CHASE KNIGHT

.•°•.•°•.•°•.

On the day of the shoot, we shot one more look after the event outfit. We had decided on an all-black outfit that we shot in a dark alleyway.

Firefly used my leather jacket to pair with her outfit. I never received the jacket back but I didn't mind. She called her driver to pick her up, much to my dismay.

It was the next day now, and today we had to go to the event. The event was all the way in San Diego, in the very same flower field. The flower field, Firefly revealed her secrets, five years ago.

My stylist had already delivered my outfit for the event. I took a quick shower before putting on my outfit. The suit was custom-made by Ermenegildo Zegna. It was white, with gold detailing to match Firefly's outfit which I assume would be gold. I put on my Rolex and fixed my hair a bit. I put on my black shoes. I opened the vault in my room and took my gun with me.

I heard there is going to be an attack at the field today. We are still trying to find who the root cause of this is but for now, the Italian Mafia needs to act as if they are clueless.

The rest of the guns are already loaded up in my car. I have already told other members to bring an extra car, therefore, Firefly can be safe.

I left my room, glancing at my phone. The articles were already written, rumors going on, and magazines already published about the shoot from yesterday. They work fast.

I looked at the pictures which consisted of the four looks minus the lingerie outfit. I didn't give them the camera back. I told them to not talk about that look in any of the articles and they listened.

The pictures came out great but all I could think about was if Firefly is going to be hurt from all the rumors flying up.

Would she like them?

Obviously not, dumbass.

Either way, I have decided to not give up on her just yet. I want to try. That little hope she gave me is all I need to try.

"Maybe I am lying to myself."

She gave me a sign. The least I can do is try. Even if I fail, I would be happy knowing I tried my best to have the love of my life back in my life again.

Because of my mistakes, I lost her. And, because of my determination, I will get her back.

I picked up my cell and dialed my security team. I informed them to keep close and stay as clueless as possible.

I opened my car and sat down. Five other cars behind me of security as I drove to Firefly's place. I tapped my hand on the steering wheel. I don't know why but God was really in my favor. I was seeing Firefly much more and I couldn't be more thankful.

She makes me feel as if I have a chance at happiness once again.

Usually, people don't get a second chance, but I did.

I arrived at her place and pulled out my phone to text her.

Me:
I'm here.

My leg started moving and my body was definitely in nervous mode.

Why the fuck am I nervous now?

This is what she does to me.

She sparks all these emotions that I never knew I even had. She makes me feel human. When I'm not around her, I'm closed off. I kill without any emotion, remorse. But, around her, I'm a completely different person.

She brings out the best of me. She brings out only something she can bring out of me. And, only for her eyes.

The door opened, taking me out of my thoughts. There stood a literal goddess. Holy, fuck. She looked beautiful in her gold sequenced dress. It was sheer from the thighs down and square neckline. Her hair was slicked back, straight. The gold dress was long-sleeved. Her hourglass figure being highlighted through the dress. She had on tall tan-colored heels. For accessories, she had on the necklace she always has on. And, small diamond studs.

I was speechless. My eyes were gawking at her as she fixed her hair before glancing at me. She put her small clutch on the seat, before sitting down in the car.

"Do I look okay?" She asked. "Xavier was being a bitch."

My eyes couldn't leave her and I couldn't form any words. "You look magnifica." [magnificent]

Her cheeks tinted, "Thank you, Chase."

Even my name sounds good if she says it.

She looked at me before taking in my outfit. I know she won't compliment me but maybe one day she will.

"Let's go?" I asked, and she nodded.

I pulled out of the basement parking and onto the main street. She pulled out her phone and began typing as I turned on soft music in the background.

After a while, I heard her groaned. I looked at her and she was rolling her eyes at something on her phone.

"What?" I asked.

She glanced at me for a second, "Nothing."

"Did you see the pictures that are published already?"

"Yeah, they turned out good." She replied. "Do
you know why they didn't use the lingerie pictures?"

She knew the answer but still asked, "No."

"You sure?"

"Positive."

"Liar ass." She determined. "The rumors are already spreading."

"I don't mind." I chuckled.

"Right." She rolled her eyes. "Where's the event?"

"In San Diego," I answered.

"Why so far?"

"Closer to his home."

"Where in San Diego?"

