Chapter 29: Unveiling Secrets

KIANA

I woke up snugly wrapped in a strong arm, my face nestled against a firm chest. It seemed we had drifted off together during our late-night TV binge.

~Why does it always end up like this when we share a bed?~

Carefully, trying not to disturb him, I wiggled out of his arms and slipped out of bed, then headed to my room for a shower.

Once I was fresh and clean, I made my way to the kitchen to whip up breakfast. I knew his favorites by now—I’d been here long enough. So, I prepared one of many: eggs Benedict.

Just as I was setting the plates on the table, I heard the familiar thud of his footsteps coming down the hallway.

“Perfect timing. Breakfast is ready,” I announced cheerfully.

“You really do know the way to a man’s heart.” He dramatically placed his hand over his chest before sliding into his seat.

I chuckled as I plated the food and grabbed two bottles of water from the fridge, placing one in front of him.

“I’ve been thinking. Why Kiana?” he asked, taking the first bite of his breakfast.

“What do you mean?” I replied, mirroring his actions.

“Why that specific name? You could have chosen anything. I think you’re more of a Rebecca or an Emma,” he jested playfully.

“Kiana was the secret Hawaiian name my mother called me when we were alone. My father never knew about it. He disapproved of bringing Hawaiian culture into my upbringing.”

“What an asshole,” he murmured, and I couldn’t resist a chuckle.

“He is,” I agreed.

“Well, Rose is ~so overrated~,” he declared with great emphasis.

“It’s still my middle name.” I narrowed my gaze playfully.

“Kiana suits you much better.” He shot me a dimpled smile before continuing.

“I’ve been thinking,” he began, a thoughtful look on his face. “I might have a solution to your insulin issue.”

“What solution?” I asked, puzzled but intrigued.

“I talked to the doctor at the hospital. He mentioned a new type of insulin pump that’s just been approved.

“They would inject you every six months, and it would automatically release insulin into your bloodstream. No more weekly shots.

“It’s new medical tech, but it’s been thoroughly tested. It’s completely safe and reliable.”

“I can’t. It’s too expensive,” I responded, forcing a nervous laugh.

“You almost died, Kiana,” he said, pausing his meal to give me a stern look.

“It was only once. It’s never happened before, and it won’t happen again,” I retorted, meeting his gaze.

“You can’t be sure,” he muttered.

“Look, I appreciate it. ~I really do~. But no thank you. I just can’t,” I said softly.

“I will cover the cost. Money isn’t a problem,” he said, trying to reassure me.

“No. I’ve told you before, I earn my keep. I’m not a charity case, Chase.”

“Think of it as a raise,” he suggested, flashing me a smile in an attempt to lighten the mood.

I felt my cheeks heat up. That infuriatingly charming grin of his was hard to resist.

“I can’t, Chase. Ever since I left home, I’ve worked for what I want. I’m not used to letting people do things for me,” I replied, feeling defeated.

He came to sit next to me, taking my hands in his.

“That’s your problem. You’re just not used to it. Let me do this for you.

“Damn, I’m not offering to buy you a yacht or a mansion. It’s an insulin pump, Kiana. It’s for your health. Let someone help you for once. Let ~me~ help you.” His eyes softened, a look I had only seen when I was in the hospital.

“I will pay you back. I promise,” I said firmly.

He chuckled. “Sure. I’ll schedule you in for this afternoon.”

“Don’t you have work?”

“I’m the boss. If I want a day off, I’m taking one,” he said, tapping away on his phone.

“All set. We need to be there in three hours.”

“What?! That soon? How did you—?”

“I’m a Winters. I have my ways.”

***

We visited a private clinic. Chase was one of their major benefactors, explaining the speedy appointment.

Before I knew it, I had the insulin pump inserted into my arm. Now, I only needed to return every six months.

Later that night, I met Mia for dinner at a swanky restaurant. I wore a plain black cocktail dress with a matching purse, letting my hair fall in loose waves.

Chase gave me a once-over and immediately decided that he was taking me. I was about to refuse, knowing he had important things to take care of. However, I couldn’t shake this feeling that someone had been watching me these last few days. Ever since Cooper…

I was probably overthinking, giving myself a false sense of uncertainty. But it was better to be safe than sorry.

“How are you feeling?” Mia asked, pulling me into a tight hug.

“Much better,” I replied as we settled into our seats.

“Chase paid for an insulin pump. Now I only have to replace it every six months.”

“He did that?” she asked, surprised. “I thought he was a ‘stubborn, arrogant jerk,’” she teased, resting her chin on her hand and wiggling her eyebrows.

“He’s…not the same Chase I first met,” I said, thinking back to our shared kisses and feeling my cheeks flush.

“You like him, don’t you?” Mia observed, studying me closely.

“N-no, he’s just my boss! I would never…,” I stammered, hoping our conversation wasn’t drawing attention.

Mia’s scrutinizing expression quickly morphed into a wide grin. “You like him! I knew it,” she squealed.

