Chapter 6: Breakfast in a penthouse

CASSIE

I should have left.

I should have said goodnight, walked away and ended it there.

Instead, I found myself lingering around his presence. His company felt warm, soothing and calm.

What was I thinking? Am I in love?

I really didn't know, but I liked his presence.

George leaned against his car, watching me like he was waiting for something. I felt his gaze carefully studying every bit of me. There was no hiding any part of me, I was like an open book in his eyes.

"I had fun," I admitted. The words felt foreign, like I wasn't supposed to say them.

George's lips curled up slightly. "Yeah?"

I nodded, shifting my weight on my feet. "Yeah."

A beat of silence in the air, deafening but calm, took over.

Then…

"Let me take you home."

He wasn't asking.

Maybe that's why I nodded.

The drive back was quieter than before. Not awkward, just… calm.

It felt like we had crossed some invisible line neither of us wanted to acknowledge yet.

When he pulled up in front of my apartment, he turned to me. "Cassie."

I swallowed. "Yeah?"

His gaze deep into my soul. "You don't always have to be so guarded. Just breathe, let yourself feel freely."

I stiffened and froze like I was Anna turned to an ice statue in the ground.

George sighed, like he shouldn't have said it out loud. He raked a hand through his already ruffled hair, exhaling. "Forget it. Goodnight."

I hesitated.

Then, without putting much thought into what I was doing, I locked my fingers in his hand while covering our hands with my second hand in a reassuring manner.

"Thank you, George", I blurted out while locking eyes with his.

I stretched my hand to adjust his ruffled hair, and his eyes dilated. Before I knew what was happening, I felt his lips crash into mine and his scent engulfing me into a trans. I stiffened at first because I didn't know how to act, but the way he held me made me loosen myself. I kissed him back for a while before I just stopped.

He understood what was going on, so he just shifted back a little, leaned back in, then adjusted my hair and gave me a soft kiss on my forehead. I melted at that.

"Goodnight, George," I whispered.

"Goodnight, Cassie bun"

My heart flipped on hearing that.

My heart pounded furiously as I stepped out of the car

And as I closed the door behind me, I realized something terrifying.

I was letting him in, and I had gone too many steps in.

And I didn't know how to stop.

CASSIE

I barely slept that night.

Every time I closed my eyes, I saw the scene of the way George had looked at me before I left his car, the way he kissed me like all his life depended on it… like I was oxygen. The way his voice had softened when he told me I didn't always have to be so guarded, the way he looked messed up when he rethought his words; all replayed in my head like it was just now.

I hated that he was right.

I hated that I wanted him, too.

By the time it was morning, I had convinced myself that all that had happened the previous night didn't mean anything.

I told myself I could still walk away, and I would walk away.

But then my phone buzzed.

George: Breakfast?

I stared at the message, my heart warming up.

>> Working today << I lied.

George: You don't need to lie, and no isn't an answer I take!

George: So, let me restructure my sentence. I'm picking you up for breakfast in an hour. Get Ready!

Argg, domineering too.

My fingers betrayed me before my brain could catch up.

>> Fine. << But if this is some kind of extravagant breakfast with gold-plated eggs, I'm leaving.

His reply came instantly.

George: Noted. No eggs.

I sighed. What the hell was I doing?

I could have opted to be difficult, bruise his ego and tell him 'No'!

GEORGE

I had expected her to say no. you know, bruise my ego, pop my bubbles… I mean, Cassie was good at saying no. She was good at running and keeping people at a very safe distance. Also, I expected her to withdraw after what played out last night.

So, when my phone buzzed with her response, I felt something I wasn't supposed to feel.

Something dangerously close to relief.

This was new territory.

And I wasn't sure who was more surprised. Her or me.

 

CASSIE

I heard the honk of a car, and I took it as a signal to come out. I wore a slight over-the-knee skirt, a tank top and a pullover to cover the tank top. I saw George waiting at my doorstep, and I was greeted with a kiss on hand.

