Oh My God!
What is wrong with me?
Oops I mean surprise another update. (Yeah this should not shock me. At least I need to pretend, I was well aware that I was going to update)

Hahaha, Well that was down right melodramatic. Hello lovely reader here's another surprising update even for myself.

I just want to say that I forget to mention Jeremy and Catherine daughter's name though I rectified it but I am going to say her name is Cynthia Janice McGill.

Happy reading..
I assure you it is going to be happy..

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

Five months after Cassandra's breakdown and leaving Coltrane..

It's been five months since Cassandra left Coltrane and promised Austin that she will work on making herself happy. 

She did what she promised, working on herself for the last five months but Whenever she is alone her thoughts always lingered on him. 

How is he?

What is he doing?

Is he fine?

She sometimes wonders about these questions.

It's been five months since she left, this time it is worse because somewhere at the back of her mind she knows he loves her too.

But Coltrane did not even try to get in touch with her not once after that, which was a good thing

The fact that he might be doing just fine without her makes her angry and that anger turns into determination to do just fine without him.

'I have a seminar to attend tomorrow morning though the seminar is not compulsory for the 1st year, they can attend if they want to. Some of the famous companies will be here not only because it is quite informative too. I need to sleep' Cassandra thought to herself closing her eyes. 

That's true after doing the online class she was gaining interest in interior designing. After searching through various colleges she decided to join South Mount Prestigious University. It's a college for rich snobs but those who graduate out of this College are at the top of the world. It's been one month since she started college.

Carson paid for her college fees. 

Which she decided to take by signing off 10% of 50% shares that Cassandra returned in her name in Walmart industry to Carson's name that's worth more than enough to cover the college fees as well as get her a house and pay off for her food. And the remaining 40% she signed off to Cameron.

Carson was happy that Cassandra wanted him to pay for the college fees, he thought she was going to give him a chance, a chance to redeem but that did not happen. She is not going to take anything from that man even if he begs her because even though many people hurt her but it all started by Carson and Carina. They started all the misunderstanding that happened in her life and messed it up.

They are the one who make her life miserable and destroy various lives along the process including their daughter's.

Though the money was more than enough for a house, Cassandra decided to keep it in her bank and stay at her one room apartment. It is calming and she feels at home staying here for more than 5 years.

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

Next morning...

As usual Cassandra wakes up early and gets dressed formally for the seminar. She was at the college on time for her time.

"You are on time," Xavier, a fourth year interior design student, commented. He was wearing formal attire.

Xavier has a happy go lucky attitude towards life. He is almost 5'11 and good looking. He was the first person who talked to her like always. After everything happened in her past her social skills took quite a damage. She rolled her eyes at her thoughts.

"So, When will the seminar start?" Cassandra asked.

"Sharp at 11 a.m. If you want to attend come before time because this might be a once in a lifetime offer" Xavier said excitedly.

"Why?" She was confused at his enthusiasm and was interested in the seminar until yesterday but seeing people wearing formal attire and everyone was already in the auditorium.

She looked at her wrist watch to make sure she was on time, 8 a.m. it's too early for them to gather around.

"Oh! You don't know" Xavier smirked.

'Why would I ask if I know?' She wanted to snap but the fact that he is her senior even though three years younger than her does not mean she can be impolite.

"Coltrane Flynn Mayor the CEO of Mayor Empire. He himself is coming not the Human resources chairman"

"Oh!" She said.

"What?" Xavier was shocked at her bland reaction; he thought she would squeal and fangirl over him like any other. That man is as handsome as anyone could get with 6 feet height black hair and piercing gray eyes. The fact that he is just 26 years old makes him more desirable. Even though there was an article about him being divorced or something goes around for awhile but who cares as long as the man is single.

"No.. I.. Who?" Cass blinked her eyes and cleared her throat.

"Who usually comes?" 

"Mr.Hades, he is also good. I wonder how the actual head of the department is?" Xavier said almost dreamily.

Cassandra stared at him for a while before laughing, "Oh my god is this come kind of cliche. The man who tormented my dreams and haunted my nights is here and I need to find a place to hide"

"Have you lost it?" Xavier asked at her sudden outburst.

She laughed rubbing her face to calm down the last thing she wants to be seen as a lunatic, "If he is here to see me I will make sure he sees me"

"I see you're one of his lunatic fan girls" Xavier shook his head.

"Can I get a front seat?" Cassandra asked after calming down.

"For my favourite junior I can do that" Xavier winked before walking away. She just rolled her eyes.

"Don't forget that this favorite junior is older than you" Her sarcastic remake earned a hearty chuckle for him. She shakes her head, smiling a bit.

After going through three sessions she was exhausted.

