Chapter 17: Chapter 17

Cassandra's POV

Today was Anna's final fitting. We also had to try out our bridesmaid dresses. Julian came to pick me up from the office at 10:30 am. I somehow had managed an hour's leave from work.

The whole drive he asked me to go with him to his parent's house for dinner tonight. He wanted me to talk to his parents about Max. I knew that I was falling for Julian, it was alright to go as his date but how could I tell them about Max? I didn't even know where we were heading in our relationship. I wasn't even his girlfriend. I didn't want to make a fool of myself in front of everyone. What would I tell them? That I was the woman who was abused at 18, with a child, and now I'm involved with their son in a short-term physical relationship? What reputation would that give me? I was tired of the judgemental looks thrown my way when people came to know of my predicament. I didn't care about anyone but I wouldn't be able to handle it if his parents also judged me.

The more Julian coaxed me, the angrier I became at his lack of sensitivity and I avoided him. He could first decide what I was to him before disclosing about Max to his parents. I accompanied him to Amy’s boutique but I kept avoiding his advances, making him more annoyed at me.

"What's up with you? Why are you avoiding me, Cassie?" he growled as we headed towards his car after the fitting.

"I'm not. I have to return to work Julian or I will be sacked," I pointed out.

"It doesn't matter if you are. There are lots of other jobs available," he said, making me angrier.

"I don't have a degree like you do, remember? Please just drop me off at my workplace and I'll be thankful," I was totally pissed=off and Julian sighed but dropped me at my workplace and I didn't want to talk to him.

Later, after work, I went straight home, fed and put Max to bed, and then got ready for dinner at Julian's parents’ house. I had no wish to go but aunt Caroline insisted that I should and forced me to get ready. She selected for me a simple, blush-pink dress with a rhinestone embellished neckline and high low hem, with a fit and flare pleated skirt. I matched it with my black stilettos. The dress was Avery's and didn't fit her after marriage so she left it in her closet along with many others. I made a messy bun with my hair and just added a blush-pink lip gloss and moisturizer. It would be a lie to say that I wasn't eager to meet Julian after fighting with him earlier. The whole day I had missed him when he hadn't called and after tucking Max to bed, I started missing him all the more.

When the doorbell rang, I jumped up with excitement and was ready to go. Aunt Caroline offered to handle Max if needed so I was quite relaxed. Julian, looking extremely gorgeous wearing a light grey shirt with white chinos paired with a charcoal grey blazer, stared at me without saying a word, “Is there anything on my face?" I asked him curiously, forgetting our earlier animosity. He shook his head and smiled warmly at me and held out his arms for me. I couldn't help myself and run into them and he wrapped me in his embrace and all was good between us just like before.

"Do you know that you're looking so gorgeous that I don't want anyone else looking at you? I want you all to myself," he whispered. I smiled, his words melting my resolve and making my heart skip a beat or two.

Aunt Caroline came into the room smiling, "Isn't she looking beautiful, son?" She asked Julian and he nodded, "Yeah, too beautiful for her own good," he said as they laughed together and I blushed, yet glared at Julian, embarrassed at the way they were discussing me right on my face.

"Bring her home, mister, however late it gets, okay?" Aunt Caroline said in a serious tone.

"Yes, ma'am," said Julian, saluting her as she giggled while I rolled my eyes at them.

"Okay, enjoy you two, " she said as we nodded and left.

As soon as we got into the car, Julian came toward me and took out a small box. My eyes went wide imagining what he was trying to do! My heart wanted to sing with hope. Was he proposing?

He took out a pair of diamond-encrusted, delicate heart-shaped earrings and I felt a little disappointed. I had really hoped that he would propose to me. "May I," he asked, looking into my eyes.

"They're expensive Julian, I can't accept them," I said as I tried to move away.

"You already have my heart, darling. These are nothing in comparison," he said as he kissed both my ears and put the earrings on. I was touched by his sweet gesture. My hands went around his neck as I hugged him. No one other than aunt Caroline and Avery had done so much for me.

"Thank you, Julian," I said to him as he stared into my eyes.

"Will you be my girlfriend, Cassie?" He asked suddenly, surprising me. My heart started to beat faster and faster hearing his question. Was I ready to be his girlfriend? Yes, I was ready to be anything to him.

"Yes, Julian," I whispered. He didn’t waste a single second, his hand held onto the back of my head as his mouth came down and he kissed me gently. It was a lingering and loving kiss of a boyfriend promising the world to his girl. I was deeply touched and now ready to face his parents as his girlfriend. I snaked my arms around his neck and kissed him back with equal fervor while he groaned with pleasure. We could hardly control the battle of our mouths, moaning and groaning, not getting enough of the other. At last, he released my mouth and we fixed ourselves and drove eagerly towards his parents' house.

We reached Julian's parents' house a little late, but since Stefan, Anna and Adrian hadn't arrived yet, we were fine. His parents' house was a huge mansion in Southampton, New York. The automatic secured main gates opened to let us pass inside onto the wide gravel drive with the main three-story residence rising majestically from its front parking court. Overlooking the ocean, with a huge granite swimming pool and gorgeous hedged lawns, the house offered beautiful views of the beach and ocean. It was a perfect place to relax and the positive ambiance uplifted our spirits we gazed at one another, holding hands as walked up to the front door.

We rang the doorbell and a maid opened the door and ushered us inside. Julian led me to the gathering room at the second level, where the family was present except Anna, Stefan, and Adrian. The room opened to a huge deck from which one could watch the ceaseless waves and feel the fresh ocean breezes. Dark polished wooden floors, white interiors with detailed moldings, bead boards, French doors, transom windows, and coffered ceilings characterized the whole mansion.