Free Pursued by Him by Ellie Danes Page B

That’s been the talk in the office. It’s actually huge. We’ve been so busy getting things ready, if this goes through he’s going to be traveling like crazy, spending weeks at a time in Japan. Are you ready for that?” Alyssa flipped through the papers on her lap and looked up at me.
    Chase hadn’t mentioned anything about having to travel overseas or having to be away for weeks at a time. I waved my hand at Alyssa and shook my head. “No, that’s not right. Chase would have told me if that were the case. He’s headed to California tomorrow. You must have misunderstood.”
    “You know Sums, the first sign he’s your man is when he starts lying to you about things.” Alyssa giggled. “Seriously, maybe it was just an oversight or I misunderstood.”
    “Yeah, probably.” I pulled myself off of the couch and made my way towards my room. The last thing I wanted to think about was being away from Chase, especially after things had been so perfect recently. I dug my phone out of my purse and send him a quick text. I’m going to miss you…hurry home.
    Miss you more…and I’ll be back as quickly as I can.
    I wasn’t going to put any value in the things Alyssa said. I trusted Chase.
    * * * *
    “Oh my god this sucks…whose idea was this again?” Alyssa panted as she jogged beside me. “This is fucking ridiculous.”
    “We both agreed we needed some more exercise.”
    “But there are plenty of other ways to burn off calories instead of running three miles in this damn heat.” Quipped Alyssa. “I would say sex, but you’re the only one burning off calories that way.”
    All I could do was roll my eyes and shake my head as we turned the corner on the final stretch toward our apartment. “You’ll find a man…what about Jake?”
    “Seriously Sums? He’s cute, but isn’t he…?”
    “Seeing someone?” I quickly responded.
    “No! Gay! He always talks about Chase like he has a crush on him.” Alyssa slowed her pace and eventually walked as we reached the parking lot of the apartments.”
    “No, he was actually seeing a girl for a while. At least that’s what Chase had said.” I wiped the perspiration from my forehead onto my sleeve.
    “Well, we work together and…” Before Alyssa could finish her sentence two guys ran down the stairs at full speed, skipping steps. The last one bumping Alyssa and knocking her into the hand rail and down a step. “Slow down and watch where you’re going asshole!” She yelled.
    I looked back and watched as the two guys rounded the corner, never looking back. “You Ok?”
    “Yeah…I just can’t wait to graduate, get a job and get out of this place.” Alyssa rubbed her shoulder as we made our way up the stairs to our apartment.  Alyssa reached for the door to open it.
    “Seriously Alyssa? You couldn’t even pull it shut, let alone lock it?” I rolled my eyes at she stood in front of the door.
    “No Summer, I did close it.” She gently pushed the door open and it swung slowly until it hit the wall on the other side.
    We both stepped inside, quietly, listening for signs of someone else inside with us, but there was nothing.  My laptop still sat on the coffee table, but my purse and all of the contents had been emptied out. “Seriously?” I yelled. “What the hell?” I picked up my purse and looked at the contents on the table. My wallet had been opened and what little cash I had was gone.
    “Mine is empty as well.”
    Alyssa stood there holding her purse as I stared down at the table and then quickly back towards the small table next to the door. “Shit, my keys are gone too.” Panic, anger and fear all set in at the same time.

Chase
    “Slow down Summer…are you in the apartment right now? Did you call the police?”
    “No…yes...I mean Alyssa called. We’re standing in the parking lot. The police have been going through the apartment and asking us questions.” I could hear Summer fighting back the tears as her voice sounded strained.
    “They