Virtue and Vice

Chapter Sixteen

A/N: And now we've hit 90 votes. Sorry, I wasn't really trying to get to the 90 but I needed a reason to post another chapter like the day after I just posted the last one. I was close enough to the number to make it easy. Thank you again for all the support. It's going definitely going to be a rollercoaster for these two lovers in the coming chapters.

Please vote and comment as always if you liked this chapter. You might like this chapter, I think. =)

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“Congratulations, Cassie!”

I looked up from my phone and saw Lynn coming down the hallway, grinning at me.

I grinned back and stopped to look at the paper she handed to me.

“I knew you would be pretty damn awesome,” she said as I scanned the second page where the small column headlined Movers & Shakers listed moves and promotions of different employees. 

I was third on the list, labeled as the newest senior business analyst.

I felt a surge of pride.

“Thanks, Lynn,” I told her, handing her back the newsletter. “I guess I have to go now if I don’t want to show up late on my first day at the new role.”

“Alright, I’ll see you later. We should totally celebrate. We can go out for lunch!”

I laughed. “Plan it and message everyone who wants to go. I’m up for it.”

As I continued my way to the office, I got a few more smiles and congratulations from other people—even those I didn’t know very well.

I’d almost forgotten about the newsletter when I came in today.

Last week had been topped with a more complicated weekend and I was still reeling from that.

Despite my misery after Sebastian’s departure on Saturday, dinner with Marcus had been great. We went to a comedy bar and enjoyed the dinner and show. For some reason, we were natural friends. He still flirted but there wasn’t anything more to our time really. We were just two people who liked each other’s company. 

It got awkward when a woman he’d dated came up to us and practically threw herself at him while giving me a murderous glare, much to my amusement. I rescued him by sweetening up my smile and snuggling up to him to pretend that we were besotted with each other. The woman had steam coming out of her nose and ears and we found that more entertaining than the stand up comedy show.

He drove me home and I had this silly idea that when I walked into my apartment, Sebastian would be there waiting, demanding to know if I enjoyed my evening with Marcus. The apartment had been empty and instead of relief, I was deeply disappointed. 

On Sunday, I went for a very long walk and found myself in front of Sainthill, the old and grandiose Victorian mansion built in the 1920’s by a wealthy British immigrant family and was purchased four years ago by Sebastian as a gift to me to convert into my dream bookstore.

Memories of our disastrous dinner and Sebastian’s proposal flashed in my mind as I stared at the weathered facade. I’d always wondered how things would’ve turned out had I not hesitated and said yes to him that night. 

At eighteen, I had been half-thrilled, half-terrified of a life with Sebastian. 

I loved the man but I hadn’t been sure I could live the life I knew I would have by his side.

I would that think after four years, the decision would come more easily but I was just as scared and confused as I was at eighteen.

I found the old-fashioned metal key Sebastian had given me on my birthday on my key ring.