Chapter 2 Second

"Dad?". She called out as she listened to him speak.

"How are you, Cassie?". He said.

"Dad, where are you?". She asked as a rush of guilt rushed over her. She always thought that her parent's separation was her fault. If only...

"Cassie, I'm sorry I left without giving you a heads up. I'm sorry... how's your mom." He asked and she felt another guilt wash over her. She had been terrible to her mom this morning yet her dad still cared about her.

"She's great". Cassie managed to say.

"And Verla?".

"If you want to know about them, come down here and see for yourself." Cassie harshly said overwhelmed with mixed emotions.

"Cassie...".

"Don't call me if you won't come down to see for yourself." She said ending the call.

"Cassie". Someone said with a small knock.

"Not now, I'm not in a good mood. Please can you come back later? " Cassie said trying not to sound harsh.

Luckily, her request was granted and that was enough to bury her mind in the manuscripts on the desk.

After a few hours, a message notification popped up. It was the address and day the event was to be held.

Today was Thursday and the event was on a Saturday. She had plenty of time to prepare so, reading a couple of new manuscripts wasn't pressuring. She'd finish four manuscripts in a day.

"Cassie, you still here? Didn't Lily relay my message?." Josh said as he checked the time.

"Jeez, how long have you been working? Did you even have lunch?" He asked worried about her diligence without break.

"What time is it?". She asked cracking bones.

"It's 8 pm!." Josh exclaimed. "Close the damn book Cas." He ordered stamping his foot impatiently.

"Do you even care about your health? I don't want to see you at work tomorrow until you attend the event. I won't be the cause of your death, okay." He said.

"Ouch!, That's mean but thank you for the break." She said grabbing her purse and jacket.

"Yeah, I'm buying you dinner, and no disagreeing. Get ready to be stuck with food young lady." He said holding out the door for her to pass before closing it behind him.

Josh was a few years older than her. At the age of twenty-seven, he was already a millionaire, husband, and father. He is the perfect guy anyone would want from a novel. But too he's taken.

They drove to an exquisite restaurant, had a delicious steak, and drank a bit of wine before saying their goodbyes.

The next day, Cassie got up early, she had stayed at her place instead of her mom's. She couldn't bring herself to apologize yet. Today, was a work-free day for her, and getting a dress for the event was number one on her to-do- list. Cassie was a sucker for plans, she'd rather sleep all day than leave her door without having a plan for the day. It was a habit she had learned from her dad.

"Cassie, could you come over to my place ASAP!." Lilian a good friend of her's dropped a voicemail. Cassie rolled her eyes and took her car key from the table, exiting her apartment for the day.