Secluded Heart Read online

  “So,”

  “She’s adorable, I’ll admit I’m very attracted to her, but I don’t have to act on it, I’m not a single horny teenager.”

  “Yeah, yeah,”

  “I need to get going. Yelena’s plane comes in at noon. If I’m not waiting inside the terminal she’ll flip out.” Chase stood up and stretched.

  “God forbid French Bitch would have to wait on you or carry her own god damn luggage outside.”

  Chase didn’t retort, she simply shrugged her shoulders and waved as she left.

  ***

  Chase ran a hand through her short messy hair as she sat in the terminal waiting area. Yelena’s plane was due to land in twenty minutes so she closed her eyes and leaned her head back. Minutes later she awoke to the vibrating of her cell phone. She recognized the hospital number on the caller ID.

  “Chase Leery,”

  “I hate to interrupt you on your day off Dr. Leery, but we have a patient that came in with aortic stenosis, he needs an emergency aortic valve replacement, you’re the most qualified surgeon to handle this.”

  “How constricted is the valve?” She asked.

  “It’s a little more than fifty millimeters.”

  “Get him prepped. I’m on the way, but I’m coming from the airport.” She slammed the phone closed then dialed Yelena’s cell.

  “Hey, I’m sorry I’m not going to be able to pick you up, I just got called for an emergency surgery so I’m headed to the hospital. I’ll call you as soon as I’m out. I’ll make sure there’s a car service to take you home.” She closed the phone and stopped at the rental car area on her way out.

  ***

  Chase changed into a extra pair of scrubs and sneakers that she kept in her office. She hurried down to the OR. Dr. Chaffey, her assistant for this operation was already scrubbing in. She joined him at the sink to wash her hands.

  “Did you speak to the family?” She asked as the nurse tied her face mask for her.

  “Yeah, I didn’t make them any promises, the patient‘s a sixty year old smoker.” He said with a semi deep voice. His reddish orange colored hair stuck out from the side of his sterile cap.

  “Wonderful.” She shook her head, said a tiny prayer and did the one thing she knew best, cut the man’s chest wide open and began repairing the damage.

  ***

  The Mercedes roadster pulled into the parking garage eight hours later. Chase yawned and stepped from the vehicle. She wasn’t in the mood to walk into a fight. She’d listened to the ass chewing message that was left for her on her cell phone. She took a deep breath and walked inside the ten story building. Her two story condo was at the top.

  “Hey, I’m home.” Chase kicked her flip flops off at the door. The bleach blond ‘playboy bunny’ came around the corner to greet her. Yelena stood about two inches taller than Chase.

  “It’s about fucking time. I haven’t seen you in two weeks, and then you decide to work instead of picking me up. Thanks a lot Chase. I love you too.” Yelena stomped into the kitchen.

  “Damn it Yelena, you know I’m always on call. Give me a break; I’m already working a hundred fucking hours a week. Forgive me if I decided to go save someone’s life instead of carrying your god damn suitcase!” Chase slung the refrigerator door open.

  “I was going to wait for you but I had no fucking idea when you’d be home so I ordered my own dinner.”

  “Gee thanks. I figured you’d think only about yourself.” She slammed the door shut, not feeling like cooking for herself. She grabbed her car keys and headed towards the front door.

  “Where the hell are you going?”

  “To get something to eat,” Chase shook her head.

  “Where?”

  “Does it fucking matter? Rainer’s probably, why?” Chase was trying not to raise her voice, but Yelena knew how to push her buttons.

  “That’s great, go play with your god damn friends. Your girlfriend’s been gone for two weeks and you go hang out with them. That’s just like you Chase!”

  Chase yawned for the third time since she’d been home. “I’m not in the mood to argue with you, fine you want to be mad at me go ahead. What’s new?” She stormed out of the condo and headed towards the parking garage. She opened her cell phone and dialed a number as she got into her car.

  “Hey.”

  “Are you busy?”

