Mr Black

10. Cassidy Amor

Tuesday Afternoon

After hearing Señorita Amor, for the life of her, Cassidy couldn't stop thinking about Guy. She found herself wandering amongst the sea of clouds as she fell back against the bed and cradled the pillow like she was hugging him. His eyes were like hazelnuts, big and round and full of wondrous joy. She always did love Guy's eyes. One look at them today had her heart pumping with overwhelming feelings of love. She missed him. She missed him so much it felt like her chest was trying to rip itself apart. All she wanted to do was hold him and cuddle up next to him at night before going to sleep. She never did fall out of love with him. Even in his current state, she loved him and wanted to help him with his addiction. 

Her lower lip quivered. Despite the beautiful colour of his hazel eyes, they were ringed with darkness, sleepless nights from his withdrawal symptoms. How did he end up taking drugs in the first place? Was it because she left him? The thought had her hand clutching against her throbbing heart. She sighed. She couldn't blame herself for Guy's life choices after they broke up.

Lounging around on her bed all day thinking about Guy wasn't going to help her find the perfect outfit for the Darlington Ball. Cassidy climbed out of bed and searched through her wardrobe. The hangers clinked together as she scraped them across the pole and cringed at the sight of her cheap, skimpy outfits that wouldn't do for the Darlington Ball. It was the most popular event on the calendar, and every influential person in the world would be attending, dressed in expensive labels. 

Cassidy groaned. She couldn't afford to wear designer clothes, but she didn't want to walk down the red carpet in a drab piece of fabric from a high street brand. She'd be ridiculed by the elite. She'd have no choice but to go into her savings account and buy a designer dress when she was in London. Despite having to fork out some money for the attire, Cassidy couldn't wait to attend the Darlington Ball, it had her stomach bubbling with excitement. 

Next to her feet, Cubby attempted to bark, but instead he sounded like an adorable squeaking mouse. Cassidy frowned at her pup. She didn't know anybody to dog sit while she was gone. Doggie day-care was far too expensive for her budget, now that she would be buying a dress. Oh well. Cassidy shrugged and tickled his belly. It looked like he would be coming along for the ride. Cubby was a rescue dog found as a newborn at the side of the road in a cardboard box, left abandoned with his siblings, all of which now had new forever homes. She couldn't believe the lengths people went to hurt animals. Cubby was the most adorable dog ever.

Cassidy packed the last of her belongings for the next couple of days and managed to shove her massive bag into the boot of her red Vauxhall Corsa. When finished, she wiped the sweat from her brow. Today was a hot day, but at least the rain had stopped.

"Alright!" She smirked and placed her hands on her hips. "Are you ready to go, Cubby?"

Cassidy stroked the puppy behind the ears, and he panted, bouncing around her ankles as she picked him up and securely tied him to the passenger seat of her car. Gazing down at the address Guy was residing at, she shook her head. The Royal Darlington Hotel. How could he afford to stay there, one of the most expensive hotel chains in the country owned by the Darlington family? As part of the invitation to the Darlington Ball, all guests were offered a complimentary room at their London Hotel, where the afterparty was usually held.

Upon arrival at the hotel, a valet opened the car door. She nodded a quick thanks and told him there was no need to park it, as she was picking someone up. The golden framed glass doors automatically opened with an elegant swoosh, and her mouth gaped open at the size of the foyer, which had its own copy of the trevi fountain located next to the lifts. In the centre, black leather couches were situated around the room for the guests. 

Her converse trainers squeaked against the polished marble floor as she made her way to the front desk. The receptionist eyed her with a disgusted grunt of disapproval and turned up her nose like she could smell trash. She was slim, with flawless skin and white-blond hair pulled back into an immaculate bun. Her presence made Cassidy feel self-conscious about her curves and clothing that wasn't to the standards of the other guests occupying the foyer. 

"Good morning. How may I help you?" Her voice was far too posh for this part of England. 

"Hi, could you send a message to Guy Black's room that his lift has arrived?" Cassidy presented herself with a small smile. 

The receptionist let out a longwinded sigh, acting like Cassidy was a bother to her as she aimlessly typed into her computer.

"Mr Black hasn't informed us that he was having a guest." She frowned and was about to wave at security. 

"No, no. I'm not his guest, I'm just picking him up," Cassidy informed her before the security threw her out. She hated how uptight this particular hotel chain was.

"You're his chauffeur, then?" She gave her a sly smirk. "Mr Black said his chauffeur would be arriving to collect him."

Cassidy frowned. His chauffeur?  Who did Guy think he was? Her face boiled red. She couldn't believe the audacity of him, calling her his chauffeur. 

"Yes." Cassidy clenched her teeth and seethed. "That would be me, his chauffeur."

The receptionist tried to hide her smile, but the smug look that shone through made Cassidy want to punch her in her pretty little face. She managed to contain her anger and forced a smile onto her lips. The receptionist, still pompous in her actions, picked up the phone and called Guy's room. 

"Mr Black is on his way. Would you like to take a seat in the meantime?" She gestured towards the sofas in the foyer. 

"No, thank you."

Striding towards the lifts, Cassidy waited for Guy to arrive with her arms folded. The doors dinged open, and Guy walked out with a black backpack slung over his shoulder. It took all of Cassidy's willpower to keep her jaw from dropping. He looked hot as he brushed his hand through his dark locks, and his biceps tensed through his white t-shirt. Considering a couple of hours ago he looked like a washed-up druggie, he cleaned up well, too well.

