Chase's POV

"I have to go, little lamb," Diego mumbles against my hair. Instead of releasing him, I continue to hug him and nuzzle into his neck. Diego chuckles before squeezing me tighter and planting a kiss in my hair. "I'll see you after work and we'll go on our official first date!"

Our date was supposed to be the day after our double date at the roller skating rink, but Diego and Bryan ended up having to work. Since their company is opening the new office, Bryan has been busy finalising everything while Diego has been busy fielding questions and managing the company's public image.

For the past week, we've only seen each other for our morning workouts which always end in some cuddles. Evenings were a no go since recently my boyfriend has been working until around midnight. But even though we didn't spend that much time physically together, we always talk for at least a half an hour everyday.

I've considered just showing up at his workplace with dinner, but I always chicken out. I'm not sure how many people would be working in the evenings and I also don't want to interrupt his work.

This morning he cancelled our workout and instead dropped by to eat breakfast with me. He claims that none of these meet ups were dates and that we have yet to go on our official first date as a couple. I think we both want our first date to be special, so I'm not complaining about having to wait.

"Sweetpea, as much as I love this, I really do have to go," Diego says, but makes no attempt to release me. After another minute of enjoying his embrace, I reluctantly drop my hands from around his waist and Diego gives me one last squeeze before letting go. "I'll see you later! I know you'll like what I have planned!" He says, showing me his gorgeous dimples.

"I can't wait!" I exclaim, gazing into his eyes with a huge smile on my face. He has refused to give me any details about our date, so the excitement has been steadily building for the past week.

Diego's eyes light up at my enthusiasm and he grins wider before pecking my cheek and waving goodbye. I giggle and wave as I watch my boyfriend get into his car and leave. I'm certain that he's waiting until our first date to give me a proper kiss. He has spent too much time staring at my mouth to not want to kiss me.

My hand drifts to my lips as I think about what it would feel like to kiss the man that I'm now certain I'm in love with. I can't help the excited, high pitched squeal that I elicit at the thought of Diego's lips on mine. Just a few more hours to go, then he's all mine!

I head back inside with a dreamy smile still on my face. Upon sitting at my desk, I decide that the best way to pass the time is to start working on a script.

Going to the film festival with Diego really was inspirational! I was bursting with ideas and already started jotting them down. It's difficult to only focus on one idea but I already know that I can't pursue all of them at the same time.

I flick through my idea book, rereading my thoughts as I try to determine which idea I should turn into a script. After deciding on one, I open my laptop and begin doing some research before I start writing.

"Chase?" Jesse's voice breaks my concentration and I turn to find him standing at my bedroom door, wearing a soft smile.

"Oh you're back early!" I exclaim, getting up from the chair and stretching.

Jesse's eyebrows knit together. "I've been gone for six hours. Oh my god! Baby bro, have you been working on your script this whole time?"

My eyes widen at his statement. Wow! Have I really been sitting here that long! A smile spreads across my face, because that means I only have about an hour and a half to go before Diego comes to pick me up! "I'm going on a date with Diego soon!" I giggle, unable to contain my excitement. "Why didn't Diego message today," I mumble with a pout, as I pick up my mobile.

Diego always texts me around lunch, usually just to tell me about his day and how much he misses me. His messages always leave me feeling giddy with happiness.

I unlock my phone and sure enough find several texts from Diego and one from Mason, asking me how I'm doing. I quickly respond to Mason before opening Diego's messages.

My Actual BOYFRIEND!: Little lamb! This meeting is so boring! Save me!

I giggle at Diego's first message before moving on to the next one.

My Actual BOYFRIEND!: I'm having an early lunch. I got sushi! It's what we ate the first time we video called together! I always think of you when I have sushi.
Scratch that. I always think of you!

I squeal and hug my phone to my chest as my heart flutters from Diego's sweet words. No matter how many times I hear him express how much he likes me, it still excites me every time.

My Actual BOYFRIEND!: Did you choose an idea for your script? You promised you'd tell me what it would be about once you did. No take backs!
Chaaaase! Only two more hours and I can see you again!

This message is followed by a gif of Diego blowing me a kiss. I'm grinning from ear to ear by the time I'm finished reading all of his texts and I quickly type out my reply.

Me: I always think of you too! Yes, I was working on my script! I've been working ever since you left this morning! Can you believe that? I didn't even notice the time fly by! But I'm so excited! Only one hour and thirty seven minutes to go until I see you!

I hit send before capturing a gif of me blowing him a kiss, and I send that along with the message.

