Against The Storm

Cassandra has no other option than to accept the offer of being a surrogate for the prince and princess of Andalusia to save her brother's life, little does she know the prince is no knight in shining armor.

******

When Cassandra goes on a trip to Andalusia she does not expect to bump into princess Emelia of Andalusia and is quite surprised when she is asked to be a surrogate for princess Emelia and the prince. Due to unexpected circumstances, she accepts the offer. She expects the prince to be a knight in shining armor like in fairy tales but she is surprised to see the same arrogant man she met at her workplace a few days before she came to Andalusia.

She hates him so much, he is a monster but what happens when she falls in love with this cold-hearted monster.

In the world of lies, hatred, jealousy, and deceit will her love for him stand, or will the fire of her love be quenched as quickly as it burnt.

Join Cassandra and Rodriguez on this love roller coaster as they face the trials of life together in this humor-filled book 'Against The Storm'.

Votes and comments would be appreciated.

Chapter One

Cassandra's POV

New Orleans, Louisiana

"Good morning.Welcome to Totally cute. How can I help you?" I said as two handsome young men walked in. One is fairly tall, dressed in a black tuxedo with black long hair that was properly arranged at the back of his head. Piercing blue eyes stare at me, almost daring me to look away. The other, who seemed like his butler, is a little shorter than his employer. He was dressed in a brown suit and had blonde hair. Both are undoubtedly handsome.

"Lucas, get something you think is perfect for Emelia so I can get out of this place."

Attitude. Lucas walked up to me with a warm smile displayed on his face.

"Good day, Miss, I would like a ladies' perfume. Which would you suggest is best?"

"Well, Sir, I'd recommend the "Sparkling Sky." It is rose-scented and every woman loves it."

"Okay, I would have the sparkling...What did you say again?" Lucas asked

"Sparkling Sky," Sir."

"Okay. How much is it?"

"It's just five-thousand dollars." I packed the perfume in a small bag and handed it over to Lucas, who brought out his credit card and handed it to me.

"Thanks and I must say: you look dashing," I said with a smile plastered on my face

"Oh, thanks, Miss." Lucas smiled and I saw his cheeks redden.

"Lucas, stop flirting and go wait for me in the car," the man in the black tuxedo instructed.

Lucas started walking out of the store, but then his employer turned towards me and said, "Let me give you advice, you stupid commoner: you talk too much and it irritates me and I don't think anyone else is going to like that either so do yourself a favor and talk less."

"With due respect, Sir, you have no right to talk to me in that manner." I tried my best to remain calm.

"You middle-class girl, I can talk to you however I want to. I can also buy this goddamn store and make you work for me or even fire you and there is nothing you can do about it." He smirked at me

"Get out, you grumpy man. Rich men like you stink, and has anyone ever told you how egoistic and arrogant you are? " I was really angry now.

"I don't have much time and to waste it on a stupid commoner like you, I'd rather die," he said and walked away.

"Why don't you just die and go to hell?" I yelled from behind him.

I hate rich brats.

"Who were you arguing with?" Martha, my best friend, and colleague asked, snapping me out of my thoughts.

"It's just one arrogant fool who thinks he's better than everyone else 'cause he's rich.' He said I talk too much. Can you believe that?"

"Well...I think he is right."

"So you're on his side." I sulked then Martha laughed aloud. "What's so funny?" I asked

"Oh Cass, you're such a baby. I was just pulling your leg. I just love it when you make that face." She continued laughing at me.

"You better get back to work before Mrs. Smith sees you lazing around."

Mrs. Katherine Smith, a fifty-two-year-old widow, was my employer. She. owns a small boutique in New Orleans, Louisiana, where I work as a sales attendant. She is a very strict woman and very hard to please. Sometimes, when I was newly employed, she always complained about everything I did. But in time, I learned to keep up with her nagging.

"See you later," Martha said and went back to her work post.

Martha is my best friend. We became friends three years ago when I started working at Mrs. Smith's boutique. She helped me a lot when I was newly employed, such as how to stay calm when I attended to snorty customers because I was very short-tempered. She has mud-brown hair, sky-blue eyes, and plump lips. Her face was dotted with freckles which only added to her unique beauty. She was of average height and very curvy in the right places. I've always envied her beauty. Martha is a man-lover; she fawns over any handsome man she sees. She has had a few heartbreaks in the past, but that doesn't seem to bother her. Nevertheless, I still love her.

