Chapter 58: Coffee
"Hello, Kyle. Sorry I’m late. It was hard finding a babysitter at the last minute," Cassandra apologized as she took a seat across from him.
"It’s fine. I’m just glad you came," Kyle replied, offering a reassuring smile.
He gestured for the waitress to come over. They had already approached him multiple times, but Kyle had told them he was waiting for someone.
"For a minute, I thought you were going to stand me up," Kyle added, looking directly into Cassandra’s eyes. She didn’t break eye contact, her gaze steady and unreadable.
"I just ran a little late, that’s all," she responded flatly, her tone tinged with boredom. Kyle quickly realized this coffee date was going to feel like a slog.
After placing their orders, the conversation that followed felt more like an interview than a casual outing. Cassandra’s guarded demeanor left little room for Kyle to charm her, which only fueled his determination to try harder.
He was curious. Was it possible for a woman to stay truly faithful to her husband regardless of circumstance? Kyle had expected this level of restraint from Aiysha, but Aiysha’s occupation thrived on social interaction—unlike Cassandra, a housewife with no need for such skills.
Kyle wasn’t about to point this out, though. In fact, he didn’t mind Cassandra’s coldness. To him, this interaction was a learning experience, a chance to test his skills. He didn’t care if she stayed or left—his intentions weren’t noble. All Kyle wanted was to sleep with her. The fact that she wasn’t part of his "harem" meant he didn’t have to tread carefully or play by any rules.
The conversation remained surface-level as they sipped their coffee. Then an idea sparked in Kyle’s mind.
"You know, I envy married people," he said, hoping to steer the discussion into deeper waters. Even if Cassandra wasn’t genuinely interested, Kyle knew she’d feel compelled to ask why. He could already see the curiosity flicker in her eyes.
"You envy married people?" Cassandra asked, her voice carrying a hint of surprise.
"I do, I really do," Kyle replied, leaning back in his chair. "Being married tells the world you’ve found your person. It’s like saying, ’Hey, everyone, this is the person I’m going to spend the rest of my life with.’" He took a slow sip of his coffee, letting the thought linger.
To his surprise, Cassandra chuckled—her first genuine laugh of the conversation, though it was more of a soft giggle.
"You’ll find your person someday," she said, her tone losing its earlier detachment. "Trust me, when you do, it’ll be the most beautiful thing in the world."
"That’s what everyone says," Kyle responded, pausing for dramatic effect. "But not everyone finds their soulmate."
He leaned forward slightly. "I sometimes wonder... what if my soulmate is already taken? It’s something people don’t think about often enough."
Cassandra raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Taken? If they’re taken, then they aren’t your soulmate," she replied firmly, brushing off the idea. Still, Kyle could tell his words had piqued her interest.
"Is that so?" Kyle asked, tilting his head. "Do you really believe everyone marries their soulmate?"
She didn’t respond immediately, her gaze growing distant as she gave the question some serious thought.
"Hm... I think we learn to love who we marry, not the other way around. We don’t always marry the person we love, but over time, love can grow. I believe that once you learn to love someone, your piece naturally reshapes to fit theirs."
Her thoughtful response caught Kyle off guard. It was more profound than he’d anticipated, and it left him momentarily at a loss for words.
"That’s an interesting perspective," Kyle finally said, nodding. "I’ve never thought about it like that. But then again, not all pieces fit, or we wouldn’t have so many different ones to begin with."
Cassandra smiled, conceding the point. "You do have a point there. I’ll give you that."
Kyle decided to push a little further. "Do you think you’ve found the right piece?"
"Yes," Cassandra answered quickly, but not before hesitating for the briefest of moments.
"That’s your first lie," Kyle thought to himself, though he kept his expression neutral.
From that point on, the conversation became much less stiff. Cassandra seemed to loosen up, speaking with more freedom and even cracking a few jokes. Kyle realized that, as an older woman, she had likely outgrown certain topics and had a clear understanding of what younger men typically wanted. She’d likely encountered countless men who only thought about sex—after all, she had been young once, too.
However, Kyle had managed to engage her in a way most men her age had failed to do. By the end of their coffee date, Cassandra was genuinely enjoying herself, and Kyle had successfully displayed a level of maturity that surprised even him.
As they walked out of the café, Kyle held the door open for her.
"Thank you," Cassandra said with a smile, stepping outside.
They lingered in front of the café, continuing their conversation. Cassandra laughed at something Kyle said, her earlier coldness now entirely replaced by warmth.
Kyle waited by her car as she prepared to leave. Before getting in, Cassandra turned to him and, to his surprise, pulled him into a hug.
Kyle felt her soft, full breasts press against his chest, and for a moment, he lost himself in the sensation. They were the softest he’d ever felt, molding against him like silk. His hands rested on her lower back, but the hug lingered longer than it should have.
Kyle instinctively pulled her closer, and she didn’t immediately resist. His crotch pressed against her thigh, and for a brief second, time seemed to freeze.
Realizing the moment was teetering on the edge of something inappropriate, Cassandra cleared her throat and gently broke away.
"We should do this again sometime," Kyle said, flashing her a confident smile.
"I agree," Cassandra replied, her voice softer now. "I had fun."
With that, she turned, got into her car, and drove off, leaving Kyle standing in the parking lot with a satisfied smirk.
