2.Back home

--Cassie--

I slipped out of my dress, feeling the weight of the past four years settling on my shoulders. As I stood before the mirror, I couldn't help but notice the resemblance to my mom, with her blue eyes and wavy brown hair. Stepping into the bathtub, I let the warm water wash away the fatigue of the journey, wrapping myself in a fresh-smelling towel from the wardrobe. Every item in this room seemed meticulously cleaned, undoubtedly in anticipation of my return.

Moving to the closet, I sifted through my dresses, but none seemed to fit anymore. Frowning, I scanned the room until my eyes landed on my suitcase beside the bed. With a sense of relief, I unzipped it, selecting a pair of ripped jeans and a crop top. After applying lotion to my skin, I tied my hair into a neat bun, studying my reflection in the mirror. It was strange seeing how much I had changed over the years.

I flopped onto the bed, retrieving my phone from the nightstand. Surprisingly, it already had a SIM card inserted. Excitedly, I scrolled through my contacts, finding the numbers of Hailey and Michelle. With a quick dial, I waited anxiously for them to pick up.

"Hello?" I heard their voices simultaneously.

"Are you back in America?" I inquired eagerly.

"Yes, we just landed. We were on the same flight," they replied in unison.

"I arrived about an hour ago," I informed them.

"We'll come over to your house tomorrow," they offered.

"Sure," I agreed.

"I have to go now. We just landed," Hailey said, ending the call.

"Okay, see you girls tomorrow," I said before hanging up. Yawning, I decided to take a nap before Dad returned from work. I needed to be well-rested to share everything with him.

As I settled onto the pillow, a voice interrupted my drowsiness.

"Cassie," Mrs. Sofia called softly.

I opened my eyes to find her standing by the door.

"Your dad is back and would like to meet you in his office," she informed me.

"Thank you," I replied, quickly rising from the bed. Gathering the items I wanted to show him, including the photos from yesterday's ceremony and my valedictorian certificate, I followed Mrs. Sofia to Dad's office.

Knocking gently, I heard his invitation to enter. Rushing to his side, I embraced him tightly.

"I've missed you so much, Cassie," he said, his voice filled with emotion.

"Me too, Dad," I replied, noticing the tears in his eyes.

"Why are you crying, Dad?" I asked, concern lacing my tone.

"Nothing, Cassie. I'm just happy," he assured me, though I couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss.

"I've brought you the pictures from yesterday's ceremony," I said, showing him the photos proudly.

"Yes, your school called to congratulate you me on being valedictorian," he said, his face lighting up with pride.

"I promised I would make you proud," I said, beaming.

"I'm sorry I couldn't make it. There was something urgent I had to attend to," he explained, his voice tinged with regret.

"It's okay, Dad," I reassured him.

"My princess has grown so much," Dad remarked, his smile bittersweet as he held up my certificate.

"Feel free to hang it in your office. It's yours," I said, wanting to make him happy.

"Let me take this call. I'll be back," he said, excusing himself from the room.

As I waited, I couldn't help but notice the subtle changes in the office decor. It looked more modern now, a departure from its previous style.

"Who was that, Dad?" I inquired upon his return.

"I need to discuss something with you, Cassie," he said, his expression somber.

"What's wrong?" I asked, sensing the gravity of his tone.

"You're getting married in a month," he dropped the bombshell, leaving me stunned and speechless.

"I am just eighteen," I said to him.

"I know, Cassie," he said.

"You know nothing, Dad," I said, the frustration evident in my voice as tears welled in my eyes. I turned away, unable to comprehend why he would want this for me.

I walked out of the room, my emotions in turmoil. How could Dad expect me to marry a total stranger? Someone I knew nothing about? The very idea sent shivers down my spine. I had plans—dreams that didn't involve being tied down so soon. I wanted to go to university, to study, to prepare for a future where I could make my mark on the world. I wanted to take over the family business, to ease Dad's burden so he could finally rest. There were so many things I wanted to do before even considering marriage.

As I walked into my room and locked the door behind me, tears streamed down my cheeks. The weight of my father's expectations and the crushing reality of the situation pressed down on me. How could he do this to me? Didn't he understand my dreams and aspirations?

"Cassie," I heard Mrs. Sofia's voice call from outside my door.

"Go away, I don't want to speak to anyone right now," I replied, my voice trembling with emotion.

"Just hear him out, Cassie," Mrs. Sofia urged gently.

"I just want to be alone, Mrs. Sofia," I insisted, my heart heavy with defiance.

"Okay, I will leave you alone so you can think about it," she conceded softly before walking away.

Alone in my room, I cried until exhaustion overtook me and I drifted into a fitful sleep.

The next morning, the sun's rays gently woke me, but the events of yesterday rushed back into my mind, and fresh tears welled in my eyes. Hunger gnawed at my stomach, but first, I needed a moment to collect myself. I walked into the bathroom, shedding my clothes mechanically. In the mirror, I saw my red, puffy eyes—a reflection of the turmoil within me. I stepped into the bathtub, letting the warm water wash away some of the emotional turmoil.

Eventually, I dressed in a plain, straight dress, lacking the energy or desire to adorn myself. With each step towards the dining table, I felt the weight of my decision weighing me down. I wanted to avoid everyone's gaze, to shield myself from their pity or judgment.

To my surprise, Dad was already seated at the table, dressed casually. His presence startled me; I had expected him to have gone to work.

"Don't run away from me, young lady," Dad's voice halted me in my tracks as I turned to leave.

I faced him squarely, my resolve faltering under his gaze. "I just... I don't want to get married, please," I pleaded, my voice barely above a whisper.

"You think I'm happy about this arrangement? Cassie, I love you more than anything," Dad's voice cracked with emotion, tears welling in his eyes.

