Here you go another chapter.

It's almost 4.2k+. So enjoy.

*************

Present...

"Yes I did regret" Cassandra's voice was not above a whisper. Coltrane's grip was so painful that she felt like she could lose consciousness at any time. Something burned in him which he does not want to acknowledge, with that his temper raised.

He hovered over her, his breath ragged trying to control. She glared at him. 

"Do you think I don't regret it?" He  said coldly, his vein popping.

"I hate you" Coltrane words dripped with venom. He went to her cheeks as he cupped her face and his lips crashed on her lips in a hard punishing kiss. She bit his lips as hard as she could. He did not bother to let her breath as his tongue invaded her mouth. She choked as the metallic taste of blood filled her mouth. The kiss was nothing, no passion, no love and no warmth. She felt a shiver down her spine as she struggled to push him away. Tears stung her eyes. He leaves her lip only to suck her neck biting her.

"Let go of me this instant" she yelled, pushing him away.

"I hate you and I won't let go of you" he spatted those words with hatred. He wanted to hurt her and that's what he did. She chuckled and smirked.

"I hate you too" lies, she knows what a big fat lie that was but he doesn't not know and her voice sounded calm. But she choked on her breath,that startled him as his grip slipped only to tighten even more the next moment.

"Glad to hear that. It was a punishment to be loved by you" He said, even though her words startled him. Her finger curled into a fist as much as his words hurt her. She will never give him any satisfaction.

"I am also glad that Catherine showed you where you belong," she smirked. His eyes burn with anger.

"I thought you were dead already. Then why the fuck did you return?" Coltrane growled digging his finger against her shoulder pinning her down on the bed with his weight against her futile attempt to get away. Her eyes widened.

The words stung more than she thought. She curled her fist, even after everything that was said and done this was the last blow. 

These are the words she didn't want to hear, not from his mouth. Even if it's in the name of their friendship they had in the past. Those unwanted tears filled her eyes, even though she wanted to retort. She felt something crack and a tear slipped. Slowly she could not hold back anymore after everything that happened.

"So, there was something to break after all" A soft laugh bubbled into her throat as Cassandra realized tears spilling from her eyes. She sobbed her shoulder shake. Her cold demure break for the first time in five years just because of his words. Everything came crashing down on her. She choked on her own saliva coughing trembling trying not to completely break down in front of him and hold on to her last piece of dignity.

Coltrane stilled his hand still on her shoulder. He slowly sat up letting her go. She curled up. He looked away for a while taking a deep breath. It's not the first time he had seen any woman cry because Catherine was a crybaby but the Cassandra he knows never cried. She is always headstrong, stubborn,smiling, grinning and fooling around. Seeing her shaking in this way his anger flew away. She buried her face on the pillow stopping her voice.

He stood up covering her naked form with a blanket before leaving her in the room.

A tint of regret he should not feel washed over his consciousness.

************
Present..

Coltrane sighed sitting on the cough in the living room. He rubbed his head feeling a mild headache. After all this emotional ride he was exhausted. How he wished everything was a dream and the next day Catherine will be there by his side smiling happily. 

"Sir, do you need anything?" He looked up to see a maid standing there. 

He looked at the clock reading 3 a.m. 

It's not a shock after all the commotion went by they are all awake.

"Meera, prepare a dress for Cas-Catherine " she blinked as he rectified himself. Even though it's been so long since he said her name it rolled down from his mouth without any effort.

"But sir there are already dresses in the closet" she said confused.

"NOT THOSE " He snapped glaring at her.

"Prepare something else and give it to her when she wakes up" he dismissed her. 

Coltrane went into another room to take a relaxing warm bath and sleep, something which he needed.

Cassandra calmed down after a while knowing very well he was not here. She sat up picking up her bra and panty, she put on her under garment.

Her blank dreams are much more peaceful than the cold reality which she has to bear till god knows when. At 6 am she falls asleep on the ground while snuggling closer to the bed after making sure he regrets taking her in this room. Did he think she would let him walk all over her? Who the hell does he think he is?

