Cassian PoV
[Present]
I sighed. So much for our friendship. Now, we're just two idiots who couldn't stand each other. And, it was all my fault. I was the one who ruined it. I was the one who slept with his girlfriend because I was jealous that he was in a loving relationship and I wasn't. I was the idiot who couldn't just be happy for him.
Shelly placed a hand on my shoulder. "You okay?"
I smiled. "Yeah, I'm fine. Let's go."
She hummed. "You don't look fine to me. But we better get started if we want to beat Team Cleaning Dinos."
She gave my shoulder a light squeeze before letting go, her smile returning as she turned and ran toward the mansion.
I pushed the memory of Damien—and my own guilt—aside, focusing on the cleaning competition. Beating Team Cleaning Dinos with her as my partner felt like a small victory I could actually claim. It gave me a chance to get closer to her.
I took off after her, my longer strides catching up as her wavy orange hair bounced ahead of me, a fiery beacon leading the way to the mansion.
We raced through the back entrance, her laughter echoing off the polished floors as we darted past a maid who barely glanced up from her dusting. Shelly's energy was contagious, and I found myself grinning despite the weight I'd been carrying. We climbed the grand staircase to the second floor, her light footsteps barely making a sound while my heavier ones thudded behind her.
"My room is this way," I said, darting past her with a grin, my longer strides pulling ahead as I led the charge down the second-floor hallway. Her laughter followed, light and bright, causing my chest to feel funny.
---
I took a deep breath and opened the door to my room, hoping it wouldn't scare her off.
Shelly looked at the mess and sighed. "Okay, let's get started."
I smiled. "Yeah, let's do this."
She started to pick up the clothes on the floor, folding them neatly. I picked up the trash and threw it away, then grabbed a rag to wipe down the surfaces.
She hummed an upbeat tune to herself as she moved, her hips swaying in time with the music only she could hear.
"Nice song," I said, trying to make conversation.
She smiled. "Thanks, it's just something I made up."
I smiled and continued to clean, but I couldn't help but notice how her wavy hair fell in her face and how she had to push it back with her fingers. Her hands weren't delicate, they were calloused and scarred, showing signs of hard work. Yet, they were gentle as they folded my clothes, her fingers deftly smoothing out the wrinkles.
"Say, I'm sorry for the way I behaved when we first met," I said, trying to break the ice. "I was a jerk."
She looked at me and nodded. "Yeah, you were."
I sighed. She didn't hold back her punches. My voice caught on my throat, unsure what to say. I was an unapologetic player, someone who never regretted his actions. But, with her, I felt different. I wanted her to like me. To think I was a decent guy.
"That said, seems you're more than just a perverted playboy," she said. "You can actually be a decent guy when you're not being an asshole."
I winced. "Ouch. That's harsh."
She chuckled. "It's true. But, you're not bad. Just, a little rough around the edges. You could use some polishing."
I huffed. "I'm not a rock."
She chuckled. "You're not a rock, but you're a diamond in the rough."
My face flushed. "Uh, thanks?"
She laughed and went back to cleaning.
I watched her as she worked. She had a natural beauty, not like the plastic girls I usually hung out with. She was real and genuine. She had a passion and a fire that I hadn't seen in anyone in a long time.
"I'm gonna go wash these shirts," I said, grabbing a pile of clothes.
She nodded and stopped. Her face turned bright red as she took out a pair of leopard spotted briefs from under my bed.
I laughed nervously. "Um, yeah, those are mine. I like to be wild in the bedroom."
Her cheeks burned as she shoved the underwear into my chest. "Now I'm scared of what I'll find under your bed."
I grinned. "Why don't you look and find out?"
She huffed and turned away. "In your dreams, pervert."
I laughed and grabbed the pile of clothes. "I'll be right back."
I ran down the hall to the laundry room, dumping the clothes into one of the machines and setting it to run.
"Hmm, someone seems happy all of a sudden," Isabella said as she appeared behind me.
I turned around. "Oh, hey, brat."
She grinned. "So, what's got you in such a good mood? Did you finally get that slum girl to fall for you?"
I looked down at the machine. The same kind of guilt I felt with Damien tugged at my heart. "No, we're just cleaning my room. We're having a competition with Damien and Toren."
She laughed. "And you're actually cleaning? You're a mess."
My fists clenched. "I can be a decent guy when I want to, you know."
"Sure, whatever you say, big bro."
I sighed and leaned against the washing machine as she walked off with her usual smirk.
"Hey, brat?" I called out. "I'm sorry for not being a good big brother. I'll try harder to be there for you."
Isabella paused and looked back at me, her eyes wide. "What's gotten into you, Cassian? Are you dying or something?"
I scoffed and turned away. "Forget it. See you later, brat!"
"Whatever!" she said, turning and walking away.
I sighed and waited for the washing machine to finish. As I stared at the swirling clothes, my thoughts drifted to Shelly. What was it about her that made my heart ache? Why did I feel guilty for trying to seduce her when I didn't feel that way with anyone else I've ever seduced? I shook my head, trying to clear my mind of those thoughts. I had a job to do. I couldn't let my feelings get in the way.
But, did I really have to rush into this? I could take my time and actually get to know her. Maybe, that's what I needed to do. Maybe, I didn't have to be a player. Maybe, I could actually be a good guy for once in my life.
I sighed and closed my eyes, the sound of the washing machine filling the room. My thoughts kept swirling, just like the clothes in the machine. If only my brain could be washed as easily.