Unwrap Your Desire

OLIVIA

As expected, Chase rushed to our home that night so he could talk to me regarding the conversation we had on the phone call. I could not suppress my smile as my plan seemed to have worked . . .

I tied the lace of the silk robe I was wearing on my waist, and looked at my reflection in the mirror. I wanted Chase to have an impression that I was stressed for the past two days and even more frustrated about what occurred between me and Chandria. Thanks to the makeup on Reese’s vanity table, I was able to make myself look very pale up to the point that someone would think that I was truly problematic in life.

Mrs. Jones was waiting outside of my room when I opened the door.

“Mom,” I called her attention.

She looked me in the eyes, held my hands and gave me a concerned smile.

“Sweetheart, are you alright?” she asked, worry was visible in her tone of voice. “It is almost midnight and Chase is not the type of man who will visit my daughter around this time for a casual couple talk. My gut feeling is telling me that you two have a problem. Is there something wrong?”

I gave her a small smile and squeezed her hands. “Mom, you have nothing to worry about. This is just a little misunderstanding, I guess . . . but I am alright. Please, do not stress yourself over this matter. Your daughter can handle everything.”

She nodded and caressed my cheek, a smile of satisfaction escaped her lips. Whenever I looked at her, my heart could not help but yearn for a mother. I still do not understand why Reese had to leave her parents this way. Was she really desperate to get away from Chase Maxwell that she no longer cared about her own mother?

“Alright then, he is waiting for you in the living room. I hope you two can talk things out and fix that misunderstanding right away, whatever that is. I will take a rest for now.”

“Good night, mom,” I said and kissed her on the cheek.

“You too, sweetheart.” She gave me one more glance and then proceeded to their bedroom, which was a few steps away from my room.

I sighed a relief when I heard Mrs. Jones enter their bedroom and shut the door.

Now, I had to face Chase and play hard to get. In order for my plan to succeed, I had to make him feel that I was struggling with our situation. He needed to see that I was torn between continuing our relationship even though his parents were clearly against us, and helping my parents to save our company by selling myself off and marrying any businessman available.

“Bring it on, Olivia Miller . . .” I smirked and then composed myself before heading downstairs.

Chase was sitting down on the couch, legs were spread apart, elbows rested on each knee and head facing the floor. He looked very charismatic in his dark blue long sleeves, denim jeans partnered with an expensive pair of shoes, and when his gaze landed on mine, I felt like he just swept my heart away.

My breath caught. I forgot all the things I have to do for a brief moment. Seeing Chase’s good looking face after two days made me feel that I, somehow, missed him. But then, I had to gather all my thoughts and remind myself that I should be able to take control of this situation, and not the other way around.

“Didn’t I tell you that there is no need for you to come here?” I started as I walked toward the living room.

To my surprise, he immediately stood up and closed the distance between us. Before I could even protest, Chase already leaned down to claim my lips. My eyes widened from what he did, but when I felt the unknown desperation and frustration with the way he kissed me, regret struck my chest right away.

“Chase . . .” I gently pushed him away from me. “What are you doing here?”

Our eyes met. I thought I could shove my conscience away but the moment I saw the evident pain in his oceanic eyes, it made me feel as if I wanted to back out from my plan . . . he looked at me as if he was betrayed . . . and unwanted.

“I cannot understand why you are pushing me away that easily, Reese. Why is it difficult for you to trust me on this?” he asked, every word was so heavy that it really made me uncomfortable.

However, I would still do this plan no matter what. I reminded myself that I was no angel, that I was a daredevil and regret was never part of my being.

“Chase, I do not have any choice. I have to do something to help my parents-”

“I am here to provide all the help that you need, Reese! I can save your company. I am trying to be enough for you. Why can’t you see that?” He was, indeed, struggling based on the tone of his voice.

Olivia, you can ‘t be swayed . . .

“Your family doesn’t like me at all, Chase. Chandria already told me everything! And you lied to me . . . you told me you got everything settled but it wasn’t true. Your father wants me out of your life!”

I walked past him and went to the balcony to inhale the midnight air. He followed me and I was shocked when he embraced me from my back.

“Reese, do not do this, please . . . I am begging you,” he said in hushed tones.

My heart pounded wildly inside my chest. I was wrong when I thought that I could easily face him and act according to my plan but dang, I did not know that it was difficult . . . It was, indeed, difficult to hurt someone, especially Chase, and play with his feelings just because I was too crazy for money.

“I told you I will think about it. My parents and our company need me too. Know that I am not making this decision because I want to. I just feel like I have no other option . . .”

He buried his face on my neck. A bolt of electrifying emotion went through me. With Chase embracing me while he begged for me not to leave him, I suddenly struggled organizing my thoughts. I closed my eyes, cursing myself from my mind as I knew this was not the right time to be so weak.

“Please, Reese . . . let’s not fight anymore-”

“We are not fighting, Chase. We are trying to make a mutual decision,” I corrected.

“It is not even mutual, baby. I do not want to break up with you,” he uttered softly, embracing me more tightly. “Let’s tie up the loose ends, shall we? Please, marry me, Reese . . . marry me and I promise that I will make things alright for you.” His breathing was ragged as he said those words. “I love you so much that it will be a death for me once you leave me. Reese, please . . .”

I wanted to smile as the situation seemed to have favored me once again but I did not understand why I felt so different.

