The memory still stung, and my voice faltered as I recounted it. "But one day, I came home early from my internship, and I caught them together. Nick and Julie, well... you know."Cassandra gasped, pulling me closer. For a moment, I felt like I could release the pain and find comfort in her embrace."I'm sorry," she whispered softly. "It's ironic, really. I used to believe that Julie was my only source of true happiness. If I ever married anyone, it would have been her. But I was wrong. Now, I don't place much importance on that kind of thing."I looked at Cassandra, her expression filled with sorrow. "Not everyone is the same, Jasper," she said with genuine sympathy.Her words touched me, and I knew she meant them. Despite Julie being my first choice for a life partner, I had never seen the kindness and understanding that Cassandra showed me that evening in anyone else's eyes.I grinned widely at her and teasingly replied, "That was just the beginning of my escapades, one conquest aft

Cassandra's POV"Cassandra, I sincerely apologize for what occurred yesterday," Nick said in a remorseful tone, his words hanging in the air.I arched my eyebrows in surprise, noticing Jasper's sharp inhale beside me. With a disdainful expression, I responded to Nick, "I appreciate your apology, but I caution you to be more mindful in the future." My mischievous grin seemed to disarm Nick entirely, rendering him looking like a child who had lost their beloved toy. I stifled a laugh, and the rest of the group followed suit.Jasper found the situation amusing, though he appeared offended by my teasing. He stood up and stormed off, scowling. Meanwhile, Julie shot me a cold glare, attempting to conceal her anger with a blank expression. I couldn't help but chuckle to myself, noting that Julie's ice princess facade wasn't as impenetrable as she believed.At that moment, David appeared to announce that the meal was ready, urging us to start eating. I found myself seated between Aiva and Nuel

I cleared my throat, breaking the heavy silence that hung between us. "Shall we revisit your likes and dislikes again?" I asked Cassandra, trying to sound casual, though my heart was racing. She gave me a tired smile and apologized for snapping earlier. I waved it off, eager to move past the tension, and we delved into the task at hand, grilling each other on our preferences with renewed determination.Time flew by, and soon it was time for us to head out to Betha, a fancy Greek restaurant where Jane had made reservations for us all. Cassandra quickly freshened up, applying a touch of makeup, while I changed into a simple white T-shirt, wanting to be comfortable for the evening. We met Jane at the entrance of the restaurant, and I felt a rush of nerves as I hoped everything would go smoothly.As we walked towards our table, I felt Cassandra reach for my hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. I was taken aback but couldn't help but smile, my heart skipping a beat at her touch. It was a s

As I longed for a familiar voice, I stretched my arm towards the phone and dialed Julie's number."Hey there babe," I uttered, hoping that her voice would wash over me."Hey Jasper," came her weak response.My voice trembled with concern. "Are you okay? You sound a bit off.""I think I might be catching something," she informed me."Oh dear," I replied with sympathy. "Actually, I called to let you know that I'll be working tonight. But if you're unwell, I can come back home."Julie's voice perked up. "Don't worry about me. Focus on your internship. I just need to rest and I'll be fine."A smile lit up my face as I felt relieved that she wasn't overexerting herself. "Okay, but if you need anything, just give me a call, alright?""I will. Love you," she said, but the line went silent before I could respond.Dismissing the uneasy feeling, I shifted my focus to work and dove into finalizing the interior designs with Johnny, who arrived shortly after. With AutoCAD open on my computer, I pai

Mirabel was in a tight spot financially, unable to afford quitting her job. As a student, finding employment was tough for both of us.Dan had been a constant annoyance for Mirabel, but she had always rejected his advances. However, when I joined the job three weeks ago, he shifted his attention towards me.During my shift, I worked tirelessly, juggling responsibilities between the kitchen and serving tables. When my much-needed break finally arrived, my legs were pleading for rest. I made my way to the staff room and laid down on the bench. I closed my eyes for a moment, but when I opened them, I was horrified to see Dan's hand creeping up my leg.My attempts to scream were muffled as he forcefully covered my mouth with his hand. I stared up at him, my eyes wide with fear, realizing that I was utterly helpless in his grip. Despite the blaring music in the café, no one would be able to hear my cries for help unless they were standing right outside the door.Dan's hold on me tightened,