He had been waiting for her to ask that question ever since they walked in.He couldn't ignore the curious looks she had been giving him ever since Mama Rosa announced that she was the first girl he was bringing to the secret hideout.“I am the first guest you are bringing to this place and I can tell that it is special to you. Why me?”He shrugged, fixing his gaze on the pizza in front of him.“Why not? I said that I was trying to get to know you better, didn't I?”He finally turned to face her, eager to know what she was thinking.“I thought you were open to that as well…I am just trying to be your friend, Cassie”She stared at him for a little longer before turning back to her plate.“Don’t you care about how your brother will feel about this?”Zander laughed in spite of himself. Was she really asking if he gave a damn about what Cameron thought?Did Cameron care about anyone else but himself?“I hate to sound like this but I honestly do not give a sh*t about Cameron anymore”Her h
As she wolfed down her breakfast of cereal and fruits the next morning, she got another text from Zander.She clicked on the message and chuckled.“Day 1 - dancing”The next was a short clip. Driven by curiosity, she quickly clicked on it and nearly choked on her cereal.Coughing, she watched the video with her eyes wide as saucers.“Is he dancing or having a seizure? And are those pajamas?”She let the clip replay a couple more times before she pressed pause and instantly dialed his number.He picked on the first ring, with music playing loudly in the background to confirm her worst fear. It was indeed a recent video!Zander - laughing and talking at the same time “How do you like my dance video?”Who is this guy and what has he done with the real Zander Scott?She pushed her bowl of cereal away and stared at the bits and pieces of food she had sputtered on the table.Cassie - “That is not a dance video! I am traumatized!” The music playing in the background slowly faded away.Zand
She made sure to avoid meeting Jim’s eyes as she posed for her pictures. He always knew when something was off with her mood and even though she never really discussed personal issues with him, he would press her for as long as he could to get an answer.The photographer sighed for the umpteenth time since she took her position amongst the flower arrangements.“It is a floral shoot honey, you are not giving me anything to work with here…”Yeah well, work with what you have man! She sighed and posed again, twirling the white flowy kimono around.After a few more shots, she couldn't take it anymore.She alighted from the stage and walked away, leaving the photographer speechless.“The shoot is far from over. Where are you going?.......” Jim asked, rushing after her.“I need a minute, Jim!” He paused and stared at her for a minute.She didn't mean to snap at him but she was at the verge of losing her mind.Everyone was staring and she just needed to hide somewhere and cry.Crossing her
She blinked to be sure she was seeing clearly.True enough, he was standing right by the door with his hands in his pockets.Was he the friend Maya was talking about?She looked from her sister to Cameron and back to her sister.“You’ve been at Cameron's house all this while? You could have just told me!”Maya shrugged, keeping her eyes fixed on some distant imaginary object.“I needed somewhere to stay and he was the only person I could think of”Her ex’s house was the only place she could think of?“You could have come straight to my place. I have been so worried about you!”“You are busy and I was scared”What the hell was she talking about? She would give up anything to be by Maya's side.“Are you serious? You know what, I can't deal with this right now. I don't know why you're avoiding me….”“Because I am mad at you! Don't you get it? All of this is your fault!”The accusation hit her like a ton of bricks, shutting her mouth and leaving her with her mouth hanging open.She ran a
He switched on the car engine, fighting back the urge to stay back and watch.How naive he was to think that their relationship would end just like that.Her head rested so peacefully on his chest, her arms around him….It was clear that these two were far from over.The mental picture sent sparks flying around in his head and his fingers tightened on the steering wheel.“There's nothing for me here” Those were the first words he repeated to Dr. Brown as soon as he settled in for an emergency session.Keeping her usual straight face, she turned a page in her notepad but said nothing.“I don't know why it made me feel this way. I mean….I always knew that she could get back with him, you know”And yet he wanted to be around her. What exactly did he want from Cassie? It was driving him crazy.“I think I need a little detail. Who exactly are we talking about?” She askedOh. She must think I am crazy.He shook his head and laughed.“I am sorry…..This is embarrassing. Umm…..where do I beg
