While Cassie loved doing any and everything she could to her hair, having to take care of it was a hassle. Since she was going to be home for an entire week, she decided to do her hair up differently everyday and today was high pigtails! Cassie was still doing work, but at least she felt cute while doing it. As she was typing, something popped up on her screen and she saw it was an email notification.

"Huh? Did I forget to respond to something?" She checked it and saw it was from Ankara. He was saying he was going to be in the area and wondered if she'd be interested in discussing a few things with him.

When she read that, she assumed he meant for her to respond. So, she did. Cassie simply stated she'd be willing to meet up with him, but wanted to know the time and location. That was that, and after she sent it, someone knocked at her door. She went to open it and found herself wanting to just shut the door, crawl into a hole and die.

There stood Ankara in casual clothes. Which honestly didn't help her thirst for this man. Then she realized how she looked--Like a damn school girl!

"Um... I'm sorry, I just got your email." Cassie tried to explain her away unprofessional look.

"No it's my fault." He began, "I just sent it after realizing I was going to be in the area. I'm sorry if I'm bothering you on your time off."

"You're not," I just don't want you to see me like this! "but I'm free to talk right now." Not wanting to seem rude, she politely spared time for him.

"That's good. Again, excuse me for calling you out on such short notice."

She let him inside and figured she should make something. "Um... do you drink coffee?" She asked as he sat down.

"It couldn't hurt to have some, but don't feel like you have to."

"It's fine, I'll be right back. You can wait in my living room."

He nodded and turned to leave.

Cassie went into the kitchen and pressed herself against the wall. What the fuck am I going to do? I can't change because he might think something's up and ask about it. I probably look crazy and now I have to sit and talk to him!? Cassie sighed and got the kettle to start boiling. Maybe he doesn't mind... or maybe he likes this? I think I'm cute, but he might think this shit actually looks good on me! Is that a bad thing? I doubt if he'll try something, this is business after all... then again it's really not. What am I supposed to do?

Cassie agonized her current situation internally. She stared at the kettle and found herself sighing once more. She got some coffee and a mug before getting her own mug and pouring some orange juice into hers. Once the water was hot, she poured water on top of the coffee she added and made sure not to spike it with sugar as she normally would. She came back out and found Ankara staring at some papers in his hands.

She sighed and set the coffee down on the table before sitting across from him.

"Thank you," He said with a smile once he looked up. She simply nodded and began to sip at her own drink. "By the way, don't feel as though you have to act formally with me. This is your place and I understand now why you work from home."

"What do you mean?" She asked.

"Everything in here is perfectly made for comfort. An office isn't exactly the most comforting space; knowing you have a bit of anxiety, I can see that your house is set up to relax you."

I don't know how the hell you gathered all that, but thank God I didn't have to explain it. Cassie set her mug down before pulling her legs up into her chair.

"I'm glad it's just not seen as untidy."

Ankara chuckled and returned his attention to the papers he had in his hands before he started talking. Their discussion was mainly about the revision of a piece Cassie had sent off to their editorial department earlier in the month. Ankara talked to her about what he thought she should honestly consider and the changes he felt were a bit unnecessary, but if she didn't want to consider his edits, she didn't have to. However boring this may have seemed, Cassie hadn't had more fun in her life. Just being able to talk about what she loved with a person who was knowledgeable in writing. Cassie found herself becoming more and more comfortable around Ankara and her previous anxious thoughts had gone away.

"These are real experiences you write about?" Ankara suddenly asked.

"Well, the supernatural ones aren't real, per se, but my character's struggles have happened to me. For example, I've never had a boyfriend before, but in The Demonic Repentance, my main character struggles with the idea of loving another person. She also has to hide how she feels since he's a demon and she's an angel. I've always had to hide my crushes when I was a kid and even now, I don't know how to react when people like me. So she has that part of me in her personality." Cassie explained.

"That's amazing how a seemingly mundane thing can turn into an entire story for you!" She smiled at the praise, "but I assume that's a magnification, that you've never had a boyfriend."

Why the fuck would I joke about that? "I'm not honestly." She admitted, "when I was a kid I was in two online relationships. I didn't know who they were and I'm sure one of them catfished me. Either way, those weren't really relationships, just two kids who were bored."

"Wouldn't that be enough? I'm not trying to label you as anything, but I know people your age are more into hookups."

"I guess, I don't know about anyone but me, but I consider a relationship full of love and understanding. I shouldn't have to act a certain way just because I'm dating someone." She let out a soft laugh, "I guess you could consider me kind of boring in that regard."

"Yet the relationships you write about are full of love. Exciting loves that's typical with youth. Sweet and touching love that happens over a life time, but none of that has ever happened to you personally?" He assumed.

Cassie shook her head. "Besides my obvious problems, I've had a little issue where I don't feel like I want the same things others want out of relationships." She looked at her hands, "I feel like I shouldn't have to be expected to do things, like have pet names, to say I love you or even to have sex. I know it's a part of it, but why should that be the only thing a relationship is built on?"

Ankara had a serious expression as she spoke, he leaned forward and spoke after a bit. "Then what should a relationship be built on?"

Cassie realized he what he was asking her. However, her honest thoughts were anything but serious. Should I say I'm shallow? I mean it wouldn't hurt and why lie? Cassie smiled a bit, "it's embarrassing to admit, but someone's physical appearance is important to me. Not so much that they're attractive in general, but that I see my type in someone. Then their personality obviously plays a big role, I don't wanna date a jerk. I also am very picky." Not just with me either, "I grew up with three older brothers. Usually, girls kind of like people who act like their dad or brothers, but I couldn't imagine a life like that." Cassie laughed, "I just want someone I can talk to when I want to and not have them tell me about their needs. I know it sounds a bit selfish and rude, but I always consider others above myself, they shouldn't have to tell me about it. I've been told I'm somewhat vacant or mean when responding to people, so I really want someone who knows how they feel and how I feel. We care when it's necessary and have fun every other time, but I guess I'm asking for a miracle, huh?" Ankara let out a small chuckle, "Oh, I'm sorry if I went on for too long!"

"No, you're alright. It's interesting to see how your mind works. You'd never get that you were thinking about all that just by the way you look." And a few other things I guess. "but I'm more interested in you now than I was before."

What?

"Huh?" Cassie said with a baffled expression.

"I simply mean I'll be looking more into your writings. I'd want you bring out that side in your characters. We can't write all that out, so the best way would be to show it." Cassie stared at him unable to say much else, Ankara then got up and began to collect his things. "Thank you for taking the time to tell me all of that Cassie."

She got up as well. "O-of course, this is my life after all." He stared at her for a while longer and Cassie decided to make herself busy. "but, if you have to go, I won't keep you any longer." She began to collect the mug he had and hers to take into the kitchen. She was able to escape his gaze. When she returned, he was already at the door.

"Oh, I was going to mention this before, but I felt it wouldn't be appropriate. You normally look very formal when we meet, but I think you look absolutely adorable like this."

Cassie just stared at him, he chuckled and said his goodbyes to her before leaving. Once the door was shut, Cassie stood there for a bit longer. It felt like time had frozen, but she eventually returned to her room. She held her knees and groaned.

"I guess trying to cute isn't so bad. I just hope he's the only one who ever sees me like this." She let out a sigh, "I can't do anymore today. I think I'll just die instead." Right now, she wanted nothing more than seeing today end.