I know, I just republished this chapter because  for some reason the first time I update. It seems like half of the chapter disappeared.

Sorry for that. Might be my net problems..

***********

It's almost a month since her second year started and here she is sitting in front of Coltrane drinking a chocolate milkshake.

They were as usual talking about random stuff when all of a sudden he looked at her seriously.

"I wanted to ask you something for a while now" Coltrane cleared his throat, nervous about what he wanted to say.

In the past year they did not bring up their past and the fact that Veronica and Xavier have no idea about their past was relaxing. They were not cautious about what to say in front of them like everyone else. That was a breath of fresh air for both of them. But she knows they need to talk about the inevitable.

"Go ahead," Cassandra said. A thought lingered at the back of her mind: will they go back to hurt each other again.

"Cassandra, Will you?" He was having trouble on his own and the fact that he can see her doubtful enquiries was not making this any easier for him.

"Will you go on a date with me?" Cassandra blinked her eyes and stared at him. 

"What?" She asked even though she heard him clearly. She thought he would talk about their past but he just asked her out. Her mind almost went blank.

"Can I take you out on a date?" Coltrane asked again hopefully.

". I .. " She stumbled upon her own words. Her thoughts were all over the place.

"No I don't think so" Cassandra shook her head. Coltrane's face almost fell but he held on to it. Even she does not know why she said that?

For the last year she built up a good friendship to the point that she can even say that she can even confine anything to him but why does the idea of dating him make her uneasy.

"Why?" He asked.

"Do I need to say why?" Cassandra asked, staring at him.

Coltrane looked down, "I know, It's alright. Let's forget about it"

She stares at him as he takes a deep breath trying to mask his emotions.

"Why aren't you trying to pursue me?" Cassandra asked confused.

"Well, I don't want to dig up the past and hurt you and I love the way things are." Coltrane said truthfully and that angered her.

'Why the fuck does everybody think that she will get hurt at almost anything?'

"It's been a year do you think everything will hurt me and I will take everything negatively and get depressed. Oh please!" She snapped rolling her eyes.

Coltrane looked down for a while before smiling at her, "Do you trust me?"

"I do," Cassandra stared back at him, her eyes widened, almost shocked at her own answer but she knew that what came out of her mouth was the truth. When she started trusting him, she had no idea but she did.

"Will you give me a chance?" Coltrane asked. Cassandra looked away.

"You did not say give us a chance" Cassandra murmured.

"I don't want to use your feelings to get what I want" he said

"I want to use mine" Coltrane's words seem awful but her heart skips a beat. He is not good with words and someone else might have thought something else but she knows what he means exactly.

"Even if I trust you what will you do about my insecurities?" Cassandra asked even though for the last one and half year she did not feel insecure. She thought about it.

"You know for a moment I thought just because I am alone, you are using this as an opportunity to ask me out" Cassandra looked at him making up the situation only to test him. She wants him to explain.

"I would never do that because I know that you are not weak emotionally and depend on who I can manipulate. And I would do anything to prove that even if doing something absurd or something extreme" Coltrane looked at her determined.

Cassandra stared at him just that nothing else before asking, "What can you do exactly?'

"Anything" 

"Can you go down on your knees and beg me?" She blinked her eyes almost shocked at what she just asked him. But what shocked her more was him being on his knees. She tried to stop him but he did beg her and the whole cafe looked at them. He put aside his pride and did it. Cassandra bent down and hugged him so that people would stop staring at him. But with this she realized something.

Something dark which she does not want to realize. She wanted him to suffer as much as she did before she could fully accept him. As the realization dawned on her,  she let him go hurriedly. She stood up and walked out of the cafe.

"Cassandra?" Coltrane asked paying for the bill he rushed behind her.

"Cassandra?" He asked again.

"Cassandra?" He yelled, grabbing her hand, and he turned her towards him. She glared at him coldly.

"Let me go, Coltrane," She said coldly.

