Chapter 24
Ivan
For some reason, I was a little nervous. It wasn’t just the fact that I was sitting across from Cassy’s intimidating parents who seemed to be observing my every move, I was still apprehensive about the whole arrangement with Mr. Young whom I didn’t trust much. Now that he wanted his daughter back in the city, who was to say he wouldn’t eventually reveal our little deal to get her to leave town at once?
I took a sidelong glance at Cassy, noticing a different glow about her and the undeniable twinkle in her beautiful blue-green eyes. She smiled and chatted with ease about her plans for her fashion business, obviously happy that her parents were showing support.
There were only about three other tables occupied in the small posh restaurant, which gave us some privacy. The place was certainly elegant, donning a rustic but stylish interior that made us feel like we had been transported to a modern, romantic woodland.
I took a bite of my medium rare steak and relished the wonderful taste, forgetting my worries just for a few seconds. Their seafood pasta was just as heavenly. Cassy and I should come back here on a date one of these days--- just us.
As I tuned in to the conversation, I noticed that Charlene, who didn’t seem fazed at all by Cassy’s parents, was now chattering about her role in her family’s business. It seemed like she’d actually been successful at charming Mr. Young.
“That’s great, Charlene,” Mr. Young said. “I’m glad to see that you have matured and are now taking your family’s business seriously.”
“You could say that,” Charlene said. “I’m actually enjoying myself, even without the partying.”
Mrs. Young scoffed. “Now that’s something you don’t hear every day.”
Charlene looked offended, but did not say anything.
“Actually, Charlene hasn’t been clubbing for a long time because she’s been busy with the business,” Cassy added, coming to her friend’s rescue. “And she’s been telling me that I should really give it a shot, you know, working in our IT company.”
The expression on her mother’s face suddenly changed. She gave Charlene an approving look then. “Really,” she said.
“Then you should come back to Windfield as soon as possible,” Mr. Young said with a smile. “You and Charlene can spend more time together.”
Cassy glanced at me then before speaking again. “I’ll think about it, Dad. Perhaps after Rosie and Alex’s wedding.”
I didn’t know what to say so I just kept quiet. Of course I only wanted what was best for my girlfriend. I could probably move back to my apartment to be with her, especially since my mom was doing so much better now. I could lend her a hand every weekend, maybe. Cassy and I could easily visit Burchnell during weekends.
The rest of the dinner went quite well. In the parking lot, Cassy actually hugged her mom and dad before they got into their lavish ride. I was really happy for her.
As we drove back to the horse farm, my earlier resolve to come clean about the deal began to crumble away. I didn’t have the heart to ruin Cassy’s day and end it with something negative. Perhaps tonight wasn’t the right time.
The film showing had just started. Charlene excused herself to join some of the other single women she’d met in town. “I’ll see you at home, Cassy,” she said before leaving. “I’m done being third wheel. You two enjoy this romantic time.”
Cassy giggled. “All right, see you. Thanks, Charlene.”
We cuddled on one of the blankets laid out in front of the big screen. It was a beautiful evening with the sky draped in shimmering stars.
“I’ll get us some popcorn,” I whispered after a while.
There was a short line at the popcorn stand so I continued to watch the movie while I waited for my turn. But when I got back, Cassy was nowhere to be found. I scanned the crowd in the dimly lit area but she didn’t seem to be anywhere. I saw Charlene with the other women, but Cassy wasn’t with them.
Puzzled, I put down the popcorn bucket I was holding and waited a bit. If she’d gone to the bathroom, she was taking too long.
A feeling of dread began to creep into my heart. I decided to check out the main house and the booth and stage areas. I saw her blonde hair and familiar figure sitting on a log that faced the lake. Relieved, I went over and called her. She didn’t appear to hear me.
I sat beside her and placed an arm around her shoulders. “There you are,” I said in a cheerful tone. “You don’t like the movie, huh?”
She didn’t answer. And that was when I noticed that her cheeks were stained with tears. She stared at me then with a look of pain in her eyes.
“What’s wrong?” I asked, my tone a blend of surprise and concern.
She stood up angrily and waved a piece of paper in her hand. “Care to tell me about this?!” she demanded.
I stood up as well, facing her in confusion, my eyes focusing on the paper she held in front of my face. It was a check written for me, signed by her father. My eyes widened and my hands suddenly felt clammy. I couldn’t speak. It felt unreal.
“Talk to me,” she said in a quiet voice laced with hurt and anger. She took my hand and placed the check there, along with an attached note.
I may have been trembling slightly as I held up the note and read it, fear and trepidation gripping my body.
Mr. Willard, I’ve included a bonus for your efforts. You’ve surely succeeded in straightening up my daughter in a short span of time. Keep up the good work. – Mr. Young
I crumpled the note and check in my hand and threw it down at my feet. Looking up at Cassy, I could hardly meet her gaze. “I…” I started, not sure where to begin.
“I’m giving you a chance to explain and to tell me the truth,” Cassy said, more tears flowing from her eyes. “Please, Ivan, tell me this isn’t what it looks like.”
I took a deep breath. “What did he tell you?” I asked.
“Nothing!” she retorted. “He dropped an envelope before getting into the car. I picked it up and just opened it while you went to get popcorn.”
Stepping forward menacingly, she hissed, “Tell me he hasn’t been paying you all this time to take care of me and to make sure I don’t mess up.”
“I, uh…” I began, my heart breaking at the look of pain on her pretty face. “I can’t tell you that, Cassy. I’m sorry.”
She broke down, hitting me on the chest with her fists. “Damn you, bastard! I trusted you, you jerk! Now you’re telling me all of this wasn’t real? God, I was so stupid!”
I could feel my heart bursting with my own pain and remorse. “I’m so sorry, Cassy,” I said, letting her just pound on my chest. “I never intended to hurt you. I’d actually called off our deal earlier today because I couldn’t bear to lie to you any longer. I didn’t even know you when I said yes to that arrangement.”
“It doesn’t matter!” she yelled, her eyes flashing with fury. “All those things you’ve done for me, you were being paid to do them! I was so damn stupid to believe you actually cared!”
“But I do care for you,” I said, taking her hands. “You know that, Cassy. I know that you feel it and you know in your heart that what we have was never a lie.”
She shook her head, yanking her hands away. “I don’t know, Ivan. I don’t think I knew you at all.”
“Listen to me,” I said desperately, holding her face in my hands. “Look at me, Cassy. I didn’t accept that check because I broke off the deal. I told him I’d pay for everything because I made a mistake, all right? I should have cut it off earlier and I should have just told you---“
“It’s too late,” she said quickly, staring into my eyes with a look of resentment. “You should have never come into my life.”
Her words were like daggers slicing into my heart. My eyes filled with tears as the only woman I loved walked away, leaving me with an invisible agony and emptiness that I had never before felt in my entire life.