“Hello everyone. Thank you for showing up on such short notice.”Cameron adjusted his suit and tie, looking every bit like the billionaire CEO. Cassie watched by the corner, confused. “I have called this press conference to distance myself from the Scott group of companies. It is true that I am the founder's second son and I have been involved in the affairs of the company for some time now but it is time for me to step down”The reporters were visibly eager to ask questions but he shook his head, insisting that he was not done speaking.“In light of recent events, I am stepping away from the irresponsible attitude of the CEO and his incompetent board of directors. I am resigning from my executive position in Scott group of companies”There was an immediate uproar. “Are you running away now because things are tough with the company?!”“Is your brother behind this sudden decision?!”“Are you giving up on your father's legacy?! Is this because you used to be an illegitimate son?!”Cam
“Have you spoken to your brother, Sir? We have a sensitive situation on our hands right now”Jeffrey was worried and so was the board members and every member of his staff. And their concerns were valid because the comments from members of the public was eating them alive!He desperately wished that he had answers for them but he didn't. Someone had advised him to answer every question one after the other.Well, he didn't have any reasonable answer to this question.“Ever since your brother's press statement was released, we have been struggling to keep up with the crazy stories out there, our stock prices have dropped like a sack of potatoes and we are unable to pay our staff, Sir”Like he didn't know that.“I have not spoken to him since the fire incident, Jeffrey! What do you want from me?” He ran his hand through his hair and slammed his laptop shut in frustration.“What are we going to do now? He has clearly stepped away from the company”And that was the one thing he didn't und
Zander's pictures filled her phone screen and Cassie found herself stuck on the page, unable to scroll away.Curious to know why he was the topic on a blog yet again, she quickly checked out the bold caption underneath.“Billionaire Zander Scott seen leaving the premises of a fertility clinic - Baby on the way?”Gosh these reporters are relentless! On closer look, she saw Dr. Kim right behind him but she was blocked from the cameras because she was behind the glass doors at the entrance of the clinic.Cassie found herself clicking on the link to read the full thing. ““““The Billionaire and heir to the Scott Empire was seen leaving a fertility clinic owned by the Scott group last week.He was accompanied by a fertility expert (name withheld) and our sources say that they might be related.Zander has been seen frequently on private visits at this clinic and it has led people to wonder if the billionaire heir has a baby on the way or is trying for one with his new girlfriend.That bring
Cassie blinked again and again, lowering her head to shield her eyes from the camera lights.“Can we get a smile over here Cassie!”They never seem to get enough pictures. Cameron held her hand but didn't look bother to look back at her as he pulled her towards the picture stand.She had never craved the comfort of her bed this much.“What a lovely dress! Who are you wearing tonight, Cassie!”“Tell us more about this relationship. Are you officially dating now?”Like they owed these people an explanation. She focused on keeping herself from tripping in the ridiculous heels Cameron had insisted that she wear for the occasion.They finally made it to the picture stand and she cringed as his hands moved to her waist s they posed for pictures.Smiling at the camera, he leaned in and whispered into her ears in a low voice“You can at least try to pretend that you're happy for me. A frown will only ruin the pictures”Fighting to keep a cheerful smile on her face, she brightened her smile an
Zander nodded with satisfaction as Jeffrey rounded up his status report for the month. He looked around with pride at the formidable team he had assembled to rebuild and rebrand his company.“Thank you very much, Jeffrey, for a comprehensive and encouraging status report. I had expected this plan to be successful but you and your team have done wonderful work in record time”He had almost lost hope but thanks to his mother's advice, he ignored the noise from the media and focused on rebuilding.“We are not back to where we should be as one of the top construction and luxury jewelry brands in the country but we are getting there.”“Can we release a statement to the media concerning our new collection?” Jeffrey asked.Zander considered the idea for a moment and took a quick glance around the table. From the look on their faces, everyone was apprehensive.He knew they were scared to be under public scrutiny once again.“We took a major hit in public. It is only right that we make a big
Cassie's heart twisted in her chest, threatening to squeeze the air from her lungs. “So the rumors are true? You are really seeing someone else?” Cameron didn't respond. “Answer me!” It was taking everything in her to avoid yanking him by his shirt. She could already see the headlines on the blogs and the several mocking comments from the public.Cassie Barns, the newbie that didn't do her research before jumping into a billionaire playboy’s arms.Cameron finally lifted his head from his palm and looked straight at her.She was expecting to see the guilt in his eyes but instead, she was met with an annoyed frown.“I can't believe you are doing this”Wait, what?She frowned in confusion. “What are you saying, Cameron? Why would you do this to me?”He raised his hand to cut her off, looking even more irritated “I do not know why you are accusing me of such nonsense. I never said that I was cheating on you”“But…”“Women are so quick to jump into conclusions. You did not wait to he
