In the world of people of the same calibre as the Greys, relationships and marriages were purely transactions. An act of forming economic bonds and allies, rather than for love, trust and companionship. Such families treated it like a deal or an exchange where the daughter of an influential family marries or gets together with a son from a family of similar status just to expand their influence and wealth.
Such was the plan which the CEO of Grey Corps had for his daughter, Layla Grey, and niece, Cassandra Grey. They were beautiful young ladies and were being primed into ones that would benefit the Grey family in the end. After his brother's death, Leon Grey took over as Cassie's guardian and treated her no different from Layla, even ensuring that she finished her university education before returning to help run the family business. This kind of generational business was not going to be thrown away on something they considered flimsy like love.
That was the reason behind Leon's disdain when he had seen Dane's name on Cassie's phone screen.
What was Cassie thinking?
As much as Leon did not want to think deeply about it, he couldn't shake off the first thought that came to his head. He recalled that Cassie was closest to Dane Morgans among the staff of the companies, and even remembered vividly how she was affected when Dane was admitted into the hospital for suspected poisoning. He couldn't simply overlook the possibility of something sprouting between the two of them.
Leon shook his head and chuckled as he reached for a glass of drink, taking a few sips. It was a funny scenario in his head because he believed that Dane wouldn't dare to challenge him in any way, much less go after someone close to him like his niece. Dane Morgans wasn't that bold yet... not as long as he practically still owned him. There was no way the young man would do such a thing.
"... Probably work," Leon finally muttered as he gulped the remaining content of his glass. Leon put the thought at the back of his mind and continued what he was watching on the television.
———
Cassie had missed the first call from Dane while she was hurrying to escape her uncle's watch because he was watching her. However, on getting to her room, Dane called again at the right moment. Cassie immediately shut the door and leaned against it before answering.
"Hey," she answered, blushing and smiling sheepishly as she spoke to Dane over the phone.
It was obvious that she enjoyed talking to him, and it seemed to have increased since they returned from the date. Her emotions still had the best of her and that was what Dane Morgans wanted. That was one of the ways he could guarantee that she was constantly thinking about him. If she did think about him so much, it would be easier for Dane to have control over her and to get what he wants from the Greys.
[Dane: Hey, you home yet?]
Cassie nodded her head, not realising that Dane couldn't observe this gesture as she answered, "Yeah. Just got home though. Getting ready to shower."
Dane expressed a slutty smirk on his end of the phone as he received this piece of information. He knew he could have replied to it, playing his words around 'shower' but kicked against it. It was only just a few hours after their first date. Moreover, the lines that he had first come up with sounded corny in his head.
[Speaking of showers... you smelled really nice today and you still didn't tell me the name of the perfume.]
"Hehe," Cassie caught herself chuckling at the compliment. "You must really love my scent today. You already told me that I smelled nice."
[Yeah, but it's true though. Smells a gardenia flower made love to a rose, you know]
Dane inhaled as he expressed himself confidently, causing Cassie to blush. Even Dane was surprised at how quickly he was coming up with these words. He was always good with words but not these rapidly. Sometimes, he had to build up to a line before using it but it seemed to be shooting out of his mouth easier than he usually would make them up. His first thought went to his skill and he smiled, realising that the skill was working.
[Sweet Tongue] was already taking effect and didn't need his permission to do so. It was a passive ability, almost like his breathing and he liked it that way.
Cassie was blushing uncontrollably, mixing it with subtle giggles as she and Dane conversed. It was no more than a courteous call from Dane to make sure she had gotten home safely. From there, they talked about how they enjoyed each other's company, with Dane teasing her with little things he noticed her do, causing Cassie to blush even more. She was not used to people being so down-to-earth with her because of the type of family she came from. Everyone wanted to either associate because she was a Grey or to get to another Grey through her. No one really cared for who the real Cassie was until she met Dane, the young man did not give a damn about her family and tried her no different from other human beings.
"I'd like to do this again," Cassie confessed toward the end of the call.
[Hello... didn't get what you said]
Cassie's heart dropped as the courage she mustered to say what she just said had died. Now, she didn't have the boldness to repeat herself again, and a brief silence followed after Dane's statement.
[Still there?]
"I said..." Cassie's mouth parted to reiterate her statement, but her shyness wouldn't allow her.
[How about we do this again sometime?]
Dane stole the show, shocking Cassie as she wanted to say it again, but couldn't find the confidence to do so. Cassie froze and smiled, thankful that Dane had taken the words out of her mouth.
"I'd love to do it again," she replied to Dane's offer.
[Great!]
They both chuckled.
[Goodnight, Cassie]
"Goodnight, Dane."
Tututu~
———
(At Dane's apartment)
Dane smiled at his phone after he dropped the call, shaking his head at how seamlessly he was progressing with Cassie. In no time, he would max out her attraction, and if what he assumed were to happen, Cassie would definitely be at his beck and call.
He locked his phone and headed over to his bed to get a good night's sleep, but not before the Casanova System gave him something to smile about.
[Cassie's attraction towards you has increased by 0.2]
[Attraction: 6.5/10]