So technically speaking, Cass was present in the Black Manor for four hours with Ash by her side. When it came to studies, sometimes he did skip class and Cass grudgingly had to allow for that to happen. Well, he is a free bird and he was allowed to do anything he wanted. There were no chains to stop him from doing what he wished. All Cass wanted was Ash to be responsible enough to make studies at least a part of his priorities, something that he strongly did not believe in. But at one point, he had to agree, studying with his dear friend Cass, had actually made work look easier and fun.

Their subjects had completely varied yet she had some knowledge about his chosen subjects. She had been a tutor for her juniors who also had various subjects. So all she had to do was go through his books once and she would be a pro. She taught him each and every thing he had in syllabus by using the modes of diagrams, videos and sticky notes, she had managed to explain the difficult parts with such ease. She devoted half the time to him and the other half in self-study. She taught him how to write notes with the help of soothing music and also managed to break the vast information into bits for him to easily understand. At the end of each chapter, there would be a quiz and it had its pros and cons for him.

For every right answer, a soft kiss placed itself on his cheek. For every wrong one, a tight slap in its place. The first question asked in his first quiz attempted to be wrong thus the sharp motion took him by surprise. He could feel the vibration on his cheek and the stinging sensation lingered for a while. She hadn't warned him about the after effects of the answer. At first he was shocked but then a grin appeared as he rubbed his cheek, trying to get rid of the feeling. It was shocking for him because NO ONE had dared to do such a feat before. Seeing his face, she apologised lightly and then reasoned. "I'm sorry but this is your punishment..." "And my reward?" "A kiss on the cheek would be suffice." She said simply and he pouted. "Hey, that's not fair. Maybe-" "Well, everything's fair in love or war."

She set her mind on being stubborn and decided not to let his charm influence her strong barriers which were held up high. And he understood that pretty well. "Ok, that should do for now." He muttered. And since then he thinks ten times before answering a simple question and fifty times before a hard one. He just seems so intent on getting less slaps every time they had a quiz.

After the duration of heavy studies, everyone needs to calm the tension down their minds and enjoy the sweet fruits of relaxation. Ash occasionally pulled Cass to these random club parties where the booze flowed with a strong price and random people kept bumping into you, as they moved their drunken bodies and minds. Cass didn't like it one bit and stayed in one corner where the chances of being bumped were the least. But that was where it turned out to be the make out corner which was way more awkward and she hated that even more. After a few more times like this, Ash observed her behaviour as every time the emotion of disgust flashed her face and discomfort showed freely.

One day, instead of taking her to the club, he took her to the kiddie area in the mall. And instead of being like a boring field trip as he intended it to be, it was quite an enjoyment for Cass. She played with the children who were trying to have a fun time alone. Cass loved her time with the kids as she shamelessly indulged herself in their lonesome games. Hate to admit, but he too, slowly and steadily, began to enjoy the smile creeping up on her face. It was a genuine one, not the usual shy one she normally had and he was glad that he was one of the lucky few who go to see the beauty of it.

A few weeks and her feelings grew stronger and stronger without even knowing about it. But... she did feel a little weird around him. Was it because that she never experienced the 'lovey-dovey' feeling before? Maybe...

Every time she gave him a kiss stained with her soft pink lip gloss, it came more out of love than that out of award points. Was he beginning to feel it or was he just eager on getting those free kisses which felt empty to him? If so, was it ignorance or just pure lust radiating out of this bad boy? Whatever it was, Cass wasn't getting the signals clear.

Even as every time she slapped him hard (which slowly started to become rare. Thankfully he is trying to make a good impression over the bad one in front of her, even though he doesn't really care about it in front of anybody else.),she felt the feeling of remorse and regret and felt even worse when he grinned back on the realisation of his mistake. She stopped herself every time he wanted to apologise for each slap she gave. And there were even times where her heart gave up a few times before she could regain control over her words to which he would smile softly and say that it was ok, he truly deserved it, in a totally thick and fake accent just to see her lips crack into a beautiful smile.

They stuck to their regular schedule of studying as they had managed to finish much of the portion, running ahead of the teachers. Ash felt so prepared that if a professor asked him a question when he wasn't paying attention, still he would easily be able to answer the question within the snap of his fingers. Seeing his determination, Cass began to feel proud that something finally managed to enter his mind a part from his merry-making. His father, Mr Black, now could actually trust her with one of the most impossible tasks, as he claimed it to be. She was happy that the challenge was finally completed and this year, there was no hopes of him failing.

The moment they finished their complete portion of all their subjects, they celebrated with a huge bottle of sparkling apple cider. They didn't have champagne because Cass didn't like all those types of drinks. So they decided to celebrate it with something closest to it.

And the moment they did, they popped the bottle on the terrace with the amazing view of the city on the busy night to compliment with. Each comfortable even though her slender naked legs kept brushing his since the chairs were placed that way.

"A beautiful night, don't you think so?" he voiced his thought. , quite inaudible enough to be passed as a whisper. "Hmm mmm..." She agreed as she sipped from her flute which contained the pale yellow liquid.

So now what's going to happen since they have finished everything, he wondered as he looked up at the beautiful more over stunning night sky filled with twinkling diamonds. A natural beauty, a natural gift that could not afford to be ignored.

She answered his silent thought. "We will keep revising it until exams start." She said, looking at him who just seemed so lost. He drove his hand through his hair as he groaned. "No, please... I thought that we were celebrating because now it's all over." "Actually we are celebrating because the portion is over, not the revision." She pointed out helpfully and he groaned in defeat.

He definitely would not be able to change her mind... but... "Umm, Cass, at least reduce the hectic duration-" "Oh yeah, from tomorrow its two hours." She beamed happily as she pulled her legs up and hugged them. Wow, two hours, huh? The first thought that struck his mind. But then it clicked in his mind. "But Cass, it was two hours before also..." He spoke in the most uncomplaining way he could manage. She pretended not to know. "Oh, is it so? Ok, one hour."

The next day was no different. Same old boring studies and Ash was enjoying it. They played it in the form of a game. Ash never knew that studies could be so much fun or maybe it was just Cass's tricks. Whatever it was, Ash did not bother to know.

But just after their study class, when Cass was packing so that she could leave to go back home, Ash handed her an invitation card which stated that there was a party to take place in his house. Now it was Cass's turn to groan as her shoulders slumped. "Another party?" "Hey, I promise it will be all fun!" he assures her with a sweet angelic smile. What she didn't know was that behind the smile was a devil lurking behind to unleash its joys of pranks.

She accepted the invitation with a smile and promised to be there. But she was actually thinking how she could escape this painful torture. Her blue bag was slung on her shoulder and she was ready to go. But before she could, one question was still left. "Umm... Does your father know about this?" She turned to him with a questioning look. His smirk began to appear. "Well, that is the best part of it. He is not going to be home. That too for a week."

Wow, at least now she knows the fate of the rich brat's houses when parents are not home. And how she was going to live through, only God knew. 'It's just a party!' she thought as she stepped out of the premises, making her way back home. What she didn't know was that this party was going to be the changing point of her life. Whether good or bad, neither could be told...