Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Kassandra tapped her foot impatiently as she sipped her glass of red wine. The restaurant was filled with loud chatter, couples talking like they had for months or people on dates making the awkward first question. She’d been there a fair few times, there had been fewer times where she’d managed to make it to the second date. 

She couldn’t decide what was more embarrassing. The fact her date hadn’t shown or the fact her mater had set this date up for her. This wasn’t the first time she’d tried to set her daughter up on a date and hopefully, it would be the last one. Kassandra was more than okay with picking up a date in whatever country her job took her to. Myrrine disagreed with that sentiment.

“You work too hard. How are you going to fall in love if you’re constantly working?” That was one of the first things Myrrine had said once Kassandra had put her bags down. She had flown back in from London after finishing up her contract there. Her mother had offered for her to stay at her apartment for the night. Kassandra would have said no if she knew she was going to get the relationship lecture. She would have said no for many reasons but she was far too tired to argue with her mother.

“Can this wait? I just landed.” Kassandra sighed and poured herself a glass of water from the tap and lent against the kitchen bench. 

“What happened with you and what was her name? The analyst at work?” Myrrine looked over at her daughter, a strained smile tugging at her lips. 

“Roxana. Work got in the way so it didn’t work out. And she was my contract manager and still is so it’s not happening.” She sighed and looked at her mother, “I don’t need another date. I’m fine on my own.” She set the glass down once she’d finished the water, Kassandra looked at the grey-haired woman “don’t try and set me up with someone. Not again. That last one was awful and I still haven’t forgiven you for setting me up with that Malaka.”

“Language, Kassandra. Ignoring the past date mistakes I’ve made, I know someone. He’s the son of a friend. I think you’d like him.” Myrrine sighed dramatically “Your brothers have partners I don’t see why you can’t have one. Don’t you dare say it’s because you’re busy.” 

She set the glass down and sighed. She hadn’t agreed to the date; she had just come into the kitchen that morning to see her mother smiling down at her phone and telling Kassandra she had a date in the evening. Kassandra didn’t have the energy to argue with her mother at the early hour, putting her headphones in and going for a run. To keep her mother happy she’d go along with it. Go on a date, one date. 

She’d stopped by her apartment in the city to rummage through her sparse wardrobe. Unfortunately for her she only had clothes for work, running and a few casual clothes shoved at the back. After some consideration of what she could make as an outfit with such a small selection of pieces she had, she settled on a pair of dark dress pants and a long-sleeved red silk button-up. Her usual gold coin necklace hung around down around her collarbone and she tied her hair back in a half-down half-up style. 

All that effort and whoever her mother had set her up with was a complete no show. She finished the last of the wine in her glass and waved to the server, asking for the bill.

“Uh, apologies, are you Kassandra? Myrrines' daughter?” A voice came from behind the server. The young man stepped aside and Kassandra looked up to see a handsome man around her age, with a full beard and chopped hair. “I am, and you are?” She eyed him up and down.

“Brasidas. I’m your date for this evening. Could we get another two glasses of the red?” He flashed the server a charming smile before sitting down and smiling at her. He was a charmer that she could tell, with the smirk that still rested on his lips and the youthful crinkle around his eyes. He was dressed simply, light tan trousers and a light coloured button up. Smart and casual was the best way to describe his style. No matter his dress, he was handsome.

Kassandra found it amusing that he was dressed in light shades that brought warmth to him whereas she was draped in dark tones. 

“Apologies for being late, I was trying to get my cat.” He shifted in his seat and looked at Kassandra. She raised a brow at his words, there was something to be said about ice breaker questions but the thought passed her by as she fixated on the cat, “Get your cat? What were you getting them for?”

“Oh, I was trying to get my cat so I could give her the medicine she has to take. First, she was in a box and then the cupboard. She does that a lot. I have to try to catch her so she can have her medicine before dinner.” Brasidas looked down and laughed “she’s a little rascal. Do you have any pets?”

The waiter placed the two glasses of wine on the table and Kassandra gave him thanks and a nod before she focused back on the man sitting opposite to her. “I don’t, I’m travelling too much so haven’t a pet wouldn’t be practical or fair. When I was young I wanted a pet eagle though, embarrassing I know.”

“We are on a date set up by our mothers, I think we can skip on being embarrassed.” Brasidas took a sip of his wine, trying to suppress a laugh.

Kassandra looked at him for a moment before a smile cracked onto her face and a laugh spilled past her lips. He was right, the whole situation was embarrassing and to get caught up in the so-called embarrassing details of ice breaker questions was nothing in comparison to the embarrassment they both felt being set up by their respective mothers, “I suppose you’re right. Then yes, I wanted a pet eagle when I was younger and was going to name them Ikaros. I instead had a parrot named that.” 

