Chapter 2

Initially, Cassandra was supposed to meet them on her eighth birthday.

That night, she had a tantrum because she didn't like the pink dress her mother picked for her. So when she got the chance to retaliate, she ran away from the reception and hid somewhere in the garden.

There, she had a memorable encounter that changed her life for good and twisted for worst.

Her guards were very persistent that she had to run all over the place just to get out of their radar. Her father might have hired them for that reason.

Exhausted from playing around, Cassandra sat on the fountain's edge when a shaky voice from the other side shooed her away.

"I found this spot first, get lost."

The light illuminating the party didn't reach them so she had to squint her eyes to see in the dark. However, her best efforts did not avail.

Cassandra raised a brow and placed a hand on her hip. The little girl was about to retort but she heard heavy footsteps nearing.

"I found the young lady's bow. I'll look around the area while you go inform the master."

The color quickly drained from her face. Her father would be furious if he sees what she did to her dress.

Stealthily, she crouched down and crawled across the ground toward the other side. She scooted closer to the boy, bringing her knees up to her chest.

"What are you doing?"

She immediately shushed him "If I get caught you'll be in trouble."

They sat there for what looked like hours before the guard decided to give up and leave.

She sighed in relief and looked at the boy next to her.

To quench her curiosity, she interrogated him about what's his name, which family he belongs and why he's alone. Cassandra's eyes sparkled with interest.

"That's none of your business." The boy coldly responded, much to her dismay.

"Fine." Cassandra stood up and dusted the dirt off her crumpled dress "I don't care about a baby like you anyways."

With that remark, a petty argument started.

"No, I'm not."

"Yes, you are."

"I'm not."

"You are."

He stood up for his reputation but it appears she's still an inch or two taller than him "I'M NOT."

"YOU ARE."

Their debate ended in a stalemate. Either refused to loose.

On the other side, their loud squabble caught someone's attention "So here you are, Zack." They heard a voice said as the owner made himself known to the both of them.

A boy with brown, shoulder length hair poked his head out of the window in the first floor.

His face gave off an ethereal glow under the moonlight. She pales in comparison to his beautiful face and for the first time Cassandra felt ashamed to call herself a girl.

Who's this pretty boy?

"If you stare too much, I might melt." He jumped off the window and gave her a sheepish grin

At that moment, her heart started to beat only for him. He became her world and nothing else mattered except Leon Lim.

But not this time.

On her eight birthday she put on an act and made her parents believe she's sick. Cassandra stayed in bed the whole night and she didn't meet him. After that, she avoided any social gatherings where she could possibly bump into him. High school, college, and all the holidays she spent with him never happened.

This change altered the course of her life and she has no idea how much it affected him. He may became a different version of himself or he might have stayed the same and she's afraid of that uncertainty — of what will happen from now on.

"Your don't look well, are you really not feeling well?" Her father asked, his voice laced with concern.

This is her chance.

Cassandra held her head "I'm dizzy."

"See, what did I told you?" Her mother hurried to her side "You shouldn't have forced her to come."

"I've been fooled by her good acting, how do you expect me to believe her this time?" He argued "She cries wolf."

"It can't be helped, why don't we postpone the announcement?" Leon suggested "We can do it on her twentieth birthday instead."

"Or better cancel it." She heard Isaac mumble

Cassandra's eyebrows were knitted together as she stared at him in confusion. Why would he say that?

Then it all made sense.

Isaac, for some reason, has always been against her engagement with Leon. Maybe he's gay for him?

If that's the case, then he would be helpful.

Her eyes lit up as an idea came to her.

"No, it would be rude to the guests. But before we proceed, I need to speak with you alone, father..." Her voice trailed off as she glanced at her mother and linked arms with Isaac "You're coming too."

Mr. Lin noticed the sudden change in her tone so he silently agreed and came out to the balcony with them.

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