Chase (Chase #1)

by M. L. Young

  I opened my app, the logo flashing on my screen, before a slew of women in my area popped up, their bright, shining faces covering my screen like a thousand twinkling stars in the night sky. There were a variety of women, all different races, ages, and styles, and I wanted to take a test drive with them all. I clicked a few of them, looking at their profiles, before hitting my little wink button, the single button on my screen that was powerful enough to get a woman in my bedroom that very night. I really had no idea what people did to get laid before this app came along. It must’ve been very tiring trying to pick up single women in a bar.

  “Mr. Chase, sir?” Brian asked, as he popped his head in through my door.

  “Yes?” I asked, as I continued to scroll through the hordes of women on my little screen.

  “I have someone here to see you. You have an appointment with her. She’s the new talent,” he said.

  “Send her in,” I said, as I continued to click a few more girls on my app, sending them all winks. I knew I needed to play the numbers game.

  “Okay, Ms. Jones, Mr. Chase will see you now,” I overheard Brian say from outside my door.

  “Hi there!” a perky voice said before I locked my phone and set it away.

  “Well, hello there,” I said, standing up to greet my new client.

  She was about five-six, a hundred five pounds soaking wet, with a sun-kissed, glistening tan and perky little tits that peeped out of her purple tank top. Little short shorts, the kind that most young women wore around here, wrapped around her tight little ass, as she extended her hand to shake mine.

  She was just the dose of medicine I needed right about now, and I was pretty sure my cock agreed, with the way it started to get bigger, soon about to poke through my slacks and greet her with a hearty hello.

  I grabbed her hand, her grip light, and shook it, smiling, her pearly whites shining like oncoming traffic on the freeway at night. She looked like something out of a magazine, or perhaps an advertisement in a small boutique, and she was exquisite. Did I dare try to mix business with pleasure? I flirted constantly with Nigella, but nothing had really ever come of it. I was always taught not to interact with my clients that way, for fear of ruining a business relationship and losing out on millions of dollars for not only myself, but also the company, should this special relationship leak to the media or become caustic. I had thought hundreds of times of hooking up with new and old clients, taking them back to my place, treating them the way I’d treated every woman to step foot there, but I never did. Could this girl be the one to break that? I was desperate to get her off of my mind, and I knew this young lady could easily help with that. She was hot enough, at least. Then again, the company had huge plans for her, starting with getting her into the studio as soon as humanly possible, and since I was the person who discovered her, I was afraid getting with her could put a damper on all of these plans.

  “Please, have a seat,” I said, in a friendly, professional, no-strings-attached way.

  I looked over at my phone, and the screen lit up, a notification from RandomMeetX just waiting to be opened and discovered. Perhaps it was better I stick with that app to get pussy. It might save my ass, and my career.

  “Thank you so much for signing me. I can’t say how just, happy I am, to be a part of all of this. I never thought my videos online would produce so much success for me. I just wanted to sing for people,” Nicole said.

  “We’re very happy to have you on the team, Nicole. We go to great lengths to ensure that we pick only the finest talent from all venues, whether it’s online or not. That’s why we have a reputation for culling only the finest talent anywhere,” I said.

  “When do I get in the studio? I really want to lay some tracks for the new songs I’ve been working on lately,” Nicole said.

  “We’re looking to get you in soon, maybe this week. Studio time is something precious here, and we work with only the best sound engineers in the business to make sure our sound, style, and reputation are nothing short of amazing,” I said.

  “That’s so good to hear. Everyone around here has been great to me…especially you,” she said, flashing me her mildly sultry eyes as she shifted in her seat.

  “Well, thank you. I’m glad that I could make you feel at home,” I said.

  “You do. Talking about homes, do you live near here? I’m trying to find a place now that I got signed and everything. Living in Washington just isn’t an option anymore,” she said.

  “I live a little bit away, up in the hills,” I said, trying to stay professional and not seem curt.

  “Oh, really? Maybe I could come by sometime and check it out. It could be fun,” she said, smiling.

  I shifted in my seat, my cock starting to rise behind my desk as her tight little body beckoned me. I knew she was sexy, but this, this was almost torture. I had a woman, one who I could tack onto my tally right this second, one who was almost begging to be my little sex doll, and I couldn’t have her, at least not without having my boss hand me my ass on a silver platter.

  “I’m not sure that would be a good professional decision, Ms. Jones. We try to keep a very strict professional relationship here at the company. Fraternizing with the talent is strictly forbidden,” I said.

  “Oh, I’m sorry to hear that,” she said, her head down, looking as though she was embarrassed.

  “Please don’t take it personally. You’re a very beautiful girl and any guy would be lucky to take you out. Before you know it, you’ll have legions of men all across this country, the world actually, begging to take you out on the town. Trust me,” I said.

  “So you think I have what it takes?” she asked.

  “I’ve listened to your demo. I think you’ll be winning awards before you know it. Just keep a level head and put in the work, and you’ll get everything you’ve ever wanted,” I said.

  “I’ve been worried things wouldn’t turn out exactly how I’ve dreamed they would. Thank you for making me feel like they’ll work out after all,” she said.

