Surviving My Love

"Dad, I don't need another secretary. I am perfectly happy with Johnson." Chase Ward glared into his father's steely grey eyes, slightly leaning towards him. Eyes that were so similar to his own, yet Chase was nothing like him. Nothing. The latter seemed unconcerned by his son's attitude. Why was he meddling with my staff?  Chase felt the muscle underneath his left eye twitch. It usually happened when he felt irritated. "Sit down Chase. You're wearing out my carpet." "I don't have time for this. I need to be in court in --" he checked his Rolex, "less than an hour." "Johnson is ready for retirement, Chase. He has a heart condition too and he told me the stress was getting to him." Alexander Ward skimmed over the papers on his desk. Chase sighed. He knew he's been working poor Mr. Johnson too hard, but never realized he had health issues. Johnson had never complained or mentioned anything to him.   "I think Ms

The drive to Christine's apartment occurred in silence. Mostly. Chase's stony face made Christine anxious. Usually she would be concerned with the speed they were moving at. She observed his slender fingers strangling the steering wheel. Is he angry at me? Is it because we couldn't finish the work? I've gone over almost over all of his personal documents and couldn't find a single discrepancy. Or is he angry because Mason saw us? Oh my word, the gossips are going to have a field day with this. "Mr. Ward?" she almost whispered. He just grunted in reply, his teeth locked together. "I'm really sorry about this. There really was no need for you to -" "Just shut up, Morrison." Christine looked away from him, balling her fists to stop herself from crying. How can he be kind the one moment and a bastard the next? She is not going to give him the satisfaction of seeing how much he upset her. After a while he said: "Is this whe

The rest of the week flew by. Chase avoided Christine as much as possible. Christine spoke when spoken to, not daring to meet his penetrating gaze. She noticed some of the employees staring when she passed by, conversations suddenly silent.Let them talk. I have nothing to hide.Even Mason avoided the office. Which definitely was for the best. She hadn't seen him since he noticed Chase carrying her to the elevator. Just thinking about it had her face heat up. No, she must banish Chase from her mind. He humiliated her and treated his father like crap in front of her. It did not sit well with her at all. She adored her father, even though he put them through agony. It was unthinkable for her to treat a family member with so much contempt as she had seen. But she still felt sorry for him when Mr. Ward hit him. She could feel that slap in her deepest being. Then there was the thing with Mason. Maybe she should ask Mason about it, because she certainly wasn't going

The week sped by. Between court appearances and appointments Chase and Christine kept it professional between them. Mason kept his distance still. Chase buried himself in his work, trying not to think about the upcoming trip. I lied to her. I looked her straight in the face and I lied. There's no need for her to come with me, but I want her with me. Heaven help me, I am becoming a lunatic. His Dad was going to have a lot to say about him taking Christine with. Or not. He was currently too involved with the twins' latest fuck up. He couldn't help smiling. Couldn't have been better timing. I am just glad he didn't involve me like he usually does. Maybe he was still upset about their last altercation.The old man can still deliver a punch though. I thought my nose was broken.But Chase didn't feel the need to apologize. He still hasn't completely forgiven him for what he had done to their family. Especially to his mother. She

"Morrison! Hurry up for God's sake! Our flight's boarding.""Yes, just a minute, Mr. Ward!"Ugh! That insufferable man! God, I am shaking!Christine steadied herself against the basin. The Xanax she took before leaving the apartment doesn't seem to be adequate. The drive here was nerve wracking to say the least. Morning traffic in the city always made her anxiety hyper. She popped a Valium and dry swallowed it. If this didn't work, she won't be able to keep it together.A lady walking out of the toilet gave her an enquiring look. She pretended to fix her hair."If you're not out of that restroom in five seconds I am coming in! I'm sure you're pretty enough.""Oh, for goodness' sake." She quickly checked her face in the mirror. It was white as the wall. Her eyes were huge dark orbs staring back at her. Not that he would notice her anxiety. Of course not, the world revolved around Chase Ward. Walking out of the ladies' restroom