Once a sweet dream

(After spending 3 hours going back and forth on deliberations and changing the terms and conditions of the contract, they finally arrived at a stop.)

Alexis (yawns wearily, gently using one hand to rub her eyelids): So yeah Nate, I’m exhausted, and I have a family dinner to attend in the next… probable—(checks her phone clock and flashes it)—2 hours. So I have to go and get dressed, mentally prepared for everything my parents and relatives might throw at me today. (Sighs wearily, places her hand under her chin.) So this is where I bid you two goodbye and thank you. Also, I’ll tell the lawyers to redraft the contract and forward it to your legal team for a reread now that we’ve come to a final conclusion. (Looks at both of them.) And yeah, Chase, thank you very much for helping us reach a final agreement. You’re a good mediator.

Chase (wipes his glasses with the soft wipe beside his teacup and places them back on his face): Don’t worry about it. Besides, it was fun and nice reading through and helping Nate—he seemed stuck and dumbfounded, especially when you were trying to outsmart him in the contract percentage. (Gently turns to Nate, puts his hand on his shoulder.) You really need to stop being a scaredy cat if you wanna survive in the business world…

Nate (gets up immediately as Chase stands, adjusts his sleeves, drops his teacup back onto the serving tray, turns to Chase): You’re just saying that ’cause you’re scared I might bring you down from your throne one day.

Chase (laughs sparsely): Nah. You wish. (His gaze shifts back to Alexis, who just stood up and was walking back to her chair behind the desk. He stares at her footsteps, watching how elegantly she carries herself. He pushes his hair back, sighs exasperatedly, and walks forward as Nate starts walking out of the office, pushing the door open. Chase taps on her desk. Alexis lifts her head, furrows her brows. He gently brushes the hair blocking her face and smiles.) Hey, you wanna probably grab lunch tomorrow? And I mean real lunch—not one where we argue about legal terms or business deals.

Alexis (stares at him for a solid minute, mutters under her breath): Hmm… what’s the occasion?

The soft click of the door echoes as Nate pretends to exit but stops just behind it—out of view, yet within earshot. The room is quieter now. Just the subtle hum of the AC, the leftover scent of chamomile tea, and the quiet tension between Chase and Alexis.

Chase (lingers near her desk, fingers still grazing the edge): No occasion. Just figured you might need something peaceful after whatever family chaos tonight throws at you.

Alexis (smirks faintly, rolls her eyes, leans back in her chair, arms folded): And let me guess… you think you’re peace?

Chase (laughs softly): Well… I’m less chaotic than your relatives and your mother. That counts for something.

Alexis: Barely. You still find new ways to annoy me every week. That takes skill.

Chase: You’re welcome. Consider it a gift. I’m just trying to keep you on your toes.

Alexis: You’ve been doing that since high school. Not much has changed.

She chuckles lightly. Then there’s silence. She stares at him—just stares—long enough for Chase’s smile to fade slightly. Not from awkwardness, but because something in her eyes shifts. She looks away slowly, then mutters almost to herself:

Alexis: Funny. You said you’d never date someone like me back in high school.

Chase (caught off guard, brows lift, voice softer): You remember that?

Alexis (nods, still not looking at him): I remember everything people say when they think I’m not worth a second thought.

Pause. A quiet beat between them. Chase finally speaks, slower this time.

Chase: I was an idiot back then. Everyone’s scared of what they don’t understand. You were fierce… smart… always three steps ahead. I think I said it because I thought if I admitted I liked you, you’d laugh in my face.

Alexis: You still think I would’ve?

Chase (shakes his head): Not anymore.

Alexis (finally looks up, expression unreadable): Mm. Maybe I still am too much.

Chase (steps closer): Or maybe I just finally caught up.

She stands slowly, grabs her bag, and walks toward the door. Nate quickly opens it. As they exchange a quiet look—something warm and charged but still cautious—Nate, still holding the door slightly ajar, watches the reflection of them in the glass. His expression shifts. Gone is the usual sarcasm. In its place is something heavier… slower. She walks past him, stops at the door. She glances back.

Alexis: Text me the time. If I’m not too pissed off from dinner tonight… I’ll show up.

Chase (smiles, nods): You won’t regret it.

As the door swings wider, Chase finally steps out after her. But as it closes back in… Nate still stands there. He hasn’t moved. His jaw is clenched, one hand stuffed into his pocket, the other dragging along the doorframe.

Nate (mutters under his breath, sarcasm laced with something heavier): Damn it, Chase… Guess history doesn’t matter if you get the timing right.