"I will, when you tell me what happened?" He said stubbornly.

"Did not you see what the fuck I asked you to do?" She said calmly. 

She remembers what Ronald said in one of their therapy sessions.

"Well you cannot let go until or unless you get closure. Closure comes from various ways like revenge, acceptance" Ronald said. 

Cassandra rolled her eyes,"Why are you telling me this?"

"Because I don't want you to walk down the path of revenge it will just destroy you in the process"

"Why would I take revenge?" Cassandra asked.

"You don't know how a human mind works? Seeing the person who hurt you getting hurt can be quite satisfying" Ronald said.

"It's unhealthy to let your emotions out like that. Even though it might give you peace for the while the aftermath will be huge"

"Some people say revenge tastes sweet  but it's about you not what people say"

"I am not like that," Cassandra said determined.

"You will know how you are until you get the chance"

"But there is another way though. I could accept it and let it go" Cassandra rolled her eyes.

"If you could do that I would be very proud of you" Ronald said though she can see his lips stretching upwards.

Cassandra blinked coming back to reality hearing Coltrane's yelling. Coltrane was holding her worried.

"I don't care," He said.

"How could you say you don't care?" She yelled.

"Do you know what the fuck is going through my head?" She pushed him away.

"For a fleeting second I wanted to make you feel how I feel all those times. I wanted to hurt you enough to make you doubt your own existence, Call you someone else name while knowing very well that you love me. I want to put you through hell. Don't you get it hell?" To her horror all those things she said it calmly. He hand went to her cheeks cupping her face.

"I want to make your life a living hell" She smirked laughing at herself.

"You can't even if you try your hardest because those five months can give hell a run for its money which I spend without you" Coltrane said.  She heard it loud and clear.

"But I want to ask you something. If I go through the same thing will it make you happy?" Coltrane asked.

She blinked her eyes, "If it does, I will readily accept it. Right now right this moment. Because I want you to make my life a living hell so I can redeem myself"

The lingering thought that was always there even though it stopped hunting her vanished all at once. She stared at him for a while, feeling light.

It's as if she needs to hear this. 

After what seems like forever..Cassandra replied.

"Let's keep it simple, shall we?" She said, removing his hands from her cheek.

"Okay" he smiled as she glared at him.

"I am not going to date you" she threatened him to which he chuckled.

"Sure thing sweetheart" Cassandra glared at him trying not to blush. But after a while her face turned serious.

"I want to keep this a secret. Us being friends" She stared at him. Does it hurt him?

It did a bit but he can understand where she is coming from.

"What will you do?" She asked as he smiled.

"It's not like I will do anything else '' Cassandra chuckled, shaking her head. She knows the fact that they came to a mid solution was because of the ground work he did last year and slowly without even her knowing he built up the trust.

"So, will you go on a friendly date?" Coltrane asked.

"Nope but I can hang out as a friend though" Cassandra said, he chuckled.

'Accepting it was easier than going all the way to get revenge' she thought to herself.

After that day it was easier for them to hang out without the past constantly knocking on the door. Or taking a peek at their life. Just like that everything was going good.

"You are late" Cassandra said as she was waiting for him to come. He called her excited and here he is late himself.

Coltrane grinned happily, " You are creeping me out" She said pointing out at his stupid grin.

"You don't know what happened today," He said.

"Of course I don't," she rolled her eyes.

He ignored that, " Do you know what Cameron called me?" Coltrane said excited.

"Dad," Cassandra shrugged. His face fell.

"How do you know that?" He asked.

"He asked me if it is alright to call you Dad on his birthday" Cassandra smiled remembering Cameron's birthday which they celebrated at least six months ago.

It took him quite a while to ask Coltrane even though she encouraged him and told him that Coltrane would be happy to hear that.

"Cameron told me that you are much more of a Dad to him than his own father could ever be" She chuckled.

"Are you alright with that?" Coltrane asked.