“Come on, Zee. It's been weeks already and you have not given me a response yet”Dr. Kim gave him a worried look and he lowered his gaze to avoid her curious eyes.“I am sorry, Auntie. I have just been so busy with work. I will look through the list and get back to you in a few days”She adjusted the rim of her glasses and stared at him suspiciously“You already gave that excuse a hundred times, Zander. This is the time to tell me what exactly is going on.”“I have told you, I am busy” He was lying through his teeth and they both knew it.“You must be building a new pyramid in Egypt then. I know you well enough Zee and I don't believe that crap. Is there a problem with the candidates?”He might as well give up his diversion tactics. It was clearly not working on his Aunt.“Oh no! I have had the time to read through their profiles and they're great… amazing actually. It's just that…”He paused. What exactly was his reason for not picking a candidate again? Did he even have a specific
Cassie forced her mouth shut. She was practically drooling at the contract open in front of her. A new fashion brand had just presented her with a mouthwatering deal and she could feel the tension in the room as everyone waited for her comments.“So….what do you think, Queen B? Do you like the deal?” Her manager asked, barely containing his excitement.She lifted her face to take a quick look around the room. Everyone was holding their breath as they awaited her verdict.“Just so you know, we think this is an amazing deal but we will proceed until you give the go ahead”“I am hoping you like our terms and our offer” the brand representative added.Like? She loved it! She had her PR coach to thank for her self control because this was enough to send her jumping on the table with joy.Maintain your composure girl! She cautioned herself. Don't let them see all that excitement.She waited a little longer for the right amount of suspense and then blessed everyone with a big smile.“Like?
An hour later, she was punching in the passcode to her door and asking herself for the umpteenth time what a friendship with Cameron Scott actually meant?What the heck were you thinking, Cassie?You really have to stop letting them talk you into these things.She glanced at her phone for the third time since she got home.Maya again. She will give up at some point.She dumped the phone on her queen sized bed and peeled off her clothes, trudging slowly to the bathroom.A shower or a soak in the hot tub? Her eyes went from the shower to the bathtub time and time again.Sighing, she strolled to the bathtub and flipped the water on. She dropped in her bath bombs and a few rose petals and let her mind wander off to a handsome young man holding her hand so gently, she could barely feel his touch.Stop it Cassie. Shaking off the silly thoughts from her head, she hurried to the living room and grabbed a glass of wine.She slid into the perfect water and let the scent of vanilla and roses ove
Cassie wrinkled her brows, staring back at Linda who had an unreadable expression on her face.After a long moment of silence, Linda turned back to her bagels and transferred them into a baking pan covered with a baking sheet.She spoke as she lifted each bagel and placed them one after the other, arranging them into straight rows.“I am surprised to hear that you still need Cameron's permission to do anything. That worries me more than anything else you have just mentioned”With a quick glance at the ceiling, Cassie sighed loudly. She sat on a nearby high stool as her legs suddenly felt wobbly beneath her.“It is not like that, Linda. It is just weird. I understand why he is angry about my meeting up with Zander and I don't want to cause more problems between them.”Linda glanced back at her with narrowed eyes“Problems? Are they fighting?”Cassie nodded, wringing her hands repeatedly “They have been fighting for a long time now and I don't want to get in the middle of all that righ
Dr. Brown's brows went up in surprise but she quickly recovered from her shock and smiled.“You didn't seem open to seeing someone new the last time we spoke…”“Oh no no no, that's not what I meant…” Zander quickly interrupted, sensing what she thought he meant.“Oh”“I met her a long time ago. She was the surrogate I chose for my baby”Dr. Brown narrowed her eyes but didn't reveal any emotion on her face.“Go on”He chose his next words carefully, making sure that he didn't pass any wrong messages across.“We had a terrible misunderstanding after she lost the pregnancy in an accident and we parted ways in a horrible manner…”He then proceeded to narrate the entire story leading up to when he found out that Cassie had been framed by his sister and Bella Hampton. He left nothing out. He also told her of his meet ups with Cassie and how they went.At the end of the story, Dr. Brown lifted her head from her notepad and exhaled slowly.“How do you feel about the situation right now?” she