She could remember asking every birthday for an eagle. Even between all the moves after her parents split, she would ask for an eagle. When Myrrine remarried she remembered asking Nikolaos for an eagle. He smiled and laughed heartily at her youthful question. The morning of her seventh birthday she’d raced downstairs to see her stepfather standing in front of a birdcage. When he dramatically stepped aside she burst into a smile at the brightly coloured parrot who chirped happily from within. After Myrrine and Nikolaos split, she still had her parrot friend Ikaros to keep her company between the court dates and legalities. She taught him tricks and how to speak, a few swear words much to the chagrin of her mater. 

Brasidas smiled at her words, his eyes twinkling with amusement. “My cat is named Chari. She’s an old lady but still full of life. Before you ask, Chari is short for Charizard.” Kassandra raised her brow at his words, a cheeky smile tugging at her lips, “Charizard? Like the pokemon?” 

“We were all kids once. Charizard was my favourite pokemon so I named my cat after them.” He laughed airily, looking over at her “Do you have a favourite one? Pokémon, that is, not a cat.”

She took a sip of her wine before answering his question “This might be a deal-breaker but I never really got into Pokémon.” 

He feigned an expression of disgust, putting his hand over his heart in a gesture of mock hurt “I cannot believe you didn’t get into Pokémon.”

“I had some cards of course. Probably still have them in a box somewhere but the cartoons and games. I didn’t get into it.” She shrugged and looked at him, “I’m guessing you were a big fan.”

“Oh absolutely. I have all the cards and watched the shows. Named my cat after one of them so yeah I’d say I was a fan.” He took another sip of his wine before swirling the red liquid slightly, “So, if you weren’t into Pokémon...what were you interested in as a kid.”

“Uh, history.” She laughed slightly and swirled her drink “an unnatural amount of history.” 

“History? You chose history over Pokémon?” He finished the last sip of wine and raised a brow at her “do you do something history related for work?”

Kassandra froze for a moment. Probably too early to tell the truth about things. “I went to university for it.” That part wasn’t a lie. “I’m currently doing a half-day tutoring and the other half working on getting a PhD.” That part was. 

“That’s impressive. I thought you might have been a teacher, style of dress and all. It’s what the kids are calling dark academia these days.” He smiled at her “My fashion is what the kids would call beach boy. Or at least that’s what my sister told me. She’s all into fashion.” 

Kassandra finished her wine and looked at him, listening closely as he talked. She liked that he did all the talking. Well, most of it. Talking was what she found hard with dates, she couldn’t exactly  talk  about what she did for a living. 

“Hey, how about we drop the dinner. I don’t know about you but I’m not a fan of fancy restaurants.” His voice brought her back to the present and she looked at him with a brow raised “Where do you suggest?” 

“The waterfront is nice at night. Can’t offer fancy food or anything but I can offer excellent company and a gorgeous view.” He waved down the waiter and looked over at Kassandra “What do you say?”

“I’ll take good company over a fancy dinner any day.” She spoke and looked at him “care to split?” 

He shook his head “My mother was most adamant about this date so it’s on me. It’s the least I can do.” He placed cash in the chequebook and stood, grabbed his jacket off the back of the chair and looked at her “Ready?”

The pair idly chatted as they walked along the waterfront. The lights of the quaint boardwalk twinkled across the calm waves. People milled about, chatting around small tables or sitting on the water’s edge, legs dangling in the water. Some teens skated by, blasting music from tinny speakers hooked onto their bags. 

“Okay, rapid-fire first date questions.” Brasidas walked backwards in front of her.

Kassandra raised a brow at him, “Careful beach boy. Fine, ask away.” 

“Favourite colour?”

“Dark red, you?”

“I’m partial to light pink, it makes my arms look more defined.” Kassandra rolled her eyes at his words, “what? Who knows, if we make it to the second date, you’ll see me in pink.”

“Is that so? Well, I can’t wait.” 

Brasidas moved to walk alongside her, “favourite band or singer?”

“Hmmm, I’d have to say Marina. Perfect music for running and also studying.” The singer had become her favourite years ago and found herself listening to the song often whether it was on her morning run or cooking herself dinner. She had been to her concert a few years back after Alkie had convinced her months in advance to take just one weekend off. They had crashed with Alkies friends in London, drunk cheap wine by the Thames after the concert and Kassandra remembered trying to get the glittery makeup off for days, “How about you?”

“I can’t just pick one. I like a lot of genres but at the moment I’d have to say, Henry Jackman. I love movies and his composing work, spectacular.” He looked at her “Leads me to, favourite movie?” 

“Don’t make me choose. There are far too many good movies for me to just pick one.”

“My exact problem. I can never choose just one. I’m very indecisive.” 

Kassandra saw a small ice cream stall ahead and smirked slightly, “Indecisive hm? Favourite ice cream flavour.”