  “No. Just watching TV and putting slides together for the show next week. What‘s up?” Frankie asked.

  “I’m starving and I need to vent. I was headed to Rainer’s but if you want some company I’ll stop by.”

  “Sure, I’ll order a pizza.”

  ***

  Chase was sitting on the floor across from Frankie with an empty pizza box on the table between them, along with a pair of empty beer bottles.

  “I can’t believe she said that. She’s such an asshole.” Frankie said as she continued to examine the art slides that she had spread out all over the floor.

  “Tell me about it, sometimes I don’t know why I’m still with her.”

  “It’s called sex honey.”

  Chase gasped. “That’s even gone downhill. I remember when we first got together two years ago. We had more sex than I could keep up with, now I’d rather work than have sex with her.”

  “Why?”

  “She used to be wild and willing you know, it didn’t matter when or where, we just did it when we wanted to. Now, it’s all about her, she wants to go to the clubs and bars so she can be everyone’s eye candy. I swear she gets off on watching me fighting with people over her. I’m sick of it Frankie.”

  “I’m sorry, that sucks. Have you tried to talk to her?”

  “She only thinks about herself. I can’t talk to her; she turns everything around on me. She just wants to be on the arm of a rich doctor, I don’t even think it matters if I’m a man or a woman.”

  “When’s the last time you made love, not had sex?”

  Chase starred at the floor. “I…I don’t think I’ve ever made love to her. It’s always been hot and heavy, straight to the point sex.”

  “Hmm…”

  “I bet she’d be nicer to me if I cut her ass off.”

  “Hell yeah, you give her a god damn thousand dollar a week allowance Chase, what did you expect, of course she’s going to spend your money and treat you like shit.” Chase knew Frankie was right.

  “It’s not quite that much.”

  “Well, it’s definitely enough, make her pay some bills or spend her own money for a change. Or better yet, kick her to the curb. Chase you can do so much better than her.”

  “I’ve thought about it, I don’t want to just put her out on the street though.”

  “I’m talking to you as your best friend, let her go.”

  “Whose work is that?” Chase asked as she started scanning the slides on the floor. Some of the artwork was beautiful, abstract style sunsets and water scenes that she wouldn’t mind taking a closer look at. Yelena had insisted on purchasing two very expensive Monet’s instead of the artwork that Chase actually liked.

  “It’s Remy Sheridan’s. I’m featuring her in the show next week.”

  “Wow, some of these are gorgeous. She’s very talented.”

  “Yeah, she’ll be a major contender for one of my regular spots.”

  “What kind of prices are these going for?” Not that money was actually a problem. She just wanted to continue discussing the shy brunette.

  “Probably three.”

  “Hmm…”

  “What?”

  “I was just thinking, that’s a hell of a lot less than I paid for those ugly assed Monet’s hanging in my foyer.” They both laughed. “Don’t get me wrong, I like art, but I’d much rather see one of these everyday than ‘The Floating Ice’ and ‘Wheat Stacks’.” She laughed.

  “Yeah,” Frankie laughed again. “But, Chase you do have two very valuable pieces of nice artwork.”

  “I love Monet’s work, but Yelena had seriously b
ad taste, she chose them because of the price tag I’m sure.”

  “Your right, she wouldn’t know art if it slapped her across the face.” They both laughed hysterically.

  Frankie cleaned up the mess she had all over the living room floor and Chase cleaned up the pizza box and beer bottles.

  “You look like a walking zombie, when’s the last time you slept?”

  “Last night.”

  “How long?”

  “Uh…” She had to think about it. “Two hours.”

  “CHASE! You’re going to kill yourself working like this.”

  The blond yawned and sat on the couch.

  “Go get in the spare bed. She can wonder where you are all night, it’s not like she’s bothered to call you anyway. I’ll wake you up in the morning.” Chase didn’t argue, she walked down the hallway and practically passed out as soon as she hit the bed.

