On a bright day, happy bird songs filled the air with life…. Cassie, all set to embark on her day, was greeted by the rhythmic flow of running water from Anderson's room. She walked down the small hallway to the kitchen, and an open door caught her attention. Slowly advancing, her eyes met the sight of Anderson, clad in nothing but shorts, water droplets danced down his nice chest as he washed his face. Wet hair framed his allure, awakening a stirring feeling within her.
In that captivating moment, Cassie felt a mix of emotions. How could a regular guy look so stunning? But his icy eyes had a mysterious depth that fascinated and unsettled her. The temptation was real, challenging her determination.Almost succumbing to the allure, Cassie found solace in a whispered prayer—' Holy Ghost fire' repeated three times, a plea to restore composure. Frustration colored her thoughts; this man, an irresistible temptation, seemed to defy restraint. The realization lingered—She wouldn't face judgment if she gave in to the temptation and let herself be wrapped in his hug.Cassie felt torn inside, facing a tough decision that might change the course of her journey. Lost in thought, she remained motionless as Anderson's voice interrupted her reverie."What are you doing in my room?" He asked, his eyes fixed on Cassie, trying to catch every nuance of her reaction."Uhhnm, I wanted to..." Cassie struggled to speak, and at this point, you could see the heat radiating from her flushed face.Anderson quickly put on his Polo shirt and hurried to the dining area, leaving her feeling puzzled."Oh my God, I was nearly caught," she whispered to herself, exhaling with a breath of relief. The flicker of anxiety was still visible on her face.Where are you going this early? Anderson asked with his face buried in the cup of coffee. The room echoed with his booming voice, silencing Cassie so much that even the sound of their breaths was audible."Well, I need to go and return my wedding dress," she said, hurriedly zipping the bag containing the dress."Wait, your dad didn't even buy you a wedding dress?" Anderson asked, his distraction evident as he turned to scrutinize Cassie closely."I thought you were from a rich family. Can't even afford a wedding dress?" he mocked, his tone oozing with disdain."It's wasteful to buy an expensive dress for just one day," she replied, attempting to conceal the shame with a fleeting smile. "I'll leave now," she concluded, exiting the house with a heavy heart.His phone rang a few minutes later.Even though the number wasn't saved, he recognized it. Answering the call, he put the phone to his ear."Hello?""I'm outside your house," a cold voice said on the phone.Anderson felt a chill. "Come in," he said abruptly, He quickly ended the call, showing a sense of urgency."Daniel, finished with Cassie Raymond's investigation?" Anderson asked, his eyes eager and anticipating."Yes, sir. Check these papers."When Daniel knows Anderson won't be inviting him to a seat, he has no choice but to sit downDaniel handed over a file. Anderson read through it. "Now I get it," he commented, his expression showing relief and insight."Boss, why live like this?" Daniel's face twisted in confusion. "Why not the penthouse?" he asked, hungry for an answer."Why? And expose my true identity?" Anderson responded, his head buried in the files. "Cassie Raymond—looks like she had a tough upbringing," he said, rising from the chair, "I'll do my best to help her build a better life from now on." He sounded determined as he spoke.."Boss, be careful not to fall for her. Remember the purpose of this whole plan," Daniel cautioned."I'm fully aware," Anderson responded in his firm tone."Daniel, I've got to go somewhere right now," Anderson spoke in a rush. Before Daniel could respond, Anderson swiftly left, disappearing from Daniel's view without giving him a chance to reply. Daniel was left with a sense of abrupt departure, wondering about the urgency that prompted Anderson's hurried exit.In the bustling city center, Cassie made her way to the rental shop. The doorbell chimed with a gentle jingle as she stepped inside, the sound lingering in the air. The person behind the counter looked up, acknowledging Cassie's arrival.Passing over the shoebox, Cassie handed it to the sales lady. As she inspected the shoes, her eyes caught a tiny scratch. "The satin is scratched," she commented, displaying an odd attitude."They're too damaged. You'll have to pay $500," the worker insisted, leaving Cassie feeling frustrated and surprised by the unexpected turn of events."What!!! But they're rentals; there'll be normal wear and tear. $500? I'd rather buy a new pair," Cassie fired back defensively.Her voice, by this point, had become a bit loud, capturing the attention of other customers in the store. Recognizing this, she calmly lowered her voice."Retail price is 2 grand. Looking at you, I'm sure you can't afford it. Don't get married if you don't have any money," the worker said, dripping with mockery. This left Cassie feeling both indignant and insulted, a mix of frustration and embarrassment settling in.A heavy silence wrapped around Cassie, and shame painted itself all over her face. At that moment, she wished the floor could just open up and swallow her; she was bracing for the worst.Then, a resounding voice, loud and commanding, pierced the air. It diverted the attention of the sales lady from Cassie to a tall, good-looking man standing behind her.