"Ah..." She rubbed her eyes and yawned. After blinking she noticed this is not her apartment. Then she remembered what exactly happened. Then her eyes fall on the lady who make that sound. Meera's eyes widen looking at the condition of the room. All the curtains were torn down. Pillows  without feathers. Cassandra smirked sitting up gracefully.

That's not what actually made her gasp but when she entered the bathroom to draw her bath. Every cloth inside the closet flushed in the latrine.

Meera didn't know how sir would react to the situation.

"You are awake Ma'am" Cassandra looked at the beautiful mid forty age lady standing in front of her. 

"Go tell him what I did? Won't you?" She asked, waiting for the maid to reply. Meera looked down coughing a bit.

"Should I tell him?" Cassandra shrugged her shoulder rolling her eyes.

"I don't care" she hated this room everywhere she looked. It seemed like it's screaming, Catherine. The more she stayed the angrier she got. The urge to go on a rampage again was lingering at the back of her mind. 

"Can you bring me a new set of clothes?" she asked politely but the cold sharp edge did not go away. It's  simple she does not trust her.

"Yes," the maid said, bowing a bit. 

"Don't bow'' she snapped. The moment Meera gets out of the room she feels more frustrated normally she would never snap at anyone she does not know. But first thing first she will get out of this hell whole that's when she noticed a package.  She opened it to see the wedding dress. She smirks before going back. She will give him a small gift. She tore the dress into pieces. After feeling satisfaction at her work. She went out to see where the maid was.

"What are you doing out here?" Meera asked, shocked , almost dragging her inside the room. She was about to retort but a light blush flushed her cheeks looking at her half dressed state.

She grabbed the packet wearing a jean and a brown shirt not bothering to look through the collection, she put the bag on the bed.

"Do you want me to..." 

"No" she shakes her head.

"What's your name?" Cassandra asked before she got out of the room and their life.

"Meera," she said.

"I am sorry I was rude to you without any reason. And here give it to your boss" she said handing her the ring. She smiled at her. Meera was shocked at first but she returned her smile. 

"You are not Ms.Catherine. right?" She asked. Cassandra's eyes turn to her, shocked at how quickly she sees through this farce.

"I am Cassandra"  she smiled at Meera who was shocked at how warm she looked and not only that she apologized. For some strange reason she liked her just like Catherine Madam.

********

Cassandra got dressed and ran out of the house before he could catch her. She chuckled at that. How ironic the situation is? When she wanted someone to catch her no one was there. The bitter reality set in.She shook her head, self pity will get her nowhere. For now she needs to get away from this place as soon as she can.

"You can't go out, Ma'am" the guards standing at the front gate stop her. She glared at them coldly, "Why?"

They give each other confused look before saying, "Sir, said not to open the gate for you, sorry"

She rolled her eyes, "Who the hell does he think he is?"

While saying that she grabbed the pillar of the gate. They were ready to close it if she tried to open, "He said not to open. So, I am climbing over" she starts climbing as they give each other astonish looks. They stare at her mouth hanging open, they can't touch her like that.

"Go, call Mr.Mayor, Jeron" the guard named Jeron starts running inside in search of Mr.Mayor. 

She jumped down, hurting her leg in the process, "please, come inside" the guard requested her.

She called the first taxi and entered, not bothering to give an address, "get away from here. Anywhere will be fine. Wait go to Medicinal Health Care"

Cassandra sighed putting her head backward.  What a headache. She closed her eyes.

"We are here ma'am" she blinked her eyes looking at the large hospital.

"Wait here. I will pay" she hurriedly rushed inside. Her eyes search the receptionist.

"Hey! Lisa, can you pay for my taxi?" she asked the girl who nodded her head while staring at her.

"Here" Lisa handed over a few dollar bill.

"Thanks I will pay you back" she turned around only to get the money snatched.

"Take it," Austin handed over the money to Liza.

"I already paid," he said.

