10. Nora
Chapter ten
Nora
T he kiss with Chase lingers in my mind, haunting me with its intensity, the feel of his lips on mine, and the look in his eyes ignites a flame in my belly.
A flame that I should quench immediately, but I don't really want to. Nora, Nora, I sigh rubbing my temples.
I look to my right to see an empty seat. Where did Emma go? She’s been gone for quite a while. Was I so lost in my thoughts that I didn’t hear her mention where she was going.
Chase what did you do? Our relationship is strictly friendly at home and formal at work, but that one act is about to change everything. Sure, we flirt a little here and there, but it doesn’t mean anything.
At least, I thought it didn’t mean anything.
I should stop thinking about it. Nora, focus. You can't dwell on a kiss, but why did he do that?! Why? Why? Why? I chant multiple times, finding no answer. I pound my fist on the table, clenching it tightly.
I need to get a grip on my emotions. As much as I want to dwell on it and figure out why he did it, I know I can't. I have a job to do, and letting personal feelings get in the way is a luxury I can ill afford.
I'll have to avoid Chase. At home, I can mostly stay in the living room, and at work I'll keep my interactions with him strictly professional.
That kiss should never have happened. It's so hard to get it out of my mind, especially with the feel of his lips on mine still lingering. It's subtle yet creating a heightened awareness.
I glance at the monitor screen and switch to analyzing a file filled with pictures and data on each person. We have a mission to focus on, and that's where my priorities should lie.
But even as I try to push the thoughts away, I can't help but wonder what his intentions are. Was it just in the heat of the moment that his emotions got the better of him? Yes, that’s what happened.
This pretend marriage, living in Chase's house, might just be a bad idea. I should just opt out and tell him that the fake marriage was a bad plan.
But I know that's not an option. I made a commitment to Chase to help him, and I intend to honor it, no matter what happens. Besides, I did it for myself too, but I can’t let it interfere with my responsibilities. There's too much at stake, and I mustn’t lose focus now.
I wonder if Ethan has seen the pictures, and I try to picture his reaction. He’d be shocked to say the least and maybe he’ll truly be in despair. Burying all thoughts about Ethan, I focus on the task at hand. The sooner we get to the bottom of this, the faster I can leave Chase’s house.
Emma breezes in with a paper bag of doughnuts and drops one on my table.
“What took you so long?” I snatch up one of the donuts, biting into it.
“There was a queue. We have over five thousand people on this base, remember.”
A guard peeps in and the next words that come out of his mouth dampen my appetite immediately.
“Nora, there’s a man here to see you. His name is Ethan. He wasn’t permitted entry, and he’s making a scene.”
“What did you say?”
“Wait? Ethan? Your…” I glare at Emma before standing up to follow the guard, and she goes quiet. The last thing I expected is for Ethan to show up unannounced at my workplace. My heart skips a beat as we near the gates, and I hear his voice, demanding to see me.
I rush to the entrance, hoping to defuse the situation before it escalates further. But, when I step outside, I find Ethan in a heated exchange with the security guards, his face contorted with anger. All the guards are taller than he is, and their patience is running thin.
“Nora!” he shouts when he sees me, his voice cutting through the commotion. “We need to talk, now!”
I hurry towards him and flinch, disgusted by the smell of alcohol. “Are you drunk?”
“How could you do this to me, Nora? After everything I've done for you!” He yells at the top of his voice, bringing his phone out of his pocket.
“What are you talking about, Ethan?” He holds his phone up, showing me the pictures. I look at the pictures, then back at him. He’s not completely out of it, but he’s had one too many.
“This can't be real, Nora. Tell me it's not true.” The words sound gutted, but his sharp eyes and tone make it clear—he’s pissed.
“Ethan, please calm down.” I beg, looking around. “This is my workplace. Let’s talk somewhere in private.”
“Don't you dare tell me to calm down! You've humiliated me in front of the whole world! What did I do to deserve this?!” He screams. The other staff are coming out now. This is so embarrassing.
“I didn't do this to hurt you, Ethan. I had to move on.” I lie.
“You made a mistake, Nora. Leaving me was the worst decision you could have made.”
“I don't regret my decision, Ethan. I had to do what was best for me.”
“Who? Who is this? You’d choose him over me?” He staggers, and the guards grab him. I'm surprised they’re being this patient with him. “Answer me!”
I take a deep breath, calming myself, while I think of an answer. But, before I can respond, I see Chase striding purposefully towards us. I’m unable to determine his expression, but his face hints at anger, his jaw set at the drama unfolding.
“What's going on here?” Chase demands, stepping between Ethan and me, his presence commanding attention.
“Oh! Wow!” Ethan exclaims with a mocking clap. “Welcome! Now, you get a defender. Too weak to deal with me yourself, huh?”
“Ethan, this isn't the time or place,” I say, grateful for Chase's intervention, but wary of the tension crackling in the air.
