Bose POV:
I slowly woke up to the sensation of something wet on my face. As I blinked open my eyes, I saw Cookie, the goat, happily licking away, while Chapa sat on the edge of the bed, holding her phone and laughing. "This video is my new favorite," she said, clearly enjoying the show.
I groaned, reached over, and gently pulled her phone out of her hands, setting it aside. Then, without warning, I grabbed her by the waist and pulled her down onto the bed with me, making her fall onto my chest. "Hey!" she protested, squirming in my arms.
"Here, Cookie, lick her off," I said with a mischievous grin, keeping Chapa firmly wrapped in my arms. She tried to resist, but Cookie seemed to think it was a great idea and started making her way toward Chapa, who was still wriggling in my grasp.
"Bose, let me go now, or you'll regret this so much," she warned, but I just laughed. I wasn't too worriedâChapa's threats were usually more bark than bite for me. At least, that's what I hoped...
Then she started tickling me, and I couldn't help but laugh uncontrollably. I had no choice but to let her go, my hands flying up in surrender. "Just in time," she said with a smirk as she sat back up.
"By the way, you're not going to be on time for work," she added casually, glancing at me with a knowing look.
I shot up, suddenly wide awake. "What?!" I exclaimed, my eyes darting to the clock. It was 11 a.m. I was supposed to be at work 1 hour ago. On Sundays, I could get away with being a little late, but not this late. And I'd been late yesterday too. "Oh no," I groaned, scrambling out of bed and dashing to the bathroom.
I could hear Chapa laughing behind me as I took the fastest shower of my life. I threw on my bathrobe and rushed into my walk-in closet, grabbing the first casual outfit I could find. Sundays were quiet at workâno students, fewer employeesâso I figured I could get away with something more laid-back. I pulled on a pair of pants, a shirt, and some sneakers before heading back to the bathroom to quickly style my hair. Luckily, it wasn't as long as it used to be, so it didn't take me too long. My hair came to the middle of my neck, still longer than Chapa's, but way easier to manage.
I grabbed my watch, wallet, phone, and keys and hurried toward the door. But when I got there, I realized Chapa was nowhere to be seen. I sighed in reliefâmaybe she'd gone back to bed, and I could make a clean getaway. But as I approached my car, I found her standing against it, looking like she'd been waiting for me.
"I'll drive you," she said, holding out her hand for the keys.
"No, no way," I protested. The last time she drove my car, it had been a wild ride, to say the least.
"Yes, yes way," she replied, smirking as she wiggled her fingers for the keys.
I sighed, knowing I wasn't going to win this one. Reluctantly, I handed her the keys. "But be careful," I warned, even though I knew it was probably pointless.
"I will," she promised, but I could see the glint of excitement in her eyes that made me doubt her words. I climbed into the passenger seat, barely managing to buckle up before she started the car and took off, driving like we were in a race.
As we sped down the road, I held onto the door for dear life. "Can I borrow your car this afternoon? I'll be back around 5," she asked, her tone casual as if we weren't hurtling down the street at breakneck speed.
"Yeah, of course, but be careful with it, okay?" I said, trying to keep my voice steady.
"I will," she repeated, but I wasn't entirely convinced.
Seven minutes later, we screeched to a stop in front of my company. I'd never arrived this fast. The ride had been wild, but somehow, miraculously, she hadn't hit anything.
"See? I was careful," she said with a triumphant grin.
"You were lucky," I muttered, unbuckling my seatbelt.
"Bye Bosey, have a nice day!" she called out, already pulling away.
I sighed, but couldn't help smiling as I watched her drive off. "Bye, Sparky!" I shouted after her. She waved, and I headed inside, ready to face the dayâlate or not.
As soon as I stepped into the building, Bridget stormed over to me, her expression a mix of concern and frustration. "Did Chapa just drop you off in your own car? And you're late again! You were never late like this before. What's happening? Is it Chapa?" she asked, her words coming out in a rush.
"Uh, yeah, it was Chapa," I admitted sheepishly. "I'm sorry. I know I should be on time, but I've been dealing with a lot lately." I paused, then added, "Also, I've received a goat. Did you maybe send it to me or know who sent it?"
Bridget looked at me like I'd just spoken in another language. "A goat? No, why would I?" she replied, clearly baffled.
"I'll ask Andrew," I said, filing it away as a mystery to solve later.
"Alright, well, just so you know, the Vogue interviewer is coming tomorrow to interview you and Andrew. Today, everyone is making sure everything is neat and ready," Bridget informed me, getting back to business.
"Great," I said, already feeling the pressure. "Anything else?"
