Chapter 37 Impressive
Lalissa woke up to the bright fluorescent light. Her hand flew over to her face, preventing the light from reflecting in her eyes as she sat up.
She yawned, taking down her hands. Her vision cleared, and she was able to see brightly.
"Why does this look familiar?" she muttered, darting her eyes around the room.
Familiar furniture placement. Familiar bed position. Familiar room color. Exactly like her room in the Royale hotel.
She itched the side of her face, replaying yesterday's activities.
The lunch which led to a successful contract signing. The smile which got Cassian jealous. Going back to their hotel room, but they changed route, and went to a club instead.
She could clearly remember everything. Then, getting punished, and—
Her cheeks turned red as she refused to complete the last thought.
"I remembered falling asleep in the room, how then did I get here?" she rubbed her temples, trying hard to recall if she was forgetting something.
Her legs rubbed together, the satin material getting her attention as she lowered the duvet.
"I'm in clothes," she said confused. "What is happening?"
A call came to her phone interrupting her confusion.
Taking it, the caller's ID flashed on the screen. Lance.
A smile appeared on her face as she answered the call.
"Lance."
"Lissa, how are you doing?"
"I'm good. And you? I can't believe we haven't spoken in two days." She played with the hem of the duvet, drawing invisible lines on the thickness.
"Yeah...you seemed to forget about us immediately you went to New Orleans."
"Don't say that. Why would I forget my best friends? We came here for work, and the past two days have been..." she trailed off, not knowing the perfect word to say.
Recalling how the past two days had been, she wouldn't call it stressful. Instead, she'd say it has been the best days of her life. Having Cassian—but she couldn't tell Lance. He'll definitely press deep into the statement, and she wouldn't know how to explain to him that she has a thing with her boss, and soon-to-be stepfather.
No, she just can't tell him. Not now.
"Why did you stop, Lissa?"
"It's not that. I... We are here for work. I barely have time for myself, and I accept the blame. I was supposed to call. It was my mistake," she lied, realization going through her as the reality of lying with confidence made her lower herself in the bed.
She was someone that couldn't tell a proper lie without stuttering. Her heart always ached whenever she told a lie in the past, but now—she just told a confident lie to her best friend.
The thought of it made her giggle, and guilty at the same time.
Cassian's presence in her life is affecting her in so many ways she can't even begin to name. The whole thing feels like a movie, and real at the same time.
Craving a dangerous man who breaks her, and at the same time fixes what he broke.
"Even your studies couldn't take your attention so much, why work? Your mom owns the biggest company, and I'm sure your life doesn't depend on your salary from your work. Why does it feel like you are changing?" Lance's voice was soft from the background, and she could feel it deep in her bones.
She is indeed changing.
She closed her eyes, and sucked in a deep breath. "It's not that. I should have checked up on you guys. It is my fault."
"It's not about being your fault, Lissa. I texted you, but you didn't reply."
"You did?" she sat up with a raised brow. "I didn't see your text."
"I did yesterday morning. I know you well enough to know you always check your phone before the end of the day, but you didn't reply, and it...kind of hurt me. I thought something had happened to you. I even tried calling you, but couldn't reach you."
"I promise, I didn't receive any text. I have no reason to snub you. You are my best friend, and will forever hold that special place in my heart," she said in a low tone. "As for the call, it must have been poor network."
Lance hummed, and she could feel him smiling in the background.
"So, when are you returning? I've missed you so much. Sienna is always busy with work, or Ace, and you know she's a pain in the ass."
"Who's a pain in the ass?!"
Lalissa heard Sienna shout in the background, and she burst into laughter.
"You just got yourself into Sienna's trouble," Lalissa laughed, feeling him running with the phone in his hand.
"Lissa, I'll call you later! Take care."
"Same to you," Lalissa smiled, as the call ended.
She took down her phone, narrowing her brow as she remembered what Lance had told her.
"I was sure I checked my phone in the morning after I got mom's text." She went to her inbox, and true to his word, his text was there, still marked unread.
Her eyes travelled to the time and she saw it was ten minutes after her mom's own.
"How did I miss it? I recall holding my phone around that time," she muttered, trying to reminisce what happened.
After her mom's text, she felt guilty. Cassian came, and—
Her eyes widened when she realized Cassian was with her phone when the text came.
She forgot to ask him for her phone, and he was able to divert her attention from the text.
"Gosh, Lissa."
She yawned, wondering where he has been all morning, how she even got back to her hotel room, and was even putting on clothes when she remembered falling asleep immediately he finished his punishment.
"It's fine. I'll be there," she heard his voice and her heart skipped in excitement as the door creaked open and he stepped in.
Her eyes followed his body, and she forgot how to breathe seeing him dressed up in a beige suit, and his hair perfectly styled. His fragrance covered the room as he walked to the bed, pecked her forehead before settling beside her.
"This isn't your first time seeing me this way," he said, setting what he brought on the bed stand.
"Don't blame me. It's not my fault that you look so handsome and new every single day."
She snuggled closer, and wrapped her arms around him, taking a long sniff of his fragrance. "And smell so nice."
"This particular addiction isn't good for you, little doll," Cassian stroked her hair.
"Little girls get addicted to their daddies," she said with a smile, tightening her arms around him.
"You love pushing me to the edge."
She giggled in reply, remembering the things she wanted to ask him. "How did I get back to my room?"
"I took you here," he raised his brow. "Who else will take you back?"
Her eyes widened as she quickly unwrapped her hands. "You took me here?! Naked!"
Cassian turned to her sharply. "Is that what you wanted?" his eyes twitched.
Lalissa smacked his shoulder. "You don't always have to say things like that. I was just surprised and the words slipped out."
"Words don't slip out unless it's what deep down you know you want."
"It's pointless trying to get answers from you."
"Yet, I'm sure your cunt is already pleading for the answers you secretly wish."
Her cheeks flushed red. "Stop it."
Cassian chuckled, getting the things he bought. "I wore you your gown, took you back to the hotel, bathed you. You had woken up a few times, and said somethings, but you have forgotten. After that, I dressed you up."
"Hope you didn't..." she trailed, realizing what she was about to ask.
"My little girl is slowly becoming naughty," he looked at her face. "Impressive."
Lalissa blew out air from her mouth, silently noticing that he was speaking hard, and though she hated to admit it, it felt good.
He handed her a package. "Your clothes."
"No, no, no." She shook her head. "You are not normal. The last time you bought a lingerie, who knows what you bought this time."
A small smile spread across Cassian's lips. "So you are agreeing that this man is not normal yet you want him to ruin you?"
"You have the knack of always twisting my words."
"I don't twist words, Lissa. I say them out in ways everyone will understand."
"You are—" she gave up not knowing what to say again.
She can't defeat this man. Be it in his words, office, and in the bedroom.
"The waiters will soon be here with your food."
"Here," he gave her a tablet case. "This should keep you busy until I return. If you need to go out, go with the driver, and keep your phone on at all times," he instructed looking directly at her as if to engrave the words inside her brain if possible.
"Where are you going?" she asked.
"A partner called for a meeting," he replied, taking his eyes back to the bag as he kept bringing out more things he assumed would keep her busy, and not make her go out.
"Which of the partners?" Lalissa asked again, and this time his eyes met hers, locking them together.
"Evelyn."