Chapter 222

Anastasia and Cassian walked hand in hand along the beach. The sand here was pristine and soft, feeling amazing under their feet. With the ocean breeze and beautiful scenery, Anastasia gradually felt her stress melting away.

As a New Yorker, Anastasia had always loved the ocean. Whenever she’d taken vacations before, she’d always chosen beach destinations.

Jasper had absolutely hated it. He thought she was boring for always picking the same type of place – no creativity, same old scenery that he was sick of looking at.

Back then, Anastasia had been so head over heels that she didn’t realize what Jasper’s complaints really revealed about his character.

To Anastasia, vacations were different from sightseeing trips. Vacations were about relaxation, not fighting crowds at tourist traps, rushing through itineraries, and checking boxes.

When she vacationed, she’d deliberately choose quieter, less touristy spots or resorts. She’d check into a nice hotel, eat good food, sleep in, then wander down to the beach to people-watch and zone out by the water.

Anastasia shared her philosophy about travel versus vacation with Cassian. She rarely got the chance to actually vacation, and even when she did, she’d worry about her grandmother back home. But vacations really did restore your soul.

“I know,” Cassian said simply.

Anastasia paused, studying his face. Something about the way he said “I know” felt different from what she’d expect.

Cassian looked at her as if seeing someone else entirely through her eyes. He smiled and said, “You must be tired. Let’s head back to the room.”

Cassian deliberately didn’t mention Griffin and the others – those guys were like 10,000-watt light bulbs, painfully bright. He wished they’d just disappear forever.

“What about Tamia? And the guys? Where’d everyone go?”

Cassian was perfectly happy with them being gone. “No idea. We’ve been walking for a while – you’re probably beat. Let’s just go back to our room.”

Anastasia frowned, worried about Tamia. After what happened with Jack, she was concerned about potential retaliation.

“No way, I need to find Tamia.”

Cassian sighed and called Griffin. “Where are you guys?”

“We’re in the room playing poker. We need a fourth – get over here,” Griffin said.

Cassian raised an eyebrow. Griffin sounded unusually excited when he said “get over here.”

Then Yinsen chimed in: “Cassian, you guys need to come up here right now.”

Those idiots were so transparent. Cassian knew exactly what they were thinking.

“Do you play cards?” Cassian asked Anastasia.

Anastasia was taken aback by how serious his expression looked.

Cassian thought maybe the card-playing was making her uncomfortable. “It’s fine if you don’t know how, I can teach you.”

Oh, that’s what this is about?

Anastasia relaxed. “I know how to play. I’m just not a regular.”

“No worries, they’re just playing for fun. Nothing serious.”

“Got it,” Anastasia said.

When Anastasia and Cassian got upstairs, Yinsen immediately waved enthusiastically at Anastasia. “Ana! Come sit over here!”

Cassian was speechless. I knew it!

Anastasia could tell from their excitement that she’d figured out their game.

Tamia leaned over and whispered something in Anastasia’s ear.

Griffin and Yinsen exchanged panicked looks: Shit, did Tamia blow our cover?

Yinsen: Maybe. If Ana won’t play, I’m docking Tamia’s pay for half a month.

Griffin: You wouldn’t dare. What if she quits? Didn’t you say she’s got potential and you want to promote her to headquarters?

“Yinsen, Griffin, you guys having vision problems? I can recommend a great eye doctor if you need one,” Anastasia said sweetly.

Yinsen looked at her, his mouth twitching. “Nah, my eyesight’s perfect. We still playing or what?”

Anastasia grinned confidently. “Hell yes. Why wouldn’t we play?”

Griffin and Yinsen looked at each other and smiled.