Chapter 144
Cassie's eyes fluttered open as the alarm went off the following morning. She reached over to stop the alarm, fumbling for the snooze button. And then her hand brushed against something warm and solid. The memory of the night's escapades rushed back. A groan escaped her lips, as she yawned.
"Time to go," she mumbled, tapping Crystal, who was sleeping peacefully beside her gently.
He didn't budge. She tapped harder. "Crystal!" She called out impatiently. "It's time to go."
Crystal opened his eyes and stared back at her, his eyes wide with surprise. He hadn't expected her to be so clinical after the blissful night they'd shared.
"Get up," Cassie said, her voice firmer this time, peeling away the sheets from his body.
"What's going on?" He sat up on the bed.
"What's going on is you have to get your ass off my bed." She gave him a stern look. "Your work is done here."
"I get it," he mumbled, raising a hand to shield his face from the harsh morning light. "I thought we…"
"No, we didn't…..," she cut him short.
Crystal rolled off the bed. Cassie had to force herself to look away from his naked body as the guy got dressed.
"See yourself out." She combed her hair with her fingers. "And shut the door behind you."
She snuggled back into the sheets after he left. A gentle smile curved her lips as she remembered the night. It had been a long time since she had so much fun. A flicker of amusement crossed her face as she recalled how she broke her own rule last night.
After she fucked Crystal the second time, she had asked him to bring her here to her bedroom. And asked him to make love to her. And he did it so beautifully: the boy was such a stallion. She darted a quick look at the clock and realized she had to get out of the bed and prepare for work. She had a very important pitch to make that morning.
Cassie exuded confidence as she stepped into the conference room three hours later, her heels clicking against the polished floor. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee mingled with the faint hum of the air conditioning, and the room was a hive of professional energy. Cassie's sharp eyes scanned the group of executives seated around the long, gleaming table. She adjusted her navy-blue blazer, her tailored outfit hinting at her meticulous nature.
Her father sat at the head of the table. His graying hair and sharp suit reflected his decades of dominance in the field. He caught her eye and gave her an encouraging nod. Cassie sees each presentation she ever had to make as a chance to prove she was more than just the boss's daughter.
"Good morning, everyone," she began, her voice clear and commanding. She projected the floor plan of the proposed office complex onto the screen. "What we're looking at is not just a building but an environment designed for innovation, collaboration, and growth."
She walked them through the plans with precision, detailing how the modern layout maximize natural light, minimized energy consumption, and incorporated cutting-edge sustainability features. Her voice never wavered, her expertise shining through.
As she concluded, a balding man in a tailored suit leaned forward, his name tag reading Dale Anderson, VP of Operations. "Impressive," he said, his tone tinged with genuine admiration. "But what about long-term maintenance costs? We've seen sustainability efforts fail due to hidden expenses."
Cassie smiled, anticipating the question. "Great point, Mr. Anderson," she said, switching to a slide that detailed cost projections. "The materials we've selected are not only eco-friendly but also designed for longevity. For instance, the solar panels we propose come with a 25-year warranty and require minimal upkeep. We've accounted for every variable, ensuring your investment stays profitable for decades."
The room buzzed with murmurs of approval.
When the head of the team, a poised woman named Sylvia, finally spoke, it was with a decisive tone. "We like your vision, Cassie. Let's make it official."
Applause erupted as Cassie exchanged handshakes with the executives. Her cousin beamed with pride, clapping her on the shoulder as the meeting concluded.
Hours later, back in her office, Cassie leaned back in her chair, the weight of the morning lifting. She glanced out the floor-to-ceiling windows, the city skyline glowing under the midday sun. Her office was a testament to her meticulousness: shelves lined with architectural books, awards for innovative designs, and sketches of past projects framed on the walls.
Her phone buzzed. A message from her father lit up the screen: Proud of you today, Cass. Dinner at eight to celebrate?
Cassie smiled and typed back, Of course. See you then.
As she set her phone down, her thoughts drifted to Tasha and Blake. She made a mental note to tell her father about her decision to stop working with Carter Industries on their projects. She would ask her father to replace her with one of the other engineers.
That evening, Cassie joined her father at a cozy French bistro downtown. The warm ambiance, with its dim lighting and soft piano music, was a sharp contrast to the high-stakes intensity of their professional lives.
"To Cassie," her old man toasted, raising his glass of merlot. "For proving once again why you're the best engineer ever."
Cassie chuckled, clinking her glass against his. "And to you, for trusting me with such a huge responsibility." "You are always welcome, darling. " He smiled back at her.
As they dined, James leaned back in his chair, a contemplative look on his face. "You know," he began, "I wasn't sure how today would go. Not because I doubted your abilities, but because I know how cutthroat these clients can be."
Cassie tilted her head, intrigued. "Really?"
"I understand dad," she cleaned her mouth with the napkin. "I remember how forceful the head of their team was two years ago when we built some facilities for them."
"You did it with grace and grit, and I couldn't be prouder."
Her chest swelled with pride at his words, but she masked it with a playful smirk. "You're getting sentimental on me, Dad."
He laughed, the sound hearty and warm. "Maybe I am. But you deserve it."