I'm pretty sure I was visibly blushing. I locked my door, and he guided me towards his car and opened the door for me, too.

"Good morning, mi lady." He chirped.

"Good morning, George. You're in a good mood today" I arched a brow.

We arrived at his penthouse; there, I saw chefs waiting to take my order.

I looked over at him in disdain, and he just smiled and kissed my cheek.

"Lighten up, little Chipmunk, you should smile more too." He added.

I protested "This is over the top, overly complicated kind."

"Relax." He reassured me as he guided me to my seat.

He continued as he slid the seat inward. "This is just a friendly gesture."

I pouted as I got comfortable. "Well, if you say so."

He smirked. "So, what'd you love to eat?"

I directed my attention towards the menu. I took ages on the menu until I gave up with a defeated sigh. "I don't know what to choose."

His gaze flickered over me, unreadable. "Alright, I'll help you choose "

The rest of the morning went smoothly. He had managed to get me talking, for the first time, I felt free. The air was filled with laughter, giggles and slight disagreements.

I don't remember the last time I laughed this much, talk less of being this happy.

Everything was all good until he popped a question. "Why do you keep trying to put me in that box?"

I folded my arms. "I'm not doing that right now, am I?"

"Because you aren't doing that right now doesn't mean you won't do that soon. You're highly unpredictable, Cas bun"

Because if I pretend you're like everyone else, I don't have to admit that you might not be.

I shrugged instead. "Old habits die hard."

He studied me for a while, then nodded like he understood.

And maybe he did.

_______

 

Breakfast lasted longer than it should have. I told myself I'd only stay for half an hour.

An hour, max.

But somehow, two hours passed, and I was still sitting there, laughing at something he said, feeling too comfortable.

Too seen.

And the worst part?

I didn't hate it.

-------

After breakfast, he took me to his green house. The pavement we crossed to it was highly decorated with pretty roses, green to be very specific.

"Green roses, huh?" I chirped.

"Yes, green is my favorite … it's like a symbol of peace and tranquility"

The greenhouse shone outstandingly as the sunlight pierced through the glass, and the plants glittered beautifully in it. I gasped in awe, and I swear I could see George from the corner of my eye give a weird smile, like he knew I'd love it. As I stepped inside, it felt like I had crossed into another world filled with warmth, humidity, and rich scent that smelled like mother earth… a jungle, a distinct pretty garden preferably.

I had always loved the smell of rain on the sand, and this was a mix of the smell of plants, distinct scented flowers and rain striking the earth. I felt like I could stay here forever, live here even.

I breath out. "This is beautiful."

"I know", he replied.

He held my hands and guided me towards the corner with shelves. "These are my new favorites. Lavender and poppies. "

I picked up the pot with Lavenders, it smelled heavenly. any soap or agent with lavender was my favorite. I hoarded them like it was the last thing on earth available in stores. And if they weren't available in one store, I'd go to the next store.

"If you love this one so much, you can take Leah home", he said.

I arched a brow. "Leah?"

"I have a thing for naming my favorite plants."

I nodded "Oh… that's cute."

"And I will take Leah", I added with a smile.

I turned around and inhaled, taking note of the ruffling of the leaves, a beautiful rhythm. At some point, I wish there were birds around, then it'd be complete.

"This place is calm and beautiful", I exhaled.

"I know. I come here anytime I'm stressed out and need to clear my head." He admitted.

"It's my favorite haven in this house", he said as he put his arm across my waist, pulled me closer, and drew my chin towards him, our eyes locking.

And you are my new favorite haven.

A hitched breath escaped my lips as he closed the space between our lips. When he let go, I staggered back a little, and something pricked me. A little cactus plant.

"It's time to go, Cas", he said with the brightest gleam of light in his eyes.

He seemed happy, and it somehow made me happy.

"Yeah, spending time with you was lovely", I admitted.

By the time we left, the morning sun was brighter than it should have been, but maybe that was just me.

Maybe I was the one changing.

And that? That scared me more than anything.