After the introductions were done, we settled into our seats and eagerly dug into a scrumptious feast laid out before us. Cold cuts, sandwiches, scrambled eggs, fruit juices, coffee and tea, buttered scones, muffins, and toasts adorned the table. I savored each bite in silence, occasionally exchanging words with Kenny, while Jasper caught up with his cousins. They regaled each other with stories of their adventures while they were away, and I listened with a warm sense of belonging.As I looked around the room, I realized that these people had become my makeshift family for the year. I was determined to cherish every moment without worrying about the inevitable end. After our meal, the men excused themselves for a smoke, while I stayed inside with the women. Kenny stayed back with me, making me feel at ease and right at home.All eyes eagerly fixated on Cassandra as Josephine posed the question, "Cassandra, have you and Jasper set a wedding date yet?" A surge of panic surged through he
The absurdity of the moment overwhelmed me, shattering my composure into laughter that erupted from the depths of my being. I couldn't contain it, and I collapsed onto the soft lawn, clutching my stomach, tears streaming down my face. Kenny and Jasper, my partners in crime, were quick to catch on, and soon they too were convulsing with laughter. Our family members, bemused and entertained, watched the scene unfold with quizzical smiles. It was a much-needed moment of levity, a respite from the stress of wedding planning.But as the laughter subsided, I found myself inexplicably overcome with a surge of emotion, and without thinking, I lashed out, landing a playful punch on Kenny's arm. He looked at me in bewilderment, and I couldn't help but blurt out, "That was insane!"Kenny nodded vigorously, sharing my sentiment, and we exchanged a celebratory high-five. Just as we were about to delve into further discussion, Jasper, ever the voice of reason, interjected with a clearing of his thro
"Welcome to the family, Cassandra," my mother announced with a warm smile, leading the way. "Now let's go; everyone is waiting for dinner."The meal was a quiet affair, with everyone enjoying the delicious food and lost in their own thoughts. But after dinner, my cousins gathered around Cassandra, eager to get to know her. They bombarded her with questions about everything and anything, and I couldn't help but feel proud of how patient and warm Cassandra was in answering them. She had a way of winning over even the most reserved of souls.Lost in my own thoughts, I suddenly felt my phone vibrate. Julie's name flashed across the screen, and my heart skipped a beat with anticipation. What could she possibly want from me now, after all this time? I couldn't help but wonder as I looked at the screen, deep in thought.With a sense of anticipation coursing through my veins, I fumbled with my phone, my fingers betraying my excitement. I stole a quick glance around the room, noting that everyo
After retreating to my room, I fell into a restless sleep, only to wake up with a pounding headache. I stumbled out of bed and took a refreshing shower, hoping it would help clear my mind. As I emerged from the bathroom, my mother was waiting with a breakfast tray, a glass of lemon juice in hand, which she said would help ease my pain.She asked me how I was feeling emotionally, and I couldn't hold back the flood of emotions that washed over me. I poured my heart out to her, sharing my heartbreak over losing my best friend and the love of my life all in one night. Despite my mother's sympathy, I knew that moving on would be an uphill battle.Determined to pick up the pieces of my broken heart, I found myself jumping from one relationship to another in a desperate attempt to fill the void. It didn't take long for my parents to notice my erratic behavior and become concerned. They decided to intervene, and that's when the idea of a fake engagement to Cassandra came up. Now, I find myself
Jasper interrupted our conversation with an unexpected announcement that his father wanted to throw a celebration in honor of our engagement. I couldn't help but raise an eyebrow skeptically and ask, "Why? What's the occasion?""Obviously, to celebrate our engagement," Jasper responded with a hint of annoyance.I let out a sigh, dreading the idea of another event to attend. However, Kenny seemed excited and was already making plans for shopping and dressing up for the masked ball. Despite my discomfort with the idea of being treated like a toy, I kept my concerns to myself as Jasper's mother entered the room."Jasper," I spoke gently, "I understand that you have strong feelings for Julie, but have you considered the potential consequences of inviting her to the party? Your parents are already opposed to her, and it could create tension and drama."I nodded understandingly, my heart going out to Jasper. "I empathize with you. Just promise me that you'll take some more time to reflect on
Deep in thought, Kenny pondered, "I'm thinking Jasper was just joking around. You know, you look quite cute when you're annoyed." I glared at him, causing him to hastily raise his hands in surrender. "Just a guess!" he protested."In any case, your aunt suggested that we leave before them. Jasper and she can join us later," I responded, nodding in agreement. I quickly put on my shoes and hurried upstairs to grab my bag. On my way out, I bumped into Jasper, who was just exiting his room. I updated him on our plans for the day, and he promised to catch up with us later.As I walked outside, I spotted Kenny lounging in the back of a luxury car with a chauffeur at the wheel. It all felt surreal to me.Our first destination was to find a gown for me, and I have to admit, it was quite exhausting trying on so many dresses. Kenny, in particular, was very particular about finding the perfect one, which added to my weariness.But then, we stepped into a boutique and laid our eyes on a breathtaki
