Cassie’s POV
"Excuse me." I said as I rushed down to reception.
My eyes blurred as I saw my father making a scene where I worked. Everyone gathered around him. Security held him as he struggled to break free.
"What are you doing here?"
He laughed. "This is her. Cassie, my daughter. I told you she works here."
Tears dropped from my eyes. "What are you doing here?" I said, walking toward him.
"Cass, it’s daddy. I just wanted to see my daughter. Since you came back you’ve not visited to know how your old man is doing"
Is he serious right now? Trying to play the perfect father?
"What wrong did I ever do to you?" He said, trying to hold me close.
"Please, hold that man." I shouted till the guards held him again. "What do you want from me?"
"I just wanted to see my da—" he never finished before Damien interrupted him.
"What’s going on here?"
I kept quiet, my head facing the floor. Why has this man decided to disgrace me like this?
"Seems like you’re the boss around here, but Cassie, she’s my daughter and she has been treating me badly." He paused, forcing a fake tear to fall from his eyes. "After everything I have done for her."
At this point, people around bought his story, cussing me under their breath.
"Cassie, I asked you a question. What’s going on here? This man is claiming to be your father. Cassie." He called out, his voice more serious than ever.
"He’s my father." I muttered. "But none of what he said was true."
"Go outside and sort your issue out with him, then come back."
"And you." He turned to my father. "I never want to see your face near my establishment again. If you’re caught, you’ll be arrested with immediate effect."
"Now, get out." He said, furious. "Everyone, go back to your duty post. Let this nonsense never repeat itself again."
I watched him walk into the elevator, and for once, I was grateful to him for how he handled the situation.
I followed my dad outside, and we walked into a café close to the building.
"What are you doing here?"
"I need money, and I need it now."
At this point, tears freely rolled down my cheeks. "I knew it, I knew it."
"It’s just money, right?" I pulled some cash from my pocket. "This is a hundred dollars. Take it and leave me alone."
"Just this?" He asked, anger written on his face.
"Cassie, I own you, and I’ll make sure I bring you down."
"I brought you into this fucking world. Yes! Me."
"I did, so you belong to me, and I’ll do whatever I want to do with you. This isn’t the end, I promise you."
"Me? A hundred dollars." He said, walking toward the door. "I promise this is not over."
By the time he was gone, I burst into tears. What did I ever do to deserve this man as my father?
At this moment, I hated my mother. Out of all the men in this world, it’s this man? What did she ever see in him? Not that he was rich. A poor bastard.
I cleaned my tears, because I shouldn’t be paying for her mistake. I’ll fight him with everything I have.
I won’t let him ruin me. He never cared for me for a second. Just trauma, depression, and anxiety. Nothing.
I wished there was a way he’d leave the surface of the earth and rot in hell. That’s exactly where he belongs.
I went back to the office after cleaning my tears, forcing myself to respond to everyone without showing any emotion.
"Cassie, how are you doing?"
"I’m fine, sir." I said, trying not to make eye contact.
"So what was that all about?"
"Sir—" before I could say anything, he interrupted.
"You know what, it doesn’t matter. Just go back to work."
"Thank you, sir."
I went back to my seat, fighting the tears that wanted to fall. Thank goodness it was almost time to go home.
Thirty minutes later, Damien was already packing up to leave.
"Cassie, I think my driver should drive you home." He paused. "It’s not safe for you out there alone."
"Thank you, sir, but I think I can manage."
"I insist." He said firmly, standing his ground.
"Thank you."
A wave of relief poured over me. I’d actually been worried about how I’d get home — I was about to call Kate, but I didn’t know how busy she’d be.
The ride was calm. The city moved by slowly, quiet. The air was clear, but I was still thinking about what happened today. How low can that man stoop?
(Phone dings with a notification.)
Hi, Cassie.
Who the fuck is this? I ignored it. I had no idea who it was from. Could be anyone — my father, the men that tried to rape me, another piece of bad news.
I don’t know if you remember me, but we met at the club. The day those men came at you, I helped you fight them off.
It was a tussle getting your contact, but I’m glad I finally got it.
Waiting for your reply....
I stared at my screen. This can’t be happening right now. I don’t need a distraction.
I’m sorry, but I don’t remember. Wrong person.
I wasn’t ready for whatever reason he was texting me for.
I finally got home, but Kate wasn’t there — her car wasn’t parked in the garage.
As I walked further toward the doorway, a voice called out behind me.
Alex.
"Cassie, wait."
I turned immediately, trying to open the door faster, but it kept betraying me.
"What do you want, Alex?"
"I’ve been trying to reach Kate, but she’s not answering. After she left my place, she hasn’t talked to me."
"Did she tell you anything?"
"Me? No, she didn’t. I have no idea."
"But do you know where I can find her?"
"I’m telling you, I don’t kn—"
Just then, I paused at the sound of Kate’s car pulling into the compound.