CHAPTER 02

Cassie: Oh Sam you're adorable when angry. Of course I'll marry you.

Sam: What?

Cassie: Yes! Yes! All the way Yes!

Sam: Oh my God!

With that he slipped the ring in my hand and hugged me tight and I was just enjoying his embrace. I rested my head on his chest, his heart beat made me feel relaxed. In this moment I forgot everything in this world. It was only him and his calm heartbeat and the rest of the world just melted away.

Cassie: Oh God! It's half past midnight.

Sam: What! God! I should be running. I have a flight in an hour.

Cassie: What? No. First you're dropping me at Iris' house. It's late Sam.

Sam: Baby. I would have done that if I wouldn't have flight.

I sighed and nodded in understanding.

Cassie: At least wait until cab's here.

Sam: Of course babe! I'm not selfish you know.

Cassie: Sam!!!

Sam: Ok. Just sit with me and I will call a cab for you.

Cassie: Okay.

In 10 minutes cab reached at the spot. Sam kissed my cheek as good bye and I climbed into the cab. By the time I reached Hunt's house, everyone was asleep. So I quickly get to Iris' room to change my clothes. I slipped in normal wear jeans and black T-shirt. After I had changed my clothes I head straight to Iris' lab. As I started my work I felt a shadow behind me. I almost screamed my lungs out when Chris put his hand on my mouth to block my scream.

Chris: It's me Candy. Don't be scared.

With that he let go.

Cassie: Chris what the hell?

Chris: What? I thought you would need some coffee while I was making one for myself.

Cassie: Why are you still up Chris? It's late.

Chris: I was working.

Cassie: Really. I thought you keep personal and professional apart?

Chris: Okay fine. I don't have to answer every question you ask. By the way you're welcome.

Cassie: What? Oh yeah! Thanks.

Chris simply just smiled. A moment later he asked.

Chris: How did you get home?

Cassie: umm! By cab.

Chris: What? Didn't I told you to call me? Why Sam didn't drive you back?

Cassie: Calm down Chris. Sam had a flight. He couldn't...

Chris: Then why you didn't call me?

Cassie: Well I couldn't just call you to just pick me up. I'm a grown up and I can take care of myself.

Chris: I don't give a damn. When I told you to call me why didn't you?

Cassie: Chris, please! You act like that every time I drive back home myself or take a cab this late. I just don't understand why?

Chris: Well I just wish my fears will never come true. Because you literally don't care for what I say.

With that Chris jolted out of the lab leaving me wondering. Why he behaves like that. It's like repeat episode every time I'm driving alone late. I put my thoughts aside and got myself back to work. It was few hours I guessed. I haven't even looked at the clock. I was busy. I heard someone coming. I thought it would be Chris, probably back for another lecture of his. When I looked back, it was Stella, Chris' mother.

Stella: Oh my God Cassie honey! Don't tell me you were up all night for your work.

Cassie: Oh! Is it morning already?

Stella: Morning already? You must be joking? It's 9am. Tell me you are not here since you came back last night? When were you home last night?

Cassie: Probably at 2am. 

Stella: My God! You're a mess Cassie. Look at yourself. Did you even stretched yourself?

Cassie: Well.....

Stella: Oh my God. That's it. Wrap it up and go to bed right now. And I won't repeat myself.

Cassie: I'll just complete it in no time then I will be in bed. I promise.

Stella: No. Wrap it up. I want you in bed right now.

Stella grabbed me by my arm to drag me out of the lab.

Cassie: Stella let me just.....

Stella: No young lady. Go to bed.

Just then the alarm went on and I turned in excitement.

Cassie:OH. MY. GOD! Oh my God! Oh my God....

Stella: what is this? Turn it off Cassie.

I turned it off.

Stella: What was that?

Cassie: That's the security program I've been designing for months. Things were just falling apart Every Time but last night think it all worked. Oh my God.... Please just tell me Mr Hunt is not home?

Stella: Lucky for you. He left after breakfast to meet his friends.

Cassie: Oh. Thank God! I almost thought he would be upstairs. God. IT WORKED. It actually worked.

Stella: Is it fully ready to show Liam?

Cassie: No. It's the Beta form and it worked. The Alpha is almost ready. I think I'll be done working by tomorrow.

Stella: So, how are you feeling about it?

Cassie:I can't tell you Stella how happy I am. I can't believe. I DID IT. I just did it.

Stella:I'm happy for you as well honey. Now if you don't want to see me angry, then get yourself upstairs. Eat, shawer and go to bed right now.

Cassie: Yes ma'am. On it.

Stella: What would you like to have honey?

Cassie: Egg roll...

Stella: Forget I ask. Just wrap it up NOW.

Cassie: Okay, Okay.

By the time I got upstairs. The delicious aroma of egg rolls made my mouth water and my stomach growled out loud and Chris started laughing hard.

Cassie: What's so funny?

Chris:YOU! You're funny Cassie.

Cassie: God. Just get out. Let me eat in peace.

Chris: Haha! Sure, but I'll never forget the sound your stomach just made.

Cassie: That's so embarrassing.

Chris just laughed, waking away. He stopped at the door and turn around.

Cassie: Now what?

Chris: Congratulations.

Cassie: What? How did you....

Chris: I know Candy. I always know.

