The alarm went off, it was still dark outside and Cassandra woke up. It wasn't her alarm though.
"What time is it?" Rachel mumbled something. "Turn the goddamn alarm off." Cassandra turned towards Rachel, but Rachel didn't move. "For gods sake." She leaned over Rachel and grabbed Rachel's phone from the nightstand. "Why on earth would you set the alarm at five thirty?"
"Because I've to get up."
"What are you waiting for then?"
"Hmm." This was Rachel's reaction and Cassandra could hear Rachel's breathing calm down again. She was sure Rachel would fall asleep again; it was just a matter of time. Cassandra was awake though, because of Rachel. She stood up and walked around the bed.
"Get up."
"Yah." It didn't look like Rachel would, so Cassandra pulled Rachel's blanket off.
"What the-"
"Yes, I took the blanket away, so you move your sweet little ass into the bathroom."
"Yea." Rachel turned around and saw Cassandra, still holding the blanket, in front of her. "Okay, I'll stand up."
Cassandra smirked, but she got up as well. She walked towards the door, before she left though, she made sure Rachel was awake and about to get up. Once she left the bedroom, she headed to the kitchen. Just for a moment she was surprised that she smelled coffee, but then Cassandra remembered that Rachel's dad's.
Cassandra walked into the kitchen, it felt strange to be quiet, she usually didn't have to, but she didn't want to wake Rachel's dad. Leroy already sat in the kitchen, with a cup of coffee. "Morning."
"Good morning, I already made coffee." He was too nice after last night, he smiled happily at her and pointed at a mug on the table in front of him. It irritated Cassandra, but she played along.
"Great." She grabbed the coffee and enjoyed it, but she didn´t fully relax like she usually does. "Why're you up so early?"
"I always get up early. Isn't Rachel awake yet?"
"Yes, she is." That's why Cassandra is awake and annoyed, but she didn´t want to tell him that. "I'll be right back." He nodded and she left with a cup of coffee for Rachel. She walked into the bedroom, put the coffee on Rachel's nightstand, the girl was already in the bathroom. At least she didn´t fall asleep again right away, so Cassandra returned to the kitchen and to Leroy.
"I took one of your books." He held it up, but she didn't look, she enjoyed her coffee. Leroy made good coffee. Probably because Cassandra didn´t respond, he just continued, completely ignoring Cassandras obvious lack of interest in talking to him this morning. "May I ask you a question?" Now she looked up, she was sure something interesting would come out of this.
"Sure and you can ask me a second one if you want." This was going to be fun.
"What do you want from my daughter?" He put the book down again and took a sip of his coffee, not breaking eye contact once.
"Did you get up to catch me alone?" She got suspicious because of his question.
"No."
"You ask tough questions."
"You're with my daughter." He gave her a small smile, of course he asked questions to protect his daughters.
"Yes I am." She wasn't sure what he wanted. He didn't show anything. "I don't really know what you want to hear."
"What are your intentions?"
"And you think I'd tell you if I had something bad in mind?" Cassandra chuckled, she´s never been interrogated before by anyone, so this was new for her, but she enjoyed it.
"No, I've to take your word for it."
"Well, I love her."
"You do?" He looked surprised, but he quickly regained his composure.
"I hope that was a pleasant surprise."
"She's eighteen." He didn´t sound pleasantly surprised, but that was to be expected, Cassandra didn´t care though.
"I know. Does that mean I can't love her?"
"That means she's young."
"Are you trying to tell me something?" He didn't answer, but he didn't need to. They both knew he didn't approve of the relationship, but Cassandra wouldn't back off, just because Rachel's father didn't like it. "I told you I love her. I don't pressure her to do anything." Actually it was the opposite way around, sometimes Cassandra had to stop Rachel and that made her smirk. "Well, I woke her up, even though she didn't want to, but that's doesn't count."
"Why'd you offer us to stay? We could've gotten a room."
"You don't like me and I want to change that."
"And how're you planning to do that?"
"I don't know. I never cared if people liked me or not, but you're Rachel's father."
"And you want me to like you?"
"Well not necessary, but I'm sure it would make things easier for Rachel." She finished her coffee and waited for him to continue.
"Well, we can work on that, I'm sure Rachel would prefer it if we liked each other."
"Probably. Tell me why you don't like me." He leaned back on his chair and was quiet. So Cassandra figured he was gathering his thoughts and she could get another cup of coffee. When she was done she held the coffee pot towards Leroy, to offer him make coffee too. He nodded, so she poured him some coffee too.
