No Matter What — CHAPTER 2

Cassie: Oh Sam you're adorable when angry. Of course I'll marry you.

Sam: What?

Cassie: Yes! Yes! All the way Yes!

Sam: Oh my God!

With that he slipped the ring in my hand and hugged me tight and I was just enjoying his embrace. I rested my head on his chest, his heart beat made me feel relaxed. In this moment I forgot everything in this world. It was only him and his calm heartbeat and the rest of the world just melted away.

Cassie: Oh God! It's half past midnight.

Sam: What! God! I should be running. I have a flight in an hour.

Cassie: What? No. First you're dropping me at Iris' house. It's late Sam.

Sam: Baby. I would have done that if I wouldn't have flight.

I sighed and nodded in understanding.

Cassie: At least wait until the cab's here.

Sam: Of course babe! I'm not selfish, you know.

Cassie: Sam!!!

Sam: Ok. Just sit with me and I will call a cab for you.

Cassie: Okay.

In 10 minutes the cab reached the spot. Sam kissed my cheek as good bye and I climbed into the cab. By the time I reached Hunt's house, everyone was asleep. So I quickly got to Iris' room to change my clothes. I slipped in normal wear jeans and black T-shirt. After I had changed my clothes I headed straight to Iris' lab. As I started my work I felt a shadow behind me. I almost screamed my lungs out when Chris put his hand on my mouth to block my scream.

Chris: It's me Candy. Don't be scared.

With that he let go.

Cassie: Chris what the hell?

Chris: What? I thought you would need some coffee while I was making one for myself.

Cassie: Why are you still up Chris? It's late.

Chris: I was working.

Cassie: Really. I thought you keep personal and professional apart?

Chris: Okay fine. I don't have to answer every question you ask. By the way you're welcome.

Cassie: What? Oh yeah! Thanks.

Chris simply just smiled. A moment later he asked.

Chris: How did you get home?

Cassie: umm! By cab.

Chris: What? Didn't I tell you to call me? Why didn't Sam drive you back?

Cassie: Calm down Chris. Sam had a flight. He couldn't...

Chris: Then why didn't you call me?

Cassie: Well I couldn't just call you to just pick me up. I'm a grown up and I can take care of myself.

Chris: I don't give a damn. When I told you to call me why didn't you?

Cassie: Chris, please! You act like that every time I drive back home myself or take a cab this late. I just don't understand why?

Chris: Well I just wish my fears will never come true. Because you literally don't care for what I say.

With that Chris jolted out of the lab leaving me wondering. Why does he behave like that? It's like a repeat episode every time I'm driving alone late. I put my thoughts aside and got myself back to work. It was a few hours I guessed. I haven't even looked at the clock. I was busy. I heard someone coming. I thought it would be Chris, probably back for another lecture of his. When I looked back, it was Stella, Chris' mother.

Stella: Oh my God Cassie honey! Don't tell me you were up all night for your work.

Cassie: Oh! Is it morning already?

Stella: Morning already? You must be joking? It's 9am. Tell me you are not here since you came back last night? When were you home last night?

Cassie: Probably at 2am.

Stella: My God! You're a mess Cassie. Look at yourself. Did you even stretch yourself?

Cassie: Well.....

Stella: Oh my God. That's it. Wrap it up and go to bed right now. And I won't repeat myself.

Cassie: I'll just complete it in no time then I will be in bed. I promise.

Stella: No. Wrap it up. I want you in bed right now.

Stella grabbed me by my arm to drag me out of the lab.

Cassie: Stella let me just.....

Stella: No young lady. Go to bed.

Just then the alarm went on and I turned in excitement.

Cassie:OH. MY. GOD! Oh my God! Oh my God....

Stella: What is this? Turn it off Cassie.

I turned it off.

Stella: What was that?

Cassie: That's the security program I've been designing for months. Things were just falling apart Every Time but last night I think it all worked. Oh my God.... Please just tell me Mr Hunt is not home?

Stella: Lucky for you. He left after breakfast to meet his friends.

Cassie: Oh. Thank God! I almost thought he would be upstairs. God. IT WORKED. It actually worked.

Stella: Is it fully ready to show Liam?

Cassie: No. It's the Beta form and it worked. The Alpha is almost ready. I think I'll be done working by tomorrow.

Stella: So, how are you feeling about it?

Cassie:I can't tell you Stella how happy I am. I can't believe it. I DID IT. I just did it.

Stella:I'm happy for you as well honey. Now if you don't want to see me angry, then get yourself upstairs. Eat, shawer and go to bed right now.

Cassie: Yes ma'am. On it.

Stella: What would you like to have honey?

Cassie: Egg roll...

Stella: Forget I ask. Just wrap it up NOW.

Cassie: Okay, Okay.

By the time I got upstairs. The delicious aroma of egg rolls made my mouth water and my stomach growled out loud and Chris started laughing hard.

Cassie: What's so funny?

Chris:YOU! You're funny Cassie.

Cassie: God. Just get out. Let me eat in peace.

Chris: Haha! Sure, but I'll never forget the sound your stomach just made.

Cassie: That's so embarrassing.

Chris just laughed, waking away. He stopped at the door and turned around.

Cassie: Now what?

Chris: Congratulations.

Cassie: What? How did you....

