The conversation flowed effortlessly between Liam and Cassia’s friends, Kiara and Quinn, laughter filling the air as they exchanged playful jabs. "You’re surprisingly good at this socializing thing," Quinn teased, her eyes sparkling with mischief. Liam chuckled, leaning back casually. "Am I? I’ve
"Can I ask you the same question? If I were him and you were her, what would your answer be?" Liam kept the thought to himself, his gaze fixed on Cassia. She bit her lower lip, holding it between her teeth before letting it go, leaving her lips glistening. His eyes lingered longer than they should
The seconds stretched on, and Cassia couldn’t help but wonder if this mistake might cost her more than she was willing to risk. "Because of this detail," Mrs. Rios continued, a smile suddenly tugging at her lips, "this will be my favorite dress." Cassia’s head snapped up, her eyes wide with surp
****** As the drive to Martinez’s place continued, Cassia sat with her hands clasped tightly in her lap, trying to steady her nerves while the city lights gradually disappeared behind them. She stole a glance at Martinez, who remained calm and focused on the road. When they arrived, Martinez step
Cassia stumbled back, her breath caught in her throat, but Martinez’s hand wrapped firmly around her waist, keeping her from retreating. His other hand slid to the back of her head, his fingers tangling in her hair as he drew her closer, deepening the kiss. His lips moved with such command, it left
Cassia inhaled deeply as she stepped out of the cab, the night air cool against her skin. She handed the driver his fare, barely registering his cheerful "Goodnight" before he drove away. The lights of the apartment she shared with her friends shune brightly ahead. Her feet moved quickly, almost as
"Who is it?" Kiara asked, stepping closer to Cassia, who hesitated before taking a deep breath. "It's... Martinez. But why is he here?"Cassia muttered under her breath, though Kiara and Quinn still heard her. "Martinez?" Quinn repeated, seeking confirmation. Cassia immediately pressed a finger to
Nora gestured for them to take a seat, and they settled into the plush armchairs opposite her desk. "I called you about a design project," she began, her eyes locking onto Cassia's. "I heard you're participating in a contest, and I'm thrilled. Would you be willing to work with me after the competi
Martinez sat frozen in his car for almost thirty minutes, his breath shaky as his grip on the steering wheel tightened. The thought of having anything to do with Cassia's parents kept echoing in his mind. Was he responsible for their deaths? No matter how hard he tried to shake it off, the flashes o
Cassia and Liam had been deeply engrossed in their design ideas for hours before they finally decided to take a break. Stepping out for a drink, they noticed Henry still seated in the reception area, waiting. Cassia raised a brow, surprised to see him still there, especially after Liam had made it
Darvan remained silent for a long time, trying to process everything that had just happened. His mind kept circling back to the voice he had heard over the phone. Stacy had saved Marc’s number as if they were business partners. But what kind of business were they involved in together? The bigger qu
Cassia left her room, already prepared for work. She found her friends still seated, but they immediately stood up when they saw her. "Going somewhere?" Quinn asked. Cassia nodded, making her way toward the door. "I'm not in the mood for your teasing today," she said, adjusting the strap of her ba
Martinez sat frozen, his mind in chaos. His sister’s words echoed in his head again, each syllable hitting him hard. "What are you saying?" he repeated, his a whisper. "That I... had something to do with her parents' death?" Mrs. Sinclair stood, turning to face her brother properly. "Figure it out
Martinez let out a deep sigh, running a hand through his hair as he sat up properly. Cassia, on the other hand, looked away, removing the bedspread from her body. "She misunderstood, right?" Cassia finally broke the silence. "She probably thinks we had sex?" Martinez inhaled lightly, rubbing his
The kitchen was quiet except for the soft sizzle of eggs in the pan. Darvan moved efficiently, plating the toast and pouring tea into a cup. He wasn’t sure why he was doing this...maybe it was a moment of guilt, or maybe he just felt like doing something different today. By the time he finished, S
Cassia stood frozen in Martinez’s embrace, her mind struggling to process his words. His breath was warm against her ears as he hugged her from behind, his grip firm yet trembling. Love? He loved her? Really? Slowly, she lifted her hands, unsure if she should comfort him or pull away. This wasn
Cassia’s fingers tightened around Henry’s arm as she helped him straighten. His sudden persistence felt off. She had been approached by aspiring designers before, but never like this. "You don’t have to kneel," she muttered gently with a tight smile. Henry straightened up, brushing imaginary du