6

Cass stood against the old wall of the apartment building, crossing her arms tightly. The afternoon sun was hot, but she could not take her eyes off Liam. He was crouching in the dirt yard, busy fixing a rusty old bicycle. It had been a few weeks since they started living under the same roof. Not a single day went by without them fighting over something stupid.

But right now, Cass was not thinking about their small room. She was thinking about what happened just ten minutes ago.

Right after washing the dishes, Liam suddenly changed his clothes. He put on a clean, sharp black tuxedo. He looked like a rich businessman heading to a big meeting. The suit fitted his broad shoulders perfectly. It made him look incredibly handsome. It made no sense for someone living in this poor area. Cass was completely shocked when she saw him. The moment he stepped outside, she quickly followed him.

"Hey," Cass called out, walking closer to him. "Are you just going to ignore me?"

Liam did not look up. He kept turning a screw on the bicycle pedal. "Yes."

"Why are you wearing that?" Cass asked, pointing at his suit. "You are fixing a greasy bike in a tuxedo. You look ridiculous."

"I am busy, Cass," Liam said flatly.

"I don't care if you are busy!" Cass snapped, stepping right next to him. "You look like you are really used to fixing broken things. Where did you even learn to do that?"

Liam still did not look at her. He just kept working on the chain.

Cass felt her anger rising. She frowned deeply and stomped her foot. "Hey, Liam! Answer me. I look like a total idiot talking to the air right now."

Without turning his head, Liam finally spoke in his usual calm voice. "Didn't you say you prefer it when we don't talk? Besides, even if you talk to the air, you still look like an idiot standing there anyway."

Cass made a face. "Your attitude is really the worst, you know that? You look like a prince but you talk like a villain."

"I know," Liam said simply. A tiny smile appeared on his lips as he wiped some grease from the bike.

Cass rolled her eyes and took another step closer. She could smell his clean soap mixed with the smell of bike oil. It made her heart beat a little faster, but she tried to stay mad.

"Just tell me how I am supposed to live like this," she said, her voice becoming softer. "I can't stay broke forever, right? What am I even supposed to do? Tell me."

Liam stopped moving. The heavy tool in his hand went still. He kept his back to her, but his shoulders looked tense. "What is a person supposed to do when they have no money?"

"Get a job, obviously," Cass shot back.

Liam finally stood up and turned around to face her. He was so much taller than her. Cass had to look up into his dark eyes. He stepped an inch closer, his shadow completely covering her from the sun.

"Wow, look at that. You actually make sense sometimes," Liam said softly, his voice very low. "So, what is your plan, senyorita?"

"A... a plan?" Cass stammered. She hated how his closeness made her forget her words. She quickly forced herself to look brave. "I don't have one yet. That is why I am asking you to help me, right? You are my husband."

Liam let out a soft laugh. "Only on paper, remember? That is what you yelled at me yesterday."

"Shut up!" Cass said quickly, her face turning hot. "Just answer me. What about you? What do you actually do to survive? Aside from annoying me every single day?"

Liam grinned, his eyes crinkling at the corners. He looked very charming. "It's simple. I work, just like you said."

Cass got even more frustrated by his secret behavior. She reached out without thinking and grabbed the collar of his sharp suit jacket. The fabric felt smooth and expensive under her fingers.

"That is exactly what I don't understand!" Cass said, looking him up and down. "What is your actual job anyway? Why are you dressed like this? You look like a professional beggar who stole a luxury suit."

Liam did not pull away from her hand. Instead, he looked down at her small hand on his chest, then looked back up into her eyes. He leaned down slightly, bringing his face close to hers.

"If I tell you," Liam whispered, his warm breath brushing against her cheek, "it will ruin the thrill."

Cass felt a sudden spark run through her body. Her heart was pounding so loudly she was afraid he could hear it. She quickly dropped her hand and took a big step back.

She raised an eyebrow, trying to sound tough. "Thrill? What are you, an undercover agent?"

Liam let out a quiet sigh, his smile fading as he looked out toward the busy street. "I wish."

"Ugh! You are completely useless to talk to," Cass snapped, waving her hand to shake off the nervous feeling.

"You too," Liam said smoothly, turning back to the bicycle.

"You pest!" Cass yelled.

Liam went back to fixing the old bicycle. He crouched down in the dirt again, not caring about ruining his nice pants. He was back to his usual, quiet self.

Cass walked a few steps away and leaned against the wooden fence. She watched his broad back move as he worked. Even though he teased her, she knew she could not depend on him forever. He already had his own problems and secrets. She needed to learn how to stand on her own two feet. She wanted to prove to him that she was not just a spoiled, helpless girl.

"Can you at least tell me what time you are leaving?" Cass asked, looking at his suit again.

"Soon," Liam answered without looking up. "Why? Will you miss me?"

"In your dreams!" Cass retorted, crossing her arms again. "I just want to know when I'll have some peace and quiet around here."

"You'll have plenty of it," Liam said. "Just make sure you lock the door."

Cass ignored his comment and started thinking deeply about how she could make her own money. She could not look for just any ordinary job. She had no real experience with hard labor. The thought of cleaning or working in a crowded market made her nervous. But she also could not go back to her father's mansion to face her cruel stepmother. She was stuck.

Suddenly, a brilliant idea popped into her head. She remembered the bright lights, the beautiful clothes, and the feeling of confidence she used to have before her life fell apart.

"Hey, Liam," Cass said suddenly, her eyes shining.

"What?" he asked, still adjusting the bike chain.

"I know what I'm going to do," she said with a proud smile. "I am going to be a model. I am going to pursue my dream."

Liam stopped his work for a moment, but he didn't turn around. "A model?"

"Yes! A model," Cass said, her voice full of determination. "I have the height, I have the face, and I know everything about fashion. I am not going to let my skills go to waste in this place."

Liam finally stood up, wiping his hands on an old cloth. He looked at her with a small, amused smile. "A model, huh? Let's see if you can handle the hard work."

"Just watch me, Liam Lucas Javier," Cass said, raising her chin high. "I am going to succeed, and I am going to make you watch me."

Liam went back to fixing the old bicycle, while Cass started thinking about how she could earn money. She couldn't rely on Liam forever. She needed to learn how to stand on her own two feet.

But how?

She couldn't just look for any ordinary job. She wasn't used to a simple life, but she couldn't bring herself to go back to the mansion either.

Suddenly, her eyes lit up as she remembered something. She could pursue her dream of becoming a model! She wouldn't let everything she had learned go to waste.