The Blood Heiress

Lead Up to the Exihibition

Adella

It took all of three seconds for Cassian to return. I had hardly put my phone away before he showed up and looked over our two friends sleeping away in the booth.

"Never fails, she gets herself all worked up about her art and can't sleep. Every single exhibition I can remember." Cass shook his head in mock sorrow as he picked up her bridal style and shifted her around, trying to find the sweet spot for carrying his sister. "Hey could you grab her things from the table?"

"Sure, what should I do with them?"

"Just grab them and follow me." He turned and walked through the dispersing crowd of customers. He led us to the staff only door at the back of the dance floor and through the storeroom. He stopped at the bottom of the stairway and looked a little torn.

"I can wait here or set these down on the steps for you. I don't have to go up with you." A blush started on the edges of my cheeks at the thought of being in his apartment.

"Worried about what I might do to you while carrying my sister?" One of his eyebrows quirked up and a grin filled his face.

"Hardly, just didn't want to intrude on your personal space." I crossed my arms trying to look convincing.

"No intrusion, just fair warning. I was not expecting company. Also, could you turn on this light? I can't for the life of me turn it on like this."

"Uh yeah sorry, let me get it." I reached around him and became very aware of how close we both were to each other. I cleared my throat and put some space between us. I did sneak a glance or two at his backside as he went up the stairs first.

"You better not deny looking at my derriere later." I froze on the steps. How did he know?

"Okay" I squeaked out, my brain going dead at being caught out, which led to Cassian letting out a belly laugh. There wasn't a hint of a blush now, my face was fully engulfed in burning red embarrassment.

I waited for him to get to the top before I continued, giving myself some time to cool off. By the time I reached the top he was nowhere to be seen. The stairs ended on a landing with a frosted glass door off to the right and another behind the stairwell and to the left. It was slightly ajar, and the light was streaming out of the crack. Inside I found an all-purpose room; kitchen, dining and living areas all in one space. Cassian had disappeared from view, and I heard some shuffling around in an adjoining room. His bedroom more than likely. I stood just inside the door, hovering, unsure about how far was appropriate to intrude. His absence was lost on me shortly, however, because my eyes began to take in his living space. His whole aesthetic was minimalistic, functional. It was sparsely decorated, with nice appliances, and well-loved furniture. His sink was free of dishes, the floor swept and the entire room tidy. What does it look like when he is expecting company?

Cass emerged from what I am now sure is his room. He quietly closes the door. His hand found the back of his neck and he looked pointedly at the couch. With a shrug, he flopped his body down on it. "Guess, I am sleeping here tonight."

"Uh, here" I held out Valerie's coat and purse. I was feeling increasingly awkward now with him in the same space.

"Right, thanks." He motioned to the coffee table. "Go ahead and put it here. You are welcome to stay for a bit. I have coffee and tea. Some snacks." He hauls himself wearily off the couch and heads to the kitchen. I quickly put Val's stuff on the table and followed after him. I reached out to stop him from going to any more trouble for me today.

"Wait," I said as my hand made contact. He whipped around and the momentum had me bumping into him. His arms came out instantly to steady me.

"Woah there, Dells. What is it?" I looked up at his face and was a little stunned to see the amount of affection directed at me. My heart involuntarily leapt. After the past two days, it didn't occur to me to question whatever was happening between us. It was happening, I just had to decide what to do with it. "Dells?" His voice gently knocked me back to the present.

"Just wanted you to know that you don't have to make me anything, I need to get home." I smiled at him and tried to hold at bay the insistent pull to nestle into his arms. With a gentle squeeze, he released me but continued holding my gaze. Moving my eyes down to avoid the intensity there, I landed on his lips. Get ahold of yourself! In a bid to satisfy the intense feelings swirling inside me, I stepped forward and lifted myself up to give him a quick peck on the cheek. His eyes widened at the gesture, and he smiled softly. Before anything else happened, I retreated swiftly to the door. For the second time tonight, I didn't recognize myself.

"Thanks for all the help over the past few days, Cassian. Goodnight." I said over my shoulder with one last glance on my way out.

"Goodnight Adella," His soft reply followed me out.

***

The next morning was not kind to Verity. And she was still uncharacteristically sour on top of the hangover. It had been hard enough to get her to a guest room with Ben to help, dealing with her attitude was too much. I was loathe to incite anything with her and let her be as silent and moody as she wanted. She left after breakfast with Ben driving her home without a 'thank you' or a 'goodbye'.