After closing from work, I took a bus home since I did not have a car yet. Though I plan on buying one, and I have been saving up for my dream car: a blue Audi rs 7. I know it's expensive but I plan on buying it no matter what, I just love the car.

When I got home I knocked on the door since I still lived with my parents and I forgot

my keys. I hope Mum is back from work

"Come in. The door is not locked."

l walked in and was greeted with the aroma of mum's special macaroni, fried chicken, and cheese with cornbread

"Welcome home, Dear. How was your day?" Mum asked.

"It was stressful. Where are Dad and Jake?"

"Your dad is upstairs taking a shower and your brother is playing video games," Mum replied while she stirred something in a bowl.

"I need to take a shower. I'll see you in twenty." I walked up the stairs to my room to take a shower. After taking a shower I changed into my nightdress and went downstairs for dinner.

"So how was work, Cass?" My dad, Luis Valdez, asked.

"It's been stressful. Since Mrs. Smith seems to find faults in everything I do. She's a frustrated old woman," I said with a mouthful of macaroni.

"Don't say that, Dear," Mum scolded

"Sorry, mum," I apologized.

"Cassie, would you like to go on holiday for some time?" Dad asked.

"Yeah, dad, but I didn't plan for one," I replied

"What a bummer. "Jake laughed and stuck out his tongue in mockery.

"Jake, stop that instantly."

"Sorry, mum."Jake apologized then went back to eating in silence.

"Cass, would you like to go on a trip to Andalusia for two months?"

"Oh my goodness Dad, are you serious?"

"Yes, I am. I figured you work too much lately with little time to rest, so why don't you go somewhere far away and loosen up a little bit?"

"Okay, Dad, I would love to. So when am I leaving for Andalusia? " I asked.

"How about next week?"

"Next week is perfect. I have enough time to pack and say goodbye."

"Next week it is."

"Thanks so much, Dad. I love you so much."

"Love you too."

"Why can't I go on a vacation too?" Jake asked, ruining the moment.

"Because you have to go to school," Mum swoops in.

The rest of the dinner is mainly filled with silence. While lying in bed, trying to fall asleep, my eyes remain open as they stare up at the ceiling in the darkness. No matter how hard I try, I can't seem to close them and I can't seem to calm down my racing heart. Endless possibilities of Andalusia flood my mind.

*****

The next day at work, I decided to tell Martha about the trip to Andalusia. She was so excited.

"Oh my gosh Cassie, that's great."

"I know, right?" I said.

"You're going to have lots of fun."

"I wish you were there with me though," I said, making a sad face.

"It's your trip so enjoy it and promise me you will call me when you get to Andalusia. Now stop making that sad face."Martha hugged me tightly.

"Okay, that's enough now. " I freed myself from her tight embrace.

"You might meet the famous prince Rodriguez, I heard he's very handsome." she wiggled her eyebrows at me.

"Prince, what makes you think I'll have any chance with the prince and I'm sure he is like other arrogant men who think they can get any woman they want cause they are rich and all that stuff." I rolled my eyes at Martha.

"Whatever, I have to go back to work now I'll come over to help you pack," Martha said then she sashayed back to her work post.

Later that day Martha came over to my house to help me pack for my trip and I must say she is a pain in the ass when it comes to that, if possible she would pack all the clothes in my closet.

"You need to take this." Martha shoved a glittering blue dress in my suitcase.

"No, I don't need to."

"Why are you being so unreasonable now Cass?"

"How am I being unreasonable? You are the one shoving irrelevant things in my suitcase, why would I need this? It's not like I'm going for one fancy event." I removed the dress and threw it on the floor with some other clothes I had rejected earlier.

"What's with the yelling, I'm trying to do my homework here. "Jake walked into my room and stared angrily at both of us.

"Sorry Jake, we'll bring down our voices."

"You better do." He stormed off to his room while mum walked into the room carrying two glasses of wine.

"Why are the two of you arguing and acting like babies?"

"Martha was putting irrelevant things in my suitcase. "I collected a glass of wine while Martha did the same.

"I was trying to help Mrs. Valdez."

"Okay, now stop fighting, you are disturbing Jake who is trying his best to be serious for once," Mum said then we all burst into laughter. She sure knows how to lighten up my mood.

"I heard that," Jake shouted from his room then we all stopped laughing immediately.

"Oops."Mum smiled and walked out of the room.

After Martha and I finished packing we talked for a while before she decided to go home while I went downstairs to eat dinner looking forward to going on the trip to Andalusia, little did I know it was going to change my life forever.