As we arrived at the reception, Kenny emerged with a radiant glow, looking revitalized and refreshed from his treatment. Despite my attempts to pay for both of our treatments, Kenny adamantly refused, insisting that it was his gift to me. Still basking in a state of serene bliss, we began our journey back home.All of a sudden, Kenny let out a piercing scream, catching me off guard and causing me to jump. "Turn back!" he urgently exclaimed. Perplexed, I inquired about what was wrong. "I forgot to pick up the masks! How can we have a masquerade without masks?" he exclaimed with clear panic in his voice.I let out a relieved sigh and gently closed the door. As I turned around, I saw Kenny grinning mischievously at me. I playfully slapped my hand to my forehead and scolded him for frightening me earlier."What? I just averted a major disaster," he said, defending himself with a confident smirk.Thankfully, we didn't have to search for masks for too long. Kenny was determined to find the p
As I expressed my heartfelt appreciation to Olivia for her exceptional work, I swiftly put on my shoes, just as Mrs. Benson knocked on the door and walked in. Her face lit up with admiration as she exclaimed, "Cassandra, you look like a princess!" Despite feeling a little bashful, I thanked her for her kind compliment.Olivia quietly departed from the room, and Mrs. Benson approached me with a small wrapped package. "It's a present from Jasper's father and me," she announced. I objected, "But Mrs. Benson, you've already given me a gift!" Her response was swift, "Nonsense, that was only an heirloom!"As I opened the box, I couldn't help but gasp in amazement at the sight of the exquisite teardrop earrings and pendant, which were nestled in soft tissue. The stunning sapphire stone was encrusted with tiny diamonds, leaving me absolutely spellbound by its magnificence.With a warm smile, she explained that my engagement ring had inspired them to find the perfect match. Overwhelmed with gra
As soon as news of our engagement spread through the media, it quickly became the talk of the town across various news platforms in Seattle. True to form, there were a handful of envious individuals who seized the opportunity to launch a barrage of insults at me, resorting to all kinds of derogatory names. Some even went as far as suggesting that I must have employed supernatural means to captivate Noah's affections, questioning how a prosperous and youthful man could possibly be enamored by someone like me. Fortunately, my loyal friends emerged as my staunch defenders, taking on the trolls and even granting interviews on Instagram live streams to clear my tarnished reputation.Both Noah and I have consistently turned down interview requests, including those from reputable media outlets. His stance was that our relationship is not open for public scrutiny, a sentiment I wholeheartedly share. In accordance with our mutual decision, we have chosen to have a destination wedding at a ser
After precisely two months of reconciling with Noah , I made the decision to organize a surprise birthday celebration for him. With his 33rd birthday approaching, my aim was to create an intimate and elegant party to honor him. To bring this event to life, I sought the assistance of his closest friends, Fredrick and Jamiu, as well as his parents. They were all eager to contribute and help organize the occasion. Today, his family will be traveling from Spain to Seattle to attend the party, which will take place at the lavish residence of their family friend, Mr. Matthew Dawnson, a billionaire tycoon.Marilyn, who suggested the venue, assured me that Matthew's house in Seattle was the ideal location for the type of party I have envisioned. As it turns out, she was absolutely correct. The mansion occupied a vast expanse of land that seemed to extend infinitely, bordered by the tranquil waterfront of Kirkland lagoon.It felt as though we've stepped into a breathtaking Caribbean paradise r
Acting on a tip from Marilyn, I decided to visit one of Noah's clubs where an artist signed to his record label was performing tonight. Noah was unaware of my surprise visit, although he knew his mother had come to see me earlier. She had asked if she should inform him about my desire to meet up, but I declined, as I was the one who had cut ties with him and explicitly forbade him from contacting me again.As I approached the entrance, the bouncers inquired if my name was on the guest list. For the first time, doubts crept into my mind, questioning the wisdom of my impromptu visit. A sense of déjà vu washed over me, reminiscent of the day months ago when I went to Noah's residence for an unexpected meet up. That particular evening marked the beginning of our relationship and held the significance of our first intimate encounter. The memory brought a smile to my face, instilling in me the confidence to proceed with my purpose for the night.Approaching one of the colossal bouncers, I