Cassie stood by the door of her guest room, watching Maya slather on some face cream. She was dressed in pajamas she had taken from Cassie’s wardrobe.Maya sighed and met her eyes in the mirror.“You don't have to hover around like a ghost. I told you, I am fine” Cassie inched closer but kept her distance. The silent treatment from Maya was killing her.“But you are not saying anything to me. You even went to stay with Cameron without telling me”Maya stood from the stool and moved to the bed without even sparing a glance at her.“I just need some space….”They didn't need more space! They needed to have a conversation. This war with Frank Jobs was driving a wedge between them and she couldn't take it anymore.She moved closer and sat beside Maya on the bed.“We need to talk, Maya. I know you're mad at me but I will do anything to make this right. You are the only family I have left.”Maya remained in the same position with her back facing her.“If you want to make this right, then g
Cassie sat straight on the sofa, staring straight at the designer as he rambled on about some dress he was working on but she wasn't really seeing him.Her mind had her locked up in that room with the detective as he grilled her and her sister for a full hour with hundreds of questions about their father, the payment Cassie made to Frank Jobs and the recent threats.As they stood to shake hands at the end of the session, his smile did nothing to calm the rumbling in her stomach or the pounding in her chest.“We will keep in touch, Miss. Barns. I will have some of my men patrol your house and work with your security detail at public events.”The usual police protocol. She of all people knew it was just something they said when they didn't know what else to do.He met her eyes and held her gaze.“I will advise that you keep a bodyguard around you at all times.”The hidden meaning rang out loud and clear. She was right back to where she started. And a man like Frank Jobs will not let he
Zander stared at her number displayed boldly on his phone.Where was the courage he was brimming with a few seconds ago?Just dial the number, dammit!He turned again to the blog post displayed boldly on his laptop screen. When is he going to catch a break? The press will have a field day!“I really think we should reach out to her now, Sir. This post will hit the blogs in the next twenty four hours and she needs to be prepared” Jeffrey said.Zander shook his head. He read the headline again and again. He must have read it a hundred times since Jeffrey brought it to him several minutes ago.“How did they get their hands on this information? Who did this?” he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.Jeffrey's blank face did nothing to calm the rage boiling underneath.“Are you telling me that our PR team cannot find who is responsible for this mess?!”Jeffrey shifted uncomfortably but said nothing in response.The answer to that question was already made clear when he briefed Zander on
The sound of gunshots echoed in her dreams, forcing her eyes wide open. Clutching her stomach protectively, she tried to sit up but a sharp pain stabbed through her shoulders, forcing her backwards.Strong hands pushed back on her hands and she opened her eyes to see Zander staring into her face, his eyes filled with concern.With his rumpled shirt, ruffled hair and the dark circles under his eyes, he looked like he had not slept in days.“Where am I?” Cassie asked. Her hoarse voice sounded so strange in her ears.But one thing weighed heavily on her mind as the memories of the shooting flashed back to her mind.She clutched her stomach. It felt round and soft underneath the soft fabric of her hospital gown. She felt no pain on her belly.“My baby?.....” As the words left her mouth, she suddenly remembered that she had never told Zander. Her eyes flew to his eyes which remained fixed on her face. Did he watch the video? Did he know about the baby now?Zander nodded and as their eyes
The creaking sound of the light bulb dangling in the center of the empty room was the first thing Cassie heard when she woke up.Squinting to see clearly in the dimly lit room, she glanced to the side and sighed in relief to see Maya sprawled on the floor, deep asleep.She wasn't sure how long they'd been sleeping but everywhere was silent. A bodyguard sat by the door, wide awake and scrolling through his phone.Someone had loosened the ropes around her arms. The door suddenly burst open and Cameron stormed in with Frank following closely behind.Cassie sat up in the chair, her eyes and ears on full alert.What happened? Why was Cameron looking so angry?“I told you he would try something crazy, didn't I? My face is all over the news!” He yelled, banging his fist on the concrete wall.Her legs shook beneath her. The news? Frank suddenly turned to glare at her as if he had just remembered that she was in the room.“Your boyfriend seems to enjoy pissing me off huh?”She stared at him.
