Chapter 5 Highschool Boyfriend

• "Bye, Romeo! Be a good boy! I will be back soon!"
• After checking if the door is locked twice, I took the elevator.
• I didn't want those debt collectors to come and barge into my apartment in my absence. Even though the time they gave me was still unexpired, I didn't trust them.
• Just as I was about to pull the door of the car, I felt a presence behind me. With an alert heart, I whirled around.
• A set of pearly white teeth greeted me. "Hey, Cassie! What's up?"
• "Aaron!" I let out a sigh of relief. No drunk men again. "Don't sneak up behind me like that next time!"
• He frowned as sunlight shone on his blonde hair. "I'm sorry. Did I scare you? I didn't mean that."
• "Whatever. What are you doing here? Last time I checked you didn't even know me."
• A grimace pinched his boyish features.
• "Uh, I'm so sorry for that statement, Cassie. You know, you were stuck in a scandal with that case and if I told the paparazzi that I was dating you, it would be bad for my uncle's reputation. As well as mine as I'm going to debut into the movies soon. I'm really embarrassed about that, Cassie. But I had a huge pressure on my shoulders. That's why when the paparazzi asked me questions about us, I denied."
• I scoffed.
• He was from our middle school. My first boyfriend, for a week. After our childish fling ended, he suddenly appeared at a party three months ago, as a film-star's nephew. I didn't even know his uncle was in movies.
• After the party, he asked me out and I agreed, only for the sake of our childhood. We went on dates several times before Todd happened. And after that, he suddenly became a stranger who barely knew me.
• Fucking coward!
• "So why are you here now?" I raised a brow. "You're not afraid that someone may see you with me?"
• "Todd has been proved guilty. Your name is clear now. So there is no issue. I'm sorry again, Cassie. For not supporting you. You know the things we have to do for our career," he said, taking a step forward. "Now that everything is good, can you please forgive me?"
• "I was never upset with you in the first place. So there is nothing to forgive."
• At his confused state, I continued.
• "People get upset with people they expect something from. And I didn't expect anything from you. So no worries!" I never had any expectations from anyone. Living without anyone's help and support was a part of my life now.
• "Cassie, please. Try to understand. I had no choice. We were so good together. Can you please give me another chan…"
• "Don't finish that line." At my glare, he went quiet. "We just dated for a month. And you're saying we were good together?"
• Remorse flashed across his features. "But I really like you."
• "And I don't. I agreed to go on a date with you because of the sake of our friendship. That's all. Now get out, I'm getting late."
• He suddenly grabbed my hand. His eyes were desperate. "Cassandra, please. I missed you. Even though we didn't spend much time together, I couldn't get those amber eyes of yours out of my head. I…"
• "Shut your mouth before my fist does, Aaron. I'm getting late. Fuck off!"
• His eyes widened at my outburst. Realizing the seriousness of my tone, he stepped back.
• "Uh, alright. I get it. You're mad at me and we can't go back to our old selves. But can we at least be friends again? Please? Come to my house next week. I'm throwing a party for my debut movie."
• "No." I got into my car and closed the door.
• "Please, Cassie. It will be profitable for you too. There will be a lot of famous faces. You can make a fresh appearance there after the case, you know? It will be good for your career!"
• Now that grabbed my attention. An appearance on the occasion of his upcoming movie?
• He had a point. It would be good for my image. The image that Todd Samuelson ruined.
• "Please? Just think about it," he pleaded through the car window.
• I shrugged.
• "I will think about it. And if I do, don't think I will be there as your date. Just as a guest." Just for my image.
• He winced at my words. But soon a smile spread across his face. "At least you will come. That's enough for me right now. Thank you, Cassie!"
• Before I could react, he leaned in and placed a kiss on my cheek.
• "I will be waiting for you at the party."
• "First of all, I said I will think about it. I didn't confirm anything yet," I said, pushing him out of my breathing zone. "And don't need to be so clingy. Stay in your limits."
• He didn't seem to mind my rude words. "I will keep hoping that you do come to the party. See you soon!"
• As he walked towards his car parked on the street, I blew out a sigh.
• He was right. The things we had to do for our career.
• Now I'll have to tolerate him too.
• As I started the engine, my eyes suddenly zeroed on the cars parked on the other side of the street. Right beside the old two story house that was exactly opposite of my building.
• Two black Range Rovers.
• They were there everyday. There wasn't a day that I didn't see them parked there since I moved in here. The strange thing was no one knew much about the owner of the house and the cars. No one lived there, but the cars would be there twenty four seven. They were not covered or filled with dust. That meant someone used them. But I didn't see anyone around it ever.
• Odd.
• Shaking my head, I focused on the road before driving away.
• I should just think about the surprise Chad had in store for me.
• ***
• "You were supposed to be here at seven. And it's seven thirty." With pursed lips, Chad stood at the entrance with his hands on his hips.
• Grinning, I wrapped my arms around his neck. "Chad! I missed you so much!"
• "That's why you didn't call or message in the last two weeks?"
• "I already apologized for that. You know the shit I was going through when you were enjoying your cousin's wedding in Germany," pulling away, I said.
• Rolling his eyes, he ran his hands through his newly dyed blue hair. "Family pressure, you know? I had to attend. Otherwise I wouldn't leave you alone in that situation."
• I shook my head. "I understand. Family comes first. Anyways, I hope I'm not too late, am I?"
• I would kill Aaron if I was. Though the traffic was to be blamed here.
• "I don't think so. The boss is too eager to have you in the team. So I don't think it would be much of a problem. Let's go! They're waiting for us!"
• I ran after him as he strode inside the huge five star hotel. One of the most lavish ones in the city.
• "Wait, so you've really found a job for me?"
• He nodded, grinning ear to ear. "Yes. And the photographer's job is mine! Isn't that cool? It was my dream to work under this company. And finally my dream came true."
• I gaped.
• "That's amazing, Chad! But how did you manage to do that? And which company is it? They hire models?"
• A wink. "You will know soon. Now come on! She is waiting for us!"
• When we reached the seventeenth floor, Chad took me to the left wing where I was about to meet the boss.
• I wonder who was so excited to work with me even after the scandal?
• As soon as he opened the door, I was left speechless.
• The room, much like a vast hall, was busy with people rushing around with their own designated jobs. On the other side, a busy photoshoot was running. Some models gave poses for the cameras, while some were rechecking their makeup.
• Seeing some of the well known models and the grand set up for the photoshoot, I could tell this company was a big one. With a bigger pocket.
• "Come, this way!" Chad ushered.
• I followed him, but not before glancing back at the photoshoot again.
• I missed it, posing before the cameras.
• Once we stopped before a door after passing some long corridors, Chad knocked twice.
• "Come in!" yelled a voice from inside.
• I frowned.
• It sounded familiar.
• And my suspicion turned out right when we entered the conference room.