SWNOVELXO Chapter 37: We are Family
A troublesome look marred Sasha's exquisite appearance as she let a melancholic sigh escape her perfectly parted crimson red lips. "It's not that I don't understand that she can take care of herself, it's just that… Haiz… Sometimes, it seems like she is struggling with something that she can't bring herself to tell me about… She didn't even eat breakfast…"
Cassius glanced over at the laid-out pallet of food on the kitchen table. Seeing a total of three plates on the table made him feel especially conflicted. It was also at that moment that he realized part of this whole ordeal was his burden to bear. He turned toward Sasha's saddened side view, prompting her to hold his smoldering gaze. Although still extremely taken aback by how much he had changed, she still listened to every word he was about to say.
"Aya is a very hard-to-understand person, and she surely has many things troubling her at school," Cassius began with an earnest tone. "And though she believes it to be too much trouble to bother us about it, we are, after all, a family. As such, I will help figure out what has been happening with her summer school life."
Looking at his sincere expression made Sasha feel a warmth that spread throughout her unholy figure. A kind smile soon graced her lips as her eyes domed into crescents. "I would appreciate that very much, Cassius."
Cassius nodded. Committed, he said, "We are family; there is no need for thanks."
"Mhmm!" Sasha's previously glum mood improved by leaps and bounds. Radiantly smiling, she motioned to the food she had prepared not too long ago. "Would you like to have some before you head to work?"
Seeing that almost pleading expression on the face of someone possessing such mature beauty made Cassius's heart waver. He liked to arrive early, but denying Sasha now would surely break her heart. Realizing this, he cracked a wry smile and replied, "Sure…"
"Good, good!" Sasha bubbled up in gleeful joy as she hurried over to the kitchen table in an oddly adorable manner, which greatly contrasted with her mature charm. "Please, come sit!"
Cassius complied, and he quickly found himself dining on homemade biscuits and gravy, with his gorgeous stepmother watching his every movement with sparkling eyes. She seemed to be expecting something, and after understanding what she wanted, he wholeheartedly complimented, "What you made is extremely good, nearly on par with a top-tier restaurant."
Seeing him speak from the heart with that gentle smile touching upon his abnormally handsome features made the jittery milf twitch a little in embarrassment. She wanted to hear his thoughts, but she hadn't expected them to be so heartfelt. It made her squirm a bit in her seat, with her plump butt finding it difficult not to slide off the edge. A hint of scarlet colored her features, with her round golden peach blossom eyes looking slightly off to the side.
Not wishing to repeat his previous mistake with Aya, Cassius changed the subject. "So, where is my father at? Another business trip?"
Reason suddenly returned to Sasha as she nodded, trying her best to conceal her grievances. "He told me he could be gone for many weeks, possibly not returning until after summer break ends… I don't want to say this, as he is your father, but he has been acting… weird as of late…"
"Weird, huh…" Cassius could sense the loneliness in his stepmother's gaze, yet he could also see a weariness lurking about. "Maybe the stress from work has just been doing a number on him. I am sure that he will recover soon enough."
"I hope so…" Sasha sighed deeply, with her hot, fragrant breath creating a wave of… pent-up lust?
Cassius couldn't believe it himself, but that was most definitely the case. Furthermore, it seemed like his stepmother became more and more restless the longer he stayed near her. His eyes suddenly brightened in realization. 'The Charisma Stat definitely affects more than merely my appearance. Just like all the other stats, it has its own side effects, and one of those likely has to do with appeal. This is also probably why Sasha flipped her attitude toward me in a complete °180.'
Upon realizing this, Cassius speedily finished up his plate of food, which left Sasha feeling very pleased. Yet, when she saw him rush to his feet and make his way out the front door, a sense of emptiness filled her heart.
"I will see you later, Miss Sasha. Oh, and thanks for the meal," said Cassius as he waved behind himself, a warm smile plastered across his face. "And don't worry about Aya; I will figure out what is vexing her so greatly."
"Ahh… Alright… Have a good day at work," replied Sasha. A complicated look formed on her face as she twitched a bit, yet still maintained a friendly smile.
However, in the last moments before Cassius vanished from view, she murmured, "...But you really don't have to leave so soon…"
But, by that point, Cassius was already ten feet outside the driveway. And even with his improved hearing, he could not make out what Sasha murmured under her breath.
He briefly looked behind for a moment, yet quickly shook his head and resumed his trot to work.
Passersby whispered as he walked by, not only because of his superior appearance but also because of the wooden katana he held close to his hip. Many wondered if he was an actor heading toward a shoot. A few bold girls even approached him and asked for his snap or phone number, which he gave without further contemplation.
It wasn't like he especially fancied any of them, even though they were pretty. It was just that they must've had a good reason for asking for his contact information. Perhaps they saw his sword and assumed he was a bodyguard for hire?
Either way, Cassius couldn't just leave a bunch of obviously desperate girls to fend for themselves. Not after what nearly happened to Aya, or even with the hooligans that bothered both Grace and Aya.
He was partly noble, super dense, and 100% an idiot. That was simply all there was to it.
But along with power came change. And who knew just how much he would change over time…