A Hopeful Outlook on the Future

“He was like, ‘So you’re going to destroy our family for this man!?” Cassie continues to excitedly recount the events that transpired with Mr. Hoffman when she went to visit her mom.

Becca and Cassie arrived at the suite via Uber about a quarter of an hour after you and the girls did from the Gold Room. You, Brooke, and Sofia helped Tanya, Stella, and Nelly to their beds where they’re sleeping off their drunkenness. Sofia decided to call it a night and go to bed as well. Based on Edmund’s report, Chad and Courtney haven’t left the master bedroom since before you guys left, and ordered an array of dishes from room service. Brooke and Viv were still awake when Cassie arrived with Becca, to everyone’s surprise, and the five of you started asking what transpired with them. The five of you decided to do the recap in the dining area of the suite, while Edmund served some pastries and some chamomile tea to your group.

Which brings you back to…

“And Becca was like ‘I’m not doing this for any man! I’m doing this for respect!’ and Mr. Hoffman’s brain was just *bvvvffftt*” Cassie finishes her story, elated and seemingly proud of Becca’s defiance towards Mr. Hoffman, and doing a mind-blown action to describe Mr. Hoffman’s reaction to Becca’s strong declaration.

“I didn’t say it like that; but, in essence, yes, that’s what I told my father.” Becca shyly admits.

“Your dad really thought you threatened the nuclear option just because you didn’t want to give up on Jay?” Brooke asks to clarify.

“When my father found out from my former chauffeur that I was colluding with all of you, he probably assumed that it was because Jay turned me against him. That’s probably when he started souring on the idea of Jay as a suitor for me as well. Of course, that also meant I was to be punished for my transgressions of undermining his efforts, so he decided to remove me from my posts in the company as soon as he made it back here. It would be the best explanation as to why his score is negative with Jay, and why the app is recommending Jay to buy ‘No More Enemies’ as a trait for me.” Becca clarifies.

“He’s so blinded by his own ego that he can’t even accept that Becca would risk going against him just because it’s the right thing to do.” Cassie piles on.

“So what happened after that whole ‘I’m doing this for respect’ thing? I guess everything’s good if you’re happy, right?” Viv asks Cassie, overexaggerating her impression of Cassie’s delivery earlier.

“Well, Becca’s badassery gave me hope that she can counter whatever loophole he can come up with to his promises. So, yeah, I am happy.” Cassie answers her second question first. “As for what happened after that, he and Becca agreed to a truce. He called it ‘avoidance of mutually assured destruction’, but he just didn’t want to admit Becca totally owned him.” Cassie happily recounts, which Viv raises her teacup to and saying "'Hear hear' to that!", which you all jovially join in on. Except for Becca, who tries to play it off humbly.

“So that’s it, right? We’re finally free from Mr. Hoffman’s meddling?” Viv asks.

“Well I already made him promise me he won’t mess with our relationship ever again before Becca even showed up; but, yeah, he immediately found a loophole for that one. So, hopefully, Becca’s nuclear deterrent completely stops him from doing it again.” Cassie answers.

“Speaking of that nuclear deterrent, I have a question. It’s probably somewhat offensive, apologies in advance Cassie; but~, if he knew about that part in their prenup, why would he… um…” Viv starts to ask, but not finishing the question anymore, and just letting the implication finish it for her.

“Why would he not get rid of the evidence?” Cassie crudely finishes the question for Viv. Viv gives Cassie an awkward smile to affirm that was her question, before mouthing an apology for voicing her curiosity. “I’m just another testament to his hubris most likely.” Cassie guesses.

“No.” Becca responds flatly. “You’re his miracle, Cassie.” Becca adds, adding to the confusion of everyone. “The medical condition my brother has that makes his sperm count absent, my father had a lesser version of. I found out that my brother and I were both conceived through in vitro fertilization due to my father’s low sperm count.” Becca explains. You have to control yourself from laughing at such a serious detail of Becca’s life because Viv’s face blatantly curls like she ate something sour that you just find hilarious.

“So you’re saying he convinced my mom to keep me as a trophy to his suddenly working dick?” Cassie asks dismissively, obviously not wanting to see anything good about Mr. Hoffman right now.

“Okay~, I’m sorry I asked. I didn’t know the reason would be so personal.” Viv interjects, raising her hands.

“What about your mom, Cassie? Is everything between you and her still good?” Brooke asks to change the topic immediately.

“Yeah. I’d say so. Mom’s still going to get her monthly allowance, so she’s happy, and I’m happy for her. She’s going back to her boyfriend for their summer vacation, but she says she’ll try to catch up with me more, and update me on what she’s up to; while she wants to hear what I’m up to with Jay and all of you guys too. It’s baby steps, but it’s honestly more than I could have asked for with her.” Cassie’s happier demeanor quickly returns, now that she’s sharing better news again.

“That’s great, baby.” You tell her, genuinely happy for her. She may have never outright told you about her longing to be a little closer to her mom, but you know how much it meant to her that Sylvie chose her, and how much it means to her that they can now pursue a closer relationship.

“All in all, dare I say, I think we did it. We beat him!” Cassie shouts triumphantly, regaining her cheerfulness before Viv asked her question. You notice Becca momentarily gives a look of doubt, but she immediately shifts back to a more jovial mood after Viv stands up in reaction to Cassie’s declaration.

“Fuck yeah! I wish this was ****!” Viv jokingly shouts out, her arm fully extended upwards to raise her tea cup.

