Paris In The Rain

3.3 : Crashing

The moment she's done, the clock strikes six. The VIP guest and her barricade will be staying for approximately a week, including a request for special reserved parking area by the lobby, and special served breakfast food in bed.

The moment Alaric knows she's done, he drags her straight to a restaurant he had reserved. The fancy restaurant has a cozy vibe with bright contrast and view to the beach. Noticing how Cassandra moved uncomfortably, Alaric questioned, "you don't like the place?"

Cassandra shook her head, "No, it's nice here. It's just if only I knew, I'd wear something more appropriate."

Alaric smiled hearing her explanation- nodding to the waiter who delivers their food- before continuing, "you look beautiful if that's what you're worried about," he said casually.

"Stop being a flirt, Alaric." He chuckled and looked at Cassandra with a look that made her nervous.

"What? Is something on my face?" Cassandra started to touch her lips, making sure it's doesn't have anything covering it.

"Nothing's there, don't worry," he said with a tender smile as she looked confused.

"Tell me something," he asked that made Cassandra stare at him questioning.

"Whatever I knew about you, you can't really expect me to believe that a year wouldn't change at least some of it," he explained before she even got to ask as if reading her mind.

As she's devouring her food, she thinks it through before hesitantly started talking, "I'm returning to London." He stopped to look at her, and then she continues, "I'm moving."

"I thought you didn't want to interfere with the family business?"

Cassandra exhales, "My father is no longer young. Yet he won't give it to me, while he won't give it to someone else cause' obviously it's called family business for a reason," she exclaimed, earning Alaric's laugh. Seeing his laugh, she couldn't help herself but to also chuckle.

It had been like this, then. When they're just a call away, or when they're meeting each other after a long week. Laughing after what they told one another, or just simply share a burden. Cassandra couldn't help but miss how it had been as she realized that this feeling, is one feeling that she had missed the most all these times that past.

It's the thing that had made her look back so many times for the past year, wishing it were all different; The feeling when you know that you both 'clicked', the feeling of security when you know whatever you're going through, you'll have that one person behind your back.

The warmth feeling that you felt, as you're both just sitting there under nothingness, but you can feel each other's presence, and how much you both mean to one another... a feeling that she couldn't even describe the half of it.

"He's probably worried about his daughter being chased after men for the sharehol- I mean, if I have a daughter I'd act that way, especially if she's everything a man could ask for- ravishing look, dazzling personality-"

As their laugh quietened, he spoke up. Cassandra hoped she didn't start to blush because that would ruin the moment, and she needed to show that she's able to resist his cheesy charm- especially when he's saying those words while giving her this look she couldn't even define herself. But she knew that it's all he needed- to bring down the last of her walls.

But she didn't mind. Because deep down, she knew that she had wanted it herself from the first time they had met- to trust him, and to earn a second chance- for the both of them. She could only hope that it didn't come to the day where she'd regret that she did.

So when he continued his words, and after a quick reconsider, she has the answer all sorted out.

"-which my point is, I wanted you to know that I'll always have your back- especially if you ever needed it," he continues with a little laugh on its tail.

Cassandra gave him a warm smile, and as if reading his intentions, she answers.

"Well, I think I could use a company- going back."