Chapter Four: the night of everything
The music wrapped around them like a living thing.
Althea barely noticed when the song changed again, the beat slowing, deepening, becoming something heavier. Cass's hand rested at her waist, warm and steady, and every time she shifted closer, his fingers flexed slightly as if he was grounding himself. Their bodies moved together easily now, no hesitation, no uncertainty. Just rhythm and breath and the quiet awareness of how close they were.
She tipped her head back slightly, meeting his gaze. His eyes were darker now, more intense, focused on her in a way that made her chest feel tight.
"You look like you're somewhere else," he said near her ear.
"Maybe I am," she replied. "This place feels… loud all of a sudden."
He smiled faintly. "I was thinking the same thing."
They continued dancing, but something had shifted. The air between them felt charged, like every movement meant more than it had moments ago. Her hand rested on his shoulder, her fingers brushing the collar of his shirt, and she became acutely aware of how close their faces were.
"Do you want to get away from here?" he asked softly.
The question hung between them.
She didn't answer right away. She glanced around the crowded floor, the flashing lights, the bodies pressed together, the noise that now felt overwhelming instead of exciting.
"Yes," she said finally. "I think I do."
His expression softened, relief flickering across his face. "Okay."
They didn't rush. Cass took her hand, his grip firm but gentle, and led her through the crowd. The moment they stepped outside, the cool night air washed over her, making her inhale deeply.
"I feel like I can breathe again," she said.
He laughed quietly. "You looked like you needed that."
She leaned against the wall for a moment, closing her eyes. "Everything just hit me all at once."
Cass stepped closer, not touching her this time, just present. "We can slow down. We can stop. Whatever you need."
She opened her eyes and looked at him. "I don't want to stop."
Something unspoken passed between them.
"There's a hotel nearby," he said carefully. "We could talk somewhere quiet."
She searched his face for pressure, expectation, anything that made her feel cornered. There was none.
"Okay," she said again.
The walk there felt surreal. The city hummed softly around them, lights glowing, streets quieter now. They talked as they walked, about nothing important. About how strange the night felt. About how unexpected it was to feel so connected to someone you'd just met.
"Do you believe in timing?" she asked suddenly.
Cass thought for a moment. "I believe some moments show up whether you're ready or not."
"That sounds dangerous."
He smiled. "Most honest things are."
When they reached the hotel, it felt like stepping into another world. The lobby was quiet, warm, intimate. Cass checked them in while Althea stood beside him, feeling a strange flutter in her chest that had nothing to do with nerves and everything to do with anticipation.
Inside the room, the door closed with a soft click.
Silence filled the space.
For a moment, neither of them moved.
Cass turned to her slowly. "Still okay?"
She nodded. "I feel… calm."
"That's good," he said. "That matters."
She took a step closer, then another, until she was standing right in front of him. Close enough that she could feel his warmth again.
"I don't usually do things like this," she admitted.
"I had a feeling," he said gently.
"Does that bother you?"
"No," he replied immediately. "It makes this feel more real."
She smiled, then reached for him.
The kiss started softly, almost hesitant, like they were still learning each other. His hands came to her waist, steady and reassuring. When she kissed him back, more sure now, he exhaled slowly, deepening the kiss without rushing it.
She felt her thoughts scatter, felt herself sinking into the moment. The world narrowed again to the taste of his lips, the way his thumb brushed her side, the sound of her own heartbeat.
"You're doing that thing again," he murmured.
"What thing?" she asked, breathless.
"Overthinking," he said. "Let go."
She laughed quietly. "I'm trying."
"Then let me help," he said, kissing her again.
They moved together toward the bed, not hurried, not careless. Each touch felt intentional. Each pause felt necessary. Cass brushed her hair back, his fingers lingering.
"Tell me if I move too fast," he said.
"I will," she promised.
As the night unfolded, everything felt unhurried. Clothes were removed slowly, almost reverently, as if each layer was a conversation of its own. Cass never looked away from her face, never made her feel like anything about this was rushed or expected.
"You're beautiful," he said quietly.
She shook her head, smiling. "You keep saying that."
"Because you keep being it," he replied.
They talked between kisses, between moments of closeness, he started filling her body with kisses she was trying to hold herself, she is loving the feeling,he looked at her and smiled she smiled back they started kissing again his hands reached for her bra and loosen it "you are very beautiful he said"
She smiled again the was consumed with emotions , intimacy and excitement .
When sleep finally came, it wrapped around her gently. She drifted off feeling warm, safe, suspended in a moment she didn't want to end.
Morning came quietly.
Sunlight filtered through the curtains, soft and pale. Althea stirred, her body heavy with warmth, her mind slow to wake. She smiled faintly, turning toward the other side of the bed.
It was empty.
Her smile faded.
She sat up slowly, scanning the room. The stillness was unmistakable. No sound. No movement.
"Cass?" she called softly.
Nothing answered.
The room felt different now. Larger. Colder.
She pulled the sheet around herself, her chest tightening as she realized he was gone. No note. No explanation. Just the quiet echo of a night that already felt like it belonged to another version of her.
One night.
One choice she hadn't planned.
And a silence she didn't yet understand.