"So, what happened to you? Where have you been, last night? Why weren't you picking my calls? Do you know how worried I was?" He asked her, almost shaking her. She steps back trying to get away from his vice grip.

"Could you stop it?" She snapped pushing him away.

"I am sorry. I left my phone in your car" she rolled her eyes. Austin glared at her and opened his mouth to say something or lecture her even more but she cut him off.

"I hurt my leg. Will you check it out?" Cassandra touched her leg, standing straight becoming difficult for her. He sighed nodding his head and led her to his cabin.

He pressed her leg checking it out carefully, "You will be fine in 2 days it just sprained"

"Wait here I will take you home" Austin told her before she could reply , he returned to his work. As much as she wants to go home and sleep, she stares at her leg shaking her head.

Cassandra turned leaving the room slowly. She went to the garden taking a seat. After everything happened, she felt exhausted. Her mind numb as she realized. It's been five years since she last saw Coltrane. She closed her eyes, relaxing a bit. She felt hollow as much as tried to remain cold and numb his words and action; it poked her, at her old wounds. She wonders why she isi feeling this way? Shouldn't she be used to being hated? She does not want to go through that again. And the only way to do that is to stay far away from him.

If only she could....

***************

Jeremy sighed while sitting in the car, his thoughts astray. His subordinate informed him that they found a car abandoned in a side lane. There was blood inside the car. After tracking the license, the owner of the car was Catherine Walmart. He sighed this is bad not only that,  the car was abandoned near Cassandra's cafe. He wondered if he should call Coltrane to inform him about the situation. After mentally debating he decided to call him tomorrow morning. 

After searching all night for her now without a clue. He sighed and called Coltrane to inform him as he thought, that didn't go well as expected.

At last he made his way in front of the clinic Medicinal Health Care. But Jeremy's eyes stopped looking at the hunched figure sitting in the garden. He froze the urge to run away,  rushed through him. He does not want to see her, but still he slowly makes his way towards her.

"Catherine..???" He asked, confused. She stilled hearing his voice, turning around to give him a cold glare.

Jeremy sighed in relief, "I...I... I thought you were Catherine" he said unconsciously. His eyes widen at his words.

"Oh! Why would you not?" She rolled her eyes.

"I am sorry. I ... I said I thought" he tried to explain.

"Oh really! Why? I could be her replacement to" she laughed coldly.

"No I did not mean it that way" he said trying to rectify.

"But your friend did" she grit her teeth turning away. Jeremy stared at her, his hand reaching out on it's own. He wrapped his arm around her hugging her tightly. Her eyes widen and she even forgets to struggle for a while.  

At the beginning he tried to search for her. That day he chose his friend above her, something he should not be regretting. But he knows there's a part of him which regrets not hugging her that day.  Something he will never forget or forgive himself. 

"I am sorry" He was pushed away roughly. She glared at him with cold emotionless eyes.

"For?" Cassandra asked him to keep her emotions in check. Jeremy looked down.

"Not choosing you" he whispered. She looked away for a while.

"I don't want to talk about it," she snapped. He nodded his head softly rubbing it.

"Can we talk about something else?" he asked, his eyes staring in her eyes trying to see whether it would waver or not.

"About what?" She asked cautiously which stung him in his heart. She is in no mood of clearing doubt not to them at least.

Is there even a bit of trust she has in him?

Trust???

He looked away," Catherine"

"Talk" she stood in front of him with her arm crossed.

"We found her car in front of your cafe and there was blood in her car" Jeremy said. She looked at him almost shocked, her expression changed and she laughed.

"Oh my god! This is fucking awesome" she rolled her eyes.

"So, where is the question you wanted to ask?" She smirked, shaking her head.

"Are you not going to ask where she is? Where did you keep her? You are behind this farce. Right? Is this your way of revenge? How disgustingly low could you get?" He flinched away hearing the last words make him feel choked.

"Go ahead and ask me. I mean of course I am a professional kidnapper. I do it on a daily basis" she said sarcastically. He gulped down painfully.

"I did not mean it that"

"Really?"

