Chapter 3: Dinner

Cassandra’s POV

A few days later, I walked into the office of Hot House Flower. Everyone greeted me warmly and respectfully, since I was the co-owner. I smiled and greeted everyone back.

We’d recently increased our staff and hired some new interns, so the office was bustling. Our company specialized in fashion and women's apparel, and we were still trying to find our niche. I’d graduated college with a degree in fashion, and Stella had graduated with a degree in business management. We’d come up with the idea to start our own company as soon as we graduated. Since I had a degree in fashion, it made sense to start a fashion company.

Our company had started out small, in Stella’s garage. We’d worked really hard to build a brand for ourselves, but it hadn’t been easy. Our company was booming though now, and sometimes I still couldn’t believe how far we’d come.

Hot House Flower was really gaining ground in the fashion industry.

My plan was to temporarily hand over the company to my best friend and other co-owner, Stella. I was feeling emotionally drained and needed to take a month off. Since Stella and I were business partners, I knew she’d be able to handle the company in my absence.

However, before I’d even sat down at my desk, Stella came rushing in.

“Cass,” she said, her eyes wide, shutting the door behind her. “Our orders have exploded. Again. And…get this! A magazine just reached out to offer us a fashion spread in their next edition. Can you believe it? A real magazine! This is incredible!”

Stella’s cheeks were flushed with excitement. More orders? A fashion spread?

Clearly, this was not the time to take a mental health vacation.. There was no time to rest. I sighed. It was a good thing though. It meant our company was growing stronger.

Stella and discussed all the things that needed to be done that day, and then I started working. I was so busy, I didn’t even stop for lunch. In fact, I’d completely lost track of time when someone knocked on my door.

But I didn’t have time to open the door, so I shouted, “Come in!”

Still busy with my work, I kept my head down and said, “Is it my delivery? Please leave it over there, thanks.”

Suddenly, a bouquet of flowers appeared in front of me.

“Oh!” I gasped in surprise. Looking up, I saw Dillon smiling at me.

“I’m guessing you haven’t eaten all day,” Dillon said.

I smiled as I took the bouquet, tulips, my favorite. “Yes, wow, these are beautiful.”

“How about dinner with me, Miss Designer?” Dillon asked with a playful grin.

My cheeks turned slightly red. I nodded, accepting his invitation.

I went home first and told Dillon to wait for me at the restaurant. After working all day, my hair was a mess, and my makeup had smudged. I quickly took a shower and pulled a bright red cocktail dress from my wardrobe.

A few hours later, I met Dillon at the luxurious restaurant. It was the newest restaurant in town, a chic and expensive Michelin-starred restaurant that boasted a completely vegan menu. As such, the place was packed. The hostess led me over to the table where Dillon was already seated.

"Wow, Cass, you look... stunning," Dillon complimented me without hesitation.

"Thank you," I replied with a smile.

But just as he was pulling my chair out for me, I saw Jordyn from afar. I couldn’t help but notice he didn’t look so well, with dark circles under his eyes. His shirt was also a bit wrinkled, which wasn’t like Jordyn at all. He usually prided himself on his immaculate appearance.

Ellie sat across from him, looking radiant, a huge smile plastered on her face.

He glanced over at me and furrowed his brow just as Dillon took his seat. I smiled at Dillon, avoiding Jordyn’s gaze. I knew he didn’t recognize me, decked out in a red, low cut dress, my hair done up and my make-up carefully applied. During our marriage, I’d always dressed very conservatively, even when I accompanied him to banquets and gala events. I’d never really wanted to draw attention to myself, so my clothing had been plain and my make-up light.

However, tonight, I’d decided to change it up. Why not? I was getting divorced, and I deserved to feel good about myself. Dillon and I ordered our drinks, and I was surprised that Dillon still remembered my favorite dishes.

He told me about some of the interesting cases he had worked on. Talking with him really made me feel relaxed and happy.

Before our appetizers arrived, I politely excused myself to go to the bathroom. In the bathroom though, I accidentally bumped into someone.

“Sorry,” I started to say. But I stopped when I found myself face to face with someone.

Ellie.

It was Ellie.

I put my head down and tried to step around her. I didn’t want to cause a scene. I hoped that, like Jordyn, she wouldn’t recognize me. This time, though, I wasn’t so lucky.

“Cassandra,” Ellie gasped. And only then did I realize we were wearing the EXACT same outfit. “What the hell?” she asked, her hands on her hips. “Where did you get this?” She pointed at my blouse. “Did you steal it? Because there’s no way you could afford ANYTHING from Hot House Flowers. Let alone an entire outfit!”

“What makes you say that?” I asked, suppressing a smile. The dress was from my own company, but Ellie had no idea I was the co-owner of Hot House Flower, and I certainly wasn’t going to tell her.

“It’s a designer brand,” she scoffed sarcastically.

“I know. Which is why I’m wondering how YOU can afford a dress like that,” I said sarcastically. “Oh wait. I know. Jordyn, right? He bought it for you?”

My words hit exactly as I’d wanted them to. Ellie looked offended. She gasped.

“Jordyn gives me money because he loves me,” she snapped at me.

“Whatever you say,” I replied dismissively, rolling my eyes.

I found it funny that Ellie was accusing me of wearing a knock-off from my own company, while she was wearing a dress that Jordyn had bought her. She was acting like she was better than me, but without Jordyn’s money, she never would have been able to afford one of my company’s designs.

“Oh…I get it,” she smiled sardonically. “You’re a KEPT woman now, huh? Found yourself a silver fox? Is that it? A rich, lonely old man to buy you designer clothes.”

I sighed deeply. I REALLY didn’t want to get into this with her. I was tired. I just wanted to have a nice dinner with Dillon. She could think whatever she wanted. I honestly didn’t care.

“It’s none of your business, Ellie,” I said. Then I pushed past her.

It wasn’t actually quite ironic, but it wasn’t worth getting into with her though.

Soon, Jordyn and I would be divorced. Ellie and Jordyn could do whatever they wanted as far as I was concerned. Dillon was waiting for me back at the table. I didn’t want to engage with her any further, so I stepped around her and left the bathroom.

The moment I stepped outside of the bathroom though, I ran right into Jordyn.