"I guess we will find out."

"Tell me." She demanded.

"No."

"I hope you know that you are a very annoying person." Firefly examined.

"I do."

"I'm hungry, let's get food. I didn't eat all day because of this stupid event." She groaned.

"Firefly, you need to eat. Why do you always put your health on the back burner?" I asked.

"I was busy and I forgot." I shook my head in response.

I took the first exit I saw. There wasn't any other fast food location other than our favorite, In-N-Out.

"Is that fine?" I asked.

I didn't have In-N-Out for five years now. I couldn't, not when she wasn't with me. This was somewhere we both ate together.

"Yeah." She breathed.

Surprisingly, there wasn't a line. I rolled down the window as the employee greeted us. "Two cheeseburgers meals."

"Alright, any onions?"

"Yes."

"What drinks?"

"Lemonade for her and Coke for myself."

"Anything else?" I answered with a quick 'no' and she told me the total.

I looked back at Firefly to see her shocked expression. I raised my eyebrow, "Did you want something else?"

It's been years, her order probably changed. Fucking idiot!

She shook her head, "No."

"I just can't believe you remember my order after all these years." She spoke again.

"Why would I forget?" I asked, confusedly.

"I don't know maybe because it's been five fucking years." She chimed.

Fucking five years that I could've been with her. I could've been by her side. When I would wake up she would be the first face I see. Her smile could've boughten me out of my misery.

Five years, wasted.

Of us.

I gave my card while replying to Firefly, "Okay, was that suppose to make me forget it?"

"I would assume so." She shrugged.

"Well, you assumed wrong." He handed me the card back and I pulled up to the next window.

They handed me the to-go box with the cheeseburgers and fries. I handed it to Firefly before taking the drinks out of the guy's hand. I rolled my window up and found parking.

She handed me my burger as she ate her french fry. "Feels weird having In-N-Out after so long."

"Don't tell me you are on a diet."

"I'm not, I just haven't had In-N-Out since..." She trailed off, leaving me to realize she also didn't eat at the fast food place where we both ate together.

"Why not?"

"I— huh?" She took her drink and put the straw in her mouth.

"Why didn't you have In-N-Out?"

"Never felt like having it." She lied. It was clear by the way she spoke. I went along with it and nodded my head.

I took a bite of my In-N-Out, thinking back to the times we would eat this same order five years ago.

Most of the time when we would eat In-N-Out it was under the moonlight but this time around it was under the sunlight.

A different light.

We couldn't align under the moonlight. Maybe, we can under the sunlight.

"What do you imagine yourself doing in ten years?" She questioned.

I pondered her question in my head. In ten years, I see her. I see her face nuzzled into the crook of my neck with her hand over my torso as she slept on our bed. My hand softly running in her soft silky hair and her leaning into my touch. She opens her eyes and lifts her head off my chest. She looks at me before a small smile coming on her face as she blushes. I express my feelings for her, having her face go red. And, after a while, she mutters a small 'I love you' back.

"I'm not sure," I answered. "You?"

"Um, hopefully moving out of the penthouse and buying a house for my Momma and I. I imagine myself getting another cat, maybe two." She laughed. "I hope for my business to reach new levels. I hope to see Xavier getting married. And, then I can kidnap all his kids to my house and keep them forever."

"What about you though?"

"What about me?" She questioned.

"Would you find the one?"

She stayed quiet and didn't reply.

"Maybe." She spoke up again.

"Would you like to find the one?"

"I did, once." She glanced at me. "Let's just say that didn't go as planned."

"You are giving up?" I asked.

She looked to be in a debate with herself as if she doesn't know what the correct thing to say is. "I'm not." She muttered.

Did I hear her correctly?

I maybe do have a chance to get her back. Not even God can stop me from getting her back. The only person that can stop me is her but she's not.

"Now answer my question." She ordered.

I looked outside while I finished the last bit of my cheeseburger. "I imagine myself with the love of my life."

If I'm not with her, I'm not sure how long I will be able to survive.

I looked back at her as she shuffled uncomfortably not knowing I was talking about her. "I would hope for my business to go as it is and maybe Connor could find the one so he can stop bothering me." She chuckled at that.

I didn't want to mention kids as it's a sensitive topic to her and I don't want her to feel sad.

