Escaping to the CEO

Chapter 8

Cassandra POV

"Anna? What's up?"

"Eric, I was looking for Carrie here. Time for us to head home. I'm exhausted and my di*khead boss won't let me take tomorrow off for a hangover."

She was laughing as she was talking to him. He started chuckling along with her. I knew he was her boss, but I couldn't imagine speaking to my boss like that.

"Well, I guess if you had a valid excuse, like the annual holiday party or even hooking up with someone, I'm sure your boss would be more than understanding."

"It's fine. Carrie here has an interview and cups coffee shop in the morning anyway."

"Oh, thanks for the reminder. Yea, let's go."

I wrapped my arm around Anna and headed back towards the feint of the bar where the car was parked. I'd be driving us home. Anna was way too lit to stand up straight, let alone drive. I was definitely sober by this point. I only had like two drinks, and it had been a few hours and loads of dancing. We got into the car and I saw Eric's arms crossed leaning against the side of the bar. Watching as we drove off.

"I can't believe him."

I was mumbling to myself as we drove off. Anna looked over at me.

"What's wrong? Why can't you believe him?"

"He's such a liar. He tried telling me that you told him about Eric's nickname for me when we were children. But I know that bullshit because you never met Eric and I never told anyone his nickname for me. I never wrote it down. I never mentioned to anyone what that nickname was."

"What was the Nickname?"

"CD. He started calling me after the dog attack. It was when he found out what my middle name was. He said I was like a CD. I was like music to his ears every time he saw me."

"Awww, that's beautiful. And you're right. I never knew about that. Turn left up here."

I followed her directions as I drove. I kept replaying every conversation we had when I met him. Everything he said. How he would always come for me. What did he mean always? I literally just met this man like a couple of weeks ago. I knew nothing about him. I didn't know him, so why would he say he would always come for me?

I pulled into our driveway. I threw the car in park. Once I got out of the car, I helped Anna walk up the couple of stairs and into the house. I tried to help her up the main stairs to her bedroom, but she refused, stating she wanted the couch. So I laid her there. I took her shoes off and covered her with the afghan that was on the back. I tucked her in and placed a glass of water on the coffee table with a couple of aspirin. I plugged her phone in the kitchen and headed upstairs. Taking a hot shower and washing away the evening. I couldn't get him out of my head.

I wrapped my hair in a towel and dried myself off. I changed into fluffy pants and a tank top and headed to my room. I tossed and turned before finally falling asleep. My dreams were plagued with Eric from my past and Anna's boss, Eric. There was my first kiss and my heart broke. He whispered in my ear the last thing he ever said to me. "I love you, Cassandra Diane." I felt my heartbreak in real time. My tears were pouring in my dream. Then Anna's boss, Eric, shows up, calling me CD and telling me that "I'll always come for you."

I woke up in a full-on sweat. My body was shaking, and my pillow was soaked. The clock read 7:30 I got out of bed and looked into the mirror above my vanity. My face was covered in long tear trail marks. My eyes were red and bloodshot. I was not just crying in my sleep.

I went into the bathroom and washed up. My interview was at 10 this morning and I wanted to look fresh and ready. I didn't want to make a bad first impression. I needed this job. I needed to earn my keep and start paying Anna back for everything. I know she said family helps family, but I still feel bad.

I borrowed a tweed skirt and matching blazer from Anna's closet, and a cute button-up silk shirt. I slid on a pair of heels and gave my hair a few cute curls. Applying some basic make-up, I went downstairs to check on Anna.

She was lying face down, drooling all over the pillows. Her left arm was dragging on the floor and the blanket was discarded in a pile near the chair. She must have woken up in the middle of the night and thrown it. Her phone was also next to her.

I was about to walk away when the phone lit up. 'Eric Printz" was calling.

I picked it up and answered.

"Hello?"

"Hey Anna. Take today off. You partied pretty hard last night."

"OK Thanks, I'll let her know."

"Cassie?"

"Yea?"

"What are you doing right now?"

"I was just checking on Anna, and then I was going to start walking over to my interview."

"How about I pick you up and we can get some breakfast. I feel like I owe you an explanation. I can take you over after."

"As great as that sounds, I have to be there in a half hour."

"It's OK, I know the owner. I'll give him a call and push the interview back."

"Are you the owner?"

"Maybe."

"Well.... you know what? Sure why not? I need some answers anyway."

"I'll be there in five."

He hung up before I could respond.

