LIES

Cassandra's P.O.V

I flipped on the switch of the industrial oven, wiping my face with the hem of my apron—yes yes, wrong kitchen ethics but I am too hot!—the burning smell to my left drew my attention to the sizzling pan of lobsters. Without thinking I grabbed the steaming handle of the pan and it burnt my hand, I dropped it on the sparkling kitchen floor with a yelp. I quickly shoved the scalded fingers beneath a stream of running tap water in the huge sink.

"Cassie, this is the third time you are zoning out and making mistakes today, are you sure you are really fine." The head cook and my only friend worried.

Actually, I wasn't fine. The proposition I agreed to with Mr. Vladimir kept replaying in my head, making me lose concentration. To be entirely honest with myself, I was a little excited at spending a week with the hottest man on planet earth but I couldn't put away the nerves and doubt if what I was doing was really wise and justifiable in case my boyfriend mark finds out. When in fact, all I am about doing is for him.

Tony snapped his fingers in front of my face, "Back to earth Cassie. What is wrong? You know you can talk to me."

I sighed and weighed my options if I could really confide in him. He was a really trustworthy person, that I am sure of but I too I am also a very private person, "Everything is right with me Tony, I am just a little tired, you know I told you I spent the last weekend at a party Mark took me to."

He patted my cheeks, "You should have just taken the day off, I would have covered for you."

"Nah, I am good Tones, I promise!"

"I would try and believe your unconvincing lies one more time, but any more mistakes, you are out of here!"

"You got it sir!" I mock saluted and I dodged the spinach he threw at my head. Tony was a great friend and the only I have ever had, it's even better because he's gay so sometimes, we gossip about my boyfriend and his too.

He slid carrots, cabbages and spinaches to me and instructed me to chop them, I raised brows at him because that wasn't my duty as an assistant cook but he shrugged and pointed back at them. "Aargh! Fine."

He stuck his tongue out at me and I watched him deftly flip fried chicken in a pan. I envied his mastery at cooking and he was my role model.

"Poi bear, are you still mad at me?" Mark kept asking not even making an attempt to stop me as I threw my stuff into a small pickup bag. I got back home few hours from the restaurant ago to tell him everything that happened with his boss at the party but I caught him jacking off to porn. Disgusted is an understatement of how I felt, catching my boyfriend wanking to a girl-on-girl porn video.

What pissed me off mostly was his nonchalance and unapologetic shrug then he said, "When next you wanna enter into a room, you knock!?

He slumped back on our bed as I took the last of my clothes from the wardrobe and stuffed them into the bag. I walked into the bathroom to get my toothbrush. I walked back in and caught him going through my phone, "What the hell Mark?" I yelled as I grabbed my phone from him, "I didn't know we went through each other's phone now.

Narrowing his eyes, he ignored me, sitting up on the bed, "And who sent you that text saying, "I would pick you up in twenty minutes."

I rolled my eyes, "None of your business prick."

The text was actually from his boss, Mr. Vladimir; I had wondered how he got my cell number as my phone pinged in my jeans pocket back at the restaurant on my way home. After I received the text, I had made up my mind to confess everything to my stupid boyfriend—the kiss, the threats and accusations about him being a thief—but after catching him doing the grossest thing ever, I was just too pissed and I wanted to leave this freaking apartment, my best bet would be Mr. Vladimir. As funny as it sounds, I kinda trust him and part of me wants to explore whatever spark is between us and besides, I have to do it to avoid Mark's stupid ass being tossed in jail.

"I said I was sorry,' Mark pouted, invading my thoughts and I almost reconsidered but as usual, the narcissistic fool would always have something foul to say, "And what's more you don't even allow me touch you besides a few kisses now and then, 'a guy's gotta get laid.'

I scowled at him and grabbed my bag from the bed, "Have fun getting laid, see you in a week!"

His eyes almost popped from his socket, "W-what? A week?"

I shrugged.

"C'mon babe, don't be irrational. Where are you going to stay, remember your apartment is up for sale next week." He whined pretentiously. Naturally if Mark and I had an argument, I would take the guestroom for a while since I moved into his apartment and after a few sweet words, I would forgive him and come back to our shared room. But now, nothing he said registered with me, instead it seemed like he actually wanted me out of his house and was just being courteous.

"I would be fine Mark." I replied curtly as I turned to leave the room but he stopped me with a palm on my shoulder, "Do I at least get a hug or tell me where you'd be?"

"No freaking way, I don't want your gross hands around my body neither do I want you coming over to where I'd be creating a scene."

A frown etched into his forehead, "You would be with that your fag friend right?" his lips upturned in disgust.

I scowled at him and flipped him off, "My fag friend has a name, TONY and he surely doesn't jerk off to porn!"

He rolled his eyes, "Bye bye, y'all have fun and wonderful girls' nights."

'A-hole.' I mumbled beneath my breath and stormed out of the building. The jerk didn't even have the decency to see me off.

I pulled out my cell phone just as the screen came on with another text from Mr. Vladimir, it read—"at your condo, Miss Wills."

Nothing more or less

Of course he knew where I lived.

I rolled my eyes and slammed the door of my rickety Cadillac, driving off to my place to start something dangerous with the Russian business man.

Few minutes into my drive, I began to reconsider. I barely knew the man and regardless of whatever connection we had.

'oh hell!' I groaned and pulled over to an empty spot on the road. I rested my head on the steering wheel. The smart thing to do right now is to turn back and go to my boyfriend's but the glint I saw in the CEO's eyes tells me he would go ahead with his threat and get Mark arrested. I am in love with Mark or at the very least I care about him a lot and I am indebted to him because without knowing it, he protected me from my past. Unconsciously, I fingered the locket around my neck, one of the few links to my past and I felt a little calmness settle over me.

This has to be the craziest thing I've ever done. I mean, it's not the most unusual idea. Some girls and women of all ages sell their virginities for cash and I'm not. So it's not like I'm really doing anything shocking or bad. And besides, I have to remind myself that I am doing it for my boyfriend. Plus I am a twenty years old virgin, probably the oldest virgin in this modern world.

'What tells you he wants to take your virginity? All he asked for was you to spend a week with him!' A voice whispered in my head and I agreed. Maybe he needed a cook or a cleaner; I could be any of that for him far as my boyfriend's freedom is guaranteed.

Rubbing my hands together, I thumbed the green bracelet my mother made for me few years ago. She told me that she'd cast a special voodoo and spell on it so no one would ever hurt me. Guess magical spells doesn't exist because her bracelet didn't do shit in protecting me, I had to fend for myself for years till I met Mark. But I never removed it because even if the magic didn't protect me, the sentiment kept me going. I wish I knew how she was now, if—if she was still alive.

I pushed the bad thoughts to the recess of my mind and restarted the car. My past is nowhere near to me now and I am safe. It felt wonderful that I could drive without glancing at my rearview mirror every now and then.

For now. The last words whispered itself in my brain.