Ambergris Locakboxes Traveled Salt Routes by Hugh Calder 29

Chapter Twenty–Nine: Are You Two Dating?

Nate led the way while Cassienne followed quietly behind her, her heels clicking softly against the floor. They walked to the far end of the development hall, where the noise slowly faded and the space became calmer. On their left stood an office slightly apart from the others, with a glass door and a silver handle.

Nate stopped in front of it.

Her hands shook as she raised them to the keypad beside the door. She punched in the codes, but the door didn’t

open.

She tried again. Still nothing. Her shoulders stiffened, and she swallowed hard. On the third try, the door finally hissed softly and slid open.

The lights came on immediately as they stepped inside.

“This will be your office from now on, ma’am,” Nate said, stepping aside to let Cassienne walk in fully. Her voice was polite, but there was nervousness in it. “And… about earlier,” she added carefully. “I’m sorry for what I said to you. I didn’t know.”

Cassienne didn’t respond immediately.

She slowly walked deeper into the office, her eyes taking everything in. The space was wide and beautiful. A large desk sat confidently at the center of the office. It was polished and clean, as if it had been waiting for her. The chair behind it looked comfortable and powerful at the same time.

Cassienne placed her handbag gently on the desk and turned around.

Nate was still standing near the door, feeling uneasy, her hands clasped tightly in front of her. She looked like someone waiting for judgment.

“Nate,” Cassienne said calmly. The woman flinched slightly.

“I don’t hold grudges,” Cassienne continued, her voice soft as she spoke. “And you were only doing your job. So… we’re good.”

For a second, Nate just stared at her.

Then her face slowly came alive. Relief washed over her features, and she let out a breath she didn’t realize she had been holding.

“Thank you, ma’am,” she said quickly. “Thank you for understanding.”

Cassienne gave a small, tight smile.

Inside, Nate felt many things at once. She knew she had crossed a line earlier. She also knew the truth–this office, this position, was the one she had been working toward for years. And now, it belonged to Cassienne.

That hurt a lot.

But as Nate looked at Cassienne’s calm face and steady eyes, she felt something else too–fear. There was something about Cassienne’s quiet confidence that made her seem dangerous in a way Nate couldn’t explain. Not loud. Not arrogant. Just… powerful.

“I should get back to work,” Nate said, bowing her head slightly.

Cassienne nodded and moved toward the chair behind her desk.

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Nate didn’t wait another second. She turned and left, closing the door softly behind her.

The moment the door shut, Cassienne stood up again.

She slowly walked around the office, taking her time. Everything looked similar to Corren’s and Merrick’s offices. There was a lounge area beside the wide glass wall, with soft couches and a small table. Her desk was positioned in front of the floor–to–ceiling glass window, giving her a clear view of the city below.

There was another door near the desk.

Cassienne walked toward it and opened it.

Inside were two more doors.

She opened the first one and found a clean, modern restroom. She nodded to herself and closed it.

Then she opened the second door. And she gasped. It was a bedroom.

A beautiful one.

There was a large bed, neatly made, warm lights glowing softly around the room. There was also a private ensuite bathroom connected to it.

Cassienne laughed quietly and shook her head.

“So this is how they do things here,” she murmured.

She imagined herself working late nights, too tired to drive home, simply walking into this room and resting. The idea pleased her more than she expected.

“Very nice,” she said softly.

A knock on the door startled her.

She quickly stepped out of the room and returned to the main office.

“Please, come in,” she called.

The door opened, and Merrick walked in with a wide grin on his face.

Cassienne didn’t hesitate. She rushed toward him and wrapped her arms around him in a warm hug. To her, Merrick wasn’t just her best friend–he was like an older brother. Around him, she didn’t need to pretend or stay guarded.

“Congratulations, Cass,” Merrick said, hugging her back tightly. “But you scared the hell out of me.”

“I’m sorry,” she laughed softly. “Please forgive me.”

“Do you know how I felt when I couldn’t reach you on your phone?” he asked as he pulled away and walked toward the lounge area. He sat down, still talking.

Cassienne followed him and sat beside him. “I’m really sorry. I had to go see my mother.”

The moment she said that, Merrick felt it.

His expression softened immediately.

He knew her story. He knew how painful it had been for Cassienne to grow up without her mother’s full care. Her mother had fallen sick back when Cassienne was still in high school, and since then, Cassienne had been forced to

Chapter Twenty–Nine Are You Two Dating?

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grow up too fast, carrying responsibilities no child should.

“I was about to start a new part of my life,” Cassienne continued quietly. “I thought I needed her blessing. That’s why I flew there.”

Merrick reached out and held her hands, squeezing them gently.

“I know things have been hard,” he said sincerely. “But I promise you, one day, all this pain will feel far away. Joining this company was the right decision. Cassienne, you’re a genius. And here… you’ll shine.”

She smiled, her eyes shining slightly.

“Don’t make me cry,” she teased, lightly slapping his shoulder. “Come here.”

She leaned into him, wrapping her arms around his waist and resting her head against his chest. Merrick hugged her back, his chin resting gently on her head.

At that moment, the door opened.

Corren walked in.

He stopped when he saw them. He quietly closed the door behind him and stepped forward.

“Are you two dating?” he asked flatly.

Cassienne pulled away immediately.

“No,” she answered quickly.

Corren’s eyes darkened. “Then you’re definitely sleeping with each other.”

It wasn’t a question.

Merrick stood up at once and slipped his hands into his pockets. “Not everyone is like you, Corren. And no, we’re not sleeping together. Cassienne is my best friend–just like Daisy and Aurora.”

Corren clenched his jaw.

“I hope so,” he muttered. Then he changed his tone completely.

“Miss Rhodes,” he said calmly, “please come to my office. There’s something I want you to see.”

Cassienne nodded. “Okay.”

As Corren turned to leave, Cassienne glanced back at Merrick. He was grinning.

“What’s funny?” she asked.

“Nothing,” he shrugged.

She frowned slightly, confused, but followed Corren out, closing the door behind her.

Inside Corren’s office, the door shut softly.

He was sitting on the sofa, his attention fixed on his laptop. Without looking up, he patted the seat beside him.

Cassienne walked over and sat down, closer than she realized.

Chapter Twenty–Nine Are You Two Dating?

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“I want you to look at this,” Corren said, pointing to the screen. “I just started working on it. Tell me… does this make sense to you?”

Cassienne leaned forward to look more closely.

At the same time, Corren turned his head.

Their noses brushed by accident and they froze. Their eyes locked.

Cassienne’s heart began to pound hard against her chest. She could smell his aftershave, warm and sharp, filling her senses.

They were too close, and neither of them moved.

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