End of chapter one

Angelicprincess30

S

Chapter Two

Cassandra's POV

*Andalusia, Spain*

"Welcome to Andalusia." A scrawny-looking lady of about her twenties welcomed me and other people that came out from the airport, I wheeled my heavy suitcase along with me while I tried to find a taxi to take me to Angel's fall hotel.

"Taxi" l yelled and the taxi came to a halt in front of me.

"Where would you like to go, Miss?" The taxi driver asked.

"Take me to Angel's fall hotel, please," I said to the taxi driver who was helping me put my heavy suitcase in the back of the car. I should have never allowed Martha to help me pack. I got into the car and the taxi driver took his place at the driver's seat then drove away from the airport.

"Andalusia is a very beautiful city." I looked out the window of the car as the taxi moved further. I saw the leafy courtyards, narrow cobblestone streets, and its brightly painted buildings.

When I arrived at the hotel, I paid the taxi driver and entered the five-story building of yellow stucco that harbored a sundry shop, a cafe where coffee and muffins are sold, and a large dining hall.

I was greeted by a pretty-looking redhead lady who was the receptionist, I negotiated a monthly rate on the fourth floor to see the beautiful views Andalusia offered. I carted my heavy suitcase along the stairs to have a view of the hotel.

The view lived up to its billing. I thought as I opened the door to my hotel room, I left my suitcase on the floor and hurried to open the windows in the room then just stood gazing at the sparkle of the water in the lake, the glide of boats, and the rise of mountains.

"This is paradise." I laid down on the comfy bed and allowed myself to drift off to sleep still on my jeans and boots.

After an hour I woke up and decided to call my mom. She must have been worried, not to my surprise I saw ten missed calls from mom. I dialed her number. It rang for some time then I heard mom's voice babbling through the phone very worried.

"Cass, why didn't you answer my calls? Are you in Andalusia already? Is everything alright? did something happen? Cass my dear say something."

"I am fine mum, I took a nap that was why I didn't answer your calls," I said easing her of her worries.

"Don't bother her woman." I heard Dad say to mum through the phone.

"Hey dad, can you tell mum to stop worrying about me."

"You heard her stop bothering her, she's fine now leave her alone and let her rest."

"Okay, if you say so, it's just that I miss you already." Mum sounded like she was about to cry,

"Mum, are you crying?" I asked.

"Don't mind your mum, she thinks you are still our little Cass, bye-bye now," Dad answered instead and hung up.

"Bye." I stood up and went to the small bathroom to take a shower, after taking a refreshing bath I wore a caftan and packed my hair in a ponytail.

I decided to unpack my suitcase, while unpacking I saw a beautiful red cocktail dress and on top of it laid a brown envelope, I opened the envelope and saw a letter, it was from Martha,

She must have slipped it into my suitcase while she was helping me pack. I opened the letter to read its content.

"Dear Cass,

If you are reading this letter it means you have arrived safely in Andalusia, I just want to let you know that I love you and I was the one who slipped the red dress in your suitcase when you weren't there, I thought you might need it if you hook up with some guy and you guys end up going out on a date or something."

Lots of love

Martha.

Aww, that is so sweet of her. I picked up my phone and called Martha.

"I saw your letter and the dress."

"Hey girl, hope you like the dress."

"Yeah I do, it's really pretty but I don't think I'm going to need it, "I said and heard Martha groan through the phone.

"Why do you think so? "Martha asked sounding frustrated.

"Hook up with someone, seriously Martha you know that is not me, "I told Martha much to her disappointment.

"Okay then, so tell me how is Andalusia?"Martha sounded excited.

"It's a very beautiful place I must say."

I answered.

"The view here is top-notch, the lake, the mountains, everything is so perfect and on my way, I spotted the mall. I'm going there next tomorrow."I added and heard Martha squeal in excitement over the phone.

"Make sure you get yourself beautiful things and I'll text you a list of things you're going to buy for me, I'll have to leave you now Mark is waiting for me, we are going to watch a movie together," Martha said.

"Okay bye, have fun." I ended the call.

****

"You look really beautiful in that blue dress." The sales attendant complimented has I admired myself in the mirror.

"I must say it's nice, I'll take this," I said to the attendant.

"Okay." The sales attendant said and went to attend to other customers. I went to the changing room to change back into my white off-shoulder crop top and black trousers.

I love a visit to the mall. I have been shopping all afternoon and I just can't stop, everything here is very beautiful and almost everything I picked fits me perfectly. I carried my shopping bags filled with clothes, jewelry, and makeup stuff most of which are for Martha, she wrote a long list.

