Cassandra's pov:
Me and Aiden got out of the car and went inside the ice cream shop. The café was too cute for my liking. It had retro charm met with a bold nautical color palette. Passersby pop in for the adorable décor and stay for the creamy, delicious gelato that's made instantly in front of us and served under a canopy of almond flowers. The houses some original creations like mojitos, variety of cakes, milkshakes and other tasty delicacy.
We both took death by chocolate ice-creams and made ourselves comfortable at the table placed at the back end of the shop, which is where all of my brother's gang used to sit years ago. We totally loved this spot as it was secluded and cut off from the main stream.
"Aiden how are your friends doing?" I asked mainly interested in knowing about Vincent but did not tell it out loud to my brother. I have known Vincent all my life he was like an open book to read until that one night which changed my perspective of life as well as on him.
Vincent and Aiden were too close, Vincent was fun loving, caring and would hang around our house every day after football practice with Aiden. Both Aiden and Vincent were too good at football; hell their entire gang was too good at football. They created a legacy which was impossible for any of the juniors to break. I was good friend with entire gang of Aiden, until the gang went their separate way for college.
"Luke parker is now the official CEO of parker group of clothing. He is just the same as he was before, that is work, drink, party and sleep. But has his nights every week."
"I have heard about him in tabloids every month for his new breakup drama" I told while giving a full smile.
"It's just news Cassandra he is definitely not like that. But sadly his dad passed away a year ago due to cancer"
"Ohh I am so sorry to hear that. I just hope he and his family are doing well."
"Ohh no worries Cassie he is better now and his sister is married and gave birth to the twins last month and his mom is doing well. Chloe Martinez opened her new interior designing office in Brooklyn, Manhattan and other parts of the world recently and she usually sees ups and downs in business" I did not like Chloe that much also, she was too clingy and talkative and personally I do think she does not like me.
"wow that's nice Aiden, I do really hope the twins are fine, ahh and how adorable are they. my god I just want to meet them Aiden and what about Nolan Wesley"?
"Cassie I doubt if you can see the twins as they moved to Canada last week only. Hmm Nolan and his family they are doing well in the corporal world but they are barely surviving with his father's adultery, their family scams also Nolan's Casanova games coming out in public." he said it with a little bit of hesitation.
"How did all this come into light Aiden? It will usually be kept discrete na?"
"Don't even ask Cassie, once Nolan got a women pregnant and did not accept the child was his own blood. That girl tried hard to meets her needs and more over her family also abandoned her, as they are too religious and having a baby before the wedding was considered inauspicious. But while giving birth to the baby, both of them could not make it out alive. Later her sister was an FBI agent and started to dig dirt on Nolan's family as well as her own family due her parents cruel act of disowning their own daughter."
"ohh my god, poor girl, I do hope she finds peace". After giving lot of thought I asked "and what about your best friend you missed him out."
"Yeah, about Vincent, he is now working in his dad's office. Tough all decision are taken by Vincent, he is still not the official CEO of Lorenzo group. His dad promised him to give the CEO position after Vincent gets married and is responsible to take up any sought of problem."
I chuckle at his words and said "It's the same condition with you, even dad is not ready to give you the position of CEO for Knights' co-operation."
"Shut the fuck up Cassandra Knight, dad does not think I am incapable like Vincent and have to get married for understanding responsibilities. He is just delaying that because of my racing habits. He does not feel its safe do that, as it attracts media and cops, which might put Knights co-operation in trouble," Aiden rolled his eyes.
"Aiden I completely agree with dad about it not being safe for you as well as company. But I do get your point; it's something that lets you loses yourself, it's like flying in air with all the freedom you need." I told me with remembering the nights we both have sneaked out of house for it. Usually Aiden would drive and I would sit in passenger's seat. It was too thrilling and adventurous.
