Arielle's POV
I crawled into bed, still blushing and squealing from the kiss we just shared. It was… majestic. For a first kiss, it felt like something out of a dream.
I called Nelly and told her everything—from the moment I met him to how our lips finally met.
"Oh my God, Riri! That's so romantic!" she squealed.
We talked for over an hour until her phone died, leaving me alone with my thoughts.
My first ever kiss… and it was him. Cassian.
We weren't even dating yet. I wasn't sure if I had feelings for him—at least not feelings I could explain—but I still gave him my first kiss.
Does it even matter, though?
My heart has never lied to me before.
And that kiss… it was real. Not something faked or forced. Just… real.
Later That Night
I was crying and screaming.
"Mom!! MOM! Please wake up!!"
Running from neighbor to neighbor, desperate for help.
Her blood soaked my hands.
The pain. The fear. The loss.
And then—
I woke up.
Drenched in sweat. Tears slipping down my face. The nightmare again. The same one I always have.
I glanced at the clock. 4:37 a.m.
With a heavy sigh, I got up, poured myself a glass of milk, and buried my head in schoolwork to distract myself.
When I was done, I tried to get at least an hour of sleep.
Cassian's POV
Fuck. My head hurt.
Probably from all the whiskey I drowned myself in after last night's argument with my father.
But today wasn't about me.
I made a promise—to her.
And I wasn't about to break it.
I threw on a clean white shirt with a crisp collar, paired it with black tailored pants. Sprayed on my cologne.
Classy, clean, sharp.
I told Sarah, my maid, to just make coffee and hold off on breakfast. I had to get to Arielle.
I texted her.
No reply.
Weird. She usually responds fast.
I drove to her house and noticed something off right away—her front door wasn't locked. Not wide open either. Just shut, without a key.
Arielle never leaves the door like that.
My chest tightened.
Did my father make a move? Did Russo find her?
I stormed in, ready to burn the world down—
And found her…
Curled up on the couch.
Laptop open on her lap.
Hair wild, a soft blanket hugging her legs.
Sleeping like a damn angel.
God.
Her face. Her lips.
Even like this, she looked perfect.
She stirred, eyes fluttering open—then screamed.
"AHHHHH!"
She grabbed a pillow and threw it straight at my face.
"Arielle—it's me! Cassian!" I said quickly, laughing.
She relaxed, but not fully.
"How—how did you get in? And when did you get in?"
"The door wasn't locked. Just shut. So I came in."
"Oh…" she rubbed her face, embarrassed. "Maybe I forgot to lock it when I woke up at midnight. I'm sorry."
Her soft morning smile nearly killed me. I chuckled.
"You should really check a mirror."
She raised her phone, looked at her reflection, and groaned. "Very funny, Mr. Morello…"
Then her eyes widened.
"Wait—if you're here… that means it's TIME FOR CHURCH!"
She rushed toward the bathroom in a frenzy while I laughed and sank into the couch, waiting.
After what felt like an hour, she came out wearing a beautiful yellow dress.
Bright. Radiant. Effortless.
She was sunshine—my sunshine.
"Alright, Miss Monroe," I said with a smirk, offering her my arm, "Let's get going."
Arielle's POV
Church service was surprisingly peaceful. The choir's harmony echoed in the air, the pastor's voice was calm yet firm, and even Cassian—sitting beside me in his crisp white shirt—seemed… composed. Focused.
He wasn't checking his phone. He wasn't scanning the room like a bodyguard. He was just there, beside me, hands gently folded in his lap.
I peeked at him a few times.
Okay, maybe more than a few.
Every time I looked at him, he looked like a sin sitting in holiness.
The sermon ended, and as we stepped out of the building, the sun kissed the earth with just enough warmth—not too harsh, not too dim. Cassian helped me down the steps, his hand protectively at the small of my back, sending warmth up my spine.
"You okay?" he asked softly.
"Yeah," I smiled. "It was… calming. I needed that."
He nodded, smiling faintly. "I could get used to this. If it means spending Sundays with you."
I blushed—again. God, was I ever going to stop blushing around this man?
We were still walking toward his car when I heard a familiar voice squeal from behind us.
"RIRIII!!"
I turned around to see Naomi, my little hurricane of a sister, rushing toward me in her oversized t-shirt and jeans, her curls bouncing wildly.
