003

Marion POV

Before I could understand what was going on, I was shoved hard and sent stumbling back. If it wasn't for Chase's driver who was trailing behind us carrying his hospital bag, I would have landed on the rough floor butt first.

However, Chase was not so lucky. With my support gone, he stumbled and managed to stop himself...but that cost him stepping down with his injured leg. What followed was a painful groan that sent my mind into reset factory. I propped myself up before rushing to him and helping him stabilize his footing.

" Jesus Christ are you okay?" I asked, panic clawing through me. Amidst the frown on his face, he gave me a reassuring smile...or at least that's what he intended to. Only that it did nothing to reassure me. If anything, it made me feel guilty.

" I'm okay." He said only to hiss at the end. He was not okay. Of course he wasn't.

Without thinking... which I didn't need at this point...I turned around and faced the culprit responsible for almost leaving me jobless.

" What the hell is wrong with you? Do you understand the magnitude of your actions?" I snapped, anger, irritation and displeasure written all over my face.

For a moment, I saw remorse on her face before it was replaced by a haughtiness I didn't need at the moment.

" I should be asking you that. Why the fuck were you holding him like that? Do you want to seduce him? Are you worthy?" She snarled back.

I almost scoffed at her ridiculous accusations. Me? Seduce Chase Hudson? Was I that idle and desperate in her eyes?

" Are you out of your mind? I am his..." I started but Chase hissed, cutting me off. I turned to face him, my anger momentarily dissipating and my care giver mode activated.

" Does it hurt anywhere?" I asked. However,instead of answering, Chase took the chance to pull me back in his arms, his hand wrapping around my waist.

" Babe, my foot hurts. Can you help me inside?" He asked, pressing himself closer to me. The intimate closeness and the warmth radiating from him made my brain malfunction for a moment.

But wait a damn minute...did he just call me babe?

I was too stunned to speak, my mind racing and trying to catch up with the sudden turn of events.

I didn't hear it wrong. Chase Hudson just called me so intimately?

The woman in front of us looked like she was about to explode any minute now. Her face was flushed with anger and her hands clenched into fists at her sides.

Before I could protest or push him away, Chase leaned in close, his lips brushing against my ear.

"Play along, Marion." he whispered, his voice sending shivers down my spine. "Unless you want to deal with her every single day." He added.

I wanted to push him away and tell him my job was to nurse him back to health and not play girlfriend to ward off whoever this person was.

" I'm not playing games with you, Chase," I whispered back, trying to sound stern but failing miserably as my heart hammered against my ribs.

" It's either this or you watch me inform Coach Williams that you were careless and put me in danger." He threatened. My anger doubled. He was threatening me. He was fucking threatening me with my job, a job that I couldn't afford to loose.

" What did you say? She is your what?" The woman asked, seemingly ready to tear me into pieces if she got the wrong answer.

" Daisy, meet Marion, my girlfriend." Chase announced with a smile on his face. He was practically pressing his body against mine, his hand snaking my waist possessively.

Daisy's eyes widened in shock before she narrowed them at me, her expression full of disbelief and jealousy.

" You're lying! This can't be true. You can't be dating her." She declared, her gaze raking over me with contempt.

" I can't believe you would choose someone like her over me. Your family has already approved..." She started but Chase cut her off, annoyance written all over his face.

" I don't care what my family approves of. I will only be with the woman I approve of and that happens to me Marion and not you." He announced, his voice cold and detached.

" You should move on. I already told you, I don't love you and never will in this life." He added.

The words sounded cruel...even for a rejection. I didn't pinpoint that though. It was not in my place to do that.

" But..." Daisy started to protest, but Chase cut her off.

" Leave, Daisy and don't come back. I don't want my woman getting a bad idea about us. Another thing, make sure what happened today never repeats itself or I won't let it go so easily." He warned, his voice firm and final.

The woman shot me a venomous look before turning around and storming off.

I watched her go, my mind still recovering from the sudden turn of events.

" You can let go of me now." I said to Chase, trying to sound calm and collected despite the chaos inside me.

Chase didn't release me immediately. Instead, he leaned in closer, his breath warm against my ear. " Not so fast, Marion. She could be watching from a distance. I don't want to take any chances." He whispered, his voice laced with a mix of amusement and something else I couldn't quite place.

" I am sure she has left." I snapped, trying to wriggle out of his grip but he held me tight, his fingers digging into my waist.

" Stay still." He warned, his voice husky and I froze. I didn't dare to move until he detangled himself from me.

"Let's go inside. I need to check on your leg." I said, my voice strained. I needed to put some distance between us, to regain my composure and focus on my job.

Chase finally let go of me, but not before giving me a sly smile that made my stomach flip.

" You were perfect." He commented as I led him inside his house. Between my confrontation with Daisy and Chase's declaration, the driver had disappeared in between, leaving only Chase and I.

" Don't pull that stunt ever again. I don't appreciate it." I warned him. I was his caregiver and he was my patient... that was our only relationship and I was not ready to clear any misunderstanding involving personal relationships.

" I mean it, Marion. Why don't we make it real? Be my girlfriend."