Chapter 11: CHAPTER 11

Andrew's POV

“What did I look like before?” Aurora asks me in a calm tone. “A she-goat?”

“Your description is on point!” I reply. “I didn’t expect to see you here.”

Lies. Oh, white lies. I have to protect my pride. It can’t be known that I rush over because Aurora is here. That would crush my pride into pieces.

“I am about to leave,” she replies. She steps forward, and instinctively, I hold onto her. I see her face turn cold in shock. It is as if she is having an allergic reaction.

“Why don't you stay for a while?” I tell her. “Are you afraid someone will call you out? Don't be, Aurora. I know you don't look great but you should be proud of it nonetheless.”

“Stay away from me,” Aurora hisses.

“Andrew!” I hear Cassandra call my name. I don’t have to look back to know she is marching towards me. I let go of Aurora’s hand.

“What is it?” I ask her.

“I should ask you that,” Cassandra shoots back. “You should be with me, not a random girl. I am engaged to you. You belong to me.”

“I understand,” I smile at her. “I will wrap up my conversation with Aurora and run over to you. That works, doesn’t it?”

Cassandra doesn’t like this suggestion, and Aurora doesn’t seem pleased either.

“I am done here!” Aurora says as she bounces off. I make to follow her, but Cassandra holds onto me.

“There are people watching us. You don’t mean to follow that girl, do you?” Cassandra asks, fearing my reply. I take a deep breath and turn to Cassandra.

“Just go and talk with your friends. I will handle my own business,” I say to her. Slowly, I remove her hand from my wrist. I turn to leave, then change my mind. I turn back to her and kiss her on the cheek. Then I whisper into her ear, “Stop being clingy, baby. Don’t you plan to be by my side forever?”

I walk out as quickly as possible, eager to find Aurora. But I am too late. She is already gone.

I don’t see myself partying with the others, so I decide to leave. As I enter my car and prepare to drive off, I hear Cassandra calling my name from behind. She reaches me in no time and enters the car.

“Stop being clingy!” I shout angrily. “How many times must I repeat myself?”

“Maybe I would if you acted like normal boyfriends do,” Cassandra replies wittily. “You never take me out on dates, never show me affection, and you treat me like a pest whenever I come close to you.”

“If I have been treating you badly, that is more reason you should stay away from me,” I point out.

“I know your plan is to push me away. However, it won’t work on me. The more you push me away, the closer I will come,” she replies confidently.

“Why are you here?” I ask, trying to regulate my feelings at the moment.

“It would be pathetic to remain there after you’ve left,” she mutters.

“You didn’t come with me. Why would it be pathetic not to leave with me?” I ask, genuinely curious about her reasoning.

“I told them we are going on a date. You should drive off before someone sees us,” Cassandra says. She looks back, checking for people.

I look at her, my gaze filled with distaste.

“Get out!” I order.

“No, I won’t!” Cassandra replies, her arms folded. She plans to be stubborn, I guess.

“Don’t push it…” I warn. My phone rings. I check the caller before picking up. It is my mother, Margot. She rarely calls me.

“Where are you?” Margot asks before I can say hello.

“Somewhere,” I reply vaguely.

“Are you at the party? The birthday party your classmates are all at?” Margot asks. I wonder how she knows.

“I am about to leave the place,” I reply.

“Bring Cassandra with you,” Margot instructs me.

I gaze at Cassandra, who hears every bit of my conversation with my mother.

“Why should I do that?” I ask.

“It is for the annual gala,” Margot replies. “Cassandra has a huge part to play. Make sure she comes.”

“I don’t see what part she could play. Even if there is one, she will be uncomfortable accepting your proposal!” I reply firmly.

“I will accept!” Cassandra exclaims so Margot can hear.

“Is that you, Cassie?” Margot asks.

“Yes!” Cassandra replies excitedly.

“What the hell are you doing?” I ask her angrily. She doesn’t respond.

“Bring her home, and be fast about it!” Margot orders. She cuts the call instantly. I sigh and turn to Cassandra.

“Don’t look at me like that,” Cassandra mutters, averting her eyes. “I am just trying to be of help to my future mother-in-law. You can't stop me from doing my best.”

“You don’t have to do it,” I say.

“Exactly!” Cassandra exclaims. “But I will do it anyway. That’s because I am such a great future daughter-in-law to your—”

“Let’s go!” I interrupt. “It would be nice if we can have this drive in silence. Don’t talk to me.”

I drive off, regretting coming to the party in the first place. Cassandra doesn’t speak to me until we get to the mansion, which is something to be happy about.

“You really think I will be a great model? I haven’t tried it before,” Cassandra says, smiling through it all.

“You have the perfect body and charisma for it. I don’t know anyone better suited for it,” Margot tells her, in a desperate bid to raise her already bloated self-esteem.

I don’t speak. Instead, I check the list of models who will walk the runway at the gala. I know they are all selected by Margot herself from different places.

“Is this the final list?” I ask Margot.

“No, we are yet to add Cassandra’s name to it,” Margot replies, unable to hide her excitement.

I sigh. Cassandra will just be more clingy.

And that... I can't handle.