Chapter Seventeen: Suspension

Jim's restlessness plagued him throughout the night. Cassandra's memory lingered, refusing to be extinguished. He yearned for her, but the weight of his actions forbade him from pursuing her. The intimacy he shared with her sister, Mildred complicated matters further. Determined to make amends and avoid appearing opportunistic, Jim struggled to reconcile his feelings.

As the darkness receded, Jim's longing for Cassandra became unbearable. He reached for his phone, his fingers hesitating before dialing her number. The call connected, and Jim's heart skipped a beat as he awaited her response.

On the other end, Cassandra gazed at her phone through tear-stained eyes. Jim's name flashed on the screen, but she was in no state to converse. The wounds of the evening's events still bled, and the pain had awakened a deep-seated resentment toward men. Her life, once full of promise, now lay in shambles.The phone call only intensified Cassandra's sorrow, and she wept uncontrollably. Jim's persistent ringing was a harsh reminder of her anguish. Finally, after several attempts, he sighed heavily, resigned to the silence.

"It's true," Jim muttered to himself, recalling Mildred's words. "Cassandra's gone. She's left the city." The realization stung, and Jim's eyes grew heavy with regret.

Cassandra's tears eventually subsided, and exhaustion consumed her. She drifted off to sleep on the cold, hard floor, her body wracked with sobs.

The stillness was short-lived, as the sound of thumping footsteps echoed outside her door. Cassandra's groggy mind struggled to recall the events of the previous night. Suddenly, memories of Claus flooded back – her boss, who had witnessed her intimate moment with Mr. Gad.

Claus's footsteps halted outside her door, and Cassandra held her breath. A small envelope slipped under the door, followed by the sound of receding footsteps. The silence that ensued was oppressive, heavy with unspoken words.

Cassandra's curiosity got the better of her. She pushed herself up from the floor, her body aching from the previous night's ordeal. With trembling hands, she picked up the envelope and examined it. Her name was scribbled on the front in bold, masculine letters.

A sense of trepidation washed over her as she opened the envelope and pulled out the contents. A formal letter, embossed with the Clear View logo, stared back at her. Her eyes scanned the page, and her heart sank.

"Suspension without Pay," the letter read. "Effective immediately, you are suspended from your duties at Clear View enterprise pending a thorough investigation into your conduct."

Cassandra's world crumbled around her. The weight of Claus's words settled upon her like a physical blow. She felt like she was drowning, unable to escape the consequences of her actions.

Her eyes widened as she processed the letter's contents. But her shock quickly gave way to a more pressing question: "How did he prepare this letter so quickly?" She furrowed her brow, her mind racing with the implications.

A wry smile spread across her face as she nodded to herself. "I knew this would happen," she thought, recalling the strained encounter with Claus. Their initial meeting had been tense, and she'd sensed a mutual dislike. This suspension letter seemed like the inevitable culmination of their animosity.

Cassandra's introspection was disrupted by the clattering of dishes and utensils from the kitchen. Her curiosity piqued, she realized that Claus was preparing breakfast. The aroma of sizzling food wafted through the air, causing her stomach to growl with hunger.

She wondered, "Is he planning to stay here for a while?" A furrowed brow accompanied her thoughts. "Why would he choose this apartment over his luxurious penthouses?" The question lingered, fueling her curiosity about Claus's motivations.

Cassandra's stomach continued to growl impatiently, protesting the delay. The clattering in the kitchen ceased, and Claus's footsteps echoed as he headed back to his room. He paused briefly outside her door before continuing on. A few moments later, he exited his room again, and the front door closed, signaling his departure.

Seizing the opportunity, Cassandra quickly unlocked her door and made her way to the kitchen in search of food. However, as she stepped out of her room, her legs collided with a ceramic object. She looked down to find a tray of food sitting outside her door, accompanied by a note that read: "Breakfast."

Surprise washed over her as she realized Claus had prepared breakfast for her. The gesture seemed out of character, given their tense encounter and the suspension letter.

As she picked up the tray, a knock at the front door interrupted her. She walked over to answer it, finding Emma and two staff members in uniform, carrying suitcases. Emma's warm smile greeted her, and Cassandra forced a cheerful tone, inviting them in.

Emma explained that Claus would be occupying the other room in the apartment for a few days. Cassandra nodded, still trying to process the sudden developments. The tension between her and Claus was palpable, and his extended stay would only add to the strain.

The duo sat in the living room, surrounded by the gentle hum of the apartment. The staff efficiently carried Claus's suitcases to his bedroom, arranging them with precision.

"Emma I..." Cassandra began to explain herself.

"Cassandra, don't stress," Emma said, placing a reassuring hand on her arm.

"I... I just feel so ashamed," Cassandra began, but Emma interrupted her.

"I understand, dear. Mr. Gad is a low-key womanizer. He even tried to hook up with me once, but I declined. I knew he was married, and I didn't want to be a part of that." Emma's expression turned sympathetic. "He's a charming man, Cassandra. It's easy to fall for him."

Cassandra's sobs intensified as she buried her face in her hands. "I feel terrible, Emma. I didn't know he was married. I deprived his wife of his presence every night..."

Emma wrapped her arms around Cassandra, offering comfort. "Don't blame yourself, dear. You didn't know. Mr. Gad's actions are not your responsibility."

Cassandra lifted her head, her eyes red-rimmed. "But now the boss will think this is who I am... a homewrecker."

Emma's expression turned reassuring. "I know about the suspension, and I tried to talk him out of it, but the boss is a principled man. He'll get over it, Cassandra. At least it's not a termination letter. You know it's worse because Manager Gad's wife is a childhood friend of the boss's twin sister. They grew up together, and the boss cares for her deeply, like a sister."

Cassandra's determination grew. "I need to find a way to reach her, to apologize for my part in this mess."

Emma raised an eyebrow. "Is that really necessary, Cassandra?"

Cassandra nodded fervently. "I feel guilty, Emma. I had no idea about her, about their marriage. I need to make things right, even if it's just a small gesture."