35: Who is Amanda?

Lena

Chase gently lifts my arms above my head, before he wraps a comfy, plush towel around me; his hands moving with care as he secures it snugly in place. His lips brush my forehead in a tender, lingering kiss, before he wraps a towel around his own waist with precision. I can’t help but stare at him, admiring the way his broad, defined, muscles flex as he adjusts. The strength in his build is undeniable, from his wide chest to the taut lines of his abs. Every inch of him seems to hold power, but there’s also something incredibly graceful about him, how gentle he can be despite his muscular frame. Chase smirks when he notices me admiring his physique, and then with effortless strength, he swiftly lifts me into his arms, cradling me against him in a way that makes me feel cherished and protected. I bury my face in the warmth of his neck, the familiar scent of him grounding me in the moment as he walks, stopping only to turn off the bathroom lights as we exit the bathroom.

My body is heavy with exhaustion, both physically and emotionally, but in his arms, I feel a peace that washes away every lingering ache from today, erasing it from my memory one tender moment at a time. The way he holds me, like I’m the most important thing in the world to him, fills me with an overwhelming sense of… love? Is this what love at first sight feels like? Falling for someone so quickly and intensely that it sweeps away all rational thought and common sense? In just three days? No, I must be crazy. There’s no other explanation. Maybe Jasper was right after all, maybe this IS a mid-life crisis. It’s so easy to doubt, so much easier to tell myself that this has all been just some elaborate game. A flirtation, a series of calculated moves on Chase's part, nothing more than a scheme to reel me in while he’s enjoying his trip, an outlet for his own self gratification.

Chase pauses in front of the bed, and his arm tightens around me as he carefully slides down the blankets, guiding me into the soft, airy embrace of the canopy. His hands are warm as he removes the towel from my body, his touch tender as he replaces it with the cushioned weight of the comforter. The linen settles around my naked skin like a protective cocoon, and he gives me a reassuring smile before speaking softly. "I'll be right back," he says before turning and walking out of the room. The turmoil churns within me, this battle between what I want to believe and what I’m terrified could be true. How much of what we’ve shared is real? And how much of it is just a well played game to keep me interested? Am I making a mistake walking away from Jasper? The thought of it makes my stomach twist. There’s an unmistakable warmth that grows inside me whenever I think of Chase; of the way he makes me feel like I am the only woman in his world. His kisses, his touches, his words… How can that just be a game? Am I too easily fooled, too desperate for something real? It seems I don't know much of anything anymore. Maybe I'm just losing myself in fantasy. But… what if I’m not?

A few moments later he returns, and in his hands, he holds two glasses of water. He places them on the bedside table before easing himself down beside me. "Come here," he whispers as he pulls me into his arms. My body naturally fits into his, and I rest my face in the nook of his neck, inhaling his scent that will forever remind me of the sea. He sighs softly, his fingers threading through my wet hair as I wrap an arm around his chest. “Are you alright?” he asks, his breath caressing the top of my head as he speaks. I nod, feeling the rise and fall of his chest beneath my cheek as I nuzzle more closely. “Never better.” I whisper, my voice barely audible as the thumping of his heart overtakes my senses. He lets out a soft, self deprecating chuckle while his fingers move to trace lulling circles across the small of my back. "I’m sorry I got carried away," he says sincerely, as if he’s worried he harmed me or took what happened in the shower too far. "I don’t usually act like this, especially not with... well, I’ve never acted like this with anyone." He pauses for a moment, as though considering his words carefully. "I guess you bring out a side of me I didn't know was there." His words make my heart beat just a little faster, and I tilt my head slightly to meet his gaze, finding tenderness in his gemlike eyes. 

"It's okay," I say, offering a reassuring smile as I caress his face, his stubble scratching the middle of my palm. "I don't mind at all. Actually, I've never felt anything like this in my entire life. Being with you is so effortless. It’s... it's almost too easy, you know? I can't help but wonder if it’s real. Like this is some sort of dream I am going to wake up from when I go back home.“ I pause, watching him closely as an array of emotions dance across his face. "Lena… I promise you, I’m here. This,” he trails off, placing the palm I had on his face to his heart, “is real. What we have, it’s not a dream. It’s not something I’m going to wake up from tomorrow and act as if it never happened. Us returning to our normal lives is not the end of what has started here." Tears well up in my eyes, and I can feel the weight of them threatening to spill over. I squeeze my eyes shut, trying to hold them back, but it's impossible. He leans down slowly and presses a soft kiss to both corners of my eyes. He pulls my lips to his, consuming me in a passionate kiss before he pulls back and murmurs, “the distance between us, no matter how far, will only make us both realize just how desperately we need each other by our side." It’s impossible for me not to believe him, to trust him. His words carry such sincerity and conviction that my heart drowns out the voices of doubt that made an attempt to creep in earlier.

The world outside disappears as we gaze at one another, both equally enchanted and mesmerized by the other. It’s just the two of us, wrapped up in the quiet connection we share, and all that matters is how perfectly we fit together in this moment.

***

A loud buzzing sound suddenly jolts me awake, the unexpected noise slicing through the stillness of the night. My eyes snap open, and I glance around the room that is bathed in the ethereal glow of the moonlight. The familiar surroundings feel almost dreamlike in the dimness, and I look over to see Chase asleep next to me. I watch the rise and fall of his chest as he rests peacefully, his features relaxed in a way I don't often see when he's awake. I can’t help but trace the curve of his eyelashes, marveling at how serene he looks. Leaning over, I plant a kiss on his cheek, savoring the way his skin feels against my lips. But just as I'm lost in the moment, the low vibration of the phone disrupts the stillness, pulling me out of my grogginess and back into reality. I gently disentangle myself from Chase’s grip, careful not to disturb him, and shift closer to the edge of the bed. My curiosity pulls me toward the phone, and I peer down at the screen, hoping to find a reason for the late night disturbance. Maybe it’s Corey or Katie, not wanting to interrupt us but needing to get in touch.

But as I focus on the name flashing across the screen, a creeping anxiety starts to steal away my composure. "Amanda," I whisper to myself as I stare at the unfamiliar name, my mind struggling to latch onto any meaning. My heart skips a beat, and the rhythmic pulse in my chest falters as my mind races. The seconds stretch out, thick and suffocating and before I can fully process what’s happening, the call ends suddenly. The screen flickers, dimming for just a moment, before it flares to life again. And there it is. Amanda’s name, still glaring back at me like some kind of ominous omen. What’s going on? Who is this woman? Should I wake Chase? The pounding in my ears drowns out my ability to think, as the call disconnects once more. I try to breathe, to calm myself, but before I can find any semblance of control, his phone lights up again- this time with an incoming video call. My mind races even faster now, my thoughts stumbling over one another in a desperate scramble to decide what to do next. What is happening? Who is Amanda, and why won’t she stop calling Chase? What does she want?