“Okay, maybe I’m not indecisive about everything.” He laughed heartily at her question, eyes crinkling, “Chocolate, basic I know.” 

“Sweet, uh, go wait on the bench just there, I will be right back.” She smiled and walked off towards the ice cream stall. Kassandra returned to the bench with two ice creams, heart sinking where he was nowhere to be seen. She looked around the waterfront, trying to find where he could have gone.

“Kassandra! Down here!” Kassandra looked towards the sound to see Brasidas sitting on the rocks with his shoes and jacket on the rock next to him. With caution, Kassandra stepped down onto the rocks and sat down next to him, “I thought you ran off.” She laughed and gave him the ice cream

“Nope, just came to cool off. How on earth are you wearing trousers and long sleeves in this heat?” He looked over at her and took a lick of the ice cream, “damn that’s good.” 

She shrugged, “I guess I’m used to hot weather. I grew up between Sparta and San Francisco.” truth be told, she only wore long sleeves when it was cold or if she was on a date like now. 

She was fine with questions but when the question was related to the three angry scars that tore across her bicep, she would rather not answer that question on a first date or second or third date. When Roxana asked, she shrugged and gave a vague answer. Said that she got it while working but didn’t go into the details about it. Roxana knew about her job, her skill set, she knew about her bird named Ikaros and knew that Kassandra hated the taste of banana candies but she didn’t know how she got the nasty scar.  

“You grew up in Sparta? What a coincidence, I grew up there as well before moving to Athens.” He didn’t seem to notice her zoning out and looking out at the sea. At his words she snapped her attention back to him, “you grew up in Sparta?” 

“Lived there till I was fourteen. We moved to Athens to be closer to family and my sister was going to University so it all worked out. What about you? I’m curious as to how you ended up in San Francisco.” 

She ate some of her ice cream and looked at the water. “I was born in Sparta and grew up there, my parents split when I was fourteen. My dad moved to San Francisco and my mum stayed in Sparta. Six months there, six months here. Got to experience summer in two countries.” Kassandra looked over at him “I liked it here more though. Although I liked the hills there, it was good to skate on.”

“I’m sorry to hear about your parents. Divorce is tough.” Brasidas finished off his ice cream and looked out at the sky, “all things considered, this has been an excellent date, I feel like I’ve known you all my life. I’ll have to thank Myrrine.” He teased her with a grin on his lips. She rolled her eyes in return and wiped her hands of any melted ice cream. 

“If she hears this went well I will not hear the end of it.” She sighed. Myrrine would absolutely try to send her on another date. She enjoyed his company that she could admit. He was charming, kind, and made her laugh. But at the end of the day, she had to put her job first. People relied on her and she couldn’t allow herself to be distracted by things like romance. “I’ve enjoyed this though, you’re good company.”

“How would you suggest we end this date?” He asked, brow raised at her.

“You said you were a movie buff right? So how about either we catch a movie or we crash at my place?” He hummed in agreement at her words, “where’s your place?” He asked, pulling his shoes back on. 

“Plaka. Did you get a taxi or drive here?”

“Taxi, I’ll call us one.” He smiled at her, “so, Plaka? It's a bit touristy isn’t it?” 

He was right, it was. But she liked that there were areas where you could sit in the shade and relax. Sip on some smooth coffee and spend the day reading. There were times she would get a tourist asking for directions in what Greek that had learned before the trip and she would gladly help. She silently smiled at their relief when she would speak with them in English. She’d help mark their map for them and send them on their way with a recommendation for dinner or a less known sight to see. 

“It’s nice there. I’m hardly home but when I am it’s the perfect place to relax.” She stood when he did, “besides, I’ve got a view of the acropolis so I really can’t complain about how many people there are.” They walked side by side to the curb, chatting lightly as they waited for the taxi. 

Kassandra fumbled with her keys and pushed the door open, it was stiff due to the humidity the swamped the city. Inside the air was cool, and the light was dim. She flicked on the main light and a warm light cascaded over the main room. Brasidas looking around before his eyes fell on her “Not what I expected.”

“What do you mean by that?” She set her keys down in the handmade bowl that set on the kitchen benchtop, they clattered against the spare change and lip balms. 

“I’ll be honest, I expected a more modern or stoic style. Not a collection of mismatched pottery and furniture. Do you get someone to weather your plants or are they fake?” She caught the teasing smirk on his lips and rolled her eyes.

“They are fake, even if someone watered them I’d still end up killing them. What made you think I’d have a stoic aesthetic?” 

Brasida chucked slightly and shrugged his light jacket off and slung it over one of the chairs at the small dining room, “I mean your mother is Myrrine. She’s very focused on her work, I thought maybe you got that from her.” 

