Chapter Ten: Lies

Cassandra's fingers trembled with excitement as she dialed Mildred's number.

Mildred picked up quickly, but her voice sounded strained.

"Hey, Cass" Mildred tried to sound cheerful but Cassandra didn't notice.

"I got the job!" Cassandra exclaimed.

Mildred's breathing was labored. "Oh!" She replied, attempting enthusiasm.

But Cassandra detected a hint of distraction. "Is everything okay?" Cassandra asked.

Mildred hesitated. "Yes!" she replied hastily.

But Cassandra heard a male voice whisper in the background.

"Who?" the voice asked causing Cassandra's curiosity to heighten.

"Mildred, is everything alright?" She pressed.

Mildred quickly hung up causing Cassandra's brow to furrow.

Unknown to Cassandra, Mildred and Jim's passion ignited. Naked, entwined, their lips locked.

After the hasty hang-up, guilt crept.

"We shouldn't be doing this," Jim said but Mildred's fingers danced.

"I haven't officially broken up with your sister yet."

Mildred's touch electrified.

"You told her to stay away," she whispered. "Besides she cheated,it's clear there's no you and her. Come on Jim, what's an official break up for after been embarrassed in the presence of friends and family on a day that was supposed to be your wedding. Can't you see Jim? You and are were meant to be from the start."

Tracing his nipples, her fingers tantalized causing Jim to shudder.

"We can't," he repeated.

Mildred's lips reclaimed his. Gently pushing him onto the bed. One hand caressed his nipple, the other, his arousal. Soon, Jim's resolve crumbled, whispers replaced protests and Mildred's seduction deepened.

Cassandra's thoughts lingered on Mildred's unusual hang-up.

Whose distant voice was that?

Was Mildred hiding something?

She pushed the thoughts aside. Dinner beckoned, quickly she went down to the guest house restaurant. Surprisingly, she spotted her mom, laughing cheerfully with one of the chefs. Apparently, they were acquainted.

"Cassandra, darling!" she exclaimed when she noticed her.

Cassandra turned to face her with mixed emotions since they hadn't spoken since the wedding incident.

"Can't hold yourself, huh?" she teased. "Decided to move into a guest house for convenience? You are still continuing your wild affairs even after been left at the altar. How shameful."

The dining area fell silent,faces turned to the source of the words causing Cassandra's cheek to burn accompanied by a tear.

She swiftly exited without saying a word. Back in her room, tears flowed freely, soaking her pillow. With pain enveloping her, she grabbed her phone and texted jim.

"Can we at least talk? I need closure."

No reply.

Not relenting,she sent another.

"I swear I didn't do it, someone set me up."

Still, no reply.

"I'm coming over."

She sent another and waited. Minutes ticked.

No reply.

Soon she was out of the guest house. Her determination hardened, leading her to Jim's front door.

A heavy knock broke Jim's intimate moment with Mildred.

"Ah, damn," Jim muttered.

He hastily donned shorts. Mildred's worried gaze followed him.

Jim opened the door to find Cassandra standing quietly. Her eyes scanned him carefully.

Disheveled hair, Sweat-drenched chest and heaving breath.

"Cassandra..." Jim trailed.

"Busy?" she asked.

Her tone mixed with suspicion.

"Uh, yes...no. I mean no." He stammered.

"Can I at least come in?" she requested.

Jim hesitated,then stepped aside. She entered an sat on the couch.

Her gaze swept the area, two wine glasses, a lady's silver clutch which looked quite familiar.

She once owned it but gave it to Mildred, before her would-be wedding.

"Guest?" Cassandra asked.

Jim stuttered.

"Yes... no... no."

His unease radiated causing her eyes to narrow.

She dialed Mildred's number.

"Mil, you sounded off earlier. Are you okay?"

Mildred's reply came from Jim's bathroom.

"Yes, Cass, just stomach upset. I'm still in the restroom, though."

"Oh, sorry about that. Uhm Mil, I'm at Jim's," she added.

Silence.

Mildred's voice trembled.

"Cass, what's going on?"

"Just to talk Mil."

"But he asked you...us to stay away "

"Just for closure sakes,and I'm out."

"Fine." Mildred said with a sigh and was about to hang up.

"Remember the silver clutch I gave to you a month ago?" Cassandra asked.

"Mmmm." Mildred replied,her heart thumping hard.

"Still have it?" Cassandra asked, looking critically at the clutch lying on the couch.

"Uhm..no I don't. Dropped it at a thrift store." Mildred lied.

"Oh, I see "

"Anything the matter?" Mildred asked.

"Not at all, just thought I saw something like it. Never mind, I'll talk to you later" Cassandra said and hung up.

Her eyes bored into Jim's as she dropped her phone,her suspicions disappearing.

"Believe me, I never cheated," she pleaded.

Jim's expression remained impassive.

"Not now, Cassandra. I'm not in the right state," he said.

Tears streamed down her face.

"I need closure, Jim. I need to understand. Is there a chance for us or not? Be clear."

Jim's shrug spoke volumes.

"I'm not ready for this conversation." His voice firm. "Please leave."

Cassandra's heart shattered, she rose and looked deep into into his eyes.

"You're with someone, aren't you?"

Jim's silence confirmed.

"So fast" she whispered her world crumbling. She turned and walked out, resolving to keep Jim far away from her thoughts forever.

The door closed and Jim's sigh echoed. Mildred emerged tiptoeing.

"Is she gone?"

Jim nodded.

She quickly gathered her belongings.

"I have to go see her, she'd be really sad," Mildred said.

Jim's warning followed. "At least give her time to get home first, Mildred. Don't be dumb."

It was dark when Cassandra got back to the guest house,she was too overwhelmed with shock to eat anything. Quietly she laid in bed until a knock made her sit up. Mildred entered with a bag which obviously contained food.

"I got this on my way in. Thought you'd need it " she said.

"So thoughtful of you." Cassandra replied with a smile. "But I can't eat anything,a...nd I think Jim is seeing someone already."

"So fast?" Mildred asked. "Who? When? How?" She pressed.

Cassandra smiled. "I guess whoever never wanted me with Jim had succeeded, setting me up at my bachelorette party was a well-crafted plan."

"Ssh, it's okay." Mildred said, her comforting hands wrapped around her sister.

She tried to adjust her sitting posture when her clutch suddenly slipped, falling to the floor, causing Cassandra's gaze to follow it. The clutch, it was the same one at Jim's.