"Yeah, actually," Bridget said, her voice dropping slightly as if she was about to share something personal. "My brother's girlfriend came by last night. She said she needs time to figure things out, but she's really into me. So we're officially secretly dating."
I grinned, genuinely happy for her. "No way! I'm really happy for you, Bridget."
"Thanks," she said, her smile shy but genuine. "Oh, and by the way, fans are going crazy after they saw a picture of you last night at the restaurant with a waiter."
I chuckled. "Oh yeah, they must have posted it."
"Yeah, and fans rarely get any content from you. You should reconsider posting more on Instagram. Fans would go crazy," Bridget advised.
I shrugged. "I don't like posting pictures of myself. I feel like I'm exposing too much."
"It's your choice," she said, understanding but still trying to persuade me. "But believe me, after that Vogue interview, they'll never leave you alone again."
I sighed. "And Andrew will get famous too."
"We'll see," I said with a wink, already bracing myself for the whirlwind that was sure to come.
Chapa POV:
I drove off in Bose's car, feeling the rumble of the engine under my hands. It felt good to be behind the wheel, even though I could still hear Bose's voice in the back of my mind telling me to be careful. I was heading to the Man's Nest to check up on Miles and hopefully catch up with Mika too. I figured it wouldn't hurt to visit Sage and my parents afterward.
When I arrived at the Man's Nest, I spotted Miles in the middle of a training session with three new students. They looked young, maybe in their early teens, all eager to learn the ropes of fighting crime.
"Hi everyone," I called out as I stepped out of the car, walking toward them.
Miles looked up and smiled when he saw me. "Oh hey, Chapa," he greeted warmly. He turned to the kids. "You guys can take a breakâgrab something from the sushi bar or the pizza bar."
The kids didn't need to be told twice. They scattered off, their faces lighting up at the mention of food.
"How are you doing?" I asked Miles as the students walked away.
"Yeah, I'm fine, thanks for checking up on me," he replied, his tone genuine.
"No problem," I said with a smile. "Where's Mika?"
"She's working right now, but she'll be here later today to train Andrew," he said.
"Oh, okay," I nodded, though I was a bit disappointed I'd miss her.
Miles suddenly shifted his stance, giving me a look that told me he was about to dive into something more serious. "But enough about thatâwhat's going on between you and Bose?" he asked, a knowing smirk on his face.
I felt my cheeks flush slightly. "We're going out," I admitted, trying to sound casual about it.
"Shut up. For how long?" Miles asked, clearly surprised but intrigued.
"Since last night," I replied.
"But y'all were kissing two days ago. What do you mean you're going out since last night?" he asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Yeah, well, before that, we were still in a...difficult situation," I explained, thinking back to the back-and-forth, the confusion, and the hesitations that had finally led to us making it official.
"Mhm, yeah, I understand," Miles said, nodding like he'd seen it coming all along.
I checked my watch and realized I needed to keep moving. "But I gotta goâI'm going to visit my little sister, and I borrowed Bose's car, so I need to be back on time," I said, giving him a quick wave.
"Alright, great to see you again, Chapa," Miles said, waving back.
I hopped back into the car and drove off, my mind already on the next stop. It was nice to catch up with Miles, and I felt a little more grounded after our conversation. Now, it was time to see Sage and my parents.
Bose POV:
I was sitting at my desk, staring at the never-ending pile of work in front of me, when I decided to call Mika. I needed a break from the monotony and, more importantly, I needed to lock down a few details for the upcoming fashion show. Mika picked up after a couple of rings.
"Hey, Bose, how's it going?" she asked, her tone friendly but slightly formal.
"I'm doing alright, just busy with a million things as usual," I replied. "What are you up to?" she asked.
"We're taking a few students to Italy soon."
"Italy?" Mika's voice perked up, clearly excited. "That's my favorite country! I've always wanted to go back."
I chuckled. "I figured you'd like that. But that's not the main reason I called. I actually wanted to ask you if you'd be up for a modeling job at the fashion show we have in two days."
There was a brief pause, and then she said flatly, "No, Bose. I'm not doing it."
I wasn't surprised, but I wasn't ready to give up either. "Come on, Mika, we really need more models. We're short on people, and you'd be perfect for it. Please?"
"Why not ask Chapa? She'd be great at it," Mika suggested.
"Chapa's got to work on Tuesday. It's her first day at her new job, and she can't miss it," I explained, hoping she'd understand the bind I was in.
Mika was quiet for a moment, then she said, "Alright, Bose. I'll do it, but on one condition."
"What is it? I'll do anything," I said, relieved that she was at least considering it.
"Anything?" she asked, her voice carrying a hint of something more.
"Yeah, anything," I replied, wondering what she had in mind.
