005

Marion POV

I had been a fool to listen to Chase..I was even more foolish to accept that proposal. Come with him to prove to Finn that I was better off without him? And using a man to prove that point? The man being Chase Hudson made everything ridiculous yet satisfying at the same time, especially that moment I walked in, pushing him in his wheelchair and the whole room went quiet, eyes turning to us.

For a moment, my hands froze. Chase noticed that.

“ You'd better not chicken out or give him the satisfaction of seeing you intimidated.” Chase whispered loud enough for just me to hear.

“ Intimidated?” I scoffed.

“ There's nothing to intimidate me in here.” I fired back, pretending to be more confident than I felt.

“ Yeah, sure. Except that you're intimidated by the title of my girlfriend.” Chase countered.

I opened my mouth to say something but stopped myself.

Coach Williams was walking towards us, beaming.

“ Miss Hartley, this is a pleasant surprise. I thought he wouldn't be attending.” He said, eyeing Chase who did nothing but roll his eyes.

“ Yeah, I was surprised when he agreed to attend the party.” I replied. More like he had insisted on coming but only with me by his side.

This was outside my scope of work but then again, we were here on a mission, right?

“ I'm glad to see that you two are getting along. He looks…happy.” Coach Williams added.

“ I am always happy.” Chase grumbled and I just smiled. If by happy being wearing a grumpy face every damn minute, then his definition of happy was messed up.

“ See you around. Find the chance to welcome the new player. You are the captain after all.” Williams said before patting Chase’s shoulders and walking away.

“ So annoying,” Chase mumbled and I rolled my eyes at that.

“ You'd be surprised to know you are more annoying than him.” I blurted out.

Chase turned to look at me with a glare. I ignored it however and pushed him further.

The room was watching, some casting curious glances at us while others whispered.

“ I don't want my day ruined talking to that bastard.” Chase argued as I pushed him deeper into the room.

“ You are the captain. You have to do it.” I replied, wearing a smile I didn't feel.

“ You don't have to remind me that. Either way, it sucks even thinking about it.” Chase whined.

They hated each other, that was certain but to an extent he couldn't stand Finn?

I didn't get to say a word before someone I recognised as one of the club players approached us.

“ Good to see you man. I had a bet with Asher that you won't attend the welcome party.” The man whispered loud enough for the two of us to hear.

He then turned to me and a bright smile bloomed on his face. It was almost blinding.

“ Now that's a gorgeous woman by your side, Captain. I'd love to take her out.” The man declared shamelessly and I had to hold myself back from smiling like a fool. I mean, it's not everyday you meet a handsome man praising you and calling you sweet names.

Chase looked at me and his expression turned sour.

“ Fuck off Jewel. She is not one of those women who fall for your charm and sweet smiles.” He growled.

Jewel didn't take offense in that. If anything, his grin deepened. He turned to me fully.

“ I'm Jewel, would you mind going out with me?” He asked straightforwardly.

I honestly didn't know what to answer, not like Chase gave me the chance to form any reply in mind.

“ Stay away from my people or your father is going to hear about…” Chase started but didn't finish his threat.

Jewel raised his hands in surrender.

“ Okay fine, you can keep her then.” He declared.

After keeping my eyes away from wandering off the room, I decided to step away and give the two men time to catch up.

Afterall, Chase was deep in a conversation with Jewel and another man who joined him…Asher as they called him.

“ If you'll excuse me, I'll wander around and see if I can enjoy the night.” I informed Chase who didn't seem so pleased with the idea.

“ I can show you the perfect recipe to enjoy the night.” Jewel offered with a mischievous grin on his face.

Chase's face turned a shade darker.

“ No need for that. You three have things to talk about which don't involve me so yeah,” I refused politely. The guy was good at flirting, I had to give him that.

“ Don't go too far.” Chase finally said. With a nod and a smile, I walked away without looking back.

Truth be told, I was starting to regret coming here tonight. I'd seen Finn earlier…happy and laughing with the people present. I mean, tonight was his welcome party afterall.

If I say seeing him didn't stir something ugly deep inside me, you and I both know that I'd be lying.

I decided to get myself a drink so I headed straight to the makeshift bar and poured myself a generous amount of wine.

I hadn't taken the second sip when I felt a presence behind me.

“ Seriously Marion? You are that obsessed with me that you'd follow me around?” Finn's voice sounded behind me, his words mocking.

I contemplated ignoring him and walking away but then decided against it.

“ Excuse me?” I asked, turning around to face him.

“ Come on, don't start with your pathetic act, it's not funny. We already broke up and now you are attending my welcoming party alongside Chase?” Finn continued self righteously.

“ I always knew you were too desperate to be with me but this is low, even for you.” He added.

Looking at him, I didn't know whether to laugh or cry. Follow him around? Was I that idle?

“ Have you considered that I am here doing my job and not following you?” I fired back, trying to make him realise that the world doesn't revolve around him. Or at least mine.

Finn laughed at that, as if I'd said the funniest joke he'd ever heard.

“ Doing your job? You think people like Chase Hudson would want someone like you around them?” Finn mocked.

I was about to answer when I saw Chase approach in his wheelchair.

“ What part of my girlfriend did you find undeserving to be around me?”