FOUR- CASSANDRA

It’s almost ten o’clock. I punch in the last full stop and get up from my chair. Maddy looks up from her screen.

“Heading out?” she asks, cocking her head sideways.

The collar of her shirt is damp with sweat, and little beads of moisture collect on her upper lip. She corners me with a quizzical gaze, and I respond with a huff.

“Yeah, got somewhere important to go to ASAP,” I state and grab my handbag.

"But it's not knock-off time yet..." She turns her chair to fully face me, and I face palm. How could I forget to tell her about Vivian?

"Remember Vivian is with me now...? She has an appointment with her therapist today, and I gotta drop her home. Her session ends at ten." I almost spill about that part with Mr Edwards, but I'll have to fill her in later.

"Oh, okay. How's she? I wonder if she's gotten as tall as her dad-" Maddy stops midsentence and stares at me.

I stare back.

The whole office goes silent, or it's just my imagination, but at this moment, it's just the two of us and she knows she done messed up. No one talks about Vivian's dad.

"Ahem," Joy startles the both of us, and my soul almost jumps out of my skin. I glare at her.

"Hey, I'm not gonna do the staring contest with you, cause damn your eyes are like dead pools, but seriously, you should do your bestie business outside," she says and dramatically drags a slurp from her pink Stanley cup.

I turn to Maddy who's face is redder than a ripe tomato, and I wave at her. She gets up to see me out, her bare feet noiselessly following my exaggerated steps.

We get in the hallway.

"Who's the therapist?" That's the first thing Maddy asks, and I'm appalled at how she can pinpoint what's bothering me from so little information.

"Mark," I say the name with disgust, my face involuntarily contorting.

"As in, Mark Edwards?"

"Yes, and before you ask why I was dumb enough to send Vivian there, he's way cheaper than the rest. I'm almost wiped out clean in my account. I've just finished paying mortgage," I lace my fingers, my shoulders sagging and an unsettled feeling nestling in my chest.

"You're doing your best. I won't blame you," Maddy replies, trying to convince the both of us.

"I gotta go," I say, giving her a quick side hug.

She nods in understanding and gets back to her work.

I give a quick wave to two authors who are making a beeline for the secretary's desk in the lobby. The sun outside is glaring at me as if I'm not only stupid and very bad at decision making, but also a complete failure at adulthood.

Trust me, I glare back, I'm about to resign.

The ride is smooth and swift. The roads are not congested since this is not the rush hour yet, and I think of buying her a soda on the way, but I can’t risk being late.

My feet feel uncomfortable in my pumps, and the space between my toes gets itch by the minute.

I ignore the feeling and swerve down the road, gushes of wind streaming through my halfway rolled down windows and clawing at my skin. My thoughts randomly jump to Vivian.

I wonder if she's okay.

Just as I expected, my phone buzzes and Vivian’s name blinks on the screen. She’s done.

I pick up the call, and her beautiful voice crashes into my ears. God, this girl will be the end of me.

“Hello, aunt, …” she trails off, and goosebumps creep on my skin.

“Vivian, hi, you’re done?” I shriek, relief seeping in my voice. I can almost imagine the shock on her pretty face, the confusion as to why I sound giddy all of a sudden.

“...Uh, yeah, that’s what I wanted to let you know,” she says, and I clear my voice, monotone mode activated.

“Noted. I’m on the way,” I reply and step on the gas.

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