All I Wanted.

[Cassie Ball]

Cassie hadn’t expected the way her initial interview with Avi Park went…she had half expected the second interview to go the way it did. But it had still surprised her. And now…well now she was walking into her favorite karaoke bar with one of her staff members.

Mariela.

Some how…Avi and Cassie had figured it would be good for Mari to meet Avi’s brother, Koda. And somehow. That had also turned into a third date with a man she never thought she would ever get a chance with. Cassie was much more into him than she was willing to admit right now.

But per the advice of Mari and Kai…she was just kind of going with it.

Dressed in black tights, a checkered skirt, and a black top…Cassie had pulled her hair back and while this was kind of dressing up for her…she felt like a bum next to Mari. Mari always looked so perfect and beautiful.

There was no way Koda wouldn’t be interested.

The two girls entered the bar and Cass looked around, not seeing Avi yet. So she grabbed them a table, smiling at Mari.

”Excited?”

[Mari Fernandez]

Okay, okay. So the office was going a little crazy about the absolute stud of a quidditch star that had spent quite some time in Cassie's office. And then, the interview, which Mari hadn't been able to read since it wasn't posted in the mag yet, and now here they were, the third time Cassie was seeing Mr. Handsome Quidditch Star. She and Kai had been so excited for their friend and boss, helping her with her outfits and just hyping her up.

But when Cassie had mentioned that maybe she, her, Mari, should come with her to karaoke to meet Avi Park's brother...well...Mari wasn't one hundred percent sold. She didn't date much - she tended to be the type to tell people to bugger off at the pub or straight up use SING thanks to Miss Congeniality. She also tended to be a bit of a doberman for Cassie, even when she didn't need it. That last part was funny, because Mari was one hundred percent a chaotic orange cat...just...except when it came to Cassie. So when Cassie thought she might like Avi's brother...fine. She'd go...for Cassie. Plus then she could offically meet Mr. Handsome.

Dressed casually, she entered the bar with her friend. Cass must not have seen who they were meeting, so she followed her blonde friend to a table and sat down, holding up a finger to wave down someone who could get them some drinks. "Hmm," she hummed, glancing at Cassie. "I'm not really sure what to expect, but, I'm keeping an open mind," she teased, tossing Cassie a wink before finally getting the attention of someone who came to take a drink order. "A manhattan, please, and whatever she's having." and suddenly, a smooth, slightly accented voice came from behind her noting that all of this was to be on his tab.

Of course it was. While Mari liked being independent, she didn't mind having her drinks paid for.

[Avi Park]

"She's a spicy thing, I guess," Avi looked over to Koda, who willingly went along with his and Cassie's idea to see if Koda and Mari could hit it off. "Cassie has nothing but good things to say about her," he explained, as if this weren't something Avi had already told his younger brother. Koda...needed to have some fun. It hadn't been too long since their parents had passed away, and Koda had been working really hard to make sure Sunny was well taken care of. Avi felt a bit like a negligent piece in the family...he could have supplied them some money but Koda wasn't exactly hard up. He did offer them a place to stay, though, until Koda found his own. Whether he took him up on that was up to Ky of course.

Approaching the karaoke bar (Avi had been there a multitude of times with Alvin and the cousins), he held the door for Koda and once inside, spotted Cassie and her friend immediately. He strolled up behind them, mentioned that the bar tab was to be on him, and ordered himself some soju (apparently there was enough Korean population in the area that they carried it) and placed a kiss on Cassie's cheek before sitting down. "Mari, Koda," he said, gesturing to each of them.

[Koda Park]

Koda asked Avi to tell him about this blind date again and he was thankful that Avi indulged him as they walked. Koda hadn’t dated in a few years now and after his parents died, he had just put it on the back burner.

But Avi seemed convinced that Koda would like this girl. And Sunny was off at school so it wasn’t like Koda had to play “dad” tonight.

So as they walked in the bar, Koda dressed in his typical “rich Ivy League boyfriend” style, he followed Avi as they approached a table. He grinned as Avi mentioned that everything was going on his tab. Avi was a wealthy man…but so was Koda and while I let it go for now, he would be making Avi split the check with him at the end of the night.

Koda ordered up a whiskey neat, not quite craving his typical choice of soju tonight.

Watching Avi slip in next to a pretty, eclectic little blonde…he watched him put the moves on her. Standard Avi. And then Avi introduced him to his own date and Koda finally set his eyes on her.

Mari was…absolutely beautiful and Koda wasn’t sure what he felt about “love at first sight”…but something about this woman grabbed him by the throat and he just offered her a small smile before slipping in next to her.

”Good evening, Mari,” he said softly, his sharp eyes taking in every detail of her face.

[Cassie Ball]

Smiling ear to ear as Mari mentioned that she was keeping an open mind, Cassie was just happy her friend had agreed to come. Cass couldn’t remember the last time she had seen the Latina go on a date. As Mari ordered a Manhattan, Cassie perked up and ordered herself a margarita…feeling a little bold tonight.

