Addicted

Chapter 5: Unexpected

"Damien Young, 26, Graduated from NYU, Accountant at Sherman Group. Grew up in Brooklyn, not much of a record here, just one assault case but it was dropped."

Ethan caressed his chin as he looked out the window in deep thought.

"Why was the case dropped?" He asked. Nick shuffled through some more papers and then shrugged.

"Lack of evidence, judge concluded everything was here say." Ethan leaned forward.

"Come on Nick, what did the original report say?" NIck shuffled through some more papers before finally speaking.

"A young female accused him of turning violent towards her after she declined his advances. She stated he strangled and beat her, but she didn't go to a doctor. She didn't have any bruises on her, essentially, she had nothing to prove the abuse. Also that was 8 years ago. He was 18 so who knows."

Ethan nodded and exhaled. He had to let it go. He didn't like this Damien character but he had no good reason to try to get rid of him.

His thoughts were interrupted when a knock came to the door.

"Come in." His voice bellowed out.

The door opened revealing Cassandra in an all black jumpsuit. Her hair was pulled up in a tight bun making all her features pop. 'Damn' was the only thing that popped in Ethan's head.

"Sorry for interrupting." Cassandra says softly. Ethan leans up shaking his head.

"Don't apologize, what can I help you with?" She walks in, giving a small smile and nod to Nick as she walks up to Ethan's desk placing a stack of papers on it.

"I just made some edits to this proposal. Can you look over them and let me know your thoughts?" Her voice shook at the end causing Ethan to gaze up at her. 'Was she nervous?' He thought to himself.

He smiled and gave her a nod. "Of course, I'm sure I'll love whatever you put in. You always do a fantastic job Cassie." Ethan said, giving her a genuine smile.

Cassandra returned the smile before making her way back to the door. "Thank you, Mr. Shaw." She smiled again and walked out the door pulling it closed behind her.

"Cassie?" Nick said with a smirk on his face. Ethan rolled his eyes and stifled the smirk that threatened to form on his lips. He didn't mean to call her that out loud, it just kinda came out. He's been calling her that in his head for weeks now but today it just flowed out.

"Don't start." He said as he opened the files, skimming through them quickly.

"Lips sealed." Nick said with a smirk before grabbing another stack Cassandra left.

****

Cassandra sat at her desk typing away as her mind kept replaying what Ethan called her. She had to admit, she liked that he decided to call her Cassie instead of Cassandra. She stifled the smile that was forming on her face and continued to work.

"What has you smiling so much?" Alice asked. "Or shall I ask whom?" She said with a smirk. Cassandra smiled but shook her head.

"Just random thoughts." She said as she quickly glanced up to look at Alice before returning her gaze back to the computer screen.

"Umhm okay, any lunch dates today?" Cassandra shook her head no. "Great! Lets get lunch together?"

Cassandra thought for a moment. She really wasn't the type to make new friends. She honestly loved keeping to herself, less drama that way. She looked at Alice and watched as she gave a pleading look. Cassandra sighed and gave a soft smile.