“I’m guessing the meeting went well?” He asked, his features finally softening. He pulled the seat toward himself and took a seat on it, gesturing to me to do the same.
“Yes.” I said, sitting across from him “It was a no-brainer actually. The moment I realized you were my employer, it wasn’t much of a debate. I had to sign the document.”
He raised his brows, “So you’ve learned.”
“It’s hard not to. Your name is everywhere.”
He chuckled, “I thought you’d pick up sooner.”
“My bad, I can be very dense sometimes.”
Truly, I couldn’t believe I didn’t know this all these days. The fact that I didn’t even bother to ask my company’s name before showing up here for an interview says a lot about how my brain goes into an off mode when I’m around Enzo. He takes care of everythi
As the evening rolled, I cleaned the last bit of dust off the counter and threw the tissue away. As my eyes wandered around the apartment, I couldn’t help but grin in satisfaction. Ever since Enzo permitted me to redo his apartment yesterday, I have been on the task. I made all the purchases yesterday and they were readily delivered today. I took a bit of Kelly and Lawrence’s help to set the entire thing up, of course, and I was very proud of what we have achieved.Enzo had no idea that everything would be ready by tonight when he came home from work. I also ordered his favourite Chinese food for dinner, making it a complete evening packed full of surprises.“I must say you’ve outdone yourself,” Lawrence said as he walked from the living room. “It looks perfect, and I’m sure it's within Enzo’s preference. You have great taste.”“Thank you, and I wouldn’t have done it without you.
I recoiled backwards, growing acutely aware of how hard my heart was thumping against my ribs. The look on his face devastated me. I suddenly worried, what if it was all a waste? What if he didn’t like it? Oh, my God. What would I do then? The worst part was that I couldn’t read his expression well. Was he thinking I overspent? Was he regretting giving me the chance to redo his apartment? Shit! He gave me one job, one freaking job, and I ruined it! This was the least I could have done for him, and somehow I ruined that too. “Do you not like it?” I asked in a low voice, embracing myself for his response. “Like it?” He scoffed in astonishment, “Cassie! This is amazing! I love it!” The biggest sigh of relief rushed out of my lungs, “Oh, my God. Really?”“Yes!” He said, throwing his hands up in the air as he gestured around, “I can’t believe you did all of this by yourself, in under two days. Like, what are you made of? How did you pull this off?” I shook my head, “You scared me ther
When I heard those words, it felt like my heart sank. I didn't even notice when the file slipped from my hands and fell to the floor. I stared at Enzo in shock, as everything around me suddenly felt real again. The comfortable world I had built for myself was gone.I quickly knelt down to pick up the papers. After gathering them, I put them back in the folder and stood up. Placing it on the counter, I said, “When?” “The day before yesterday, when you came to the office.” He said, “I… I received them just a minute before you walked in, but you were so excited and happy about your new job. I didn’t have the heart to ruin your happiness. I’m really sorry. I thought it was for the better if I read it first before I handed it over to you along with the changes I’d like to make in the document.” “Oh, that’s fine.” I said, “So you think it was... Fair? The document.” “It was better than what I expected.” He said, “But there are still some changes that I’d like to suggest. I’ve been in tou
Although it had not been that long since we last met, it felt like ages ago that the episode at his office unfolded. The man that I saw that day was different from the man that was standing before me now. He was confident yet receptive, angry but willing to listen, but today, he was none of those things. Today, he was cold. He had an invisible wall around himself beyond which nobody had any access.When I first walked into the room with Enzo, Calvin was already present there with his lawyer. I gave him a small nod of acknowledgement, but his face remained stoic. He revealed no feelings whatsoever, and that surprised me. I didn't understand what was in his head, but I decided to not pay much thought to it and just let the meeting begin. As both of our lawyers spoke to each other, I watched him closely and realized how well he was avoiding me. He wouldn’t once look into my eyes. It almost felt like he was punishing me for something, as though he had no remorse over
