3. Chasing Him

Cassie is on fire.

She is wandering around Mathias for half an hour with her heart pondering. She tries not to be clumsy like that high school girl who is excitedly stalking Mr. Raptis.

Whenever Cassie struggles to meet his gaze, Mathias turns to answer a friend. Or when she tries to offer him a drink, someone drags the man to the furthest corner of the garden.

Cassie huffs as her shoulders fall in disappointment. It is getting late and the party is about to end. She has no idea when she can see Mathias after today for-

“Is that Cassie?”

She shivers head to toe after hearing that scratchy female voice.

Oh, no. No, no… Turning around slowly, she looks at the owner of it, at Mrs. Raptis.

Mathias’s wife.

The arrogant woman is examining Cassie with a haughty gaze like she used to do in the past. Like she is trying to find a physical defect on Cassie’s body that she can never find. When their eyes finally meet, Cassie sees the sourness in the woman’s eyes that results from the failure.

Mrs. Raptis is known by her disdainful attitudes toward people in the neighborhood as having a rich family, thanks to her husband’s high-income business. Unlike Mathias, she loves putting their wealth in people's eyes.

Emily Raptis can’t stand that if someone has a nice appearance than hers or a more successful child than her babies. She is obsessed with giving the impression of a perfect family, but Cassie knows that their flawless image is just a false facade.

“Yes, it’s you.” Emily says with a feigned surprise. She is chilling with a few neighbors around her. “I almost couldn’t recognize you, my dear. Looks like you’ve gained weight.”

Cassie struggles to beam a confident smile but fails. “It’s nice to see you, too, Mrs. Raptis.” She anxiously pushes a strand of hair behind her ear. “Actually, I am at my ideal weight.”

Becoming a confident and successful young girl after all those years, Cassie shouldn’t be intimidated by Emily but she just can’t help it. Even lots of male fans who adore her alluring physique is not enough for Cassie to be confident against this woman’s criticizing gaze.

Emily cocks her perfectly shaped eyebrow. “I am sure you have some extras.” She purses her lips disapprovingly. “You should reduce eating fatty foods, my dear.”

Ugh, the audacity!

While Cassie’s heart dips to her stomach against those rude words, another neighbor interjects. “In fact,” Aunt Gilda says. “I’ve been trying to shape my hips exactly the way she has.” Wrapping an arm around Cassie with affection, she looks at her in the eye. “What I wouldn’t give to have a narrow waist like yours, Cass.”

She thanks Aunt Gilda for smiling warmly. This lovely hairdresser is her mother’s best friend and Cassie’s favorite neighbor in Long Island.

Other women ask her questions about her life in Los Angeles. Cassie always wanted to become a manager and do her own business. Four years ago, she left her hometown for education in LA. She graduated from Portes College, Department of Restaurant Management with honor and flew back to her home.

“My Avra will finish law school next year.” Mrs. Raptis says out of nowhere. “You should see how successful she is. I am sure she will be an honor student.” Then she turns to Cassie and sadly draws. “I hope you can find a nice job soon, my dear. It is not easy to become a thing in your field.”

Cassie grits her teeth and inwardly curses that arrogant woman. This is her house and she can’t cause a scene that would embarrass her parents. Also, when it comes to Emily, she always turns into a tongue-tied little girl. This woman has a strange spell over Cassie that she can’t name. So, she just smiles and thanks Mrs. Raptis for her best wishes and turns around to walk toward the cocktail table.

How could an ice floe like Emily pick up a warm-hearted man like Mathias and hold him inside her palm for years?

“I will never learn how.” She restlessly murmurs to herself. Lost in her thoughts, she can’t see her father and his friend getting closer to the cocktails.

"Oh, Cass." Peter calls her, shaking Cassie out of her stupor.

She turns around and sees Mathias is standing right behind her like a marble statue. Thank God he is not looking at her or she would turn into a puddle in front of his feet.

Swallowing with excitement, she looks at her father. “Yes, dad?”

Her father seems uneasy. "We couldn't do it today, but tomorrow I will give you a ride, okay?"

"It's okay, dad." Cassie smiles at him, she needed to go shopping but her father wasn't available all day. "Another time we-"

"I can drive you to the town now." Mathias interrupts.

Cassie surprises against his kind offer, then freezes. The idea of being alone with him in a narrow space makes her speechless.

Hot. It's so hot today.

"You are not going home?" Her father asks with confusion.

"Unfortunately." Mathias casually answers. "I need to catch another meeting."

Is it only her, or is it very hot today?

"Oh thanks, buddy. I owe you one." Peter continues as his daughter still tries to find her voice. He pats Mathias's shoulder and turns to Cassie. "Don't be late, princess." Then he leaves them alone.

Mathias's eyes turn to Cassie again. They slowly travel up and down on her body as he licks his lips. They linger some strategic parts before meeting with her gaze.

"Shall we?" He sighs as looking at her face intensely and adds with a cocky smile. "Princess?"

So. Fucking. Hot.

Cassie tries to sound calm like she isn't melting inside. "I don't wanna cause you trouble, Mr. Raptis."

"Nonsense." He murmurs and opens the garden door. "Call me Mathias, sweetheart." He gently waits for her to go first.

Cassie gives him a confident smile as an answer and bites her lip again. Sweetheart!?

On their way to Mathias's house, they walk in silence. Cassie feels her heart pounders harder with every step she takes. They reach the garage and enter the dim place.

Cassie approaches his car and turns around to see him closing the door. Playing with her long hair, she asks. "How many minutes will it take you to drive us, Mr. Rap- Mathias?" She emphasizes his name in a sensual way.

He chuckles at her audacity and licks his lips. "How long do you need, sweetheart?" Mathias murmurs as coming closer to the other side of the car.

"I can't guess." Cassie is being sassy now, she tosses her hair over her shoulder and turns back to the car. Feeling bold under his intense gaze, she seductively sways her hips as walking to the backseat. "When is your meeting?" She looks at his face.

Mathias chuckles at her tempting attitude again, his eyes are piercing hers. "There is no fucking meeting sweety." He declares with an impatient voice. "Now, get in the car."

Cassie bites her lip with enthusiasm, her intimacy begins to throb again. She opens the door and looks at Mathias as smiling mischievously. "I think the meeting is here."