"Then why, Dad?" I asked, my voice trembling with hurt and confusion.

And then, he began to explain—about the debts, the financial strain on the family business, the choices he had to make to ensure our survival. My heart ached as he recounted the burden he had been carrying alone, shielding me from the harsh realities of our situation.

"It started five years ago..." Dad's voice trailed off as he recounted the series of unfortunate events that had led us to this moment.

"Why didn't you tell me, Dad?" I asked softly, guilt and understanding mingling in my heart.

"I wanted to protect you, Cassie. I wanted you to focus on your education, on your dreams," Dad replied, his eyes pleading for forgiveness.

"But now... this marriage..." I struggled to find words to express the storm of emotions raging inside me.

"The grandfather of Leonardo De Luca," Dad continued, "he sees you as the solution to our problems. If you marry his son, the debts will be settled. The company will be safe."

I sank into a chair, overwhelmed by the weight of his revelations. The sacrifice he had made for me was unimaginable. And yet, it felt like the death of my dreams—the dreams of freedom, education, and forging my own path.

"Dad, what about my dreams?" I asked, my voice breaking with despair.

"I know, Cassie. I know," Dad whispered, his eyes filled with sorrow. "But sometimes, life doesn't give us the choices we want. Sometimes, we have to make sacrifices for the ones we love."

"So what has this got to do with my marriage?" I asked him.

"The grandfather of Leonardo De Luca wants you to marry his son. He sees you as a good woman for him. I rejected it, but he said it was an arrangement made between your granddad and him involving the money we took. If we do not agree to this, he will take everything from us because he practically now owns everything. I also want what is best for you, Cassie. I cannot see you suffering, so the only thing I had to do was agree to it," Dad said.

"What will happen if I marry this guy?" I asked Dad.

"He will clear all the debts and also partner with the company. The De Lucas are now the richest in the world," Dad told me.

"I will think about it, Dad. It is a lot to take in at the moment," I said to him, and he nodded.

So, all this while, my dad was going through a tough time all by himself. I now understood why we did not fly back to America in the jet and why the paparazzi said what they were saying.

"Please be quick with your decision, Cassie," Dad said with worry itching all over his face .

"You know what? I will marry him for your sake," I said to Dad.

"Are you sure?" Dad asked me, shocked?

"Yes," I muttered.

This was the little thing I could do for my dad to keep him happy. He has done so much for me, and this was my time to do my part as a daughter.

"Thank you, Cassie, for doing this," Dad said to me, getting up to hug me.

"You're welcome, Dad," I said to him, embracing him in his arms.

"Enjoy your breakfast. I have somewhere to be," he said.

"Be safe, Dad," I muttered. He kissed me on my cheek and went out.

I was still going to pursue my dream of going to college even after marriage, and no one could stop me.

"I am so proud of you, Cassie," I heard Mrs. Sofia say.

"Really?" I said to her.

"Yes, really," she said, smiling.

"Sorry for the way I acted yesterday," I said to her feeling guilty.

"That is alright, you had too much to take in at that moment," she told me smiling brightly.

"Are you going to eat here or in the kitchen?" she asked me.

"I will eat in the kitchen," I muttered to her, smiling.

We went into the kitchen, and I started to eat my food. I greeted everyone and focused my attention on my food. I did not want to get married to someone I did not love, and he was a stranger to me, and he was Italian, for God's sake. I was so scared of those people. The De Lucas were the most powerful now in America and in the world.

I heard in school they were involved in the mafia, but I did not believe it. I am sure it was just a rumor.

"Are you done eating, Lu—Cassie?" Garcia said beside me.

"Yes," I muttered.

She moved to take my plate, but I insisted on doing it myself. The phone rang, and Gracia picked it up.

"Lu—Mrs. Cassie, the guards at the gate say that two girls are claiming to be your friends. Should they let them in?" she asked me with the phone to her ear.

"Yes, let them in," I said to her, and she relayed the message.

I left the kitchen and went into the living room, ready to greet Hailey and Michelle.

"What's happening with the security in your house, Cassie? It felt like we were prisoners," Hailey said to me.

"I have no idea, girls," I replied.

"Can I serve you something?" Gracia offered from beside me. I didn't even notice when she came into the room.

"Yes, please bring some drinks into my room," I said to her, smiling.

"Let's go to my room, girls," I said, leading the way.

"Is it me or Hailey? Cassie looks tired and sad," Michelle said, pointing towards my face.

I opened the door to my room, and we went in.

"Your bedroom is so beautiful, Cassie," Hailey said to me.

"Thank you," I muttered, smiling but was immediately replaced with a frown.

They went onto the balcony and looked around. "Wow, you have the view of Manhattan from up here," she said, screaming.

"Will you keep it down, girls?" I said to them.

"Sorry, I was just excited," she said.

Gracia rushed into the room panting.

"Is everything alright, Lu—ma’am Cassie?" she asked me. From the corner of my eye, I could see Hailey and Michelle both glaring at her, which made me wonder why they did that. It seemed like she always wanted to say something but changed her mind quickly.

"Yes, why?" I asked her.

It was strange. I wondered why she would rush into my room, considering she wasn't a bodyguard.

"I will be back with your drinks," she said and walked out.

"Wasn't that weird?" I said, and Hailey nodded in agreement.

Before I could dwell on it, Hailey and Michelle dropped a bombshell. The hottest bachelor in town, Alessandro Leonardo De Luca, was officially off the market, having just announced his marriage an hour ago. I wasn't particularly concerned, but they were squealing with excitement, and soon enough, they were showing me pictures of him on social media. His name sounded intimidating, and when I saw his picture, I couldn't help but agree with Hailey's assessment that he was incredibly handsome.