Only 10 minute left for the seminar to start. She went to the washroom to freshen up and went back to the auditorium. The moment she entered the room her eyes widened the whole auditorium was full of people. She searched the front rows and spotted a hand waving as her, sighing in relief that Xavier was able keep a seat. She went to sit beside him while apologizing to everyone who was too stubborn to move as if she would take their place.

"You are on time" Xavier whispered. The moment he said that Veronica, the general secretary of the student body, also Xavier's girlfriend, walked up to the podium to talk to us. 

She gives a mindblowing introduction, that woman is talented.

"Well then I will not waste anymore time. Please Welcome Mr. Coltrane Mayor '' she said. 

Silence

Cassandra can hear her own heartbeat as she stares at the stage waiting for him to show up. And there he is. She froze.

The way he carried himself was nerve wracking to those who were standing around him. 

Cassandra was shocked looking at him, he seemed colder than before, the usual soft smile or in business etiquette politeness was nowhere seen. His skin looked pale, a dark circle around his eyes. From a distance he seems so cold as if he was someone else. The detach look he has chilled her for once. Five months it's only been five months. How can he change this much? She can feel a shiver run down her spine.

Cassandra takes a deep breath, she can feel Xavier gulping down. And the moment he started speaking the temperature dropped even more. She shook her head and looked straight at his face waiting for his eyes to land on her.

Everyone, even those who were here to stare at him silently listened to his words carefully. That's how his voice carried. He was looking over the audience and his eyes landed on hers.

Her treacherous heart skipped a bit. For a moment it seems like his eyes soften but return back to that hollow grey pith. But he did not look away; he was staring at her and she returned it. Xavier who was looking at Coltrane noticed that he was staring at their way more often.

"Do you have any questions?" 

"After the way you explained, only idiots will have questions," Xavier murmured. Cassandra softly chuckled at his words.

No one dared to ask questions.

"Well then thank you for your time" he stepped back but this time he kept his eyes one her.

After the seminar concluded Xavier blasted all the questions he was holding back.

"So, what was that?"

"What was what?" Cassandra acted as clueless as she could.

"You were staring at him" 

"Every girl was staring at him, even Veronica," She smirked.

"I mean he was looking at you too" Xavier said rolled his eyes.

She shrugged her shoulder, "Well I am beautiful. What can you say?"

"Oh please! You know there were a lot of beautiful girls in there" Xavier murmured annoyed at her as they walked out of the auditorium.

"You hurt my ego" Cassandra said almost dramatically.

"Stop being dramatic and tell me the truth" Xavier rolled his eyes.

"You want to know the truth?" she said or asked him, he had a hard time understanding that. Cassandra's eyes followed the man in black. The same man who was staring at her a while ago. He was talking to the H.O.D's (Head of the Department) of a different department.

"Yes," Xavier said. She was too busy to stare at him. He shook hands with them and was walking away. 

"Technically speaking I am might be married to that guy"

"Oh!" Xavier nods his head as if understanding her words.

"Wait what?" He yelled but before he could ask what the hell she said or confirm it she was not there.

"Wait is she serious?" Xavier turned to the way the girl's were gossiping about.

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

"Hey!" Cassandra called Coltrane. Yes if he thinks he can just show up and disappear then he is wrong.

Coltrane froze not in the last five months he thought that voice would call him much less this casually. It took awhile for him to realize that he was not hallucinating. He blinked his eyes and took a deep breath before turning around. There she was actually standing right in front of him just a few inches away. If he extended his hand he could feel her for real. He takes a large breath to compose himself.

Coltrane just looked at the woman who is in his every dream and waking thoughts. She is standing right in front of him. He repeated over and over again trying to calm himself. His face paled momentarily before he closed his emotions which were ready to bust out at any moment. She was holding herself much better than him but that does not mean she did not notice how he was struggling to hold himself together. He was shaking.

Five month it's been only five month since the last time he saw her. She was looking around trying to find words or anything to say after all it was she who stopped him. But she decided to stare at him and unnerve him just like he did a while ago in the auditorium. Cassandra stares at him, her face clear of any emotions and she seems cold.

He turned around, his heart skipped a beat. He was about to leave when she grabbed his hand.

"Are you going to ignore me?" Cassandra asked annoyed. She never thought he would just turn around and try to leave.

What should he say? A tear trails down his eyes. He closed his eyes, crouching down, taking a deep breath. He rubbed his face before standing up. He does not want to have a break down not now when she is standing right here.

If she said she was shocked that would be an understatement. 

"It's fine if you don't want to talk to me" after all she was the one who decided to leave him. Cassandra has no right to stop him if he wants to go away than he can. She said, turning to leave when he stopped her. His arms went around her pulling her in a back hugging. Shocking her as well as everyone standing on the campus. She let him feel those warm tears rolling down her shoulder.