The tension in the room was palpable as Frank and Cameron exchanged glances behind the scene.After a long pause, Frank turned back to the screen, an evil smile hovering on his face.“You have 30 minutes. If I call back in thirty minutes and you haven't granted my requests, then you will not see your woman ever again”The threat was loud and clear. The billionaire heir to one of the largest business empires in the country was being asked to choose between his inheritance and some random woman.Cassie blinked hard to keep the tears from rolling down her cheeks. She knew he couldn't see her from the video chat. They were keeping her as a last resort.She whimpered softly, watching the dread cloud his face as he nodded before the screen went blank.They were asking him to choose between her and his company? Frank gestured to one of his men who moved over to turn the camera towards her.“Now, you're going to read that letter to the camera for your little boyfriend” Frank ordered.She lif
She blinked again to be sure. “What…..what is this? Why?.....” She wasn't even sure which question to ask. He stopped a few feet from her and stood with his hands in his pockets, staring at her.She met his gaze and shivered at the icy look in his eyes. It almost felt like she didn't really know him anymore.The silence in the room was deafening. But not as loud as the pain of betrayal slicing through her ribs, squeezing the air from her lungs and leaving a trail of bitterness in her throat.Her eyes followed him as he lowered to a squatting position.“I am sorry, Cassie but I had no other choice….”She narrowed her eyes at him. What on earth did he mean by that?“What connects you to this….this man?” She blurted out, struggling to keep the tears from spilling over.“Why are you helping him?” She asked, throwing a quick glance in Frank's direction.Cameron sighed.“I just want to claim what is mine and Zander is standing in my way. He took you from me…..he has taken everything away
(TWO DAYS LATER)“Do you think we are making a mistake?” Zander asked, glancing at the document in his hand.He watched silently as Stone typed rapidly on his computer, barely listening to the conversation.“I am sorry but I don't think Miss Cassie has the patience to wait.” Stone replied.Zander nodded and glanced again at the file in his hand. It has been barely 48hrs and even though Cassie appeared to be calm and following their instructions, he had just received an update from Jeffrey.“She has just sold her jewelry collection worth over 5 million dollars to a collector and was seen making trips to the bank in secret just this morning." Stone added.He had to agree. It was a suspicious move. She didn't trust him enough to wait and decided to take matters into her own hands.“You think she will pay the money?” He muttered.He already knew the answer. There was no sacrifice too big for Cassie to make for her sister.Could he blame her though? Would be have done anything different?
“He called again?” Zander asked, the disappointment clearly written all over his face.Cassie nodded, lowering her eyes. He ran a hand through his hair, barely concealing his frustration.“I am not surprised. I expected another call and that is why I left some of my men behind to keep an eyes on things….” Stone murmured.As he said the last part, he turned slowly to glare at the officers who quickly lowered their heads in shame.“Why did I leave you behind if you had to miss such an important update?” He scolded them.Cassie sighed. “It isn't their fault. They didn't know that I had a phone with me in the room and no one could have known when I woke up and took the call….”They had only found out that she was awake a few minutes ago, when the detective and Zander had returned. She caught an officer trying to stifle a yawn.They must have been awake all night.“What did he want? Did he make any demands?” Zander asked, breaking the awkward silence.Cassie’s head snapped up and her conv
Zander watched the gentle rise and fall of her chest in her sleep. It had taken a solid hour but eventually, the crying and sobbing finally pushed her to sleep. Stone hovered by the door, waiting to speak to him.He glanced at him and sighed deeply.If only he could just stay by her side while handling things. He desperately wished he could just watch her sleep and everything would be fine by morning.Another signal from Stone finally forced him to move away. He slid his hands from underneath her and let her body fall gently into the soft sheets, then covered her up and strolled to the door.“I don't think....." Stone began but Zander hushed him with a wave.“Shhhh...... she's finally sleeping." he whispered.He shut the door with a soft click behind them and pushed Stone ahead, far away from the door.“Alright. Go on..."“Well......we cannot do much right now...." Stone continued, his ice blue eyes barely hiding his frustration.Zander frowned. That wasn't what he was expecting to h
Cassie stood like a statue in her living room, barely listening to the bustling of officers moving from one point to another.Detective Stone stood like a general in command gesturing in different directions as they set up all kinds of equipment in her house.A gentle tap on her shoulder forced her out of her thoughts and she jumped in surprise.“Heyy" Zander whispered.“It's just me. How are you holding up?" he asked, his kind eyes peering into her face.She barely had it together. All it would take to crush her right now was a any bad news about her sister. But she plastered a weak smile on her face and turned to him.“I am good"His brows twisted for a second and the doubt crossed his eyes but he pursed his lips. She glanced around at her living room. Stone and his men had converted it into a control room of some sorts with monitors and strange devices she couldn't recognize.Zander moved away from her and drew closer to the detective but she followed closely behind him, her ears
Cassie tried hard not to let her eyes follow Jim as he paced from one end of the office to another.“Come on, Jim. You're going to punch holes in the floor with all that pacing” He turned to her with a pout and rubbed his forehead in frustration.“Easy for you to say, superstar. You're not the one who's going to reject all those juicy deals and watch money move from our hands to another's pockets”She shook her head. It was even more painful for her to think about all the money she was going to lose but she had to think about her baby first.Jim stopped pacing to look at her.“You are really not going to tell me why you need this urgent break?” He asked, his curious eyes searching her face.She lowered her head to avoid his eyes. It wasn't fair that she wouldn't give him any good reasons for her actions but Jim was always kind and understanding, so he wouldn't push for answers anyway.“I don't think you'll understand, Jim. I really need a break to sort out something personal” she rep