We slid into the limousine, laughter already filling the space. Leanna and Sebastian started joking around immediately, tossing playful jabs at each other that made it impossible not to join in. I found myself smiling as the conversation shifted to the engagement — colour schemes, floral arrangements, themes, even who was on the guest list.
I didn't know most of the names they mentioned, but Leanna promised I'd meet Jennifer from college and her sister, who was also Jennifer's friend at the party.
"You'll love her," she said with a wink. "She's the one person who knows how to handle me when I go full bridezilla." I chuckled, trying to imagine anyone "handling" Leanna.
Leanna lived in the city, and we had to drop her off first. I, on the other hand, stayed a little farther out, and the energy was already dimming. Sebastian had mentioned heading to bed once they dropped me off, and I didn't want to impose or drag things.
So when the limousine pulled in front of Leanna's building, I decided to get out too.
Sebastian stirred, surprised. "Wait—you're getting off?"
I nodded. "Yeah. No point in making you drive all the way out of the city. I'll just stay with Leanna tonight."
He helped me out, his hand warm against mine. "I wasn't expecting this," he said, almost to himself.
Then he asked, "Do you live with Leanna?"
Both Leanna and I spoke at once. "No."
She was already stepping onto the pavement while I was still halfway out, Sebastian still holding my hand. I glanced down at our joined hands and back up at him. He followed my gaze and let go, murmuring a quick,
"Oh, sorry."
"Do you live with Leanna?" he repeated,
"No," Leanna replied smoothly. "Charles is out of the city, as you already know. Casey hasn't seen my place yet, so I figured she could spend the night. I've got plenty of space."
"Oh," Seb said. His voice was neutral, but his face shifted for a second — a flicker of something I couldn't read. Disappointment? Confusion? I wasn't sure. I hadn't known him long enough to understand his expressions.
"Goodnight," Leanna said, leaning in to press a kiss to his cheek.
"Yeah. Goodnight," I echoed, stepping out of the limousine.
Inside, her building was warm and upscale. She introduced me to the front desk receptionist and the lobbyist who nodded politely at us as we passed.
The elevator ride up to Leanna's penthouse was smooth and silent, the kind that made you feel like you were entering a different world — which, in a way, I was. When the doors slid open, Leanna stepped out first, waving for me to follow.
"Come in, come in," she said with a little grin. "Since we're both dead on our feet, I won't give you a grand tour tonight. But I'll show you where you'll be sleeping."
The penthouse was massive. High ceilings, glass walls that opened up to a breathtaking view of the city, furniture that looked like it had been picked straight from a luxury design magazine — warm tones, rich wood, plush fabrics, gold accents. It was elegant and timeless.
A place that told you exactly who lived here: someone with taste, power, and more money than they needed.
We climbed another short flight of stairs inside the apartment, and she led me to the first door on the left.
"This is your room," she said, pushing it open. "Bathroom's through there. The wardrobe is empty on this side — I know you don't have anything to change into, so let me grab you something comfortable."
"Okay," I nodded, my voice barely above a whisper. I was too tired to form a better sentence.
She kicked off her heels and padded away barefoot, disappearing down the hall.
My own feet were throbbing. I slipped out of my shoes with a relieved sigh and sat on the edge of the bed — a queen-sized cloud of softness wrapped in white sheets and a pale champagne comforter. My limbs were heavy. My thoughts slowed. I meant to lie down for just a moment.
But the next time I opened my eyes, sunlight was already filtering through the window.
My phone was buzzing insistently beside me. I blinked at it, the brightness stabbing my eyes. Reaching for the clutch I'd thrown down last night, I fumbled out my phone.
Mom.
I answered groggily, my voice thick with sleep. "Hello?"
Her voice shot through the line like a whip. Fear. Panic. A bit of fury too.
"Casey, where the hell are you?"
"I'm fine, Mom. Good morning."
"Oh my God, you're alive. What the hell, Casey?"
"What?" I sat up straighter, instantly more alert. "What happened?"
"You didn't come home last night. I was waiting and waiting. You didn't send a message. You didn't call. You just… vanished. You left with that friend of yours from university five years ago — someone I don't even know. Then nothing. No response, no answer, and I was scared something had happened to you. I thought—"
"Mom, Mom—slow down," I said, guilt sinking into me. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to worry you. I stayed over at Leanna's. I should've called, I just— I was tired and I dozed off. That's on me."
"You can't do that, Casey," she said, voice trembling now. "You can't just disappear without a word. I don't care how old you are. You're still my daughter. My only daughter. I need to know you're safe."
"I know," I whispered into the phone. "I promise I'll do better. I didn't mean to scare you. I wasn't even planning to spend the night. I was gonna come back, but we had some drinks… and it got really late. It was past midnight, and home was so far away. I thought it'd be better if I just slept over. I didn't know how else to...."
Mom didn't miss a beat. "You could have called. You have a personal driver, Casey. All you had to do was call him, and he would have come and picked you up. I don't care what time it was — he was going to bring you home."
"I know. And like I said, I'm so sorry, Mom. It won't happen again. I really didn't mean to scare you."
"You could have given me a heart attack," she muttered, softer now but still sharp.
"I'm sorry," I said again, pressing my forehead into my hand. "Truly."
"Okay, fine. Just… don't do it again, okay?" Her voice cracked a little. "I would have loved to know this friend of yours. To at least have some kind of contact with her before you go off for the night like that."
"Yes, Mom. I heard you. I promise it won't happen again."
"So where are you right now?"
"I'm at her place. Her apartment is in the city. I'm in the guest room. I just woke up."
"Alright, fine. Just come back home, okay? And—your dad wants to talk to you."
"Leonard?" I asked, my voice tightening.
"Yes, who else? Your dad wants to talk to you, so get yourself up and come back home."
"Okay," I murmured. "I love you, Mom."
"I love you too, baby," she said and hung up.
I lowered the phone and took a long breath. What I'd said was true. I hadn't planned to stay over at Leanna's. But somehow, life kept handing me detours, and here I was. I looked around the room again — the tall windows, the plush bedding, the tasteful decor — and realized Leanna never came back last night. She must have fallen asleep too.
I got up slowly, heading to the bathroom to relieve myself. I splashed some water, took a quick shower, and wrapped myself in one of the robes I found hanging inside the closet.
Feeling like I needed guidance in this stranger's home, I texted Leanna.
"Hey, just woke up. Is it okay if I shower? Also... where are you?"
Five minutes later, there was a soft knock, and then Leanna walked into the room, looking impossibly fresh. She was dressed in a sleek pair of black leggings and a beige cashmere sweater, her hair pulled up in a soft bun. She was holding a tall glass filled with something green and suspicious.
"Good morning," she said with a smile as she handed it to me.
I took the glass and sniffed it automatically. "What is this?"
"Do not smell it," she warned, holding up a hand. "Just drink it. It'll help with your hangover. Trust me."
I eyed her, sceptical. "Is this one of those things that tastes like death but is supposed to fix everything?"
"Yes," she replied sweetly. "Bottoms up."
The whole time, I was wondering, what does Leonard want to say? It has to do with Caesar. What now? It must be about that job. It's already morning, and now I guess I have to face the problems that I ran from yesterday.