A second chance: Sequel of Against all odds (46 page)

“
You
came on your own?”

“
Yes
Tyler, I started to drive again.”

“
Oh,
that's awesome. I'm glad, although I'll miss coming for you,”
he said with a smile.

He was trying to be gentle,
but today I really was in a bad mood so I just nodded and went in my
office immediately and started to work. I took out the files that
needed to be done and in less than an hour I had finished most of
them. I tried not to think about anything but work. I needed to get
distracted from my thoughts, from my pain and my sadness. In less
than one week David won't be mine anymore. Just the thought brought
tears in my eyes. Tears which had wanted to come out all afternoon
but which I had desperately held back. I had managed during lessons
somehow but now I couldn't resist anymore. I covered my face and
cried.

“
What's
wrong?”

I looked up at the sound of
his concerned voice. Tyler was at the door.

“
Nothing,”
I said rubbing my tears away. “I'm fine; just a little
stressed.”

“
No,
it's not that. I know you have something. Have you argued with
David?” he asked gently. I was surprised.

“
No,
and I'm not going to discuss this with you. Please just leave me
alone.” I cried. I knew that he had nothing to do with this and
that being mad at him was totally wrong. But I felt so frustrated.
He didn't seem offended by what I had said and instead he came near
me, grabbed my wrist pulling me on my feet and wrapped his arms
around me.

“
What
are you doing?”

“
Just
give you my shoulder to cry on whatever the reason is. I won't ask
you anything, but it's very obvious that you need to cry to feel
better. So go on, cry.”

I looked at him startled at
first but then I buried my face in his chest and cried. He kept
hugging me until my sobbing subsided. Then he brought in some tissues
and wiped my tears, as if I was a little girl and brought me a cup of
tea and a croissant. I wasn't much hungry, but I ate them. He kept
looking at me in silence then....

“
I
hate to see you like this.”

I didn't reply. I just took
another sip of my tea.

“
Whatever
it is that's killing you like this, stand up to it. Don't let it
crush you.” I put my cup down.

“
I
can't. It's stronger than me. I can never win.” I said in a
whisper.

I thought he was going to
ask for an explanation, but he didn't.

“
Nothing
can be stronger if it is something you really want. Cassidy I learned
a lesson in the past. Never give up on what you really want, or on
someone who you really love even when things get complicated. Even
when everything seems so dark and unreachable and you think there
isn't another way out. There is always another solution, another
option. I have learned that on my skin, so please whatever it is,
stop crying about it and do something.”

I was stunned, why was he
even trying to help me? He then sat down and...

“
Cassy
there is something I want to talk you about.”

My heart already missed a
beat when he said that. I hoped he wasn't going to tell me something
else on my past or to try to convince me to be his again. I was
already shattered.

“
Do
you have plans for next weekend?”

Here we go again I
thought...

“
Why?”

“
Well,
there will be a conference for hotel management next weekend. I, as a
CEO have to attend. Our hotel can benefit a lot from this. There is
also a contract in which I'm interested, and if I manage to get it we
could double the income but I need your help.”

“
My
help? How can I help you?”

“
Well,
you've been working on these files and you know much better than me
the profits and the outcome of most of our business. I would need to
present these reports and to explain them to some very important
persons in order to obtain that contract. Do you think you could come
with me? It will be a business trip..”

I looked confused at him; I
didn't know what to say. He said a business trip but knowing Tyler,
this business trip could turn into a very passionate one if I didn't
be careful.

“
I
don't know Tyler, next weekend there is the national day of Poetry
and literature.”

“
Oh
yeah, the contest, so if you win you wouldn't be able to come.”he
said disappointed.

I wasn't going to win;Claire
was. I sighed. 

“
When
will you know the results?” he asked me when I didn't reply.

“
I
don't know. Listen I'll have to think about it.. and...”

“
And
you have to have David's permission of course.” He said in an
annoyed voice. A voice that revealed all his jealousy. “Fine..
take your time then give me a reply, if you don't come you have to
help me to prepare an offer, you have always been better than me in
these things.”

“
OK,
I will. Where will this conference be held?” I asked.

“
Oh,
just out of town, at Duec Ville.”

“
Oh..OK..
I'll let you know.”

The following three days I
avoided David, I wasn't ready to tell him goodbye. Lexie was  trying
to help me; she had told me that Juliette's part now was going to be
done by Claire. I wondered how they would have had the courage to
kiss in front of everyone. She had also told me that she was spying
on her hoping to see her doing something wrong, but till now she
hadn't discovered anything. I had lost hope. The week was soon going
to end, and it was ending with the contest. On Friday the winners and
David were leaving to go out of town. I hadn't given my essay to the
secretary who was in charge yet. I had written another piece which
wasn't good and which I knew the jury would immediately disqualify. I
was waking in the corridor when someone grabbed my hand and dragged
me in an empty class. I turned around dazed and my heart leaped when
I saw it was David.

