CASSANDRA

It had been two weeks since our trip to New York and it wasn't as pleasant as I hoped it was going to be.

My unexpected encounter with Calix brought so many emotions that I thought I had long buried. Seeing him again and the way he treated me with a cold shoulder hurt me so badly.

Well, I think I deserved his coldness after my sudden departure before ending everything properly between us. I chose to escape the problem and I couldn't blame him if he was mad at my actions.

But I had hoped that after two years and there was a chance that our paths crossed again we could be finally civilized with one another. I guessed that was only wishful thinking.

As I was trying to get back to my normal life here in Japan, I got an unexpected DM on my social media from Sapphire. I was eager to read her message since I hadn't heard anything from her in a while.

It turned out she and Loukas were going to celebrate their wedding anniversary this weekend in Greece and they wanted me to come.

I bit my bottom lip when Sapphire caught me online and wanted to connect via video call. I have no choice but to answer.

"Hey," I said as I adjusted my phone to my face level and I saw Sapphire on my phone screen.

"Good to see you, Cassie!" my old friend was grinning ear-to-ear. "How are you?"

"Good. How about you? How's your little one?" I asked jovially.

"Faith is doing well," she replied. "Listen, did you read about my DM?"

"Yes," I answered reluctantly.

She was smiling at me through the screen of my phone. "Loukas and I will be very happy if you can come to the party. I also would like you to meet our daughter Faith."

"This party is going to be this weekend, right?" I asked. Somehow, I couldn't say yes right away since I was not sure attending would be a good idea.

"Yes," Sapphire answered eagerly. "A weekend party at the island. It's not a huge party our families and closest friends are invited."

I knew it wasn't a good idea. There was a high chance that I might see Calix there. Also, it would only open old wounds if I stepped back on the Spiridakou private island since that was the place where it all started.

"You're not going to turn me down, are you?" Sapphire inquired, probably seeing the hesitation on my face.

I have all the reasons in mind why I should turn her offer down. But I didn't have the heart to do that to her. From the moment I met her, she'd been anything but nice to me. Even if, she was well aware that I had been chasing Loukas she tried to befriend me and never showed a negative attitude toward me.

I let only a handful of people in my life and she and Dionne were part of it.

Even if it would probably hurt to see Calix and I want to be there to celebrate the milestone in their marriage. I smiled at her. "I would love to come but if it's not too much to ask. Can I bring plus one with me?"

"Sure! We won't mind, Cassie."

Everything about this spelled trouble but for the sake of my good friends, I would ignore all the warning bells. "See you this weekend, Sap."

When I disconnected the video call. I immediately contact Dan about our upcoming trip to Greece. I have helped him with his errands in Greece it was time for him to return the favor.

*****

The weekend had come and I was still feeling dreadful about the whole thing. Well, who could blame me? This was probably the first time I set foot in Greece after two years. I never thought that I would be back in my homeland again.

"Remind me again why I have never been to Greece before. Damn. This place feels like a slice of heaven."

I rolled my eyes while Dan acted every inch of a tourist while we stood at the pier waiting for the yacht Loukas had sent that would bring us to the private island owned by the Spiridakou family.

Right now, he was attracting so much attention both from the locals and tourists with his height and handsomeness. Seriously, wherever this man went this was the kind of reception he received in public.

"Here's our ride," I announced, spotting the approaching yacht of Loukas.

Dan whistled. "To think you live a modest life in Japan when you and your friends are billionaires is a wonder."

I ignored his jibe and picked up my luggage for the weekend but then Dan snatched it from my hand. I looked at him questioningly.

He grinned at me. "Allow me, Miss heiress."

I rolled my eyes at him once again and didn't say anything. I knew that he would tease me mercilessly about this and I chose not to take his bait. I was already stressed enough about this party and I wouldn't let him add to my stress.

We boarded the yacht and not long before we were already sailing back to the Aegean Sea. I stood on the deck watching the sea and the nearby island we were passing by. It was hard to believe that I used to travel in this sea countless times before and now it felt like I was a tourist in my birthplace.

It never felt like home anymore.

"Damn, Cassie," my companion for this trip commented. "This yacht is jaw-dropping. I should tell this to my old man."

I raised my brow at him when I saw that he had booze in his hand. "Done with the boat tour?"

"Yup. Are we near the island?" He asked, standing next to me on the deck.

I pointed to the island not far from us. "Yes, that's the private island of the Spiridakou family."

"Spiridakou?" His eyes went wide while looking at me with shock. "Don't tell me..."

"Yes," I replied with a humorless smile. "He's part of this family. Cousins, to be exact."

