Cassandra Salvatore~•~Christmas passed by in a flash and so did New Year's and I had to say those were the best weeks of my life.For once in my life, I didn't have to stress about anything.I'd underestimated therapy but two months of it had been bliss and had helped me greatly. I didn't have to worry about bills or my father or my crazy stalker ex. All I had to do was go to work, come back, and spend time with my siblings.The best part was that I finally had my dream job! Yes, that's right. I got signed with an agency right before Christmas and it prompted some Christmas-themed shoots.It also meant my schedule was flexible but it was also very tight. I didn't have the weekends to myself again, so I had to squeeze out time randomly to spend with my boyfriends, friends, and family.It was exhausting but I didn't mind. Have I said it was my dream job?I was finally a full-time model and it was unreal. Unlike others, I didn't have a break for the holiday. It was work all through a
Cassandra Salvatore~•~"What?" She was confused."You thought and thought and thought. You never actually cared to know what I wanted. And the truth is even after the hell you put me through, I wanted you to come back because you are my mother." I snapped, feeling tears gather in my eyes.I tried to blink them back because I couldn't be crying before a shoot.She was quiet for a long time and we just stared at each other. "Do you—" she paused and cleared her throat. "Do you still want me?"I knew the answer to that question but saying it would be pathetic and I wasn't ready to forgive her. "I don't know. Just because I searched for you online doesn't mean I suddenly want you in my life.""I get it. I'll try to earn your forgiveness. And if you searched for me, it means you must have seen…""Your other family." I completed it for her when she trailed off and she nodded. "Your husband and your three kids.""The eldest is my husband's kid. But I'd like you to meet them all nonetheless."
Rowan Valentino~•~I blew out a breath as I collapsed on the chair. For once, my brother and I weren't working.Ever since Cassie stopped working for Matteo, he had been busier than usual as he had been unable to find a perfect fit for his personal assistant, which meant the weekends Cassie didn't spend with us, we spent it working.It wasn't like we weren't proud of her. We were but we missed her.It was quite silly to admit considering she just left our house a few hours ago, but we had gotten used to her and it would take a while before we adjusted to her new schedule.I sneaked a glance at my brother, who had his head thrown back on the couch as he took deep breaths."Long week, huh?"He glanced at me out of the corner of his eye. "You have no idea.""It's that hard without Cassie?""I'm still trying to adjust. Work is demanding without someone to take some of the burdens off. And with the holidays that just passed, I have a lot to catch up on.""Why don't you find a new assistan
Cassandra Salvatore~•~My head was pounding.I groaned in pain as my eyes fluttered open. For a brief moment, I closed them back before blinking them open again so I could get used to the harsh light.My neck ached and I realized that it was because of the awkward position I was in.I was tied up in a wooden chair.My eyes went wide as I recalled the moments leading to this. I left my mom in the coffee shop and drove to a convenience shop. I thought I was being followed so I sent the plate number to Jules.While I cleaned up my face, I got hit on the head and fainted.I was fucking kidnapped.By who, was the question.I could feel my heart start to pound as I looked around the empty room. There was nothing in it except for a small window that even Justina couldn't fit through.I tried to stay calm. I really did, but when I looked down and realized I'd been stripped down to my underwear, I screamed."Help!" I shouted, this time my voice was stronger. I didn't even know if anyone would
Cassandra Salvatore~•~I gulped, only settling down when he put the knife away. He pulled a chair from the side and sat in front of me, crossing his legs."You know I lost my job a while ago, right?"I wasn't surprised. Rowan and Matteo found out he was linked to my father and my father had been embezzling."And that's because your little boyfriends did their research on me.""They must have fired you for a reason.""Nothing tangible that I know of. I cover my tracks pretty well, unlike Daniel." He shrugged nonchalantly. "They just hate me because of you. What did you tell them?""I didn't tell them anything. I don't talk to them about you. If I did, you would have been fired a long time ago.""Watch your mouth." He warned, glaring at me. "They would never have known about me if I wasn't involved with you. It's all your fault."My mouth dropped open at his audacity. "Close your fucking mouth. I know you suck dick pretty well, especially if those billionaires are willing to keep you
Matteo Valentino~•~I was angry as fuck, but I was worried as well. Who knew what had happened to our girl?It was now past eleven and we still didn't know where she was. Eleven wasn't an unusual time to be out in New York but this was Cassie. She never went anywhere except for work alone.She liked having someone with her. She liked having company.My brother was quick to file her as a missing person. Usually, the police would never agree but money and power could solve a lot of things. His assistant tracked the car we bought for Cassie and it was found in the parking lot of a convenience store.It made me worried as hell. It meant that an accident didn't happen. Someone took her. We just didn't know who.That led us to track the car whose plate number Cassie had sent to Jules. We had given it to the police and they said they would have a location by tomorrow morning.The convenience store was closed which meant we'd have to visit the next morning as well.There wasn't much we could
Rowan Valentino~•~Damon had always been a force to reckon with. He had this natural dominant aura that when he spoke, things happened.He was intimidating. His voice was deep and hard. It made people cower, so I wasn't surprised when the cashier started moving as soon as he heard Damon's words.The cashier immediately called another worker to replace him behind the counter and he led us into the backroom. We stood by the side impatiently as he went back to yesterday's footage.He was shaking as his hand maneuvered the mouse and I couldn't even blame him.Three men were demanding something he wasn't supposed to give out to people other than the cops. While Damon was intimidating, Matteo's anger was something no one wanted to be part of and he was glaring at the man.I tried to be the level-headed one even if the worry was etched on my face and smiled at him a few times when he looked my way. That didn't help him in any way.We would have left it to the police but those people were fu
Rowan Valentino ~•~I shared a look with my brother, Damon, before I picked up the call."Hello?" I called out tentatively."Ah. If it isn't the famous Valentino brother.""Who are you?" I demanded, even if I was certain I knew who was behind the phone."I have your precious girlfriend.""Rafael," I growled out, my face forming a scowl even if he couldn't see me. I had seen him only once; the day I took Cassie and Jules to see their new house but I hated him with every bone in my body.What exactly was his deal? Was it that hard to let go of his ex? Was it that hard to accept that Cassandra didn't love him anymore? Why the fuck was he stalking her?"How did you know it was me?" He asked, amused."I am not playing around. Where is she? Is she okay?""Of course, she is.""She was unconscious when you took her." I reminded him. The sight of her in his arms had broken my heart because who knew what he did to her? Was she still unconscious? Was he capable of killing her?Rafael chuckled an