As I looked sideways, I realized that Enzo was equally astonished with what Calvin was saying. Safe to say, he didn’t see this coming either. “What do you mean?” He said, “You don't-“ “My client does not wish to speak about this any further.” Calvin’s lawyer spoke, “As he said, we will see you in court.” With that said, both the men walked out of the room, without Calvin as much as sparing a glance at me. Suddenly, everything went blank. My mind froze, and I couldn’t process anything. The room started spinning, and I felt dizzy. My heart pounded in my chest, then a high-pitched ringing took over.I felt Enzo tap my shoulder, but I couldn’t look at him. I was too disoriented to react. I realized I couldn’t breathe and started gasping for air.“Cassie!’ I heard Enzo’s alarmed voice. I tried to look at face, but the world before me quickly became dark. I felt myself losing balance, my feet turning to jelly. I expected to hit the ground, but something soft caught me. My waist and s
Cassie's POV "I'll get the car. Please wait here." Enzo said before leaving me in the parking lot. I was waiting for his car to arrive when I saw a black Audi come toward me. I recognized that car instantly. It belonged to Calvin! I decided to stop him. Suddenly, I stepped in front of it. Soon the car came to a halt. I walked to the driver's side as he brought the window down. "Cassie! What the hell are you doing? Get out of my path!" "Why are you doing this, Calvin? What is wrong with you?""I made a mistake when I married you, Cassie! You're so shameless and disgusting! I am correcting my mistake now. I should have never tied the knot with you!" "Wow, so you've directly sent me a divorce notice? And as if that wasn't enough, you're suing me for murder? Are you for real? You know I didn't kill her!" I screamed."You're insufferable! I don't know why I married you! How can you still lie about everything when the truth is out?" "What truth? You're being fed lies, Calvin! The tru
Enzo’s POVThe next morning, I didn’t catch sight of Cassie in the kitchen or the living room as I usually would.I cooked some breakfast for the both of us hoping that she would join me, but she remained inside her room. Realizing that she needed her time and space, I decided not to disturb her. Leaving her breakfast on the dining table, I left the house and headed to the office. I was going to have a tough and hectic day at work today, having to work with a short time frame to solve the case for Cassie. Her trial notice came out of the blue and I was rather unprepared. My prior commitments have demanded my attention at work. But ever since I reunited with Cassie, her matters have always been my top priority. As soon as I arrived at work, I called my associate Mark and asked him to come into my office. I’d already assigned him some work regarding the case yesterday night and asked him to take the help of a paralegal if he needed to for his research. Since Cassie couldn’t get any ev
Cassie’s POVI opened my email again. I realized that it was empty again. It was the fifth time that I was doing this today. And yet, I did not receive any email.I was waiting for an email from my dad. It had been weeks since I spoke to him. I had sent him countless emails in the meanwhile, expecting that he would reply to at least one, but he didn’t. He was busy with his treatment, but I couldn’t understand what could be so serious about his condition that he couldn’t even spare a second to talk to me.I was well aware that he was in touch with his legal team here as they ha
The next week at the office was the same drill, and before I knew it, it was the weekend.I couldn't believe I lasted an entire week here, from having no idea how I was doing to gaining some foundation somehow. Emma was patient with me as I got the basics right and I eventually started working by myself, rarely needing her help.Through the week, Emma and I developed a great bond. She was proving to be my kind of a person, and since she wasn’t very close to any of her other colleagues, she was soon to accept me into her life too. Although she was technically my senior, she never made me feel that way, nor did she treat me like I was below her in rank. Because of this, we instantly clicked.Patrick was surprised with us too. He noticed that we were hav
I was having one of those dreams where you are aware of it.I was back in my prison cell, preparing myself for bed when I heard someone opening my cell door. When I looked over my shoulder to see who it was, I was instantly knocked down. I found myself on the floor in an instant and a faceless man was towering over my figure.I tried to scream for help, but nobody came. He caught my hands and put them above my head, and using his other hand, he tried to lift my shirt. I screamed in horror and jumped from my dream.When I woke up, I realized that I was panting and Enzo was patting my back. The TV screen froze and Enzo turned the lights on.“Cassie!” He said in worry, “What th
As I twisted the door knob open, I saw light flooding from inside. I frowned.Enzo was back already?“Hello?” I said as I closed the door behind me, getting rid of my heels.“In here.” Enzo’s voice chimed from the kitchen.“Wow, you’re cooking?” I asked. I was amused looking at him in his chef attire.“I am,” he said, “I hope you like pasta.”“I do.” I said, “But what’s the occasion ?”“We’re
