The Time Phasing Luna

Chapter 2 Your Invited

I run my fingers over the envelop and can feel the high quality weight of it.

Miss. Andrea Wade is elegantly written on the front and I run my finger over the script. Andrea Wade is my business name. Only people close to me know me by Cassie or Casandra. I don’t share much about my past so no one can find me from my past. I push those memories away before they can start.

I look up at the man again but the doorway is empty. I step out into the hall and see him standing in the lift doors as they close.

“What was that about?” Michelle asks as she too looks at empty hallway.

“ I’m not sure.” I state as I walk back into the apartment and open the envelope. Inside rests an invitation for a meeting.

Miss. Andra Wade your presence is requested by Mr. Marcus James at 10 AM, Monday September 12th. It has a address below.

“What the hell?” Michelle shouts as she reads over my shoulder. “Marcus James? As in thee Marcus James! Owner of the MJ Corporation?”

I shrug at her as I open the paper behind it and my eyes widen. It’s a check for $20,000! Michelle whistles as she looks at the check from James Corporation with the note saying for services rendered James/Thomas wedding.

“They paid you? Wait a minute the wedding was a James wedding?” She continued to question me.

I looked at her and nodded confused. Why would they pay me when that went down? The wedding was a bust? They didn’t have to, it was in the contract. Why would they pay in full for it? I felt conflicted about it. I couldn’t accept this could I? I didn’t fulfill my obligation so why would they? And why did Marcus James want to meet with me?

“Damn! They must want the films.” Michelle stated completing my next thought.

“Maybe.” I responded more confused than ever.

“What are you going to do?” She asked me.

I was not sure. I felt like I deserved this but I really didn’t do anything for it. I couldn’t just take it. I liked to be honest and earn what I was worth, not just to be given money to be kept quiet. That’s not who I am or what I believe in. Grandma wouldn’t approve.

“Are you going to meet with him?” She asked me.

Could I? Why should I? Maybe to give it back.

“I don’t know.” I answered her honestly.

“Well if you do go maybe that delicious delivery guy will be there.” She stated as she walked to the door. “I’ve got to go and get to the campus. I’ll see you later. Let me know what you decide.” I knew she had a show tonight.

I said my goodbyes and she left. Maybe I should just take the money. It would help me with what I wanted to do. I could start traveling just like I wanted. This money would get me to where I wanted to be and I could start sending my films into magazines as I traveled just like I’ve always wanted. I’ve always wanted to travel while I was capturing once in a lifetime photos. I wanted it so much. But part of me felt it wasn’t okay. I couldn’t just take money with nothing in return.

Don’t give out bad karma little Cassandra. It will always come back three fold. Grandma’s reminder rang in my ears. She taught me about the hard world before everything fell apart. Before she was ripped from my life and I was sent into hiding. Grandma was always there for me and finding my dream until that night. We moved around a lot, but that didn’t stop us from living. It was the moving that gave me the love to travel. To experience something new and beautiful everyday.

I knew something was wrong when grandma called me one day while I was on my way home.

“Cassie dear,” she stated her voice hallow though the phone, “ do you remember what I told you?”

I remember. I think feeling dread pooling in my gut. I was 17 then, and just about to graduate. “Yes” I had whispered my voice shaking.

“It’s time dear. Don’t be afraid. The goddess has many plans and fate always finds us when it chooses.” She stated. “ follow the plan and your dreams, stay hidden until fate finds you.”

“Grandma, I’m not ready.” I cry to her. I wasn’t and I was not sure if I’d ever be.

“I know baby girl. I know. But you can’t come back, not to me and not here. It’s not safe.”

“What about you?” I asked as tears streamed down my chin. I knew what was going to happen, I had seen it just like grandma had. That’s why we had a plan.

“It’ll be okay, Baby. You know this has to happen. You can change fate. You can’t win, not yet. Stay safe and hidden until it’s time. I have to go Cassie girl. I love you.”

I remember listening to the dial tone and feeling so cold as I prayed for it all not to be true.

I smashed my phone right on the ground and reached into my bag and drank the vile I had stored in there. It tasted gross and I gagged some. It was the first part of the plan. I left quickly. Dumping my car and getting on the first bus out of town. We knew this day would come but never did I think it was so soon. I always thought I’d have more time.

I wiped the tears that streamed down my face as the memories fade. I still held the check in my hands. Was this fate? Was this the path? I couldn’t see it anymore. Not like I used to, not since I drank the potion five years ago. It masked me and dimmed my aura to the point I was normal. Just like everyone else. I always feared it would wear off but grandma said it wouldn’t until fate came knocking. Was it wearing off now?

No since dwelling on what ifs, Cass I think to myself. I get up and go to shower. I can’t accept the check I decide. Even if it is fate I’m not ready for it. I doubt I ever will be. Even though everything grandma taught me goes against fighting fate I’m tired of it running my life.

I stand under the warm stream of hot water thinking about what to do.

I’ve kept to myself and hidden for years now. I can still do it. I still wasn’t even sure what I was hiding from. Grandma would never tell me.

“I can’t tell you it all, baby. Something you must discover on your own.”

I snort at that thought. Yeah, right. I knew nothing. I’ve been running from shadows. The first year was hard. No one wanted to help a 17 year old. I looked over my shoulder and jumped at the slightest things. I kept wondering if they would catch up with me. They never did come. I ran to Julia my grandma’s friend just like we planned. But when I got there she was dead. Fear made me run further. Julia was supposed to help me but then I had to figure it out on my own.

Now here I am years later. I sigh as I finish my shower and get dressed.

Time to make some hard choices. Fate can go to hell! I’m not ready and I’m not going to wait for it any longer.

I rip up the invitation and plan my next move. One that might just kill me in the process. It’s time to make my own fate and this one does not include meeting Marcus James.