Chris: I know Candy. I always know.

With that he walked out of the kitchen leaving me behind in shock. How the hell did he know?

How he always knows. Just then I spot Stella coming in.

Stella: Cassie! What's that on your hand?

Cassie: Oh this?

I showed her my ring.

Stella: Yes this!

Cassie: This is my engagement ring.

Stella: Seriously.

Cassie: Oh yeah. Sammy proposed to me last night and I said yes. You're the first person who knows. Well till Monday. After that the whole world will know.

Stella: Oh my God honey. I'm so happy for you.

Cassie: Thanks. It means a lot to me you know.

Chris came back to the kitchen for some water.

Stella: Chris, Cassie is engaged now.

Chris: Yeah I know Mom.

Stella: Cassie you said I'm the first one who knows. How does he know then?

Stella's phone rang and she walked out of the kitchen.

Cassie: Now how did you know about this?

Chris: Didn't I congratulate you?

Cassie: Oh! I thought it was for something else.

Chris: Oh. It was for both.

Cassie: What? How the hell did you just know Chris?

Chris: It's a secret Candy!

I just smiled at his reply. Chris has called me Candy since the first time we met at Iris' 18th birthday. I don't know and never even asked why he calls me that.

Just then Stella snapped me out of my thoughts.

Stella: You're still here?

Cassie: Yeah. I'm just finishing.

Stella: Good and after that I don't wanna see your pretty face here.

Cassie: Okay. I'm going.

After finishing my breakfast, I went to Iris' room. She just stepped out of the bathroom. She was shocked seeing me there.

Iris: I thought you didn't come and went home last night?

Cassie: No. I was in the lab.

Iris: The whole night?

Cassie: Yep.

Iris: You're crazy.

Cassie: You think. By the way, your father came back home last night.

Iris: What? Last night?

Cassie: Yep.

Iris: Who told you?

Cassie: Nobody. I saw his car parked last night when I came home. Plus, Stella just told me he left to meet his friend after breakfast.

Iris: Oh man. I didn't know.

Cassie: Tell me something new.

Iris: Shut up and go.

After a long hot bath, I came out of the bathroom. All my tense muscles were relaxed. I climbed in bed. The moment my head hit the pillow and I closed my eyes. I fell asleep.

When I woke up again. The room was dark. I turned on the lamp to look around. I looked for my phone to know the time. It was 8pm. Just then the door swung open and Iris came in.

Iris: Why am I always the last one to know things about you? I mean I'm the only best friend you have.

Cassie: I didn't tell anyone they just noticed.

Iris: God I'm so happy for you. When did it happen?

Cassie: Last night. After dinner.

Iris: We need to celebrate.

Cassie: Celebrate how?

Iris: Just get up and get ready. The dinner is ready. After dinner we can go to the club.

Cassie: Okay

Iris: Then move your butt.

Cassie: Okay fine.

Iris: And wear something pink and short.

Cassie: Why?

Iris: Don't ask. Just do as I say.

Cassie: Fine.

After dinner we were heading out when we saw Chris in his car. We walked towards his car and I asked.

Cassie: Where have you been?

Chris: I needed some air.

He looked at me up and down.

Chris: You look good. What's the occasion?

Iris: You know the occasion and we're celebrating.

Chris smiled at me and my cheeks turned pink.

Cassie: Why don't you come with us?

Iris' eyes lightened up.

Chris: What will I do there?

Cassie: Well you know what we all do. Dance, have fun.

Chris: Okay fine. I'll drive.

Cassie: Fine.

A long drive later. We reached our usual spot. We all exited the car. Chris led us both in.

In a bit Iris walked towards the dance floor. Leaving me and Chris alone.

Cassie: What happened now?

Chris: What?

Cassie: You said you needed air. What happened?

Chris: You know what could have happened.

Cassie: School?

Chris: Yeah. School.

Cassie: I'm so sorry Chris.

Chris: It's Okay. You get habitual, when it happens almost everyday.

Cassie: Your Dad?

Chris: Yeah. He was just pissed at me because I have no interest in our family business. I don't know why they are still pushing me. I mean Iris has potential to take over it. She's smart, she's talented, also clever. She would become a great CEO.

I put my hand on his and gave it a little squeeze.

Cassie: As you said, give it some time.

Chris: Yeah. I know. Thanks Cassie for listening. It feels good to know you have a good listener. It helps a lot.

Cassie: Yeah. I know and no need to thank me Chris. You do the same for me.

Chris: You don't owe me Cassie.

Cassie: I know, and I also haven't done any favors for you as well.

Chris: Yeah?

Cassie: Yep.

Chris: Wanna dance?

Cassie: What? With you?

Chris: No. With that grandpa over there. Of course with me Cassie.

Cassie: Okay.

Then he lead me to the dance floor. He was good at it. I wondered where did he learned to dance that good. When the night ended, I didn't know. Next morning when I woke up I went straight for shawer. I dressed up and walk out of the room. Iris was still asleep. I went back to the lab to finish up my work. Just then Chris called out my name.

Chris: Cassie, you here?

Cassie: Yes.

Chris: Come up. I made breakfast.

Cassie: Okay coming.

I joined Chris for breakfast. We talked and laughed and ate together. Nobody was up. It was only 6 in the morning.