I stared at the computer screen in horror. It was filled with red errors.I scrolled through my work in disbelief. This was the worst feedback I have ever received. I can’t be that bad.. Until.. I realized I was. What was this? I had never made these many mistakes before.Right then, my telephone buzzed beside my computer. When I took the call, I realized that it was Patrick calling me.“Meet me in my office.”Shit. “O-okay.”I quickly went to his office. I knocked on the door and pushed it open. When I entered, Patrick was looking into a file and didn’t bother to look up and acknowledge me. I clea
Cassie’s POV I looked up at the tall building with a sigh.It was my first day.I noticed that there was a Starbucks located beneath the office. Since I had some time to spare, I went in to get a fresh cup of mocha. Instead of sitting inside, I decided to take a stroll in the small park area outside the building. Maybe it was because I’ve been away from work for so long, I felt a bit uneasy to enter the office building.When it was time, I finally mustered up the courage to go inside. Saving me a trip to the HR, Enzo slipped in my identity card this morning, which granted me hassle-free entry into the building. Even though I told him that everything would just follow the process and I was confident I could get through all the interviews, Enzo said we didn’t need all those complicated steps. I went along with his arrangement, after all, it was his good intention.I went straight up to my floor and navigated through the throng of people who were standing in the gaps between the cubicle
Calvin’s POV“What’s the matter?” Becky’s concerned voice came after me as I entered our bedroom. Without sparing her a glance or a nod of acknowledgement, I barged into the bathroom, banging the door shut behind me.I hated lies. I hated liars.Today, Becky was found to be one. I loved her so much, but she didn't tell me the truth. I found out about it in court. It was pathetic.As I stood under the showerhead, I couldn't help but wonder why she might have done that. Why did she have to lie about who was driving the car and why did she have to frame Cassie in a murder case? Why did she hate her so much? Did that mean that Penelope had lied too? But why would she?
When I walked toward Becky, Calvin was nowhere in sight, nor were his lawyers, giving me my much-needed alone time with her. My conversation with her was far overdue, I realized.She saw me approaching her and started glaring. Her face was full of anger."What do you want?" She asked as soon as I arrived near her."I wanted to check if you're doing well." I said, "After all, you might be going to prison very soon. And after living there for two weeks, thanks to you, I can assure you that they will take very good care of people like you. You better be prepared."Becky scoffed, "I am not going anywhere. I will be right here with Calvin, making sure you don't steal him from me yet again.""Yet again?" I laughed, "Calvin was never yours to begin with, Becky. He was my husband. You are the one that came in between and sabotaged the life we built. If anything, it was you that took him away from me.""Calvin loved me."
I felt someone hug me from behind. When I turned around, I realized who. It was Kelly."Cassie!" She screamed in elation. "I can't believe this! You're finally free."I could hardly register what was happening around me as too much was unfolding at one go."You are going to be alright, Cassie! You're going to come home. Your life is going back to normal again!"I nodded, "It is, isn't it?" I asked, perplexed. "Everything is going to be alright now.""Yes, absolutely!" She said, grinning from ear to ear. "All thanks to this man here who never gave up on you."Following her eyes, I looked to my right where Enzo was standing. I detected a sense of relief on his face, as though a mountain of responsibility had been lifted off his shoulders. Dark circles had formed below his eyes, making me wonder how many sleepless nights he had endured to lead us to today's victory.Tears accumulated in my eyes i
Cassie's POV “Replay the video.” Said the judge, failing to believe his own eyes. I couldn’t blame him, for what Enzo had produced as evidence in the courtroom was astounding. I was perplexed as to how he managed to get his hands on something like this. The video was recorded from the car, giving a view of the driver and the passenger. The driver seemed erratic and wobbly, sloppily driving on the empty road. After a few seconds, the driver suddenly turned the wheel to a side, ending up colliding the vehicle with the tree. Fumes erupted from the bonnet, and the airbags opened in the front seat. The driver was unconscious, their head on the airbags as blood dribbled down it. Right then, the passenger door opened and they got down. They came to stand in front of the car, revealing their faces. It was me.I approached the driver’s side to help Becky, but Becky wouldn’t budge. I then proceeded to pull her phone out of her pocket and call for help. I had no memory of this video. I wasn