Hot to Handle

Cozy place

Chapter 18.

"I'm alright, Mom." She remarked this when answering the phone. Luke struggled to understand Cassie's mother's comments over the phone. 
"Could you kindly let me talk with your Mom Cassie?" He requested her consent. She looked at him, wondering if it was a good idea to offer him the phone and finally she surrendered.

"Hello there, I apologize for interrupting the conversation with Cassie, but this is Luke, her friend. " He said calmly. 

Cassie felt a pang in her chest when she heard "Friend," which she thought was foolish; of course, Luke was being helpful to her since she is a friend. What does she expect anyway?

There was a minute-long pause on the other end of the telephone.
"My daughter has no friends, she does not want to contact other people, and all she does is stay in her room and lock herself, so how can I trust you?" She answered much more worried now. 

"I apologize, but I will bring your daughter home safely tonight, and then I will properly introduce myself." He was afraid that he might say anything that would make Cassie's mother even more worried.

"So, I'll patiently wait, but if none of you shows up within an hour, I'll reach out to the authorities, and this is not a joke." She warned him.

"We will arrive shortly. "And the call ended.

"Lily, please prepare some of the foods we have available for Cassie to bring home."

Cassie didn't say anything, but she has learned about Luke's personality: when he says something, he says it, and no one is capable of stopping him. He has the power to be fairly authoritative.

They arrive at Cassie's front door after a half-hour trip from Luke's house. 

"So here's the address you gave me, and I believe we just got here," Luke informed Cassie. She was going to open the car door when Luke stopped her.

"Let me grab the door for you." He then walked outside to open it for her and assist her by holding her arms.

"I'm alright Luke; as you can see, I'm not crippled". She teased him, making Luke blush lightly. 

"Your area appears to be a pleasant location to reside." He made a remark as his gaze wandered across the location.

"Well, I'm not sure; as you recall, I don't enjoy going out and exposing myself to people. You already know how I feel about it." She stated this seriously. 

"Don't be too serious, Cass," he chuckled. 

They stood in front of Cassie's front door, and Luke was about to ring the doorbell when the door unexpectedly opened to reveal a lady in her late thirties with an ivory complexion and brown hazel eyes. He sees Cassie in her, and she also has flaming red curly hair. They're both stunning.

"Cassie!" She held her immediately and felt that she still felt warm.

"Oh, you are burning."  She has now seen Luke, who is standing just behind them. 

"You must be the friend that you claim to be; let's get inside because it's cold outside." Luke gave a nod. When they entered Cassie's house, Luke felt a warmth that he had never felt at their current residence. The house seems to be cozy and he can hear a pot of tea boiling. The aroma of freshly baked bread surprised him. 

"Let me simply fetch a nice blanket and curl up on the sofa." She ordered Cassie.

"Also, Luke please feel comfortable; if you need anything, it's all on the counter; I just made some bread, and the tea is ready." Cassie's mother vanished from sight after giving them both instructions.

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Cassie was surprised when she arrived at their home and was met by her mother, who appeared to be worried about her. It was the first time Cassie saw her mother look so pale, and she felt warm while holding her.  

She is now resting on the couch, while Luke is still standing, observing their surroundings. He is looking through photo frames while her mother is carrying her in her arms as a newborn. Luke had a slight smile on his face, indicating that he found the photographs fascinating.

Her mother reappeared, bearing the blanket she had promised, and went straight to her to cover it on her.