Chapter 27 Anniversary Party
Lalissa was about to go into the bathroom when someone knocked on the door.
She raised her brow, for a split second wondering who might be knocking. For all she remembered, she hadn't set her eyes on Cassian since he left with that lady. And beginning to understand Cassian, he'd likely not knock. Nobody knew how to invade her space better than he did.
Chuckling at the thought, she realized not seeing or speaking to Cassian had made her think about him more than she thought she could.
The knock came again, forcing her out of the thought.
Sighing, she twisted the door knob to the right.
Open.
A lady flashed her a quick smile while Lalissa's eyes went to her hand. She had a package in her hand.
"Sir Cassian asked me to give you this."
"Oh," she mouthed, confused as she collected the bag.
"Enjoy."
Lalissa nodded and closed the door.
"He doesn't want to see me, and he doesn't stop buying things for me," she mumbled, about to unbox the package when her eyes caught a paper attached to the side of the box.
Taking out the paper, her eyes landed on the handwriting. Beauty was an understatement to describe the writing.
It was simple. Neat. Amazing. Like something that had taken someone days to write if they were picking the words one by one.
"There was no need writing this," she said out loud, and read what it contained.
Without warning, the faint trace of his scent made its way to her nose, hitting her core.
She brought the paper closer to her nose, sniffing in more than she had expected. The scent sent deep feelings coursing through her.
Each time she sniffled, she could see him standing close to her, always making sure to wrap her in his scent that always hit her like danger. A danger she should be running away from, not drawn to.
He hadn't come to her. He left with that lady. And her—slowly she was beginning to hate herself for... for—she threw the paper on the bed and ran to the bathroom, hating everything around her.
\--
Lalissa smiled as the beautician showed her new self in front of the mirror.
The smile grew larger and larger each time she realized she was staring at a new transformation. There was no need for any soothsayer to say that she looked different.
"You're so beautiful," they complimented, dusting off the shadow from her cheek.
"Thank you," Lalissa beamed with a smile as they helped her with the last piece of her dressing. Her heels.
Lalissa took a hold of her purse, curling her pink manicured nails around the handle as she stood gracefully.
The dark rhinestone-studded purple gown loosened and stopped directly at her mid-thigh, exposing her smooth thighs down to her straight legs. The gown opened from her cleavage down to her stomach, white lace covering the cleavage so it wasn't too visible. Her hair was curled up in jet curls as they cascaded smoothly on her shoulders. And her makeup? Not too heavy, neither too light. Just normal. Breathtakingly perfect.
For the next five minutes, Lalissa stared at the mirror admiring herself while replying to the praises that kept coming from the beauticians.
How he did his things amazed her. She had returned to her room after the shower to see her room flooded with beauticians.
At first, she wanted to scold them for invading her space, but later chose to let it go, and now she didn't regret it one bit.
That made her wonder why he had to dress her up so much for an evening event that would barely last for five hours.
The honking of a car jerked her back to the present as she noticed the last beautician bowing to her and leaving.
She faced the mirror, admiring herself one last time as she left her hotel room.
\[VIEUX CARRÉ HOTEL\]
Expensive cars drove in and out, elegant-looking men and women of high society going in and out. A red carpet spread out, while drones flew beautifully in the sky covering the whole event. Paparazzis stood outside, each fighting for who would have the best event coverage. Bodyguards did their job in refusing them to touch any guests.
From the garage, Cassian stood, hair completely tousled backward as he checked the time.
Few minutes remained and the clock struck seven. For a party that was stipulated to start by 5, guests should have arrived by six. Some had arrived, while others preferred to be late.
He had sent his driver to pick Lalissa. They ought to be here, and—
A car drove into the garage which he easily recognized as his. His eyes fixed on the back door, the exact one he was sure she'd emerge from.
As predicted, the door to the back opened, and her left leg was the first to touch the floor, then her hand followed next, the purse looking so beautiful in her hold. Next was her face. The cool breeze blew her hair gently as she stepped out of the car like she was the only one present at that moment.
Cassian's eyes locked on her, his senses kicking off as he dragged his eyes down her body, making sure to notice everything the gown did to her. From her cleavage down to her curved hips, then her legs.
Fuck, the image of wrapping those legs around his torso hit him hard as he imagined her wet cunt pressed to his abdomen.
He could tell from the way she was staring at him that she was dripping. They had this neediness in them that made him want to forget every trash she had spilled in the office, take her back into the car and fuck her senselessly while the driver took them back to their hotel.
Control, Cassian.