“I might have got her work ethic but I didn’t get her aesthetic tastes.” Myrrine liked a more modern style, clean lines and natural light. She lived in Filothei, close to the embassies and surrounded by the lush green, villas and wealth. “I told you I grew up partly in San Francisco, my inspiration is the two places I grew up in.”

“And the hand made pottery?” 

“One of my friends is an artist. Before you ask, yes the handles of the vase in the corner are dicks.” Kassandra laughed as she watched Brasidas walk over to the vase, investigating it with a thoughtful expression and a hand on his bearded chin as though mimicking the thinker. 

“Incredible craftsmanship. I’ll have to get the artists name. I do think my house needs a cock vase.” 

She rolled her eyes and shook her head “I’m glad someone appreciates it. I came home one day to find it in the corner with a little note on it. He is a character that’s to be sure.” Brasidas hummed and walked over to the kitchen bench, leaning against the smooth stone. 

“About this movie, what are you thinking?” 

“I’m thinking I’ve got a stack of movies in the drawer by the tv. You pick something and ill get us some cool drinks. I would offer snacks but I haven’t been home in a while.” he turned to go look at the drawer and the movies within as Kassandra got some glasses out of the cupboard.

“Are you out of the city a lot?” He asked, flicking through the movies.

“Yeah, for work I travel a lot.” She had done this conversation with so many people and could navigate it with ease. “I work in event management. Concerts, conventions and conferences. The three C’s” She answered before he asked what she did for work. 

“That’s impressive. Between that, tutoring, and a PhD? The fact you have time for a date is incredible.”

Fuck. She forgot about the PhD. She got lost in her lie. Usually, she was good at this but this man had her guard slipping; ‘Don’t fall, Kassandra, don’t fall.’ her mind screamed. She plonked the ice cubes into the drinks and walked over, setting them down on the coffee table. “It’s sorta a side gig. It’s my dad’s company so I help out sometimes.” She had settled into the fact she would not see this man again, no matter how handsome he was she had dug herself too deep into the lie. 

“You’re incredible, you know that. Then there is me who is an author. Or attempting.” He laughed and pulled a movie out, “Rebel Without A Cause? You know your classics.” 

She silently thanked him for changing the topic. She helped him set up the DVD player before they both sat themselves on the couch, a little closer than was usual for a first date. Kassandra looked over at him as the movie started, watching him mouth the words as the actors spoke on screen. 

By the end of the movie, they were speaking the lines out loud. Brasidas spoke Judys lines, and Kassandra spoke Jims as the final heartbreaking moments of the movie unfolded. As the red block letters spelling ‘the end’ appeared on screen they close to one another, noses nearly touching and smiling like idiots.

Brasidas' eyes locked onto Kassandras’ golden brown eyes and bit his lip slightly as if he was preparing himself to ask an important question. And he did.

“May I kiss you?”

Kassandras’ breath hitched slightly at his question. She wasn’t used to people being this straightforward about things and for a moment it felt like her brain was short wiring. Kassandra nodded to him, saying yes on the breath she didn’t know she’d been holding. She leaned forward to close the gap between them, capturing his lips in hers. ‘Fuck it’ She thought ‘I can fall for just one night’

They clumsily stumbled down the short hall to her bedroom, halting a few times so Brasidas could comment on her decor choices. He pulled her down onto the bed, kissing her sweetly as he tangled his fingers in her half down hair. He pulled the clip free and her russet tresses tumbled free, dangling over her face as she sank down to kiss him before pulling back. “Do you want this?” She asked, voice soft as she spoke. He nodded, “God yes. You?”

“Absolutely.” She let herself fall for him.

Kassandra liked that he didn’t ask that many questions. He asked the usual; feel okay? Is this alright?  But he didn’t ask personal ones. Even as she pulled her shirt off and noticed his eyes flicker to the marks across her right arm. Instead, he just drew her close and kissed her, strong arms wrapping around hers and fingers ghosting over the scars. He didn’t ask about the one on her torso, just placed a kiss over it as his hands gripped her hips. 

She lets herself fall, she is not planning on seeing him again so she doesn’t worry about the attachment. That would fizzle away as soon as she got back to work, her mind focused on something more important than a kiss or the butterflies in her stomach she felt whether gently cupped her cheek and leaned into the kiss. 

His voice is smoother than the silken shirt that now resides on the floor next to the bed. They laugh together when Kassandra’s arms give way and she crashes face-first into his chest, her cheeks flushed bright red and she manages to look up at him only to be greeted by mischievous dark brown eyes,  see something you like?  He stifles a laugh and she can’t help but let a grin spill onto her lips. That broke the ice a bit more and they gave up on trying to be poised with one another.

Kassandra looked over at him once the deed was done and they had freshened themselves up, the warm light of the bedside lamps cascaded over his face giving him a warm glow. He caught her looking and a cheeky smile appeared on his lip “hmm? See something you like?” 

