Chapter 45

A new year started and Cassie maintained her first position. The moment Cassie’s eyes landed on Peter’s name at second position, she jumped and clapped in excitement. Daniel nodded. “You deserve all the happiness in the world.”

Cassie looked at him. “I am happy because Peter the arrogant jerk’s name comes after me.”

Cassie asked Daniel. I am missing Steven when he be back?”

Daniel was about to open his mouth but shut it back as Peter entered the cafe with a girl wrapped his arms around her shoulders. A question slipped from Daniel’s lips. “Who is she with Peter?”

Cassie got a lump in her throat and turned around. Cassie had never seen this girl in college before. Daniel waved to Peter, and when Peter and the girl came towards them Cassie elbowed Daniel. “
Why the hell did you wave him?”

Daniel raised his hands in the air. “You guys need to sort out whatever is going on between you two.”

Cassie’s blood boils at the word “Whatever”. She was about to respond but Peter came with a new girl. “Hello everyone, this is Riley, my girlfriend.”

Cassie closed her eyes and buried her tears she didn’t even let them moisten her eyes. “And Riley this is Daniel and Cassie, my friends.”

Daniel shook hands with both now everyone was looking at Cassie, she opened her eyes swallowed all the pain, and stood up. She smiled and hugged Riley and Peter both. “It’s really nice to meet you guys, come sit with us.”

Peter looked at Riley, “Do you want to sit here?”

Daniel giggled. “Come on, Riley, sit with us we know all his secrets because we are his only friends in the whole Elite.”

Cassie joined Daniel to tease Peter. “Because no one likes him so before you die with his boring company sit with us.”

Riley laughed and sat. “I already like you guys.”

Cassie asked Riley. “How did you meet this prick?"

Riley looked at Peter and he sighed. “She's my mom’s business partner’s daughter we met at a party, in fall break and since then we have been together.”

“What are you guys laughing at?” Steven asked.

Cassie jumped out of her chair and hugged him. “OMG, what the hell are you doing here?”

Steven embraced her tightly. “Aren’t you happy to see me?”

Cassie rolled her eyes. “Shouldn’t you be with your dad in Paris?”

Steven shook his head. “No, because I came back yesterday.”

Cassie looked at Daniel. “You lied to me.”

Daniel adjusted his glasses. “Yeah, because we wanted to give you a surprise.”

Cassie sat between Steven and Daniel. Peter introduced Riley and Steven to each other. Riley cleared her throat. “I am sorry but I am totally confused. Who is your boyfriend?”

Steven and Daniel looked at each other because they didn’t know what to say. After all, no one ever asked this point blank. Peter cleared his throat and kept his hand over Riley’s shoulder. “I think we should eat something because you have class in an hour.”

Riley raised her brows and stood up. “Yeah, you are right.” Riley looked at them “It’s really nice to meet you all.” she held out her hand to Cassie.

Cassie shook hands. “Likewise we’ll see you tomorrow.”

Cassie hid her emotions brilliantly and maintained a false smile on her face. When they left Steven asked. “When did that happen?”

Cassie sipped her coffee. “In fall break.”

Steven stood up and asked. “Anybody needs coffee?”

Cassie raised her to show she already had it. Daniel stood up. “Yeah, I am coming with you.”

Cassie was using her phone and someone cleared his throat. Cassie looked up and was taken aback. It was Ryker standing at her table. Cassie locked her phone and asked. “Yes, what can I do for you?”

Ryker in a very soft tone. “Can we talk?”

Cassie looked at him with an expressionless face. “I don’t think there is anything to talk about.”

Ryker was in the middle of his sentence. “Cassie, I know what I did to you is unforgivable…”

Daniel interrupted him. “So don’t even try to ask for forgiveness.”

Ryker looked at Daniel. “Please let me talk this time.”

Steven kept his coffee on the table. “Listen Ryker I told you to stay away from her.”

Ryker sighed. “I know I made a mistake but…”

Cassie stood up. “I don’t want to be a part of this conversation anymore.”

She walked out of the cafe because she knew if she had stayed so she would have given Ryker a chance. Cassie didn’t want to get hurt this time as she was already going through a lot.

Ryker also stormed out of the cafe and headed to the mansion. The moment he entered the mansion started throwing everything first his phone and then whatever came in his hand. The house manager including all the staff rushed to the foyer but no one dared to stop Ryker. Every single one knew his rage and hot temper.

The staff had no one in the mansion to inform about Ryker's outburst. The house manager Tom dialed Daniel.

Daniel picked up and was taken aback by Tom’s shaky voice. “Please come home.”

Daniel squinted. “What happened Tom?"

Tom informed him with the broken sentence. “It’s Ryker…smashing everything…no one is there. You come fast.”

Daniel was with Cassie, planning to go for lunch before dropping her off at work.

Cassie asked. “What happened?”

Daniel shook his head. “I need to go home, mom and Dad are not home. Ryker is creating a scene, and house staff has no courage to stop him.”

Cassie also stood up. “I am coming with you.”

Daniel pointed a finger at her. “No, in an hour you have a job.”

Cassie winked. “I can take a day off or half day.”

Daniel while driving. “I still don’t want you to come with me because you don’t know Ryker what he could do when he is angry.”

Cassie sighed and sarcastically laughed. “Yeah, tell me about it.” She added, “I just don’t want to leave you both alone.”

Daniel asked. “Don’t you trust me?”

Cassie raised her chin while looking at him. “Oh, I trust you because I still remember Ryker’s bruised face and your bruised hands.”

When they reached the mansion Daniel sensed restlessness among the staff, the foyer was upside down, and everything was smashed on the floor. Tom ran towards Daniel. “Ryker is in his room, now he is ruining the room.”

Daniel looked at Cassie. “You stay here.”

Cassie nodded and asked Daniel to stay calm.