“Is this how you talk to your customers?”He spoke firmly as he got closer to Cassie, his gaze fixed on the sales lady, showing a serious expression.Trying to figure out who the voice belonged to without turning around, Cassie went through various thoughts. Finally, she turned her head, and lo and behold, it was her husband, Anderson. Just as she was about to speak, Cassie's heart skipped a beat, and her eyes widened in surprise leaving her speechless.In a gentle yet commanding move, Anderson placed both hands on Cassie's shoulders, silently signaling her to hold her words."Sweetheart, try this pair," Anderson suggested, pointing to a captivating set of golden shoes that shimmered under the store's lights.The words hit Cassie with surprise. "Me? Sweetheart?" she thought, a mixture of shock and disbelief crossing her face. Could he be joking?That question lingered in her mind as she contemplated the unexpected turn of events.The salesperson couldn't help but chuckle upon hearing their decision to go for that specific pair. "Ah, those are the red bottoms, limited edition. Priced at $7000. Quite exquisite, but I'm afraid they might be a bit out of your budget," she remarked with a sly smile, suggesting their financial capacity fell short.Unexpectedly, Anderson's response cut through the doubt like a knife. "We'll take it," he declared, catching the sales lady off guard. He swiftly took out his credit card and paid for it.Both Cassie and the sales lady were so surprised. Cassie's face was covered with confusion, and various thoughts raced through her head. The unexpected turn of events left her wondering about Anderson's intentions and the sudden shift in their situation.Cassie sat in the car, pondering over his recent purchase of the shoe. A perplexing combination that left her questioning the nature of his character. Inside the moving car, it was really quiet. Cassie couldn't figure out why they got something fancy, and it made her wonder a lot. Anderson didn't show any feelings on his face.Anderson sensed Cassie's eagerness to know things, but he decided to ignore it and instead enjoyed the views along the road.The atmosphere within the car remained cool and crisp throughout the entirety of their journey until they finally arrived at the comforting confines of their home.Dinner unfolded before them, presenting a spread of various drinks and delectable dishes. Anderson, fully immersed in the culinary experience, sat at the table, focusing intently on the meal. Cassie, though sitting a bit apart, joined in the meal. Despite the distance, both were deeply engrossed in relishing their dinner and the sound of spoons on plates was the only background noise.Breaking the silence that enveloped the dining scene, Cassie stammered, "I wanted to express my gratitude for what happened earlier." After a moment of hesitation, she continued, "But, Anderson, I understand that financial situations can be challenging, so let's be mindful of our spending in the future, okay? I appreciate your gestures, but it's important to consider our budget.”Anderson, setting down his utensils with a clatter onto his plate, took a moment to wipe his mouth, creating a noticeable pause in the air. "What gives you the impression that I'm not well-off?" he replied, his face reflecting
Cassie entered her home and headed to the dining area. Setting her bag on the couch, she poured a glass of water, drank it all as she was quite thirsty. Meanwhile, Anderson, with a cute smile, was chopping vegetables. Cassie, noticing this, spoke softly, offering her help, but Anderson declined, mentioning he was almost done.Cassie relaxed, her face buried in the table, overcome with emotion. Anderson, noticing a mark on her cheeks, dropped what he was holding, concerned. He asked gently, "What happened to your cheeks?"Cassie, sounding suspicious, replied, "Uh, nothing," adjusting her hair to cover the marks. Anderson pressed, "Who slapped you?" seriousness clouding his voice."No one," she said, "I wasn't paying attention and ran into a door," raising more suspicions in Anderson's mind. He casually nodded, trying to make her feel comfortable."Let me get a quick shower; I'll be back for dinner," she said, leaving his sight and dismissing the conversation.Anderson, noting her depar
Cassie slumped into the chair, feeling drained and defeated. "Let's grab a drink, Natalie," she said with a sigh, hoping it would ease the tension in her mind.Natalie's s face twisted with anger and disappointment. "That little... how could she?" Her brows furrowed, and her lips pressed into a tight line."She was never gonna hire me anyway," Cassie muttered bitterly, her eyes filling with frustration as she poured another drink. "That interview was just to embarrass me, plain and simple." Her shoulders slumped, and she took a long sip, trying to drown out the sting of rejection."I'm so sorry, Cassie," Natalie said, her guilt evident in the downturn of her lips and the furrow of her brow. "I shouldn't have reached out in the first place."Cassie shook her head, trying to reassure her friend. "It's okay, Sarah. You were just trying to help me find a job quicker. It's not your fault."Natalie's smile faltered slightly as she asked, "How's it going with your new husband? Any positive ch