“I don’t! But I agree with the sentiment!” Cassie copies Viv and stands excitedly and raises her tea cup as well, before the two of them laugh and loudly clink their tea cups together. They realize they can’t really down the tea as it’s still hot, so their expression of excitement quickly turns to blowing out the steam coming off their cup, before daintily sipping its contents. The sudden change in demeanor due to their hot drinks gets a laugh out of the three of you sitting down to watch them.

“I’m just glad you two are both in good spirits again.” You comment with a knowing smile.

Cassie and Viv both look at you with sweet smiles, before glancing back at each other in surprise, as they’re both unsure what the other went through emotionally tonight. They’re looks of surprise are momentary though, as they quickly turn into knowing looks, which then shift into teasing ones, before they both finally look back at you. They both silently move from their chairs towards either of your side, with Cassie on the left and Viv on the right. Each of them bends forward to get their heads close to yours as you sit, their lips close to your ears.

“And it’s all thanks to you.” Viv sultrily whispers into your ear.

“Daddy.” Cassie adds right after, her delivery equal to how a classic seductress would say it.

“Don’t you think it’s time for us to go to bed, Daddy?” Viv whispers into your ear, just as seductively as Cassie, and you can feel both of them playing with your hair to tempt you.

“I will take that as my cue.” Becca says with a polite smile, before placing her teacup down after taking her final sip of tea, and standing up from the table.

“Wait!” Cassie suddenly shouts after hearing Becca’s statement. She shouted close enough to your ear that you flinched to your right, accidentally hitting Viv on the forehead with yours, and Brooke can’t help but laugh at the clumsiness all three of you displayed.

“Oh shit! Sorry!” Cassie apologizes to you and Viv, but the two of you just laugh it off as well, as it wasn’t too hard of a bump. “Becca, you don’t have to go. It’s pretty late. You can stay here. I’m pretty sure there's still a spare room available.” Cassie tells her.

“Plus, you’re basically paying for all this anyway. Might as well make the most of accommodations.” Viv adds.

“It’s fine. This was my gift to all of you when we planned out Jay and Brooke’s first date. It’s not necessary for me to stay.” Becca declines.

“You can’t leave yet, Becca.” Brooke tells her.

“I can’t?” Becca asks Brooke back.

“Yeah. Jay still needs to talk to you alone.” Brooke answers Becca. You look towards Brooke in confusion, but she just gives you a look that could only mean she needs you to run with her improvisation.

“Oh, right. Yeah. Almost forgot.” You tell Becca.

“Oh? What about?” Becca asks you. You notice Viv and Cassie look at you curiously, and Brooke saves you from making something up on the spot for the two of them.

“I guess that’s our cue, ladies.” Brooke interjects, before standing up from the table as well. Since you’re the only one not standing, you decide to stand up too.

“Yeah, I should go check on Stella. Good night, Daddy.” Cassie says, giving you a kiss on the cheek before walking away.

“Come on, V. Let’s find you a room.” Brooke tells Viv.

“Alright, alright. I know what’s up. Good night… Mr. Craig.” Viv tells you, before making a playful biting noise near your ear to tease you, and kissing you on the cheek like Cassie before her. Brooke, on the other hand, approaches Becca first and surprises her with a tight warm hug.

“Thanks for all of this Becca. Jay and I had a great time on our date, and I can’t thank you enough.” Brooke tells her sincerely.

“It’s nothing, Brooke. It’s one of the perks I have in running this place.” Becca replies, still not returning Brooke’s hug.

“It’s not that, Becca. It’s literally the thought that counts here. The fact that you went above and beyond when Jay asked you for a favor. The fact that you’re the one who called everyone up to discuss how to better accommodate us once we were here. You didn’t need to, but you still did it anyway. That’s not nothing to me, Becca; and I want you to know that.” Brooke explains.

“You’re welcome, Brooke.” Becca tells her, finally returning her hug.

You’re reminded that just a few days ago, Brooke was at Becca’s throat for triggering Viv with her jab about how Viv’s previous relationship ended, and now they’re hugging it out like friends. You can’t help but smile at how much they’re getting along now.

“Anyway, we’ll leave you two alone so you can talk.” Brooke says as she breaks away from their hug. “Come on, V.” Brooke tells Viv, before leaving you and Becca alone in the dining area of the suite.

“You wanted to speak to me about something, Jay?” Becca asks you, which you can only respond to with a loud “Uh~...” that gets Becca to give a subdued laugh. “I’m assuming Brooke just said that so that I wouldn’t leave?” Becca correctly guesses, getting both of you to chuckle.

“It’s okay, Jay. We can always talk some other time.” Becca adds, before getting her things to leave.

“I…” You mutter, but not sure what to say. It did get Becca to pause though.

“Yes?” Becca asks you, an awkward hope in both the look in her eyes and her voice.

“I want you to stay.” You tell her honestly, but awkwardly, as it sounded like a command.

“Then I’ll stay.” Becca replies, her lips curled into a subtle smile,

…

“I’m not sleepy yet though.” Becca finally says, after you and her just stand awkwardly in the dining room not talking.

Maybe it’s your sex-filled brain after today, but she’s flirting, right?

“Plus, with everything that went on today, I haven’t actually eaten much either. Mel’s is open 24/7, would you like to grab a slice of our favorite pizza?” Becca asks you.

Oh.

She wasn’t flirting.

Still though…

“I’ll never answer no to that question.”

Author's Announcement: Halloween Special 2022 will be out October 31st! I'll post it as the next chapter after the first Halloween Special. Also, that's it for this month's chapters! Hope you enjoyed them! If you want to have a glimpse of what's in store for November, click here.