She rolled her eyes at him and shuffled herself closer so that their bodies were flush with one another “I think we’ve established we both see something we like.” He smiled at her, reaching to tuck a loose strand of hair behind her ear. She feels herself falling again like she stepped off a cliff and is falling to the ground. But the ground never comes. She does, for the second time that night.

Kassandra told herself that she’s not falling for this man. She believed that until she wakes up in a cold bed and her heart twangs. Her phone rings from the other room and she silently curses herself for being so foolish with matters of the heart as she pulls a shirt on and walks down the hall to get her phone. Good, it’s a work number, that will help her clear her head. As she picks up the phone she notices a scribbled note stuck to the fridge. She silently curses as she read the note. 

Kassandra could feel herself falling again. She pushed the feeling down and cleared her throat to answer the call just as the line connects.

“Hey Roxana, sorry I uh, slept in.” She pinched the bridge of her nose as she spoke, waiting for Roxana to make a snarky remark. The comment never came, instead, her tone was almost apologetic. 

“Moring Kassandra, listen I know you just got back from London but I’ve got another contract for you. Suits your skillset and the client is in Greece.” 

Kassandra thanked the stars for another job so soon. It was just what she needed. “I’ll take it. Let me have some breakfast and I will call later when my mind is awake as my body. Is that alright?”

Roxana muttered something about being responsible before she hung up the call, leaving Kassandra staring at the note from Brasidas. She pulled it off the fridge and crumbled it up, throwing it in the bin.

She wasn’t going to fall. 

Chapter Text

“Go through the details again.” 

On the other end of the line, Roxana sighed “What on earth has you so distracted? I’ve explained this two times already.” 

Kassandra looked down at her oats, casting a glance at the rubbish bin and the note that Brasidas had left.

“Sorry I had to leave early, I made you some oats though. ~Brasidas”

“Yeah, I’m fine…rough night.” She grumbled. 

“Hmm? I know exactly what constitutes an Agiadis rough night.” Kassandra could practically hear her smirk through the phone. Although she and Roxana hadn’t worked out, they still bickered like a married couple with Roxana regularly teasing her for the simplest things.

Kassandra rubbed her temples and sighed “nope nope we are not doing this again. It was just a one-night thing that’s all you get to know. Just tell me the details.”

“Ooo alright grumpy, I’ll let it slide. Just be safe” 

“I was. Please can we get on with this?”

As Roxana spoke, Kassandra scribbled down the key details on a sticky note. It was a typical job, a rich family in Ekali needing a personal security guard for their son, a full-time job for at least a year and the rest of the details would be discussed at a meeting that afternoon. If she was being honest with herself, she didn’t want to take another job so soon after the last one, but it was the perfect distraction to the mess of her mind. She hoped for a least a little time off, take a ride up the coast and relax in a quaint little town where she could read and not have to worry about where the next bullet could be coming from

“I’ll call you after the meeting,” She looked at her watch “I should get ready, I need to go pick up my car before I head off.”

“Stay safe as always Kass.”

“Safety is my middle name…” She chuckled slightly “actually that’s a lie I don’t have a middle name.”

“You do have one and one day I will find out what it is. You cant have all your mystery.” Roxana laughed and said her goodbyes. Kassandra looked at the sticky note as she cleared away her bowl and coffee mug, both of them another gift from Alkibiades. She washed them up before walking down the hall to her room. It didn’t take her long to get ready after she showered, pulling her hair back into a braid that hung down her back and pulling on a light button-up. It was going to be a hot day so she opted for a pair of tan trousers and her usual work shoes. She slung her bag over her shoulder and grabbed her phone, keys and wallet before heading out.

The walk to the mechanic was peaceful with the sun already warming the quaint streets. After a month in dreary London, the sun was a welcome surprise as she shrugged off the dark jacket she had put on before leaning and letting the Mediterranean rays warm her arms.

A friendly smile greeted her when she arrived at the mechanic with Barny pulling her into a hug, “You’re back at last. Come, your car is all fixed up. I added a few extra bits I think you’ll like.” He led her through the workshop to the side garage, “full service as always. Adjusted the steering so you’ve got more responsive steering, same with your pedals.”

Kassandra ran her hand over the roof or the car as she listened to his words, “Buffed out that dint in the back and well, fixed the back window problem.” 

She stifled a laugh, “problem is a nice way to put it. Thank you, Barny.” She gave him a kind smile. He had always been so kind to her as an old family friend, he was the one that let her crash at the shop after coming off her skateboard and the one that taught her to fix an engine. When she had brought him her Jaguar, he had asked late in the evening as they were working on it if she wanted to replace all the glass with bulletproof glass. He knew her line of work and would always offer up new ideas on how to make her car better suited for work. 