"I am happy that you are a good father figure to him" She smiled.

"Let's go on a long drive" He asked to which she stood up.

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

1 year later..

The same timeline where Cassandra and Catherine talked about wedding..

"So, how is the planning going?" Cassandra asked Catherine as soon as she entered the house.

"All good, but I wanted to do something about the bachelorette party" Catherine sighed.

Cynthia ran to Cassandra, "Aunt" she picked her up.

"Awwe How is my baby doing?" She cooed as Cynthia giggled.

"Good"

"Missed me?" Cassandra softly rubbed her nose against the baby.

"Missed you" Cynthia nodded her head, pressing a kiss on her lips before giggling.

"Me missed you too" she pepper kissed her. 

"Cinthi come here baby, you need to eat" Jane called her as she wiggled out of Cassandra's hand.

"It's been a while Cassandra. You  should come here more often" Jane complained as she held Cynthia. After everything happened Cassandra become quite close to Jane. She treats her like her own daughter.

"I am sorry Jane, College work is getting a bit hectic" She smiled apologetically.

"Come here whenever you have free time" Jane smiled.

"Sure"

"I am making dinner, stay here at night" Jane yelled as she walked away.

"I can't but I will love to have dinner" Cassandra said as she took a seat on the couch.

"So, you were talking about a bachelorette party?" She asked.

"I don't want those ridiculous parties and we are already married so that does not just make sense" Catherine rolled her eyes.

"There is no rehearsal, tea party or even family dinner" Cassandra said as she checked through the schedule.

"I don't want to," Catherine rubbed her head.

"Isn't Jeremy helping you out?" Cassandra asked.

"He is but as clueless as he is. He is a great help" Her words dipped in sarcasm.

"Why don't you ask Carina?" She asked.

"I don't want her help," Catherine said looking at her seriously. 

"I don't know if I can be much of a help but I can give a good idea about the bachelorette party" She smirked.

Catherine eagerly leaned towards her.

"Why don't we have a house party inviting close friends to eat, drink , dance and enjoy laughing while talking" Catherine nodded her head.

"It's a good idea but the drinks will be non alcoholic till the kids go to sleep" She said excitedly about the idea.

"It's a super idea" Catherine jumped up.

"Wow are not you excited?" Jeremy who just entered the house said looking at his wife.

"Cassandra gave me a great idea" Catherine said pressing a kiss on his cheek.

*********

The day of the house party...

Cassandra dressed up in a beautiful black dress. She entered the house only to see most of them had already arrived.

"Am I late or Am I at the wrong time?" She said looking at Austin who was talking to Jeremy.

"You are right on time" Catherine said wearing a gorgeous red dress looking beautiful as she was talking to the ladies group as in Marlyn, Jane, Lisa and she herself.

Her eyes wander around spotting everyone except him even Cameron was here who ran up to her hugging her. Did he decide not to come?

She did not get to talk to him as he said he was busy. 

Cassandra thought to herself after all it was her who asked him to keep it a secret. But that does not mean he.., she shook her head. The party only started. He will be here soon.

"I missed you too" She bent down and kissed his cheek. Cameron wiped his cheeks, taking a few steps back.  She chuckled seeing that.

Cassandra slowly walked to Catherine, "So, how is this going?" 

"Great, I feel relaxed and happy" Catherine whispered back.

Two hours since she entered it's been two ridiculous hours but he is nowhere to be seen.

The party is going on full blast. Everyone was dancing and enjoying their life. She was too but in the back of her mind she knows something is not right. Not once anyone of them asked about Flynn or even pointed out the fact that he is not here.

Catherine turned off the music and sat down on the couch. 

"Let's play truth or dare," she said.

"I will be leaving you kids upto this" Jane said standing up.

"Cameron Cynti let's go. It's already 10:00 p.m" Jane said.

Catherine looked at her exhausted daughter almost feeling bad.