With that he walked out of the kitchen leaving me behind in shock. How the hell did he know?

How he always knows. Just then I spot Stella coming in.

Stella: Cassie! What's that on your hand?

Cassie: Oh this?

I showed her my ring.

Stella: Yes this!

Cassie: This is my engagement ring.

Stella: Seriously.

Cassie: Oh yeah. Sammy proposed me last night and I said yes. You're the first person who knows. Well till Monday. After that the whole world will know.

Stella: Oh my God honey. I'm so happy for you. 

Cassie: Thanks. It means a lot to me you know.

Chris came back to the kitchen for some water.

Stella: Chris, Cassie is engaged now.

Chris: Yeah I know Mom.

Stella: Cassie you said I'm the first one who knows. How he knows then?

Stella's phone rang and she walked out of the kitchen.

Cassie: Now how did you know about this?

Chris: Didn't I congratulate you?

Cassie: Oh! I thought it was for something else.

Chris: Oh. It was for both.

Cassie: What? How the hell did you just know Chris?

Chris: It's a secret Candy!

I just smiled on his reply. Chris calls me Candy since the first time we met at Iris' 18th birthday. I don't know and never even asked why he calls me that.

Just then Stella snapped me out of my thoughts.

Stella: You're still here?

Cassie: Yeah. I'm just finishing.

Stella: Good and after that I don't wanna see your pretty face here.

Cassie: Okay. I'm going.

After finishing my breakfast, I went to Iris' room. She just stepped out of the bathroom. She was shocked seeing me there.

Iris: I thought you didn't come and went home last night?

Cassie: No. I was in the lab.

Iris: The whole night?

Cassie: Yep.

Iris: You're crazy.

Cassie: You think. By the way, your father came back home last night.

Iris: What? Last night?

Cassie: Yep.

Iris: Who told you?

Cassie: Nobody. I saw his car parked last night when I came home. Plus, Stella just told me he left to meet his friend after breakfast.

Iris: Oh man. I didn't know.

Cassie: Tell me something new.

Iris: Shut up and go.

After a long hot bath, I came out of the bathroom. All my tense muscles were relaxed. I climbed in the bed. The moment my head hits the pillow and I closed my eyes. I fell asleep.

When I woke up again. The room was dark. I turned on the lamp to look around. I looked for my phone to know the time. It was 8pm. Just then the door swing open and Iris came in.

Iris: Why am I always the last one to know things about you? I mean I'm the only best friend you have.

Cassie: I didn't tell anyone they just noticed.

Iris: God I'm so happy for you. When did it happen?

Cassie: Last night. After the dinner.

Iris: We need to celebrate.

Cassie: Celebrate how?

Iris: Just get up and get ready. The dinner is ready. After dinner we can go to the club.

Cassie: Okay

Iris: Then move your butt.

Cassie: Okay fine.

Iris: And wear something pink and short.

Cassie: Why?

Iris: Don't ask. Just do as I say.

Cassie: Fine.

After dinner we were heading out when we saw Chris in his car. We walked towards his car and I ask.

Cassie: Where have you been?

Chris: I needed some air.

He looked at me up and down.

Chris: You look good. What's the occasion?

Iris: You know the occasion and we're celebrating.

Chris smiled at me and my cheeks turned pink.

Cassie: Why don't you come with us?

Iris' eyes lightened up.

Chris: What will I do there?

Cassie: Well you know what we all do. Dance, have fun.

Chris: Okay fine. I'll drive.

Cassie: Fine.

A long drive later. We reached our usual spot. We all exited the car. Chris lead us both in.

In a bit Iris walked towards the dance floor. Leaving me and Chris alone.

Cassie: What happened now?

Chris: What?

Cassie: You said you needed air. What happened?

Chris: You know what could have happened.

Cassie: School?

Chris: Yeah. School.

Cassie: I'm so sorry Chris.

Chris: It's Okay. You get habitual, when it happens almost everyday.

Cassie: Your Dad?

Chris: Yeah. He was just pissed at me because I have no interest in our family business. I don't know why they are still pushing me. I mean Iris has potential to take over it. She's smart, she's talented, also clever. She would become a great CEO.

I put my hand on his and gave it a little squeeze.

Cassie: As you said, give it some time.

Chris: Yeah. I know. Thanks Cassie for listening. It feels good to know you have a good listener. It helps a lot.

Cassie: Yeah. I know and no need to thank me Chris. You do the same for me.

Chris: You don't owe me Cassie.

Cassie: I know, and I also haven't done any favors for you as well.

Chris: Yeah?

Cassie: Yep.

Chris: Wanna dance?

Cassie: What? With you?

Chris: No. With that grandpa over there. Of course with me Cassie.

Cassie: Okay.

Then he lead me to the dance floor. He was good at it. I wondered where did he learned to dance that good. When the night ended, I didn't know. Next morning when I woke up I went straight for shawer. I dressed up and walk out of the room. Iris was still asleep. I went back to the lab to finish up my work. Just then Chris called out my name.

Chris: Cassie, you here?

Cassie: Yes.

Chris: Come up. I made breakfast.

Cassie: Okay coming.

I joined Chris for the breakfast. We talked and laughed and ate together. Nobody was up. It was only 6 in the morning.