With a whole day at my disposal, I decided to drop work and give myself some time to do anything but. And since Verity was not going to be someone I could have join me, I was going to have to find something to do on my own. I tracked Ben down once he had returned.

"Addie, is there something you need?" His kind brown eyes crinkled with his good nature.

"I thought that I could get some more training in estate management. Or even business management if you think I am ready for it." Ben's brows pulled together.

"I am so sorry Addie, but at the moment I am needed for a staff training and meeting." His eyebrows drew together in thought. "I will have some time in the afternoon. I can come and retrieve you when I am free."

"That will work for me, thanks Ben." He nodded and took his leave, going off to wherever he was needed. I walked outside into the garden without much of a goal.

I ended up wandering through the maze like gardens. Getting purposefully lost amongst the colorful multitude of blooms was a welcome time killer and change of pace. The birds were out and the small breezes that played with the trees gave the whole garden a playful atmosphere. I took out my phone and used it as a camera, capturing anything of interest. It was during my scavenger hunt to catalogue anything interesting that I ventured into a new part of the garden. It held a small cabin with a fountain in front. I took a picture of the scene and then got closer.

The windows were dark when I approached. I peered in them and saw a tidily kept home. I had expected the structure to be used as a tool shed or potting shed but definitely not someone's home. I backed away from the windows, suddenly feeling like I was intruding. I sat down on the ledge of the fountain to readjust. Its cooling mist felt welcome on my flushed skin. I didn't remain there long. Voices were coming down the path, and I decided to make a graceful exit. I continued on the path going just past the cabin and stopped behind it when I recognized one of the voices.

"Dad, you need to let this go or they are going to let you go." a young male voice cut through the strangely oppressive air.

"Bugger off. You know well as I do, I cannot do that. The honor of the family depends on it." the gruff voice of Mr. King followed.

Mr. King? His son? I was slowly wrapping my head around their conversation.

"Miss Russo is officially the heir, dad. Everyone agrees. I don't know why you are so bent on this." The plaintive tone in the younger man's voice edged up.

"Son, you have to leave this to me and my judgement. That slip of a girl ain't the heir. She ain't got any of the Russo blood. She cannot do a single thing for 'erself. She donna even have a single power." They have stopped now in front of the cabin.

A loud sigh from the younger man. "What nonsense now? Dad! What are you going to do if they fire you? Your entire life is here, your home, your job, your purpose. I worry about you dad. Why is this so important?"

"You wouldna understand, son. I am sorry to worry you. I will be fine, Benetto won't fire me and that girl sure as all cannot." There was a strong note of confidence followed by pride in Mr. King's voice now.My fists balled up at them. What was I going to have to do to prove myself...no I don't need to prove anything to him.

I squared my shoulders and moved from the cabin and down the path, leaving them behind. Though I made the choice to leave the conversation, it didn't leave me. Their words swirled in my mind as I mindlessly followed the path that opened up on a lawn by the pond. I decided then and there to lie down on the grass and let the words mellow awhile. The sun lulled me into a shallow nap.

"You look comfortable, Ms. Russo." The young man's voice from early interrupted my hazy dreams. I squinted against the bright sky and sat up. "Sorry to interrupt, but I haven't had the chance to meet you yet and saw you here. I thought it was worth a shot. Who knows when we might cross paths again."

I brought my hand up to block the sun from my eyes and gave him a once over. Tall, broad shouldered, sandy hair, attractive face, young. He bore very little resemblance to Mr. King. He held out his hand. I stood up, aware of how lazy I must look just napping in the sun and took a step towards him.

"I'm Henry King." I took his large and calloused hand and shook it.

"Adella Russo, nice to meet you. Are you any relation of Edward King?" I remembered I should act oblivious to their connection.

He flushed a little at the question and looked back towards the cabin. "Yes, he is my father. I am sorry if he has given you any trouble."

I smiled and shook my head. "Not too much. I really appreciate him taking care of these grounds so well. They are beautiful."

His broad smile at my praise made me want to make him smile again. His entire face lit up and the lines of concern etched into his young skin disappeared. "That's kind of you, it's his entire life taking care of this place."

"I hope he continues for as long as he wishes." I tried to give him some reassurance without, I hope, giving away that I had overheard the earlier conversation. A lull entered the conversation at this point and I began contemplating the best way to exit without causing too much trouble. Henry had some other ideas though and interrupted my planning.

"If you don't mind me asking Miss Russo, where have you been all this time? Everyone was sure that you had..." He froze up and looked sheepishly up at me. Part of me was shocked he was so forward and the other understood why he would dare to ask it. I would have wanted to know too.