"No no of course you did not. Why would you? I just woke up at the wrong side of the bed and now I am just throwing out assumptions because I like too" Cassandra glared at him.

"Don't fuck with me and do whatever the fuck you want because I am habituated of getting accused . I don't have anything else to give anyway" she walked away making him stand there. He looked at the place where she was standing. She said those heartbreaking words coldly as if she was talking about someone else.

He sat down on the bench with a far away look.

*************

Past

Jeremy was there the next day a bit early. Even though it does not show, he is worried about Cassandra. She did not return to class after her father's visit.

He walked down the hallway into his class. It was almost empty.

Cassandra entered and smiled at him. He blinked, " Where have you been? Why did you leave yesterday?" He asked in one breath. Cassandra laughed.

"Father wanted something from me. That's it" she smiled. He looked at her suspiciously then rolled his eyes.

"Next time do inform" he said sarcastically.

"Why are you worried?" She asked, smirking at his face. 

""I was" Jeremy said seriously, she blinked her eyes shocked before smiling at him. Her eyes brighter as her cheeks turned a bit red. His eyes widen at her and Catherine's similarity.

"Sorry" she said apologizing.

"It's  alright" he awkwardly patted her head.

*************

Present..

Coltrane woke up from the shouting. The reminder of what happened yesterday made his head pound. Which only increased after hearing she ran away. 

"Go track her. Find her at any cost" he said calmly. He should be angry but a calm feeling settles down. He almost feels at peace if not for the ring in his finger.

"Make my breakfast"  he ordered the lady.

'I need a shower' he was not ready for what was served next.

His room was a mess. He can almost hear pounding. A vein was popping which burst after seeing the bathroom.

"Meera, How the fuck did she do this? How dare you let her get away after doing this? You are all fired. Get the fuck out of my house" He shouted.

They scramble away knowing his ill temper provoking him will only make their life difficult.

He heaved a sigh sitting down trying to calm down when his cell phone rang thinking that he will get some news but his mood got worse as he threw away his phone after hearing the news.

"Cassandra Walmart I will make you regret, for crossing me" he growled fisting his hand. 

'No, this will only increase my anger. I need to talk to Jeremy' he grabbed the car keys before leaving the house in a mess.

*************

"Did something happen?"Austin asked, worried, looking at her pale face.

"Except my life becoming a soap opera everything is fine" she sighed as her words held a mirthless humor. She didn't feel fine at all. Her head was pounding.

"Why do you ask?" She asked him politely. He didn't answer and focused on driving.

"Should I stop for breakfast?" Austin slowed down.

"No, I will cook you breakfast," Cassandra said. He grinned happily this is something he loves about her.

Austin stopped in front of her cafe which is closed. Her apartment was allocated above the cafe. It's not actually an apartment but a studio which she is using for a while. The living room and kitchen is attached with a bathroom. Opening the door of the studio he wandered in. She shook her head heading to the bathroom.

After refreshing herself she put on a white put and black pjs.

"You are not going to work," he asked, sitting on the bed cum sofa.

" I will in the evening" Cassandra opened the freezer and took out bread jam and eggs.

"So, where were you yesterday night? And what happened exactly?" Austin asked without delaying anymore.

"When I visited my sister she was not there. Mother blamed me  and forced me to marry Coltrane in her place. If I do that she will spare this cafe and.." she trailed off.

"Did you get those papers?" Cassandra asked.

"Yes" Austin sighed.

"I thought it was from my father"

"Are those originals?" She asked.

"Yes, but how do you know about it?" He asked, confused.

"It came as a bonus in my contact" She chuckled.

"Did you do it for me?" Austin asked, staring at her seriously.

"Who the hell do you think you are?" She rolled her eyes.

"I did it for me" and at the corner of her mind she knows that very well.

Austin rolled his eyes as she smiled at him and put the bread on the toaster. She pulled a flat frypan. She did it so skillfully that it almost left Austin astonished if he did not know.  