  ***

  Frankie walked into her spare room at six thirty a.m., Chase was already gone. She left a note saying she’d call her later since she was scheduled for surgery at seven a.m. By the time Frankie got to the note, Chase was already in surgery prep, she went straight to the hospital form Frankie’s, neglecting her own house once again. She knew the inevitable was going to happen, she just wasn’t prepared. Instead, she focused her mind on the operation she was about to perform, a quadruple bypass.

  Six hours later she was finished and sitting at her desk listening to the multiple voicemails left by Yelena cussing her out.

  “Wonderful, I love you too, bitch!” She decided to delete the rest of them after she heard the first three. Pack your shit ‘French Bitch’. She laughed.

  ***

  Chase wasted no time when she walked in the door. Yelena was sitting on the couch watching TV. As soon as she began yelling Chase cut her off.

  “It’s over Yelena. It’s been over for a while now. I want you out of here tomorrow.”

  “What! Excuse me, you stay gone all night then come home and tell me it’s over and get out! Who were you out fucking all night you piece of shit?”

  “Yelena, first of all, you know better than that, I was at Frankie’s and second, we both know it’s over. I’m sick of fighting with you, I'm sick of walking on egg shells in my own house, I’m sick of you and I’m sick of us. I just want it to end. Please understand, I care about you, but I’m not in love with you.”

  “Fuck you!” Yelena went to slap her but Chase caught her hand.

  “Don’t try me.” She said between clenched teeth. “We can handle this like adults.”

  “Fine, you want me out, so be it. I’ve met someone anyway.”

  “Okay. At this point Yelena I don’t really care.” Chase went out to the hallway and brought the empty boxes in that she picked up on her way home. “Here,” She tossed them on the floor. Yelena rolled her eyes and began packing up her belongings. Most of it consisted of clothing and shoes. Chase had basically given her twenty-four hours, but Yelena was packed and gone within four. She left with a loud slam of the door and the tires squealing on her BMW that Chase bought for her, luckily it was paid off. She’d consider that a going away present.

  3

  “I can’t believe she threw her out like that.” Gayle said as she took a glass of champagne from the waitress. They were standing in the middle of the Deluca Art Gallery for the show titled ‘Past, Present, Future’. It was various artists that she had worked with for years, mixed in with some newer artists, and the feature was her newest addition, Remy Sheridan.

  “I’m sure she doesn’t want to talk about it, she seems fine with everything though. Frankie said she’s cutting her hours back at the hospital.”

  “That’s good.”

  Chase walked behind them. “Gayle, Ping Pong, it’s good to see you both.” She hugged them. “Before you ask, it feels great to be single. It’s over and the past is the past. According to Frankie, here’s to the future.” She held her champagne glass up.

  “Well, you seem to be in a good mood.” Ping smiled.

  “I feel free Ping. I haven’t felt that in a long time.” She grinned. “I’m going to walk around, come find me when you two are done gossiping about the crowd.”

  Chase walked towards the feature section. All of Remy’s paintings were abstract, although most of them had a theme, such as a sunset, the ocean, trees in a meadow, all with beautiful colors. Some of them were just a mixture of colors. Chase fell in love with the sunset over the ocean. She’d already purchased it form Frankie as soon as she saw it. Remy was told that one was the first piece that sold, but she had no idea who it was. Frankie said the buyer wanted to remain anonymous. Chase continued to stare at the picture, wondering how it would look in her living room. She sensed someone close to her, her heart did a flip when she heard the familiar voice.

  “Do you like it?” Remy said. She was standing very close to Chase, behind her and to the side a little bit. Chase turned almost into her.

  “It’s amazing. I love what you did with the colors here and here.” Chase pointed out then turned back to face the taller woman. She was eye level with Remy’s nose. She didn’t have to look into the brown eyes staring down at her; she could feel them on her.

  “I’m glad you like it Doctor…uh…Chase.” She smiled shyly, her eyes never faltered from Chase’s. They were interrupted when a sandy haired man appeared at Remy’s side. He was a little taller than her. Chase backed up a little, that’s when she took a second to glance at Remy’s outfit. She was wearing black slacks and a white sleeveless blouse. Her brown hair was messy like Chase’s and too short to run a brush through.

