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You met her through Bela. Often watching her from afar. You knew how people felt about her. How she'd lead so many woman along like dogs on a leash. Yet you couldn't help but feel drawn to her. To her entire being. But you'd barely get a chance to focus on her before Bela was dragging you along back up the stairs to her room to do whatever she wanted. As you followed your long-time friend up the stairs, you could feel eyes following you.
But as soon as you two got up the stairs and into Bela's room, you were practically cornered. Bela's eyes narrowing as you seemed to shrink down at her harsh stare.
"Don't."
"Don't what?"
"Don't fall for her."
At your friends warning, it was hard to heed it. Not when that night you left Bela's room to go towards the bathroom and practically ran into her. She caught you almost like a damsel and didn't exactly let you go, her eyes taking in the sight of you dipped down in front of her. One of her hands wrapped around your wrist and the other supporting your back like it was nothing. Her dark hair falling down by the sides of her illuminated face by the candles lit in the hallway.
"You should watch where you go. You could've hurt yourself."
Her voice was simple and smooth but quiet as to not wake her other two attentive sisters in the household. Well Bela, not Daniela so much. Their mother was probably still awake by now grading papers for tomorrow. But her office and room were halfway across the manor. As she helped you stand to your feet, she didn't let go of your hand just yet.
"'m sorry.. do you know where the restroom is?"
You asked with a breath. Eyes glancing up at hers. A smirk quirked up at her lips and nodded. She removed her hand from your wrist and instead moved to place her hand on your lower back. Leading you down the hall. You followed next to her with a shaky breath to which she seemed to notice. Her thumb gently rubbing against the fabric of your pajamas. She gave a small smile to you as if comforting you.
As you two walked through the house. She was fairly comforting in the darkness of the premises. Her hand stayed firmly on your lower back. Even the restroom was quite a walk or.. did she lead you to another one?
Anyways because a soon as you two go to the restroom, she reluctantly removed her hand. Almost as if she didn't wish to lose your warmth from her hands. Then a question sparked in your mind before you entered the restroom.
"No you didn't. I was already awake."
"Oh.. okay."
You nodded your head to this, okay with the answer she gave. Taking in a breath, you moved into the restroom. Closing the door behind you, locking it in place. You took a bit before coming back out after washing you hands. You half expected her to be gone by then, but there she was. Leaning against the side of the wall - waiting patiently for you. She gave a small smile at the sight of you, gently holding her hand out to lead you back to Bela's room.
Instead of holding your back this time, she gently let her hand slide into yours. Slightly leading you down the hall, albeit she seemed to be dragging her feet a bit. As if she did not wish to return you just yet.
"Do you want to go for a walk?"
Your voice spoke up carefully, as to not startle the woman who didn't seem to get enough sleep. She glanced back at you, thinking on your words but then nodded with a slight smile. Her hand gently holding to yours.
. . .
She led you outside into the cold night. A smile on her lips as her family was right inside arguing over lord knows what. Her hands moving to cup your face, leaning in to press her lips to yours softly. Pressing up against the outside of the manor. Your hands moving to gently grasp her jacket. Bela had invited you to stay over for the holidays so that you wouldn't have to fly a plane to go see family you couldn't bother to care about.
Yet Bela didn't know that this just gave you a chance to spend more time with the one you wanted. Her hands entangled in your hair as if she was starved, the faint taste of coffee on her lips. Despite not being particular to the cold, she was okay being in it because you were here. And well Bela would flip if she had learned of this.
Days at the Dimitrescu manor were always amusing. They had just gotten more so since Cassandra decided she wished to set her sights on her sisters best friend. It took a bit of convincing and soft words and presents, but eventually you gave in. Because how could you not. She was sweet and adoring despite her reputation. You had tried to bring it up a few times and she never denied it, but she told you that you had nothing to worry about in those regards.
Later in the night, after everyone had settled down. Bela had retired to her room and you had told her that you would spend the night in the living room so that she could 'get a night away from your kicking.' She's overdramatic at times, you aren't that bad.
As you laid on the plush couch, cuddled up with a blanket Bela had given you. Your head laid against the soft pillow as you watched the fire in the fireplace roar, keeping the room warm. Thats when you heard it.
"Psst."
Your head popped up from its spot, looking over to the noise to see Cassandra standing there in a robe. She had a small smirk on her lips as she nodded to upstairs, as if telling you to follow.
So you did, you stood from your warm spot and headed upstairs. Your arms hugging themselves. Once you made your way up to her, she gently held her hand out to you. Biting your bottom lip as a smile spreads on your lips, your own hand reaching out to grab hers. Fingers intertwining as if its always meant to be this way.
She started to head down the hall with you quietly. If anyone heard, it'd be Daniela who could honestly care less. She was too much busy obsessing over the latest Hall Mark movie she's found.
Cassandra led you to her bedroom which was large and had a bathroom connected like most of their bedrooms. Rich people. She let go of your hand despite your small noise of disapproval, which she gave a slight smile too. Not many words often needed to be shared between the two of you. She walked up to her vanity, reaching atop it to grab a sage green present with black ribbon wrapped around it.
She then made her way back over to you. Holding it out with one hand to which you took it from her, a raised eyebrow. You held it gently incase something could break inside, your hand moving to start undoing the carefully tied ribbon. Eyes looking down, and inside to see a box with a fancy logo on the front.
".. Cass you know I don-"
"Shush and just open it."
A breath left you at her quick words. But once you opened it, instead of a necklace or something inside. It was a piece of paper. Well multiple pieces of paper. You gently reached out to pick it up, unfolding it to find a well thought out letter with multiple little drawings here and there. Some were recreations of the times you spent together. A well thought gift.
Cassandra gently made her way over to you, her hand moving to your lower back as she gently pressed a kiss to your temple.
"Happy Holidays Dear.."