Weren’t you happy now, Olivia? This billionaire wanted to marry you . . .

“W- What about your parents?” I asked weakly.

“I don’t care about them. The only person that matters to me is you.” He released me and held both of my shoulders to turn me around so I could face him.

Our gaze locked once again. My heart could not stop from pounding aggressively that it felt like its loud beating was the only thing I could hear.

Looking into his oceanic eyes, I could see the love and agony that he felt for Reese Jones at this very moment. The devil in me was telling me that I was doing great, but my conscience was reminding me that hurting people would not bring any good in my life.

But still, I had to finish what I started.

“Please, Reese . . . will you marry me?”

He took something out of his pocket, a small black box . . . oh no.

I was astounded when he knelt on the floor, eyes still staring up at me as he opened the small box. Shocked to see a diamond ring inside of it, all I could do was cover my mouth and gasped for thin air.

“Chase . . .”

He licked his lower lip, eyes went teary as he looked at me. “I am sorry for all my failures, Reese. I know that I am still lacking in some areas but I want to promise you that I will try to be enough, to be the best person you can be proud of and become the man that will make things easier for you. I want to be the man who you can share everything with, Reese . . . and with that, I will try my shot right now and will ask you to take me. Be my wife, please . . .”

Tears pooled in my eyes as I gazed down at his soulful eyes. For a brief moment, I envied Reese Jones for having this man in her life. At the same time, I wanted to yell at her, to hit her head for leaving this man and letting this chance slide for her to have a happy life. I guess I wanted to know why it was difficult for her to give Chase the chance he deserved knowing that he was trying his best to be a better man for her.

I fucking envied her for having this life, a complete family and a man who loves her dearly . . .

“Stand up, Chase,” I told him and breathed heavily.Property © of NôvelDrama.Org.

He didn’t move and so I crouched in front of him, held both of his shoulders and nodded. “I will marry you . . . I want to marry you, Chase . . .”

His face lightened up, a smile escaped his lips as he put the ring on my finger. I was all too aware that this was just an act yet I felt like I was on cloud nine. My heart seemed so happy as I checked my finger with a ring on it. Never in my private dreams have I dreamt to be engaged . . .

“I love you, Reese. Thank you . . .” he uttered and hugged me.

“I love you too, Chase . . .” I replied, I was not sure why those words made my heart skip a beat.

I hugged him back and caressed his hair. Despite the fact that my emotions betrayed me for making me feel that I was truly a bad person for manipulating Chase, something inside of me told me that I could seize this moment.

Still, Plan A worked . . .

***

The next day, Chase and I did not waste more time and told my parents- I mean Reese’ parents– about our intent to get married. Mrs. Jones was truly happy upon learning that we planned to get married this weekend, while Mr. Jones was still reluctant with our decision knowing that Chase’s parents did not approve it. However, Chase was able to explain why we had to decide this way and made Reese’ parents feel that our decision would not harm me in any way.

He also offered to help our company once we are married, and I could sense how it brought relief to Reese’ parents. I felt happy, at some point, because I was able to contribute something to help their business.

We already scheduled a meeting with our wedding coordinator and everything will be rushed so that the wedding would happen on our expected date.

“Are you sure that you are not going to tell your family about our wedding?” I asked Chase when we walked our way to the parking lot. He still had to go to work but he would pick me up later so we could meet the coordinator.

“I will only tell them once we are married. I do not want them to do something that will ruin our wedding,” he responded and gave me a reassuring smile.

“But they are still your family. They have the right to know.”

We stopped in front of his car. Chase reached for my hand and squeezed it gently.

“This is our wedding, Reese. I just want it done perfectly, without us worrying about anything and the only way it could happen is by not telling them that we will get married.”

“I understand . . .” I sighed and nodded my head.

He smiled. “I can no longer wait to be your husband.”

“Well, we only have four days left before we can tie the knot,” I said mischievously.

I wrapped my arms around his neck, tiptoed and was about to kiss him on his lips when my phone rang from my pocket.

I rolled my eyes for that sudden disturbance while Chase just chuckled upon seeing my reaction. I took my phone out of my pocket and saw an unknown caller ID from the phone screen. Thinking that it was an important call, I still answered it.

“Hello . . .” I answered.

“You can stop acting now, Reese,” said the familiar voice of a man.

My brows furrowed. “Uncle Ernest?”

I looked at Chase. He frowned and became so attentive.

“I do not know what you are up to but make some time for a press conference later. The negative news about you still doesn’t stop and it’s ruining not just my son’s name but our company too. I will text you the details,” he said and before I could respond to him, he already ended the call.

I was a bit shocked with the way he talked to me. I looked at my phone, still trying to understand what he meant when he mentioned that I can stop acting now . . .

“What did he say?” Chase asked in his serious tone of voice.

“Uncle Ernest seemed to have set up a press conference for me.”

“What? He didn’t tell me about it!” Chase huffed out of frustration and massaged the temple of his nose. “I will talk to him. I will not force you to do something you are not comfortable with.”

“I will do it, Chase.”

“What? No!”

“I will do it for you, Chase. I want to clear your name, too.” I held his hand. “Trust me on this, alright?”

He gave me a stern look but nodded his head in the end. I smiled but deep inside, I was too worried that his father might have found out something about me . . . I would never let him ruin my plan.