  “As long as you’re under me, you’re bound to get it all.”

  Chapter Seven

  Alexis

  I’ve never been the type of person who gets obnoxiously upset over things that were out of my control. Take the situation with Chase, for example. I tried to get a hold of him, tried to give him space, and tried to give him time to realize that he was making a mistake, but he did none of those things. Did I miss him? Yeah, in a way, I guess I did. Was I going to keep trying to get him to talk to me again? No, I wasn’t, I couldn’t. I needed to move on and realize that I had only spent one night with him, a few hours, and we barely talked before we met at the restaurant. I woke up the next morning in his house naked, alone, without a clue or a note left, aside from the one on my phone, about where he was or where he was going. He just didn’t deserve my time or worry.

  I was discounting him on the premise that he was an ass, a colossal ass, the kind you never talk to again, no matter what they try to say or do later on, if they come back at all. I knew I didn’t have to worry about him contacting me again, luckily, as he showed no signs of wanting to be something more than just a one-time fuck.

  I sat outside my next class, waiting for the previous one to get out, as a few kids started to stand near me, waiting for either this one or the one next door to open so we could all get the day over with. As I waited I loaded my app, scanned for guys in the immediate area, and started browsing through their profiles, making sure to hit a big fat no to any guy who even resembled Chase. Luckily for me, there was a great mix of guys, some classy, some a little douchey looking, and some who looked like they slept on a friend’s couch because they spent all of their money, the little amount they likely had, on “medicinal” weed.

  One guy came up who had a nerdier look to him, one who at second glance really wasn’t that great, but wasn’t that bad either. He was just…average. He was going to school for engineering, attending the same school as me, and liked card games, computers
, and vintage plaid shirts. He wasn’t my type, per se, but he seemed nice enough, so I decided to just hit yes after mulling it over for a minute.

  As soon as I hit yes, he popped up as a match, little hearts floating around his picture. Should I message him? Maybe wait for him to message me instead? As I was trying to careen my way through the perils of social dating etiquette, the door opened to the classroom I was supposed to go in next and the other students barreled out like water buffalo being chased by a pride of hungry lionesses.

  I locked my phone and shoved it into my purse, deciding I’d make the all-important decision after I got out of class. Who knows, maybe he would message me in that time and I wouldn’t have to sit here and feel like a fool.

  •••

  “I was quite enthralled by your profile, finding such an attractive female in my general area who appears to be a classy and most resplendent lady who is not into the norms of the young adult population in the greater Los Angeles area. Tell me, are you a Libra?”

  That was the message I got from the nerdy-looking guy who I unfortunately got matched with on the app. He was the type of guy I normally avoided in everyday life, his verbosity and lack of common sense getting the better of him, just like all of the other men who acted like this. They were the type who thought that because of their intelligence they were going to be the next tech tycoon billionaires, but in reality, they were stuck playing second fiddle to men like Chase, and I hated to admit that.

  I struggled with what to say back, but soon realized that he was the only guy I had been matched with since Chase and I ended things. I had hit yes to a bunch of guys on there, maybe thirty, but none of them hit yes back or had been on the app, and it was beginning to feel a little brutal. With that in mind, I decided it was better to be out with a guy who was a little iffy than be home alone staring at the wall. At least I’d get a free meal out of it, or so I hoped.

  “Thank you for your compliments. I’m glad you think I’m different than other girls around here. We should get together sometime. Maybe tonight?”

  I hit send and within four minutes, and I counted, he replied, happily saying yes and asking where I wanted to meet. I wanted to be surprised that someone would reply to me that quickly, as the lack of matches and other recent events had left me a little unsure of myself, but this, this put a little pep back into my step, so to speak.

  There was a small chain restaurant nearby, a regional one, where I said we could meet. It was only a ten-minute walk from my apartment, and I wouldn’t have to take a bus or taxi, like I did on my date with Chase. This way I didn’t look dumb should I need to end the date early and then end up waiting with him at the bus stop or outside the restaurant for a taxi. It was perfect.

  He messaged back two minutes later, saying he liked that place and it was a great choice. We agreed on meeting at seven, and before I knew it, I had another date just as easily as I’d gotten the first one. As a girl who never really went on many dates in the past, I was pretty damn proud of myself.

  •••

  I didn’t go all out that night like I had for my date with Chase. I was wearing something nice, a blouse with flowers on it, but just dark wash jeans and some flats instead of a body-hugging dress whose only purpose was to show off my curves, or lack thereof, depending on who you talked to. This wasn’t really the type of guy you got all dressed up for, and besides, we were going to some chain restaurant, not a five-star one like I had with he who should not be named.

  I walked to the restaurant, seeing a bunch of other students out tonight, as my area was filled with mostly young families and college students who wanted somewhat cheap rent (and I use that term loosely in Los Angeles) in a place that was close enough to school and had a lot of things to do nearby. It was better than living in a dorm, anyway.

  I pulled out my app to look at his picture again, my memory a little vague from earlier, his face not really sticking in my head. I still hadn’t gotten any other messages or matches, lucky me, so he was literally my only option. I was just hoping that at least he’d be fun to talk to, if nothing else. God knows I could use a fun night out.