"It is Cassie, days in the back I use to participate in illegal driving but now I do it professionally with millions of people watching it live and I don't think dad's point makes any sense." He rolled his eyes at which I spoke "its fine Aiden I guess dad will give that to you soon. Don't worry."
"I do hope so Cassie."
So that's all about Vincent I asked taking the last bite of my ice-cream. "No princess I feel he is in love with someone. He sometimes ignores all of us, does not pick up our calls."
"How does any of that prove he has a girlfriend?" I asked with a pang in my heart.
"Cassie I have lived enough with love sicken puppies to know when the other puppy is following the path, more-over he gets call from someone named honey and talks for nearly 2 hours forgetting everything."
I tried to change the subject having enough of Vincent life as it gave me a hard time "Aiden did you find your lover or my sister in law?"
"No Cassie darling I haven't yet and what about you how was your life in UK. Please don't tell me you married a man there and a have a small child with him. That's the reason you would not leave them and come home for last 7 years" I was shell shocked at his statement and went to hit him hard but that idiot just ran out the shop and took his seat in the car. I ran behind him and sat in the passenger's seat and started to hit him on his arms. After 5 hits he caught my wrists and asked me "Is it true Cassie" with a wink.
I huff and don't answer him and turned away from him. He just starts to drive. We reached at the traffic light and he told "I was just joking Cassie; I know you would have told me if it was the case. I know you share everything with me or used to share it with me. But I am damm sure you would never hide your secret boyfriend or my niece or nephew."
I gave a sarcastic laugh and told very funny. He blooped my nose which he frequently does when wants to tease me and started the car and drove towards the mansion.
After returning from ice cream shop Aiden opened the door and let me in first and said "Princess let me show your room and please don't get offended by that." I just glared at him and we both were moving towards the stairs when someone called out for Aiden.
"Aiden do you have any idea what happened today, I am so excited and happy but I cannot share my happiness till next week with you, mom and dad."
I just wanted to run away from that person. I just hate the thought of also being with that person so much I sharp objects cannot be kept where we both live or else I will murder her. She was the sole reason why my life turned up site down and I cannot even afford to stand her in my house but to my bud luck she always stays with me in my house, and to greater heights she stole my parents and my brother from me and that's none other than the great Hazel Ashford.
I turned towards the voice and see her standing near the sofa, I guess she was as shocked as I was by just looking at her facial expression, where I masked mine with a smile she let down her emotion out. Even I was like that once upon a time. I was an open book to my parents and Aiden seeing my facial expression they could tell my mood, my needs, my dislikes. I was a pampered kid from beginning until she came into my life and destroyed it.
"Hi Hazel it's nice to see you after what nearly 5 years?"
"Hello Cassandra it's nice to see you too, how are you doing"? saying that she was slowing coming towards me. I felt like pushing her down the same stairs but Aiden was there, I cannot do that to him, he surely would not accept me doing any such act of violence. when Hazel is trying to be friendly towards me.
She gives Aiden a smile and comes to hugs me. I can see that she is wearing a super nice and branded pink gown, she was well looking pretty but hmmm....
I hug her back and I can see a huge diamond ring on her ring finger when we break apart, I guess even she started to date and her boyfriend proposed her, but I was least interested in her or her matters. But I do pray for the poor fellow who proposed her, Hazel's life is already boring and what not... yet he was so brave enough to ask her out. I try to sniffle the yawn that was about to escape but I failed miserably. Seeing my discomfort Aiden came to my rescue and said "hmm guys I guess all us need good night sleep so let's retire to our room."
Hazel said goodnight to both of us and went back down, Aiden took me to my room and left with a goodnight kiss on my temples.
I stood at the door and took a look at the room. It was the same as before- the furniture, color, décor nothing was changed, except it was clean and clear now. I had a queen size bed, with a sofa set giving the view of outside garden and fountains. I had a separate walk in closet and a modern bathroom with extravagant bathtub and sanitary fittings. Not able to control my sleep I took a quick bath and changed into pj and feel into deep slumber.