"Are you alright?" The words were out before she could stop herself.

"Yes" he let her go after a while.

"So, why are you here?" Cassandra asked, raising an eyebrow as if warning him that she wanted the truth.

"I wanted to see you. I tried you know I tried to stop myself but I just wanted to see you even from afar giggling with another guy" She stared at him in disbelief almost did he just add the last four words.

"You.. you wanted me to let you go and I did but...... " he shut his mouth. No, he will not put emotional pressure on her. 

"I just wanted to see you that's all" she gave a brief nod.

"How did you know that I am here?" She asked after talking to him, the cold shiver she felt a while ago vanished.

"Jeremy told me," he said.

"That idiot" Cassandra rolled her eyes but the fact that she feels happy about it, she is not going to make it obvious.

"Well then" she gulped as he was just staring at her.

"Good bye, I have classes" She bit her tongue. She did not want to give an explanation but she did. 

"Cassandra....." Coltrane stopped her looking here and there.

"Can.. we....." He trailed off looking around only to notice that people were staring at them curiously.

"Are you asking to see me again?" Cassandra asked, raising her eyebrows.

"Yes. Can we?" He asked this time confidently.

"I will think about it," She said, smirking at him.

"When will you give me the answer?" Her smirk vanished as she fidgeted a bit.

"Tomorrow..." she thought out loud. He heard her clearly.

"I mean a week, I need a week , a week okay a week" Cassandra yelled after noticing her slip of tongue. He smiled a genuine smile, the girls who were too afraid to step close to him swooned over that.

"From tomorrow to a week?" He asked.

"A week, I said a week" She glared at him, her cheeks turning pink almost.

"Okay I will wait," Coltrane said.

"You better wait" she murmured before walking away but this time it felt different.

"So, you were not lying" Xavier said in disbelief still having difficulty to process what just happened and what she said.

"Why would I?" She rolled her eyes.

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

Even though Cassandra screamed a week in his ear. He was standing outside her college the very next day.

Was she glad? Of course she was.Will she let him know? Not in her life.

 She glared at him.

"What are you doing?" Cassandra asked him a bit rudely.

"Stalking you" Coltrane shrugged his shoulder. Her eyes widened and she blinked her eyes.

"What?" Yeah she asked that like an idiot.

"S-T-A-L-K-I-N-G Y-O-U" Coltrane repeated breaking down the words and stared at her.

"I hear that the first time you.. you" she did not get to finish her words.

"You were not lying when you said that they were dating" Veronica said from behind, Xavier was beside her too. They decided to hang out at the nearest cafe.

"Married, Veronica" Xavier rectified her.

"Does that make you Mrs. Mayor?" She asked Cassandra.

"To some extent yes" Cassandra answered.

"To fully extend yes" , Coltrane rectified. She threw him the coldest glare she could muster up.

"We are going to the cafe. Would you like to come Mr.Mayor?" Veronica asked sweetly. Well that's just how she behaves to everyone Cassandra cannot complain.

"Can I?" Coltrane looked at Cassandra.

"You can as long as you pay for everyone" she replied walking before them.

"Cassy?" Veronica and Xavier said at the same time.

"What? He is Coltrane Flynn Mayor I am sure if he wants, he can buy the whole shop and it would not even leave a small dent on his pocket" Cassandra rolled her eyes.

"Well that's true but.." before Veronica can object.

"I would love to treat you guys," He said. She glared at him as his lips stretched into a small smile.

"I will pay for mine," Cassandra said.

"It's already decided, sweetheart"

Cassandra stilled, he did not, he did not. 

"Are you blus...?" Before Xavier could point out, she snapped.

"No, off course not"

'that was first that was too fast damn it'

"Okay order whatever you want," Coltrane said, ordering a cup of coffee.

They placed their order and took a seat at a reserved corner of the cafe.

"So?" It was Veronica.

"How did you meet?" She asked Cassandra.

"In highschool" Cassandra stared at him as he stared back.

"We know each since childhood" 

"Okay?" 

"Who is telling the truth?" This time Xavier asked after hearing Veronica's confused okay.

"Both of us" Coltrane explained that Cassandra does not remember her childhood due to an accident which she herself doesn't know.

"How do you know about this?" Cassandra asked him.

"I asked Carson"

"Oh!" now that makes sense. After all, she does not remember anything about that time. She even forgot about her grandfather. So, those were not dreams but her lost memories. 

"So how did you get married?" Veronica asked as if she could not hold back her curiosity. They brought Cassandra back from her land.

"Well, he was supposed to marry my sister but she ran away and I got married in her place" Cassandra said. 

Veronica and Xavier stare at her wander when she would say that she was joking. Their eyes land on Coltrane who nod his head in confirmation. They did not even notice that their orders were already delivered.