"Let me come on the trip to Italy," she said. "I'll pay for myself, but I want to do all the same activities and everything."
I hesitated. Bringing someone along who wasn't initially part of the plan could complicate things, but Mika wasn't asking to be paid for the modeling gig, so it seemed like a fair trade. "Alright," I finally agreed. "I'll cover your ticket and everything. We'll sort out the details later."
"Perfect," she said, her tone lightening. "I'll come by tomorrow to rehearse for the fashion show."
"Great," I said, relieved that at least one thing was falling into place. "Andrew will be there, by the way. He's kind of running the show."
Mika sighed, clearly not thrilled by that part of the deal, but she didn't argue. "Okay, I'll deal with it. Thanks, Bose."
After we hung up, I called Andrew into my office to let him know we needed an extra ticket for the trip to Italy.
He nodded, jotting down a note. "I'll take care of everything."
"A few more things," I added. "Mika is up to the modeling job."
"No way? Really? That's amazing!" he said with excitement.
"Yeah I'm surprised too. How was it yesterday at the Man's Nest?"
Andrew sighed, seeming a bit worn out. "It was good. I figured out a lot, and Mika already helped me out with some things."
"Good," I said, glad to hear that things were progressing on that front. "And one more thingâdid you maybe send me a goat or something? Someone sent me a goat yesterday, and I have no idea who it's from."
Andrew looked genuinely puzzled. "A goat? No, that wasn't me. But... what if it's from your birthdad? Doesn't your family have something to do with goats?"
I stared at him, trying to process that. "Be for real, Andrew. My birthdad wouldn't send me a goat after abandoning me when I was little."
Andrew shrugged. "It can't hurt to find out. Maybe there's something there."
"We'll see," I said, not entirely convinced but knowing he had a point. It was worth looking into, even if it seemed far-fetched.
Chapa POV:
I arrived at my parents' house, and as soon as I stepped out of the car, Sage flung the door open, a big smile on her face. "Chapa!" she shouted, practically bouncing with excitement. It felt good to be home, even if just for a bit. We ordered pizza and settled in front of the TV, letting the familiarity of the place and Sage's infectious energy wash over me.
Mom and Dad were out for dinner again, probably feeling more at ease now that I'd deposited some money into their account. I was glad I could help, even if it was just a little. Sage, sitting cross-legged on the couch with a huge slice of pizza in her hand, looked at me mischievously.
"So, is Bose coming to my birthday on Friday?" she asked, stuffing her mouth with the pizza before I could respond.
I laughed. "Why would you think he'd come?"
Sage shrugged like it was the most obvious thing in the world. "Because we're friends. Besides, he likes you, so if he likes my sister, he also has to like me."
I couldn't help but smile at her logic. "I'm sorry, but I don't think he can come because of work," I said, feeling a little bad about disappointing her.
Sage wasn't letting it go that easily, though. "Hey, you didn't protest when I said he likes you." Her eyes lit up with realization, and I could practically see the wheels turning in her head.
I sighed, closing my eyes for a moment. She'd caught me. There was no denying it now. "You guys are going out!" she squealed with excitement.
"Just don't tell anyone yet, okay? We've confessed to each other a week ago and we're going out since last night," I admitted, hoping she wouldn't make a big deal out of it.
"Tell me all about it! You guys kissed already? Or hold hands?" Sage was like a detective on a mission, and there was no stopping her now.
I rolled my eyes, but couldn't help smiling at her enthusiasm. "Of course we've kissed, dummy," I said, trying to keep it casual.
"And... is he a good kisser or does he suck?" she asked, leaning in as if I were about to reveal the world's greatest secret.
"He's the best kisser out there," I said quickly, not even realizing how easily the words slipped out.
"Really? How long did you kiss him? And where? And did you kiss him or did he kiss you?" Sage bombarded me with questions like an eager gossip columnist.
"That's none of your business, young lady," I said, trying to keep things from getting too weird.
"I know you wanna tell me," she teased, turning her attention back to the TV with a smug grin on her face.
I sighed, realizing she wasn't going to let it go until I gave her something. "Okay, so the first time we kissed, I kissed him in his penthouse, but I was a bit tipsy. We kissed for about 20 seconds. Then the second time, he kissed me in my apartment on my bed, and that one lasted about 30 seconds."
"And?" Sage prompted.
"And what?" I asked, confused.
"You guys have only kissed two times in one week?" she said, sounding almost disappointed.
"Uh, yeah. What's wrong with that?" I asked, feeling a bit defensive.
"Nothing, I just expected more often," she said, smiling mischievously.
I narrowed my eyes at her. She was too smart for her own good sometimes. But before I could respond, I glanced at the clock. "Shit, it's already 5 p.m. I need to get back to Rivalton. It's a 30-minute drive."
