Captive of My Heart | Ch 4, pt 2.

Cassius finally pulled up to the dump site, where they planned to get rid of the unmarked car. He and Mars spent the next hour destroying tired tracks, changing clothes, and ensuring everything was inside the vehicle before setting it on fire. Satisfied that their job was done, the two walked the mile to where their cars were parked, removing their too-big-on-purpose shoes and placing them into plastic bags before changing into other pairs.

“Don’t forget to toss that shit once you’re a good ways down the road. I’ll let my Pops know everything is handled and get up with you later,” Cassius said as he and Mars slapped hands.

“Bet. I’ll talk to you later, bro.”

The two went their separate ways, and while Cassius intended to head home, he found himself en route to the Torrisi estate. It was later in the evening, but not too late for his arrival to be considered disrespectful.

Aella had been plaguing his thoughts lately, and discussing her with Mars only worsened it. Cassius was proud that he’d been able to stay away from her as long as he had without caving. He’d yet to come up with an explanation for why he was so drawn to a woman he barely knew, but it didn’t stop him from standing on the doorstep, ringing the bell.

It took a while, but the housekeeper finally answered, surprised to see him there.

“How you doing?” Cassius greeted her politely. “Aella in?”

“I—um, one moment,” the woman responded before closing the door. She was gone for a  total of five minutes before returning. “Miss Torrisi asked not to be disturbed.”

“Tell Miss Torrisi that her future husband is here to see her.”

The woman’s cheeks flushed, but she nodded, closing the door again. Again, she returned around five minutes later, her face redder than when she departed.

“Miss Torrisi demanded I inform you that she doesn’t have a future husband and to ask you to leave the premises.”

Cassius chuckled, not surprised in the least bit. “Understood. I'll only ask one more favor from you. Which one of these windows is hers?”

The woman looked nervous but stepped out, pointing to the left.

“Bet. Thank you.”

Jogging down the steps, Cassius headed in the direction she’d pointed out. Grabbing a rock, he flung it at a window on a whim, thankful it didn’t shatter. When no one appeared, he grabbed another and repeated his actions.

On the third round, the window finally flew open, but it wasn’t Aella who stuck her head out.

“What the fuck are you doing?” An equally beautiful woman demanded, glaring at him.

Cassius shot her a sheepish grin. “My bad, I was looking for Elle.”

“Mmm,” she said, folding her arms and giving a look of disdain. “Let me guess, you’re the future potential husband?”

He simply shrugged.

“For the record, Elle’s bedroom is two windows down. I’m her sister, Ria. And I don’t take too kindly to being woken out of my sleep.”

“My bad, Sis," Cassius grinned sheepishly.

“Uh-huh. Stay right here. I’ll be back.”

Closing the window, she disappeared. It wasn’t long before she returned with her angry sister in tow.

“Have you lost your fuckin’ mind?” Aella’s voice pierced the night.

“Maybe. Come downstairs right quick.”

“No.”

Her stubbornness made him smile.

“Elle.”

“Aella,” she corrected. “Leave now.”

“You can’t give your husband five minutes?”

“Oop,” Ria giggled, thoroughly enjoying the show.

“I don’t have a husband. You’re a stranger who blew his chance before this got started.”

“If you’d bring your mean ass downstairs and just listen, I can explain.”

“She’ll be there in a minute,” Ria announced, yanking her sister inside and closing the window.

Taking her for her word, Cassius rubbed the back of his neck, desperately putting together what he wanted to say while trudging to the front porch. He didn’t have long to think on it, as promised, the front door swung open seconds later and Ria gently shoved her sister out onto the porch.

“Talk, please. Thank you.”

“Ria—” Aella began to protest, only to have the door closed in her face. “Wow,” she chuckled, shaking her head.

“I promise I won’t be here long,” Cassius said, capturing her attention. “I just wanted to holla at you for a minute.”

Reluctantly pivoting, Aella folded her arms. “Why? To give me more prettily packaged words you don’t intend to follow through on?”

Stuffing his hands in the pockets of his Nike shorts, Cassius released an awkward chuckle. “For you to be this annoyed with me, you must have missed me a little bit.”

Aella didn’t budge. “Or, I’m tired of having my fuckin’ time wasted. Why are you here, Cassius? Make it plain, quick, or you’ll be talking to my back as I walk away.”

That knocked Cassius off his square. He wasn’t used to a pushback, but Aella wasn’t taking her foot off his neck. It instantly registered that his usual tactics weren’t anywhere near enough to smooth things over.

“I’m sorry,” he blurted, deciding that an apology was the best route. “You’re right. The last time we saw one another, I talked a lot of shit I didn’t follow up on.”

“Cool,” she nodded. “We done?”

“No,” Cassius declared, feeling his ego skyrocket at how she handled him. “What are you doing tomorrow night?”

“I have plans with my sister.”

“Can I take you out before that?”

“Eh,” Aella shrugged. “My day is busy tomorrow. Maybe some other time.”

“Elle,” Cassius called as she turned, heading for the door.

It was as if his words had fallen on deaf ears. Aella didn’t look back, nor did she respond. Instead, she left him outside alone, nursing his pride and contemplating his next move.