The flickering sunrise brightened my room through the white flowing curtains. I caressed my face before opening my eyes to its fairness. My eyes blinked twice when a yawn escape my lips. I covered up a little with the back of my hands and lazily stretched out of bed.

A sudden pain thundered through me and I held onto my head. It felt heavy, I buried my face into my palms. My right arm stretched to the nightstand, reaching for my mobile phone. I scrolled through the screen and rolled my eyes. It's already twelve minutes past seven o'clock. I couldn't help but to wonder why I woke up this late.

"You've been doing a lot of thinking these days." A voice cried in my head as I pulled out of bed.

I stepped into the bathroom to have a warm shower and started dressing for the day. Drying my drippy hair with a towel, I rubbed a body lotion all over my fair skin and gently applied a nude makeup. With my hair packed up into a loose bun with the front portion of my ears dangling around the corner of my round shaped face, a sick feeling poured through me. Anyway, I looked good.

I put on a peach, Diana wrapped dress that has a deep strap on the back. I wore an open-toe, white heels and festooned necklace to complete my outfit.

After that, I took my envelope bag and walked out of my room. Just closing the door behind me, I saw Chase opening the shelves, scanning through some books, and I went lost for a second. I suddenly felt light head.

"Ugh."

Holding on to the staircase not to fall, all I could feel was the world spinning around me. My eyes shut close as my hands grabbed my head. Taking another step down, my heels mistakenly tripped. I slipped and suddenly fell unconscious; I held my head. It looked as if my heart was on fire and my head was crushing. I don't know what cause this... I've had a lot to deal with these days. Maybe that's why.

"Alexa!" Chase ran up to me with worry written all over his face. "Are you alright?"

Opening my eyes to his, I realized his arms were already around me but I pulled away immediately. "I'm fine... I would be fine." I replied with a fake smile. Just so he would turn a blind eye but he didn't.

I held onto the staircase even tighter, trying to pull myself up.

"Ugh!" I groaned at the striking pain in my ankle.

"Are you alright?" He pulled to my feet closely. "How bad is it? Tell me where it hurts." he asked, about to touch my feet and I pulled away.

I tried standing and I couldn't even feel my legs. "I can't move." I sighed in pain. "I don't think I can get up..." I said the words without even realizing that I just made him more concerned.

Immediately, Chase wrapped his arms against my back hand held my legs together. Carrying me in a bridal style.

"No.. Don't." I wanted to convince him to put me down, then I studied how firmly his muscular arms held me.

"Don't worry, I'm going to take care of you." He whispered to my hearing as he carried me effortlessly.

I raised my eyes at him and caught the mysterious smirk that spread across his lips.

I said no more word, it's of no use right now. Chase helped me into my room and gently placed me on the bed. His splayed fingers covered my forehead while he noticed that sweat on my leathery skin.

"Omg! You're burning. Should I get the doctor?"

I couldn't help but to notice the raised eyebrows above his widened eyes.

"No, don't worry. I'm on medication. Check the second shelf there." I pointed behind where he was sitting on the bed.

Chase brought my drugs and sprinted to the kitchen to get me drinkable water to use the drugs with.

He placed the water on a tray and served me. I gently gulped my drugs down my throat while his blue eyes focused on me. As if there was something interesting about me.

"Have you eaten? Should I call Shelly?" he brought up.

"No... There's no need for that." I looked at my hand and it held him back by his wrist.

"Aw, sorry." I took my hand off him. That was obviously a mistake. I just wanted him to seat by my side a little.

"Um. I just need to rest for now. I'd have breakfast in an hour's time."

"Okay then." He placed the tray on the side table, still seated beside me. "You really need to take care of your health. Is there anything else you need?" He asked me.

"Forget about me, Chase. I should ask you that. Why are you here? Is there anything you need?" My eyes interrogated with a frown.

"Why... Why would you ask me such a question? You don't want me here?"

"I feel you're after me. You planned these, right? Coming here and playing a victim. These..."

"What are you saying, Alexa?" His puzzled eyes instantly went steady with his eyebrows hovering on them.

"Don't call me that! I'm Mrs. Torres!" I snapped.

"Whatever, you're still Alexa to me!" Chase murmured, staring into the space of my room as if he was studying the designs on the wall. His eyes settled on mine with a slim smirk across his symmetrical lips. "And these, I promise... I did not know I'd ever meet your son. I have no plans, okay? I'm totally clueless. So, really.... You're Xavier 's mum? I still can't believable this."

"What do you mean, can't? I am a woman."

"You're looking so young. More like his immediate sister or something. Don't you know? How old are you, exactly?" He asked with narrowed eyes.

"In case you do not know, it's offensive to ask an elder about their age. Well, Xavier is my son. You don't need to understand everything, Chase."

"Sorry to ask, but... Are you in any relationship?" He leaned toward me with steady eye contacts and raised eyebrows.

I freeze abs stared with wide eyes. "Pardon?"

"Are you single? I'm going to say this again, Alexa. I love you."

"Are you insane? I'm old enough to be your mother!" I glared.

"I can't help it. You're fun to mess with, ma'am. Plus whatever happened at the cinema. Don't worry, nobody will know." he assured.

"Are you crazy?!"

"It's only two of us here, okay? You're being cute and sweet. It makes me want to kiss you." A smile spread on his lips and I was wondering what I've gotten myself into.

'It's the first time I he smile at me. Jeez, what am I even thinking? I shouldn't be so open with him else, he won't respect me.' I sighed and looked away.

With slightly tucked in cheeks, I placed my back on my pillow, making sure there's enough space between us. He seems serious with his words.

"You're such a freak!" I pointed out.

"You can say that again." he replied, smiling.

"It was an insult, not a compliment!" I reminded him.

"Mmm... Anything from you is acceptable. I'm always at your service in case you need me-"

'Ring! Ring!! Ring!!!'

My phone interrupted. Picking up, I rolled my eyes at him and placed the call on speaker.

"Hello, Evelyn!"

"We are awaiting your arrival, ma'am. The investors from China are already here." Worry lingered in her voice.

"Ugh!" A tired sigh escaped my lips as I closed my eyes. "I won't be able to attend any meeting today. Postpone today's events for a while. Probably tomorrow or a day after."

"Why ma'am? Is everything alright?" Her voice went low while she asked.

"Yes, I'm having a fever. I just need time to rest. You can handle the staff meeting I scheduled for today." I instructed. "Send me those important files via email. I'd check them later when I feel better."

"Okay ma'am." She replied, worriedly. "Get well soon."

"Take care." I muttered and pressed the end call button. Dropping the phone behind me, my fingers tiredly brushed through my jet black hair.

A gigantic grin spread across his lips, and I couldn't help but to wonder why. Chase's presence was annoying at the instant. 'Asking him questions would make him feel important. It's not as if he's useful to me.' I hissed mentally.

"I could help you with anything. If it would ease your worries, I would be happy to help."

"No, I don't need your help. Thank you!"

His smile dropped at my reply.

"You can leave now. Tell Shelly to prepare waffles, cream, and fried chicken with any lemonade juice from the fridge. It should be in an hour's time, please... I'd like to take a nap."

I watched him walk out of my room, a little disappointed. "It's not as if I owe him anything. He should be the one paying me and what if I don't want his services? I don't know why I feel guilty right now... Ugh, this is so annoying... Thinking about it, Chase could actually be useful." I said to myself with sarcasm.

'No... What are you thinking? He has no sense of commitment. Chase is a joke... You can't trust him just like that!' A voice in my head gave a red light. My lips pursed and my fist clenched into tight balls. I tried to control the anger welling up in me. Yes, I should sleep.

I should.