"Oh, shit. You should have warned me." Dan complained. "I should have prepared myself to meet your ex again. The last time I've been in the same room with him he nearly murdered me."

I laughed at his dramatic recollection. "Don't be absurd."

"It's true," he insisted with horror in his eyes.  "If you could see his face after you left. Damn. I am getting goosebumps just thinking how I escape my brutal death in his hands."

I shook my head and refused to believe him. Dan was the type of guy who liked to jest that was why it was hard to believe if he was being serious or what.

When we finally arrived at the island. Sapphire, Loukas, who was holding their two-year-old daughter in his arms was there to welcome us.

"Good to see you again, Cassie," Sapphire wrapped her arms around me and I couldn't help but return the hug.

When we drew back from the hug they proudly introduced their daughter, Miracle Faith. She was the mirror image of her father.

I turned around and pulled Dan to my side. "Dan. These lovely people are my friends, Loukas, Sapphire, and their daughter Faith. Guys, this is Dan--"

"Boyfriend?" Loukas quipped. His blue eyes danced with laughter in their depth.

I laughed at his assumption. Why do people automatically assume that he was my boyfriend? Can't a man and a woman be friends without being romantically involved? "What? No..."

"I'm sure someone will go ballistic tonight--" Loukas stated merrily and Sapphire discreetly elbowed her husband on the rib while shooting a warning glance at him.

Facing me, Sapphire offered a warm smile. "Let's go? I hope you don't mind that we prepared one of the guest houses for your stay here it gives you enough privacy but it is not far away from the main house."

"Yes, thank you. That will be lovely." I answered. We followed him where the guest house was and I couldn't help but glance in the direction where the private pad of Calix.

Was he there now?

I tried not to think about him or the chances that I might see him tonight at the party. It was on the tip of my tongue to ask Sapphire and Loukas if Calix was around but I decided to keep my mouth shut.

Only a handful of people knew about our brief relationship and only his mother, my dad, and Dionne knew about the reason for our sudden breakup.

Since I was deep in my thoughts I didn't realize that we finally arrive.

"Take some rest," Sapphire instructed. "I'll see you later at the party."

"Thank you," I replied.

Sapphire waved her hand dismissively. "Don't be so formal, Cassie. We're right?"

I nodded my head. Dan and I entered the guest house and Dan couldn't help but whistle while admiring the interior of our abode for the weekend.

"Remind me to befriend the Spiridakou this weekend. My God, everything about them speaks opulence."

I shook my head. This guy... always acts like a homeless beggar when he grew up with the same luxury around him. As usual, he toured around the place checking every corner of the place.

"Holy crap, the fridge is fully restocked. Your friends knew how to entertain guests." He commented while looking inside the fridge. He glanced in my direction. "Are you ready for tonight?"

"Why did you ask?"

He grinned at me. "There is a possibility that we will see him tonight."

I swallowed hard. "Y-Yeah..."

*****

I found out that night I wasn't prepared at all. The party was held on the beach and the place was transformed beautifully with lights and tables around.

I arrived at the progressing party in Dan's arms. I tried not to attract as much attention as possible. But that was hard when you were standing next to Dan Takaaki.

"Uh-oh..." Dan whispered under his breath while his gaze was caught by the newcomer.

I followed his gaze and my heart dropped to the pit of my stomach when I saw Calix arrive with a beautiful woman in his arms.

I tightened my grip on Dan's arm. He placed his hand above mine and squeezed it firmly. "You okay?"

I looked at him and smiled faintly. "I-I am not sure."

It seemed that someone was looking at him and Calix's eyes met mine. I immediately looked away. I didn't want him to see the pain on my face.

"Let's go over there," Dan ushered me to the side so I didn't have to see them.

I was grateful Dan was with me tonight. He was truly a good friend. He made sure that he was blocking the view from Calix and his date.

"That's Gisele Patitz with him. She's a famous model and I worked with her in the past." Dan said quietly.

"I-I see..." The truth was, I didn't want to know anything about the woman in his arms. My heart was filled with misery seeing them together.

I should have expected it since it had been two years and he had every right to move on. Just because we broke up didn't mean that our world would stop spinning.

"Here..." he pushed a champagne glass into my hand. He lowered his head to whisper something in my ear. "You should drink that to calm your nerves. We have a long night the party is just starting."

I looked at him hopelessly. "I don't drink."

He gave me a reassuring smile. "One drink will not hurt. Trust me you will feel better after one glass."

I gave him a dubious look but heeded his instruction anyway. I took a sip and the bubbles went straight to my head!

