Chapter 4: Shocking Proposal

Vanessa's POV

“Why didn't you tell him?” Cassie interrogated me with furrowed brows.

I breathed a laugh upon her question, “He loved his mother…so much…and they were so close, almost inseparable. I just didn't want to ruin that or be the cause of their separation so I kept it all to myself.”

Cassie shook her head from ear to ear as she leaned back in her chair.

“And so?”

“Honestly,” she continued. “My boyfriend is just like yours but he doesn't disregard my complaints about a third party, though my case is different because his mother loves me. If nothing, they care about me a lot.”

“Yeah, I understand. People are different but his mother was his only surviving family so I didn't want to ruin his relationship with her. It's fine though, I mean, it's all in the past now.”

Cassie brows straightened, “True, it's in the past. But I still feel like he needs to know.”

My face split with confusion,”What does he need to know?”

Cassie rounded her arms around her chest, “He needs to know everything honey. You broke up with him when he wanted to build a life with you. I think he deserves an explanation. At least so he can know the kind of mother he has.”

My eyes moistened with tears because to be honest, leaving Carl on that night was the most difficult thing I've ever had to do.

I truly wished I never walked out on that opportunity to be his forever.

But at what cost?

At the cost of my sanity?

Sigh.

I cleared my throat as I realized I hadn't responded to Cassie, “Well, you're right but I doubt he'd want to listen. What if his mother doesn't let him see me?”

“Nonsense!” Cassie declared as she rose up from her executive chair.

“He loves you but you couldn't be with him because his mother wouldn't get off his back. Explain that to him and I assure you, if he really cares about you, he'd find something to do about his mother.” Cassie wiggled her fingers in the air as if to suggest Carl would make his mother disappear.

My lips curved into a side smile, “Y'know what? You're right. I'd talk to him.”

“That's my girl right there!” Cassie snapped her fingers in the air in a way that made me chuckle.

She was way closer than a boss would be to her employee but I loved it.

In Cassie, I found a friend who never hesitated to encourage me no matter the situation.

*******************

The aroma of banana flavor filled the air in the kitchen as I whisked the flour.

It has been a while since I last baked that I forgot how much I used to enjoy doing it. Cassie was the reason I was behind this oven tonight.

As usual, she wanted me to be better at my baking because she believed that one day, I'd become a popular baker. She wanted me to bake a cake for her boyfriend's birthday party so she could vet for me at the party.

I was truly grateful to her, I seriously had no other ways to thank but to offer her my loyalty. As I poured the flour into the baking pan, my phone vibrated in my pocket and my heart skipped a beat.

Why did the alarm go off so soon? Hell, I hadn't even started baking talk more about getting the cake decorated.

I quickly pulled out my phone to increase the time but the throbbing pain in my heart—one that I had learnt to suppress began to envelope my heart.

The alarm didn't go off.

It was just Carl's birthday.

I had set a reminder for his birthday because I had plans for his birthday but he…he wasn't with me anymore.

With every day that passed by, I was constantly reminded of what I used to have–what used to be.

How was I going to heal if I was surrounded by memories?

Maybe…maybe I couldn't forget because I still loved him. I walked away when all I wanted to do was to have him in my arms but I couldn't because of his mother.

‘Why let go of your happiness because of someone else?’ I thought as I leaned against my cabinet.

To be honest, Cassie was right. I shouldn't have given up on Carl that easily. If nothing, I should have given Carl a reason to fight for us.

“I have to talk to Carl,” I mumbled but then my eyes landed on the baking pan.

Okay, right after I finished delivering Cassie's cake.

Following this, I increased my pace so I could get extra time to see Carl.

After putting the cake into the oven, I quickly prepared the icing. Cassie wanted something simple yet beautiful so I was looking to give her a brown and buttercream cake.

Seconds ticked into minutes and the cake was finally ready. I scrambled into my room to get dressed and after what seemed close to an hour, I rushed out in a short yellow dress with my hair pulled back into a ponytail.

It's one of Carl's favorites.

As I walked towards the kitchen, the alarm on my phone went off.

I turned it off before picking the cake from the cabinet. A few walks away from the kitchen and I was outside my home.

The cool night breeze sent chills down my spine, making me regret my choice of clothes.

Luckily, I found a taxi on time and I arrived at the venue earlier than the time Cassie had given me.

I was in awe as I stepped into the hall, the walls were adorned in rows of red and purple flowers, the rooftop houses a web of gold and white lights that flickered.

Waiters were walking around, attending to guests, everything screamed luxury and it made me feel my heart race.

What if my cake doesn't please Cassie's boyfriend?

What if someone ruins my cake before the birthday boy gets to cut it?

What if…?

I shook my head as if to remove the thoughts from my head.

‘Your cake’s going to be the best thing that celebrant has ever tasted!’

Following that encouraging thought, I stiffened my back as I walked elegantly towards the seats of the guests.

My eyes scanned the room in search of a plump feminine figure and upon spotting her, I rose up from my chair, headed towards the center of the hall to meet Cassie.

Cassie seemed to be smiling at something and I hastened my steps to see what she was looking at that was making her smile so much.

But the moment I got there, my jaws dropped and my eyes widened in surprise.

Carl…Carl was… was Cassandra’s boyfriend?

My face broke into a frown as tears trickled down my face, I struggled with my breath as I stared at Carl going down on one knee in proposal.

‘How did he move on that fast?’ I wondered, unable to believe it.

My heart throbbed with pain and before I could make sense of my thoughts, his next words hit me like a bullet.

“Cassandra Gates, will you marry me?”