“I sent you the payment information, don’t let the husband hear, he says I’m too nice to you.” He laughed and tossed the keys. Kassandra caught them and laughed “Did he say that?”

“Something along those lines. You are the only one that ever pays on time anyway.” He looked over at her, “heading off for work again?”

“Yeah, it’s a job here though so I at least get to be home for a little while.” She smiled and looked at her watch, “I should head off, the traffic is going to be a nightmare because of road closures and I just know it’s going to make my twenty-minute drive longer”

Barnabas nodded and pushed off the car, “you stay safe. Take the west way, it’ll be a bit faster.”

He waved her off as she pulled out of the garage and onto the main road. She turned up the radio as she tapped on the wheel, humming along to the song while merging onto the freeway. It wasn’t that long of a drive to Ekali but the road closers and the summer traffic made the short drive arduous and frustrating.

Ekali was a beautiful area, expensive mansions tucked away amongst the lush trees. The family must be in shipping or business, they were the only ones with enough money to afford property here. She looked at the sticky note with the house number hastily scribbled on it before looking at the number on the gate in front of her.

She rolled down her window as she pulled up to the security box. “Name and business?” The guard asked, flipping through his visitor manifest.

“Kassandra Agiadis, I have a meeting with Argileonis Tellarkas about security matters.” She tapped the wheel, waiting for him to finish flicking through his book. 

“Okay yes, I have you here. Drive on through. Please park out the front for the house.” He smiled at her and opened the gates, gesturing for her to head in. She thanked him before driving through the gates and up the long driveway. The gardens were well kept, as were the rest of the grounds. 

She parked out the front of the house, whistling under her breath as she got out of her car, pulling her jacket on and grabbing her bag. A man came out of the house and looked at her. He was old yet with a kind face, well put together and polished, “Ms Agiadis, follow me please.” He gave her a kind smile.

“Of course. It’s good to meet you…?” She held her hand out to shake.

“Leon.” He politely shook her hand, giving a small nod, “Argileonis is waiting in the back garden, she’s asked for us to take the side path to the garden. Ah, Jonas, he will park your car for you.” 

Kassandra turned to see another man, this one younger and less polished compared to the older man. She took out her keys and passed them to him hesitantly, “not a scratch, I just got her serviced.” The young man cracked a small smile and nodded.

Leon led her around the side path, his sleek shoes tapping against the pavers. They came out into the back garden, walking down another stone path to a small gazebo where a woman was sitting. 

“Argileonis, Ms Agiadis is here.” Leon spoke and pulled the chair out for Kassandra, gesturing for her to sit. 

“Wine?” The woman asked as Kassandra took a seat, looking her over with a wise and critiquing gaze. Kassandra shook her head “Thank you for the offer but I have to decline."

A small smile came across Argileonis’ face, “A wise answer. Every other person I have interviewed has said yes to a drink. I want someone responsible for looking out for my son and currently, you seem the most responsible.” 

“Thank you, Mrs Tellarkas, I make it a point to not drink while conducting business, whether it be a meeting like this one or when I am actively on the field.” Kassandra watched as the woman flicked through some papers before looking at Kassandra, “I won’t dally on why you are here, my son is in danger. He is to inherit the family business when my husband retires. We have already received threats on his life from competitors. My son...he is quite the partier with very little concern for his personal safety.” The woman sighed softly, “Every other person I talked to had a plan but none of them were any good, I know I only informed you of this matter but if you have any ideas I would love to hear.”  

Kassandra mulled over the woman’s words, running through possibilities in her head, “I like to give my clients freedom, they still get to do their day to day, I am just there as their security. For example, your son likes to party so I would go to that event with him and ensure his safety.” 

“A one-person team? That seems quite risky given the circumstances.” 

“It can be risky if you don’t have the right skills and training. As they say, sometimes, less is more. A big security team could make your son more of a target, people see security and automatically see importance and power.” Kassandra had experience with these types of clients, rich kids, celebrities. The ones that wanted everything big, except their security team. In her mind, Kassandra could hear Roxana’s joking words;  Agiadis the one-woman army.  She looked at the woman who was scribbling down some notes, eyebrows furrowed in concentration.

“I’d like to hire you then. I’ve seen your resume and can see that you are more than good at your job. It would be a year contract at least, you’d be required to travel with my son. I will have my assistant write up a contract and have it to you by the end of the day.” Argileonis looked up as she spoke, smiling as her eyes settled on someone behind Kassandra, “Ah, here he is now, my dear meet your bodyguard.” 

A young man walked around the table and placed a kiss on his mother cheek before turning to greet Kassandra. The shocked expression on his face mirrored that of Kassandra’s. His eyes were wide and a blush spread across his face.

“Kassandra?”

“Brasidas.” 

Argileonis looked between the two, “You’ve met?”