"I am sorry mom I should have noticed" Catherine stood up.

"It's okay dear. Today is your day so enjoy" Jane pulled Cynthia in her arms and held Cameron's hand.

"Cameron, Where is Coltrane?" Cassandra asked if she could not hold back anymore. Freezing everyone in the room except Jane who has no idea.

"I don't know I did not get to talk to dad" Cameron shrugged his shoulder softly.

"Does he know about the party?" Cassandra asked to which Jeremy replied.

"He does not know" 

Catherine helped Jane to bring the kid inside.

"Why?" Cassandra asked.

"I don't want any unnecessary tension," Jeremy said.

"He is not the only one who is the cause of tension. Then you should not have invited me too" She said, giving Jeremy an unnerving stare.

"We just don't want you to get hurt" it was Austin who said that.

"Do you think inviting him would have hurt me?" Cassandra snapped this is getting ridiculous. 

"Cassandra?" Austin tried to calm her down. But she felt annoyed.

"No, let me speak" she has enough of this, she can't take it anymore.

"Do you think choosing me over him will make me happy?" She glared at them.

"Don't you see how ridiculous this is?"

"Choosing me over him, what the fuck are we kindergarteners?"

"I never wanted you to choose me over him. I know how much it hurt and I will never put someone else through that. All I wanted was support when I needed. But this and alway making sure that you don't talk about him in front of me? What are you trying to do?"

"Just because you choose to ignore the elephant in the house, you are making the elephant painfully obvious" Cassandra breathed harder as she glared at them.

"Stop trying to make choices for me"

"Stop trying to do thing which I never asked"

"We care Cassandra," Austin snapped.

"Care? You might care but the thing you are all doing is borderline dictating my life and taking decisions for me. Not only that, making assumptions" She glared at him.

"I can do that for myself. All you are doing is making me feel suffocated" She snapped, glaring at them.

"Where are you going?" She turns to leave.

"Out" that's what she did rushing out of the house she called a cab.

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

Coltrane was busy working on his laptop. When there was a knock on his door. His head snapped up. It's almost 10:30 p.m. He is the only one staying and the  night guard other than that everyone already went home. Who could it be? 

"Come in" his eyes widened looking at the distraught woman dressed in black. He abruptly stood up. 

"What happened?" He asked, rushing towards her. 

"Nothing" She looked away. Coltrane blinked his eyes not trusting her words at all. He handed her a glass of water which she took a sip of. 

Cassandra was standing there motionless, He had a good idea that something happened. After standing there in silence he gave up holding his hand out.

"Let's go," Coltrane said. She gave him a doubtful look to which he rolled his eyes.

"Where?" She asked but it seems like she was too late as he dragged her out.

Coltrane went straight to the elevator clicking the T letter that refers to the top floor or terrace.

"What are we doing here?" She asked as soon as the elevator door opened with a ding. The cool air of the night relaxed her.

"I thought this might be our spot to talk" even though he said that. They did not talk at all.

Silence prevails but it was comforting..

Cassandra closed her eyes, "Do you know?" She started.

Coltrane just stared at her; she looked ethereal almost in her black dress. He has not seen her in dress so this might be a special occasion.

"Today was Catherine and Jeremy's bachelorette party?" She said or asked him.

"No," Coltrane shook his head.

"They did not invite you. They thought that it would hurt me" Cassandra stared right in his eyes.

"Don't  you feel hurt?" She asked.

Coltrane stared right back, Does he feel hurt?

Now that her words registered in his mind, Yes he did feel hurt but at the same time somewhere he could understand what they were trying to do.

"I do even though it hurts a bit in the corner of my heart. I am happy to feel what you have felt," Coltrane smiled softly.

"I don't want them to make decisions for me," Cassandra said looking away.

"But I also understand them," he said truthfully.

"They care about you, You are hurt enough, they don't want to add on"

"I can't say whether they were taking decisions for you or not but from my point of view, they were trying to protect you and I would have done the same" Coltrane confessed.

