Second chance at love

Chapter 1

I’m what?” I asked, blinking in disbelief as I stared at my mother. I was waiting for her to laugh or do something to prove that what she just said some seconds ago was nothing but a joke. “I’m sorry, honey,” Mother said walking closer to me, and looking worried. “I should have told you this sooner but I didn’t how to tell you. How do I tell my baby that she’s getting married in two weeks to a man she has never met?” Finding the whole thing ridiculous, I burst into laughter, while walking to the fridge to get some milk.

“This is crazy, Mum,” I said while pouring the milk into my cereal. “You need to cut the whole drama out. I have to return a book to the library before 8’o clock.” “You need to listen to me, Cassie!” my mother shouted, catching me by surprise. This time, the fair and despair were glaring in her wrinkled face. The last time mother looked like this was when she got to know of father’s demise, and some months ago when two men in suits had come visiting.

I had asked why they come but she merely brushed it aside. One thing I never do is pry. Whatever it was, she would let me know once she was ready. “You’re getting married, honey,” Mum continued, now in a quieter voice, while placing a soft hand on my shoulder. “You have to believe me, and we need to talk about this.”

Mother sighed, her eyes reflecting a deep uncertainty. "I can't really explain everything because, to be honest, I don't fully understand it myself. All I know is that many years ago, before you were born, your father used to work for a man, and he only shared fragments of the story with me. He was always a man of few words. Then one day, he came home and told me to pack our things and leave, talking about how people couldn't be trusted."

That was the way my mother had always been—never prying into my father's affairs or asking the tough questions.

"Does this have anything to do with the men who have been visiting recently? The ones in suits?" I inquired.

Mother sighed, her lower lip caught between her teeth as she took a deep breath. "Yes, they are actually from the same company."

I sighed in exasperation. None of this was making any sense. "So, let me get this straight. You want me to marry into the family of the very people Dad ran away from?"

"These people have come forward with the right documents and everything to restore your father's legacy," she explained. "If you marry this particular person, every dime can be recovered..."

"Mother, are you seriously asking me to marry a complete stranger for money?" I questioned incredulously.

Her eyes held that familiar blend of sorrow and determination. "I'm so sorry, Cassie. But it's not just about money. It’s…” She fidgeted and there was only one thing that came to my mind.

“Are they threatening you?”

She suddenly shook her head. “You shouldn’t be asking all these questions. You only need to know that you’re getting married in two weeks and that’s it.” Saying that, she hurriedly walked away, making more confused than ever.

**

Your mum cannot be serious.” I was with my bestfriend, Lucy, she was the only one I could talk to. I didn’t have many friends, I didn’t actually know how to keep them. After visiting the library that day, I had invited her to meet me at Starbucks. “I mean, this isn’t a fairytale where you can just get married because your parents say so…” Lucy continued.

“There’s nothing I can do,” I replied. “If my mum wants me to get married, how do I go against that?”

Lucy groaned. “I can’t believe you’ll accept this without even fighting it. Are you aware that you have never had a boyfriend throughout your life? Have you gotten all the plans we made for after college?” I inhaled a deep sharp breath seeing how my life was basically moving so fast. Lucy was right. I was too much of a nerd to have a boyfriend. All my life had always been from college to the library and I had recently graduated. My friend and I had made plans, one which involved losing my virginity and getting drunk, and doing all the nasty things that I should have done ages ago. I have basically been a ‘good’ child. I did whatever my mother asked me to without questions. I went to college, graduated with good grades and just when I thought I could finally do some ‘crazy’ stuff, I was about to get married.

So not cool!

“This is a nightmare, Cas. You cannot do this!”

I sighed. My friend and I were the complete opposite of each other. While I was the shy, nerdy type, she was social, outgoing, and strong-willed.

“You didn’t see her facial expression, Lucy. My mum is very serious about this thing. I’m afraid there’s nothing I can do.”

She let out an exasperated sigh. “I can’t believe this.”

I couldn’t believe it myself but mother would never joke about something so vital. Maybe Lucy was right. Maybe I could do something about this.

“I need to do something, and you will help me.”

My sudden request got Lucy by surprise. “What is it?”

“That club thing we planned, can we do it tonight?”

Lucy’s face lit up in excitement. “You want to lose your ‘v’ tonight?”

I blushed with a nod, trying hard not to be embarrassed that we were even discussing this. I was that desperate.

“Yay!” Lucy screamed out in excitement. “And I know the perfect place for that.”