Chapter 7

Cassie sat at the back seat of the car, staring blankly at mostly nothing but greenery. Alex was behind the wheel and they were somewhere on the outskirts of town now, in-between forests; mostly just trees. Cassie liked the serenity around the location as there were hardly any cars plying the route, which made the drive now super quiet and lonely, but for their occasional chatter. She loved the trees that filled the area, perfectly lined up, like they had been deliberately planted in that manner.

Cassie wasn’t familiar with the collection of French contemporary artists of the millennium, but for some weird reason, she enjoyed this particular album by Jane Fostin. She wished she had taken her French classes more seriously, maybe she would have known what the song was about. But all of that didn’t stop her from enjoying the sweet soothing melody that blasted from the radio.

“Why aren’t you worried? We could be kidnapping you; you know?” Aaron says, instantly getting Cassie’s attention.

Alex turns down the volume of the radio as he watches Cassie through the rear-view mirror. She raises a brow in confusion, almost like she had believed what Aaron had just said, before shaking her head and smiling

“Or I could be the one kidnapping you two” Cassie refutes, moving to the center of the backseat and going closer to the men

“Not possible, we’re the ones taking you somewhere”

“Yes, but what if all of this was the plan. Me, coming to your office, knowing fully well you’d bring me here” Cassie tells them, mostly talking to Aaron, as Alex hadn’t said anything.

“Smart move, but you don’t know where we’re taking you” Aaron tells her

“Like I said, all part of the plan” Cassie says with a grin

“Let it go, she’ll win” Alex finally says, shaking his head as the two finally stop

“It’s best you listen to him Aaron” Cassie says with a giggle

“I like the sound of my name on your lips” Aaron says, not turning to her, his eyes on the road with a smirk on his face, like he was talking to the road ahead. But Cassie knew he was definitely talking to her, her body could feel it too.

“In that case, I’m not calling your name again” Cassie tells him

“You better remember these words” Alex says with a smile on his face, before taking the next turn on his right.

What did he mean by that? And since when did Alex start to smile? Cassie could not wrap her head around the last part of their conversation, but could only wonder if they were all on the same page, because it didn’t feel like they were.

Alex takes another turn to the left almost immediately, pulling into a short pathway leading to what is an entrance to a massive mansion beyond the black stump. It looked like something out of the movies, where families came for Christmas holidays and something magical would happen. The drive way was decorated with little bulbs; Cassie imagined what they would look like when put on. She watches Alex drive a few meters more, before finally parking in front of the building.

It was an upscale custom- built home with recessed lighting, soaring ceilings and lush landscaping providing ample space for a mini golf course, in a highly coveted terrain. It had a built-in pool, a large cellar and the flooring was made from Brazilian cherry solid wood

“So, what do you think?” Aaron asked Cassie on their way down the stairs, after having a tour of the property

“It’s beautiful, a remarkable find” Cassie responds, still looking around

“Thank you” Aaron responds, feeling proud.

“How did you guys even find this place?” Cassie asks, turning to Alex, who had been silent all through

“Perks of being in a real estate business” Alex responds with a shrug, as the three head towards the front door

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“Don’t you two have work to do?” Cassie asks, wondering why they would prefer going on a tour around town

“We don’t begin until Thursday actually. Just needed to get out of the house” Aaron confesses

“Oh! I see, okay then, what do you guys have in mind?” Cassie asks, now getting excited

“I’d like a drink” Aaron tells her smiling

“This early in the day?” Cassie asks, staring at him with wide eyes

“He has his moments” Alex tells her

“Well then, I think I know the best place” Cassie says with a grin, before picking out her phone from her bag

The drive to Roger’s palace was filled with mostly Aaron and Cassie’s voices and occasionally, Alex’s. Aaron talked about their plans of moving into the house and Cassie told them about the new book she had been working on. They let her talk all through the drive, while Aaron kept asking her questions after questions, which she seemed to enjoy. Cassie was amused on how focused Alex was on the road, it was like the moment his palms touched the steering, he was in a whole new world.

It made her feel important every time he would shift his focus to her and give a smile or say something regarding her story. She enjoyed every moment with them and liked how carefree she could be around them. She knew for certain that she was attracted to them, but it was slowly becoming easier to handle. It would pass; she would remind herself each time her fantasies began to take over.

“We’re here” Alex declares

The two men tilt their heads to take a good look at the building in front of them and Cassie giggles at how confused they looked. Roger’s palace always had that effect on newbies, Cassie knew that very much

“Are you sure we’re at the right place?” Alex turns, asking Cassie

“We are, come on now” she tells them, stepping out of the car

The two men followed Cassie closely, staring around and taking note of the people that walked in and out of the building. From the outside, it was just an ordinary building, but when they got inside, it looked like a whole different story.

There was a mini bar at the end of the room, with a large pool table adjacent to it and where the living room should have been had been turned into a dance floor for people. There were bean bags placed at every corner of the room with dim lights around that gave it an aura of intimacy.

“Wow” Aaron finally says

“I know, I said the same the first time I came here” Cassie tells him, taking both their hands and pulling them further into the house. They brushed pass random people who were drinking, talking, and having pockets of fun

Cassie shows them to some empty seats and heads to the bar to get them drinks.

“Hey Carl!” Cassie calls

“Cas! Its been a while!” The young man at the other side of the bar says with excitement as he gives Cassie a hug through the counter

“I know Carl, I’m sorry” Cassie apologizes with a smile

“All’s forgiven, is B here?” Carl asks, looking around

“No, he’s at work. Can I have two beers and a coke? And don’t forget my favorite” Cassie smiles at him

“Say no more. Dad misses you, come over one of these day’s” Carl said before turning away to get her order.

“Two beers for you two and the rest for me” Cassie says after getting back with their drinks and settling down

“Can I smoke here?” Alex asks, taking Cassie by surprise with his question. She had not imagined him to be a smoker, she had not imagined any of them to be smokers.

“Look around Alex” she says sarcastically, with a smile,

The music that filled the air was relaxing, Alex takes out a joint, placing it in-between his lips and just on cue, Aarons brings out a lighter, lighting the joint for Alex, who pulls the smoke into his lungs.

Cassie could see how his muscles relaxed after a couple of puffs; she enjoyed his lips as they made the needed movements in smoking. She had not realized how much she missed smoking until now. She suddenly felt herself craving a few puffs

“Can i?” she asks, talking to Alex

He gives her a nod, almost choking in an attempt to answer, before passing the joint to her. Cassie takes in a few puffs and leans back into her chair letting herself relax fully and enjoy the euphoria.

The music seemed to grow louder and as it did, Cassie could no more resist the urge to join the people on the dance floor. She passes the joint back to Alex who looks at her and nods again as he receives it. Cassie knew she had fought the urge way too much, so she decides to give in. She gets up and heads to the dance floor, getting lost in a world of her own as she sways her hips from side to side.