I placed Anna's phone back on the coffee table. She was snoring so loud that it sounded like a buzz saw hacking through a trough tree. I wrote her a note letting her know that Eric said she didn't need to work today and that I would be back later. I noticed her water and Asprin were gone, so I refilled the water and put a couple of granola bars on the table next to it. I saw his car pull into the driveway. I grabbed my purse and placed my phone and house key into it and walked out the door, locking it behind me.

He stood his back, leaning against the car frame and arms crossed. Gosh, he looked handsome. He made me stop suddenly and just admire how his body looked. His sweatshirt was tight against his body and his jeans showed every muscle in his legs. They looked like tree trunks with how thick they are. I pictured myself climbing up him like a damn tree and instant sploosh.

"You going to stand there staring or are you gonna get in?"

"Huh? Oh yeah I'm coming."

"I bet you are."

He walked around to the other side of the car and opened the door for me. I slid in, and his seat felt like butter against my skin. The seat was already warm. I leaned back enjoying the smell of cedar and oak. He got into the driver's seat as I was reaching for my seat belt. He reached over and took it out of my hand, buckling me in. I blushed as his hand touched mine.

"I know a great breakfast place. You still like blueberry waffles, right?"

"How did you know that I like Blueberry Waffles?"

"Well, there's no point hiding it anymore."

He started backing out of the driveway. When he called me CD. I put my hand on the parking break and pulled it off.

"Why do you keep calling me CD? How did you know I liked Blueberry Waffles?"

He sighed, looking down in between his legs.

"Tell me or I'm getting out. I don't need a stalker in my life. I have an abusive husband who I'm trying to get rid of. I don't need to add a crazy stalker too."

"I call you CD because you bring music to my ears every time I see you."

My breath halted in my throat.

He pulled up the arm of his shirt and there was a scar. 4 stiches in that spot I remember seeing them being sewn into that spot. It was in the same spot Eric had his scar from the dog attack. I had tears rolling down my face. I shook my head. I needed to get out of this car. I needed to clear my head. The boy I loved so much, the Boy who I gave my first kiss to, was the same boy to rescue me, was the same one sitting next to me.

My chest felt heavy and I couldn't breathe. I quickly unbuckled and got out of the car. My breathing turned rapidly, my vision started going black. I fell to my knees in the snow, my head bent low, and I was dry heaving. I felt his hand touch my back as he crouched next to me.

"It's OK CD, let it out."

"Why?"

"Why what?"

"Why Now? Why didn't you come back for me? Why didn't you rescue me before I got married, Why did you leave me and why are you back now?"

"Once you regain your composure I'll explain everything. You deserve to know everything, and I promise to give that to you. You deserve that much."

Once I calmed down. My anxiety settling and my body feeling back to normal. He helped me to stand. His thumbs wiped my cheeks. I'm sure I had black marks going down my face from my mascara. He smiled at me.

"My beautiful CD. You're just as beautiful as the first time I laid eyes on you. I'm so sorry I didn't tell you earlier. I was hoping by staying away from you that I could prevent you from finding out who I am. I wanted to protect your heart since I knew it was already broken, and I couldn't cause you anymore pain than what you were already in. I can't stay away from you any longer."

He leaned his forehead down to mine, holding my face in place, his eyes closed as he held me. I wrapped my arms around him, holding him back.

He let me go and took my hand walking me back to the car. I got in once again and buckled up before he could buckle me in. He put the parking break down and continued to back out of Anna's driveway. He reached his hand over the center console and took my hand in his. His thumb lightly brushing across my knuckles. The drive was quick, and we pulled into a small restaurant. A faded sign above the door, not many people inside. A waitress who looked almost like the nanny from the cartoon One Hundred and One Dalmatians was puttering about filling up coffee mugs and taking orders.

"Oh Eric! So good to see you again dear. Your usual seat in the back is open I'll be over."

"Thanks Grace."

With my hand in his, we walked to the back corner and took a seat. A few minutes later Grace came over.

"Hi Dear, My Name is Grace."

"Hi Grace, I'm Carrie. Just moved here a few weeks ago."

"Oh Where from?

"Rutland."

"Oh, I have some cousins there."

"oh cool."

"What brings you here?"

"Moved in with a friend from college."

"Oh that nice. Now what can I get for you loves?"

"Two coffees, two orders of blueberry waffles with whipped cream on top, with sausage, and I'll need a Togo box with chocolate chip pancakes for Anna."

"Coming right up. And tell Anna to lay off the s*x on the beaches she's getting too old to be drinking like she's a college student again."

"Will do Grace."

Eric reached across the table, putting my hand in his. His eyes were looking into mine, almost like he was looking into my soul.

"It's time I tell you what happened to me."