Chapter 2

    The fine weather had made Cassandra's mood even better; the young woman of twenty-six, with a well-proportioned body and with an angel-like face, is about to meet the man that her parents wanted to be her husband. She did disagree or dislike the idea, for her, marriage is just a business that does not involve any emotions, though, for her family - it was a big deal. Unlike her cousin who was engaged with the man she loved, Cassandra has never fallen in love yet, despite her age. She had been busy with her career, and she always wanted to be independent, no matter what. Being an heiress like her cousin, many young men who came from rich families have been wooing her, wanting to win her heart, but none of them succeeded, even the one whom she was supposed to marry. 

     She was almost near the parking area when the phone rang, it was her mom who was already waiting for her at the restaurant, together with her future husband. "I am coming, mom! I'm almost there, please wait a little bit, okay?" she told her mom while securing her seatbelt. She was not thinking of her supposed marriage to a man she met a few times at social events and parties. All she was imagining inside her mind was the fact that she is going to be a wife of a very rich man, and that made her smile and laugh - showing the beautiful features on her face.

 While she was busy driving her car, the once fine weather became indignant showing its fierce by outpouring rain and flashing out thunderbolts at the dark skies, causing flood and traffic all over the place. The young woman, who, as a child was scared of hearing thunderbolts, suddenly stopped her car, and covered her ears. She was so frightened that her body was trembling hard.

    She parked her car on the sidewalk when suddenly she heard a loud knock on the front window; it was a man who was wet all over and signaling her to open the door of her car. Upon noticing the man who looked like a beggar, the young woman got scared and did not move an inch. She was in that situation when someone took a hold of the man's hand and warned him to stop bothering the young woman. The said person gave the knocker some money, patted him at the back, and told him to leave Cassandra alone, which he quickly did.

     When the stranger left, the young man checked on her and when he saw that she looked alright, he started to walk away when he suddenly heard a woman's voice behind his back, telling him to stop.

     When he turned around, he saw Cassandra, signaling him to come back. Imman, a fair-skinned, tall, physically built, and very attractive young man, saw her, and immediately, he felt some sort of attraction towards the young woman.

     "What do you want, miss?" he asked. She looked at him from head to foot and noted how good-looking the stranger was. He looked at her too, examining her thoroughly and concluding that he just saw a beautiful angel.

     "Well, I just want to thank you for driving that man out, he had scared me a lot. Do you know him by chance?" she inquired.

     "Personally, no, but I used to see him around this area and begged people like you for food. It was a pity, but people like him must also help themselves, aside from the help coming from other people."

   Her eyes were fixed on him as he spoke, she had never heard someone like him talk that way that she had felt admiration towards him. She was contemplating what he just said when her phone rang again.

     "Your phone is ringing, miss! I'd better get going. Drive safely and good night!"

     The young man hurriedly walked past the street into an alley where he disappeared amongst the busy crowd. The rain had stopped but left the people stuck in traffic, among them was Imman, who went straight to the bus station. That day, he left his car home and decided to commute just like the old days when he was just a struggling lawyer.

     When Cassandra was left alone, she felt that something was growing inside her heart - a longing to see that young man again. The phone rang again, she looked at it and saw that it was her mom. She explained to her that she was stuck on the road because of the sudden downpour of rain and added that she was on the way to the restaurant.

     "I should have asked his name, and I should have talked to him more. I hope I could see him again and if that time comes, I will definitely ask his name and even ask him out, if possible," she murmured to herself.

     She was a little late when she arrived at the restaurant. With her mom was her future husband - Greg Santillan, the chairman, and CEO of one of the biggest realty companies in the country. He was short and chubby, his hair had been combed slightly to the left, he had a plain and unattractive face, but not at all ugly. When he saw the heiress, he stood up quickly and offered her a chair next to him which Cassandra accepted without any hesitation on her part.

     "Hello, mom! Hello Greg! It suddenly rained which caused a flood on my way here, I am sorry that I have kept you waiting. How have you been Greg?" asked the young woman after she apologized for her late arrival.

     "I'm doing fine. I don't mind that you are late, dear. Wow! You looked great! I could not wait for our wedding day to come! I know you are going to be the prettiest bride ever!" Greg replied, looking so happy and enthusiastic seeing the pretty lady.

     "It is just a matter of time my dear, everything is almost ready. Tomorrow, we are going to my favorite designer to look for the perfect dress for my daughter." rejoined Amelia, Cassandra's mother, now in her forties, but still as attractive as she was years ago.

     "By the way, you looked so happy, what happened my dear? inquired Amelia to her daughter. There was some kind of glow on her face that she did not see before; she seldom smiles nor laughs, but that night, it seemed that her child had changed suddenly.

She told her future son-in-law that having a child is a blessing and she definitely would want a grandson in the future. On the other hand, her daughter was keeping her peace, did not say anything, her mind was wandering somewhere, particularly on the thoughts of seeing the young man again.

     The three enjoyed their meal. The steak which they partook in was superb, they all agreed. After savoring the food, they also drank red wine, upon which they opined to be of the best quality. Both Amelia and Greg were chatting a lot, even to the extent of laughing too much to the surprise of other people who were dining at the restaurant. They have been on the topic of people whom they would invite for the wedding which include most of the wealthy people in their society; that is to say the owner of this realty company, the conglomerate chairman and so forth and so on, the list goes on for both of them, without realizing that Cassandra did not show any interest at all. All she did was nod her head in agreement. Her mother finally noticed her and asked, "Honey, are you alright? It looks you are not interested at all in your upcoming wedding, minds you my dear, that is the important day in a woman's life!"

     Gazing at her mother, the young woman looked perplexed, she could not even comprehend the words she had uttered, her thoughts were far beyond. Not to give any bad impressions and to hide her feelings, she told her mother that she was happy and excited about the wedding and that everything will take place according to plan. Trusting her daughter's words, Amelia continued her conversations until they were both exhausted.

 Before parting, Greg assured Cassandra that their wedding will be the talk of the town and he would make sure that she is going to be the most beautiful bride ever and her dress - the most expensive one. His fiancee just nodded and told him that she expected nothing less than a grandiose and extravagant wedding. "I am looking forward to it Greg! I'd love to be your wife and I will do everything to make our lives happy!"

     When the future groom heard what Cassandra said, his heart skipped a beat, his happy heart made his cheeks red, proving how he loves her, though he knows that she does not care about him at all - it is all for the show which she is very good at especially when she is with her family. particularly her mother. 

     "I could not believe you even said that my dear! He is such an adorable person and a kind one too!  You don't have to pretend that you like him in front of me, my dear! I know you enough not to notice that you are only fooling me and your dad!" admonished Amelia to her daughter who was looking outside the window's car. Both were seated behind, Cassandra, as quiet as a lamb, while her mom was busy observing her.

     Conscious of being watched by her mom, she said, "I really meant it, mom! I will never disappoint you and dad. I have always been a good daughter, right? Do not mind what I feel, I will learn to love him later when we get married, I assure you, mom!"

     Amelia did not argue anymore with her daughter; a useless argument regarding the said topic would not do them any good, she told herself. The night had been serene and calm, not even foreshadowing the event that would change everyone's lives, especially the would-be bride, an unexpected one that she did not even think would happen to her.