Chapter 4: The Start of Something

Lance

I WAS supposed to meet a client before I head out of town. I have been working on this for months and my breakup with my ex should not be a hindrance to my business. Good thing that the client I was meeting was usually late, or else I would have more than I can take on my now full plate of problems.

My flight to the Philippines was supposed to be in an hour but I was still here at my Penthouse waiting for this certain someone to wake up. I already called my doctor friend to check on her. He said she would be fine and was just slightly shaken up.

I was intrigued by her. She looked so fragile and serene while she slept. I have been looking at her for the past 30 minutes and I think I have memorized her features.

She is pretty. Well, pretty is an understatement. I think she looks captivatingly beautiful. Her heart shaped face, her well defined brows and nose, her soft looking skin and her lips. God, those lips! I wonder how that would taste.

“Damnation! What am I thinking? I may be losing my mind.” I was silently scolding myself when she opened her eyes.

Her honey brown eyes that made my heart jump. She looked at me, blinked several times as if in awe then replaced with fear as she probably realized that I am a stranger. She looked around the room before staring back at me.

I may look like an idiot as I think I have been so openly staring at her. I had to mask my emotions as she is causing turmoil on my brain. I was confident I did not hit my head. Now I’m not so sure.

“Where am I? What happened? Who are you?” she asked.

“At my penthouse. You were thrown into me at the cafe. I am Lance Montgomery. What's your name?” I was still looking at her eyes, but then she looked away.

“Thank you for saving me. I am... “

Suddenly she was silent. Oh God, please don't tell me she forgot who she was! I have so much to worry about.

Cassandra

I FEEL strange. I feel someone is staring at me and I must open my eyes. I heard a voice whispering something. That voice. I opened my eyes and I think I was suddenly out of breath.

He is the most handsome man I have ever seen. Well, it probably is the first description I can think of as I am very disoriented. I feel like having an adrenaline rush.

I realized I have been so engrossed with his gorgeous features that I momentarily forget where I am and what happened.

“Where am I? What happened? Who are you?”

“At my penthouse. You were thrown into me at the cafe. I am Lance Montgomery. What's your name?” He replied.

Oh God, why does that voice have to sound so sexy? I had to look away from our eye contact or else I will be turned into a puddle.

“Thank you for saving me. I am... “I was about to tell him my name when an idea popped into my now semi functioning mind.

“I am Cassie Nueva.”

He looked relieved when I answered. I wonder why is that?

“Sorry to intrude on your privacy and to be a burden but I have to ask you a huge favor.” I nervously continued.

“And what would that huge favor be?” He asked and I almost run out of the room from my nervousness and fear of rejection.

“I am wondering if probably I could stay here for a while. I will work for my stay. I can do your house chores. Wash the laundry. Cook your meals. Mow your lawn. Clean...” I was blabbering on when he raised his hands to stop me from talking.

“I don't have a lawn. This is a Penthouse. And, why would I do that?”

“Well, because ...”

Well, that is a good question. I am out of words. My university degree and numerous academic awards cannot help my brain function now.

“I am...” Crap!

“I have a proposal.” And I had to look back at him who is intensely staring at me.

“What?”

“Accompany me on my vacation, pretend to be my girlfriend and we will see from then.”

I almost choked on my saliva when I heard his proposal.

Think Cassie! This is your chance to escape. You have limited funds, you are out of options. You need to get away. Soon they will trace you and you cannot let that happen.

“I don't have all day Cassie.”

His voice got me out of my reverie and I had no choice but to answer.

“Yes.”

I took the risk. And I have never felt so excited and scared at the same time.