Chase continued, âWe want to go check on Ellinor and see if sheâs expecting. We plan to bring her some gifts.â
Belinda looked puzzled, âIf youâre visiting Ellinor, I reckon you and Ms. Gipson can handle it. Just tell them why youâre there, and the Blanchet family should welcome you. Thereâs no need for me to come along.â
Chase frowned, âItâd be safer to have you with us. If they donât let us in, we wonât have wasted our trip with you there, right?â
Belinda felt something was off, but Chaseâs reasoning was sound. So, she agreed, âAlright! Do I need to wait until I get off work?â Chase replied, âNo need. If youâre free now, we can leave immediately.â
âWhy the rush?â Belinda blinked and checked the time on her phone, âI donât have much going on today. Alright, letâs go now.â Belinda grabbed her bag, slipped in her phone, put on her jacket, and got ready to go to the Blanchet Villa with Chase and Ida.
On the way to the elevator, Chase noticed a coffee on the desk of a male colleague who had previously flirted with Belinda. It was the same type Belinda had been drinking. They also exchanged a knowing smile.
Once in the car, Belinda took the front passenger seat, while the two bosses sat in the back. The driver started the car, and they began the journey.
Belinda leaned back, watching the scenery out the window. Suddenly, she pulled out her phone and shot Ellinor a message. âEllinor, Mr. Larios, Ms. Gipson, and I are coming to see you. Anything you fancy eating? I can pick it up for you.â
After waiting for several minutes without a reply, she exited the chat and saw a message from her colleague Jacob.
Jacob texted. âWhat are you doing with Mr. Larios and Ms. Gipson?â
Belinda responded. âThey need my help with something.â
Jacob replied. âWow, youâre involved with the big bosses?â
Belinda texted back. âI know the place they want to visit!â
Jacob asked. âWill you have time for lunch? Can you buy lunch where youâre going?â
Belinda paused. It had been a while since someone showed her this much concern. Touched, she was about to respond whenâ¦
Chaseâs voice came from the backseat, âMs. Wesley, I donât mind you chatting, but itâd be best not to disclose our itinerary and destination.â Belinda stopped typing, instinctively hid her phone, and looked back. Chase was lounging casually with no sign of having peeked at her phone.
âMr. Larios, youâre overthinking. I didnât reveal any specifics, just some vague info.â
Chase chuckled, âThatâs good then.â
Belinda had a feeling Chase was being a bit sly today but couldnât quite put her finger on it. She quickly replied to Jacob, âIâll make sure to eat; I gotta go now!â
Jacob quickly texted back. âBe careful on the road. Call me if you need anything!â
âWill do!â Belinda exited the chat with Jacob and checked one last time, but Ellinor still hadnât replied, so she put her phone back in her bag.
Chase watched Belinda as she was texting with his eyes slightly squinted. It looked like he was smiling, or maybe irritated.
âDo you fancy that male colleague?â Chase asked teasingly.
Belinda was taken aback. He must have been peeking earlier; how else would he know who she was texting?