Chapter 20: Chapter 20

Cassandra's POV

After work, I rushed home to find Julian playing with Max and felt a tug at my heartstrings seeing them so engrossed in each other. Aunt Caroline watched them lovingly as she cooked dinner.

I kissed Max and aunt Caroline as I started to go upstairs to my room. "Hello? What about mine?" Julian asked shamelessly and aunt Caroline giggled. My cheeks colored profusely yet I went up to him, and his eyes widened with excitement. I knew that I had surprised him and going on my tiptoes, I kissed his cheek. "That's it?" He asked in disappointment while aunt Caroline chuckled.

I nodded as I rushed upstairs to freshen up. Afterward, feeling refreshed, I came down wearing a pair of denim shorts and a deep blue tank top. I fixed my hair up in a bun and went to the kitchen to help aunt Caroline. Julian was still playing with Max and I could feel his gaze upon me as I made soft chicken rice and mashed veggies for Max's dinner. Aunt Caroline made chicken carbonara for us and cod fingers served with sweet potato wedges and crunchy slaw. I fed Max and then I served dinner and we ate while Max played with his toy cars. Aunt Caroline asked Julian about his work in their multi-billion dollar hotel and construction business 'Springwell Clubs and Resorts', with headquarters in New York and branches all over the world.

Aunt Caroline asked him about himself, his studies, and his interests while I just absorbed the information silently. Apparently, he was in his last year pursuing MBA from Columbia Business School specializing in Operations Management. He also completed a bachelor's degree from the Culinary Institute of America, New York. He looked after overall administration as well as coordinated with the Culinary Research and Development team of all their hotels to bring about innovative, high-quality gourmet food for their chain of hotels and resorts. It was so impressive that I started to develop an inferiority complex after knowing more about him.

"We've got to taste your specialty then," said Aunt Caroline and he grinned.

"Sure, anytime," he said as I cleared the table and rinsed the dishes, placing them in the dishwasher, glad to escape them. I didn't have anything to boast and I was glad that he didn't ask me about it.

Being only a high school dropout I couldn't help but wonder if I deserved him! Maybe not. It was not that I was dumb and didn’t wish to study further but my whole life had turned upside down after my father’s death and after I conceived Max. Maybe if I got a good, stable job, I could start studying again but now it was a distant dream.

Afterward, with aunt Caroline and Julian still busy with their discussion, I took Max upstairs to his room, to change his clothes and put him to bed. I was lost in my own thoughts as I tucked Max to bed. I really needed a better job since I would have to save for Max’s education as well. I remembered our earlier conversation when Julian had asked me to move in with him. Maybe he asked me on the spur of the moment. How could I move in with him? I knew I was in a relationship with him and most women live together with their boyfriends but somehow I couldn’t talk to aunt Caroline about it. She had sheltered me and Max during our worst time and now I couldn’t just leave her all alone and go.

I was startled by Julian who tiptoed from behind and snaked an arm around my waist and placed his chin on my shoulder, peering down at Max, "Maxie, will you go bye-bye with mommy and daddy?" He asked Max who squealed with delight and clapped his hands as all sleep left his eyes and he started jumping on his bed with excitement." Yes, daddy, byeeeeee," said Max excitedly jumping up and down continuously while Julian gave me a victorious grin. My eyes nearly popped out at his question. Here I was seriously thinking about our future while all Julian could think of was an outing.

“What?” he asked, seeing the baffled expression on my face.

“Where are we going?” I asked curiously, expecting him to take us to the zoo or somewhere nearby.

"Max says yes, so we're going. I've asked aunt Caroline for her permission. So pack up enough for a 2 day trip to Callicoon. We'll stay overnight at the Fresh Harvest Farm. We'll leave tomorrow evening at 6 o’clock. Pack clothes, medicines, whatever you both need, okay?" he said, with a dazzling grin seeing my jaw-dropped stare. I gaped at him while my heart skipped a beat with joy but it was my mind again that went into overdrive.

"Two days? Who all are going with us?" I asked eagerly, crossing my fingers behind my back as this time I didn't want anyone with us. I had never gone on an outing since my mom died and now I was more eager to go as it would be Max’s first outing.

“No one. Just you, me, and Max,” said Julian, his eyes glittering with excitement. I nodded, unable to control the warm blush that spread all over me and my heart wanted to dance with joy.

We put Max to bed and aunt Caroline, Julian, and I chatted for some time. We informed aunt Caroline about our plans and she smiled warmly. She already knew as Julian had taken permission from her beforehand. Julian seemed happy with the way his plans went. It was getting late and he got up to leave, kissing me on my forehead before walking away. I couldn’t erase the happy smile on my face after he left.

“He genuinely cares about you, Cassie,” aunt Caroline pointed out. I smiled at her warmly, feeling overwhelmed already. I wanted this relationship to last forever. Julian made me feel alive and I didn’t know what I would do without him. In fact, I noticed Max’s attachment too with him these days.

“Don’t worry so much. I’m sure he can’t live without you either,” said Aunt Caroline and she walked away to her room, leaving me gaping after her. How did she know my inner thoughts and apprehensions?

I went to my room to pack. For the next two hours, I was busy packing clothes, towels, and other necessities for Max and me in a trolley suitcase, medications, and diapers in a handy bag. I would pack Max's food items for the journey tomorrow before leaving. I could feed him dinner and then milk if he was hungry. Upon reaching, he could have something light if he wanted. I would leave work and come home by 4 in the afternoon to get Max ready. I was too busy planning and preparing for Max's first outing to give my own needs a thought when suddenly my phone buzzed and I picked it up to see an incoming message from Julian.

What are you doing? - J

A grin broke out on my face knowing that he was as excited as I was.

Packing - C

What's there to pack? Just Max's stuff, that's all - J

I frowned at his message. What the hell did that mean? What about my stuff?

And mine as well - C

What are you packing for yourself? - J

I rolled my eyes at his message.

Clothes, toiletries, undergarments, towels, bikinis, pajamas, amongst other things - C

You wouldn't need clothes and Pajamas - J

Good night - C

I switched off my phone as a shy grin spread all over my face knowing what he was hinting at!