16 Peony Villa

[ Chapter 16 ]

A platinum metallic red McLaren P1 could be seen galloping through the bustling street of the metropolitan Imperial, speeding its way under the glows of the bright afternoon sun toward the east direction of the city.

Its gallant yet smooth engine sound thundering across the palm trees-lined street as the supercar traversing the boulevard with maximum designated speed, leaving a lot of afterimages for other cars to catch after.

Along the way toward half of its destination, the view of countless Imperial's skyscrapers began to fade away, replaced by beautiful greenery scenery of mossy alpine forest.

The eastern region of Imperial was a beautiful highland with seventy percent of its territory was a vast natural realm of green forest. Most of its territory was left unexploited on purpose as the government had established this region as one of Huaxian well-protected areas due to its beautiful nature and a lot of endemic floras.

This greenery region was also functioned to maintain environmental balance, it's like a fresh oasis in the middle of high modern civilization. Granted that Huaxia was one of three world superpower nations, especially with Imperial as its capital, Imperial was hailed as one of best cities to live due to its massive success on building high-end modern and healthy environment.

The developed area of eastern Imperial was exploited only to natural tourism spots and high-end residential areas housed only to Elites. A lot of Huaxian elites and high profile individuals reside or at least owning properties in this area. It also takes only about half an hour for one to travel from this area to heart of Imperial city since there's a free traffic highway and a couple of high-class modern transportations.

Driving the platinum red McLareen, the mature lady with long blond hair had her eyes focused on the road. Her vision was exquisitely gorgeous in her professional attire, an expensive Dior maroon ruffled neck blouse and black pencil skirts adorned her gorgeous shape.

A soft sigh escaped her luscious lips as she drove uphill the highway, after two uncomfortable hours at her office, Cassandra decided to call the day off and now she's on her way back home.

After what had happened, Cassandra was in no mood to work despite she had tried her best to be professional. She meant, it's pretty uncomfortable to continue working with the aching sensation all over her body.

Today, she applied a quiet heavy make-up and thick lipstick, something that out of her character, she had even applied a heavy foundation and make-up on her swan neck. All was thanks to her one night wild lover who bestowed a lot of loves bites upon her snowy white skin and her lips were pretty swollen from his searing kisses.

Three hours had passed since their parting and now was twelve in the afternoon, at first she wanted to maintain her professional etiquette and continue to work. But the strange look from her close employees had rendered her moody.

As she's nearing her destination, entering her neighbourhoods, Cassandra couldn't stop herself from heaving another sigh, this time was longer than her previous. She's already dizzy thinking there's something really troublesome awaited her back home.

Speeding past the modern gilded gate of Peony Villa, the residential community where she resided, Cassandra slowed down her driving, since her car was already registered, there's no need to stop the supercar to which any unregistered cars should be strictly checked by the security guards first before they can enter the area. Given that this place was highly-taxed estates and all residents in this area were high profile individuals, this place was highly guarded and the service was absolutely world-class.

Peony Villa, one of the most expensive and prestigious residential area in Imperial. Only wealthiest and VIP individuals or families live here. Given its name because here was where the most peonies bloom in the late spring and early summer.

This residential area was also well-known as 'Stardom Neighborhood' due to only top elite and famous individuals live here, there's a couple of billionaires that resided here.

The layout of this gated community consisted of only fifty house structures, with the smallest estate was five acres square, forming a circle. Each houses' backyard allowed access to the huge lake in the center of the gated community.

At the northern part of this gated community, on a small hill, a luxurious house styled in contemporary design with touch of neo-eclectic style stood magnificently.

The house looked like a cut out from Architects Today famous magazine. It's beautiful, spacious and the yard was vast open space, every of its corner screamed affluence.

The architecture was sexy and sophisticated, there was an array of disjointed levels which knew how to glow when the sun begins to set. The windows were large to let in maximum light, but fashioned so well that the home stayed warm in the winter time. Every line was clean and straight, the colour scheme dark gold and silver.

The outer appearance of this house looked like a magnificent painting as the sun shone brightly upon it.

This spacious and magnificent seven acres square estate was owned by the renowned Chairwoman of Almandine International, one of ten Huaxian top female billionaires.

She drove her car along the black stone tiled road and stopped in front of her grandeur house, a couple of seconds later the gate was opened and two of well-build female guards welcomed her expressionlessly, Cassandra then rounded the car and parked it around the yard.

Cassandra picked up her Chanel Diamond purse and slipped out from her car. In front of the door she's welcomed by a white haired woman, the housekeeper auntie Marianne was neatly dressed in a light brown dress and was wearing a pair of white gloves.

