Chapter Three

On a bright day, happy bird songs filled the air with life…. Cassie, all set to embark on her day, was greeted by the rhythmic flow of running water from Anderson's room. She walked down the small hallway to the kitchen, and an open door caught her attention. Slowly advancing, her eyes met the sight of Anderson, clad in nothing but shorts, water droplets danced down his nice chest as he washed his face. Wet hair framed his allure, awakening a stirring feeling within her.

In that captivating moment, Cassie felt a mix of emotions. How could a regular guy look so stunning? But his icy eyes had a mysterious depth that fascinated and unsettled her. The temptation was real, challenging her determination.

Almost succumbing to the allure, Cassie found solace in a whispered prayer—' Holy Ghost fire' repeated three times, a plea to restore composure. Frustration colored her thoughts; this man, an irresistible temptation, seemed to defy restraint. The realization lingered—She wouldn't face judgment if she gave in to the temptation and let herself be wrapped in his hug.

Cassie felt torn inside, facing a tough decision that might change the course of her journey. Lost in thought, she remained motionless as Anderson's voice interrupted her reverie.

"What are you doing in my room?" He asked, his eyes fixed on Cassie, trying to catch every nuance of her reaction.

"Uhhnm, I wanted to..." Cassie struggled to speak, and at this point, you could see the heat radiating from her flushed face.

Anderson quickly put on his Polo shirt and hurried to the dining area, leaving her feeling puzzled.

"Oh my God, I was nearly caught," she whispered to herself, exhaling with a breath of relief. The flicker of anxiety was still visible on her face.

Where are you going this early? Anderson asked with his face buried in the cup of coffee. The room echoed with his booming voice, silencing Cassie so much that even the sound of their breaths was audible.

"Well, I need to go and return my wedding dress," she said, hurriedly zipping the bag containing the dress.

"Wait, your dad didn't even buy you a wedding dress?" Anderson asked, his distraction evident as he turned to scrutinize Cassie closely.

"I thought you were from a rich family. Can't even afford a wedding dress?" he mocked, his tone oozing with disdain.

"It's wasteful to buy an expensive dress for just one day," she replied, attempting to conceal the shame with a fleeting smile. "I'll leave now," she concluded, exiting the house with a heavy heart.

His phone rang a few minutes later.

Even though the number wasn't saved, he recognized it. Answering the call, he put the phone to his ear.

"Hello?"

"I'm outside your house," a cold voice said on the phone.

Anderson felt a chill. "Come in," he said abruptly, He quickly ended the call, showing a sense of urgency.

"Daniel, finished with Cassie Raymond's investigation?" Anderson asked, his eyes eager and anticipating.

"Yes, sir. Check these papers."

When Daniel knows Anderson won't be inviting him to a seat, he has no choice but to sit down

Daniel handed over a file. Anderson read through it. "Now I get it," he commented, his expression showing relief and insight.

"Boss, why live like this?" Daniel's face twisted in confusion. "Why not the penthouse?" he asked, hungry for an answer.

"Why? And expose my true identity?" Anderson responded, his head buried in the files. "Cassie Raymond—looks like she had a tough upbringing," he said, rising from the chair, "I'll do my best to help her build a better life from now on." He sounded determined as he spoke..

"Boss, be careful not to fall for her. Remember the purpose of this whole plan," Daniel cautioned.

"I'm fully aware," Anderson responded in his firm tone.

"Daniel, I've got to go somewhere right now," Anderson spoke in a rush. Before Daniel could respond, Anderson swiftly left, disappearing from Daniel's view without giving him a chance to reply. Daniel was left with a sense of abrupt departure, wondering about the urgency that prompted Anderson's hurried exit.

In the bustling city center, Cassie made her way to the rental shop. The doorbell chimed with a gentle jingle as she stepped inside, the sound lingering in the air. The person behind the counter looked up, acknowledging Cassie's arrival.

Passing over the shoebox, Cassie handed it to the sales lady. As she inspected the shoes, her eyes caught a tiny scratch. "The satin is scratched," she commented, displaying an odd attitude.

"They're too damaged. You'll have to pay $500," the worker insisted, leaving Cassie feeling frustrated and surprised by the unexpected turn of events.

"What!!! But they're rentals; there'll be normal wear and tear. $500? I'd rather buy a new pair," Cassie fired back defensively.

Her voice, by this point, had become a bit loud, capturing the attention of other customers in the store. Recognizing this, she calmly lowered her voice.

"Retail price is 2 grand. Looking at you, I'm sure you can't afford it. Don't get married if you don't have any money," the worker said, dripping with mockery. This left Cassie feeling both indignant and insulted, a mix of frustration and embarrassment settling in.

A heavy silence wrapped around Cassie, and shame painted itself all over her face. At that moment, she wished the floor could just open up and swallow her; she was bracing for the worst.

Then, a resounding voice, loud and commanding, pierced the air. It diverted the attention of the sales lady from Cassie to a tall, good-looking man standing behind her.

“Is this how you talk to your customers?”

He spoke firmly as he got closer to Cassie, his gaze fixed on the sales lady, showing a serious expression.

Trying to figure out who the voice belonged to without turning around, Cassie went through various thoughts. Finally, she turned her head, and lo and behold, it was her husband, Anderson. Just as she was about to speak, Cassie's heart skipped a beat, and her eyes widened in surprise leaving her speechless.

In a gentle yet commanding move, Anderson placed both hands on Cassie's shoulders, silently signaling her to hold her words.

"Sweetheart, try this pair," Anderson suggested, pointing to a captivating set of golden shoes that shimmered under the store's lights.

The words hit Cassie with surprise. "Me? Sweetheart?" she thought, a mixture of shock and disbelief crossing her face. Could he be joking?

That question lingered in her mind as she contemplated the unexpected turn of events.

The salesperson couldn't help but chuckle upon hearing their decision to go for that specific pair. "Ah, those are the red bottoms, limited edition. Priced at $7000. Quite exquisite, but I'm afraid they might be a bit out of your budget," she remarked with a sly smile, suggesting their financial capacity fell short.

Unexpectedly, Anderson's response cut through the doubt like a knife. "We'll take it," he declared, catching the sales lady off guard. He swiftly took out his credit card and paid for it.

Both Cassie and the sales lady were so surprised. Cassie's face was covered with confusion, and various thoughts raced through her head. The unexpected turn of events left her wondering about Anderson's intentions and the sudden shift in their situation.

Cassie sat in the car, pondering over his recent purchase of the shoe. A perplexing combination that left her questioning the nature of his character. Inside the moving car, it was really quiet. Cassie couldn't figure out why they got something fancy, and it made her wonder a lot. Anderson didn't show any feelings on his face.

Anderson sensed Cassie's eagerness to know things, but he decided to ignore it and instead enjoyed the views along the road.

The atmosphere within the car remained cool and crisp throughout the entirety of their journey until they finally arrived at the comforting confines of their home.