He'd taken her completely off guard. Her breathing fell short and heavy, and her cheeks burned as lustful images popped into her mind. She couldn't fold now. She had to stand her ground. He called her his chauffeur, and she would not stand for that. He flashed her a perfect white smile that had her legs wobbling and her insides melting. The next couple of hours were going to be a challenge. 

"Señorita Amor. On-time, I see."

"Mr Black." Cassidy greeted him with a forced smile that didn't go unnoticed by Guy. "Would you like me to take your bag for you and show you to your car?"

He handed over her backpack without questioning her overly kind behaviour towards him, and she shoved it onto her shoulder. The backpack was heavier than she'd expected, and she wobbled forward almost tripping over. 

"What are you carrying in this thing, a weapons arsenal?"

"What? No!" His voice went up an octave, and his alarmed expression was like he'd been caught breaking into his little brother's piggy bank. "Why would you think that?" 

"Calm down, it was just a joke," Cassidy snapped. "Your bag is stupidly heavy."

Guy relaxed and sighed, smiling once again. She wondered what that was all about. She'd have to ask him later; they were on a tight schedule to beat the traffic down to London before rush hour hit the M25. 

"Shall I take you to your car?" Cassidy directed him towards the exit.

"Err... thanks." Guy frowned. "Why are you acting different and nice?"

She ignored his question. "This way. Follow me. We don't want to be late now," Cassidy chirped. "Now, the dog is sitting in the back of the car, so I guess you know where you will be sitting then?"

"Yeah. It doesn't take a genius to work that out." He followed her to the car, where the valet waited and handed over her keys and opened the door for her.

"Are you feeling alright?" he asked.

She waved him off and threw his bag into the boot.

"I'm fine, you know, just doing my job as a chauffeur. I hope you tip well. I'll be distraught if you don't." She slammed shut the boot door and glared at him.

"Oh." He nervously laughed and played with his hair. "Did the receptionist mention that? She wasn't supposed to." He mumbled the last part to himself, but Cassidy still heard every word, and her glare turned into a deathly stare.

"She made it very clear what I was, and it was embarrassing." Her nose crinkled. "I am not your chauffeur, I'm nothing more than a friend offering you a lift. That is all we will ever be during this trip."

A boyish grin landed on Guy's lips. "I never mentioned anything about us being more than friends during this trip, but if you insist. I wouldn't mind hooking up on the way down." He raised an eyebrow.

Kill me now. Cassidy's left eye twitched, and her jaw clenched. Why did he always infuriate her by twisting her words?

"Argh! That is not what I meant, and you know it!" Cassidy rubbed her pulsing temples and let out a long breath. "You're so infuriating. I swear it's bad for my health."

"I can tell. I think I can see a wrinkle on your forehead," he teased. 

A vein burst in her forehead. God help her, anyone, please. She didn't want to be in a car with this man. 

"The car journey hasn't even started yet, and I have already concluded that this was a horrible mistake. Get in the car." Cassidy pointed to the back door.

"Alright, calm down before you blow a gasket."

Guy opened the passenger door, while Cassidy walked around to the driver's side of the vehicle. She smirked to herself when his head popped back out with a confused expression in his eyes.

"Problem?"

"Cubby's in my seat. You said the dog was sitting in the back," he complained.

"Well observed. Now get in the car."

He frowned and leaned against the car, even more confused than before. "I don't think you understand. Cubby is in the passenger seat."

"Yes, I can see that." Cassidy grinned, finding pleasure in his confusion. "Maybe I should make myself clearer. The dog is sitting in the back." Cassidy bent over to look in the car then back up to look at Guy. "At the moment, Cubby is in the passenger seat, and the dog..."

Cassidy paused and directed her eyes towards his with her, I take no bullshit attitude.

"Well... he's standing opposite me. Get in the car, dog!" Cassidy arched her brows and let loose her inner smug queen, waiting for him to fight back with one of his sassy comments.

He scoffed, shaking his head. Without even uttering a word or arguing with her, he opened the back-seat door and jumped in. Cassidy flinched when he slammed the car door, and she couldn't help but feel as though he'd still won that round with his silent cooperation. She would not let him win. He'd called her his chauffeur, so he deserved it.

She climbed into the driver's seat and eyed him sharply through her rear-view mirror. "Good dog!"

Guy grimaced with narrowed eyes and proceeded to fold his arms, looking grumpy. Cassidy felt better, knowing that two could most definitely play at this game.

Five minutes into the journey and the tension felt thick, like a smog had consumed the car. Cassidy turned the radio on to rid the silent void, only for one of Cherry Bomb's songs to wail through the speakers. Without a second thought, she turned it off with such force she broke the button and groaned. 

Guy laughed. "I didn't realise you hated me that much." 

"I don't hate you." Cassidy sighed, and her shoulders slumped as she waited at the roundabout. 

"You can't even bear to listen to my songs. Why else wouldn't you listen unless you hated me?"

"Maybe I just don't like your style of music," Cassidy snapped as she pulled out onto the roundabout and was honked at for cutting in front of a driver. She hated driving when stressed, and Guy's presence didn't help. 

"Don't lie." Guy crossed his arms. "You've always loved rock music. Cherry Bomb is right up your alley. So just admit you hate me that much that you can't bear to listen to me on the radio." 

"Fine, I hate you." More like I still love you and listening to the sound of your angelic voice makes me think I made the worst decision of my life leaving you. "Is that what you want to hear?" 

"Yes!"

"Good!"

A tear slipped down her cheek, and when their eyes met in the mirror, a look of guilt shone within Guy's eyes. She wiped the tear and concentrated on the road. 

Awkward silence once again overwhelmed the car like a heavy morning mist.