Cassandra took a deep breath murmuring, "When did you get so matured?"

"When do you get so immature?" He mimicked her words only to get a glare in return.

"Will you come with me?" She asked after a while.

"What?" He blinked his eyes.

"Are you talking to me?" Coltrane was not sure about what she said.

"Is there someone else that I can talk to?" She rolled her eyes.

"But I am not invited," he justified.

"You are not invited because of me. So, I am taking you with me"  Cassandra said determined.

"I am going to say that we are.."

"Dating" Coltrane did not let her finish her sentence.

"Friends" she rectified glaring at him.

"A guy can try right?" He shrugged his shoulder.

"Of course he can try here alone" Cassandra said rolling her eyes.

"Hey! I am coming with you" 

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

Catherine, Jeremy,  Austin, Marlyn, Ronald and Lisa were sitting on the couch worried about Cassandra as she rushed off at this time of night.

"I should have followed" Austin groaned as Catherune tried her cell phone which was out of reach.

"I will search for her," Austun said, standing up only to notice the person standing in front of the door.

"Cassandra???" Everyone in the living room turns to get shocked at what they see.

"Coltrane" Jeremy blinked his eyes for a while before something akin to shame washed over him.

"I am sorry," He said.

"It's  alright," Coltrane shrugged.

After that everyone tried to think what to say.

"So, What are you two doing together?" Ronald asked bluntly, not bothering with the tension. Catherine looked at him almost thankfully when at least someone said something.

"We are friends," Cassandra said.

"Since when?" Ronald asked curiously.

"It's  been over one year," Cassandra replied.

"Thought so" He shrugged his shoulders.

"So, Everything is back to normal right?" Ronald asked.

"No, Everything is not back to normal" Cassandra looked at them.

"I am sorry I threw a tantrum without understanding that you were trying to look out for me" she said.

"It's alright" Catherine said as she gradually came forward and dragged her away.

"Give me the details" Cassandra laughed at that.

It took a while but the party started again this time with alcohol.

"So, you are friends?" Austin asked Cassandra who nodded her head.

"This is a bit awkward,"  He said laughing nervously.

"Well it's better than the tension which can be cut through a knife" she rolled her eyes.

"Can you stop being sarcastic when I am being serious?" He complained.

"I am being sarcastically serious" Cassandra said to which he chuckled.

They were silent after that for a while.

"Why didn't you tell me?'Austin asked.

"I was worried that you would judge me," She said, staring straight at him so that he knew that she was telling the truth.

"I would not," Austin replied, making sure to keep eye contact.

"I know from the very beginning that you will choose him. It was not an option" 

"Austin" she glared at him as he rubbed her head affectionately.

"So, why aren't you dating him?" He asked.

"Well, I am technically dating him. It's just that he does not know," she said mischievously.

"Poor Coltrane" Austin rolled his eyes.

"Poor Maryln" Cassandra stuck her tongue out to which Austin laughed.

"Tell me the truth," he said seriously.

"It's just that staying friends is easy and comfortable. I am near him whenever I want with that name in our relationship" Cassandra said. 

"I am not ready to give him the chance he is asking for. I don't want  to give him my heart only to get shattered" She said seriously.

"Do you think he will break your heart?" Austin asked.

"No" Austin was shocked at how confidently she said that.

"He proved me anything but that" she looked away.

"Then why not?" Austin asked again.

"I don't know. It's just that I am not ready to take that step. Even though my heart knows who she belongs to. I can't make up my mind and say yes. I am afraid" 

"It's alright take your time" He patted her head.

"Take that step when you are ready," He said.

"I will, after all I love me more than anything" He chuckled at her words.

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

Thank you for reading dear readers.

I know this chapter is a bit dragged on but I need to for Cassandra to get a closure so she can move on.

Do share your thoughts and comment.

Until next time..