"You're too old for my daughter."
"Well." She laughed a bit. "I can't change that."
"You're rich."
"I wouldn't say rich, but I can't change that either."
"You have a private driver."
"I could change that, but I won't. I live in New York and it's not always easy to get a cab. It's actually a good thing and I want Rachel to take my car instead of a cab. We're not in Lima, where you know your cabbies. I don't want to take the chances that something happens to me. Or Rachel for that matter." He seemed satisfied with that answer.
"Why do you have a cleaning lady?"
"I don't like to clean." That was one reason, but she figured that answer wouldn´t please him, so she told him the other part. "My parents always had a cleaning lady and they fired Martha, because they found someone cheaper and younger, so I hired her. I did it to piss them off and I was sorry for Martha."
"Okay."
"Anything else?"
"I don't know yet. I like that you're honest."
"That's a start."
"Anything you don't like about me?"
"I don't like to be judged."
"Alright. I'm sorry. I'm just worried about my daughter." They were silent for a while and Cassandra was glad she finally got to enjoy her coffee. She was about to get her second cup, when they heard Rachel coming out of the bedroom.
"Oh. Good morning Daddy." Rachel sounded happy and awake. "You're on vacation, you don't have to get up this early."
"I know, I just wanted to see you before you leave. And I made coffee."
"Aww, thanks." Rachel hugged him and then she poured herself happily a second cup. Leroy watched her happily too and Cassandra just sat there watching. Watching Rachel drinking coffee was just entertaining. Every single time, she closed her eyes while inhaling the scent, then the corners of her lips moved a little up, it wasn't a smile though.
After that she drank some coffee and when her lips left the cup, a small smile has reached her lips. She licked her lips and it looked like slow motion, but Cassandra was sure that was just her imagination, because Rachel continued and said something, thankfully to her father, because she didn't listen, and it still was in slow motion.
At some point Cassandra knew she had to come back to reality or they would see her ogle.
"Do you want to?" Alright, she missed the point where she should have listened, because she didn't know what Rachel was asking her.
"Sure." Cassandra was hoping she didn't agree to something bad, but Rachel looked so excited about whatever it was, she didn't want to spoil the mood.
"Great. Do you need to use the bathroom or can I get ready?"
"You're not done?"
"It'll just take a few minutes."
"Sure. Go ahead." Rachel finished her coffee and put her mug in the sink, after that she left for the bedroom.
"You do realized it will take her more than a few minutes, right?" Leroy started chuckling.
"I'll just take a shower while she's doing her hair." He laughed even more about that and then it was quiet for a few moments.
"You have no idea what you agreed to, do you?" How does he know? But lying was out of the question.
"No."
"Do you want to know?"
"Do I?"
"Well, Hiram was very glad we came a few days early, because a friend of ours is having a party." Cassandra let out a relived breath; a party was something she might have agreed on if she had listened. "You seem relieved."
"Yah, I thought you wanted to go to, I don't know, Liberty Island or something like that."
"No, we've been there before."
"So, a party?"
"Yes, Rachel said her teacher is on sick leave and a few of her classes are canceled."
"I see." Now it was Cassandras time to chuckle, but she hid it quickly and finished her coffee as well, she had to get ready soon anyways. "Does Hiram wake up anytime soon?"
"We'll see."
"Rachel and I have to leave soon and you'd be alone."
"Oh, that's fine. I'll just read your book."
"I don't have any real food, but there's some of Rachel's stuff. I don't know if you eat that, but there's a grocery store nearby, I can give you some-" She got her wallet to give them some money, Cassandra knew she wasn't a good host, but she didn't want to just leave them in her place without real food.
"No, thank you."
"Okay. I'll take a shower now." She knew there was no point in arguing, shed just leave some money on the coffee table with a set of keys.
"I told you it takes her more than a few minutes."
"Yes, you did." Cassandra left the kitchen with a slight smile. They weren't best friends, but they didn't need to be, as long as they could get along. She walked through the bedroom into the bathroom and Rachel was standing in front of the mirror. "Just a few minutes, huh?"
Rachel was smiling at her, while doing her makeup. They both had to leave soon and Cassandra didn't want to wait for Rachel to eventually be done, so she stripped down all her clothes to finally take a shower.
"What are you doing?"
"Getting undressed. What does it look like?"
"Good, but I don't understand why?"
"To take a shower."
"Now?"
"Yes."
"But I'm not done yet."