“Mother, this is Kassandra, Myrinnes daughter, the one you sent me on a date with.” He looked at his mother and then sighed “how did you not know? Agiadis isn’t exactly a common last name.”

“Impossible, Myrinne said her daughter was a lawyer.”

Kassandra let out a sigh and looked at the two, “My mother says that, she’s a politician and it’s to keep up appearances.” Kassandra lied, “I understand if this complicates things, I can recommend you someone who is more than qualified for this job.” 

The woman shook her head, “No no, you are Myrrines daughter meaning I can trust you with the protection of my son. No change is necessary. I will leave you two to get to know one another a bit better.” She gathered up her papers and stood, “I will have that contract for you by the end of the day.”

Kassandra watched as Argileonis walked up to the main house before turning her head, letting her gaze fall on Brasidas who was still a bright red. “I am so sorry about this...I can convince her to change her mind.” He stumbled over his words.

The dark-haired woman shrugged, “I’m fine with it, it is just a job. You could have maybe told me your last name you know? Would have made this all a bit less awkward.”

He sat down opposite her and poured himself a glass of the white wine Agrileonis had left on the table, “And you could have told me you were a bodyguard, it seems like a pretty important fact for someone to know.”

“It is not something that is discussed on a first date. I’ll be honest, I didn’t plan on seeing you a second time so I didn’t mention it.” She leant back in the chair, looking up at the sky for a few moments before focusing back on the man opposite her who was sipping his wine. “First, a few ground rules, we do not talk about what happened between us.”

“Why? Embarrassed?”

“Between the two of us, who is bright red?” 

He poured another glass of wine and downed it, “what are the other ground rules then?”

Kassandra sighed and sat up, “I’m your bodyguard, not your friend. Don’t ask about my personal life, what you know now is all you will know.” 

Brasidas nodded and looked at her, “Can I at least ask you a few questions first? You haven’t signed your contract yet.” She rolled her eyes at him and his words, “fine, what do you want to know?”

“Are you okay? I mean, the guy you went on a date with and slept with is now your client, isn't that a conflict of interest? I can convince my mother to change her mind.” 

Kassandra raised her brow at his words before her expression softened, “I’m more than capable of professionalism. Last night was just a date and it was nice to meet you. I don’t mean this in a harsh way but I didn’t plan on seeing you again.” Kassandra lied again, she liked to keep a tight grip on her feelings, they would compromise her work. Taking a bullet for someone would be a lot harder if she knew someone would be waiting for her to come home. “Are you okay with this?”

“I mean...I had someone threaten to kill me so I mean, having a bodyguard who I also kinda slept with, not exactly a big deal. We are adults, we can deal with it.” He shrugged and looked at her “So, bodyguard? Does that mean you aren’t actually into history? Oh god are you actually into Pokémon and you were just lying to keep your cover.”

She tried her hardest to keep a straight face at his absurd response, she failed as a small grin tugged at her lips, not reaching a full smile. “No, I’m not secretly into Pokémon, apologies for the disappointment. I am actually into history. That bit wasn’t a lie.”

“How much was?”

“Only the part about what I do for work. The pet bird is true, growing up in two countries is true.” She shifted in her seat as she spoke, “it’s not really something that I tell people. Sometimes I say I’m a historian, sometimes I listen to my mother and tell people I’m a lawyer.” She stifled a laugh and looked at him “what about you? Are you actually an author or?”

“I said I was attempting to be an author, didn’t say I was successful. As you heard from my mother, I’m meant to be taking over the family business.” He looked at her “guess we both have parental expectations.” 

Their conversation was interrupted by Leon returning to the table with a folder of documents “Your contract Ms Agiadis. Argileonis would like it signed before you leave so she can organise the other matters. Your contract officially starts at six am on Monday.”

“Thank you, Leon, I will make sure I get this back to Mrs Tellarkas. Should I give it to her directly or to you?” She smiled as she took the folder and set it down on the table.

“Please give it to Agrileonis, she should be in her study on the top floor, I’m sure Master Brasidas can show you the way.” He turned on his heel and walked back to the house. Kassandra watched Brasidas with a raised brow.

“It’s not my title whatsoever. I’m just Brasidas Tellarkas, nothing more.” He sighed, “Leon likes to tease that I have a title, it’s been a joke since I was a kid. Don’t you have a contract to look at?”

“I do and I’m going to.” She flicked open the folder and started reading through the dense contract. She had read plenty of contracts through her career, some dense and confusing with their wording whereas others were fairly straightforward, “So, your mother tells me you’re quite the party boy.”

“If that contract was written by my mother, I'm guessing it says you have to stop me from partying.” 

