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Chapter eight

CHAPTER EIGHT

Cassie POV

I got the work done on time and I’m heading over to the Publishing House.

I hope Dean’s not there but, I have a sinking feeling that he just might be.

Either way I have nothing to say to him.

If he wants to give my job to some other intern, that’s his prerogative.

Maybe then he’ll realise he cannot treat me this way.

‘But the dream Cassie. Don’t forget about the dream.’

The little nagging voice that is me, is back.

‘Forget the dream.’ I tell myself

‘It was just that, a dream.’

But I know the truth, who was I kidding.

It was so much more than that.

It sparked something in me, something that I haven’t felt before… ever.

I arrive at the office.

I walk up the steps, take a deep breath and enter the building. Everyone is bustling around, doing their jobs.

I head straight to Jericho’s office.

I can see he’s inside by the shadow he’s casting under the door.

I go to knock, when the door suddenly opens.

Jericho’s stepping out the door as I’m entering.

We’re currently nose to nose.

Form an outsider’s perspective, it’s very romantic.

From mine, it’s very intruding.

But neither one of us moves, we stay stuck in this moment, like statues.

After a minute maybe, I step back and out of his way.

“Sorry Mr. Dean, I didn’t notice you were coming out.”

I look up.

He’s just standing there, looking at me.

I shy away, he finally speaks up.

“Erm yes, Miss Knox. I was expecting you. Did you finish the manuscripts?”

I’m now trying to figure out the feelings and my mind spinning from the little encounter we just had.

Was it just me?

Did he feel something also?

Am I stupid to even think that?

But from the way he was looking at me, it seemed like he was.

I realise I haven’t answered his question and quickly pipe up “Y-y-yes sir.” I clear my throat a little

“Yes sir. All manuscripts have been done and I have noted them accordingly.”

“Good. You may go, I don’t need anything else from you today. I know it’s your winter break, so go enjoy it. If I need anything else, I’ll call, not text.”

My jaw has hit the floor and I’m struggling to pick it up.

‘Did he really just tell me to go home and enjoy myself?’

I’m in shock, I was ready for a showdown.

I was ready to quit my internship because I was under the assumption, he was going to be a total asshole to me about the work. This was unprecedented.

I didn’t know what to say.

I was just standing there staring at him.

I bet I looked like a right twat.

“You sure, Mr Dean.”

Is all I could muster up the courage to say.

At this point Amy has heard the conversation and is giving me this look that says, ‘Don’t question it girl… run.’

I laugh mentally.

He’s now looking at me.

Probably wondering what I’m doing still standing there.

“I’m sure Cassandra. Go have some fun.”

Well, that was it for me.

I didn’t want to waste this opportunity.

I grabbed my stuff and ran (not ran more sped walked) out of there.

Waved a quick bye to Amy and I was gone.

I quickly went down the stone steps outside the building, then I quite literally ran to my car, just in case he changed his mind from then to now.

I speed off looking back in my rear view to make sure he wasn’t chasing after me, telling me to come back.

No sign of him, I let out a sign of relief. I put the radio on, volume up and I speed all the way home.

With a massive grin on my face.

Jericho POV

I knew she was coming into the office today.

I gave her the deadline.

The work didn’t need to be done so urgently; I just wanted an excuse to see her again.

She was pissed at me.

Quite frankly I was pissed at her as well.

I texted and called her, multiple times without any reply.

She knows how much I hate texting.

And she knows I don’t like having to ring more than once also, yet she keeps pushing my limits.

I let her… Why do I let her?

‘It’s because you love her dummy’. I wouldn’t say love… Or would I?

I must admit the feelings I’m starting to feel for Cassie, aren’t like anything I’ve felt before.

Especially for another human being anyway.

It could possibly well be love. T

he only way I’ll know for certain, is if I spend some time with her… outside of work.

Say, Annual Family Sunday Brunch, for instance.

But that only gives me 4 days to ask. I could always tell her it’s a no questions asked request.

Or an event that she must attend.

Attendance mandatory.

But then, I don’t want her to feel like she must go with me.

I want her to want to be there with me.

I want her to want… me.

I’m in the office and I get the same feeling I did before, wash over me.

She’s here.

I can feel her.

I’m about to leave the office in search of her.

She’s here.

Right in front me.

So close.

Close enough that our lips are nearly touching.

She’s looking at me, as I’m looking down at her.

The heat between our bodies is rising.

It feels like the world around us has stopped, it’s just me and Cassandra, no one else.

I want so badly to reach out and touch her.

I don’t.

I want to embrace her in my arms, just like the way I did in my dream and his her until she melts into me.

I don’t.

She inches away, the world’s moving again.

I’m still staring at her.

I can’t believe we were so close, and I just stood there.

She’s now side eyeing me as I’m asking about the work.

She slinks further back like she’s afraid.

She tells me what I want to hear.

Suddenly, it’s almost like I have an epiphany.

I start to think that if I want her to come to this Family Brunch on Sunday, that I need to start using a different tactic.

She’s finishing her answer to my question when I tell her to go home and have fun.

I’m shocked.

After the words fly out of my mouth, I’m surprised I even know the word FUN.

‘Too late to take it back now.’

My favourite friend reminds me.

But in all honesty, if I want her to come with me, or even be mine for that matter.

I must treat her differently.

She’s staring at me, like I’m not the same person who’s being riding her this whole time.

She’s speechless.

It’s actually quite funny to see, from my perspective. She kind of blinks, like she wasn’t there and didn’t hear what I said. She heard me perfectly.

But I repeat myself.

Before I know it, she’s out the door and I walk back into my office.

Alone.

“What was I thinking?” I tell myself quietly.

“How is this going to make her want to come with me?

Let alone fall in love with me.

For all I know she’s already got someone… to love her.”

No, I would have at least seen a photo, or even seen him pick her up after work.

There’s no one special in her life, no one that’s clearly made her theirs, I’m certain of it.

Still even if she had, he’s no challenge for me.

I’d shoot down any competitor that tried to claim Cassandra’s heart.

And when she was mine.

I’d make it known to the world that she belongs to me.

But for the moment I must play this safe.

Get her on side…

Making her fall hopelessly in love with me, now that was the real challenge and one, I was ready for.

The question was though…

Was she ready for what was about to happen, the way I was hoping she was?

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