He exhales deeply, then turns and walks down the hall. But the look in his eyes isn’t defeat—it’s determination. He steps back silently, hands still in his pockets as he walks away down the corridor, not quite sure if it’s jealousy… or just the feeling of falling behind.

Alexis walks to Gabrielle’s desk, standing beside it as she watches Chase walk toward the elevator. He enters and disappears. She turns back to Gabrielle, clears her throat.

Alexis: Yeah, so I’m gonna be leaving early. What cafe am I meeting Jasmine and the girls at? I’ve got spare time from this meeting, so let me just drive over…

Gabrielle (looks at her notepad): Cafe La Quintet. Isn’t it too early to go? You can sit back and reconfirm a few more papers—properly inspect them before signing.

Alexis (waves her hand): Please, I’m already exhausted from arguing. Let me take an early day off. You can send them to the main house—I’m sleeping there tonight. I’ll read through them and bring them in when I come tomorrow.

Gabrielle: Yes, ma. I’ll ask the guards to send them over. Goodnight, Your Highness. (Gets up, pushes her chair back, bows slightly.)

Alexis (waves her hand): Yeah yeah… goodnight, Gabrielle. (Smiles a little, remembering when she and Gabrielle stayed in the same dormitory—laughing, eating popcorn, gossiping about random people. Back when nobody cared about hierarchies or titles—just two girls in one room, close friends, dreaming of graduating from Coastline Waters University. She blows her a kiss and waves goodnight.)

Alexis walks down from the elevator to where she parked her car, slides in, shuts the door, flings her bag to the passenger seat. She turns to the side, stares at the lily flower for a minute, starts her car, and slowly drives out, her mind drifting to what the evening might hold. She speeds off to the cafe, parks at the opposite side of it, removes her heels and changes to casual slides matching her dress. She opens the door and walks in. Across the room, she sees Mei Parker sitting opposite the entrance. Alexis gently walks toward her, waving.

Alexis: Hey Mei, you okay? (Sits beside her.)

Mei (lifts her head, smiles brightly as she pulls Alexis into a hug): Hey girl! I missed you.

Alexis (smiling): I missed you too. How’ve your travels been? I saw your Quista post a few days ago—I’m so jealous of you.

Mei (blushes bright red): You’re pulling my strings. (Laughs.) I wanted to come in early ’cause I missed you guys. We rarely hang out anymore.

Alexis: Same here. I finished my meetings early, and your brother was bullying me with intense bargaining tactics—such a cheapskate. (Hand on her chin as she sighs.)

Mei: Yeah, such a total cheapskate. But at least he’s business-smart. He’s the next in line for the family business. I don’t see myself handling that—unlike you and Jasmine. You guys are smart smart.

Alexis: Smart and stressed. Don’t forget that part.

The doorbell rings. They both turn to see Jasmine and Crystal walking in together. Mei smiles and whispers softly:

Mei: Speak of the devil, and she appears. (Waves.)

Alexis (stands and waves to Jaden): Hiiiii ladies! (Excitedly wraps Jaden and Crystal in a big hug.) I missed you guys.

They all separate after two minutes of happy hugs.

Jaden: You guys don’t be so dramatic. (Laughs as she hugs them one by one.) I missed you too. Sorry I’m late—had to go pick up Crystal from her movie set. She was all dolled up and looking pretty.

Crystal: Hey, come on. I had to wipe off the makeup—you guys wouldn’t want to see me in some scary opera makeup.

Mei (scoffs): Oh please, I’ve seen you with worse. (They all sit down.) Remember when she first tried makeup after that public appearance at her family ball when she was 13? She looked horrid—we all fell on the floor laughing.

Jaden (laughs): Yeah, but she’s getting better. Won’t lie, though—it haunted my dreams for days.

Crystal: You guys stop being dramatic. It’s the past. Let it go.

Alexis (grinning): I think I still have a picture of that makeup somewhere.

Crystal (blushing bright red): I’m never speaking to you guys again. (Dabs her eyes with a napkin.)

Mei (hugs her): Don’t cry—you know we love you. (Turns to Jaden.) Hey, business lady—I heard you opened a new branch. So cool. We’re so jealous of you. You’re such a goal-getter.

Alexis: Yeah, I’m so happy for you. Achieving your dreams… still can’t believe our random high school discussions are becoming reality. Miss Art Collector plus Interior Decorator and Bakery Owner? Ughh… you’re so cool—unlike me, stuck in a boring office daily.

Jaden (smiling happily): Please don’t make me blush. We’re finally getting there… Oh yeah, Mei, I heard about your potential marriage match…