“It doesn’t say anything so far about it. All that would change with your party habits is that I’d come along with you. You’ll never have to show up or leave a party alone now.” Kassandra didn’t look up as she read through the documents, taking mental notes of certain details and requirements. Ignoring the fact she was now the guard of a man she had slept with the night before, she wasn't thrilled about this contract. Rich kids had a habit of not listening, too busy going with the flow and not dealing with the consequences. If his current drinking habits said anything and his mother’s words about his partying, she could put together that he was going to be a pain in her ass for a year.

Brasidas looked over at Kassandra, “I’m not the type to go home alone, I think we established that last night.” 

“We also established we weren’t talking about what happened.” She narrowed her eyes at him, a steady glare setting on him. Brasidas smirked “I thought you said I was the embarrassed one, you don’t even want to talk about it.” 

“You do know I’m the one in charge of your safety for the next year? Maybe keep that in mind. I’d hate for something to happen.” Kassandra looked to the man opposite her, the smirk whipped off his face completely as he now watched her with a look of mild horror. 

The sun was high in the sky when she finished reading through the contract, she took out her pen and signed where necessary before looking at Brasidas once more as she shut the folder, “Care to show me to your mother's study?”

He nodded just as he knocked back the rest of the wine in his glass. “If that means you’ll be one your way, I am more than happy to.” He stood just as Kassandra did, casting a glance over at her. He picked up the wine glass and half-empty bottle, gesturing for Kassandra to follow him up to the main house. She slung her back over her shoulder and walked next to him.

The main house was beautiful, with artworks Kassandra could only dream of owning hanging on the walls. Polished tile reflected a grand chandelier and rich velvet curtains that draped across the large windows, “nice place.” Kassandra spoke as they walked up the large staircase. 

“My parents and I have very different styles. I would like some more plants.” He muttered as they reached the first floor, “down the hall you’ll find my mothers study. It’s the centre door.” He turned to walk down the side hall, “See you Monday.”

Kassandra scoffed and rolled her eyes before walking down the opulent hall. She knocked on the door, opening it when the voice inside welcomed her in. Argileonis smiled at her from the desk and got up, walking around the desk to greet her. 

“I’ve read and signed the contract. Leon says I start at six am on Monday, I would like to make sure that I’ve got that information correct.” Kassandra handed the folder to the woman with a kind smile.

“Yes, please come to the house in the morning. By then your room will be ready. As it says in your contract, every second Saturday is your day off. I…I hope this isn’t too demanding.”

Kassandra shook her “No no, it’s alright. The safety of my client is a top priority.”

Argileonis gave her a kind smile, “your confidence puts me at ease. If my son gives you any hassle, don’t hesitate to tell me. He can be a handful sometimes.” She flipped through the contract and nodded to her, “all sorted, I’ll send any other information directly to you.” 

“Thank you, I will see you on Monday.”

—

“Wait wait, go through this all again.” 

Kassandra sighed and held her head in her hands, “This is payback for this morning I know it.”

Roxana smirked and sipped her beer “now why would I do that? But really, it can’t be that bad can it?”

The pair sat on the rooftop of Roxana’s apartment building, looking out over the sprawling city as the setting sun bathed the mix of buildings in a golden glow. Far off in the distance, the sea glimmered in the evening sun, providing a cool breeze every now and then as a reprieve from the heat. 

“I slept with the man who is now my client, who my mother set me up with who also still lies to her friends about me. Lawyer my ass.” Kassandra muttered and looked at Roxana, “It’s not bad, it’s just he was surprisingly decent. That could just be because my last job was so tense but who knows. Now I have to deal with a fancy rich man for a year. And when I say rich I mean I’m pretty sure they had a Rodin as casual decor in their house.”

“Kass, you’re a professional. Don’t worry about it.”

“It’s the principle of it, I’m fine with the job but I dread if his mother finds out or hell, his father.” 

Roxana looked over at Kassandra with a raised brow, “Don’t you start on principles, who was sleeping with their handler again?” She punched Kassandra in the arm playfully as she smirked.

“And who was sleeping with the person she was meant to be handling?” Kassandra watched her out of the corner of her eyes as she sipped her beer. 

“Oh, I handled you alright.”

Kassandra hummed “That you did.” 

Roxana looked over at Kassandra, “I don’t think you have anything to worry about. You can relax, nothing is going to end up like...well you know what...again. You are good at your job. Ignore the principles of everything and just focus on the job.”

Kassandra nodded, “aye aye captain, will do.” She leaned back in the worn plastic chair and looked up at the sky, watching as the colours shifted. They sat in comfortable silence for a moment before Roxana spoke:

“So...you said he was decent. Are we leaning to a good decent or a bad decent?”

Kassandra laughed ad looked at her, “You are insufferable.”

“You love me.”

“No comment.”

“Cmon, how was he?”

“I’m sticking with no comment.” Kassandra looked at her friend, laughing at the shit-eating grin that was plastered across her face. She shook her head and took a swig of beer, “I’m not telling you. I’m sticking to my principles.”