Within 15 minutes scramble egg bread spread with jam and chopped berry with two mugs of coffee. She settles everything at the dining table. 

"So, that's why you did it?" Austin asked as if he still had his doubts.

"Yeah! It was a good deal. Right?" She was cut off.

"Cassy, what was his opinion in everything?" He asked not that she has a problem in telling him but it will create a blunder.

A blunder that might put Coltrane in wheelchairs. As much as a sadist part of her would love to see him in that condition, she remained opposed to that even causing a riot in her mind.

"Nothing much, he was angry off course but other than that he told me to stay with him until Catherine returned" Austin nodded his head at that. Even though the conversation seems to come to an end but he has many questions to ask but he remains silent for the time being at least and she was grateful.

"Thank you for breakfast" he wink at her. She smiled and shook her head eating her breakfast.

"I need to go back, see you later" Austin washed his hand and strolled out of the room waving at her. She waved back. She heaved a sigh her head felt like it would burst any second. She could see black spots in front of her eyes. With unsteady legs she makes her way to the bed and falls on the bed she blank out.

***********
Past..

Coltrane walks down the corridor carrying books, school days turn out to be fun. After the first day nothing of that sort happened. The way Jeremy said he was worried and after words some people were going round with rumors that she will leave the school.

He was actually glad that Cassey is here again with him. He will never admit it but he enjoys their banter. And the fact that they don't get along well. Cassandra said it was just a normal visit from her father and she hurried to greet him.

"What are you thinking?" A voice blows in his ear and he jumps, dropping all the books he was carrying. A giggling sound can be heard in the background. He shot her a glare dusting himself before collecting the books.

Cassandra waved her hand in front of him as an apology before helping him. They submitted the books to the teacher.

"You did a good job," Flynn told her.

"Of course I always do a good job," She said, smirking.

"We should return to our classroom" he whistled, shoving his hand in his pocket. 

After a few days he went to the principal and asked for a transfer of class. He even asked Catherine to change with him but she refused. Well anyone would not in their right mind and he can understand that.

"If this is how school life is I want to stay here forever" she opened her hand twirling around laughing. Her face held serenity and she smiled.

He slapped her head lightly, " get you head out of cloud, idiot". She pout, "party popper"

"Well, I could hear that" he said 

"I want you to hear that" she said rolling her eyes.

"Cath" Coltrane looked at the girl standing alone in the corridor hearing her name called. She turned to him and a soft blush coloured her cheeks embarrassed as if she was caught doing something she should not.

"Coltrane," she said, greeting him, clearing her throat.

"What are you doing here?" He asked.

Catherine nervously looked down,"I am fetching food" she smiled at them.

"Don't you have food packed?" Cassandra asked. Catherine stared at her who after many years for the first time asked something or showed any interest in her. 

"Yes I did but something happened" she felt choked trying to cry. After Jeremy defended her. Those bullies increase their bullying but she does not want to tell them.

Coltrane stared at her sudden change in behavior.

"Hey! Are you alright?" He moved forward cupping her face. She flinched back. Slowly, She pushed him away.

"I am fine" she rubbed her eyes.

"Could you stop pretending? It's annoying" Cassandra snapped at her.

" What the hell is wrong with you?" he glared at her only to get ignored.

"I.. I am sorry" Catherine takes a deep breath trying to calm down. Cassandra smirked, turning away from her.

"Aren't you going to help her?" He was confused by her 'I don't care' behavior.

"Nope. Why should I?" She shrugged her shoulder walking away from them.

"Because you are her sister" he replied instantly.

"Is that so?" She shrugged her shoulders.

"Thank you for informing me" 

"Don't involve yourself in other's personal matters" Cassandra looked at him with cold emotionless eyes even though there was a soft smile on her lips he felt like something dropped in the pit of his stomach.

"I am sorry about her" Coltrane said scratching his head the feeling he felt remained even when she left.

"No. It's alright right" Catherine looked down.

"So, what happened?" He smiled at her softly to reassure her.

"Nothing" she turned around leaving him with a strange feeling.

**********

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