Second chance at love

Chapter 4

It was two days after the eventful night. I had been staying at Lucy’s house by choice, it was all her idea.

"You need to put up a fight, babe," she had insisted. "You can't simply do everything your mom wants you to do. You're an adult!"

And so, I ended up at her place. Despite having texted my mom to inform her not to worry about finding me, my phone had been ringing incessantly. Lucy had been the one to compose and send the message. Yet, my mother continued to call me.

Today, Lucy wasn't working at the hospital; she was at home with me. While she was busy tending to her phone, I sat on the couch, reading a novel. Each time the phone rang, our eyes met, silently acknowledging the persistent intrusion of my mother's attempts to reach me.

You’re not going to take that,” she said each time and I had no choice but to go to my book. I knew she was trying to help me. She wanted me to be strong-willed just like her. If it was left to me, I would have simply gone along with the whole plan, as long as it made mother happy. Now thinking about it, could this be the reason mum had asked me not look for job since my graduation months ago? Was there anything she’s gaining from this whole plan or was it just about my father’s legacy? It was all confusing and I needed to ask questions. At the same time, part of me would just rather let things be, and do just whatever mother wanted. This was the only way to avoid any conflict.

As I thought of my situation, the picture of the man I had met at the club flashed in my head. It was difficult to forget him, not like I wanted to. I made a conscious effort to remind every detail of that night- his scent, his touch. Everything was etched in my memory,

“Still drooling about your man, aren’t you”

I blushed, seeing how transparent I was. “Is it so bad that I want to see him again?” Lucy chuckled. “With the way you described him, he seems like a guy you possible wouldn’t see again.” She was right. I had woken up in the room the following day and he was gone. The only thing he had left was a note, saying ‘thank you for trusting me.’ I thought it was the cutest thing. I still had the note in my wallet. We were suddenly interrupted by a loud noise on the door. The two of them exchanged quick glances. For no reason, my heart began to race. “Who is that?” Lucy asked, standing up.

Immediately she opened the door, two men in suit and dark glasses walked in. “Who the hell are you and what do you want?” Lucy demanded. I had an awful feeling at the pit of my stomach about the situation, and almost the same time, one of them spotted me. “That’s her, grab her.” Before I could run, one of them grabbed me, while the other stopped Lucy from interfering.

“Let her go,” Lucy screamed as they grabbed me. “It’s okay,” I reassured my friend, before following the gentlemen out of the house.

**

Immediately I entered my house, Mum rushed to hug me. “Oh, sweetheart, I’m so sorry,” she said in a heavy voice. “What’s happening, mum? Why did these men come after me?” I asked, looking from her to the men, who were now standing and not paying attention to us. “I wish I had all the time to explain to you but I don’t…” mother continued, giving me more reason to be worried. “It’s time for you to leave, honey…” “What?” I stared at my mum in disbelief. “Leave? Where am I going, mum?” “To spend some time with your fiancé before your wedding…” she replied.

What? Mum? I haven’t even given my consent to this whole arrangement. I don’t understand why all this is happening and you not telling me things is not helping me. What is going on?” Mother sighed, placing a soft hand on my shoulder. “I’m sorry, honey. I won’t be able to give you all the response you want, but someone is here to explain everything to you.” “Someone? Who?” I asked, without paying attention to the door which suddenly opened.

“Me,” retorted a voice almost immediately and swinging around, I turned to see a familiar figure. My throat went dry as I was standing face to face with the man I had met at the club, the one I had a one-night stand with, the one whom I hadn’t been able to stop thinking of. “Hi, I’m Victor, your fiancé.”

“What?”

My heart raced as I began to process this sudden revelation. It was difficult to understand how this same man who had shared a passionate encounter with me suddenly turned out to be my fiancé. I felt like everyone had gone mad and the whole world had turned upside down.

“Am I dreaming?” I muttered, facing my mum who kept watching the scene unfold. Her eyes were a mixture of concern and determination.

“Mum? What is happening?”

Before she could reply, the man proceeded into the room, to extend his hand towards me. I wasn’t sure if he remembered me. “Hi, I’m Victor, Don Lockwood.”

His name triggered a cascade of thoughts and memories as I tried to think about where I had heard the name from. Just then, my eyes met the magazine on the table, on which was written ‘Lockwood & Co Mourns the Loss of CEO’.

My throat went dry as I glanced back at him. Could he be the same man? Slowly, I took his hand.

“Cassie…” I replied while trying to come to terms with this uncomfortable situation. His touch sent shivers down my spine, bringing back the memories of our night together.

As Victor and I took our seats, my heart raced with numerous questions and uncertainties. I couldn’t stop thinking if he remembered the passionate night we shared, or if he was able to recognize me at all. Several thoughts danced through my head, making it difficult to comprehend the situation.

I wanted to ask Victor if he knew we were going to be married before rescuing me that night. Did he know who I was all the while when we were together? Why hadn’t he said anything?

Silence hung in the room as I looked forward to any form of explanation he had to give, but deep down I knew my life had just taken a mysterious turn