Tangled Fates

chapter twelve.

the image attached is cassia's dress for the event!!

C A S S I A

It completely slipped my mind that I had to pick my dress up. I was too occupied with spending someone else's money - which they offered, by the way. Sighing, I turn to Lorenzo. Since we're already in the car, it wouldn't make sense for me to go back to the house and leave again. That dress was $250. I'm not taking any chances.

"Can you do me a favor?" I say, turning towards him. The least I could do is be cordial so I can get what I want. "Was the $600 not enough? I still haven't received a thank you, by the way." He leans his arm on the windowsill, looking at me with annoyance. "I'm serious, Lorenzo."

He stares at me, inviting me to speak as he starts the car.

"I was supposed to pick up my dress at 2 but completely forgot. Can you drive me over there? I'll give you the address and everything, let me-"

"No." I shoot my head up at him. "What?" Damn me for thinking this was going to be easy. "Is this about the money? Do you really want my thank you that bad?" I scoff, shaking my head.

He chuckles. "I couldn't give a shit about the money nor your thank you, trust me." He puts his hand on the gear shift, moving it to D. "So?" I say. He turns towards me and leans in closer, eyes dropping to my lips. "What's in it for me?" My breath hitches, startled at the proximity we're now in. "I don't...what do you want?" I murmured, shocking myself with the way I was reacting. He shrugs as he thinks for a bit.

"I want you as my date for tonight." I look at him for a little longer with a blank expression, trying to look for any hint of playfulness. There is absolutely none. "You're joking, right?" I chuckle, trying to lighten the mood. I watch as his expression stays the same, not faltering one bit. "Lorenzo, you hate me. Why would you want me to be your date?" Furrowing my eyebrows, I turn towards the windshield, avoiding eye contact.

"Look, my parents want us to stay together for some reason. I'm going to be introduced to many people tonight and my dad thinks it'd be better if I have Michael William's daughter beside me - it'll do good for all of us as a whole."

I grimace my face, as I turn back to Lorenzo. "What, like business-wise? What good would that do for us?" I ask.

"Stronger business ties, collaborations, loyalty - you name it."

"So zilch," I reply, gaining absolutely nothing from what he said. I take a sigh as I lean back in my seat. I don't have time to think about something like this, and the only word that will benefit me coming from out of my mouth is a yes. "Okay, fine. I'm not sure I have a choice anyway."

This isn't my main concern right now. I'll deal with that fact later on. "If I knew you were going to say yes so easily I would've asked earlier. But you're right, you don't have a choice." He winks at me as he hands me his phone. I roll my eyes at him as I grab his phone out of his grasp.

I plop down on my bed face first as I feel a huge weight lifted off my shoulders. I somehow managed to weed my way through Lorenzo's stubbornness and I finally have my dress. Knowing that I don't have a lot of time before I have to start getting ready, I finally complete the school assignment I've been holding off and I spend the rest of the time on my phone. To say I was excited was an understatement - mostly for the fact that I'm going to look jaw-droppingly stunning, but also for the event as a whole.

I wouldn't say I'm much of an introvert. I know most of my grade which is impressive to me considering there are 382 of us - but I still wouldn't say I'm a full-on extrovert. Although, when I'm in such an environment that has to do with anything formal, I thrive.