincent argued from the second row of desks.

"The difference is that Klaire likes Chase, and she doesn't like you," Ian answered jokingly while laughing.

Chase still just chuckled, just like he always does when his colleagues are teasing each other.

"Who says I like her?" Vincent protested, denying his feelings towards Klaire.

"You're already obvious, man. Don't try to deny it." Ian keeps on teasing him.

"You even confessed to her the last time you were drunk," Cara added while laughing. "Don't tell us you don't remember."

"That's impossible!" Vincent insisted on denying it.

Suddenly, their manager arrived and asked for their attention, indicating she had an announcement to make.

"Everyone, please pay attention. We just finished the meeting with Mr. Leonardo. His son, who recently arrived from Canada, will take over the company tomorrow, so I want everyone to put their best foot forward," Lalaine, their manager, stated.

"Wow! I had no idea Mr. Leonardo had a son. So his son is going to be our new boss, right?" Cara asked.

"That's right, Cara. For the record, he is the only son of Mr. Leonardo Chevalier. His name is Liam Chevalier. He is 26 years old and holds bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees from the University of Toronto. Not only that, but he is also a well-known model and Calvin Klein brand ambassador." Lalaine finished by looking at each of them.

"Wow! Impressive! I'm so excited about meeting him!" Cara exclaimed in excitement when she learned about Liam's accomplishment.

"I suppose we're all excited about meeting him. Anyway, we know what our responsibilities are because we work in the design department, so we expect to have a weekly meeting with Mr. Liam, though this may change. We don't know. Simply do your job to the best of your ability. In addition, Mr. Liam Chevalier will be welcomed at a welcoming conference tomorrow. For those who want to meet him in advance, you can attend the conference." Following their manager's announcement, they returned to their respective tables and began working.

They are preparing for a large fashion show event for their latest release, so making a mistake was out of the question.

"Mr. Leonardo is one of the nicest people I've ever met. He doesn't act like a boss but as a friend to his employees. I hope that his son will be the same," Klaire commented.

After knowing that they would be having a new boss tomorrow, she feels anxious a little bit.

"I think he will, but do you guys think our new boss is good-looking?" Cara inquired.

"Well, Mr. Leonardo is good-looking, and I'm sure his son is as well." Tanya spoke dreamily.

"Right? "Perhaps he's single and looking for a partner," Cara joked.

"Jeez! Stop dreaming, girls! Didn't you hear what Ms. Lalaine said? He had just come from Canada. He probably already has a girlfriend there. Or perhaps he already has a fiancee." Vincent interrupted, ruining their fantasies.

While they continued to discuss their new boss, Chase wondered what Liam Chevalier looked like. Whatever he looked like, Chase just hoped to have a good relationship with his new boss.

—