Chapter 1 - The birthday gift

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Chase's POV

I rubbed my eyes as I heard my phone ring. My head was pounding; I drank too much last night. When I opened my eyes, I was in an unfamiliar bedroom. Then, I saw the girl sleeping next to me.

I sat up on the bed and picked up my phone, "Hello?"

"Mr. Knight, your father wanted me to remind you of the meeting you have at eleven in the morning. He's asking where you are."

I looked at the watch on the bedside table. It was 10:45 a.m. Damn it. My father would kill me this time.

"Okay, I'm on the way," I responded.

As soon as I hung up the phone, I got up and picked my clothes up from the floor. I grabbed my phone and shoved it into my pocket as the girl opened her eyes.

"Good morning. Are you leaving?"

"Good morning. Yes, I have a meeting."

As I was walking out, she asked, "No good morning kiss?"

I smirked at her as I turned around. I kissed her lips passionately. As I walked out quickly, I winked back at her. I got in my car and drove fast.

I arrived at the building at 11:00 a.m. I headed straight to my father's office. When I asked my father's secretary of his whereabouts, she said that he had just gone to the conference room. I ran to the conference room. I caught my father before he entered the room.

"Dad," I said. My father stopped as he heard me. He turned around and waited for me. "I'm sorry I'm late."

"If you are going to spend the night busy, make sure to spend it quiet before a meeting, son," he said with a smirk and placed his hand on the back of my neck.

I was very close to my father. I was close to my mother as well. I also had a sister, Chloe. She's two years younger than me. We argued a lot, but she was my princess.

We entered the conference room. After the meeting, I went to my office. My phone rang. It was my sister.

"Hello, lil sis."

"Good morning, brother."

"Good morning. What do you want now? When you say brother, you always want something from me," I said and smiled.

"You break my heart, Chase."

"Okay, okay. Speak."

"You're the best brother ever, do you know that?"

"Yes, I know."

"But you are arrogant," I smiled at her remark and then she continued, "today is Aria's birthday. You remember I guess." She emphasized the word guess, smiling.

"Chloe!"

"Okay, okay," she said. "We're going to celebrate her birthday tonight. We want to do it at the nightclub. Can you pick me up at eleven?"

"Why can't you ask the driver?"

"Brother, please. He has the day off. Your sister only wants something from you once in a while," she said, pretending to be upset.

"Only once in a while?"

"Ok, not only once in a while. But please?"

"Okay, Chloe. I'll pick you up."

"I love you, brother. You're the most handsome brother in the world."

"I love you, too." I hung up my phone.

Today was Aria's birthday. Aria was the daughter of dad's best friend, James Collins. Mom was friends with her mother, too. Aria and Chloe were the same age; they were childhood friends.

I've known Aria since she was a baby. She has blue eyes and blond hair. She was a caring, sweet, and lovely kid; she still is. I used to look forward to seeing her as a kid. I can't say that I don't anymore.

Chloe says I like Aria. But I don't like her. It couldn't possibly be because I don't want a serious relationship. But I could not deny the effect she had on me. There was something about her that attracted me.

Aria's POV

Chloe and I were getting ready for my birthday. Chloe asked Chase to pick her up after the party. I was excited to see him.

I was in love with Chase since I was a kid. But when he got older, he tried to stay away from me. He was careful not to stay alone with me. I knew he didn't love me. Chloe said he loved me too, but I didn't believe it. Chloe was the only person that knew that I was in love with Chase.

Chase hadn't called me today. He always called me on my birthday.

"You're lost in your thoughts again. Are you thinking of my brother? You are playing with your necklace that he gave you on your birthday," Chloe said.

"What?"

I stopped playing with the necklace. Last year for my birthday, Chase gave me an angel wing necklace. Since then, I haven't taken it off.

"No, I'm not thinking about him."

"Yes, you are, for sure."

Chase's POV

It was 10:40 p.m. when I put on my leather jacket. I looked at myself in the mirror and walked out. I got in my car and looked at the gift on the passenger seat. I always bought Aria a gift for her birthday every year. This year, I bought her her favorite perfume. It was also my favorite scent; it never left my mind. I smiled and started driving.

I picked up the gift and got out of the car. I gave my key to the valet and went inside. I didn't see Chloe nor Aria. I called Chloe, but she didn't pick up. Then I saw Aria and walked closer to her. She looked beautiful. She was wearing a navy mini blue dress. It showed her curves, making her look even sexier than what she was.

I was holding myself back hard not to kiss her, not to touch her when she was beside me. That was why I was careful not to stay with her alone. When she saw me, she smiled at me. I smiled at her too. When I approached her, I hugged her and kissed her cheek.

"Happy Birthday!" I said as I gave her the gift.

"Thank you," she said and opened the gift. "It's my favorite perfume. Thank you so much."

As she hugged me, I asked her, "Where's Chloe?"

"I don't know," she said. "I went to the bathroom. When I came back, she was gone."

Suddenly, our phones buzzed; it was Chloe.

"Chase, dad picked me up. I forgot to tell you. Could you drop Aria off?"

What were you planning Chloe again?

"Okay, but we will talk about this later, little lady," I send Chloe the message. Then, I smiled at Aria and said, "Well, we're alone."

"Yeah."

"Could you not buy me something to drink?"