"He's been wanting someone since high school and still hasn't found the one?" She questioned.

"No, he's been concentrating on work rather than his personal life."

"Why the fuck are you making him work so much?" Her sisterly instincts kicking in.

"I'm not, he works in his own regard."

"Bull fucking shit."

I pulled out of the parking lot and onto the highway. "You can ask him, I don't tell him to do anything."

"Call him."

I looked at her if she was serious or not. She was, I sighed and called Connor. The phone automatically connecting to the phone with Bluetooth. "What can I do for you now, Capo?"

This fucking idiot.

"You heard that, right? You do make him work more than necessary."

"Huh?" Connor spoke.

"Connor, do I make you work more than necessary?" I questioned.

"Don't lie." Firefly examined.

"I'm so confused. What the fuck is going on?"

"Answer the question."

"If I don't lie then yes."

"Chase, I literally told you to not have them work more than necessary. Let him have some time for his own life. Not everything is regarding work."

"You sure about that? I'm pretty sure your life is around your work."

She was about to argue back until Connor spoke up again, "Can somebody please enlighten me on what's going on?"

"Firefly claims that I overwork you. Which I don't. I don't know why the fuck you are lying."

"He's not lying."

"Yeah, I'm not lying." Connor chuckled. "Jaz, tell him to don't overwork my poor soul."

"Fuck him, don't overwork yourself. Have time for yourself. That's more important."

"Fuck you, Chase."

"That was unnecessary, Connor." She defended me.

"You literally said the same thing to him," Connor argued.

Holy fuck, she defended me.

"Because I can."

"I can too."

"No, you can't. Maybe you should be working overtime." Firefly remarked.

"What the fuck? How did this get flipped on me?" We all started laughing at our nonsense.

"Alright, enjoy yourselves. I'll talk to you guys later." Connor ended the call as I took the exit to the event.

"Oh shit, time flies."

"It really does."

We arrived at the flower field. I got out of the car as Firefly's eyes remained towards the window looking at the flower field. I went towards the passenger side and opened the door for her. "Flower field?" She questioned, as she connected her eyes with mine.

"The same one," I confirmed. "Coincidentally."

I put my hand out to her and she placed her hand in mine. She stepped out of the car and fixed her dress while I grabbed her purse. The noise of the paparazzi in the background began as my security came towards us. I walked behind Firefly as I made my way inside the flower field.

"Are you guys dating?"

"How long have you been dating?"

"Are you cheating on Axel?"

"Is Jasmin Martinez a one-time fling?"

"Are you guys using each other for fame?"

"Is Jasmin Martinez playing two guys at once?"

I was about to lash out at this dumbass paparazzi guy when Firefly took my hand in hers. She rubbed her thumb in a circular motion on my knuckles as she continued walking. I can't lie but I did calm down from her touch.

We walked on the red carpet. We stopped to take pictures. I was behind her with my arms wrapped around her waist as she leaned her back into my front.

She lifted her head to look at me and placed a small kiss on my chin. Not only did she have me confused but she also confirmed to the paparazzi that something was going on between us. I thought she didn't want to publicize this.

Whatever this was.

We continued walking until we made it to the outdoor event. Everything was still up with white decor and flower arrangements. In the back, was the opening to the flower field.

We walked to our reserved seat and I pulled out the chair for her. She sat down and I took a seat near her.

"Are you okay?" She asked.

"Yeah, the paparazzi are just annoying."

"I'm used to it." She shrugged. "Because you know everything is the female's fault. Only a female can cheat, play two guys at once, use the other for fame."

"They are nothing but sexist bastards trying to come up with the most out-of-context stories." I rolled my eyes.

"Hello everyone." The old man who's retiring today spoke. "Thank you for attending my retirement party. I appreciate everyone coming out here and saying one last farewell with me." Everyone applauded.

"Since I started working I have gained many new relationships with my colleagues. For all the love, support, and most importantly the business skyrocketing, thank you. I have close connections with most if not all of you. But, I would love to give a special shout-out to, Chase Knight." Everyone looked in my direction. "He's a very hardworking man. I haven't seen someone as dedicated and professional as him in my fifty years of working in the business industry. Please everyone big round of applause for him."

They all applauded but my eyes were on my Firefly. I saw the little smile on her face as she looked at me.