"Uh, well it is a long story." I had no idea how much was appropriate to tell him considering what I had overheard. I still had know idea if he was even an employee. "I had no choice in what happened. That was between my parents and ..." Should I include Ben in this? Would that make it hard for him? "and their lawyers. I have only just found out myself."

"Oh, I see" Something in the words I had chosen did not sit well with Henry.

"Sorry to disappoint." I offered up, a little irritated with his downcast face and overall reaction.

"Oh no, Miss Russo. You don't disappoint at all." He tried for a smile to back up his words but failed miserably. My understanding that Cassian was not as honest with his expressions as I had thought was growing The difference between the man in front of me and Cassian in their ability to quickly disguise their true feelings was broad. Cassian's neutral was a smiling open face, but I knew now that wasn't how he was usually feeling. While Henry, he couldn't help but show immediately what was going on in his mind.

"Addie, there you are." Ben came upon us from the direction of the cabin. "Oh young Henry, I see you have met Miss Russo." Both men stiffened a little in each other's company.

"Mr. Costas, I was just introducing myself, Sir. I hadn't had the chance before. But I should get back to work now." He nodded at Ben and I then left, taking the path Ben had just exited.

"What does he do here?"

"Fix his ailing father's mistakes mostly." I was surprised to have him be so blunt with his answer.

"So he is the one that really keeps up the grounds?" Henry's broad unfettered smile from earlier now made a whole lot more sense.

"Yes, but his father will not give up his position to him as he should have years ago." Ben seemed to shake out of whatever mood had gripped him and turned from looking out over the pond to straight at me. "Sorry Addie dear, you don't need to worry about all that now."

"I think I do though. How am I supposed to take this over if I know nothing about the problems faced while running it. I wouldn't be well prepared." My lips pursed all on their own and my eyes fixed pointedly on Ben "You are supposed to be preparing me for this."

"Precisely why I came out here to find you. I have time now to get you started with lessons if you would like. They come with homework this time." He chuckled at the sour face I made. "Apparently, I am not preparing you well enough." I laughed at his retort and let him lead me back to the study where our lessons would take place.

***

The next week I spent at the gallery and it passed by in a blur. Valerie had come herself to deliver a newly completed signature piece. It was much the same as all the rest, just bigger. A lot bigger. She apparently had had some inspiration after our night out, and had in turn then looked herself away in her studio until she completed the piece two days later. Her haggard appearance when she dropped it off was slightly masked by her triumphant glow at having 'conquered the collection.' Her words exactly.

Except for that one visit, I hardly saw either of the Moretti siblings. I texted Valerie with ideas to bounce off of her a few times and received prompt replies. But nothing to or from her brother. It was as much a subconscious decision as it was out of necessity. I still had yet to hear from Verity and the worry over her sudden change in personality began to grow. Between that and the exhibition, I let everything and everyone else take a backseat.

In contrast to my focused frenzied state, René was a bastion of delight during the lead up to the exhibition. At least when he was around. He was more than pleased that I had taken so well to planning it and didn't ask him once for any help. A point to which he marveled at me daily. I began to feel as if he had wanted me to ask him for some input, but I had taken a different approach with him. The one that saw me tell him what I was doing and then do it. I couldn't yet put my finger on exactly why, but I didn't want to be indebted to the man in any way.

Between lighting schemes, catering, marketing, music, gallery layout and running interference for it all, I was a worn out mess when Saturday finally arrived. I had plenty of time to sleep in that morning, but found myself up earlier than normal with far too much nervous energy. I checked and double checked all the details I could from home.

At some point that morning, Ben made sure to send Maria to make sure I ate. She was even told to stay until I had finished. So that was how I found myself holding my phone with nothing to do but eat and contemplate reaching out to Verity. The desire to let her know I was still here for her won out and I sent a short, friendly message. When there wasn't a quick reply, I finished eating and put her out of my mind.

The time to leave for the exhibition came eventually and after Maria had done my hair and makeup, I grabbed my bagged dress and got into the waiting car.

"Do you have everything that you need?" Ben greeted me. I double checked and nodded.

"I am so nervous Ben. I know I have done everything I could. But it doesn't help knowing that."

"It will be just fine Addie, you have done a wonderful job planning it all. Your dedication to making it a worthwhile event will not be lost on the guests or the artist." I sat back into the plush seat with his words and watched the city go by. Willing his words to sink in and untangle the knots that had been tightening all day.