Chapter 24: Filthy Rich Bosses: Chapter 24

I watch Tessa storm up the stairs, her black hair whipping behind her as she disappears around the corner. Damn, I’ve really messed things up. I let out a frustrated sigh.

She left without me. And whatever happened while she was gone…it doesn’t seem to have made her any more likely to stay.

The sound of clicking heels draws my attention to the kitchen. I wander in, curious, and find Juniper methodically packing her purse. Her auburn hair is pulled back in a neat ponytail, and her thick-rimmed glasses reflect the overhead lights as she glances up at me.

‘What are you doing here?’ I ask, unable to keep the disdain from my voice.

Juniper straightens, a smug smile playing on her freckled face. ‘My job,’ she replies simply, her tone sharp and precise.

I furrow my brow, more questions bubbling up, but decide to let it go for now. Tessa is my priority. I need to fix this.

Taking the stairs two at a time, I reach Tessa’s door and knock gently. ‘Tessa? Can we talk?’

Silence.

I press my forehead against the cool wood, picturing her intense eyes and the scowl I know is on her face on the other side. ‘Look, I forgive you for leaving me behind,’ I say, trying to inject some lightheartedness into my voice. ‘But you’ll need to make it up to me, you know. Maybe we could start with you opening this door?’

Nothing. Not even the sound of movement.

I tap my fingers against the door frame, my mind racing. How can I get through to her? I’ve never met anyone so guarded, so resistant to opening up. It’s like trying to coax a wounded animal out of hiding.

‘Come on, kitten,’ I plead, softer now. ‘I know you prefer the company of animals, but I promise I don’t bite. Unless you’re into that sort of thing.’ I wince at my own words. Flirting probably isn’t the best approach right now, but old habits die hard.

Still no response. I can almost feel the wall between us, thick and impenetrable. My chest tightens with an unfamiliar ache. Why does her silence bother me so much?

I lean against the door, sliding down until I’m sitting on the floor. ‘All right, I get it. You need some space. But just so you know, I’m not giving up that easily. I’ll be right here when you’re ready to talk.’

As I settle in for what might be a long wait, I can’t help but wonder what it’ll take to break through Tessa’s defenses. I’m willing to do just about anything…anything but let her go.

I run a hand through my hair, feeling the weight of defeat settling on my shoulders. After an hour or so, I push myself up from the floor, my legs stiff from sitting so long. As I trudge down the hallway, each step feels like I’m moving through molasses.

‘Well, that went swimmingly,’ I mutter to myself, my usual carefree demeanor slipping. I can’t shake the feeling that I’ve royally screwed things up with Tessa. My mind races, replaying every interaction, searching for where I went wrong.

I flop onto my bed, staring at the ceiling. ‘Have I already lost her?’ The question hangs in the air, unanswered.

Sleep doesn’t come easy that night. I toss and turn, dreaming about Tessa and growling dogs in dingy apartments.

The next thing I know, there’s a sharp rap at my door. I groan, burying my face deeper into the pillow.

‘Mr. Chase,’ Douglas’s crisp British accent cuts through my foggy brain. ‘I’m afraid there’s a matter that requires your immediate attention.’

I crack one eye open, squinting at the sunlight streaming through the window. ‘What time is it?’

‘Half past eight, sir,’ Douglas replies, his tone tinged with urgency. ‘And I’m afraid Miss Tessa is…well, she appears to be leaving. And she’s taking all her things.’

Those words jolt me awake faster than a bucket of ice water. ‘What?!’ I bolt upright, my heart pounding. ‘She can’t be leaving. She wouldn’t just…’

But even as I say it, I know it’s exactly what she’d do. Tessa, always running. Always keeping everyone at arm’s length.

‘I’m afraid it’s true, sir,’ Douglas says, his usual sarcasm replaced with genuine concern. ‘She’s packing her belongings as we speak.’

I leap out of bed, my mind racing. ‘I’ve got to stop her, Douglas. I can’t let her go like this.’

Without a second thought, I bolt for the door, nearly knocking Douglas over in my haste. My bare feet slap against the cold hardwood floors as I race down the hallway.

‘Mr. Chase!’ Douglas calls after me. ‘Perhaps you’d like to put on some shoes? Or a shirt?’

I ignore him, taking the stairs two at a time. My heart’s pounding so hard I can hear it in my ears. ‘Tessa!’ I shout, not caring who I wake up. ‘Tessa, wait!’

