Pale presence

Pale presence
Chad’s POV

Trista had always been difficult, but this? This was starting to get under my skin.
I leaned back in my chair, my fingers drumming against the desk as I replayed our conversation
from earlier in my mind. She had come to my office, her expression guarded, her voice sharp
with accusations. She wasn’t stupid—she knew exactly what I was doing. But instead of outright
calling me out on it, she had danced around it, pretending like she needed my help.
And for a moment, I almost believed her.
Almost.

But then she started pulling away—physically, emotionally. It was subtle, but I noticed it. The
way she shifted slightly whenever I moved too close. The way she hesitated before meeting my
gaze. And then—Leonard.
His name flashing across her phone screen in the middle of our conversation had been the final
straw.

My jaw clenched at the memory. That bastard just wouldn’t go away, would he? Even when I
was the one she had turned to for help, he was still lingering in the background, calling,
checking up on her like he had some claim over her.
It made my blood boil.

Trista had always been mine. Even if she refused to admit it.
I exhaled sharply, my hand tightening into a fist. I couldn’t let her slip away—not again. If she
thought she could just brush me aside, reject my advances like she had for years, she had
another thing coming.

I reached for my phone, my lips curling into a smirk as I typed out a message.
Chad: Meet me at my penthouse. I have a plan to fix this mess.
I stared at the screen for a moment before hitting send.
She’d come. She had no choice.

And this time, I wouldn’t let her walk away so easily.
Trista arrived at my penthouse an hour later.
She stepped inside cautiously, her eyes scanning the room like she expected a trap. Smart girl.
“You wanted to talk?” she asked, her tone clipped.
I smirked.
“I wanted to help.
”

She scoffed, crossing her arms.
“Cut the bullshit, Chad. If you really wanted to help me, you
would have answered me directly when I asked if you were behind this.
”
I chuckled, stepping closer.
“And if I had answered directly, would you have believed me?”
She hesitated. That was all the confirmation I needed.
“Exactly,
” I murmured, reaching out to brush a strand of hair behind her ear. She stiffened but
didn’t pull away—yet.
“I just want to make things right,
” I continued smoothly.
same side, Tris.
”

“You and I—we’ve always been on the
She let out a bitter laugh.
“Oh, is that what you call this?”
I ignored the sarcasm, letting my fingers trail down her arm.
“I miss the way things used to be.
”
She shifted away from my touch this time, her expression unreadable.
”
same anymore.
“Well, things aren’t the
That… annoyed me.
“You’ve been avoiding me,
” I said, my voice tightening.
Why?”
“Pulling away every time I get close.
“Because I know what you’re doing,
” she shot back.
games, I’ll just… what? Fall into your arms?”
“You think if you play your little mind
My smirk returned.
“It worked before.
”
Her lips parted, her eyes flashing with something I couldn’t quite read.
“You’re delusional.
”
“Am I?”
She took a step back, putting more space between us. That irritated me more than I cared to
admit.
I clenched my jaw, forcing my voice to remain calm.
But if you want my help, you need to trust me.
”
“I have a plan to clear your name, Trista.
She studied me, her guard still up.
“And what exactly do you want in return?”
I leaned in slightly, letting my voice drop.
“You already know the answer to that.
”
Her breath hitched, but then she straightened, her expression hardening.
“Not happening.
”
I exhaled sharply, my patience thinning.
That you don’t want this?”
“You’re really going to keep pretending you don’t feel it?
She scoffed.
“You really have a high opinion of yourself.
”
I stepped closer again, watching her reaction carefully.
And I know when you’re lying.
”
“I know you, Tris. Better than anyone.
She swallowed, but her expression didn’t waver.
say—stay out of my way, Chad.
”
“Then you should know I mean it when I
My fingers curled into fists at my sides.
“You’re making a mistake.
”
She turned toward the door.
“No, I’m finally doing what I should have done a long time ago.
”
Something snapped in me then.
Before I could stop myself, I grabbed her wrist, pulling her back just enough for her to meet my
gaze. Her eyes widened slightly, but she didn’t flinch.
“You always do this,
” I murmured, my voice low.
“Push me away. Pretend like I don’t matter.
”
“Because you don’t,
” she whispered.
A lie. A damn lie.
I let out a humorless chuckle.
“Keep telling yourself that, sweetheart.
”
Then, I released her wrist and took a step back.
“Fine,
” I said smoothly.
“Have it your way.
”
She hesitated, as if expecting me to stop her again. When I didn’t, she turned and walked
toward the door.
I watched her go, my jaw tightening.
This wasn’t over.
Not by a long shot.
As soon as the door shut behind her, I grabbed my phone and typed another message.
Chad: This isn’t the end, Trista. Meet me tomorrow. Same place. You’ll want to hear what I have
to say.
Then, without waiting for a response, I sent it.
She could fight it all she wanted. But in the end, she’d come back.
She always did.