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Chapter 8

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Chase tapped the elevator button with the end of his index finger. He sighed as the doors slid closed which left him alone. He felt like screaming. He felt like crying. He felt like punching his father and whoever was responsible for that picture getting out. He wanted to keep Bree and the business. But he knew he could only have one. And with his luck, he would end up with the business. He had never had good luck with women anyway, this relationship was bound to end sometime. He glanced down at the rolled up magazine in his hand as the doors opened to the expectant office workers. They all began working as soon as Chase stepped out of the elevator. He nodded to the passing workers as he made his way to his office. He saw Bree sitting at her desk setting up his schedule for the week. He smiled slightly a the sight of her. This was what she wanted. She wanted a big job, and a nice boss that wouldn't mess things up. Not like him. Within the past few days he's been able to ruin everything for the both of them. Now Chase had put the future of the entire business on the line while he was also ruining her credibility with future jobs. Chase shook those thoughts out of his head. He had to tell her the truth.

"Ms. Henderson? May I speak with you in my office for a second?" The entire staff turned to stare. They all knew that tone meant she was about to get fired. They had been here long enough to get to know when Chase was going to fire someone. Bree looked to the others then back to Chase.

"Sure Mr. Davenport." She said politely as she stood and followed Chase into his office. Chase motioned for her to sit as he shut the door. As he locked it he could hear her stand up from her seat and make her way over to him.

"Oh god, I missed you." She whispered as she wrapped her arms around Chase's neck. He immediately snaked his arms around her waist. She smiled before moving up to kiss him. He moved back instantly.

"What's wrong?" Bree asked concerned. She let her arms fall to her side as Chase ran his fingers through his hair.

"Look, Bree-"

"Why are you breaking up with me?" She whispered quietly. She crossed her arms over her chest.

"Bree, I have to. Look at this, it could ruin the both of us." Chase said. He handed her the magazine. She looked quizzically at it as Chase felt the tears begin to build in his eyes. Chase watched her face fall as she saw the headline.

"New assistant is able to seduce the up and coming CEO, Chase Davenport, during one of the biggest conventions of the year." Bree read aloud. She looked up to him with her own tears threatening to fall. Chase finally let the tears roll down his face as he moved closer to hug Bree. She curled into his chest as she let the tears fall. Chase could hear her sobbing. He hate this, he didn't want to be the reason this as happening. He wanted to be the one to prevent this.

"Why would they print this?" Bree whispered in between sobs. Chase shook his head as he rubbed her back.

"I don't know, Bree. I hate this just as much as you." Chase whispered into her neck. She sobbed as she heard Chase's words. She had thought there could be something he could do. But know she knew otherwise. This was even beyond him.

"Chase I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to cause all of this-"

"Hey. Shhhhh. It's my fault. If I hadn't of started anything with you and just kept things professional-"

"But then we wouldn't have this." Bree said quietly. Chase smiled down at her as she laughed. This was amazing.

"How is this going to work?" Bree asked as she moved to take her seat. Chase sighed as he took the seat next to her.

"I don't know. My dad said I would have to break up with you and lie to make this go away." Chase said with a shudder. He had always hated those who had to lie about their personal lives, and now, he was one of them.

"I'm sorry, Chase. What if I just quit? You can just make up some lie that another company heard of me and wanted me. They offered me more money and when they got that picture of us we were going to talk about it." Bree suggested. Chase sat back and thought. It was plausible. Then that would take away the whole possibility of them having a secret relationship.

"I think it could work. But wait... Where will you work?" Chase asked. Bree looked down at the floor and then back to Chase.

"I wasn't completely lying when I suggested another company offering me more money. I said no because I liked you and I thought we could go somewhere. But now, I might call back. Then we could maybe have a relationship." Bree suggested with a smile. Chase shook his head, regretting every second of this. He couldn't lose Bree.

"What company offered you more money?" Chase asked.

"Greenberg Enterprises. They're also getting a new CEO, Marcus Greenburg. Who is the current CEO, Douglas Greenburg's son." Bree explained. Chase's face hardened at the mention of Marcus. They had gone to school together, and Greenberg Enterprises happened to be their biggest enemy in the business world. He couldn't let Bree switch to them. But he had to, if he wanted to protect Bree.

"Alright. You can switch companies. All I ask is when they ask you for information, don't give it to them. No mater what the offer is. The longer you withhold it, the longer they'll keep you. That happened to the assistant I had before Adam." Chase explained as he stood up along with Bree.

"Thank you for everything, Chase. I'm sorry I have to do this." Bree whispered. Chase smiled slightly.

"It's okay Bree. I should be sorry. I didn't let you stay here to long before wrapping you up in a public scandal." Chase whispered as he pulled her into a hug. She smiled as she relaxed into his chest.

"So... Are we friends?" Bree asked as they pulled away. Hearing that broke his heart. Even after last night she still didn't like him as much as he liked her. He would just have to forget about her.

"Sure. Friends. I'll see you later, Bree." Chase said as he led her out of the office. She smiled and began to pick up her things.

"Thanks for everything, Chase." She said as she picked her purse up. As she walked away, a pen dropped from the pile of office supplies she was carrying. Chase ran ahead and picked it up.

"Wait! You dropped this." Chase said with a suave smile. Bree laughed and took the pen from Chase.

"Thank you, Chase. I'll see you soon." Bree said reassuringly. Chase waved as she made her way to the stairs. He sighed. He knew what would happen the second she stepped into the new job she got to. She would see Marcus, start to like him, and he would make her fall for him before Chase could call her to come back. Then, he would break her heart. But that's where he would mess up. Chase would be waiting there, to be the one to help. Then the one to pick up the pieces and put them back together. Bree wasn't done with Chase just yet.

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