Chapter 5

Cassandra's POV

The evening came faster than I expected.

By seven, my room looked like a clothing store had exploded inside it.

Dresses were scattered across my bed, shoes were lying everywhere, and Stacy stood beside my wardrobe with the expression of someone who had already regretted agreeing to help me.

"Try this one."

I held up the dress she handed me and looked at it critically.

"Really?"

"Yes. Now go."

I laughed and disappeared into the bathroom to change.

For once, Stacy didn't have to argue with me for twenty minutes about what I was wearing. The dress fit perfectly, and after a few adjustments to my hair and makeup, I was ready.

I looked at myself in the mirror, a yellow backless dress and my hair put up in a messy bun.

I actually looked like a normal twenty-three-year-old going out for the evening.

"Done," I announced.

Stacy looked up from her phone.

"Finally."

"I wasn't even that long."

"You've been complaining about clothes for an hour."

She laughed and grabbed her purse.

We headed downstairs.

The moment we stepped outside, I noticed the vehicle waiting behind ours.

I frowned.

"Is that one of Dad's cars?"

Stacy glanced through the window.

"Looks like it."

I sighed.

Of course.

Even when my father allowed me to leave the house, he still had to make sure I was being watched.

We climbed into the car, and soon we were on our way.

I tried not to think about the vehicle following us.

Tonight was supposed to be about having fun.

I wasn't going to let my father's security ruin it. So much for feeling like a normal 23 year old.

When we finally arrived at the bar, the music could already be heard from outside. People crowded around the entrance, laughing and talking as they waited to get inside.

I followed Stacy in.

The place was much louder than I expected.

Music filled the room, lights flashed across the walls, and people moved around us in every direction.

Stacy looked at her phone.

"I'll be right back."

I frowned.

"Where are you going?"

"Someone texted me. I need to find them."

"Who?"

"I'll tell you later."

Before I could question her further, she disappeared into the crowd.

I sighed and made my way toward the bar.

Fine.

I could handle being alone for a few minutes, I ordered a martini and took a sip.

It tasted better than I remembered. Maybe because I hadn't had one in a while, I finished it slowly, then ordered another.

That one was a mistake.

I was a lightweight and I knew that. But I was just a bit bored.

By the time I finished the second drink, the room felt slightly warmer and the music seemed louder than before.

I rested my elbow against the bar.

Okay.

Maybe I should stop there.

Definitely stop there. Then I heated a voice close me,

"Cute."

I looked to my side.

A man was standing beside me, he had a confident smile that immediately made me suspicious.

"Thanks," I said, turning back toward my drink.

He didn't leave.

" are you here alone?"

"No."

"Where's your boyfriend?"

"I don't have one."

His smile widened.

"Even better."

Shit....I should have told him my boyfriend would be here soon. I just decided to ignore him

He continued talking anyway.

I gave him short answers, hoping he'd eventually understand that I wasn't interested.

He didn't.

Instead, he moved closer.

I looked around for Stacy.

Where was she?

"I think you should give me some space."

He laughed.

"Relax. I'm just trying to talk."

"I'm not interested in talking to you."

His smile faded slightly.

"Come on, I just want to get to know you."

He reached for my hand.

I immediately pulled back.

"Don't touch me"

He caught my hand before I could move away.

"Just come with me."

My stomach tightened.

"Let go."

He tugged at my hand, trying to pull me closer.

I planted my feet.

"I said let go."

For a second, I wondered whether I had been foolish for coming here. I was about to push him away when another hand closed firmly around his wrist.

The man's grip on me disappeared instantly.

I looked up.

And everything inside me stopped.

Xavier.

His dark brown eyes were fixed on me. There was something intense in his expression, something that made my heartbeat stumble.

I stared at him.

But the name left my lips before I could stop it.

"Xander."

Silence.

The moment the word escaped me, I froze.

Xander?

Who was Xander?

I didn't know anyone by that name.

Yet the name felt familiar.

Too familiar.

Xavier's expression changed and shock flashed across his face. He looked completely caught off guard.

Then his eyes softened.

He stared at me like I just said something he had been waiting centuries to hear.

Then his gaze dropped briefly to my hand before returning to my face.

"You have to be careful of who you talk to, my love."

His voice was low.

Gentle.

The words seemed to slip from him without thought.

My eyes widened slightly.

My love.

I should have questioned it, I really should have but it felt so good to hear from him. It felt natural.

like that was what he was always meant to call me.

Like I heard them before.

Xavier seemed to realize what he had said, and his jaw tightened.

He released my wrist and stepped back a bit.

I was still staring at him.

"Xavier..."

Before I could say anything else, his eyes shifted past me.

I followed his gaze and Stacy was walking toward us.

Xavier's expression immediately changed, whatever softness had been there disappeared.

He stepped away.

"Wait—"

But he was already moving.

He slipped into the crowd before I could stop him.

I watched him disappear.

It was almost as though standing so close to me had become too much for him.

"Cassy?"

I turned.

Stacy was beside me, her eyes moved from me to the crowd.

"What happened?"

"Nothing."

She frowned.

"Nothing?"

I nodded.

"Yeah I'm fine."

She studied me for another second before sighing.

"Come on. We're going to the private room."

I followed her.

But my mind stayed behind, the strange name I had called him, the way he had looked at me and the endearment that had felt so familiar.

The question refused to leave my mind.

What connection could I possibly have with Xavier Vance?