Chapter 127: A little struggle here and there
Cassandra chuckled, shaking her head in mock disbelief. "Well, next time, we\'ll make sure to stay longer. But for now, let\'s get changed before we catch a chill."
As they stepped into her changing room, the cool air from the open window made Cassandra shiver slightly.
She turned to Zafron. "Zafron, could you help me with this?" she asked, tugging at the zip behind her neck. "It\'s like this thing has a personal vendetta against me now that it\'s soaked."
Zafron chuckled and stepped closer to assist. "Of course," he replied, gently helping her peel the stubborn fabric away.
As he worked, Cassandra laughed and shook her head. "You know, every time I come swimming alone, it\'s like I\'m in a wrestling match with this thing. By the time I finally get it off, I\'m half convinced it\'s trying to stay on just to spite me!"
Zafron smiled, "Well, you\'ve got me here now, so no more wrestling with your swim wear,"
"Thank goodness for that," Cassandra replied with a playful wink. "I might start bringing you along just for this!"
\'That...now that\'s a plan I\'m onboard with,\' Zafron thought there for a second while Cassandra began to help him slip the shoulders of her swim wear off leaving only bear skin out to show.
He was already done so he took his chance at that moment to do what he wanted to do all along, he casually thought, \'Calista, scan her now\'
A menu appeared before him almost immediately :
[Target Scan Complete]
Name: Cassandra Beaumont
Marital Status: Single
Compatibility: 76%
Zafron blinked in surprise. \'76%?\' he thought, taken aback. \'Does she really want me that much?\'
He glanced at Cassandra, who was busy shaking out her hair, oblivious to the information he\'d just received. She seemed to be doing a pretty good job of hiding the fact that she wanted Zafron to make a move on her or at least for something to happen but that didn\'t fool his system.
\'Well, I knew she was too nice to begin with. This almost reminds me of Matilda. Why are they always this way?\' Zafron thought with an amused smile. The women in his life all had one thing in common. They weren\'t the most direct people one would ever encounter.
Cassandra had pulled her swim wear to her chest already while Zafron was still in the room with her. They both remained in silence, staring at one another awkwardly for some seconds.
\'Do it!! ... Do it!!!\' Cassandra kept chanting in her own head.
Meanwhile Zafron\'s eyes couldn\'t help but drift. They traveled from her face,, down to her chest, and then to her breasts, which seemed to be almost suffocated beneath that tight swim wear and were staring back at him, begging to be released, to be saved.
The way they filled out the dress was... well, distracting, to say the least.
But when he finally raised his head, he was startled to find Cassandra\'s eyes fixed on him, her gaze were direct and refusing to leave his.
She was staring right back at him, her expressions were barely readable, as if she was waiting for something—maybe a response, or perhaps just an acknowledgment.
The silence between them stretched, growing heavier with each passing second.
Zafron began to consider the options available to him now. With a compatibility percentage that high, there was a chance that if he made a move here and now, it would work out just fine. But then again, \'Is this the right time?\' he wondered, suddenly unsure. \'Should I say something? Or... should I use my Calming Touch?\'
The idea of drawing closer, feeling the warmth of her skin under his fingertips, was tempting. But just as quickly, he dismissed the thought. \'Not now. The system said something about forming some strange connection. I won\'t make a move until I see this compatibility hit hundred. I want her now but I need her to want me as much as I do.
Now though, we need to get back home before it\'s too dark.\'
Cassandra held Zafron\'s gaze for a few long moments. Then, almost as if deciding something in her mind, she looked away, breaking the silence.
"You know," she began, her tone lightening, "I think a bath might be a good idea after all."
Zafron blinked, still reeling a bit from their shared moment. "Oh, yeah?" he replied, trying to sound casual.
Cassandra nodded, her lips curling into a playful smile. "Yeah, you too. It\'s not exactly the best idea to go walking around after swimming in fish water without washing up. Who knows what might happen? You might start smelling like a seafood platter or, worse, sprout gills!"
She chuckled at her own joke, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "I mean, unless you\'re planning to live in the ocean, a good scrub is definitely in order."Zafron couldn\'t help but laugh, her humor easing the tension that had been building up between them. "Yeah, I suppose you\'re right,"
With that, Zafron went into the other room, washed up and changed into his guard uniform. For a guard, he was definitely becoming way too close and even he knew it. Then again, it wasn\'t like he hated it or wanted to stop.
\'Soon...soon, you\'ll be mine,\' Zafron thought waiting for Cassandra.
As he walked out of the changing room, the cool air hit him, bringing him back to the present. He noticed that Cassandra was still inside, changing.
He leaned against the doorframe, his mind starting to race again. \'Why is she taking so long?\' he wondered, glancing at the door with curiosity.
\'Maybe something\'s wrong. Is she stuck with something? Should I go ask\' his mind quickly jumpconclusions. He shook his head, dismissing the thought. \'No, she\'s probably just taking her time.\'
He tried to distract himself, his thoughts wandering. \'Maybe rich kids just take their time dressing,\' he mused, a small smile tugging at his lips. \'It\'s probably a thing with them—carefully picking out each detail, making sure everything\'s perfect.\'
He let out a soft chuckle. \'No wonder they always look so beautiful. Every strand of hair, every accessory, just right. It\'s like they have a natural talent for it or something.\'
Zafron\'s thoughts were interrupted as Cassandra suddenly emerged from her room. He noticed beads of sweat forming on her brow, a clear sign that she\'d been struggling with something.
Didn\'t she just take her bath?