RUMORS AND REALITY

Cassandra was busy pondering over what Bully said about Eros investigating Apollo. She needed to meet Apollo and let him in on the latest. Was this not why he kept her here? To get as much information as she could. She was also trying her best to look unperturbed in Bully's presence. For all she knows, they might know something was going on between her and Apollo.

    She had long lost her appetite for the food in front of her, but she kept picking on it to erase every suspicion. Bully has been trying to pick up interesting topics, but the conversation dies down a few seconds after it has started because her mind was occupied with something else.

      Sudden footsteps ran down the stairs towards the kitchen. She was curious to know who wore heels in the mansion or was she not the only woman there? Her question was answered when Dimitra came rushing into the kitchen with her face red with anger, made for the cabinet, and grabbed a bottle of wine, totally ignoring them. They watched as she gulped a large amount, and coughed, the wine spluttered all over her as she did.

      "¿Estás bien?" (Are you alright?) Bully asked.

    She turned to look at them, glaring at Cassandra. She seem to notice them just then and she grabbed her purse which she has kept on the counter and stormed out of the kitchen, leaving the bottle of wine open. Cassandra looked at Bully who was now smiling.

    "What just happened?"

Bully chuckled.  "She must have walked in on Carlos and your friend, Lucia fucking."

   Cassandra's eyes widened and she covered her mouth with her palm. Bully laughed harder.

     "She didn't tell you that they were fucking?"

    "Oh, she did...it's just that...wow," she huffed, words escaping her.

    "You should be careful of her though, she is one horny girl roaming around this mansion."

    "She is my friend, Panda," Cassandra said rolling her eyes at him.

   It made Bully laugh even more. "I won't trust a horny friend."

     "Well, everyone in this mansion is as horny as hell, so you don't blame her."

     "Alright."

    Cassandra wanted to ask why Dimitra looked so flustered, but she remembered that she had seen Carlos and Dimitra fucking once and she swallowed her words. They all deserved themselves. While Dimitra claims to be pinning for Eros, she goes ahead sleeping with his friend, and does she have the right to get angry to see him fuck another woman?

     Just then, Carlos came hurrying into the kitchen ignoring them and going towards the door. Why were they all coming down to the kitchen? Where have they all entered from? Finally, Lucia came down and her eyes lightened when she saw Cassandra.

     "Cassie."

     "Hey, you." Cassandra cast her a knowing look. Lucia took a seat beside Cassandra and Bully stood and went over to the door. "What problem have you caused?"

   Lucia sighed. "I'm more interested in your pretension, Cassie."

    Cassandra's brows drew into a scowl. "What do you mean?"

     "Cassie, you didn't have to lie to me about fucking Eros. I know it's your first time and you get a little shy about talking about it, but I am like your best friend here and..."

      "Wait, what are you talking about right now? You can't be serious are you?"

     "I have never been more serious. I just had to find out from someone else. The whole mansion is talking about it."

     "What? Eros and I have not even had a proper conversation, I mean..."

      "There you go again..."

      "No, Lucia, you have to believe me. He...we had an agreement that's all."

   Lucia stared at her as if what she was saying was ridiculous. "You had an agreement with Eros Castillo, leader of El dragon?"

     "Yes. He wants me to play his girlfriend for a couple-themed project in exchange for my freedom and that is what it is."

    "And then he let you slap him and still carried you in his arms, to his ROOM and let you sleep there till this morning? Girl, please, tell me something believable."

    "I was drunk." Cassandra didn't know what the big deal was for Eros to look past her drunken state and care for her. She knew he was a hard nut to crack but she didn't expect everyone to think he did that because she was sleeping with him. "If it was all about sex, Lucia, Eros has it at his beck and call, so what difference does mine make?"

    Lucia looked a little convinced and thoughtful. "It's quite surprising that he is letting you get away so easily and Dimitra is there to play his girlfriend, she will gladly accept the role, why you?"

     "Because he sees it as punishment. He is punishing me with it. He knows I can't stand him." Was she lying right now? Did she not feel her heart explode in millions when he kissed her the other night? Has she not found herself drooling over him that she forget she was a human being? But she wasn't completely lying because Eros was an abuser, a tyrant, and a dangerous man. She didn't want anything to do with him.