"This sounds like some cliche story" Xavier was the first one to say that.

"Now that I put it this way, it does sound like that" Cassandra laughed.

"So, did the evil sister return and tear you apart?" Veronica asked, her eyes sparkled.

"No, she did not," Cassandra chuckled.

"Can you be any more dramatic?" Xavier asked, rolling his eyes.

"Well that's always happened in this kind of story" She rolled her eyes pouting before laughing out loud. Coltrane noticed that Cassandra had no problem talking about the past as she even joked about it. They were talking about random stuff joking here and there. Coltrane just listens once in a while his eyes land on Cassandra as her eyes sparkle. 

After that day it happened again the very next day, he was there right outside of her college. She asked him what he was doing and he answered the same words by stalking you. Veronica and Xavier chuckled hearing that. Again they went to the same cafe.

Slowly days turned to a week, he was there again standing in front of her college just like the day before. And she asked the same phrase thinking this time he would reply something different but he did not.

Slowly days turn to weeks, weeks turn to months and months turn to a year. This became a ritual for them. They will meet in front of the college gate. By they she meant herself, Coltrane, Veronica and Xavier. They will go on a long drive sometimes or hang out at the cafe. Even the cafe manager recognizes them as regular and makes sure to keep their spot vacant at that specific time. Sometimes they even go to movies which Coltrane suggested. During the mid test Coltrane helped them study, they were all hanging out at Xavier's apartment. 

After clearing the test they went to hangout at a bar. Drinking, enjoying, laughing, and dancing. Coltrane always watched over them as the responsible adult which is funny in itself as they tease him about it.

During the summer vacation they decided to go to a beach house. Even though Coltrane brings his work with him just like they bring their assignments. It was fun.

Wearing bikinis, playing in water and crashing beach parties.

Cassandra never thought she would get to enjoy a normal college life but this is a dream come true for her. 

Not once did Coltrane bring up their past nor did she. For the first time in years Cassandra feels normal and happy. 

But eventually that came to an end.

After their final exam, Xavier and Veronica were going to pass out, leaving her behind in the college.

And soon the graduation ceremony came.

They were wearing a black gown and black cap as they were called to the stage. Veronica passed with the top score in her department while Xavier with an average grade in his department.

After that they went to click photos with their parents.

"This is our last day together let's click photos" Veronica dragged Coltrane while Xavier dragged Cassandra. She introduces them to her parents after that they meet Xavier's parents. Even though they already know Coltrane.

After clicking photos, the four of them gather around.

"Let's go to our favourite cafe and celebrate then we can go to a club" Veronica suggested.

"Aren't you going to spend the day with your parents?" Cassandra asked confused.

"No, I want to spend it with you all. It is our last day together" Veronica's eyes teared up. 

"It's not like we can't meet anymore" Cassandra smiled patting her cheeks.

"That does not mean I will miss both of you any less" She cried. Xavier hugged them while indicating Coltrane to do the same. He awkwardly put his arms around them.

They all laughed at his red face, "What?" He snapped.

"It's not my fault that you are dampening my image," He said. After that they went to the cafe, talking about everything and anything, laughing, joking, enjoying.

"I am going to join my father's company" Veronica whined.

"Me too even though I wanted to work under Coltrane" Xavier shrugged his shoulders.

"You offered him a job?" Both Cassandra and Veronica asked simultaneously.

"Yes you know his ideas are unique all he needs to do is polish it" Coltrane said.

"Why didn't you offer me a job?" Veronica asked pouting.

"You are a business administration major. My company already has me. It does not require another one for that, '' Coltrane said bluntly.

"You hurt my feelings" Veronica put her hand on her chest. He just rolled his eyes.

"Let's go to a club and get drunk to our heart's content" she said, jumping up causing them to laugh.

That's how Cassandra's 1st year went by.

And second year started.

Again back to college but she knows that she will not find them if she just looks around.

She went for her class just like that she was alone again. 

After college ended she did not want to feel like this but the thought does not leave her.

"Hey!" She blinked her eye looking at him.

"What are you doing here?" Cassandrs asked.

"Stalking you" he answered. Tears filled her eyes. How could she forget that he will wait for her to come out like always.

"Do you miss them?" Coltrane asked.

"Yes, I do," she nodded.

"Aren't you happy that I am still here?" He asked.

"No, not at all" Cassandra rolled her eyes. He chuckled.

"I was going to the cafe, Would you like to come?" He asked.

"Okay as long as you are paying for it" Cassandra replied.

"Off course. I am Coltrane Flynn Mayor, I am sure if I want I can buy the whole shop and it would not even leave a small dent on my pocket" Coltrane said the same words she did. She rolled her eyes, chuckling.

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

Thank you so much for reading..

Do share your thoughts and comment.

Until next time.