And a smooth, accented voice behind her sounded. Cassie didn’t even have to turn her head to know it was him.

Avi slid into the booth next to her and Cassie smiled, blushing a little as he kissed her cheek. And as they watched Mari and Koda meeting, Cassie discreetly and casually placed her hand on Avi’s leg. She could swear she could see sparks flying between the two after just a glance.

It didn’t take long for their drinks to arrive and Cassie sipped at her drink casually before addressing the table.

”Will everyone be singing tonight?” she teased, a smile playing at her lips. She loved coming to this bar and she was a bit of a crowd favorite with the regulars here.

[Mari Fernandez]

So. First thoughts. Way cuter than his brother, a lot quieter, a lot more magnetic…or maybe that was just Mari. He said I'm next to her in the booth. He wished her good evening and Mari was having a hard time finding the words, mostly because she was focused on on how intently he was looking at her. ”Evening, Koda.” Evening Koda?? what was this formality?

The drinks were brought and Cassie asked if people would be singing. ”A few more of these and maybe,” she let out a short giggle as she took another sip, straightening the napkin before setting her glass down. She glanced back at Koda, absentmindedly wondering if his voice was as nice as his face.

[Avi Park]

Since this was the third meeting between him and Cassie, he'd grown accustomed to the little touches, the way her fingers dress circles on his legs reminiscent of being in bed. He glanced over at her and tossed her a wink, knowing the moment Koda lay eyes on Mari that he was going to have Cassie to himself.

Avi took a sip from his glass and smirked a bit as Mari spoke. She was pretty, but Avis attention was solely on Cassie, watching her. Avi could definitely sing, but he was much more interested in seeing what she could do. He wasn't sure where his mind was at…perhaps back in the bedroom…but he was here for her and her love of karaoke and for Koda and, if Avi predicted accurately, his future girlfriend. ”Why don't you show us the ropes, Cass? I hear you're a fan favorite around here.”

[Koda Park]

Koda hadn’t taken his eyes off of Mari yet. His gaze was fixed on her and she didn’t seem willing to let it go. The woman was magnetic.

Cassie asked if anyone would be singing and at Mari’s reply, Koda grinned. Koda didn’t figure himself to be a great singer. But he wasn’t terrible. He had a low voice.

But Avi turned it to Cass herself. Apparently she was well known at this bar. It was an intriguing notion. But Koda was more interested in seeing what Mari could do.

He watched as Cassie reached for the book of songs and as she thumbed through it, he returned his gaze to the raven haired Latina on his side.

[Cassie Ball]

Cassie barely realized how her fingers were drawing small circles on Avi’s leg. He shot her a wink and she smiled up at him before turning her attention back to the table and sipping at her drink. She really hoped everyone sang at least one song tonight. She really didn’t want it to be the “Cassie Show”.

But at Avi’s suggestion, Cassie just bit her lip to suppress her smile. Grabbing the book of songs that the bar kept on every table, she thumbed through it a bit before settling on a pretty good warm up song. She jotted it down on one of the slips and handed it off to the waitress.

The table spent some time chatting and laughing and hanging out and honestly…Cassie could get used to this. Mari was one of the closest friends Cass had…and the idea of dating brothers?

Cassie stopped herself. She wasn’t necessarily dating Avi…

But she didn’t have time to dwell on it. Her name was called and she grinned before heading up to the stage to grab the microphone before the song started up. A bunch of regulars were at the bar tonight and Cassie had the best time playing around with them.

But more than once, her eyes landed on Avi Park. He was…certainly an exception…a welcome one of course.

Once she had finished, Cassie laughed as the bar cheered for her. Making her way back to the table, she settled back in.

”Who’s next?” she teased playfully, her eyes glancing over to Avi before winking at him.

[Mari Fernandez]

Mari knew that if Cassie sang, it would be a good time. The bar loved her, and honestly, Mari liked hearing her sing, too. So when she chose a song and her name was called, she clapped for her boss. She looked over at Koda and tossed a wink to Avi before picking up her glass and taking another sip of it, setting it down and sighing as the song started up. It was so pretty when Cassie sang it - almost as if she were the original singer of the song herself. While she felt Koda's eyes on her, and it made her blush like a mad woman, she did notice the way that Avi was watching Cassie, as if she were singing just for him. Maybe she was...who knew.

"Who's next?"

And just like that, she was back in the booth, and Mari was just lost in Koda's eyes again...she didn't want to be rude, but. He was absolutely the most gorgeous thing she'd ever seen. But while Cassie and Avi thought this was a good time to set her up, she was still there to keep an eye out for her friend. Mari knew Avi's reputation and didn't want to see Cassie getting hurt. But as Avi flipped through the book, she took another sip of her drink. "You going to sing, Koda?" she asked, but before she could even get an answer, Avi was reaching across the table to pat his brother.