The children and I didn't make it downstairs until slightly past 10 a.m. It had been an incredible night, courtesy of my unexpected visit from my cousin, Samuel , who asked if he could spend the weekend with us. I was delighted to have his company, and thanks to him, we stayed up later than usual, engaging in enjoyable games, a family karaoke session, and indulging in the junk food he had brought along.Luckily, today was Saturday, so there was no need to wake up at the crack of dawn to prepare for school and work. Samuel was still asleep on the couch in the living room where we had left him the previous night. I signaled to the girls to be quiet as we stealthily made our way to the kitchen to prepare breakfast."What are we having for breakfast?" Anna inquired eagerly. "I'm famished!""Shh! Let's not wake up Uncle Samuel ," Bella admonished her sister in a hushed tone."I agree," I responded softly. "After entertaining us so well last night, he deserves to rest.""Can we have eggs
As the new school year approached, my enthusiasm surpassed even that of my children. They often wondered what made me so cheerful. I was genuinely delighted to embrace the return of a structured routine. Each day held a sense of purpose: escorting my daughters to school, proceeding to work after bidding them farewell, accomplishing our weekly grocery shopping, enjoying quality time with my girlfriends every other weekend, and sporadically receiving visits from my siblings. These engagements filled my days with various activities, diverting my attention from ruminating about Noah and whether he and Reina managed to establish a connection after that dreadful morning four and a half months ago. It's astonishing how swiftly time has flown by!Interrupting my thoughts, Joe jovially exclaimed, "Knock, knock! Who's there?"I found myself seated in my office, experiencing a rather uneventful day in terms of business. Impatience consumed me as I eagerly anticipated the moment when I must pick
This morning's breakfast was a delightful and uncomplicated affair. I indulged in fried bean cakes, accompanied by corn pudding generously adorned with milk and sugar, and a serving of freshly baked bread. As I savored each bite, a rush of nostalgia envelopped me, transporting me back to my cherished childhood. It was during those Saturday mornings that my mother would skillfully prepare this delightful combination, her dedication evident after hours of meticulously cleaning the house and its surroundings. Ah, the fond memories of those days gone by.Noah, observing me intently with an inquisitive smile, playfully remarked, "Seems like our chef deserves a raise, considering the immense joy on your face. I never knew you were such an ardent fan of bean cakes. Or perhaps it's the velvety-smooth pudding that has brought about such happiness?"A gentle chuckle escaped my lips as I responded, "Not exactly. Although this food has undeniably transported me back to my childhood, it was my mot
The atmosphere in the car was heavy with silence as Noah and I made our way back to his house. The palpable tension reflected Noah's evident annoyance and embarrassment over the deplorable treatment I received from his parents during my inaugural visit to their home. While my family may not be affluent, I am certain that they would never exhibit such overt rudeness towards someone they were meeting for the first time. Age should not be a point of contention, and there is certainly nothing inherently terrible about having children. Yet, they made me feel as if I were afflicted with a contagious disease. Why did Marilyn, in particular, direct such venomous hostility towards me from the moment she laid eyes on me? And as for Reina , what is her ulterior motive? As we pulled up to Noah's house, his sour mood still hung in the air. I am torn about whether I should offer an apology to him, even though it was I who should feel offended, not him. With determined strides, he ascended the sta
As we reached the backyard, I was pleasantly surprised to find that Noah's father didn't match the image I had in my mind. Unlike what I expected, the elderly Taylor was tall, slender, and attractive, with hair that's gracefully greying. On the other hand, I couldn't help but feel annoyed when I saw Reina , who looked like she was part of the family. She was wearing tiny shorts that barely covered her buttocks, paired with a cropped knit top that showcased her extremely flat stomach. Her short hair was styled into shiny finger curls, complemented by sleek baby hairs at the front. She was also sporting a pair of Gucci slides, partially concealing her feet. As soon as she spotted me, she casted a deliberate, slow glance from my head to my toes, making it abundantly clear that she didn't welcome my presence. "Hello, Father!" Noah enthusiastically greeted his dad, extricating himself from his mother and approaching his father. "Hey, son!" Exclaimed the older Taylor , stepping forward t
Over the next three days, Noah and I immersed ourselves in exploring Spain to its fullest extent. We made it a point to visit various tourist attractions and indulge in sightseeing activities. To ensure my daughters were part of the experience, I diligently recorded each outing and shared the videos with them via my cousin's WhatsApp. Alternatively, I would connect with them through Skype during our trips, allowing them to witness our joyous outdoor adventures in real-time.On the fourth day of our stay in Spain, we were abruptly awakened at 7 a.m. by the persistent ringing of Noah's phone. Our sleep schedule had been adjusted since arriving in Spain, causing this unexpected phone call to catch us off guard."Darn it, I should have turned off my phone last night," Noah grumbled into his pillow. "Who in the world could be calling at this hour?""Please answer the darn phone so I can get some more sleep!" I replied drowsily, feeling increasingly annoyed by the incessant ringing that w