Cassia attempted to pull herself together, but it was useless. All she could think about was watching Varro and his wife. It was even more ludacris that she was upset he was kissing his wife. Cassia knew Varro was unobtainable but it still stung. The events of the day were beginning to take a toll on Cassia. She had accidently knocked over several objects, but spilling the jug of water on Lucretia was the final straw.
"You stupid, worthless idiot!" Lucretia screams at Cassia.
"May I ask for your forgiveness, domina?" Cassia tries to pat the woman dry with her trembling hands. As Cassia moves around the woman, she trips over Lucretia's foot and grabs her Master's shoulder; the strap of the dress snaps. Both women's mouths fall open as beads scatter across the floor.
Cassia kneels to the floor, frantically trying to grab the beads.
Throwing her arms up in disgust, Lucretia nips, "Get out of my sight."
Cassia looks up with remorse and catches Lucretia's steely gaze.
Shooing her with a wave of the hand, Lucretia orders, "Just leave them and go outside. Clean the balcony. And for heaven's sake, try not to break anything!"
Cassia stumbles out the doors with a deep breath. Fabia follows, setting down a bucket of water and rags, before scurrying back inside the villa.
Cassia absentmindedly starts sweeping down the cob webs and debris from the floor, forgetting the gladiators are sparring below.
Varro eyes Cassia up on the balcony, and his stomach once again flips. His distraction by the woman causes his arm to fall, allowing Spartacus to easily jab him with a wooden sparring sword. The wood hitting his chest draws Varro's attention back to his opponent.
"For a man that just received good news, you seem distracted." Spartacus points out before flicking his eyes upwards, "Do you know her?"
Varro shakes his head and releases a long sigh while carefully choosing words. "Sort of. She tended to me after I attacked Ashur."
"Varro! Spartacus! Back to work!" Doctore yells at the men from across the courtyard.
Stealing another look at Cassia, Varro shakes his arms and squares away with his sword lifted.
The two men circle one another, and in a low voice Spartacus asks, "What about her has you concerned?"
Varro shakes his head while dogging a jab. "I'm not sure."
"Somehow I don't believe you." Varro sends Spartacus a look, which causes him to smile. He blocks the swing of Varro's sword with his own.
"I think she has feelings for me." Varro partially confesses.
"For you?" Spartacus is clearly amused by the situation.
His face wrinkles in annoyance. "Yes... me."
"Oh, take it easy. I'm just busting your balls." He says while patting Varro's shoulder, but he wiggles away from his friend and steals another glance at the balcony. He wanted nothing more than to speak to her, even if he didn't know what to say to right the situation or comfort her.
The announcement for lunch is a welcome break from the interrogation and sparring. Varro quickly drops his sword and walks inside for his meal. Spartacus shoots another look upward and sees Cassia's eyes following Varro.
Cassia huffs as she lugs the large jug of wine from the cellar. It's the second party this week, and all the prepping and entertaining is starting to take its toll. Cassia's tired and just wants to sleep, but it isn't possible at the moment. Pausing outside, Cassia realizes the gladiators would probably be on display for guests to ogle and touch. The pure thought of the spectacle nauseated her. With a deep breath, she re-enters the party. Careful not to look any guest in the eye, Cassia weaves through the crowd and refills goblets. Content that the crowd is satiated, she moves to the wall and leans against it for a brief break. She relishes the slight relief from the throbbing pressure in her back from spending the day on her feet. Cassia makes a conscious effort to keep her gaze averted from the gladiators, figuring it would be easier to ignore the whole group than to attempt to single one out.
"Why the sour expression?" Duro asks with a cheeky grin. Cassia shoots daggers over to the man.
"What makes you think I'm sour?" Cassia curtly retorts.
"It's hard not notice when a woman with such a radiant smile hasn't blessed us all with sunshine in days."
Cassia can't help the small giggle and smile that flourishes.
"Oh! I think we've finally got one." Duro teases.
She immediately turns her head away in embarrassment.
"I suppose all good things are short lived. If I'm lucky you're beauty will once again grace me."
Varro scoffs when he sees Duro and Cassia out of the corner of his eye.
Spartacus leans forward to see what's upset him. "It seems she's found someone else to focus on."
Rolling his eyes, Varro mutters, "Now you mock me? May Jupiter and all the gods damn you."
Spartacus chuckles. "I'm sorry to have offended you."
Varro fists clench as Duro continues to flirt with Cassia. He finds it hard to restrain himself from making an outburst. He knows there are no true grounds for him to be upset by their actions. He's married and Cassia isn't his, but he's already passed logical reasoning.
"Jealousy doesn't look good on you." Spartacus blatantly points out.
Varro once again rolls his eyes at his friend while adding, "I'm not jealous of him."
"Okay." Varro finds himself annoyed with the obvious disbelief and the flirting occurring a few feet away.
The cool evening air is a shock to Cassia's skin. Relieved to be dismissed from the party, she crosses her arms and rubs them up and down. Walking towards her quarters, a figure sitting on the ledge catches her attention. Glancing up, the stars are covered by clouds. Her eyes travel down to see the person shift, the faint moonlight reflects off golden locks, and Cassia halts realizing its Varro.
Frozen in place, Cassia quietly struggles with herself. Varro was sitting in that place knowing it's where Cassia escapes to star gaze. She momentarily wonders if he is waiting for her. Cassia shakes the foolish thought from her head. Before she can start walking, a sneeze betrays her, and Varro spins catching her standing in the courtyard.
Cassia feels like crying at her luck as Varro moves towards her.
"I was hoping you'd stop."
"It wasn't my intention." She bitterly confesses.
"Nonetheless, I wanted to speak with you."
"What is there to say?"
"I don't know but I've been thinking about you all day." He quietly admits.
"You know nothing about me."
"Then let me." He reaches for Cassia's elbow but she quickly jerks away.
"A few stolen moments hardly constitutes a friendship."
"Cassia, I….I confess that I don't know what to say. I'm feeling confused, but I need to know how you are."
She dips to regain his dropped gaze. "Why? To feel better about your own actions?"
A pained look flashes across Varro's face as he speaks, "I know you're mad at me and you have every right…"
Cassia laughs at Varro. "You think I'm mad at you? Why would I expect anything different from a gladiator, after all, you are used to the attention being all about you. "
"Cassia…"
"I'm mad at myself for feeling."
Varro shakes his head and furrows his brow.
"No, Varro! There is nothing to say. Your apology won't help me regain my self-dignity. I beg of you to just let me be."
"You've misunderstood my intentions."
Cassia's face twists at his confession. "I think you're intentions have been pretty clear."
Varro takes a large step forward and grabs a hold of her arms, pulling her into him. Her heart jumps into throat as he stares into her eyes. In an instant, Varro greedily captures her lips. Cassia feels her resolve slip as she melds into Varro. Her lips press into his with matched intensity and desire. For a fleeting moment, she allows herself to enjoy his touch and kiss, but the nagging reality floods her mind. Cassia pulls back from Varro's embrace and slaps him across the face. His brow shoots up as the stinging radiates throughout his cheek.
She stares back at him in disbelief.
"I deserve that." Varro murmurs.
"You don't deserve any more of my time." Cassia wipes a stray tear, running away despite her aching body.
Spartacus awaits Varro in the doorway to the gladiator quarters with confusion written on his face.
"Don't." Varro spits before pushing past him and heading to his cell.