"Welcome home, Madam," Auntie Marianne greeted with warm eyes, her faintly wrinkles face stretched into a light smile.

Cassandra smiled softly at the old woman. Despite she's being her housekeeper, Cassandra held a huge respect to Auntie Marianne since the later was her long serving maidservant.

From the beginning, Marianne was a professional maid in Qin household before she become the personal servant of Raeliana Qin, Cassandra's mother. Marianne had been taking care of her for long as she could remember, from when she's small. Moreover, the moment she left Qin household to live independently with her late husband, Marianne followed her to continue serving her. Thus, for Cassandra, to say she's like a second mother figure wasn't an overstatement.

"How's your day Madam?" Marianne asked as she gracefully reached out her hands, taking the purse and car key from Cassandra.

Every of her movement flaunted etiquette, her posture was elegant. Granted that she's high-class maidservant who had been serving under Qin household, one of ten Huaxian most prominent families for years, being classy and highly capable was natural.

"Hm, pretty good I guess." Cassandra answered as she cleared her throat. A sudden nervous ran through her as she caught Auntie Marianne's eyes dropped at her neck.

Her hand reached up her neck out of habit and Cassandra tried to divert the gentle old woman's gentle attention, "The weather outside is getting colder lately."

A soft smile graced the old woman's countenance. Marianne had always been observant person. Moreover, Cassandra had been at her care from when she's small so it's natural for Marianne to develop motherly love to the former. Thus, Marianne knew her so well. Furthermore, it's hard not to take notice when that womanly glow was oozing from Cassandra.

More or less knowing what had happened to her madam, a soft sigh escaped from the old woman's lips. Marianne knew well what Cassandra had been through. She didn't know it's a good or bad thing, but from what she saw it, the Cassandra now was somehow more lively. Loving Cassandra like her own, naturally Marianne wished nothing but happiness for Cassandra.

"Naturally, the winter is approaching." Marianne responded with a gentle smile, "I will have everything prepared for the upcoming winter."

"Thank you auntie," Cassandra curved up her lips and began to walk inside.

Meow... Meow...

A second after she stepped inside, the sound of low-pitched meow greeted her followed by the sight of a majestic rounded ball of furry catwalking toward her direction.

Bending down, Cassandra got to her feet and picked up her little girl. A pretty majestic furry cat cradled in her arms and snuggled its head at her breast.

"Oh, Stella. I miss you so bad." Cassandra played with her little girl in her arms and the cat kept rubbing its lush fur against her.

The little furball waggled its fluffy tail back and forth, indicating that it was happy seeing its owner. The white cat was pretty big and fat. Its fur was lush and majestic. The cat, Stella, was the best breed of Royal Birman which was known for their gentle, subtle meows and soft coats. Its eyes were sapphire blue and the paws were pure white. Its colour was majestic white except half of the face and tail which were brown. Its face was round and cute.

The gorgeous and graceful mature woman was now melting and glowing radiantly. If anyone saw Cassandra now, they would surely hold their breaths as they stare at her in awe, marveling how such a refined woman could have such a lovely side.

"Why do I feel you gained a lot of weight since the last time I saw you hmm." Cassandra pated its cute head and the cat purred as if it's discontented at its owner rude remarks. Weight was sure taboo issue for women and female cat alike.

Cassandra kept playing with her cat before Stella yawning and jumping out of her embrace, seemingly tired and was up for another beauty nap.

"You lazy ball." Cassandra laughed softly. Well, just as they say, there's no place better than your own sweet home.

Cassandra then sauntered into the modern western ornamented living room with Marianne followed behind her.

"Where's Aveline?" Cassandra asked, her pretty eyes looking around.

Marianne sighed before answering, "Young miss hasn't going out since yesterday. Last night she's restless pacing around the house the whole night and was about to drive out before receiving the phone call from miss Jacqueline."

Cassandra let out a soft sigh and eased herself comfortably on the plush Floyd Black Sofa.

Marianne then informed Cassandra that the lunch was ready before she gracefully excused herself.

Shorty thereafter, just when Cassandra was so lost in the relaxation of cozy temperature and comfortable couch, the sound of feminine steps were heard from the upstairs.

Cassandra found herself chewing on her lip, she then tilted her head, looking up and sure enough, what greeted her was a pair of forest green exquisite eyes of beautiful young lady. They kept looking at each other for a brief moment before Cassandra saw the young lady's lips parted, echoing a pleasant yet somewhat judgemental voice,

"Wonderful night I presume."