That Hug

Cassie realizes that Shun's room is an apartment type. Aside from his bedroom, there is a small living room, mini-bar, and his working table with lots of books on the shelves. Her eyes were glued to those books. Lots of them are cookbooks and recipes.

Daichi patted her shoulder. "Don't worry, Missy, you can read them all later."

She nodded and smiled. Daichi led her to one of the sofas and introduced the other people in that room. She meets Kier and his wife, Jean. Blaire introduced her husband, Meisha, and Riley.

"Missy, guess what?"

"Hm?" she asked innocently. 

"She proposed to me this morning," Daichi whispered to her. Shun, who is just stepping out of his bedroom, becomes even gloomier seeing Daichi and Cassie whispering.

"Hm? Really?" she was stunned. Daichi nodded. Her eyes are now round and big, staring at Daichi. "Congrats, brother Daichi!" she gives him another hug.

"Congratulations, sister Riley."

"Thank you, Cassie. I finally met you. This guy always mentioned you, so I know a little about you."

"Ah… really?" She laughs wider, showing her beautiful smile.

The people in that room that haven't met her yet before in person are observing her closely. They have realized why she can captivate someone's heart. And that someone is filled with gloominess on the sideline. What does this big boss sulking about? Blaire and Meisha talk between their gazes. Kier also gestured at Blaire if what was going on? Blaire just casually shrugged her shoulder, answering she didn't know.

"Food is here!" Rudolf steps inside the room, following the Butler and another two men bringing food into the suite.

"Brother Rudolf!"

"Cassie, I am glad you are fine now," he was surprised when Cassie hugged him. He patted her back lightly because someone was throwing a dark aura inside this room.

"You also came to get me," she said.

"Of course. Let's eat now. Joanna was yelling on the phone, saying the same sentences a hundred times. I can barely hear a thing now," he pointed to his two ears. She laughs. Indeed that sounded like Joanna.

Blaire laughs. She understands now why his brother is sulking. Cassie is close to others, and she won't mind giving them a cute gesture like a hug. Don't tell me he hasn't received a hug? Poor brother. Blaire casually glances at her brother.

Meisha stared at her, asking what's she thinking? She whispered to her husband, and Meisha held not to laugh. Of course, he witnessed how hundreds of girls confessed to Shun during High School. Those girls just waited for him to come by at the coffee shop. Meisha is working part-time, but Shun just dumped them all. He was already mysterious since the beginning.

They merrily shared the dinner with Daichi's loud jokes. Cassie was amazed by how they formed a great circle of friends. Shun has great people around him, and she was blessed to share with them. They were there when she needed someone.

Shun noticed her quietness. "You don't like the food? Do you like French cuisine?" he whispered to her.

Partly surprised at what he did, she shook her head. "Ah, it's alright. It's delicious."

"Are you sure?"

"Hmm… I am good, brother Shun." They continue whispering.

They didn't notice that their companions saw it and suddenly felt the pressure to be like the third wheelers.

After a delicious dinner and a few more talks, they start leaving.

"Cassie, we have to go home now. See you tomorrow," Blaire announced and hugged her one more time.

"Thank you, sister Blaire."

"You are always welcome. Good night, brother." Blaire planted a kiss on his cheek, not noticing that playful smile on her lips.

"Okay. Careful driving." It sounds like a joke, of course. The couple is the best driver in the world.

"Will going home now too, Missy! Have a good rest, okay?"

"Okay, brother Daichi. Have a safe home," Cassie and Riley hug.

"Bye, Cassie. Go to sleep early, don't stay up late at night. Control yourself."

They've wondered what the hell Rudolf is telling the minor?

"Those books can wait tomorrow," he pointed out the cooking books. Cassie smiled and nodded.

"Bye, Cassie." Jean and her exchange a hug. Kier just nodded at her, then smiled partly. Cassie thinks, sure he is not shy but seems his personality.

Everyone now leaves. She then realizes she will be left alone with brother Shun!? Her heart starts pounding crazily. Why did she not have thought of it? Well, this is a hotel. There are hundreds of other rooms, right.

She feels like she needs a glass of water now.

"Cassandra," Shun called out to her. "Is there a problem, Cassandra?"

"Huh? Ah, no. Nothing, brother Shun. Am just thinking of drinking some water." She wasn't paying attention.

"Okay, sit here." Shun went to his mini bar and opened something behind the counter. He took out one cold bottled water. "Here."

She looks up at him and then takes the water from his hand. He did open the cap already. She smiles while staring at the open bottle of water. But she suddenly got anxious. Shun is staring at her, and it feels a little awkward. She ended up drinking a little only.

Now, how could she open up to him if where she should sleep and where he would sleep? Should she just go back to the bedroom? Argh. Why does she have to worry about these things?

"Go and have a rest now," Shun told her.

"Ah… but this is your room, brother Shun. I can sleep here on the couch."

"No. You will sleep in the bedroom. Don't mind me."

Ah. He's a bit mad. Cassie thought. Of course, she hasn't said she's sorry yet. And she wouldn't know it either.

"Okay, brother Shun," she avoids his gazes. She rose from the sofa and tried to gather some courage.

"Brother Shun," she keeps her head down. She inhaled before she continued. "Am very sorry, brother Shun, for causing you so much trouble. I know you are angry about my sudden leave from the island."

Yes, true. He was angry because this girl had no idea how dangerous for her just to wander around alone. He knew her capability now. If she wanted something, she'd find a way. A smile tears his lips, but he does not show it.

"Okay. I won't ask anything yet. But truly, I don't like what happened. You put yourself in danger. How many times should I tell you to avoid doing such things?" He said in a solemn tone. "Go ahead now and rest." 

"Again, I'm very sorry... and thank you, brother Shun."

"Okay. Good night, Cassandra."

She nodded. Cassie began marching to the bedroom, but she was still reluctant to leave. She is debating inside her head. She sighed. She turns around and marches back towards him. Her gazes stayed on the floor.

"Cassandra?"

Shun was surprised when she suddenly hugged him. He smiled and put his arms around her. "You must be terrified."

Cassandra nodded against his chest. She is hugging him tighter. She just acted strong. This girl. He sighed.

"Cassandra," he partly parted himself from her. He holds her chin for her to look him in the eyes.

"I want you to trust me."

Cassie meets his gaze, then nods.

"Okay. Now, you should go to bed."

Cassie nodded. A long moment had passed before she realized that she was still hugging him.

"Ah… I am going to the bedroom." She nervously said while letting go of Shun's waist. She turns around and walks fast, leaving him.

"Okay. A hug is good… but it's dangerous." Shun exhales.