CHAPTER 3 ~ THE OFFER

~ CASSANDRA WILLIAMS ~

I walked the 25 minutes to the coffee shop, I felt awful but that will serve me right for

drinking I suppose. it's cool out and I wish I'd brought my jacket.

I had worked at the Cafe for three years, the two girls who own the shop are lovely and are

really good to me, I enjoyed working there, it's always so busy though, which makes the day go faster. My job was to serve the customers and put orders in. I'm glad I don't have to make the food or coffee, I’m terrible at it. It’s my last shift today and it will be a bitter-sweet one.

“There she is, Miss Graduate,” Alice says smiling as I enter the back room behind the counter. I smiled in response.

“I'm going to miss you guys,” I said.

“We’re going to miss you too kiddo, we are so happy for you though” Jessica, Alice’s Sister says.

“Thank you, I’ll make sure to come back whenever I'm in town,” I said.

“You better, keep us updated on that love life of yours,” Alice said and laughed a loud laugh.

“My non-existent love life” I replied, shaking my head.

“Well that will change, I know it,” Jess says smiling.

I nodded my head, not sure why everyone is so interested in my love life all of a sudden. I get to work and through my shift okay, I didn’t vomit again thank god but I felt really

shitty, I know I was lucky that I didn’t end up in the hospital and won’t risk drinking that much again, I won’t tell Cindy that though.

I was about to finish up when a customer walks in, it's quiet this afternoon and I was thankful for it today. I looked up about to greet the customer when standing in front of me was none other than Michale Santorum.

“Cassandra” Michale smirks as he greets me.

“Um, Hi Michael?” I said it as a bit of a question, I was so confused why Michale was even here. We stared at each other, the tension building between us. We both oblivious to the small crowd taking photos of Michale and filming on their phones.

“Um...can I get you um...something,” I asked shyly.

 “Long black,” Michale said curtly and I nodded and got to put the order in.

My heart rate was fast, I’m not used to these feelings, Michale makes me feel weak and fuzzy.

“When is your shift over?” Michale asked.

“Um...like now,” I answered.

I took the coffee from the Barrister and hands it to him, he grabs it and downs it in one go.

“I'd like you to accompany me for the afternoon,” He said this so calmly and so formal like it's intimidating.

“Uhhh” Is all I could manage to say.

“It's not a question Darling, the car will be at the back alley in 3 minutes” Michale states as he leaves a 20 dollar bill on the counter.

I was completely taken aback by his confidence, I watched Michale Santorum out of the coffee shop, his two security guards, and the crowd of people who followed him to his car.

Who the hell is this guy I wonder. I texted Cindy and lets her know what's going on, I

had a quick and teary goodbye to Alice and Jess and by the time I was in the back alley, I was 10 minutes late.

I hesitated as a security guard opens the back door of Michale’s Bentley, I took a deep breath

and gets in.

“You’re late” Michale states as I took the seat next to Michale, the seat and car were so warm and toasty.

“Sorry, it's my last day of work before I move, I have to say goodbye,” I told him the reason why I was late.

“You’re moving to London,” Michale asks for confirmation. I had no idea how Michale knew that.

“Um to London yeah, I'm moving to London” I hesitated to tell him.

“Well that's good, I have an apartment there, most of my business is conducted in London,” He said and I was confused, what a weird statement.

“Ummm okay... that's um ...good for you,” I said with confusion. I heard a slight laugh from one of the security guys and Michale smirks.

“Um, so where are you taking me? if this is about the other night and me calling your event boring, I'm really sorry, no one heard me” I said...

Michale then smiled and he could see his team trying to hold in their fondness for my statement.

“No Cassandra it's not about that, I actually have to agree with you on the boring part, but that's business sometimes isn't it” He assured...

“I wouldn't know I've never had a business,” I said.

“We are going to my apartment in town, we will have dinner, I’d like to discuss some things with you,” He said leaving no space for argument.

“Oh right well, I'm not really one for discussing business stuff and I have no idea what caviar tastes like, which is what I assume you eat, you won't get me to eat a snail, so maybe this isn't such a good idea” I tried to refuse.

“It's not up for discussion” Michale asserts and looks out the window to hide his laughter and my mouth twitches wondering what’s so funny.

“Um,” I said.

“And caviar is fish eggs, not Snail” Michale points out.

“I don't think that makes it taste any better” I and my face grimace at the thought of eating it.

 When they arrive at Michale’s penthouse apartment I walked in and was in awe.

“Wow, you live here?” I nearly exclaimed with excitement.