  “Sorry I’m late. I had a meeting than ran over.” He kissed Remy’s cheek. She flinched slightly from the contact. Chase only caught it because they were once again starring into each other’s eyes.

  “Chase, this is my boyfriend Brian Martin. Brian, this is Dr. Chase Leery, she knows the owner and director of the gallery.”

  He stuck his hand out. She shook it respectfully and squeezed out a smile. “It’s nice to meet you.” He said.

  “Likewise,”

  “What kind of doctor are you?”

  “I’m a cardiac surgeon at Mount Sinai Hospital.” She glanced at Remy. Her brown eyes were glued to Chase’s green ones. Chase could feel the heat from the stare penetrating her body. Her own heart fluttered nervously.

  “Oh here you are. Chase I want you to meet Veronica Petrovski, she’s another one of my artists.” Frankie was standing there with a very pretty woman that was a bit taller than Chase with long curly black hair and tan skin. If this is a fix up Frankie I’m going to kick your ass, but she’s definitely good looking.

  “Ronnie this is Dr. Chase Leery.”

  “Hi, I’ve heard a lot about you.” The woman smiled and offered her hand. Frankie continued to introduce Ronnie to Remy and Brian. Chase glanced up at Remy who was still starring down at her.

  “If you’ll excuse me, I need a refill.” Chase backed out of the circle.

  “Uh…I do too. I’ll be right back.” Remy turned to Brian then stepped out of the circle. Chase led them down the hall to Frankie’s office.

  As soon as she shut the door behind them Remy pushed her up against the door and pressed herself against her, the anticipation was enough to drive them over the edge just before their lips met with a fiery passion. They wasted no time entering each other’s mouth, letting their tongues taste one another. Remy’s soft lips fit perfectly against Chase’s. They could feel the heat burning where every inch of their bodies were fused together against the door. Chase threaded her arms around Remy’s neck and into the back of her hair. Remy’s hands were under the back of Chase’s shirt against her body, kneading the muscles in her lower back as they continued passionately kissing one another. Chase pulled away slightly and playfully bit Remy’s lower lip a soft moan escaped her as she slid her tongue past Chase’s lips.

  Out of nowhere Remy peeled herself away from Chase, who was flat against the door. “I…we…”
She stared into Chases eyes one last time and flew out of the room like she was on fire. Chase took a second to catch her breath, and then proceeded down the hall. She caught up with one of the waitresses and grabbed two champagne glasses. She downed the first and put it back on the tray. She walked across the gallery with the other glass in her hand.

  “Where have you been young lady?” Ping grabbed her arm.

  “Uh…I was looking at the paintings. Why?”

  “Frankie’s looking for you.”

  Oh.” Chase saw the auburn haired woman across the room talking to a couple. “I think she’s trying to set me up with someone.”

  “I saw the woman you’re talking about, she’s hot.”

  “Who’s hot?” Gayle walked up on the conversation.

  “No one,”

  “The woman Frankie’s trying to set Chase up with.”

  “I don’t need to be set up with anyone; I just ended a two year relationship a week ago. I’m not ready to heat up the sheets again.”

  “Uh huh, I think you have your eye on the straight new artist.”

  “What? Who are you talking about?”

  “The one that’s staring a hole through you.” Chase didn’t have to turn around, she knew who Gayle was talking about.

  “She’s straight.”

  “So?”

  “You know me better than that. Besides, I’ve talked to her a few times, she’s really nice. I bought one of her paintings.”

  “You did?” Ping looked surprised. “Will it go with the others?”

  “No, I’m thinking of selling them, I didn’t want them in the first place.”

  “Didn’t you pay a lot for them?”

  “It’s only money Ping Pong.” Chase laughed. “I’m sure I’ll break even, I would rather have her work hanging in my house anyway.”