SOLD

Having a sorted life like Cassandra’s was far more difficult in Nadar than getting food to eat. Yet, Cassandra wasn’t satisfied with what she had because that is life. Never being happy with what we have and always asking for more; was the saying, Cassandra Jardine was no exception. She had a life which a few people could only dream of, no family drama, no relationship stress, no competition in work, and moreover no one to stop her from doing things she wanted. No matter how fancy this turned out to be for her neighbors and colleagues, she only wanted to run away from it all because things sucked. Nadar was a small town near the East Coast and people there knew her, considering everyone’s financial status – Cassandra Jardine belonged to few of the richest people in Nadar. “Cassy how about staying at my place for the night?” The brunette asked, Cassandra then finally looked away from her laptop and graced the girl with a glance. Flashing a smile Cassandra nodded, the brunette flicked her shoulder length locks and gave a closed eyes smile. She went away into her own working space leaving Cassandra alone, with her thoughts all over the place. Cass sighed as the door closed behind the happy – then gone – girl, she wondered what might be the reason of her colleague being friendly with her, because as per her knowledge people in this office loathed her like there was no tomorrow. Talking behind her back, making rubbish names, toying around with her cabin was all that they did. However, Cassandra didn’t turn down the offer, it was the first time someone ever initiated friendship with her, or she thought so. And spending time with someone seemed far better to her than spending it alone in her house, all by herself watching FRIENDS, not that she disliked the latter. She just wanted a change of routine. Picking up her phone she turned on the data and decided to pass the time by checking her blog, or messages – if there were any – that is. To her luck, there were thirteen messages. She smiled when her granny’s message popped up and grinning, she read the text. *Dear Andra,* she chuckled at the way her Grandmother started every text. Of course, she was all updated with the technology yet she had her own ways of using them, like the message. *I’ve been missing you a lot lately; I hope you’re doing just fine my child. I want to see you in person and no more on videocalls.* her heart awe-d at that sweet message, her grandmother was not the only family she had but she was the only one who ever truly cared about her existence. *Chloe would stop by once in a while but her kids are too notorious for my liking. I wanted to let you know that I wish to see you as I have just stepped out of the hospital.* reading that made Cassandra stand up in worry, her grandmother was ever the health-conscious lady and her visit to the doctor was definitely something that should be paid utmost attention. She read the message further, *Andra, I hope you come to see me by the end of this month so that I can happily travel to Bhutan.* the message ended. Cassandra set up a reminder in her phone so that she could call up her grandmother exactly at 6 in the evening very well aware that until then she would be busy running her chores. And the only thing that her grandmother didn’t appreciate was, to be disturbed while working. She collected her stuff from her table and walked out of her small cabin not really in the mood to read the rest of the messages from her sister and her sole friend. She booked a flight to the city where her grandmother stayed, a couple more days in this office and then her resignation letter would be accepted. She would be able to fly freely to the new city with a new job, where she always wanted to live. She gathered her stuff from the desk and walked out of her office, keeping her head high she simply left from there because no matter whom she looked at, nobody smiled or returned hers. She had learned that very quickly that people disliked her for some reason, reason she had no idea about. She stepped out of the elevator and went towards her car, keeping her bag behind she jogged to the driving seat and drove to her apartment. Since Nadar was a small town, there was barely any traffic or interruption. Smoothly she drove to her small house and decided to text Lisa – the brunette – that she would come by seven for dinner and stay for the night. Lisa replied with a short, ‘sure’ with a smiley in the end. Cassandra started packing her bags for her flight on Friday – exactly after three days – she chose four to five dresses, her toiletries and decided to go shopping the next day to buy gifts for her small family. Basically, a sister named Norma, Norma’s husband Justin, and a grandmother Eleanor Jardine. She cooked some noodles for the time being and took a bath. Once she was done running her errands, she called up her grandmother. “Nani, how have you been?” She chimed as soon as Eleanor picked up the call, the old lady coughed from the other end vanishing the smile off Cassandra’s place. “What happened to you? Nani?” “Nothing Andra, just some cough and a bit of cold. Other than that? I am all fine and running.” She coughed again. “C’mon Nani, you mentioned you were in the Hospital. Please tell me what happened?” Cassandra was seated on her room’s couch eating the noodles but stood up when her grandmother didn’t stop coughing. She paced in her living her, her palm pressing her forehead while pressed the phone closer to her ear. “Andra, yes I went to the hospital for my monthly check up. They forced me into staying there, those brainless idiots. Jesus! How can someone force a lady of sixty-five years? For living in that stinky place!? God, that doctor. She was so rude to me, she called me an old lady? Can you believe it Andra? Old lady?” Andra wanted to laugh while rolling on the floor yet she controlled herself. “Jesus! Didn’t their parents teach them anything? How can someone be so blind and rude?” Cassandra said instead, she was controlling her laughter so bad that she pulled the phone away from her ear and chuckled for a couple of seconds before listening to Nani rant again. Cassandra always had a hard time controlling her real emotions and feelings, she was always the honest one. Cassandra was candid with her heart – an open book. The conversation with her Nani went on for almost thirty minutes. While locking her door, someone tapped on her back and she yelled out of horror. Lisa stood behind her laughing all so loudly holding her stomach, “I am sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you.” She replied in between her chuckles. Cassandra snorted and shook her head. “What? Didn’t I tell you I’ll come at your place?” “Cassy,” she whispered slowly while stepping further, inching her face close to Cassandra’s ear, “It has been brought to my notice that King’s men are roaming around and we should stay inside.” Her breath reeked of alcohol and her face looked extremely serious.