Chapter 16

Drasa’s POV

I don’t know why her statement pulled a gasp from my lips. And I was sure that if I had been the one to say something like that, the manager would’ve thrown a fit by now.

But he just swallowed hard, glanced at Amelia who was busy with her iPad, and walked away.

I cleared my throat loudly to get Amelia’s attention.

“How do you manage to always get the manager under your thumb?” I raised an eyebrow, genuinely curious.

She shrugged casually. “Nothing. I’m not doing anything. I just speak the truth,” she replied with a small smile.

The day dragged on with us serving both rude and nice customers. Some came in just to run their mouths without ordering anything, and Amelia ended up chasing them away.

By nightfall, the bar was packed, and both Amelia and I were busy serving drinks.

I noticed a man giving me strange looks, but I didn’t pay much attention. By now, I should be used to it.

The manager didn’t yell much today, maybe whatever Amelia told him had clipped his wings because now he just glared and walked away even if he caught us talking.

By 9 PM, I kept checking my phone, hoping for a message from Cassian, but nothing came. I started to worry, maybe he was playing me, just like Elara did.

“Why do you keep checking your phone?” Amelia asked, walking over and sitting beside me on a chair. I quickly shoved my phone into my apron.

She looked at me like she had been expecting that exact reaction.

“I’m sure it’s a guy,” she said with a knowing smile.

“No, it’s not,” I replied quickly, waving it off, but she didn’t buy it. Instead, she stood up and removed her apron.

“We’re done for today,” she announced, and I took mine off too.

The manager came out of his office and stood between us.

“Why are you taking off your aprons? Are you done for the day?” he asked.

“Yes,” Amelia nodded. “Today’s Wednesday. It’s a weekday. We close at 9 PM,” she added with a smile, walking toward where our bags hung. I followed her.

The manager just stared but didn’t say anything else. I took off my shoes, put on a slipper and grabbed my bag, and headed for the door.

Amelia gave the manager a polite nod, and we both left, even though two customers were still seated. I figured the manager would handle them.

I checked my phone again, but still, no message. A frustrated breath escaped my lips.

“At this rate, your eyes will go nuts,” Amelia said, making me flinch. My hand flew to my chest to calm my racing heart.

“Damn it!” I muttered, and she laughed.

I was about to say something when a loud honk came from across the road.

I looked up. That had to be Cassian’s car, the horn came again, and I recognized it.

My heartbeat quickened. What was he doing here?

“I guess that’s the guy you’ve been waiting for?” Amelia asked, staring at the car.

“No, it’s not…” 

“Don’t worry. I don’t care,” she said, raising her hand to stop me mid-sentence. She smiled and walked off. I watched her retreating figure.

I swallowed hard and turned back to Cassian’s car. He kept honking.

I walked over, and he opened the passenger door. I stared at him for a moment before getting in.

He was wearing a black cardigan and shorts that barely reached his knees. His hair looked messy.

“I’ve been waiting for over an hour,” he said as he started the car.

“Isn’t that why you asked for my number?” I asked, shifting uncomfortably in my seat.

“You could say that. But I wanted to be understanding. I figured you’d be at work,” he paused and looked at me. “I didn’t want to disturb my girlfriend.”

His words made me choke on air, and he smiled like he was enjoying the moment.

“Where are we going?” I asked, trying to change the subject.

“My house.”

“Your house? Why?”

“Because I have something to show you.”

“No, no, no. Please stop the car. I’m not going.”

“Too late,” he grinned and stepped on the gas. The car sped forward, and I gripped my seatbelt to keep from flying out the window.

“Cassian, stop!” I shouted, and he did. But when I looked up, we were already parked in front of his house.

“I listened to you,” he said with a smirk as he got out. I stayed in my seat, staring at nothing.

I heard my door creak open, he had come around to my side.

“Do you want princess treatment or what?” he asked, raising a brow. I shook my head. “Then get your ass out and follow me.”

Why did he sound so rude?

I didn’t argue. I got out and followed him, even though I didn’t want to.

We walked inside. The moment we entered the living room, I froze.

The place was a disaster. Books were everywhere, crumpled papers littered the floor — it was chaos. I had no idea what he was up to.

“Ignore all that,” he said, heading toward the center table.

“Take a seat,” he added.

I nodded and sat on the couch.

“Here, check this out,” he said, handing me a document.

I glanced at him, then took it.

I looked at the top corner. It read, TO DO AND NOT TO DO.

I frowned and turned my gaze back to him, but he just gestured at the paper, urging me to keep reading.