"What's your script about?" Jesse asks, reminding me of his presence in my room.

"It's-" I'm cut off by my phone ringing and when I glance down at the caller ID, my chest tightens. I answer the call and put it on speaker phone. "Hi, Dean."

I forgot that he was supposed to inform me about whether or not the court decided that Mike and his friends should be released on bail. Jesse gives me a small smile and moves to stand next to me.

"Hey, Chase," Dean pauses and I can already hear the slight irritation in his voice which causes my heart to sink. This can't be good news. "Only Brad was detained, Mike and the other two guys were released on bail. Brad is the only one with a previous record and the judge ruled that the others weren't a flight risk and were unlikely to commit another offence while out on bail, so they didn't detain them."

I barely realize the whimper I produce or the wetness on my cheeks, as silent tears start to flow down them. If they were released on bail, does that mean that the court already doesn't believe me?

"Do you remember what I told you a few weeks ago? On the chance that they weren't detained?" Dean questions, in a firm, clear tone, as if he can already tell that my thoughts are about to go haywire. "This was one of the possible scenarios I went through with you and it's just a minor hiccup and has no bearing on the case, I promise," Dean reassures me. "This decision was based on whether or not they will show up at the first hearing of their own volition and the likelihood that they will commit another crime during this time. It has nothing to do with the outcome of the trial."

Tears still streaming down my cheeks, I sniffle. Dean did prepare me for this. He told me that it was possible for them to get out on bail since most of them were first time offenders. He also assured me that the restraining orders will remain intact, so I shouldn't worry about them approaching me.

I know this was one of the hypothetical scenarios that Dean talked about, but some part of me always assumed that they would be locked up until the trial started.

"Okay," I croak and sniffle again. "Thank you for telling me." With that, I hand the phone over to Jesse and fling myself face down on my bed. Why did I have to hear this today?

"Do you want to talk?" Jesse's voice sounds from next to me. I continue to lie there, unresponsive and sobbing into my bed sheets. "Okay, I'll leave you alone. You know I'm here if you need me."

I know, I silently agree and I listen to Jesse's footsteps as he retreats.

Seconds turn into minutes which turn into an hour and I finally lift my head in search of the time. Twenty minutes until Diego gets here. That thought doesn't fill me with the joy that it did earlier, and the date that I've been looking forward to the entire week, now feels like a burden.

How can those guys be walking around as if nothing happened? How could the judge let them? Although Dean said that this has nothing to do with whether or not they'll be convicted, I can't help but think this is some sort of sign that prosecuting them is all in vain.

I claw at the fresh tears forming at the corners of my eyes. Diego will be here soon. I made him wait so long before I finally agreed to date him and I know he's excited about today. Knowing him, he probably spent a lot of money on this date, so I can't let him down.

Finally, hauling myself from the bed and into the bathroom, I take a quick shower.

"Be a normal boyfriend," I tell my reflection, trying to force back the tears threatening to break through. "Why are you even crying? Just be excited," I mumble to the miserable face staring back at me.

My stomach rumbles, alerting me of the fact that I haven't eaten since breakfast with Diego this morning. I sigh as I button my dark green dress shirt. Just as I'm finished getting dressed, I hear a gentle knock at my bedroom door.

Spinning around, I find my beautiful boyfriend adorned in a light grey suit which hugs his muscular body in all the right places. Although my heart flutters upon seeing him and I still want to spend time with him, I really don't feel like going out.

"Wow! You look amazing, little lamb!" Diego coos as he hurries towards me. I quickly duck my head because I'm sure if he sees my eyes, he'll know something is up and I don't want to disappoint him.

I feel his arms wrap around me and I relax into his embrace, feeling the tears pricking at my eyes. Don't cry. Pull yourself together. Don't ruin the date for Diego.

He kisses my hair and murmurs, "being away from you is torture."

Normally I love when he says things like this, but right now it just makes me feel like I'm the worst boyfriend in the world.

"Are you ready to go?" Diego asks and I can hear the excitement in his voice. Not trusting myself to speak without giving away my miserable state, I nod into his neck and Diego releases me. My grip around him tightens. I need a bit more time to convince myself not to cry. I can do this. I won't disappoint him.

He wraps his arms around me once again. After a moment of silence, Diego's gentle voice sounds. "What's wrong?" He asks, as one of his hands slides up my back to stroke my hair.

Unable to hide my emotions anymore, I burst into tears, clinging to Diego for support. What is wrong with me?

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