Darvan scoffed, trying to push these feeling of jealousy he felt away as he approached Cassia. Every step he took towards her intensified his anger. She looked so happy with the guy she was talking to, and that made Darvan's blood boil. As he got to her, he squinted his eyes when he noticed her long shiny dark hair was gone.
"You've really downgraded yourself haven't you?" He said, making his presence known. Darvan's eyes then left Cassia to the man seating opposite her which made him almost laugh in mockery as he turned to look at Cassia again
"Did you find yourself a boyfriend already?" Darvan asked again, his gaze going back to Liam who didn't bother to look his way since it didn't concern him. He didn't want a situation whereby he'd interfere and Cassia mad at him, because he recognized this man. He was Cassia's boyfriend, but judging from the way Darvan spoke, Liam could guess they were no longer together.
"His taste must be just as terrible as yours. I mean no man can settle for someone like you who looks like she's been living her whole life in a cave " he added harshly.
Cassia's fingers tightened into a fist by her side, but she refused to react. Liam saw this and attempted to speak, but Cassia smiled at him, shaking her head, telling him not to
"So, what were you on?" She said, trying to act like Darvan wasn't there.
"Didn't know you became rude over just a few days" Stacy rolled her eyes while shaking her head in disgust as she glared at Cassia.
Darvan let out a bitter grin when his eyes landed on the snacks lying down on the near table before them.
"Planning on going back to being someone's housekeeper? How very domestic of you." He said. "Maybe that's all you're good for, but I applaud him, he's found himself a loyal dog." he added
Cassia folded her hands, trying to suppress her anger. She turned to him with a straight but dangerous glare. Just as she made to talk, Liam who couldn't stand her get insulted, spoke up.
"Enough. You've said more than enough already" His voice was calm but firm.
"And who are you to interfere when I and my ex are in a conversation?" Darvan moved closer to him and pulled him out of the seat. Liam smirked, yanking his hand away from Darvan's grip.
"So you're the lunatic who ruined a whole life and it's career?" Liam scoffed, pulling out his business card and throwing it in Darvan's face.
"From here on, this lady is mine to deal with and I won't tolerate any harassment from anyone towards her. " Liam said, meaning every of his words as he looked between Darvan and Stacy, his eyes giving them a warning. Darvan chuckled, getting real annoyed.
Stacy picked up the business card which had fallen, wanting to mock Cassia about her taste in men, but her eyes widened when she saw the name on the card. This was Liam Amsterdam!
She nudged Darvan with her fingers slowly and he looked in her direction. When she showed him the business card, his eyes almost fell off their sockets. It was the man they'd been searching for, the elusive designer was right in front of them. The founder and CEO of LAG gallery. The man who just supported Cassia... That very man they had been desperate to meet, was Liam Amsterdam!
Darvan was shocked as his arrogance falter for a split second but was immediately replaced when a thought struck him.
"What's even your deal with rich men, huh?" He asked, scoffing as he looked in Cassia's way, " Looking for popularity or what? And you think..."
“I don’t owe you an explanation!” Cassia snapped, cutting him off. His words hurt her, but she had been trying to ignore him, but she couldn't anymore.
“We’re over. What I do, what I aim at or who I meet with, is none of your business anymore.” her words only increased his anger. He too had no reason why he was angry. It was over between them, he shouldn't care, but seeing her seating here, being all playful with Liam angered him.
“Over? Don’t act like you didn’t enjoy every moment with me,” he scoffed, stepping closer, his eyes narrowing. “Don’t act like you don’t still want me.” Cassia tried her best to scoff at his words before standing and looking into his eyes.
“Want you? Want a guy that was never there for me?,” she asked unbelievably, her voice rising.
“All you ever cared about was yourself. And when I say it's over, dear ex, it's indeed over this time.” Without waiting for a reply, she turned on her heel and stormed out, her heart pounding as she fought back the tears.
Seeing her that way instantly soured Darvan's mood. Had he said more than he should have? He stepped forward, wanting to go after her but Stacy held him back, halting his attempt.