I was on my way to the exit when my phone rang, it was Mum.

"Hello, mum."

"Cass." That was all she could say before she broke into tears.

"Mum, what's wrong, why are you crying?" I asked getting scared, she still didn't say anything all she did was cry then Dad collected the phone from her and said,

"Cass, your brother, Jake was involved in an accident and is seriously injured, he hurt his leg badly and the doctor said he needs to be operated on with a large sum of money and we don't have up to that amount and now your mum is panicking," Dad explained.

"Oh My God. When...how did this happen? " I tried to form the right words.

"Yesterday, I didn't want to call because I didn't want you to worry."

"I'm taking the next flight home tomorrow."

"No, no don't Cass, we'll find a solution and even if you're here it won't change anything you don't have up to that amount."

"But Dad, I can't be on a vacation when my brother is over there fighting for his life," I said amidst tears.

"Don't cry my princess, if you want to help, you should try finding a job at Andalusia and send the money you make," Dad suggested.

"But that might take a while."

"But it's something, we need the money, Cass."

"Okay dad, I'll try to find a job as soon as possible. Please take care of mum."I added and ended the call.

I was wiping tears off my face when I bumped into someone,

"I am so sorry." I apologized.

"It's okay." A pretty-looking woman with short auburn hair styled as bob was standing in front of me. She had sky blue eyes which were staring at me making me uncomfortable, I quickly bent down to pack her clothes that looked expensive I could never afford such, she also joined me in packing her things from the floor.

"Thank you." She said and I looked at her quizically.

"Why are you thanking me? I should be thanking you for not creating a scene. After all, I was the one who knocked your things to the ground." I said and tried to avoid her searching gaze.

"Okay, my name is Princess Emelia." She introduced herself and I was short of words.

"Cassandra Valdez, your highness."I tried to curtsy but failed miserably.

"Oh please, don't address me that way, simply call me Emelia." She smiled warmly at me.

"Okay."

"I'm sorry to interfere but I saw you crying earlier is everything okay?" Emelia asked.

I was debating in my head whether to tell her or not, I don't even know her and she calls herself a princess. Am I the only one confused here?

"Are you okay?" she asked again.

"I am fine." I lied.

"Do you mind if we talk over a cup of coffee?" She asked

I hesitated for a moment before saying,

"Sure, okay Prin...Emelia." She looked delighted after hearing my answer then she instructed her maid to take her bags and wait for her in the grey SUV she drove to the mall, we walked over to a coffee shop nearby and found an empty table. After sitting, a waitress with brown hair and sparkling green eyes walked over to the table Emelia and I occupied, her face beaming with a smile, she asked.

"Good day ma'am, what would you like to order?"

"I would like two cups of coffee please," Emelia said.

"Okay, I'll be back in two minutes." The waitress squealed in excitement as she walked off. She knew who Emelia was. I felt stupid for not recognizing her at first.

"So tell me why were you crying?" Emelia asked.

"It's nothing." I lied.

"Don't hesitate to tell me anything Cassandra, I just want to know if I can help."

"Fine," I sighed in surrender.

"It's my brother, my parents just called, telling me he had an accident and was injured badly. He needs to be operated on but we do not have enough money and my parents are freaking out and I can't do anything." I explained to Emelia then started crying again.

"I am so sorry about what happened, don't cry everything is going to be fine." Emelia patted me on my back while the waitress placed two cups of coffee on the table and walked away. I didn't bother looking at the cup. I was not in the mood for coffee.

"How is everything going to be fine? I don't even have a job here, I just arrived here three days ago." I placed my head on my palm and continued crying.

"I can help you."

"You can't be serious," I said in disbelief.

"I'll give you any amount you want."

"But why are you helping me? You just met me thirty minutes ago and now you're offering to help me out." I was getting really confused.

"You see my husband and I have always wanted a child, but I can't give him that because I can no longer conceive due to an accident I had two years ago."

"But how does that relate to what we are saying?" I asked.

"Well, I can help you if you help me." She drawled and I saw her blue eyes glimmer.

"What do you mean by that?" I asked.

"What I mean is, I would give you the money on one condition." She sipped her coffee.

"What condition?" I asked getting impatient.

"I'll give you the money, in return, you have to be a surrogate for my husband and me," Emelia said exhaling loudly.

"What!" I was very surprised at the condition she gave me.

End of Chapter Two