razorblade | sebastian vettel ✓

chapter 15 | my mistakes were made for you

"Alright, if you say so." He didn't believe a word she said. "We're planning on launching this before the end of the season. The layout for it is ready, we just need to calculate the times for the printed copies and digital release, but you'll know the exact date when this is out so you can celebrate with your friends." Cassandra wanted to crawl over the desk and strangle him. He was so smug about making everybody miserable. "You don't look like someone who is getting her work published as the main piece for the magazine. Wasn't that what you always asked for?"

Her lips stretched into a tight-lipped smile. Very fake at first glance. "Thank you for giving me this opportunity, Hans." The words tasted like acid.

"You're welcome, Cassandra." He said with a smile.

Cassandra practically stomped out of the building when Hans finally dismissed her with the promise to keep in touch to let her know when the article was out. She was grateful most of the people at the magazine had ended their shifts because her face could tell how annoyed she was feeling, and she didn't need sneers or curious glances. Not even Iman's sometimes-pitiful looks.

She made her way back home as quickly as possible, hoping Abigail would be already back at the flat when she arrived. The building's caretaker raised his hand to greet her, but immediately closed his mouth when he saw the sour expression on her face. He just sat back and didn't say anything while Cassandra made her way straight to the elevator. She pressed the buttons multiple times as if that would help to get her to the flat faster. She needed to take some Valiums or something.

When she walked into the flat, it was quiet, but Abigail's bag lay on the coffee table. Multiple of its contaminants gathered all around the wooden surface which meant she was home. Cassandra placed her own bag on the sofa and looked around. No sight of her friend anywhere inside the flat.

"Abigail?" She called, raising her voice.

Suddenly the glass door to the terrace opened slightly and her friend showed a side of her face. "Over here." She said with a smile.

Abigail sat on the left side of the terrace, her designated seat. Cassandra walked to the one across from her, on the opposite side. It wasn't a big space, just enough for both of them to have a couple of chairs and some plants Abigail kept because according to her they looked pretty. Plus, it was a nice place to take some air sometimes. The sky wasn't dark yet, but it was getting there. The air was cold, as always, but neither Cassandra nor Abigail seemed to mind.

She leaned against the wall on her side, bringing her feet up in the seat to be more comfortable and pulling a pack of cigarettes from her jacket. Abigail grimaced when she lit one up. The smoke faltered in the air as she exhaled.

"How was work?" Cassandra asked first, looking at Abigail.

This one shrugged but always smiled. "It was okay. The same boring tasks, you know." She just nodded. Abigail stared. "How about you? How was the meeting with Hans?" Her brows furrowed slightly, probably in concern. Abigail always did that, Cassandra had noticed.

She took a long drag. Inhaling like her life depended on it. "He green-lighted the article. Finally." Her stomach twisted again.

"Oh, that's great. Congratulations!" Her cheery tone and smile disappeared when she realised Cassandra didn't look as excited as she supposedly had to be. "Or is it not great? What happened? He didn't behave like a twat, did he?"

He had. Of course. "No, it's just," She bit her tongue. "I'm really tired, but I'm happy he liked it this time." It was all she said. Cassandra didn't want to get into a long conversation about it with Abigail of all people.

Her friend just nodded. "Have you told Sebastian?"

Another drag from her cigarette. She was taking her time. "No, I haven't. Just you. I don't think I'll tell him, it's better for him to read it when it's out. Like a surprise." She could deal with Sebastian. He liked her. It was alright.