Cassie's eyes widened in desperation as she struggled to shout one last time for help. Anderson's face contorted with fury as he yelled, "Hey you! Get your filthy hands off my wife!" His brow furrowed, and his jaw clenched tightly.Moving closer to Cassie's, Anderson's expression softened with concern as he reached out his hands to help her up from the ground. His eyes darted between Cassie and the thugs, a mix of protectiveness and anger evident in his gaze.Her face showed a mixture of pain and relief as she responded softly, "I'm fine, Anderson." Her lips trembled slightly, but she managed a small, grateful smile."I don't care who the hell you are," one of the men spat out, his brows furrowed in defiance. "But I'll advise you, if you don't want to get your ass whooped, you'll get out of here right now."Cassie's eyes widened with fear as she pleaded softly, "Please, Anderson, be careful." She could see the determination etched on his face as he signaled for her to move behind him
Anderson decided to move into the city with Cassie. They both arrived at a beautiful, wonderful estate. Cassie was shocked all through; she had never seen such luxurious houses all in one street. She admired each and every one of them as Anderson walked beside her, moving slowly until they reached the last house. He took out the keys and opened the door. Cassie moved inside, and her eyes widened in amazement at the furnishings. Anderson, who had been staring at her all this while, knew she loved the place so much. His face lit up with a knowing smile as he watched her marvel at their new home. "This is where we will be staying for now," Anderson finally spoke, a warm smile gracing his face. "My friend is out of town for some months, and he has agreed for us to manage here for some time. With this, I think it would be easier for you to get a job here in the city," he concluded, his expression hopeful. Cassie's eyes shimmered with gratitude as she responded, "Wow, that's so nice of yo
Chapter Nine: Cassie felt jittery as she dialed Natalie's number, hoping her friend would pick up. "Hey, Nat, can we meet at our usual spot?" she asked, her voice shaky with worry.Natalie had already gotten there, sitting quietly as Cassie spotted her from across the room. "Hey, Nat," Cassie said with a relieved smile, joining her friend at the table."Hey, Cassie, what's wrong? You seem stressed," Natalie said, concern evident on her face.Cassie took a deep breath before answering, feeling the weight of her troubles. "I... I'm not sure. It's just... everything feels overwhelming lately," she confessed, her voice barely above a whisper.Natalie reached out and squeezed Cassie's hand, her brow furrowing with concern. "So, did your dad pay the bills or not?" she asked, her voice tinged with worry. "I'm not sure. I think he did, but he's terrified of Winnie, so he might have lied," she admitted, a hint of fear in her eyes.Nat nodded, her expression softening with understanding. "Wel
Cassie finally arrived home, her mind buzzing with the good news Natalie had shared with her earlier. As she stepped through the door, she couldn't shake the excitement that tingled in her veins. The weight of the day's worries seemed to lift off her shoulders, replaced by a buoyant sense of anticipation for what lay ahead. She hurriedly kicked off her shoes and made her way further into the house, eager to share the news with Anderson and bask in the warmth of their shared joy.Intrigued, Cassie found a box in the parlor. Inside were old letters and photos. She discovered a letter from Anderson's mother, written on his birthday years ago. Tears filled Cassie's eyes as she read the heartfelt words from someone who loved him deeply.Determined to make this birthday one to remember, Cassie set about decorating the house with balloons and streamers, setting the table with his favorite dishes and pouring his preferred drink. She wanted nothing more than to bring a smile to Anderson's face
As the morning sun peeked through the curtains, Cassie reluctantly left the warmth of her bed. Her mind still buzzed with memories of her passionate night with Anderson, but she pushed them aside as she prepared for her first day at her dream job.Excitement lit up her face as she dressed in her usual work attire, not adorned with anything fancy, but always managing to look stunning. Her long hair cascaded down her back, framing her delicate features, while her fair skin seemed to glow with anticipation. Despite lacking expensive clothes or shoes, Cassie's natural beauty shone through, leaving her feeling confident as she embarked on this new chapter of her life.Kyle sat at his desk, his eyes fixed on the computer screen as he sifted through important company messages. With handsome features and neat attire, he exudes professionalism. Suddenly, a sharp sound on his desk drew his attention. It was Serena, his fiancée, standing before him with a stern expression. Kyle raised his head t