“
David.”

“
What's
going on Cassidy? It's been three days since I last saw you. I called
you home, you were never there or you just pretended not to be there.
When I come to pick up Kylie you're always out. What's the problem,
you don't love me anymore? Have you changed your mind?

I felt sorry and sad. I knew
that my behaviour was making him suffer. I felt my heart aching; I
didn't want this.

“
No
David it's just that I had a lot of work, between school assignments,
work at the hotel and all well ….”

“
Are
you sure it's only this? You're so distant. Three days ago we were
going to make love, and now we are like two strangers. Cassidy please
tell me what's wrong? Whatever it is we'll deal with it together.”

“
It's
nothing really.  Listen David, next weekend, probably I'll be
out of town.” I said then. He looked at me narrowly and ...

“
What?
No.. you can't next weekend there is the contest.”

“
I
know but who told you that I'll win?”

“
No
one, but your work is good, I'm sure the jury will like it. Where are
you going?”

“
To
a business trip, with Tyler.” I replied.

His expression changed all
of a sudden; his gaze hardened, his jaw tensed. He was angry.

“
Ah,
so that's the problem then. You're seeing Tyler again, right? What is
it? You want to return to him?” he fumed.

“
No...
it's just a trip...” Or maybe I should have said yes. He would
leave me, and Claire wouldn't report him.

“
Are
you sure? Cassidy when this week will be over, I want to talk
seriously with you. I have been very busy and didn't have time for
anything. But next Monday we shall talk. I'll tell you everything you
need to now about your past. I know that we had agreed not to do it
but it's not right. You should know. We can't be happy together if I
keep hiding your past from you.”

I felt tears coming in my
eyes... I couldn't leave him.. I just couldn't...

“
Cassidy
talk to me.”

“
Yes
David, yes..”

He grabbed me from the waist
and pushed me in his arms, and his head bent down, his mouth
searching for mine. I watched him getting closer to me, until the
very last moment when our lips fused. His arm tightened around my
waist while he drew me into him. I was hopelessly in love with this
man, and I knew I would suffer if I lose him a second time. My arms
went around him instantly, hugging him tight, and I let him kiss me
passionately. I felt my heart breaking at the thought that all of
this was going to finish. My fingers dug deep in his back. Oh David.
He pulled back slowly looking in my eyes...

“
I
have to go. I have a lesson unfortunately. I really wish to continue
this. Meet me after school. Let's go out somewhere together. Just you
and me, I'll phone your mum she'll go for Cassidy, today she's not
working.”

“
Oh
David... I can't.” I said weakly. 

“
Why?
Please Cassidy. We need each other, we need to be together.”

“
David,
I wish but..”

“
But
what? Cassidy are you working today?”

“
No.”

“
Then
why? I don't understand. You seem terrified whenever you're alone
with me. You look around as if to check if someone is watching you.
What are you afraid of?”

“
That
someone might see us. You could lose your job... David. We can't
continue like this.”

“
Listen
I'll resign from here if that makes you feel better. I'll find
another job I don't care but please I need to know that you love me..
please..”

“
I
love you David; I really do..”

“
Good
then what's the problem? Please accept my invitation. Wait for me
after school,” he said looking at me with his beautiful blue
eyes. I couldn't refuse, I didn't want to refuse. All I wanted was to
be with him.

I nodded.

“
Great,
see you later.” Saying that, he gave me a peck and left. As
soon as I found myself alone I panicked; I had done a mistake. The
three days I had tried to avoid him had served to nothing. What the
hell was I doing? I promised to Claire that I would leave him. No, I
couldn't meet him after school. Claire was constantly following me. I
had noticed that even Blake was always behind me, spying on me. I
couldn't meet David; this would be the end. I had to invent something
and quick. Just then an idea came into my mind. I grabbed the mobile
and dialed the number. My hands trembled...

“
Hello.
Yeah, it's me... I need you to do me a favour. Please don't ask me
anything just be here at three in front of the gate of St Isles
College. Please. I need your help..”

CHAPTER
35

I looked impatiently at my
watch, in a few seconds the bell was going to ring. I had already
stuffed my things in my bag. I just needed to pick it up and run
outside. 5,4,3,2,1... the bell finally rang, I grabbed my bag and
didn't even wait for Mr Clark to dismiss the class but went out
running like a freak. I wanted to arrive at the gate as soon as
possible hoping to find him waiting there for me. I wanted to explain
before David came out. I had arrived at the door when I saw a group
of students gathered near the gate. What was happening? I ran to the
gate and there he was, standing powerfully dressed in his elegant
dark suit. I saw the girls gasping, and the boys admiring his Ferrari
that was parked in the middle of the street.

“
So
what's happening?” He asked me before I could open my mouth.
From the corner of my eye, I saw Claire watching me in disbelieve.
She had scanned Tyler from head to toe.