Chapter 11 - He Won't Back Down

Alexia answered the door as soon as she heard the doorbell chime. Marty promised to her that he will come to her condo after he finishes his business. After taking Cassandra home, he headed to Alexia’s condominium. 

Marty went in, Alexia hugged Marty’s neck the moment the door closed. 

“Babe, I missed you.” It’s been 3 months since Marty came to see her. 

While hugging his neck, Alexa tiptoed to kiss Marty, but he dodges. Alexia got hurt when Marty steered clear of her. Marty removed her hand that was wrapped about his neck and walked into the floor to ceiling window. 

“Babe, what’s the matter with you?” Alexia followed him and hugged his waist. 

Marty removed her hand from his waist and turned to face Alexia. 

“Let’s end this,” said with a cold expression on his face. 

“What?” Alexia couldn’t believe what she heard. 

“I have already told you from the onset.” His voice was cold, causing shivers run through Alexia’s spine. 

Right from the start, Marty made it clear to Alexia that he wanted no commitment. He wanted their relationship to be friends with benefits and nothing more. No one but Alexia claimed to be Marty's girlfriend. However, to clarify matters, he needed to cut off Alexia's delusion. Marty wanted to make things right before pursuing Cassandra. 

“No, I love you. I can’t let you go. ” Alexia embraces Marty tightly. 

Marty sneered, he knew what Alexia was doing behind him. She messes around with other actors. What she loves is his money. Marty is a multi - billionaire. He is the sole heir to one of the nation's leading business conglomerates. 

“I will give you a mansion in Brentt Village and a new car and 1 million dollars as compensation.” Alexia maintains an aggrieved expression while weighing the pros and cons of Marty’s offer.  

How can a gold digger like her, won't like his offer? Only the highest echelons of the elite community live there. It will be a boost to her image if she lives in Brentt village instead of her condominium. However a greedy person like her isn’t content with that. 

“No, you are all I want.” Alexia said with teary eyes and a quavering voice. 

Knowing her prowess as an actress, Marty wasn’t moved in the least. 

“I love you, Marty” She cupped Marty’s face and kissed him. Instead of kissing her back, Marty pushed her hard so that Alexia fell on the floor with a thud. 

Alexia sobbed and held Marty’s legs begging him. 

“Alexia, don’t be greedy. You will end up with nothing if you keep on forcing yourself on me. ” Marty is giving Alexia a warning. 

Alexia understood it and stood up. “Alright, when can I move into the mansion then?” 

“My assistant will contact you.” Marty sneered, he knew the true color of Alexia. 

While in the car Marty phones Cassandra. Cassandra didn’t hear her phone ring as she was in the bathroom taking a shower. Marty redialed and patiently waited for Cassandra to answer his call. After umpteen times of calling, Cassandra finally answered the call. 

“Hello” Marty heard Cassandra’s melodious voice and he felt like it’s caressing his heart. 

“Who is this?” Cassandra asked 

“Cassandra, it’s Marty.” Marty said he felt like a schoolboy talking to his crush. 

Marty’s chauffeur lips curled up, he could hear Marty’s tone of voice. And it's apparent that he was thrilled. He never heard him talk like that to the women he was with. 

“Are you free tomorrow?” Marty wanted to bring her to his beach house. 

Cassandra’s heart skips a beat, her hand trembles. Fear and elation filled her heart. She's glad he likes her, but on the other hand, she's afraid of heartbreak. 

"Sorry, I'm not." Cassandra feels bad that she's not available. 

"Why?" Marty sounded hurt. 

“I’m going to spend the day with Graham” Cassandra bit her lips. 

“Is that so? How about at night? ” Marty wouldn’t back down. 

“We’ll have dinner together before he brings me home.” Cassandra’s having a hard time to turn him down. 

There's a part of her that wants to be with him and another part of her says she should stay away from him. 

“Alright, Goodnight Cassandra.” 

“Goodnight, sir Marty.” Cassandra sighed after she hung up the phone. 

Cassandra is getting nervous as Marty is already making a move. She knows that she's struggling to guard her heart from Marty. The thought of giving in to Marty gave her a shiver. 

