The Devil's Daughter

Perspective

Cassie

It felt so strange. These feelings all felt so surreal. I don't think I ever felt this way with Luke. I obviously loved him, but not like this. My love for Michael doubled what I've felt for anyone. And that scared me. I put on this fearless façade to mask my true emotions. Not just because of who I am, but because of what I may lose if I allow myself to be vulnerable. I've never had anyone here at my home, even my own mother. With Tobias wanting nothing more than to kill her and me, it was dangerous to even be near her.

I never thought I'd see the day where being with my mother would be potentially fatal. She was my life and if something happened to her, God knows what I'd do. I watched Michael pick up our dishes, immediately sending me to his side.

"What are you doing?" I asked him, standing in between him and the sink.

"Washing dishes. I made the mess." He smiled at me.

"I'm aware, but it wasn't your responsibility to cook, yet you did. Now it's my responsibility to clean up, it's only fair." I insisted, but I knew he wouldn't give in.

"Split it? I won't back down." I rolled my eyes at his insistence.

"Fine. I'll wash and you dry."

I immediately grabbed the plates from his grasp before turning on the warm water. I felt his eyes on me as I allowed my hands to get lost in the bubbles formed from the mixture of soap and water.

"Yes?" I said aloud, not tearing my eyes away from what I was doing.

"How'd you know I was looking?"

"Call it a sixth sense." I glanced at him before handing him one of the dishes that was clean.

"What can I say? You're a piece of art, Cassie." I shook my head at his compliment.

"Not as much as you, Casanova."

"I beg to differ." I stopped what I was doing and stared directly at him.

"Have you not seen yourself? I'm not one to give compliments to just anyone, but if you were a literal piece of artwork, you would be one of those marble statues resembling a Greek God or something. You should see how the women that surround you look at you." His face darkened to a crimson red as he turned away from me.

"I don't notice them because I've got my eyes on something else far more valuable."

He snaked his arm around me, leaning his forehead against my own. Never would I have imagined that something so simple could be something so meaningful.

We continued with the dishes, allowing our bodies to make contact every now and then. It was wonderful how we managed to get these dishes completely clean without jumping each others' bones. I bit down on my lip as I let my mind run wild with unholy thoughts racing through it.

Once the kitchen was cleaned, Michael followed me into the living room. We plopped down on the couch, curling up into one another. I felt his arm reach behind me, only to grab the blanket that draped the back of the couch. He covered us both up with the wool material as I reached for the remote on the coffee table. I switched the television on as I scrolled through the different streaming networks to find something suitable.

"Do you have a preference on what to watch?" I asked him as I slowed my scrolling.

"I'm okay with anything, sweetheart." My heart fluttered at the way he let that word slide off of his tongue so easily.

"We're The Millers?" I suggested, earning a snicker from him.

"Ironic, but sure."

He made a fair point, but I couldn't help but laugh. I clicked on the film as the beginning credits began to roll on the screen. I snuggled into Michael's arm as he pulled me tightly to him, almost as if I would disappear through his fingers.

Fifteen minutes into the movie, my phone began to ring. The shrilling sound of the ringtone cut through the romantic setting, instantly ruining the mood. I grabbed it off of the side table to see one of my employees, Marco, calling.

"Do you want me to stop the movie?" Michael asked me, beginning to point the remote at the tv.

"No, you're fine. I'll just be a second."

He gave me a look, but reluctantly turned his head back to the screen. I walked towards the door leading to the patio, before opening it and immediately shutting it behind me. I pressed on the answer button as I put the device to my ear.

"What?" I asked agitatedly.

"PC, we've got a problem." I rolled my eyes as I sat down at one of the tables.

"There are always problems. You've just got to figure out the solution to those problems." I drummed my fingers against the table as I waited for the news.

"I know, but this couldn't wait. There's been a break in at one of the warehouses. About seventy-five percent of our stock was swiped." My eyes widened in shock.

"How is that fucking possible?"

"We suspect a mole. We aren't sure who because most of the teams that were there were wiped out." I let out a deep sigh as I tried to process this.

"Do we know who was behind it?" There was a bit of silence on his end.

"Seems to be the work of Tobias Jones. He's been sniffing around some of the other warehouses and businesses."

My blood boiled at the sound of his name. My father was a crooked man and even as a drug lord, he was no better. He was a lousy business man and had no idea on how to properly handle his products, unless they were stolen. Even then, he was clueless, but still dangerous.

"Parker? You there?" Marco called out.

"Oh, yeah. Sorry. Listen, I can't handle this right now. I'm out this weekend." I heard him groan on the other side.

"Okay, fine." His snippy tone did not help my already agitated mood.

"Listen, Marco, I like you. You've been a loyal employee and confidant to me, but talk to me like that again and I swear to God your intestines will become my new wall hangings."

"U-Uh ye-yeah. I'll handle it." I clicked off of the call and threw my head back in agitation.

If Tobias is snooping around my products and attempting to steal them then he's getting closer and closer to finding out who Parker Chandler really is. The thought of this left a touch of fear in me. Not because he would figure out who I am, but because everyone I love would be in serious danger.

I stood up from where I was sitting and made my way back inside. I heard the familiar sound of Jennifer Aniston's voice followed by the sound of Michael's laughter brought a smile to my face. I took the time to observe him from afar as he watched the movie in such comfort.

I'm not used to this sort of thing, but realizing how much I am enjoying his company makes me realize how much he means to me. I can't lose him. I just can't. I walked up to him and wrapped my arms around his neck.

"Everything okay?" He asked as he turned away from the screen,.

"Now it is."

I placed my lips on his as I let my hand cup his cheek. He gladly accepted my gesture as he pulled me to him, resulting in me tumbling over the couch into his lap.

"I'm sorry, are you okay?" I covered my face in laughter as I nodded my head.

"Yes, I am." I trailed my fingers across his jawline as I gazed into his eyes.

"I love you." He said softly.

"I love you too, Casanova."