Chapter 58 The Real Devil
I wanted to cuss at her so bad for disturbing me that early morning, but I realized that she didn’t do anything wrong and that Alex is the real devil.
“This is so cringe. How did she even know my workplace?” I thought to myself.
“I should find out.”
“Hi,” I replied.
“Can I have a little chat with you? ” she asked, still putting on that smile.
I stared at her hesitantly.
“I promise I won't take too much of your time,” she added.
“Alright.”
Reluctantly, I got out of my car and led her to the coffee shop right beside my workplace.
When we got there, I ordered two cappuccinos. Then we sat down by the wide window side.
She took a slow sip of the coffee and looked up at me.
“I guess you are wondering how I know where you work,” she smiled again.
I looked at her, my eyebrows slightly raised.
“I promise I’m not a stalker,” she chuckled.
“So… how did you know where I work?” I asked, tapping my coffee cup softly with my fingers wrapped around it even though I hadn’t taken a sip.
“I saw you at the pastry shop that day and I also found your business card in Alex’s room,” she replied.
“Wow,” I scoffed softly to myself.
“I’m sorry,” she said out of the blue.
“What?” I asked, lifting my gaze to meet hers.
“I’m sorry that you had to hear my conversation with Alex like that,” she added.
I felt a knot in my chest, but I didn’t say a word.
“I’ve been with Alex for a while now,” she continued.
“Even when I knew his ex came back and that he was moving funny with you, I didn’t panic. I thought he would come back to me eventually.”
Her lips curled slightly into a subtle, yet confident smile.
Inside, I blamed myself.
I blamed myself for falling for Alex again.
For letting him get close to me after the first time.
For believing the things he said, and the way he looked at me like I was the only woman in his world.
I hated how he had lied to me effortlessly and how easily I had believed him.
Cassandra leaned back in her chair, crossing her legs gracefully as if she owned the coffee shop.
“I know how betrayal feels, Joan,” she said, her tone softer now.
“That’s actually why I came.”
Her words didn’t feel comforting at all. It felt rehearsed.
My brows furrowed slightly, but I still kept quiet.
“I wasn’t sure you got my message that day,” she continued.
“Your message,” I repeated.
Then I remembered I actually got a message from her.
“Oh… that? I got it,” I replied calmly.
“Great. I sent that because I didn’t want Alex to manipulate you and fill your head with lies,” she muttered, then she leaned closer to me.
“I just thought you deserve to know the kind of man you are dealing with,” she added.
I swallowed as my fingers tightened around the cup and for a moment, I couldn’t tell which one hurt the most.
Was it Alex’s betrayal?
Or was it the fact that Cassandra was sitting in front of me and talking to me like I had been a mere inconvenience in her love story?
“You walked into this yourself, Joan,” my inner voice chided.
And for some reasons, that hurt more.
I cleared my throat, looked at my phone’s screen for the time and sat upright.
“I should leave now,” I said, taking a small sip of coffee.
Then I stood up.
“Thank you for… letting me know,” I added, bowing my head slightly and heading towards the exit.
CASSANDRA’S POV
“She took that better than I expected,” I scoffed as I watched Joan walk out of the coffee shop.
Even though she got on my nerves at the last minute, I was happy my plan worked out.
“Let’s see how this unfolds,” I chuckled.
I gulped the remaining coffee in my cup, picked up my bag and headed straight for my car.
I planned to go to Mrs. Hart’s place.
On my way, I spotted a jewelry shop. An idea instantly came to my mind and I pulled over in front of the shop.
I got out of the car, went into the shop and picked a rhinestone necklace. It was flashy, elegant and exactly the kind of thing Alex’s mother loved.
“Perfect,” I muttered under my breath.
I took it to the counter, paid for it without hesitation and left.
A few minutes later, I arrived at the house.
She welcomed me warmly when I entered, just like I had expected it and her face lit up even more when I handed her the necklace.
“Oh my goodness. This is so cute. You didn’t have to, you know?” she said as she opened it eagerly.
“It’s fine. I just saw it and thought you would like it,” I replied.
She smiled when her gaze landed on the necklace and she immediately tried it on.
“It’s beautiful… just like you,” she muttered, her expression softening as she traced the necklace with her finger with so much joy that I almost laughed.
Then her gaze shifted to my stomach.
“I’m even more happy that you are carrying my grandchild,” she added.
“You have no idea how long I’ve waited for this.”
I lowered my eyes shyly, pretending to be nervous… when in reality, I felt powerful.
“When will your parents be back? I need to see them so that we can start preparing for the wedding,” she said.
Now, that was the moment I had been waiting for. I raised my head and let my smile fade slowly, enough for her to notice.
“What is it?” she asked, her brows raising slightly.
“Actually,” I began, my voice low.
Then I looked at my fingers, twisting them as if I was nervous.
“Talk to me. What is it?” she said, concern clear on her face.
“Alex doesn’t like me yet…” I continued.
“… and I don’t want my parents to find out that the man I’m planning to marry doesn’t love me. It would break them and they would blame me for it,” I added, my voice breaking slightly.
“I understand your fear,” she said, reaching for my hands.
“I was thinking…” I said softly.
“Maybe if Alex and I start living together, he might fall in love with me.”
“That’s true,” she nodded slowly.
“That won’t be easy, but we will find a way around it,” she added.
Then she held my hands and gave me a reassuring look.
“Don’t worry. I won’t let that happen,” she muttered.
I smiled.
“Alex would have no choice but to stay exactly where I want him soon,” I thought to myself.
“Especially after what I’m about to do next.”