Ambergris Locakboxes Traveled Salt Routes by Hugh Calder 139

Chapter One Hundred And Thirty–Nine: It Feels Wrong To Continue.

Cassienne didn’t go to Corren, but she almost did, twice. Her phone had been in her hand, his name staring back at her from the screen. But something inside her told her not to rush. Not when emotions were still fresh. Not when the weight of what she had heard in Dreston’s office was still settling inside her chest.

Instead, she called Merrick.

They met at a quiet rooftop restaurant not far from the business district that wasn’t loud. Just soft lighting, clean wooden tables, and the low hum of after–work conversations.

Merrick was already seated when she arrived.

“You look like someone who just made a life–altering decision,” he said calmly.

Cassienne sat down, exhaling.

“I was going to end things with Corren.”

Merrick didn’t react immediately.He knew this would happen eventually. He only leaned back in his chair, studying her. “Because Dreston said he loves you?”

She blinked. “You knew?”

“I don’t need to hear it to know it,” he replied. “It was written all over him for weeks now.”

She lowered her gaze.

“I heard him,” she confessed. “He told Tina he loves me. That he wants to start a family with me.”

Merrick nodded slowly.

“And?”

“And… I believe him.”

The words felt foreign on her tongue.

But Merrick’s expression softened.

“Then why rush to break up with Corren today?”

She hesitated.

“Because it feels wrong to continue.”

Merrick shook his head gently.

“Cassienne, whatever you decide to do, do it after your mother leaves.”

She looked up at him.

“If there’s drama–and of course there will be drama–you don’t want that happening while Emily is staying with you.”

That hit her. He was right.

“Let things stay calm for now,” Merrick continued. “Handle your heart quietly. Your mother’s health comes first.”

Chapter One Hundred And Thirty–Nine It Feels Wrong To Continue.

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She nodded slowly.

They sat in silence for a moment before she spoke again.

“The offers haven’t stopped,” she muttered. “Sponsors. Game organizers. Interviews. Endorsements. I don’t want any of it.”

Merrick gave her a pointed look.

“Not replying doesn’t speak well of you.

She frowned. “I’m not interested.”

“That’s fine,” he said. “But at least meet them. Hear them out. Then decide what you want.”

She folded her arms.

“I don’t even have time to respond to emails.”

“That’s exactly the problem,” Merrick replied. “Get help.”

She blinked.

“You need a professional assistant. Someone to filter messages, schedule meetings, handle negotiations. You can’t expect Dreston to keep taking the heat for you.”

That made her pause.

“He’s been answering most of them,” she admitted quietly.

“Exactly,” Merrick said. “Let him focus on running Auralink. You focus on deciding what you want.”

She sighed.

“Have productive meetings. All of them. Then choose. That’s power.”

After a long silence, she nodded.

“Fine,” she said. “I’ll do it properly.”

Merrick smiled.

“Good.”

By the time Cassienne returned home, her decision was clear. Not about Corren.But about everything else.

Emily was already back from Abigail’s house, comfortably seated in the living room, knitting as she watched a tech program on television.

“I thought I’d cook tonight,” Cassienne announced lightly.

Emily looked up, pleasantly surprised.

“Oh? That’s my daughter.”

She moved into the kitchen without hesitation. Cooking had always been her comfort.

She went for simple dishes. Nothing extravagant–just warmth. Grilled herb chicken, buttered vegetables, creamy mashed potatoes, and a light lemon soup the way her mother liked it.

Chapter One Hundred And Thirty Nine it Feels Wrong To Continue.

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The house smelled alive.

When the front door opened later that evening, Cassienne didn’t stay in the kitchen.

She stepped out to meet him.

Dreston had just handed his briefcase to the staff when she reached him halfway across the living room.

Without overthinking, she wrapped her arms around him, and kissed him. It was soft, warm, and intentional.

Dreston froze for half a second. Then his arms instinctively circled her waist. Emily looked up from her seat, eyes bright.

“Well,” she murmured to herself, smiling.

Cassienne pulled back slightly.

“You’re late,” she said playfully. “Come to the dining room. I made dinner.”

She reached up and loosened his tie, slipping his suit jacket from his shoulders with ease and handed them to one of the staff.

Dreston stared at her, surprised.

“You cooked?” he asked softly.

“Yes.”

He studied her face for a moment before nodding.

“Then I must be very lucky tonight.”

Dinner was light. Easy conversation followed.

Emily spoke about her plans to visit Auralink with Abigail the next day. She teased them about workaholic habits. Joseph called briefly, checking on Emily. The atmosphere was peaceful.

Cassienne was attentive to Dreston, passing him dishes, refilling his glass, brushing her fingers lightly against his hand as she reached across the table.

And Emily noticed every detail. And she he smiled quietly, satisfied.

…….

Later that night, in their bedroom, Dreston found Cassienne sitting upright against the headboard, laptop open, glasses perched on her nose.

He leaned against the doorframe for a moment, watching her.

“You’re not sleeping?”

She glanced up.

“I was thinking.”

“That’s dangerous.”

She rolled her eyes.

Chapter One Hundred And Thirty–Nine it Feels Wrong To Continue

“I need a professional assistant.”

He stepped closer.

“You just realized that?”

She sighed.

“You’ve been handling my offers. It’s not fair. You have your own work.”

Without another word, Dreston gently closed her laptop.

“Hey-”

He took the glasses off her face. Then placed both aside.

“The HRO is already handling it.”

She blinked.

“What?”

“I told them to recruit two people.”

She stared.

“A secretary to manage your schedule. And a personal assistant for everything else.”

Her lips parted slightly.

“You already did that?”

4 He nodded.

“I promised to take the pressure off you.”

Something in her chest softened.

“You didn’t tell me.”

“I wanted it to be ready before I did.”

She smiled. “I’m impressed.”

He took her hand.

“You don’t have to fight everything alone.”

This time when they kissed, it wasn’t desperate or fueled by tension. It was natural.

His hand rested at her waist. Hers slid gently against his chest.

They lay down facing each other.

Their foreheads are almost touching, stealing small kisses between quiet smiles.

Just two people allowing themselves to feel. Her fingers traced lightly along his collarbone.

His thumb brushed her cheek.

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