Chapter 4

How does she manage to undermine my resolve, anyway? Chase thought to himself as he went back into his room. He discovered her passed out and snoring, but he thought it was charming, and to his surprise, he found her fascinating.

Chase sighed and went to the living room again; however, this time the room was filled with the echoes of laughter and the clinking of glasses, and amidst the merriment, one figure remained motionless beneath the balcony. "Tyler, wake up," Chase said.

Tyler lay sprawled on the soft couch, his limbs splayed haphazardly, in a state of deep unconsciousness. The chaos of the party seemed to fade away as concerned whispers filled the air.

"Chase, is he okay?" one of his cousins asked.

"I hope so." Friends and acquaintances gathered around, their expressions a mix of worry and amusement. Some nudged Tyler gently, hoping to rouse him from his slumber, while others exchanged bewildered glances. It was clear that this unexpected turn of events had captured everyone's attention. "Wow, what the hell did he drink earlier?" the tattooed guy inquired.

As the revelry continued, speculation spread like wildfire. Some speculated that he had indulged in a bit too much celebration, succumbing to the effects of excessive alcohol. Others whispered about the possibility of a prank gone wrong, wondering if someone had played a trick on him. Regardless of the cause, the partygoers were united in their curiosity and concern for their fallen comrade.

"Will he be able to wake up tomorrow?" Chase frowned. "Of course, it's his wedding," Helena murmured. “Chase, should we call for medical assistance? Or maybe attempt to wake him."

"No."

"Perhaps it would be best to let him sleep it off and regain his senses naturally,” Chase responded. As opinions clashed, a hush fell over the crowd, and a decision was reached.

Carefully, a few individuals kneeled beside Tyler and took him to the living room, placing a cushion under his head and ensuring his body was in a more comfortable position. Concerned murmurs filled the air as they watched his chest rise and fall with each steady breath. While uncertainty lingered, there was a shared understanding that keeping him safe and comfortable was of the utmost importance.

As the night pressed on, the party resumed its lively rhythm, though a collective eye was still cast upon the motionless figure on the couch. Conversations resumed, laughter echoed, and the music played on.

Five hours later,.

What a mess. Chase thought to himself as he sent the other three dancers home with generous tips and his heartfelt thanks. Most of the guests had either departed for the large house's bedrooms or, like Tyler, were passed out in the living room after being taken off the balcony.

"Damn it, Mary will kill me if something bad happens to her groom," he grumbled to himself.

Chase returned to his room to watch Daisy sleep. He fetched her a down-filled blanket and draped it over her so she could avoid getting cold. Then he observed her sleeping face in the dimly lit room, where a serene atmosphere engulfed the cosy surroundings. Nestled in a comfortable bed, the woman lies peacefully, the embodiment of elegance and grace. Her form was delicately outlined beneath the soft covers, adding to the allure of the scene.

Silken dark strands of hair scattered over the pillow as if in a cascade of midnight satin, framing her face like a halo.

Chase sighed as he looked at her and thought about how her features were sculpted with meticulous precision, each contour harmoniously blending to create a visage of timeless beauty. Her high cheekbones lend a subtle definition to her face, while her flawless complexion appears as if touched by the gentlest brushstrokes of moonlight.

“Beautiful,” he murmured.

Chase thought she was an exquisite beauty. In slumber, her expression remains tranquil, as if caught in a moment of serendipity. Her long, dark lashes rest peacefully on her smooth, slightly flushed cheeks, casting shadows that dance with the faintest of movements. Lips, naturally plump and subtly tinted, exude an aura of quiet allure, promising whispers of secrets yet untold. Her form beneath the covers exudes grace, with curves that evoke admiration and appreciation.

“And sexy.” He sighed as he looked at how the contours of her body spoke of both strength and softness. Chase wasn't the sort to go to strip joints. Tyler and Justin were more into that. But there was that moment, when he'd come storming through the audience and she'd pulled off her bra and flung it at him... He wouldn't be a man if he hadn't admired that extremely feminine form.

He'd felt so alive for a split second. Truly animated. Chase's realisation struck him deeply as he reflected on the past few years of his life. The drive to grow his business had consumed him, leaving little room for anything else. He had poured countless hours into his work, sacrificing personal relationships, hobbies, and even his own well-being.

As he thought about it further, he realised that he had neglected his own happiness and the simple joys of life. The pursuit of success had become an all-encompassing obsession, and he had lost sight of the things that truly mattered to him.

The feeling he experienced now, whatever it was—perhaps a sense of contentment or a fleeting moment of peace—reminded him of the importance of balance. It made him recognise that life wasn't solely about achieving professional goals. There was more to existence than just growing a business.

Chase pondered all of this while he watched her sleep and thought about the wedding the following morning.

There was something inside of him that despised being responsible for Tyler. Even though he was a good cousin, he had always questioned why Tyler was so terrified of marrying Mary and giving up his singlehood. It was both confusing and terrifying.

Chase's assumption that when you find the right woman, things will naturally fall into place and flow easily is a common belief held by many people. It's often portrayed in movies, books, and popular culture that when you meet your soulmate or the person you're meant to be with, everything will effortlessly align.

Bullocks! Of course, it was Tyler’s ideal.

While it's true that a strong connection and compatibility are important in a relationship, the notion that everything will magically fall into place may not always hold true in reality. He knew that from experience. He knew that relationships require effort, communication, and compromise from both partners to thrive and grow.

Chase let out a sigh. Life may be stressful. On the bright side, he no longer had to be responsible for his cousin. Chase was certain that, as best man, he'd bring his cousin to the church on time and witness his wedding tomorrow afternoon. He halted when Daisy sighed and stretched, forcing the duvet to tumble to the floor next to the couch. Her heavy lashes fluttered open as she looked across at him.

"Hey, what time is it?" she whispered quietly. "Right, roughly three in the morning," Chase said with a furrowed brow. She attempted to sit up, then reclined on the couch. "Fuck! I’m a little dizzy.”

"You need something to eat," he said, extending his hand and offering her a tempting piece of cake.

"Oh yes…"

Chase raised an eyebrow at her unconventional approach but couldn't help but smile at her enthusiasm. "Well, it seems like you really can't wait," he remarked playfully. She chuckled, her mouth still partially filled with cake.

"When I'm hungry, I don't have time for utensils. Besides, cake tastes better when you eat it with your hands."

He nodded, finding her reasoning amusing. "Fair enough. As long as you're enjoying it."

With a mischievous gleam in her eyes, Amaya teased, "Want a bite?"

He laughed, realising she was offering him a taste. "Sure, why not?" he replied, leaning closer to take a bite from the cake she held in her hand. The sweet flavour instantly pleased his taste buds.

They continued to share the cake, alternating between bites taken with their hands and bites taken with the provided fork. Their playful interaction created an atmosphere of lightheartedness and enjoyment.

As they savoured the cake together, he couldn't help but feel grateful for the spontaneous moment, realising that sometimes breaking the rules and embracing the simple pleasures in life could lead to the most delightful experiences.

“Delicious, yeah?” She mumbled between bites.

He nodded as they finished it in record time. He watched as she licked the icing off her fingers, then spread some of the thick frosting off the paper plate and onto her finger. Then he carefully licked that finger, apparently loving the taste. The unintentionally sensuous movement and the genuine pleasure she exuded turned him on completely.

Daisy was bursting with energy. And she is hot and sexy, he thought to himself. Yet Chase couldn’t believe he was having such sexual ideas. How could he be so taken with someone he'd previously despised?