“No! He doesn’t feel the same way about me,” I insisted.

~Or does he?~

“He’s got that look in his eyes, you know. It’s not the ‘just friends’ look. It’s more of an ‘I want you in my bed’ kind of look. I’ve seen that look enough to know what it means,” she said, a playful wink in her eye.

“He’s been hurt. He’s not looking for anything serious.” I brushed off her comment.

Mia rolled her eyes at me. “Kiana, you’re so innocent sometimes.

“He moved on from his ex weeks ago. How often have you seen her lately?” she asked, her arms crossed in defiance.

“Just a few times.”

“Has she managed to distract his attention from you at all?”

“Well, no, but—”

She cut me off. “He was done with her ages ago. There’s another reason he’s keeping you close, and ~it’s not because of her~.”

“Listen, Kiana, I’ve had my share of sugar daddies, and none of them have ever treated me the way he treats you. And I’m not just talking about gifts. I mean he’s genuinely interested in you. He cares about your well-being. And he’s not just trying to get in your pants.”

“But then why hasn’t he said anything? He doesn’t strike me as the shy type.”

“Why don’t you? Give it a shot. What do you have to lose? Even if he decides to end the contract, you’ve already paid off your tuition.

“And if he feels the same way, then it’s a win-win. I haven’t seen you this happy in…well, forever, Kiana. Let alone seen you interested in a guy,” she implored.

I let out a sigh. She was right. I had nothing to lose. But I wasn’t as courageous as she believed I was. I didn’t know what to do.

I was hoping I would figure it out when the time came.

***

Chase picked me up from the restaurant. I was spending one more night at his place—as per our agreement—before heading back to my own home.

Mia’s words echoed in my mind. I stayed quiet for the entire ride, unsure of what to say.

~Mia was right~. In the end, I couldn’t deny it.

Why was he still keeping me around?

Why did he pay for my insulin pump?

Why did he take care of me when I was sick?

That’s not something a boss would do.

The sky began to drizzle. It was overcast, and the air was cool.

Chase parked in front of his building. We exited the car, but my feet suddenly stopped halfway to the entrance. The rain was light, but I didn’t mind it.

“I like you,” I said, so quietly that I wasn’t sure he heard me.

He froze. His back stiffened, and his hands clenched at his sides.

“A lot.” My voice wavered.

I took a deep breath to steady myself and continued.

“I don’t know when it started, but it did. I haven’t liked anyone since…well, ~that night~.” I instinctively reached up and traced the scar on my collarbone.

It didn’t hurt as much as it used to. The emotional pain that came with that terrible memory was slowly fading. It had been for a while. ~I just didn’t realize it until now~.

Whenever I was with Chase, I felt safe enough to be myself. It was like a part of me I had forgotten about had woken up after a long hibernation.

I forgot about everything Cooper had done to me. I forgot about my selfish father. I was able to let it all fall away and just be me.

“Kiana,” he whispered.

~There’s no turning back now~. I took a deep breath. “I don’t regret telling you. If you don’t feel the same way—and you probably don’t—then please end the contract,” I begged.

I tried to stay strong, but tears welled up in my eyes, and my heart pounded in my chest.

“I can’t…,” he said, his voice breaking.

The rain suddenly started pouring down, forcing me to raise my voice so he could hear me. My dress was soaked, clinging to my body. My hair, once loose and wavy, was now wet and sticking to my skin.

“Why can’t you, Chase?” I asked, tears streaming down my face.

I felt helpless. The pain washed over me like a wave. The ache in my chest grew with the clear rejection and his refusal to end my suffering.

“Kiana, you’re going to catch a cold. Can we take this conversation inside?” He turned to face me, his eyes soft and regretful.

“What’s your game, Chase? Why haven’t you fired me yet? You don’t need me around.” I tried to keep my voice from shaking, but it was a lost cause. You didn’t need to see my face to know I was crying. Even a blind man could tell I was on the verge of breaking down.

“Why did you cover my medical expenses? Why did you take care of me when I was ill? Is this some twisted game for you? To make me enjoy your company, fall for you, trust you, and then, once you feel like you’ve finally gotten your revenge on Joanna and you’re ready to move on, you’ll toss me aside?

“I at least thought we’d become friends, and I know friends would never knowingly string the other one along for their own benefit.”

I knew I was clutching at straws, but I wanted him to let me go. I wanted to end whatever this was because I couldn’t handle any more heartbreak, especially not after confessing my feelings for him.

“No, Kiana. It’s not like that—”

“I’ve had enough. Take me home.” I hugged myself, my body shaking with hurt and embarrassment.

“Kiana…,” he warned, but I paid him no mind.

“No, I want to go home,” I insisted.

He sighed heavily before he started moving toward me.

~That look. I know that look.~

I began to back away, holding up a hand to stop him. “Chase, don’t you dare! If you even think about carrying me, I swear…”