Chapter 53

Cassie was taken aback to see Raven’s mom as she was of her age. She had tears in her eyes and she hugged him like they had been apart for centuries. Raven told her mom. “Mom, Cassie also got lost like me so we have to wait for her boyfriend.”

Cassie and Raven’s mom giggled. She introduced herself as Elena. Raven asked Cassie. “How long your boyfriend would take to come?”

Cassie pulled out her phone from back pocket and pretended. “Oh, my boyfriend texted that he is waiting for me back in a mall.”

Elena asked. “Have lunch with us.”

Cassie tried to decline the offer but Raven insisted and Elena was feeling indebted so Cassie had to accept the offer and they all ended up back in a mall’s food court. While having pizza Raven told Elena. “Mom, you know Cassie’s boyfriend is also a footballer like daddy.”

Elena looked at me and smiled. I responded, “I am sorry, Raven told me about his dad. I know it must have been difficult for you to raise Raven at this young age.”

Elena brushed his hand over Raven’s head. “When I look at him, nothing seems difficult to me.”

I nodded. “You are a brave girl Elena.”

Elena shrugged off and asked. “What do you do, tell us something about you.”

Cassie smiled. “Well, I live with my mom and I am a scholarship student at Elite…”

Elena stopped her. “You are from New York?”

Cassie nodded. “How did you know that?”

Elena smiled. “Five years ago, I, along with my parents, moved here from New York. I also wanted to study in Elite but life has some other plans for me.”

Cassie asked. “How did you even complete high school?" The moment she uttered those words, Cassie felt a surge of guilt, so she added, “Hey, I didn’t mean to pry; I asked only out of curiosity and I know it was so idiotic of me... I am so sorry.”

Elena shook her head. “It’s okay. I have been asked the worst. Indeed, you're dining with a high school dropout. Elena looked at Raven and said, "But when his dad died, we got a lot of money so I dropped my studies and moved to another city with my parents where nobody knew me.” she added, “after Raven, I never find time to look back and resume studies.”

Cassie asked. “So what do you do for a living?”

Elena smiled and took out her card from her bag. “I design jewelry with my dad. If you are here for some time do visit us.”

Cassie took the card but told her she was here only for two days but she was looking for something for her mom. After lunch, Cassie said goodbye to them and headed back to the hotel.
The next day, during the match Cassie realized Steven was not only a heartthrob of Elite anymore because he had become a new heartthrob of his club. Every girl held Steven’s name card and cheered whenever he had the ball. Cassie felt a bit possessive about Steven thinking about his trips to league matches.

After the match, Cassie and Steven went on a candle night dinner as he promised her. Daniel, Peter, and Ryker congrats him as well. Steven started to enjoy his victory more since he made friends. While having dinner Steven asked. “What did you buy for Ruth?”

Cassie while having steak. “Nothing yet.”

Steven asked. “But yesterday you were out for a whole day. What did you do?”

Cassie told Steven about Elena and Raven, he also felt bad for both. But Cassie told him. “I also felt bad but when I spent time with both I realized despite having hard times they are happy.”

Steven asked. "The chick is a high school dropout and the kid lost his father. How possibly they live a happy life?”

Cassie told Steven about Elena and his dad’s shop. She asked if they had time she would want to visit and buy something for her mom. Steven nodded and decided to go to Elena’s shop after dinner. The moment they came out of the restaurant Steven’s phone started to buzz and it was his dad. He excused Cassie and picked up the phone. When Steven was talking to his parents Cassie once again bumped into Elena and Raven.

Elena asked. “What a pleasant coincident?”

Cassie smiled and told her she and her boyfriend were coming to her shop. Elena responded. “I am heading to a shop, you can join us.”

Cassie turned around but Steven still talking so she told Elena. “If you can wait because he is talking home.”

Elena nodded and Cassie asked. “Is your shop nearby?”

Elena chuckled and pointed across the road. “This jewelry shop is mine.”

Cassie asked. “So you planned to close the shop early?”

Elena shook her head. “No, not at all. I come out because Prince Raven wanted to have his favorite coconut sprinkled ice cream.”

Before Cassie responded, Steven called her and she waved him. When Steven walked over to her he was taken aback because Cassie was talking to his ex-girlfriend who had ghosted him and now standing in front of him after five years.

Cassie looked at Steven. “hey, remember I told you about a girl and her son.”

Steven was still in shock and Cassie failed to notice that Elena and Steven looking at each other without blinking. For them, Cassie’s voice faded and their past started to come in front of their eyes.

Cassie laughed and told Steven just like him Raven was also a fan of coconut sprinkles. Steven felt like someone had dropped a bomb on him. Steven looking at Raven and that innocent boy eating his ice cream didn’t know what the universe had stored for him next.

Cassie started feeling an awkward silence and now she realized it was only her who was talking. Cassie nudged Steven and asked. “What is wrong with you?”

Steven looked at him and shook his head. “I think I am tired.”

Cassie slumped her shoulders. “But we were heading to Elena’s shop, remember I still haven’t bought anything for Mom.”

Steven nodded and they all headed to the shop. Elena’s parent never met Steven so his dad didn’t react at all when he met Cassie and Steven. They selected a beautiful bracelet from Ruth. At the time of payment, Elena asked them to keep it because this would be a small thank you from Raven and her.

Cassie was halfway through accepting the gift, but Steven pulled out his card and placed it on the counter. “No, we would like to pay because I don't want any stranger to favor my girlfriend.”