My Brother-in-Law

“Let me have more, please.” Cassandra begged, her words already slurring after just three glasses, “I told you I might not get to drink in ten long months.”

Seraphina rolled her eyes, pushing the thick whisky glass farther from her, “Why is that? Is your parents banning you from drinking because of that fall?”

“No,” Cassandra jabbed a finger at her, “They are just making me carry a baby.”

Seraphina’s blue eyes widened, catching the disco light right above their booth in the quiet bar. “What?”

“A–a baby? Are you pregnant?” She questioned.

Cassandra attempted to use her distraction to grab the glass but Seraphina caught her, her grip tightening around her upper arm.

“Your husband has been dead for almost three years now…wait,” Seraphina paused, her brows raised as another thought came to mind, “Was it a one night stand? How did they find out about it before me?”

Seraphina Vance was Cassandra's best friend. The only one she had since high school. She was always the first to know whatever was going on in Cassandra's personal life, hence the shock.

Cassandra shoved her off with everything she had before collapsing onto the sofa, “Calm down. It’s just surrogacy.”

“Clara can't successfully carry a child. I’m just helping.” She said it as casually as her parents had told her.

Seraphina’s face went pale, then she shot up to her feet, her teeth clenched, “NO!”

Her voice carried enough for the few customers sitting around the bar to look at her just briefly.

“You are not doing it.” She insisted, “I will not let you do that.”

Cassandra let out a laugh, gently massaging her temple, “Stop overreacting. It's not like you're the one getting it.”

Her forced laughter only enraged Seraphina more as she sat up, pulling closer.

“This isn't funny, Cassie. You’ve given up everything to that lousy sister of yours. Now they are asking for your body?”

Seraphina's chest rose and fell fast, fury etched in her brows, “What will they ask you for next? Your life?”

Cassandra let out a sigh, leaning towards Seraphina and gently patting her thigh like she was pacifying a child.

“Don't worry, Sera. I’m cashing out from it. $10 million dollars. That's what we agreed on. It’s the Caldwell's heir. It is worth that much.”

She tried to pass it off like a joke, but every word that left her mouth came back as a knife to her chest.

“Exactly, Cassie. The Caldwell Heir. It's almighty Dante and stupid Clara’s child. You are going to be involved with him for the next ten months. How are you going to cope?” Seraphina complained, the anger making her eyes red.

Cassandra reached for the glass. Seraphina didn't stop her this time, instead, she helped her pour a glass and poured one for herself.

“It's all in the past now. I’ve moved on.” Cassandra said casually, “Besides, Clara is so pitiful. Not being able to provide an heir in such a powerful family must be depressing.”

Seraphina scoffed bitterly, “Depressing? That girl is always glowing. The only one that is depressed and pitiful is you.”

“I wish she could just disappear or something.” She mumbled.

“Oh, c’mon. Leave my sister alone. It's not her fault she has parents who actually like her. I would kill to be her.” Cassandra defended her.

Their booth went quiet after that as the ladies slowly sipped the whiskey in silence.

Seraphina still had a lot to say, but she knew Cassandra was just pretending to be alright. She didn't want to make her situation worse.

By the time Cassandra finished her fifth glass, her vision was already completely hazy.

Seraphina was barely holding up, but she could still see clearly.

“Stop!”

Seraphina froze, her glass midway to her lips as Cassandra's sharp voice suddenly came.

“Y—you are complaining about my drinks now?”

“W—why does he…look so much like my brother-in-law?” Cassandra spoke again.

Seraphina traced her finger to where she was pointing and her eyes widened.

“Y—you…hi,” she stuttered.

Across from their booth stood a tall man in a tailored gray suit.

His sharp jawline and dark brown eyes made him instantly recognizable.

Cassandra struggled to her feet, her steps wobbly as she walked towards him. She tripped on the foot of the table almost falling down, but he caught her just in time.

She looked up at him, no thanks, just a weary smile on her lips as she stared into his eyes.

“See, Sera. He even has the same striking brown eyes.”

Seraphina's jaw tightened, her lips spreading into a forced smile as she walked towards them. “That's because it's him.”

“Oh,” Cassandra gasped dramatically, quickly pulling away. Then she bowed almost to a ninety degree. “Hi, brother-in-law.”

Her legs wobbled causing her to stagger backwards.

Seraphina quickly caught her, “She’s drunk. I will take her home.”

“You're also drunk. How will you do that!” Dante finally spoke, his calm voice a complete opposite of his cold expression.

“My driver will take us.” Seraphina was already pulling her away as she replied.

But drunk Cassandra was heavy, almost making Seraphina fall down.

Dante reached out and pulled Cassandra off her, “I am going to pick up my wife from the house. I will take her.”

“No, I can…” Seraphina was still talking when Dante scooped Cassandra off the floor and started to walk away.

Seraphina had no other choice than to give up as she approached the bar to pay for their drinks.

Outside the bar, Dante opened the back seat and helped Cassandra sit, but just as he pulled away to close the door, Cassandra’s grip on his jacket tightened.

She retched, her head tipping forward.

Then…

Vomit.

Small, watery, smelly…all over Dante’s jacket.

His fingers curled into a fist, his teeth clenching tightly, but he forced himself to swallow the disgust.

She was his in-law after all.

Under Dante’s murderous eyes, Cassandra leaned back in the seat, oblivious of the two pairs of eyes staring daggers at her.

“Fuck!” Dante slammed the door shut, wiping himself down with a handkerchief.

He stood outside for a while, trying to catch a fresh breath before taking the wheel.

As he drove away, he slowly let down the back window where Cassandra sat, letting the cool breeze brush her face.

He glanced at her through the rearview mirror, his eyes softening.

Dante shook his head, something crossing his lips. Not a smile, but something close enough.

By the time they arrived at the Hart’s mansion Cassandra was already fast asleep.

When Evelyn saw Dante walk into the house with Cassandra in his arms, worry etched up her face.

She ran up to them, calling Bernard as she did.

“Oh my goodness, what happened to her?”

“She’s just drunk.” Dante explained, “I saw her at a bar and decided to bring her home.”

Evelyn let out a sigh, the worry disappearing from her face.

“Oh, son, you shouldn't have gone through the trouble.” Bernard said as he joined them.

He gestured to the housekeeper to help Cassandra to her room, then invited Dante to a cup of tea.

“It's late already. I just want to get my wife and leave.” Dante politely declined, “We will find another time to visit.”

Evelyn and Bernard exchanged a glance.

Clara had left the house several hours ago. They remembered she had clearly said she was going on a date with her man.

Evelyn's fingers clenched around the hem of her dress, “Uh, Clara?”

“Oh, you both just missed each other. She left just a while ago.”

Dante's brow arched. She had clearly told him she’d be here until very late, that's why he had come to surprise her. But he didn't push further.

As soon as Dante stepped out of the door, Evelyn quickly grabbed her phone and typed a text to Clara.

“Where are you? Your husband just left here.”

Sent.

She walked towards the window and saw Dante standing by his car, still looking hesitant.

Then she looked down at her phone and typed again;

“I told him you just left here, so get your story straight.”