He chuckled out loud when I coughed several times. Several heads turned in our direction wondering what had amused him so much. "Feeling better?"

"I hate you," I said between coughs.

"Drink up," he encouraged cheerfully, his eyes lit with deviltry.

I threw a disapproving look at him. "You're a bad influence, you know."

He was about to reply but then our attention focused on the happy couple celebrating their wedding anniversary tonight. Loukas and Sapphire gave a brief speech thanking everyone who joined them tonight and hoping that everyone would enjoy the party.

Everyone clapped their hands and made a toast for the happy couple. I clinked my glass with Dan and when I was about to sip my champagne once again I noticed that Calix was staring in our direction darkly.

I immediately broke eye contact and looked in the other direction as I emptied my glass.

What was his problem? Why he was looking at me like that? Was that his way of telling me that I was not welcome here? Or that he hates me?

The dancing had begun and Dan and I busied ourselves drinking and eating canapes on the corner. I was starting to enjoy myself when I heard a painfully familiar voice behind me.

"May I have this dance?"

My heart stopped beating when I slowly turned around to face him. I blinked several times making sure that he was truly asking me. "Excuse me?"

"Dance?"

I looked at his offered hand and then glanced in the direction of his date on the other side of the party. The model seemed pissed at the moment. I focused my attention back on Calix. "Why don't you dance with your date?"

"It's you that I want to dance with," he said pleasantly while his eyes were unreadable. He spared Dan a quick but condescending look. "I'm sure your boyfriend will not mind, right?"

Oh, yeah, until now he still believes that Dan was my boyfriend. I have to set the record straight. "Look--"

The words died in my mouth when he abruptly pulled me away from Dan. "The dance will be over before you make up your mind."

My heart was pounding in my chest when he pulled me into his arms. I knew there was nothing wrong with dancing but...

"Why so stiff, Cass?" He taunted, adjusting his hold on my body.

"What do you think you're doing?!" I hissed at him making sure that no one but him would hear. "This is inappropriate."

He cocked an eyebrow at me, there was a cruel smile on his handsome face. "Since when did it become inappropriate to dance with your half-sister? Besides, I remember that we have done much worse than mere dancing in the past."

I gasped. I decided not to answer him and just looked away from his intense gaze. I couldn't be this close to him again. No. After everything I've been through just to forget him. I shoot Dan a rescue look.

"You should look at your dance partner while dancing. Don't be rude, Cass," Calix demanded angrily. "That man will not vanish. On the other thought, he might be if you keep pissing me off."

I looked at him sharply. "What did I do?"

He didn't answer he was just looking at me as if I was being absurd. "How are you?"

"Fine," I answered. I was looking anywhere but into his face.

"Aren't you going to ask me the same question?"

"H-How are you?" I repeated his question but still refused to meet his gaze.

"Eyes on me, Cass," he enforced firmly. "I'm sure that is not too much to ask, right?"

I forced myself to look him in the eyes. His gaze filled with fury. "I am in hell."

I bit my bottom lip with his reply. And I noticed that his eyes dropped to my lips before meeting my gaze once again.

This was crazy. I have to remember that he was my half-brother and yet my body was reacting differently. The way he was holding me close and the way his eyes held me captive I was slowly getting lost in those blue gazes.

I didn't know if fate decided to be extra vengeful tonight when the next song played was Stephen Sanchez Until I Found You. The lyrics flowed through the air like magic and stardust.

...I'll never let you go again like
I did, oh I used to say
I would never fall in love again until I found her
I said,  would never fall in love unless
It's you I fell into I was lost in the darkness
But then I found her, I found you...

My breath was caught when he suddenly pulled me even closer until my body was pressed to his. Morally, this was inappropriate but to other people who didn't know our secret, this was probably acceptable.

Because to avoid scandal we chose to hide the secret we learned two years ago to spare both families from the scandal that would shock the world.

"Are you happy with him?" Calix asked quietly.

I didn't have to ask who meant. It was clear that he was talking about Dan. "He is my savior. My shoulder to lean on. How about you? Are you happy with that woman?"

He looked me straight in the eye. His blue eyes felt like could penetrate my soul. "What do you think?"

I nodded while my heart felt as if it was about to explode with sudden anguish. I need to be happy for him even if it kills me. I smiled at him brightly. "I wish you all the best in life, Calix. I hope this woman will love you more than--"

"Don't," he said as if close to begging. "Because I don't wish the same thing for you. I don't want you to be happy with some other bastard. I will not let anyone steal what is mine. Blood-related or not. You're mine. Mine. Do you hear me?"