Chapter 3: A Deal She Never Made
1145 Words
With trembling legs, Cassie Jones stood rigidly in the corridor of Carter LLC. She couldn’t bring herself to look up, though she could sense he was staring at her. However, she felt the earth could suddenly collapse and engulf her entire existence. She’d longed to escape that moment unfolding in front of her.
Did Luca Carter know about her?
She kept her eyes glued to the floor and his polished leather shoes. With every step he took toward her, she instinctively stepped back. She knew they'd pushed her into the corner.
A faint scent of mint floated around the air, and then Luca leaned slightly as if he were only a few feet away. The smell tugged at something in the memory from the night before, but he couldn't place it.
He then reached out a hand toward her.
Cassie jerked her head up, crossed her arms protectively over her chest, and looked startled. Her eyes were wide, panicked, and defiant. "Mr...” she stammered, and her voice trembled: 'Carter.'
'Those moments she reminded Luca of a wildcat, small and puckered out, but ready to tear into the beleaguered gang of hunters if they came any closer.' Her wary gaze and her rigid stance nearly invited him to get closer. He almost wanted to test her.
She felt Luca’s sharp gaze pan over her. She was plain, almost purposefully so. She hid her face behind her thick bangs and large, black-framed glasses. She wore a simple shirt and jeans and a cheap hair tie on her wrist. She looked nothing remarkable.
He thought he’d felt a connection, but it vanished.
He pointed at the name tag clipped to her shirt. “Cassie,” he said coolly. “Intern. How long have you been here, and which school did you graduate from?”
Cassie blinked, her voice coming out as if she were on autopilot. “Chaste Pace University. I’ve been here for three months,” she said.
Luca nodded thoughtfully and turned to his assistant, Damien Finn, who was standing silently nearby. “She’s the one. 'Immediately transfer her to the Secretary’s Office.'”
Damien’s eyebrows shot up, but he nodded without a second thought. “Of course, Mr. Carter.”
Cassie’s head tilted in confusion. “Wait, what?”
By the time she could start asking further questions, Luca was already hurrying away, the long stride carrying him down the hallway and away without a second glance.
It took Cassie a moment to recover before turning to Damien. “Mr. Finn, what just happened? Why does he want me in the secretary’s office?”
She got a polite smile from Damien. “Congratulations! “You've received a promotion!” Damien exclaimed. Damien said to her. Mr. Carter doesn’t promote interns lightly.”
“Why me?” Cassie's suspicion gnawed at her. “Are you sure this isn’t something else?”
Damien laughed at the look on her face. “It’s because you’re plain, engaged, and therefore safe,” I’d say.
Cassie blinked at him, taken aback by his surprise. “Excuse me?”
Damien shrugged, not caring about his bluntness. “It’s practical. Hiring someone attractive and single might divert his attention. You’re a better fit.”
Cassie's jaw fell. She didn't know whether to feel insulted, relieved, or confused.
“Mind you, don’t take it the wrong way,” Damien continued when she didn’t respond. “It’s just office politics. Or you wouldn’t be here if you weren’t capable. Go now and report to the secretary’s office. Congratulations again.”
Cassie forced a weak smile. “Thank you, Mr. Finn.”
---
The rest of the day went by in a flash. Cassie was still getting used to being in the role. She was terrified, not just nervous. Luca Carter directly managed the secretary’s office, so I saw him daily.
Did he know her from last night?
Over and over, she played their brief encounter over in her head, disassembled the words and the glances, and picked each one apart. He had said nothing to show he remembered, but what if he did? Was this transfer a punishment of some kind?
The hours passed, and her anxiety just grew. Cassie felt as though she had completed a marathon when the workday concluded. Desperate to get home and clear her head, she grabbed her things and ran out of the building.
She climbed into a cab—quite a splurge for her—and quickly texted her roommate and best friend, Agatha Sue.
“Got promoted and got a raise. Let’s celebrate tonight. Be ready when I get home!”
Cassie leaned back against the seat and allowed a little smile for the first time all day. It was a higher salary, and she wanted to tell Agatha.
---
Agatha sat on the couch in Jonny Park, twisting her hands in her lap nervously. Luca Carter sat across from her.
Agatha couldn’t look him in the eye; the air in the room was tense. She felt like a small bird under a predator's scrutiny.
She turned her phone off without reading it when it buzzed with Cassie’s message.
Luca spoke calmly but firmly, “Miss Sue. I won’t take much of your time. I have a few questions.”
She swallowed hard. Agatha nodded. “Of course, Mr. Carter.”
Luca’s eyes were too sharp to miss her movements and nervous glances. “Since when have you known Cassie?”
Agatha stopped and answered. We have been together since our childhood. We grew up together.”
Lucia nodded slowly. “What can you tell me about her?”
Agatha’s hands clenched a little. “She’s hard-working and kind. “She’s been through a lot but always tried to do the right thing.”
Luca didn’t respond immediately, his eyes snapping to the door as if Cassie were waiting to enter on the other side. Finally, he said, his tone unreadable, “Interesting.”
Agatha shifted uncomfortable. “Mr. Carter—is… Is there something wrong?”
Luca stood up and said, “No.” His towering presence filled the entire small flat. “Nothing at all. Thank you for your time.”
With that, he left, leaving Agatha staring after him, her heart racing.
---
Cassie saw Agatha sitting on the couch; her face was white, and her hands were shaking.
“Agatha? What’s wrong?” Setting her bag down, Cassie asked.
Agatha forced a smile and shook her head. “Nothing. I’m just tired. “Let’s go celebrate your promotion.”
Cassie frowned; something was off, but she didn’t push. At the moment, she wanted to concentrate on the good news.
As they started for dinner, however, Cassie couldn’t shake the feeling that her promotion was far from ordinary and that Luisa Carter (also known as Luca Carter) still had plans for her.
- Writer