"Exactly."
"You can't take a shower now."
"Watch me."
"But-" Arguing didn't help Rachel now, because Cassandra was already getting into the shower. "Seriously?" Cassandra didn't respond, it was too much fun to listen to Rachel grumbling and making a fuss. A first she wanted to enjoy her shower and take her time, but then she didn't want Rachel to get too upset, so she was done after about ten minutes. Rachel was obviously struggling with her in the shower, she tried to not look at her. It just made Cassandra smile. "You're done?"
"Yes I am." She grabbed a towel, wrapped it around herself and walked besides Rachel, in front of the mirror.
"You could've waited a minute."
"You're still here, so it took you more than a minute." Rachel didn't answer, but the look she gave Cassandra said enough.
"Are we sharing a car?" Rachel left with a nod, she obviously struggled with Cassandra being naked.
It didn't take Cassandra as long as Rachel to get ready, she brushed her teeth, put on some makeup, made her hair and walked into the bedroom to put on some clothes. After twenty minutes she walked into the kitchen.
"I'm ready."
"Okay." Rachel put her mug into the sink, filled a to go cup and gave Leroy a kiss on the cheek. "Love you dad, have a nice day."
"We will, call us. Have a nice day Cassandra, but we'll see each other soon, right?" Cassandra had just watched them, so it surprised her even more when Leroy talked to her.
"I'll be back in a few hours."
"Alright then." Rachel smiled happily and took Cassandra's hand, when she walked out of the kitchen. She grabbed a jacket and her purse. "Bye!" Rachel was holding the doorknob and waited, a few seconds later they heard Leroy answer and just then Rachel opened the door. Cassandra was quiet the whole time; it was interesting to watch Rachel with her dads, because she never had a good relationship with either of her parents. They tried, but it never really worked out. They were in the elevator and kept quiet, Cassandra saw Henry outside
"What's on your mind?" Rachel looked worried. "You've been so quiet."
"I'm tired."
"Of what?"
"Lack of sleep." Rachel didn´t seem happy with the answer and Cassandra knew it , but she was glad that Rachel didn't push it further for now. When they walked outside, Henry got out of the car and opened the door for them.
"Good morning Henry." Rachel smiled at him happily.
"Good morning Rachel, Miss July." They got into the car and Henry closed the door behind then. Just seconds later Rachel got out again.
"Where are you going?" She didn't answer, but she also didn't close the door, so Cassandra waited for her. About a minute later Rachel got back in. "What did you do?"
"I gave him coffee."
"Why?"
"Because it's a nice thing to do." Cassandra wasn´t sure what ti think of it. Yes, it was nice that she gave him coffee, but still it somehow bothered her. "Well, I did ask a favor of him."
"What did you ask him?" When Rachel didn´t answer Cassandra got suspicious. "Are you going to school?"
"Yes, but I´ll have to go to your dads office again soon."
"I've to go see him today, you could just skip school and come with me."
"You know I have plans with Brody today."
"So?"
"I can´t just skip school everyday." Rachel sounded like she was trying to convince herself more than Cassandra, which made Cassandra smirk triumphantly.
"I'll ask him for a sick leave for you."
"And you think that he would just give it to you? Although I wasn't even there?"
"Of course, I'll tell him that you've practiced against doctors advice and now your foot hurts again."
"But that's not true!" Cassandra just smirked devilish, so Rachel knew there was almost no point in arguing. "I'll leave after Brody's class, are you back home by then?"
"Yes."
"Alright, I see you then." Rachel gave Cassandra a quick kiss, at least she thought it would be quick. Cassandra quickly grabbed Rachel by her waist and moved her onto her lap, while deepening the kiss. "I have to go." She said it, but Rachel didn't sound like she meant it. They sat like this for a few more moments, until the car stopped. "I'll see you at home."
"Okay." Rachel got out and Henry continued the ride. Cassandra's destination wasn't far away and a few minutes later, the car stopped again.
"Henry, do you know where I can rent a car?"
"Yes."
"Can you get me one for this afternoon? And probably for another couple of days?"
"Of course. If you'd like to drive home by yourself, I can arrange someone to bring it here in about twenty minutes."
"Thanks Henry." She gleamed at him and he returned the smile. Cassandra never really talked to him, but he seemed quite nice. She left the car and went inside the building in front of her.
Cassandra wasn't very happy to be here again, but she had to talk to her father and now was as good as any other time and she needed to get a sick note for Rachel as well.