Lalissa literally forgot how to breathe as she stared at the man she'd term the most handsome man alive. His completely tousled hair revealed every feature she had failed to notice. On his ear was a tiny silver stud that seemed to stand out on its own. Then, the way his suit clung to his body like he had the most fitting body she had ever set her eyes on.
God, this man kept driving her insane, and she feared if she didn't control herself tonight, she would submit to the devil and wait for him to take her to his hell.
She had failed to keep her legs from shaking as she walked towards him. The way he was peeling her with his eyes made her nipples clench in her dress. The only thing she could think of was him growling at her while fulfilling every filthy promise she had ever heard.
"Shall we, Miss McKenzie?" He stretched out his hand to her.
Lalissa took out her hand, slightly trembling as she placed it on his.
The coldness of his palm sent intensity running through her as she imagined that cold palm in another part of her body that wasn't her hand.
Still, she forced a smile, trying to keep a calm composure while realizing not seeing the Cassian she knew had done more harm—not harm, danger to her than the good in it.
"Yes."
Cassian nodded, and they both turned to the entrance, walking hand in hand on the red carpet.
The reporters fought to capture them and the guards did their work seamlessly.
Immediately they stepped in, the spotlight shone on them. All attention instantly went to them as they both appeared on the big screen.
"Mr. Reid is here."
"He never jokes with his business."
"Who's that lady beside him?"
"I don't think I've seen her before."
"Are they a couple? They look so good together."
"I want her."
Cassian's grip tightened possessively as he listened to all the whispers that came from their mouths, and the men that stared at her lustfully.
The first thought that crossed his mind was gauging out their eyes so they wouldn't have to stare at her that way. Only he had the right to look at her. No one else.
Lalissa felt the cold grip from Cassian. Her heart skipped erratically as they found a perfect spot to sit. A little bit away from the crowd.
Lalissa placed her hand on her thigh, releasing a soft sigh as she felt weird in the party. Not out of place because she was sure her mom had attended parties like this, but she hadn't, and the looks she kept receiving from them made her deeply uncomfortable.
She was about to talk when an aged man appeared with an elegant-looking lady beside him.
It must have slipped her mind. Cassian mentioned the event was one of his partner's anniversaries. Looking at the two of them now, she could tell they were the ones. Not only that, at first glance, one could see the love that still existed between them.
"You made it, Mr. Reid. I honestly thought you wouldn't."
"It's my loss if I didn't, Mr. Orberto," Cassian replied as they shook hands.
Mr. Orberto hummed. "I like your business mind. You mean business." He faced his wife whose face beamed with smiles. "Stella Orberto, my darling wife."
Cassian stretched out his hand for a handshake. "Nice to meet you, Mrs. Orberto," he said politely as they shook hands.
"Pleasure is mine," she said, standing close to her husband. "Who is the pretty lady beside you?"
Cassian turned to Lalissa and gave her a go-ahead nod to introduce herself.
"I'm Lalissa McKenzie, Mr. Reid's secretary," she said with a gentle smile.
Mr. Orberto exchanged glances with his wife.
"When we saw you both walk in there, we thought you were a couple. Cassian sure knows how to take care of his employees."
Lalissa laughed awkwardly, trying to stop her cheeks from reddening.
"Come with me, Mr. Reid, we have a lot to catch up on," he pecked his wife's cheek and walked away first.
Cassian faced Lalissa. "Don't go out of sight. I'll be back," he instructed, his voice sounding cold, professional, and commanding like the usual Cassian.
Lalissa nodded slowly, already feeling the emptiness in her as she watched his silhouette disappear in the mix of the crowd.
"Make yourself comfortable," Mrs. Orberto smiled. "I need to take care of the guests over there."
"Sure."
Immediately she left, Lalissa sat on her chair, feeling lots of eyes oozing at her. Lust. Curiosity. Admiration. Hatred. All four of them.
She tried to ignore it, but couldn't.
What was she supposed to be doing sitting in the midst of elite men and women whom she clearly didn't know?
Now, she was beginning to miss Canada. Cassian's cold shoulder had affected her more than she had expected.
"Miss, would you like a drink?" one of the waiters asked.
"No, it's fine," she politely rejected.
The waiter left.
Her eyes went to the door as she saw a familiar face coming towards her. Her shoulders were held up high, her face kept straight as each step she took made eyes turn to her.
She squinted her eyes, trying to see through the dimmed light as the person kept walking to her with a smile Lalissa could term as fake.
The person got to Lalissa and her face became visible as she passed out a cold look of recognition.
"Isn't it nice to see you here, Miss McKenzie, Cassian's secretary?"
It was her.
Evelyn Wendy.