Liam who was concerned, quickly followed behind her while calling her name. But as Cassia reached the exit, she hesitated, glancing back. The sight that greeted her was like a punch to the face. Instead of Darvan feeling guilty for the harsh things he'd said to her, he stood so close to Stacy, their interaction far too intimate for her comfort.
She watched as Stacy placed a hand on Darvan's arm, leaning in and whispering something to him before kissing his cheeks afterwards. A bitter taste filled her mouth.
Memories flooded her mind. Moments when she had longed for Darvan's affection, only to be met with cold indifference. She recalled the times she had gone out of her way to make him happy, to show him love, but he had never returned the favor.
It had always been her, taking the initiative, trying to bridge the distance. He never reciprocated. The only time he showed interest was when it was convenient for him, when it suited his needs.
She thought of the countless nights she waited for him to show up, only to be left alone, of the times she compromised her own happiness just to keep him close. And now, looking at him with Stacy, she realized how foolish she had been. He never truly cared. He never truly loved her. With a final glance, she walked away.
Darvan felt uncomfortable, thinking about how Cassia could be in contact with another man and how quickly she seemed to have moved on.
......
Liam gently pulled Cassia back, halting her steps. As she faced him, he was met with eyes glittering with tears.
"I thought we have some business to address and was the purpose for your reaching out? Why.."
"I'm sorry, please let's talk another time." she muttered while Liam gave her a reassuring smile.
"Alright." he muttered and she gave him small polite bow before, excusing herself. Liam watched her go before sighing. His eyes went back to the cafe only to see Darvan and Stacy laughing at probably something Stacy had said. He balled his fist in anger, fighting the urge to cause a scene.
Casting a last glance at the direction Cassia went, Liam went back to his car and drove directly to his gallery, not minding Stacy who ran outside calling his name.
"Did Cassia approach him on purpose? Don't tell me he's gonna reject my offer because of her? He better don't." she muttered, staring as the car drive away.
******
Back in her hotel room, Darvan hurtful words continued to ring in Cassia's ears, causing her to sigh for the umpteenth time. The fact that Darvan said she wanted him back made her angry. Now, she was more determined than ever. She needed to show him she meant every of her words when she said it was 'over'.
She stood up and began packing her things with the decision to move to a new place. A place she could start life all over again, a place she'd escape those hurtful memories and past. And the next morning, she found a cozy apartment thanks to an online advert.
She called Kiara, informing her about her move but was met with a suspicion.
"Like you’re going back to Darvan’s place?" Kiara asked.
"Wait, are you saying she’s doing all this to get back with Darvan?" Cassia overheard Quinn's voice in the background, and that caused her to sigh.
"C'mon, girls, that's not it! I already said it's over, so why would I want to go back with him? I've wasted enough of my time on him."
"So, what do you mean?"
"I’ve rented an apartment on my own," she snapped.
"Oh! Is that it?" they chorused, and she felt annoyed that her friends still didn’t believe her. Why would they, when in the past, she had always gone back?
As they exchanged those words, the memories came rushing back. Those times when she had swallowed her pride and put his needs above her own, only to be met with his cold neglect. The times she had begged for his attention only to watch as he turned away uninterested, as if her feelings didn’t matter. She had given him everything but he had taken them all for granted when all she did was to be close to him... To make him love her.
She could still see the way he belittled her dreams as a designer, ignored her accomplishments, and made her feel small. She had bent over backward to make things work out, but it was never enough. In the end, she was left feeling like shit, like she had been chasing a ghost of a relationship that never truly existed.
After the call came to an end, she signed the house documents and began to unpack her. She was grieving about her move, but deep down, she knew she was making the right choice.
The apartment was quiet, the kind of quiet that invited peace rather than loneliness. She stood in the middle of the room, taking a deep breath, and let the silence fill her. She was free, but healing would take time.
"From now on, I'll become successful and make sure you regret everything you did to me. To the point that at the mere sight of me, you'll wish to vanish, to disappear. And at the mention of my name, you'll tremble and bow in fear."
"Darvan Sinclair, I hope you're watching your back from now on..." She vowed. This was her fresh start. And no matter how long it took, she would find her way forward