“Did Maya asked you to come to my house by this time? Did she tell you about my meeting with your brother?” She asked in disbelief.She had to stop this nonsense soon enough. Maya was beginning to overstep her boundaries. “He is not my brother! Stay away from him!” Cameron spat out.Making sure that she was looking him straight in the eye, she said “You cannot order me around anymore. Do not get ahead of yourself”Before she knew what was happening, he quickly grabbed her arm tightly and forced her to look into his face.“Let me go! You are hurting me!” Cassie screamed but he squeezed her arm harder.“I do not want to see him anywhere around you ever again!” He ordered, his eyes cold and unfeeling.Fighting back the fear that surged through her, she shook off his hands forcefully and increased the distance between them.Like someone who had just been possessed by something, it looked like he had just realized what he did.He took a step forward but she backed away even further, poin
Her soft round eyes met his across the bucket of chicken and it felt like time froze in that moment.“Why?” She asked softly, breaking the silence.He considered his answer very carefully, knowing that it could ruin the moment if he was careless about it.“Because, I think you might be the light I have struggled to find for so long”He held her gaze, hoping that his eyes told her the many things he couldn't put into words.She didn't look away or pull her hand away and he considered it a good sign.She opened her mouth to respond just as the doorbell rang, shattering the moment and forcing him to let go of her soft hands.“I am not going expecting anyone. Who could it be at this time?” She muttered as she got on her feet and headed towards the door.He heard her gasp softly and rose to his feet, wiping his hands on the paper towel. Then came Cameron's voice.Cameron - “Hey babe. I was just in the area and I wanted to check on you”.Cassie - Sounding irritated and whispering harshly “Y
(7PM DINNER TIME)Zander took one last look at his shoes and exhaled sharply before pressing her doorbell.He couldn't help the anxious pounding in his chest as he waited for her to open the door.He heard some movement behind the door and soon after, he was staring at her face to face.“Hey, you made it”She sounded disappointed for a moment. Did she expect him to turn down the invitation?“Yeah….” He trailed off, feeling the awkward tension between them go up several degrees.He chose to wear a shirt and suit pants without the jacket and tie for thirty dinner but from her dressing, she was going for a more casual look.Her hair fell in loose curls, framing her face beautifully and she wore a strapless floral dress that hit the floor in graceful waves.Tearing his eyes away from her smooth skin, he cleared his throat.“Can I come in?”She opened the door wider with a nervous smile, giving way for him to enter the room.“Sure”His eyes fell on someone standing with her hands crossed i
(SEVERAL HOURS EARLIER)Cassie smiled at the pizza delivery guy who had just brought in her order, signed and carried the large box into her house.She had ordered the pizza on her way home, eager to just relax and spend some time alone.Ever since her modelling career kicked off, it has become increasingly difficult to get any quiet time for herself.On her way to the living room where she had a movie waiting, she grabbed a bottle of wine.“It is ME time!” She took one look at the sofa and another look on the floor, then settled for the comfort of her sofa.Making herself comfortable on the sofa, she opened the box and poured herself a glass of wine. Few minutes into her movie, the doorbell rang and she turned to the door in frustration.Who is it again? I am not expecting anyone this evening. The doorbell rang again and again in quick succession until she was forced to get up and get the door.She looked through the monitor and rolled her eyes, then opened the door to let Maya in
Zander paused at the therapist's door for a minute and considered running away.Come on Zander! You're not chickening out of this right now! Dr. Kim's words came rushing back to his mind.“Maybe the answer is in healing from your wounds”You have spent a long time running away, Zander. How much longer until you actually break down? Taking a deep breath, he turned the door handle and walked in.His therapist was a kind looking woman that looked old enough to be his mother. Her soft smile and warm greeting made him feel at ease.“You are Dr. Brown?” It wasn't exactly a question but it sort of came out that way.She laughed a little and waved him to a seat.“I take it that you were expecting something else. Someone much younger perhaps?”He shifted nervously in his seat and cleared his throat “Err…not really. I am not sure what I was expecting. Sorry if I sounded weird”She shook her head with an understanding smile “In this room, you are allowed to be your weird self. There are no
“Okay let's get a shot from the side. Can you look up and into the distance for me, Cassie?”Drowning out the noise in the busy studio, Cassie obeyed the photographer’s orders as usual.“How much longer do I have to stay this way?” She whined.He only chuckled and changed his position to take even more shots.“Alright, you can change the pose. How about some skin?”Their eyes met and she raised a brow at him“How much skin are we talking about?” He moved over and adjusted the oversized shirt she was wearing to give a little teasing view of the lacy bra she was wearing underneath.“Let us start here. Give me some spicy poses, okay?”She nodded and changed her pose severally while he took his shots.“Oooouuu that is really nice! I love that. Hold on a minute!”Few shots later, he got bored of the look again and she laughed at the pout he made.She loved working with Liam. He found a way to make the shoots fun and enjoyable every time.Suddenly, she noticed everyone staring at the entra