   Just then, Apollo entered the kitchen and walked up to Bully, and whispered something in his ears. Cassandra stiffened when she saw the love of her life, she stared at him and hoped he would look at her so that she could communicate through her eyes, but Apollo didn't even glance their way.

    Of course, he will be mad at her for what happened last night. With all that story flying about, who won't be mad? She was just pinning for him, she just wanted to be in his embrace, she just wanted him to tell her everything was going to be fine. She wanted him to trust her.

    Bully turned to her. "Something came up, Cassie, I need to be out for a few minutes."

   Cassandra managed a chuckle. "I am not a toddler, Pan... Bully, I can take care of myself." She shifted her gaze to Apollo who was looking at Bully as if there was something of interest on his face. Bully left and Apollo followed still not looking at her.

     "So...?" Lucia's voice brought her back to the kitchen. "Is he the one you want?"

     "What?" Cassandra feigned ignorance.

      "Come on, Cassie. I am not a baby. I see the way you look at that guy, is he the one?"

Cassandra needed someone to talk to and since Lucia was her best friend, she could talk to her, but Apollo has warned against letting anyone know about their plan. The lesser people know about it, the better for them and she agrees with him.

    "Stop getting ahead of yourself, Lucia. Nothing is going on," she said instead.

     "If you say so."

     "Enough about me already. You and Carlos?"

Lucia sighed. "He said he loves me."

      "Wow, that's great."

     "That's not great. I just want to use him and get my freedom. I am still not giving up on Eros Castillo."

      "What?"

      "Eros is the one I want. I will leave here, go work on myself and make him notice me. Maybe he is not noticing me because I am here like this."

    "Wow, you surprise me, Lucia. I don't really like Carlos because I think he is a shit head but he is willing to get you out of here, that's something I would be grateful for."

    "Our lives are different. Wait, are you trying to discourage me from wanting Eros because you want him for yourself?"

    Cassandra opened her mouth for a while and no words came out of it.

    "I have chosen who I want and I am working towards it," Lucia said.

     "With all pleasure, ma'am." Cassandra glanced at the door. If she follows Apollo, she might be lucky to see him.  This was the only opportunity she has to speak with him without Bully's scrutiny. "Er... Lucia, I will be right back."

   "Alright, I will be waiting here."

She stood up and left the kitchen, coming out into the large living room. She didn't see anyone but she knew those men were always hanging around. She walked out of the living room into the compound and saw a few men hanging around. When one of them noticed her, he walked up to her.

    "Do you need anything?" His baritone voice was enough to send her running back inside the kitchen. Why do all these men look fearsome? But she mustered up courage like she always did.

      If everyone was talking about her affair with their master, then she could use it to her full advantage. "Er...I noticed that my necklace was missing from the things Apollo brought up to Eros' room, I need to find him. Do you happen to know where he is?"

    "He went that way." The man pointed her toward the back of a building. "Be careful, that's the boy's quarters, there might be naked men." He smirked.

    Cassandra smiled at him. "Thanks for the information." All these people were sick in the head. She hurried towards the back of the building, determined to find Apollo before either Billy or Eros comes back.

    Men chattered around the place, bellowing laughter and banter flew around, but they cease when she comes into view. There were a few girls she met and they gave her icy glares. She was already making enemies without doing anything. One of the men mustered enough courage to speak to her. He came and stood in front of her.

    "Hey, dama." He was not steady and he reeked of tobacco and alcohol. "What brings you here?" he asked with a dirty grin.

   Cassandra ignored him and held her breath. "I need to find Apollo, my property is missing. Eros asked me to ask him about it." She was using that name to her full advantage.

   As if the man was reminded of who she was, he shifted away and pointed to a door at the farther end. "That's his room, dama. The last room on this floor."

    Cassandra muttered her thanks and hurried away from him. The chattering of the men continued. She got to the door in no time and opened it without caution, all she wanted was to be quick with him and leave before anyone finds out. But the sight before her drained the whole blood from her body.