“No darling, I'm staying here while I'm in town on business,” he says.

“Don’t you have a house? The one where the charity was?” I bent my neck a little and asked.

“I do, but it's been filled with business associates and events crew all week and I like my privacy,” He said as he took his jacket off and put it over the sofa.

“Make yourself at home, I'm just going to get changed, would you like a shower or comfier

clothes?” He asked.

I was all dirty from work and gross from the hangover but hesitates to say yes to him, we just met, hardly know each other and the sexual tension is so undeniable.

“Alone of course sweetheart, I’ll lay some clothes out for you” Michale smirks and I followed him to the bathroom.

I locked the door and had a quick shower, noting the products that Michale uses are extremely expensive and his smell was everywhere and I found it so attractive.

I peeked out of the bathroom door and saw Michale as He walks back into the bedroom towel around his waist, While I make quick work of putting the clothes Michale left out for me on the bed. Grey sweats that still have a tag on and are somehow my exact size and a white sweater that smells exactly a lot like Michale, it’s huge and falls off my collarbones nicely, as I walked back into the Lounge area where Michale was drinking something and he coughed on his drink when I entered. What’s wrong with this guy?

 “Sit, I've ordered for us, Wine?’ Michale asked coolly as he collected himself.

“Um, no thanks I.....no thanks” I refused him politely shaking my head I could not drink anymore.

“Would you like a soda?’ he then asked and I nodded.

“Words”. I looked at him confused.

“Yeah a coke would be great thanks,” I said, remembering that he wanted me to say it out rather than nodding my head.

I sit down on the floor, my back resting on the sofa, the coffee table in front has room service sitting on top. I watched Michale in his sweats and no shirt, tattoos displayed everywhere as he poured me a drink, his muscles flexing as he moved. I was taken back by how beautiful and how attracted I actually was to Michale.

Michale turns around and sees me on the floor, he smirks as he brings his whisky and me a glass of soda with ice and a lime wedge to the table.

“You don't sit on chairs when you eat?” Michale asked in jest.

“Oh, sorry, I live in a dorm, the floor is comfy enough,” I said.

“Alright then,” Michale said and sits next to me.

“Hungry?” He asks.

“Not really,” I said truthfully,

“Ohh and I ordered the best caviar” Michale smirks jokingly.

I blushed as he lifts the lids of the room service he ordered and two beef burgers and fries stare back at us. I smiled in response.

“Hungry now?” He asked again and this time my answer was different.

“Maybe,” I said as I took a sip of my drink before putting it on the table.

We sat in silence for a while and I could sense his eyes were again on me.

“You’re gorgeous you know, Cassandra,” He said as he reached out to swipe my fringe off my Forehead. As I felt my cheeks burning up and cleared my throat, I could not deny my attraction to Michale.

“So can I ask why exactly I’m here?” I said and again he showed me his signature smirk.

“I wanted to talk to you about some things,” He said.

I looked at Michael as he opened his mouth to ask me a question about what he asked me in his Bentley.

“You’re Moving to London?” He asked and I nodded.

“I want you to work for me,” He said dominantly.

“What? .....um I don't even.... how do you know what I'm even doing in London?” I was confused and a little freaked out.

“I know Cassandra, that you've just graduated with top honors in architecture and design. You're moving to London with your best friend Cindy who's two years older than you and has just accepted a job with Hunter and Neilson. Good move for her career if I'm honest. You have three older brothers, Aiden, Izan, and Aaron and you have taken a job with ALBERTO AND CO. Which I think needs to be reconsidered, you’re too talented for such a small company” He said and I had no idea what I was supposed to do with all of that information.

“How do you know all of that?” I  asked, swallowing thickly.

“I Know a lot of things about you Cassandra.” his voice full of authority.

“Um,” I parted my mouth to say something but nothing came out as my breathing got a bit heavy.

“Your Brother Izan, Is my Business Lawyer. I've known him for years, you've been on my

raider for a little while now” Michale said.

“You know Izan? so meeting you at graduation?” I asked in dismay.

“Was somewhat planned, you crashing into me was not” He chuckled.

“I don’t know what I'm supposed to say,” I said back.

“Say you will take a job with my company?” He asked.

“Who are you Michale, what exactly do you do?” I asked and again he fucking smirked.

“I’m in business and one of my most successful companies is building design and construction,” Michale said simply.

I then realized one of the companies that Michale owns.

“Wait...you own Michael and Co-Design?’ I asked flabbergasted. And he smiles triumphantly.

“Amongst other things, yes I do” Michale replies, eating a few chips.

