Chapter 12

Mabel clearly didn't believe me. She sized me up from head to toe before speaking arrogantly.

"I heard you quit your job at Thompson Group. What's wrong? Are you tired of being a secretary? Ready to climb the corporate ladder now? Don't say I didn't warn you. If Sean can dump me today, he can toss you aside just as easily tomorrow. What makes you think you've got anything on me besides your pretty looks?"

Out of everything she said, I only really caught the word "pretty". I felt oddly flattered.

"You're too kind, Ms. Hamilton," I said.

Mabel was speechless. She opened her mouth to speak several times, her eyes widening in shock. She was probably stunned by my modesty.

"You're nothing but a low-class slut!" one of her companions exclaimed.

I simply listened quietly. Mabel's eyes flickered a few times before she nudged the loudmouth beside her, cutting off her outburst.

For a while, no one spoke. Awkwardness hung in the air.

Mabel cleared her throat before saying, "Let's not stray from the topic. This is about Sean and me. I don't care what you two are fighting about. All I know is that he called off our engagement and I'm the one who was embarrassed in front of everyone. A big part of that is on you."

A few more unreasonable accusations later, she seemed to regain her confidence. She glared at me furiously.

"Don't think you can just walk away and call it even. I'm not done with you!" Mabel continued.

I kept smiling all the way to the restaurant.

Initially, I'd promised Jason I wouldn't drink that night, but the sea breeze had me in a good mood. Unable to resist the temptation, I ordered a beer anyway.

Jessica seemed like she was still shaken from my last outburst. This time, she watched me drink, all the while talking nonstop.

"Are you not angry, Cassandra? Even after she said all those things about you?"

I pictured Mabel pointing at me and yelling, looking adorably feisty. "That young lady is actually quite adorable," I commented.

To be honest, Mabel reminded me of myself from years ago. I saw a lot of my younger self in her. Perhaps it was because I'd been through the same thing she was going through now that I understood how she felt.

There was nothing wrong with getting upset about having your engagement called off for no reason. If I'd gone through that back then, I would have torn the roof off the place, to say the least.

"Cassandra, you're only 24 years old," Jessica said. "Why are you calling her a young lady when we're all practically the same age?"

It felt like ages since I'd thought of myself as a young lady. Jessica's words caught me off guard.

Even when I failed to respond, she kept on talking. She suddenly asked, "Cassandra, why did you quit your job?"

I thought about it for a moment. "I couldn't stand our boss any longer," I replied honestly.

Jessica nodded vigorously. "Exactly! Do you also think Mr. Thompson struts around every day acting like he owns the place? He's so full of himself! The mere sight of him makes my legs weak with nerves!"

"What's going on? Is Sean giving you a hard time? Is that why you're so upset?" I asked.

Jessica shook her head fervently. "No, it's not like that! I just think that if you, of all people, chose to leave him, it has to be his fault."

Her eyes shone with astonishing intensity. "Cassandra, listen to me. You will find someone a thousand times better than Mr. Thompson!"

I propped my head up, my eyes crinkling as I smiled. I didn't speak for a moment. It wasn't until Jason walked closer to us that I spoke, tilting my head toward her.

"He's here," I said.

While Jessica looked on in confusion, Jason walked over to my side. He leaned down and placed a hand on my head, ruffling my hair as he spoke.

"Didn't you promise me you wouldn't drink?" he said, his voice deep and indulgent.

I couldn't tell if it was the alcohol affecting my nerves, but when Jason spoke, I could smell the faint scent of mint and soap fill the air around him. My eyes suddenly stung, and I buried my head deeper into my hands.

Jason said something to Jessica. His voice was too soft for me to catch what he was saying. As my head began to droop, he wrapped his arms around my waist and lifted me up.

Through the fabric of his shirt, I could hear his steady heartbeat.

Jason shielded me from the glaring lights. His cool touch briefly lingered on my earlobe. "Let's go home," he murmured softly.

Time seemed to rewind back several years. Back then, Sean had walked into my line of sight, his figure bathed in the moonlight. He was all I could see.

That night, I stood against the wind and reached out for him. I was merely 17 years old, willful and spoiled. The world laid beneath my feet, and wanting someone had meant losing all reason.

It was a nightmare I could never escape now.

"Come home with me, Sean," I had said back then.

Now, I sniffled. Jason pulled me closer, his hand brushing against my temple. He spoke softly, as though he were soothing a child.

"Don't cry. Everything will be okay."

I shook my head, unable to speak.

It wouldn't be okay. Nothing would ever be okay again.