Chapter 3: Cassie
1354 Words
Cassie’s POV
The hospital felt the same as always. The same white walls and the air that smelt of medicine.
I changed into my scrub and went through my shift like I always did.
I had taken care of Dottie before coming; fed her, made sure she was clean and put her to bed. The job was quite easy for the $15,000 monthly payment but the only disadvantage was living with the Devil.
My phone buzzed in my pocket but it wasn’t the notification I was hoping to get. It was the weather forecast predicting a rainfall today while I was expecting a text from Adrian.
Since he called me that day for money, we hadn’t talked. I got worried but I didn’t want to text him first like I always did. He only called when he needed something, and one way or the other I always ended up giving it to him.
I slipped the phone back into my pocket and took a deep breath before going about my day.
By the time my shift ended, I was already exhausted.
I picked up my phone to check if I had received any texts from Adrian; nothing.
I checked out and planned to go check on Adrian if he was doing okay back at our apartment.
But when I got to the hospital entrance, I changed my mind. The dark heavy clouds were already a sign that today wasn’t going to end well.
I went back inside the hospital and sat on the bench for a while hoping the clouds would clear up.
I scrolled through my phone for a whirl before standing up again. I didn’t want to delay it anymore.
The bus I took dropped me a few houses away from my apartment and the music hit me first.
It got louder as I walked to the door.
Shit. Adrian.
I don’t know what was going on but I knew Adrian was somehow tied to this.
I took a deep breath before lunging at the door.
My head turned.
The room was full of strangers, empty cans on the floor, broken and empty bottles, food stains on the walls and a slice of pizza on the ceiling.
“Heyyo,” someone catcalled me and I shot him a dangerous look.
“It’s cool, it's cool, I don’t bite.” He backed off.
I walked right past them without saying anything. I went straight to the kitchen and opened the fridge and there was no food, not even leftovers.
Adrian.
So that was what the money was for.
My chest tightened as I walked to the bedroom, imagining the sort of things I would do to him.
The bedroom door was half opened.
I heard moans.
I stopped, praying under my breath he wasn’t doing what I forgave him for last time.
I entered and it was exactly that. He was in bed with another woman.
The sound of my bag dropping made him look up at me.
“Oh,” he said, buckling his belt calmly. “You’re back.”
He didn’t even try to hide it. He didn’t try to make it look like a mistake.
Tears formed in my eyes.
I dragged my gaze to the girl who was already looking at me with disgust, like I was disturbing them.
“The-the groceries,” I stammered. “The fridge is empty.”
“So?”
“What about the money I gave you?” I asked, holding back my tears trying not to address the elephant in the room.
“Groceries, parties, there’s really no difference,” he said. “I just wanted to enjoy myself, or am I not allowed to?”
My heart sank. I dropped my head.
“You’re cheating on me again.” I cried.
“I don’t see how that’s a problem,” he said. “I’m allowed to cheat when you don’t give me things I need at the moment.”
I couldn’t speak.
“Or do you want me to beg for the necessities? Of course you don’t expect me to.”
“This isn’t fair, Adrian.” I snapped with tears.
“You’re the one to speak, you act so innocent. You think I don’t know about how you’re f*****g the billionaire for his money? And you’re telling me you’re taking care of his grandmother?”
“No, that’s a lie. I would never do that to you.” I said.
“Do yourself a favor and leave,” he said. “Mira doesn’t like intruders.” He gestured to the lady beside him.
My eyes burned. I didn’t know what to say to him.
I dashed out of there in tears and when I got back outside, the rain had started and I had no umbrella.
I fell to the ground and cried my eyes out.
“Why?” I screamed at the clouds, splashing the puddles.
Why do I always have to suffer? I don’t even hurt anybody and I get treated badly more than people who actually hurt other people.
I wiped all my tears after realising I was in the middle of the street. I took shelter at the bus stop.
I had stopped crying but my eyes stung and I was sure they were swollen.
I stood there for a while before realising I had been waiting there for 45 minutes with no traces of any bus coming.
I scrolled through my phone to see who I could call to pick me up.
No one.
I had no one… except Dottie, but she couldn’t drive.
Maybe I should go back to apologize to Adrian for overreacting.
‘No.’
But I had no place to stay.
‘Don't go back there, Cassie.’
The voices in my head started a battle.
Then, something popped up in my mind.
Kai could pick me up.
He was my only hope now.
I stared at his name on my screen before calling him.
“He-hello.” I shivered.
“Cassie?” He said.
“I need you to come pick me up.” I asked.
He let out a short laugh. “Look who finally needs my help.”
“This isn’t funny.” My voice shook.
I wasn’t proud of calling him for help. Maybe I should’ve just gone to apologize to Adrian.
“Oh sure it is,” he said. “Days ago you were talking like an alpha female, now you need my help. How ironic.”
I closed my eyes.
“Please.” I cried.
There was a short pause before he said, “Where are you?”
“At a bus stop close to my apartment.”
“Share your location to me,” he said. “I’m on my way.”
I ended the call and shared my location with him.
A few minutes later, he parked right in front of me.
He came down and opened the door for me to get in.
“Thank you.” I sniffed as I sat in his car.
He didn’t say anything, just drove with that same frown on his face.
Only then did I notice how soaked my clothes were.
“I’d help clean your car.” I said, hinting at the dirt I brought into the car.
“I don’t want more dirt on it,” he said. “I’d handle it.”
My cheeks burned.
He took every opportunity to make me feel small but at this moment, I didn’t hurt more than I already was.
I shivered from the cold and I felt sudden warmth on my leg.
A cardigan. Kai had thrown one on me.
I mouthed thank you to him.
He didn’t ask any questions, just drove silently. I appreciated that.
We reached the mansion in no time. I hopped into the shower to clean myself.
I sat back on my bed and my phone beeped.
A text from Adrian.
“Baby, please I’m sorry.”
My heart softened and hammered at the same time.
Tears formed in my eyes again.
I paused before replying.
“I forgive you.”
I replied.
- Writer