I burst through the front door, the gravel of the driveway biting into my bare feet. But I barely notice the pain. All I can focus on is Tessa’s car, already pulling away.

‘No, no, no,’ I mutter, watching her taillights disappear down the long driveway. ‘This can’t be happening.’

For a moment, I stand there, paralyzed by indecision. I spin around, sprinting back into the house. I snatch my keys from the hook by the door, ignoring Douglas’s concerned look.

‘Sir, perhaps we should discuss this—’

‘No time, Douglas,’ I cut him off, already heading back out. ‘I’ve got to catch her.’

I jump into my car, not even bothering with a seatbelt. As I peel out of the driveway, I catch a glimpse of myself in the rearview mirror—disheveled hair, no shirt, wild eyes. I look insane.

Hell, I feel insane.

‘Maybe I am,’ I mutter to myself, pressing down harder on the gas. ‘But I’m not letting her go without a fight.’

I speed down the winding country roads, frantically scanning for any sign of Tessa’s car. My knuckles are white on the steering wheel, and my chest feels tight. Where could she have gone?

‘Come on, Tessa,’ I mutter, taking a sharp turn. ‘Where are you?’

Minutes stretch into what feels like hours as I drive aimlessly, hope dwindling with each empty street. Just as I’m about to give up, I spot a familiar sedan pulling into an apartment complex.

‘Thank God,’ I breathe, relief washing over me, barely able to believe that I found her.

I park haphazardly, not caring if I’m in a proper spot. As I jump out, the rough asphalt scrapes my bare feet, but I barely notice. My eyes are locked on Tessa’s retreating figure as she walks toward the office.

Without hesitation, I charge after her, bursting through the office door just seconds after she enters. The cool air conditioning hits my bare chest, reminding me of my disheveled state.

‘Kitten!’ I call out, my voice echoing in the small space.

She whirls around, her eyes widening in shock. ‘Chase? What are you—’

I don’t let her finish. In two long strides, I’m across the room. ‘I’m putting my foot down,’ I declare, surprising even myself with the firmness in my voice.

‘What are you talking about?’ Tessa asks, confusion evident on her face.

Instead of answering, I bend down and scoop her up, throwing her over my shoulder in one fluid motion. She lets out a surprised yelp, her hands instinctively gripping my back.

‘Chase! Put me down this instant!’ she demands, but I’m already heading for the door.

‘Sorry, sweetheart,’ I say, trying to keep my voice light despite the turmoil inside. ‘But we’re going back home. We need to talk this out.’

As I carry her to her car, I can’t help but think how ridiculous this must look—a half-naked man carrying a protesting woman through a parking lot. There is a chance that cops will be showing up at Grayson’s not long after us. But I don’t care. All that matters is getting Tessa back home where we can sort this out.

I toss her into the passenger seat of her car and slide into the driver’s seat, fumbling with the keys Tessa dropped in her surprise. As I pull out of the parking lot, she turns to me, her eyes flashing with a mix of anger and disbelief.

‘You’re crazy, Chase,’ she says, shaking her head. ‘What about your car? There’s no way it’s going to be here when you come back for it.’

I can’t help but let out a short laugh. ‘I don’t care about the damn car, Tessa. I care about you.’

The words hang in the air between us as I navigate the streets back to Grayson’s. I sneak a glance at her, noticing the way her jaw clenches, the small scar on her forearm catching the sunlight as she crosses her arms defensively.

‘This is kidnapping, you know,’ she mutters, but there’s less heat in her words now.

‘It’s not kidnapping if it’s for your own good,’ I quip, trying to lighten the mood. But inside, my heart is racing. What if I’ve gone too far? What if this pushes her away for good?

As we pull into Grayson’s driveway, I take a deep breath. ‘Tessa, we need to talk about this. All of us. Together.’

She doesn’t respond, but I can see the wheels turning in her head. I lead her into the house, my hand gently but firmly on her lower back. Once inside, I guide her to the living room and sit her down on the plush sofa.

‘You’re staying,’ I say, my voice softer now but no less determined. ‘And if you try to leave again, I swear I’ll restrain you myself.’

Tessa’s eyes widen at this, a mix of shock and something else—intrigue, maybe?—flashing across her face.

‘We’re going to talk this out,’ I continue, ‘until we come to a solution that makes everyone happy. No more running, Tessa. It’s time to face this head-on.’