[Avi Park]

Cassie...was completely unexpected. She was beautiful, talented, and that voice. The song was...perfect for her. He watched her, completely ignoring (and not intentionally, of course) the other two in the booth as he listened. Avi didn't know what had come over him through the last few days, but he was really enjoying his time with Cassie, and it seemed she was enjoying time with him. He wasn't...he didn't...he wasn't about to tie himself down, though - he was still the same old Avi, wasn't he?

"Beautiful," he said, as she slinked back into the booth, asking who was next. "I could listen to you all night," he pressed a soft kiss to her cheek before pulling the book to him, flipping through a few pages before he spotted one he knew he could get Koda up on the stage with. If...he could drag him away from Mari long enough to do so. Mari asked if Koda would sing, and Avi reached across the table to pat his brother with a grin. "If I have anything to say about it he will," and before long...their names were called too. As they approached the stage, prepping to sing a song they both knew, and nudged his brother before winking, and adding - "You'll thank me later."

[Koda Park]

Koda was intrigued with his date. She was stunning, coy, mysterious...

And as Cassie returned, he had to make a real effort to peel his eyes from her to smile at the blonde. She had done an amazing job on stage...and Koda could see why she was popular in this bar. But the girls seemed to want him to sing and while it wasn't his thing per say. Avi knew exactly what song to pick.

Grinning as their name came up...Koda reluctantly pulled himself from his spot and followed his brother to the stage, rolling his eyes as he was assured he would thank him later. The song...was in Korean. And he knew that the girls likely didn't know what he was saying. But it was a sweet song and most the bar patrons seemed to at least get the vibe.

Koda caught Mari's eye a couple times during the song and he tried not to blush, shooting her a wink as they sang. But as his eyes flicked over to Cassie and noticed the expression of pure awe on her face, he looked at his brother to see his own expression. This...most certainly wasn't a first date for those two. Which meant that Avi had gone back to the same woman at least twice.

As the song ended and the crowd applauded, Koda instinctively did a small, respectful half bow before leaving the stage and returning to his seat in the booth, his arm resting around Mari on the back of the booth this time.

"Think you'll have to go next, yeah?" he teased with a grin.

[Cassie Ball]

Beautiful.

Cassie smiled shyly as he kissed her cheek and her hand came back to rest on his leg. She hadn't expected to like him as much as she did...but Cassie had always been the type to catch feelings a little easier than the rest. But with Avi, it just felt like there was something more at play here. She really liked him. And she thought he might like her too.

She enjoyed the time with everyone as the boys waited for their names to be called. And when it was their time, she watched them go with a smile on her face. They looked so natural...as if they had done this in another life. Cassie couldn't help the way her eyes glazed over a little as she watched Avi.

He was...perfect. She wasn't sure he had a flaw at all. He was stunning...a rather thorough lover...a star athlete...and apparently had the voice of an angel.

The song ended and Cassie, who's eyes hadn't left him at all, followed him back with her gaze. He sat next to her and she stared at him a moment, a smile pulling at her lips as she resisted the urge to lean in and kiss him. Cheek kisses were one thing, but she wasn't sure how he felt about PDA on that level yet.

"You guys did amazing," she offered.

And as Koda honed in on Mariela, Cassie grinned, her eyes turning to her friend.

"Yes! What are you going to grace us with tonight?"

[Mari Fernandez]

And as if it were the easiest thing, Koda followed his brother up to the stage. They sang a song she didn't know, but that didn't make her any less mesmerized by it…in fact, the tiny witch was both intrigued and stunned. Had this not been their first “date”, she likely would have tried sneaking out early. But she needed to be there for Cassie and Avi…or so she thought.

“Think you'll have to go next, yeah?”

Mari flushed, glancing back at Koda’s arm which now rested on the back of the booth.. She didn't usually join in on the karaoke…she was much more content nursing her beverages and making sure Cassie didn't draw unwanted attention. No one was very suspecting of Mariela…hardly five feet.

“Yes! What are you going to grace us with tonight?”

Mari shot Cassie a look, but only because she was content and comfy in this little booth with Koda…but perhaps getting up and getting some air would do her some good. She nodded at Koda so she could slide out, and tossed him a wink as she made her way up to the booth where the DJ was taking a little break. Fortunately he was happy to let Mari butt in line, knowing exactly what song she was going to sing.

And when the music came up, she worked the crowd just as Cassie had, but mainly kept her eye contact solely on Koda. The chances he knew enough Spanish to pull the lyrics was slim…but she knew what she was singing and that's what mattered. Amd when the song finished, the applause, and she blew a kiss to the crowd before heading back to the booth and slipping in.

[Avi Park]

A part of Avi wondered if Koda would actually oblige him…but he had to. It was only fair, considering Cassie already had. And they nailed it, Avi keeping his attention on Cassie the whole time. Even though the song was in Korean, the entire bar seemed to vibe just fine and when they were back to the booth, he winked at Cass in reply to her compliments. And when Mari got up? Avi continued to watch Cassie instead. He didn't turn his attention until he caught a glimpse of Koda, nudging Cassie to point it out.