Chapter 4: He hadn’t recognized me

Cassandra’s POV 

“Thanks Dillon.” I sighed.

“Never mind, ready to enjoy your traveling?” Dillon smiled and winked at me.

“Yeah, but I gotta call Stella first.” I took the calling card out and threw it in the bin and got a new one. I then called Stella on Facetime.

“I’ll be gone for about a month,” I told Stella. Stella was my best friend, one of the only people I’d been able to count on through everything. I trusted her with my life, so it only made sense that I trusted her with my company. 

Then I gave her the rundown on all the business affairs of Hot House Flower. I’d only be gone a month, so I only told her what she needed to know. Stella had a degree in fashion, just like me. Although my degree was in design and hers was in fashion marketing. But still, I knew she was the right person to look after my company while I traveled to clear my head.

“Don’t worry, Cass, I got you,” she told me, giving me a flying kiss. “Just go and heal. And when you get back, we’ll celebrate you dumping his sorry ass.”

I smiled at her and waved bye-bye. I was lucky to have her and I hoped she knew it.

***

A month later, I came back to the Stoneworth Estate, tanned and feeling refreshed. The month away had been good for my soul and spirit. A month on the French riviera tended to do that.

During my vacation, I’d checked in with Syracuse a few times, and ran a few meetings online. But I’d been sitting at a café, with the glorious Mediterranean spread out before me, sipping on the very best French wines. So the meetings hadn’t been a bother at all.

Besides, I loved my job, so I didn’t mind the occasional meeting.

I didn’t hear a single word from Jordyn the whole time I was gone. Not even a peep. It was fabulous. It allowed me to fully unwind and reflect on our marriage.

“Sister!” Cameron exclaimed, as I dumped my bags on the curb. “You look positively radiant!”

We air kissed. “Thank you. I feel wonderful,” I said. He scooped up my bags and put them in the trunk. “And thanks for picking me up from the airport.”

“Of course,” he said. Then he eyed me up and down again. “You know, sis, the French Riviera suits you. Look at that tan! Maybe you should move there.”

“What? And leave you? Never,” I smiled, as I climbed into the car. We took off from the airport. So Mom and Dad are home?” I asked. Cameron had told me they’d arrived back at the Stoneworth Estate a couple days ago.

“Yup,” he said, taking an unfamiliar exit off the freeway.

“Where are you going?” I asked.

“I’m taking you for dinner. Mom and Dad will be ALL over you when you get home. I want some alone time with you first. So you can tell me all about your escapades.”

I beamed. “That’s very selfish of you,” I told him. “In the sweetest sort of way.”

We pulled into the parking lot of a lavish restaurant.

“It’s new,” Cameron said. “It’s a raw restaurant.”

“A what?” I asked, as Cameron handed the valet his keys.

“It’s a new trend. All the food is raw. Nothing’s cooked. I think it will be a hoot!”

“Oooo…kaaayy,” I said hesitantly. Leave it to Cameron to find the most bizarre new restaurant in the city.

We were led straight to our table.

“I need to freshen up,” I told him. It had been a long flight, and Cam was right, this restaurant was VERY trendy. I didn’t want to run into someone we knew with smeared mascara and messy hair. I’d thought we were going straight home, so I hadn’t checked my make-up. But now?

Let’s just say those bright, neon lights overhead weren’t very forgiving.

“Order me a drink?” I told him.

“Merlot?” he asked.

“You know it,” I winked. Then I dashed off to the bathroom.

On the way to the bathroom, though, I saw Jordyn. He was sitting alone, hunched over the bar, a whiskey neat in hand. He had dark circles under his eyes. It looked like he hadn’t slept in days.

I stopped dead in my tracks.

He looked rough. Like, really rough.

He glanced over at me. I quickly turned away, hoping he hadn’t seen me. I walked towards the bathroom, and cautioned a quick look before I went in. He was looking in my direction, his eyes narrowed. But then he got up from the bar and left, headed towards the door.

My heart hammered in my chest.

He hadn’t recognized me. I couldn’t blame him. I looked nothing like I had during our marriage. During our marriage, I’d been very conservative. Whenever I accompanied him to a function, I chose plain, understated dresses. I never wore anything flashy. ‘Blend in’ was my mantra.

But now?

I was wearing a bright blue chiffon skirt with an orange designer blouse. MY designer blouse from MY designer fashion company. I had jewelry, shiny, beautiful bracelets and earrings. My hair had auburn low lights and it was shorter and curled. I was even wearing high heels, something I NEVER did when we were married.

Of course he hadn’t recognized me. I barely recognized myself.

In the bathroom, I reapplied my red lipstick (also something I never wore when we were married). Surprisingly, that was about all I needed. So I left the bathroom.

But on my way out, I accidentally bumped into someone.

“Sorry,” I said, looking up at the woman.

Then my heart stopped.

Ellie.

It was Ellie.

I put my head down and tried to step around her. I didn’t want to cause a scene. I hoped that, like Jordyn, she wouldn’t recognize me. This time, though, I wasn’t so lucky.

“Cassandra,” Ellie gasped. And only then did I realize we were wearing the EXACT same outfit. “What the hell?” she asked, her hands on her hips. “Where did you get this?” She pointed at my blouse. “Did you steal it? Because there’s no way you could afford ANYTHING from Hot House Flowers. Let alone an entire outfit!”

Of course, Ellie didn’t know that I owned Hot House Flowers. It was a secret I’d kept for years. And I wasn’t about to let Ellie in on the secret now. So I just stood there while she mocked me.

“Oh…I get it,” she smiled sardonically. “You’re a KEPT woman now, huh? Found yourself a silver fox? Is that it? A rich, lonely old man to buy you designer clothes.”

I sighed deeply. I REALLY didn’t want to get into this with her. I was tired. I just wanted to have a nice dinner with my brother. She could think whatever she wanted. I honestly didn’t care.

“It’s none of your business, Ellie,” I said. Then I pushed past her. I motioned for my brother to follow me as I made a beeline out of the restaurant.

“Get the keys from the valet,” I instructed.

“Cassandra, what’s wrong? Is it the raw food?” Cameron asked, confused at our abrupt departure.

“No,” I said. “I’ll explain in the car. Let’s just get out of here.”

We grabbed the keys and headed for the parkade. But just as I put my hand on the car door handle, a voice called out to me.

“Cassandra!” The voice echoed through the parkade.

It belonged to Jordyn.