"Why so fast?" Sage asked.
"Because I borrowed Bose's car," I said, quickly gathering my things.
"And you can drive?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Yeah, but I don't have a license," I admitted, knowing I was cutting it close.
"Good luck," Sage said, following me to the door. She gave me a quick hug, and as I turned to leave, she called out, "Will you please convince Mr. Good Kisser to be at my birthday? I don't have any friends, and I'm not gonna spend my birthday with you, Mom, and Dad only."
I felt a pang of guilt. Sage deserved a better birthday than that. "I'll try, but I can't promise you anything, especially if I'm now 30 minutes late," I said, giving her a small smile.
"Alright, bye, Chapa," Sage said, heading back inside as I rushed to the car. I was already running late, but I couldn't help but think about how much I wanted to make Sage's birthday special, even if it meant convincing Bose to come.
Bose POV:
It was 5:26 p.m., and I was still waiting for Chapa to come back. I wasn't really worried about my car or even getting home soonâI just wanted to see her. My thoughts were interrupted by the sound of tires screeching as she pulled up in front of the entrance, faster than usual. I walked up to the car as she rolled down the window.
"We're gonna get you a license soon," I said with a grin.
"That'd be great," she replied, a hint of mischief in her voice.
"But for now, let me drive, before you get arrested," I teased.
"Fine," she said, stepping out of the car and moving over to the passenger seat.
I got in, started the car, and began driving us back to my penthouse. "So, are you gonna get your stuff here? I'll wait in the car and drive you back to your apartment," I offered, keeping my tone casual.
Chapa didn't respond right away. Instead, she just looked at me with an intensity that made my heart race. I raised an eyebrow, curious about what was going through her mind. Before I could say anything else, she suddenly grabbed my face and kissed me, deeply and passionately.
I was caught off guard, but I didn't pull away. Her hands were in my hair, her soft lips pressing against mine with an urgency that made my head spin. This kiss wasn't like the othersâit was more intense, more passionate. We didn't break apart after the usual 20 seconds; we just kept going, lost in the moment.
When we finally pulled back, both of us a little breathless, she smirked. "You've got my red lipstick on your face," she said, clearly pleased with herself.
"I wonder why," I replied, wiping at my face with a grin. "What was that for? Not that I'm complaining."
"Someone told me we haven't kissed a lot for people who confessed their feelings to each other a week ago," she said, rolling her eyes as if the idea was ridiculous.
"Well, in that case," I murmured, leaning in to give her a soft, lingering kiss on her lips.
We didn't kiss aggressively unless she started it or took the lead from me, so this time, it was all gentle and sweet. After another ten seconds, we pulled away slowly.
"That was enough for today," she said with a smirk. "Give me your keys so I can grab my stuff and say goodbye to Cookie."
I handed her my keys, and after about four minutes, she returned with her things. She loaded them into the car, and I drove her back to her apartment.
Once we arrived, I couldn't resist asking, "Can I kiss you one more time?" I tried to sound innocent, but I was already leaning in.
"Sure," she said, though she cringed playfully at my request.
So I gave her one last kiss, savoring the moment. When we finally pulled back, I chuckled. "You taste like pizza," I said, teasing her.
"Is that why you wanted to kiss me?" she asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Maybe," I replied, smiling.
"You're gross," she said with a laugh, lightly punching my arm.
As we sat there, she hesitated, like she had something on her mind. "Hey, Bose," she started, her tone more serious now. "I know the Italy trip is soon and all, but it's my sister Sage's birthday on Friday. She really doesn't have many friends, and she's been looking forward to it. I know I told her you probably couldn't come because of work, but... I was wondering if there's any chance you could make it? Even if it's just for a little while?"
I could hear the concern in her voice, and it tugged at my heart. Sage was important to her, and I knew how much it would mean to both of them if I showed up.
I sighed, feeling a mix of guilt and determination. "The Italy trip is scheduled then, but let me see what I can do. I'll look into my calendar, maybe I can shuffle some things around or at least come by a few days earlier."
Her face lit up at that. "Really? That would mean a lot to herâand to me," she said softly.
"I'll figure something out," I promised, giving her one last reassuring smile before she got out of the car.
"Thanks, Bose. I'll see you later," she said, closing the door and heading inside.
As I drove back home, I couldn't help but think about Sage's birthday and how much I wanted to be there for Chapa and her family. I pulled out my phone at a stoplight and quickly checked my schedule. I might could arrange some things with Andrew to reschedule the trip to Italy.
I made a mental note to talk to Andrew first thing in the morning. I wasn't going to let Chapa downânot this time.