تسجيل الدخولCassius had started recognizing the rhythm of Annelise’ days.Morning classes, afternoon shifts at the gallery, evening walks with friends or late study sessions at cafés she clearly preferred because they were quieter than the others around campus.He knew enough now to avoid crossing paths with her accidentally, which was ironic considering he crossed an ocean specifically because of her.That afternoon, after confirming through observation that Anne was attending lectures, Cassius drove toward the gallery again.The weather carried a soft warmth today, sunlight washing over the city with a golden laziness that reminded him painfully of Paris evenings with her.He parked across the street and adjusted the sleeves of his black shirt before stepping out.The bell above the door chimed the moment he entered the gallery.Teri looked up from behind the desk and immediately brightened in recognition. “Welcome back, sir.”Cassius gave a polite nod. “I hope the fundraising event preparation
Cassius had rented an Airbnb barely fifteen minutes away from Annelise’ school.The place was modern, quiet and annoyingly bright, with cream colored walls and large windows overlooking a busy San Francisco street. It did not feel like home. Nowhere had felt like home since Anne left Paris.For the past three days, he had done nothing but observe her world carefully. He knew what time she left for school, what route she preferred when walking back to the hostel, the café she occasionally stopped at with her friends, the grocery store Jasmine dragged her to almost every evening.He knew Derek McCarthy’s car now, knew Orson’s too. That knowledge alone tested his self restraint more times than he cared to admit.Cassius sat inside a café directly opposite the art gallery Anne worked at, a black coffee untouched before him. He wore all black, from the fitted shirt beneath his coat to the face cap shadowing his features.Not exactly a disguise, but just enough change to avoid unnecessary a
The turbulence barely registered in Cassius’ mind, eight hours in the air and not once had sleep touched his eyes. The cabin lights had dimmed hours ago, most passengers buried under blankets or leaning against windows with open mouths and tired faces, but Cassius remained seated upright, one hand resting against the armrest, his gaze fixed on nothing.San Francisco…The city had become a constant in his thoughts these past months. Every report, every photograph, every update from the man he stationed there.Annelise at the library, Annelise leaving work, Annelise laughing with her friends, Annelise at a pool party, Annelise entering a lacrosse player’s car.That last one had almost made him lose his mind.Cassius shut his eyes briefly and inhaled through his nose. He had tried. God, he had tried to give her space.He went back to Ravenwood. Oversaw the vineyard. Handled pack affairs. Sat through endless reports from Jin Bunko about shipments, land disputes, finances and patrol rotati
The airport buzzed with the restless energy of people eager to either leave or arrive somewhere better.Announcements echoed through the terminals while luggage wheels scraped endlessly across polished floors, a child cried somewhere nearby, coffee machines hissed behind crowded counters, and tired travelers occupied nearly every chair around the waiting area.Anne sat between Jasmine and Yvette staring absently at the runway through the large glass windows.The wedding weekend already felt strangely distant despite ending barely hours ago.Kelsey dropped heavily into the chair opposite Anne with snacks balanced in both hands.“I still don’t understand why Derek vanished like a ghost,” she complained while passing chips toward Jasmine. “He didn’t even wait for us.”Yvette looked up from her phone. “Did something happen?”Anne’s fingers tightened briefly around her boarding pass before relaxing again.She shrugged once. “Maybe he just wanted to leave early.”Kelsey frowned. “That doesn
“Do you, Alexander Hayes, take Beau Beauchamp to be your lawfully wedded wife? To love her, honor her, remain beside her in joy and hardship, for as long as you both shall live?”The makeshift priest looked overly proud of himself for someone who had apparently gotten ordained online three days ago.Alex grinned shamelessly beneath the soft lighting of the resort hall. “Absolutely.”Laughter spread warmly across the audience.The wedding hall looked almost dreamlike beneath the chandeliers and ivory drapery hanging from the ceiling beams. White roses and candles lined the aisle while sunlight filtered through the floor to ceiling windows overlooking the resort gardens.Beau stood at the altar looking like something painted by an artist obsessed with romance.Her gown wrapped around her body elegantly before falling into layers of soft fabric behind her, tiny crystals sewn into the dress catching light each time she moved. Her makeup was soft, emotions already visible in her glossy eye
Anne woke up with a pounding headache and the uncomfortable sensation of dryness coating her throat. For a few seconds, she remained facedown against the pillow, trying to remember why her body felt like it had been dragged across concrete.Flashes from the club returned slowly. She had had the best night since a long time, she let the stuck up Annelise get a break. She remembered dancing so hard, twisting her hips in ways she didn’t know she could, taking shots, but cautious enough not to drink to slop.Her eyes opened immediately as her brain fully awakened.Sunlight poured through the curtains in warm streaks, making the room brighter than her head could tolerate. She groaned softly and forced herself upright, pressing her palm against her forehead.Jasmine was still asleep next to her on the bed, sprawled across the mattress with one leg hanging carelessly over the edge.Anne walked toward the balcony window first, pulling the curtain aside, the hotel resort was already alive down
CASSIUS VALE POVAfter about four rounds of sex, we lay on the bed panting for breath, I turned to Annelise and she was staring at the chandelier dropping down the ceiling, smiling with satisfaction.“That was amazing…” she said and turned, staring into my eyes with so much… Need? Then she pecked m
CASSIUS VALES POVOne week later…I stood by the kitchen counter, watching Annelise who was standing at the balcony, with the glass partition closed separating me from her. She looked hollow, lost… Confused, she’
ANNELISE POVMy eyes slowly tore open from perceiving a soothing familiar scent, my first sight after waking up was a blurry view of the ceiling then a masculine silhouette at the periphery of my eyes, my heart skipped as I quickly turned in shock, and there
CASSIUS VALES POVIt’s been about three days since I last spent quality time with Anne, and it’s been affecting me more than she believes.I hated missing her first day of school, I knew that she would hate me for sending a stranger to take her to school and missing







