Chapter Thirteen: Feelings

Cassandra stepped aside, allowing Manager Gad to enter. His presence filled the room, making her heart flutter.

"I'm sorry to drop at this time," he said, his eyes locked on hers.

Cassandra smiled shyly. "It's okay."

"I felt like I needed to see you," Manager Gad continued. "We didn't get a chance to meet at work."

Cassandra's cheeks warmed as she took the chocolates from him her eyes lingering on the flowers. "You didn't have to do that," she said, feeling a blush rise to her cheeks.

Manager Gad chuckled. "I wanted to welcome you properly to Clearview.

Cassandra took them and inhaled their sweet scent. "Thank you. They're beautiful."

Manager Gad smiled, his eyes warm. "Not as beautiful as you, Cassandra. You're fitting in wonderfully at work."

Their gazes met, and for a moment, Cassandra felt like she was drowning in his kind eyes.

They settled in the sofa at the living room and chatted, the hours flew by. Laughter and easy conversation filled the room.

At 11 pm, Cassandra glanced at the clock. "It's getting late. You should head home."

Manager Gad's eyes sparkled mischievously. "There's no one to go home to."

Cassandra's pulse quickened, but she insisted, "Still, it's late."

Part of her wanted him to stay, but reason prevailed.

Manager Gad relented, standing up. "You're right."

As he moved closer, his voice dropped. "I've wanted to do this since our first meeting."

Cassandra's heart skipped a beat. Their gazes locked, the air thick with tension.

His lips inches from hers, Cassandra's breath caught. The room seemed to fade away. Just as their lips almost touched, a shrill ring pierced the silence – Cassandra's phone.

He hesitated, then stepped back, allowing her answer the call.

Cassandra's heart still racing, she tried to compose herself, wondering who was on the other end and what it meant for this tantalizing moment.

"Sorry about this," Manager Gad mouthed, his eyes still locked on hers.

Cassandra nodded, her lips barely moving into a smile. She placed her phone on her ear.

"Hello." She said.

"You're still awake, Cass?"

Cassandra's smile grew wider. "Mm-hmm."

"Why tho?" Mildred pressed.

"A guest," Cassandra replied.

Mildred's tone turned sly. "Spill, Cass! What's happening?"

Cassandra laughed, feeling comfortable sharing with her big sister and confidant. "It's my boss, Mr. Gad. He dropped by unexpectedly."

"Ooh, juicy!" Mildred exclaimed. "Tell me more!"

Cassandra glanced at Mr. Gad, who say quietly waiting, his eyes on hers. She felt a flutter in her chest.

Mildred's voice brought her back. "Cass, be careful, okay? You haven't healed yet."

Cassandra rolled her eyes good-naturedly. "Come on, Mil, nothing like that. We're just talking."

Mildred's skepticism was palpable. "Talking? At 11 pm?"

Cassandra chuckled. "He's just being friendly, Mil."

As she spoke, Mr. Gad mouthed "Sorry" to Cassandra. She smiled, and he blew her a kiss.

Mildred's voice turned serious. "Cass, I mean it. Be cautious. You're vulnerable right now."

Cassandra reassured her. "I know, Mil. I'll be fine. Don't worry."

The conversation wrapped up with Mildred's reluctant acceptance, but Cassandra knew her sister would be keeping a close eye on her.

As she hung up, Mr. Gad approached, his eyes burning with intensity.

"Where were we?" he asked, his voice low and husky.

Cassandra's heart skipped a beat. "Right here," she whispered, her lips barely moving.

Just as their lips were about to touch again, he suddenly pulled back.

"I'm sorry, this is sudden," he said, his voice mixed with regret.

Cassandra's heart skipped a beat, but she quickly recovered. "It's too early for me as well," she replied, her tone light.

The moment had passed, and an awkward silence filled the space.

Mr. Gad cleared his throat. "I should go."

Cassandra nodded, walking him to the door.

As they stood at the entrance, Mr. Gad leaned in, giving her a light kiss on the head. "Goodnight, Cassandra."

"Goodnight," she replied, her voice barely above a whisper.

With a gentle smile, Mr. Gad turned and walked out into the night.

Cassandra closed the door, her thoughts swirling. What had just happened?

Shaking off the confusion, she headed back to her bedroom and picked up her phone.

"Mildred?" Cassandra said, when her sister answered.

"Hey, what's up? Did I interrupt something earlier?"

Cassandra laughed. "No, nothing happened. Actually, I moved out of the guest house."

"What? When?"

"Today. I'm in an office apartment now."

Mildred's voice turned curious. "How's the new place?"

"It's perfect. Close to work, and I can finally have some peace."

"I'm proud of you, Cass. Starting fresh."

Cassandra smiled, feeling a sense of liberation. "Me too, Mil."

As they chatted, Cassandra's mind drifted back to Mr. Gad. What had changed his mind? Was it really too soon, or was there something more?

Their almost-kiss lingered in her thoughts, leaving her wondering what could have been.

After the call, Mildred retired to bed, her mind racing with thoughts. Why did Cassandra always seem to captivate men's attention? She couldn't shake off the pang of sadness that settled within her.

Determined to shake off the feeling, Mildred resolved to visit Cassandra's office the next day. A sly smile spread across her face as she concocted mischievous plans.

Just as she drifted off to sleep, her phone rang, shattering the silence. The screen lit up with Jim's name.

"Hi, darling," Mildred cooed.

"Please don't call me that," Jim corrected, his tone firm. "We're not there."

Mildred's smile faltered, sensing the distance. "What's wrong, Jim?"

"Have you heard from Cassandra lately?" he asked after a brief pause.

Mildred rolled her eyes. "Oh, please. Every single time, it's about Cassandra. Can't you just forget about her and move on with me? I'll treat you right, I promise."

Jim scoffed. "I want to see her."

Mildred's voice dripped with venom. "She's gone, Jim. Moved to another city. Probably to continue her adulterous acts."

Jim's heart twisted, but he consoled himself. "A fornicator isn't someone I want to spend my life with."

As he prepared to hang up, Mildred's sultry whisper stopped him. "You know I can make you forget all about Cassandra... don't you, Jim?"

The line crackled with tension. Jim swallowed hard, memories of their intimacy flooding his mind. Just as he succumbed to Mildred's seduction, a faint creak outside Mildred's door broke the silence.

Unbeknownst to Mildred, her mother, Phoebe, stood frozen, ears pressed against the door, listening. Phoebe's eyes widened, her expression a mix of shock and dismay.