But Ethan ignores me, his gaze locked on Chase with undisguised hostility. “Who are you?” he snarls, his fists clenched at his sides. “This is between me and Nora.”
Chase is unaffected by his outburst. If anything, his anger is rising. “Not when you're causing a scene like this,” he retorts, his voice firm and unwavering. “If you want to talk to Nora, you can do it civilly and in private. If she wants to talk to you.”
Ethan bristles at the challenge, his anger flaring. But before he can respond, Chase takes a step forward, his imposing frame towering over Ethan's.
“Leave now, Ethan,” Chase says, his tone leaving no argument. “Or I'll have security escort you off the premises.”
For a moment, it looks like Ethan might push back, but then he seems to think better of it, his shoulders slumping in defeat. With one last glare in my direction, he turns on his heel and storms off. He turns back and looks at the phone as he reaches the gate.
“You look like him. Is this you? Are you him?” Is Ethan just realizing? Maybe the alcohol effect is wearing off, but at least him being in that state worked in my favor. Chase’s patience is wearing thin. When Ethan gets no response, he turns back, but the guard puts a hand out to stop him. Now he’s asking for it.
“So what if I am?” Chase lifts his chin, eyes icy.
“I never thought she’d be stupid enough to let me meet you. So, this is him?” I have to do something before Ethan spills the beans. This lie wasn’t supposed to affect us with our co-workers. Just him.
“Leave, Ethan. You’re making a scene.” I beg again. When he makes no move to leave, I take a deep breath, gathering all my courage. “Guards, please escort him out.”
Two guards grab him by his arms lifting him off the floor. He turns his head back screaming at the top of his voice, his legs dangling.
“You'll see, Nora. He can't give you what I can. You'll come crawling back to me, begging for forgiveness.”
I let out a shaky breath, grateful for Chase's intervention but rattled by the confrontation I just received at work! How could Ethan come here of all places? I hope everyone sees it as a drunken man’s outburst. I never thought the pictures would have driven him to drink or that he would go as far as coming to my workplace. I thought he’d just… give up.
As I turn, I meet Chase’s gaze. Despite the awkwardness, I can't help but feel a sense of relief knowing that Chase has my back.
I sense there’s a lot he wants to say. I thought I would not be able to face him after the kiss, but Ethan’s actions have proven me wrong.
“Are you okay, Nora?” He asks softly, reaching out to put a hand on my elbow. His eyes are warm. “You look shaken. Let me accompany you to your office to avoid any questions.”
“You don’t have to. I’m fine.” I shake my head, but then I realize all of me is shaking—I’m trembling.
“No, I want to. Come on.” Chase insists on accompanying me back to my office. We walk side by side, the silence between us filled with unspoken questions and lingering tension.
“I’ll make sure it doesn’t happen again. He shouldn't have been allowed entry.”
“I’m fine, Chase. You don’t have to do anything. I sent the pictures to him. That’s why he was in a fit of rage. I expected anger, but not drunkenness. I’ve never seen him drunk. The pictures either made him do it or that’s just another side to him that he carefully kept hidden.”
Chase looks at me uncertainly. “Are you sure you’re fine? A lot of people were watching.”
“I’m fine .” As the tension from Ethan's outburst filters away, I slow my place, wanting to thank him for defending me. There's something about the way he stood up for me that’s starting to give me a sense of security around him.
“Thank you,” I finally say, breaking the silence as we reach the doorway to my office. “For stepping in back there. I don't know what I would have done if you hadn't shown up when you did.”
Chase offers me a reassuring smile, his gaze warm and understanding. “You don't have to thank me, Nora. I'll always have your back, no matter what.”
His words send a shiver down my spine, stirring something deep within me. It’s similar to how I felt about the kiss, but there's a vulnerability in his expression; a raw honesty that draws me in despite my best efforts to resist.
“After all, I’m your husband, right?” His tone is light and airy, clearly joking, but his eyes are filled with a deeper meaning. I want to ask but he interrupts.
“Chase—"
“If Ethan bothers you again, let me know immediately. I’ll be in my office.” He looks like he wants to say more but doesn’t. He gives a tight smile and heads to his office.
I open the door, reeling from the events that just happened outside. Emma looks at me curiously, and I place my head on the desk, huffing a loud breath.
“Are you okay?” Emma asks patting my head lightly. “What did Rogue say?”
“Same thing you did. I told him I’m okay, and I’m telling you, too. I’m good.” She gives a small okay, and returns to her work.
There’s an unspoken sensation hovering around me long after Chase has gone. I try to brush it off but as much as I try to deny it, there's a part of me that knows there’s something more.
Even if I shouldn’t—even if I can’t—I feel something for him. More than gratitude, and more than friendship.
This wedding was fake. But my feelings… I’m starting to think they’re not.