  I walked into the restaurant, peeping my head up, before I saw him waving from a booth in the middle of the room. I pointed at him to the hostess and walked over, weaving in and out of the servers and a few high chairs in the aisle.

  “Hey!” he said as he slid out of the booth to greet me.

  “Hey, it’s nice to meet you,” I said.

  Before I could stick out my hand to shake, he grabbed me, hugging me, which took me off guard, though I must admit that it was a little nice. I wasn’t hugged all that often, as I usually shooed people away from getting close to me, so it was nice.

  We sat down, a smile across his face, his cheeks turning a light shade of red, before he pushed up his glasses and slid over a menu.

  “Do you come here often?” he asked.

  “I’ve been here a few times, but I wouldn’t say often. Don’t make enough money to eat out a ton,” I said.

  “Hey there, can I get you two something to drink?” a waitress asked, interrupting our conversation.

  “I’ll have a diet soda,” I said.

  “I’ll have a regular soda, if you have it,” he said.

  If they had it? Of course they had regular soda. This was a restaurant in Los Angeles, not a stand on the side of the road in Kabul.

  “Coming right up,” the waitress said, smiling, before walking away.

  “Everything looks so good,” I said, as I scanned over the menu.

  “I know, right? I’ve been looking at the chicken entrees for fifteen minutes now,” he said.

  “Oh, have you been waiting long?” I asked.

  “No, no, you’re fine! I just like getting to places early. Besides, I thought I’d get us a table so we didn’t have to wait.”

  I didn’t reply, instead looking over the menu, an overpowering woodsy scent pushing my senses down to their knees. He was wearing cologne, a very pungent one that tingled the little hairs inside my nose and almost felt like it was singeing them. I didn’t say anything, not wanting to put him out and make him feel crappy on our first date, likely the first date he’d been on in a while, over something so mundane. I was too nice.

  “Here you two are, a diet soda and a regular soda. Have you had a chance to look over the menu?” the waitress asked after she set down our drinks.

  “Yes, the lady and I have decided on what we wish to dine on this most splendid of evenings,” Adam said, talking like he was from 1800s England.

  I sunk my head into my shoulders, hoping I’d transform into a turtle as I cringed and wished this date were already over, and it had barely even started.

  “Okay, and what can I get you?” the waitress asked, trying to disguise her apparent pity for me as I continued to sit there in my shell.

  “I would much appreciate the bacon Swiss burger with a side of your most famous seasoned French fries,” Adam said, extending his hand and twirling it towards me, giving me the spotlight.

  “Heh, I’ll have the crispy chicken sandwich, no tomatoes, and a side of ranch dipping sauce, please,” I said nervously.

  “Coming right up,” she said, tapping the table with her hand and looking at me before walking away.

  “I wouldn’t think a girl such as yourself would choose such a greasy, oily dish,” Adam said.

  “I’m sorry?” I asked with a shrill tone that would send chills down the spine of any mortal man.

  “Well, it’s just that you’re so small and tiny. I thought you’d choose something light, like a salad,” he said, beads of sweat forming on his brow.

  “I’ll stick with the sandwich, thanks,” I said, giving him a glance that made his cheeks even redder than before and his head hang down as he fiddled with his thumbs.

  The conversation was light during the wait for our food. The only reason I even stayed was that I now had a bigger craving for the crispy chicken sandwich than I think I’d ever had for
anything. I guess it was worth it even if it meant I had to sit here with him, cowering like a dog that had just been scolded for tearing the trash bag apart.

  Our food came twenty minutes after we ordered it, the booths and tables inside the restaurant getting a little more jam-packed as the night went on and the empty stomachs and full wallets of the greater Los Angeles area showed up in droves to try the food that had become famous here.

  I took a big bite of my sandwich, drenched in ranch, before patting my mouth dry and looking up, seeing a man, in a suit, with stubble, walking towards me. My heart sank. It was Chase. I began to crisscross every scenario that could happen in my head while I continuously chewed my food, this time faster, so I could have my mouth free to talk if he stopped to see me.

  He got closer, my nerves shot, before walking past me. My eyes caught a glimpse of a tattoo on his hand, which clearly indicated he was most definitely not Chase. I even noticed two moles on his cheek as he walked by, and Chase had none, at least that I saw. I could’ve sworn it was Chase, though. I knew it was. It had to be. Was I going nuts? I couldn’t be. I was more fine with our separation than I had been with anything else before. At least so I thought.

  Seeing Chase, or thinking I saw him, stirred up a bunch of emotions that I didn’t want and couldn’t have. He had a hold on me that I needed to let go of. We went on one date, one time, for one night, and yet I acted like I’d known him for ten years and we dated for eight. It didn’t seem to matter that we’d only spent a short time together. His grip was tight and I couldn’t get him out of my mind, no matter how much I tried to tell myself otherwise.

  The only way I knew to get over this once and for all was to go and see him. He wouldn’t talk to me on the app, as my futile attempts had proved, so the only other way was to show up at his house, uninvited, with a demand for an answer and no chance of me leaving without one.