“And why the hell are you offering me a job? did Izan put you up to this?” I asked as I was upset with the thought that my brother is still helping me.

“Language and no Cassandra, Izan doesn't even know I'm speaking to you, I want you working for me, I think you're very talented,” He said.

“How would you even know?” I asked back. I never designed anything outside of Uni so how does he even know.

“I own half the university you attend Cassandra, I took an interest in you and your work about six months ago. Izan was talking about you at a meeting, he showed me a picture of you and that's how I became interested” Michale said...

“Interested?” I raised my eyebrow at that word.

“Cassandra, you can’t seriously deny the attraction between the two of us, I had no idea how powerful it was until that day you bumped into me. I knew I was drawn to you before I even met you and seeing you, talking to you, you want me just as much. I know it” Michale and he reaches out to cup my cheek.

“Michael” I let out like a whisper as my breath hitched again by this gorgeous man in front of me who looked like a whole meal.

Before I could react Michale’s lips were on mine, it was an instant fire for both of us and I gasped at how intense a feeling it is to kiss Michale. Michale was confident, dominant, and knew what he wanted. He kissed me with purpose and I could not help but respond and kiss back. Michale’s tongue engages my mouth and a moan escapes my mouth. Michale grips me by the waist and pulls me expertly onto his lap, so I was straddling him, our crutches touching. The kiss turned extremely heated and Michale moved my hips in a slow rhythm. I was lost in everything that was Michale as I had never felt like this before. I pulled back breathless as Michale rested his forehead on mine. I need air,  I need to take a step back, this is moving too fast.

“I...I..” I start with a whisper.

“Cassandra, what's it going to take for you to be with me for the night,” Michale asked out of the blue, cutting me off breathlessly.

I didn’t understand. “What?” I was confused.

“I want you, you want me, I want you underneath me, I want to fuck you senseless, let me have you, Cassandra, I’ll make it worth your while,” He said and I cannot believe what I was hearing, he seriously expects me to take a job with him and to spend a night with him in return?

“You want me to spend a night with you?.... like some...Hoe and in exchange, you will give me a job that I don’t actually want” I asked calmly but it’s clear I was absolutely livid.

Michale remains silent, assessing me and my anger.

“You can shove your job up to your ass, you're an absolute dick and I would never accept a job from someone like you. Fuck you Michale” I was upset that I actually thought Michale was a nice guy, for once I was attracted to someone, thought Michale was beautiful and the spark between us was special. I was so wrong and can’t believe I thought Michale could be different, I can’t believe I was so stupid to think someone could like Michale for me. I get up and run for the door.

“Cassandra wait” Michale calls after me but I didn’t stop though and runs to the lift, I got no shoes on, and have left my backpack inside his apartment. I don't care though, I just want to get away. I got in the lift and Michale caught it just in time. He enters, still shirtless alongside me and the carriage begins descending to the ground.

“Look I didn't mean to offend you,” Michale said trying to save this.

“How could you possibly think your proposal wouldn't offend me?” I yelled at him.

“Well it's...never mind” He stopped shaking his head.

“It's never what? offended anyone before? Are you saying, oh my god, I can't believe you, you're such a jerk” I said as the lift doors opened and I walked out and into the street?

“Cassandra. Stop right now” He ordered, domineeringly.

I turn as Michale catches my arm.

“Just consider my offer, please,” Michale said and it was the most shameless thing I’ve ever heard. “Not a chance in Hell,” I said as I was quick to wipe a tear that's sneakily fallen from my eye, I turned around and made my way back to my dorm. It's cold and a long walk home barefoot.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Michale watches as Cassandra goes, he didn't think things would turn out like this, he didn't think Cassandra would turn down his offer if he's honest. Michale sighs, he needs to get off the street, people are starting to stare.

He brings out his phone and makes a few calls to his team, making sure someone follows Cassandra home, making sure he gets there safely.

Michale is so confused, No one has ever turned him down before, he's so used to getting what he wants. There is no denying he wants Cassandra, but there is something different about the feelings Cassandra gives him. Usually a quick fuck gets him sated, no strings attached casual sex is what he's all about. Of course, there are always those who think they can change Michale, fall too hard and fast and Michale has to cut them off, he doesn't do feelings very well, doesn't fall in love. or so he thought Cassandra makes him feel something, feel challenged, feel that little bit more alive, the thrill he gets when he sees Cassandra is like no other. Seeing Cassandra angry both pained him for making her upset but it also turned him on, badly.

Michale feels he’s met his match and won’t stop until he has Cassandra underneath him, screaming his name.