That's all I needed.

Her support.

Her approval.

Her reassurance.

"And, we can't forget about the ambitious Jasmin Martinez. Her work ethic has brought her company to the top. She was awarded business of the year and I couldn't be more proud of her. If I'm this proud of her, I can't imagine how proud her parents are of her. Especially her father. I would be a proud father if I had a daughter like her."

The smile disappeared from her face but she didn't let her emotions control her. She softly smiles in return at Mitchell but I know how the mention of her father probably hurt her.

"Once again, thank you for attending. Let's have some fun!" He ended off.

"Excuse me." Firefly stated as she got up from her chair and left.

I followed her with my eyes and I saw her going towards the back into the flower field. I went after her and saw her holding her heels in her hands as she walked down the flower field. The jasmine flowers were blossoming.

"Firefly," I called out. Her hand was on the flowers as she continued walking.

"Firefly," I repeat. I went closer to her and put my arm around her waist, stopping her from going any further. I put my other arm on her waist as I place my chin on her shoulder. We both looked in front of us to see the sunset displayed.

"Breathe." She inhaled before exhaling.

She left my arms and turned around to look at me. Her beautiful face in the sunlight.

She is my sunlight.

"I'm okay." She softly smiled and I smiled back.

"Come with me." I took her hand in mine and pulled her to the very same bench she revealed all her secrets to me.

I took a seat and Firefly took a seat next to me. She placed her head on my shoulder before closing her eyes. She looped her arm with mine. Her breathing slowed down, telling me she had fallen asleep.

"Isn't it funny, that the last time we came here I was the one who fell asleep and now it's you? I guess I have to carry on the tradition and say everything I wanted to say to you but I can't." I remembered back. "I really hope you are asleep though." I chuckled.

"When I saw you at the event, five years later, I swear on everything I had no intentions to ever coming back to your life. I wanted to. But, I knew if I did, it would bring back up bad memories. I guess fate wanted to give us another shot. Another shot at forever." I spoke. "When I saw you going up on the stage, I felt proud. I was genuinely happy for you. You deserve all the success in the world. And, I hope for more success to come your way."

I sighed, "Let's go back to five years. The day you left, you took my heart with you. I was breathing but I wasn't living. I became a machine, I overworked myself to distract myself from the reality of you not being in my life anymore. The night would roll around and reality would laugh at me. I would look at the stars at night and even they seemed to lose all faith in us. I don't think I had a full night's rest since you left me." I revealed. "Maybe it's karma that I didn't choose you. I didn't keep you first. But, the biggest karma was living without you."

"You know why I wanted to keep the cardigan so badly? It helps me sleep longer than thirty minutes at night. It helps me think that you are still nearby. It helps me live in my false illusion." I looked at her.

She's fucking beautiful.

Flaw-fucking-less.

"Universal has given me this second chance and I won't stop without trying. You have given me hope and that's my sign. My sign to get you back. To gain your forgiveness."

"You asked today what do I picture myself doing in ten years. I imagine myself being in bed with you by my side. I imagine us having the forever we dreamed about five years ago. You might not have any feelings for me but I—" Her head moved and she lifted herself off my shoulder. She looked around as she covered her mouth as yawned.

"I fell asleep?" She questioned, confused.

"Yeah."

She looked around almost like trying to find suspicious activity. She got up from the bench and fixed her dress. I got up and took her heels in my hand.

"We should go back." She said as she went through the flower field. I followed her through the Jasmine flowers.

I held her wrist from going any further, "Do you remember what happened last time we were in this field of Jasmine flowers?"

She softly laughed as she remembered back, before going on her tippy toes and placing a kiss on my cheek. She looked at me before giving me a challenging look.

She slowly turned around and ran. I ran after her through the flowers before putting an arm around her and turning her around.

We looked into each other's eyes before we both leaned in to kiss each other. Our lips molded perfectly against each other as gunshots erupted in the background.

.•°•.•°•.•°•.

[ 3723 words ]

a/n: my birthday gift to you all, haha. today's been a busy day but i really wanted to update. anyways, i can't thank you enough for the support you have given me. you guys truly made my life better. thank you so much!!
•••
also, this chapter's inspiration was given by one of you. all credit goes to -winterficss31- i hope i met your expectations.