She hugged me tightly, then pulled back—and her eyes immediately zoomed in on the man beside me.
"Whoa…"
She blinked twice, then looked at me.
Then back at him.
Then at me again.
"Riri… are you dating a Greek god or what?!"
Cassian chuckled deeply, offering his hand. "Cassian Morello. You must be Naomi."
Naomi ignored the handshake and raised a brow at me. "So this is the reason you hadn't call me throughout the weekend huh?"
"I didn't say that," I said, rolling my eyes.
She leaned in and whispered loudly, "Sis, he's hot. Like, melt-your-bones hot. If you don't want him, I'll take him."
Cassian, overhearing every word, simply smirked.
"I'm afraid I'm taken," he said, eyes locked on mine. "Very taken."
Naomi smirked, folding her arms. "Well, well, someone's serious. I like you already."
I nudged her, flustered. "Naomi, please."
"What?" she grinned. "He's obviously head over heels. I mean, look at how he's staring at you like you're a glass of cold water in the Sahara."
Cassian chuckled again, and for once, I didn't stop Naomi's teasing.
Because it felt good.
It felt right.
Like for a moment, things were normal.
Like maybe, just maybe, I could have this.
Him.
Peace.
Joy.
"Okay okay Naomi, your sister and I aren't dating," Cassian said with a chuckle. "I'm just… interested in her."
I elbowed him lightly in the ribs. "Don't say it like that," I muttered, embarrassed.
Naomi raised an eyebrow. "Riri, why aren't you two dating then?"
"Because we just met on Friday—gosh, you two!" I almost shouted, already regretting telling her anything.
Naomi's eyes widened. "Wait. You met on Friday and you're already going to church together like some kind of married couple? Awww, that's so cute!"
Cassian grinned and ran a hand through his hair, smug. "Yeah, I'm an international man. Things move fast."
"Alright, ladies," he added, glancing at both of us. "Let's not stand here forever. I'm sure you're both starving."
"Oh fuck yes, I'm dying of hunger," Naomi said before I smacked her lightly on the back of the head.
"What did I say about all those ratchet words like 'fuck'?" I scolded.
"Sorry, Riri," she muttered with a pout.
Cassian laughed softly, clearly amused by our dynamic.
We made our way toward his car and Naomi's jaw practically hit the floor.
"Wait. Mr. Morello—this is your car?!"
"Yes it is, darling," Cassian replied with that dangerous smirk of his as he opened the door for me like a gentleman.
Naomi slid into the back seat, still gawking at the interior like she'd just entered a spaceship. "This car smells like rich decisions and heartbreak," she whispered.
I tried not to laugh.
"So, princess," Cassian said as he started the engine, "where are we headed—or should I decide?"
The way he called me princess—especially in front of Naomi—made my cheeks heat instantly. I could already feel her teasing gaze burning into me from the back seat.
"Anywhere you want, Cassian," I replied softly.
Naomi, being Naomi, jumped back in. "So, Mr. Morello… what do you do for a living to afford a car that looks like it belongs in a billionaire spy movie?"
"I'm a businessman," Cassian replied smoothly. "I work in importing and exporting… and a few other things."
"What kind of 'other things'?" Naomi asked, curious.
"Just… family business," he said, the cold edge at the end of his words clear, and instantly shifting the mood.
Naomi, of course, didn't get the hint. "What kind of—"
"Naomi," I cut in, turning in my seat to glare at her. "This is not an interrogation room. Sit right and behave."
She rolled her eyes but leaned back without another word.
We soon pulled up at another high-end restaurant, the kind that had a valet waiting before you even opened the door. Cassian stepped out and opened mine like he always did. Classy. Elegant. Always making me feel seen.
Inside, everything was pristine. Staff moved with precision, the aroma of luxury meals floating in the air. The ambiance hummed with soft jazz, and the lighting was warm—inviting. We took our seats at a private table, and Naomi, still visibly stunned, whispered, "This looks like a place you need to sell a kidney to eat in."
We laughed, and for once, everything felt… light.
We ordered our food and sat back, the hush of luxury surrounding us.
But even with the noise of silverware and murmurs in the background, the only thing I could feel was his eyes on me—intense, unwavering.
And maybe, just maybe, I didn't mind it.