While lying on her bed, the kiss suddenly crossed her mind. Cassandra touched her lips. The kiss was deeply engraved in her memory that she still felt how soft his lips were. Cassandra slept thinking about Marty. 

The following day, Graham picked Cassandra from her apartment. They headed to his clinic for her monthly skin care regimen. 

“Hi, beautiful” Dr. Karen hugged Cassandra. 

“Hello, Dr. Gorgeous,” Cassandra giggled.  

“Happy to see you again, I missed you.” 

Karen is one of Cassandra’s friends. Both she and Graham went abroad for an aesthetic dermatologist conference. 

“Let's start with your beauty treatment. I will use our new acquired equipment. You will surely like it, " Karen pulled Cassandra toward the room.

Cassandra has naturally beautiful skin. She's had an impeccable porcelain skin since she was a kid. She is one of the celebrities that needs no surgery, be it her face or body. She possesses natural beauty. Her monthly skin regimen is just to maintain her beautiful skin. Moreover, it is one of her benefits as one of their endorsers. 

An hour later, Graham and Cassandra went to a French restaurant for lunch. It's one of their favorite places. Arriving at the restaurant, Cassandra saw a familiar figure. He looks extremely handsome and gorgeous in his three piece suit. He didn’t notice Cassandra as he was focused with his conversation with the people around him who were also clad in business suits. 

A very beautiful and elegant woman seated next to him leaned her head to Marty and whispered. Marty smiled when she was whispering something in his ears. Anyone who looks at them will think that they are lovers. 

Cassandra averted her gaze and kept walking. Yesterday, her heart bled because of Alexia and now Marty is flirting with another woman. 

Graham felt Cassandra’s body tensed and he leaned towards Cassandra and whispered. “Are you okay?” 

Cassandra looked at Graham and smiled and say, “Yes” 

Graham pulled the chair for Cassandra and beckoned her to sit. She smiled at him while she sat. 

Unbeknownst to Cassandra, shortly after she turned her gaze away, Marty saw her and Graham walking toward their table. Marty watched Cassandra smile warmly at Graham. He’s waiting for Cassandra to look in his direction, but she never did. Her eyes were fixed on Graham. 

Little did he know that Cassandra had used all her will power to fight the urge to look in his direction. 

Marty lets his assistant handle the meeting just so he can keep an eye on Cassandra. Marty felt vanquished because Cassandra never looked at him until she and Graham left the diner. 

Graham and Cassandra went to the supermarket before heading to Cassandra’s apartment. They watch a documentary movie which they both love to do every time they spend time together. 

Later, Graham began making dinner for them. He rolled his sleeves over his elbow and wore an apron. While he was prepping, Cassandra was watching him. He is extremely handsome as well, with a sturdy and muscular physique. Cassandra felt guilty that she couldn't reciprocate Graham’s love. She tried several times, but she really couldn’t. 

"What do you look at me like that for? Are you falling in love with me? ” Graham chuckled. 

“How I wish, I could fall in love with you.” Cassandra sighed. 

“Marry me, you will learn to love me as years pass by.” Graham said. 

“Graham, don’t be silly.” Cassandra laughed and Graham joined her. 

After dinner, Cassandra washed the dishes and made tea after that. While having tea, Graham looked at his watch and saw it was already half past eight. He drank the remaining tea in his cup and stood up. 

"Cassandra, I got to go." Graham said.

“I’ll send you off,” Cassandra rose to her feet. 

Graham held Cassandra’s hand as they walked towards his car. Before Graham climbed into his car, he hugged Cassandra and kissed her forehead 

Marty, who has been sitting in a black luxury car that's parked a couple of feet away, for almost an hour saw what Graham did. Witnessing Graham’s action Marty gripped the steering wheel so tightly that his knuckles turned white. 

The moment Graham drove off, Cassandra went into her apartment and took a shower. She heard the doorbell rang upon finishing her skin care routine. She quickly donned her pajamas and rushed to open the door. 

"Graham might have left something out," she murmured. 

She turned the doorknob and opened the door. “Marty?”