Here goes another chapter it's almost 3k. I know not a long chapter. Do share you opinion about the editing and if you want me to change anything. Or any suggestions on how to improve.

Well than, Happy reading.

***********

Present...

Coltrane entered the cafe where Jeremy decided to meet for this meeting. After the drive his anger calmed down gradually.

"You are early" Jeremy said sipping on his black coffee looking at the documents in front of him. He took an opposite seat facing him.

"So, what is the news? Did you find anything?" Coltrane asked.

"No, only her car, that's it, '' Jermey sighed as he didn't want to search for her. All he wanted to get away from here. But at the back of his mind he is worried much more than his denial.

"Cassandra is behind this" Coltrane stated this was not a question but rather a statement. An answer to his every problem. But the question remains.

"Just because Catherine disappeared near her cafe. Does not mean  she has anything to do with this" Jeremy sighed, he noticed a pattern at the way Coltrane accused Cassandra.

"Well then you have another theory" Coltrane asked.

"It can be coincidence" He shrugged.

"Isn't it a bit too much for coincidence? Catherine disappeared and all of a sudden Cassandra appeared?" He asked. 

"No" Jeremy refused his statement glaring at him for getting to that conclusion. He knows with all the proof she can be considered as the master mind but talking to her today something feels off. This something will be a disaster in their life, he can feel that.

"Why?" Coltrane asked hesitantly to hear the answer for some reason he wanted her to be the cause of this mess. A part of him wants to make her suffer because it's easier to point the finger out at her rather than finding something else he did not want to.

"You know ,Why? Don't you?" Jeremy stared at him, averting his eyes.

"5 years why would she all of a sudden try to take revenge? Or do something to mess your life. There is something amiss you know very well stop denying and the part where she replaced your bride there must be a story" Jeremy said.

"I don't know what you are saying" Coltrane would not acknowledge her not after she tore him from Catherine.

Jeremy sighed, shaking his head. 

"Did you meet your mother?" Coltrane changed the topic.

"No, and I will like it that way. It's better if she does not know anything about me being here" he flat out refused.

"Jeremy..." Coltrane stared at him and before he could say anything. Jermey shakes his head.

"Don't bother. I don't want to talk about that. We have enough in our plate as it is, don't add to that" He coldly cut Coltrane off. His life is not up for discussion when there are important matters to handle.

They sit there silently not saying anything. The tension breaks at the ringing sound. Jeremy picks up the call without checking the caller id.

"Hello," his eyebrows folded as he looked up.

"Okay" ending the call he again stares at Flynn.

"What?" He glared at him.

"Your guards called. They found her" Coltrane stood up.

"Why don't they call me?" He asked.

"Who wants to get yelled at without any reason?" Jeremy rolled his eyes.

"Where is she?" Coltrane asked him as he rolled his eyes.

"You are taking me with you and I will navigate you" He challenged him to oppose that. Jeremy never gets involved in others' matters, not after what happened in the past. He built up a wall around him.

 Coltrane knows if Jeremy looks determined then it will be impossible for him to find her.

The whole driveway was silent except the momentarily direction dictations from Jeremy.

They reached in front of a closed cafe.

"We could have directly come here to check it," Coltrane said rolling his eyes.

"And why the hell did you not tell me that is the cafe" Jeremy shrugged his shoulder.

"I want you to calm down I guess"

"What if it angered me?" Coltrane asked.

"I would have punched you but let's keep that discussion for another time" Jeremy said coldly making sure Coltrane knew what he would do.

"The staircase will be on the back side" Jeremy walked in that direction, Coltrane followed the suit. 

Jeremy knocked on the door waiting for a reply. Coltrane stands their hand crossed waiting for her to open the door. So, he can give her a piece of his mind for what she did to his room.

"Cassandra we know you are there. Open the door.  In ten seconds or I will fucking break the door" he added. The ten seconds come and go. Coltrane did what he said banging the door open from the hinge. 

At the sound of the door breaking, her conscious return. She blinked looking at the men standing beside her bed.

She sit up and stare at them blankly. A shiver ran down both of their spine, both of them felt something in their throat parched. Something seems off as she looked at them without acknowledging them.

Jeremy froze in his place as she stared at them, not screaming like any sane person would do if they broke into their house. Coltrane glared at her acting. She did not even yell at them for breaking the door which was weird as it is.

"She got to be kidding me. Are you pretending?" he grabbed her wrist in his grip. But it does not seem like she is pretending or acting. Cassandra stared at him silently.  Dragging her, he pushed her on the back seat.

"Do we need to take her to the hospital?" Jeremy asked.

"Why?" Coltrane asked as they both settled on the front seat looking behind.

 Her eyes closed, breathing softly as if she was not conscious a moment ago.

Coltrane closed his eyes, taking a deep breath when a memory came forward.

*********

Past..

Coltrane sat in his spot, sighing her teary eyes never left him. 

"Why don't you try helping your sister?" He asked Cassandra while stare at the board where the teacher wrote some formulas.

"I don't wanna" she replied trying to avoid the question. This is not something she wants him to pry. Everyone has their secrets and she is least interested in sharing this.

"If you want to then do so. Don't involve me" Cassandra gave him a look for a few seconds. Coltrane could not put his finger on the feelings her eyes shone.

"What are you whispering?" Jeremy asked that's a new thing he is never distracted from class.

"Nothing," Coltrane said.

"Then keep quiet" He gets a glare in return.

Determined to help, Coltrane heads towards the same corridor they meet without bothering to look for her. 

For some reason he was sure Catherine would be there. His eyes widened at the sight. She was on the floor curled up sobbing. He ran to her, softly touching her hair. She flinched looking up and her eyes popped. She hurriedly sat up wiping her eyes. She put on a forced smile.

"How can I help you?" Catherine cleared her throat. He sighed and pulled her up, holding her. He carried her to their classroom.

"Hey! Put me down. I am fine" she screamed startled.

"I said, I am fine" she struggled to get away from him.

Cassandra was standing their in the middle of the classroom. Her hand hand on her hips glaring at Jeremy when Aaron her another classmate rush towards her.

"Cassey I am in trouble. Help me" Aaron dramatically stumbles upon her grabbing her hand.

"I can't do anything" Cassandra shrugged him off.

"Please" Aaron looked at her in mock teary eyes.

"For free I won't" she gave him a bored look.

"Please. The love of my life" he kissed her hand making a weird sound. She snatched her hand away.

"Don't give me that you creep" she kicked him. 

"Jeremy can help you" she pushed him back to Jeremy.

Jeremy passed Aaron kicking so that he fell. They laughed high five each other, students around them laughing and chatting, when Coltrane entered.

"Are you alright?" Cassandra asked Aaron holding her hand out. He took her hand and stood up.

Coltrane settled her down. Cassandra stared at him when he touched Catherine's cheeks.

Catherine blushed lightly, looking down for a while feeling uncomfortable.

"What happened?" Jeremy asked for the first time. Cassandra sighed even though she didn't get into her mess. She already had.

"What happened?" Cassandra asked her almost blankly. Catherine blinked, her eyes widened, tears filled, her cheeks flushed. She stood up hurriedly hugging Cassandra.

"You... you care" Catherine sobbed tightening her grip. She pry her hand off glaring at her, trying not to push her away.

"I asked you if you didn't want to answer, it's alright but didn't get cozy," Cassandra slightly pushed her away.

"I am being bullied by the girls in our classroom" Catherine looked down while speaking and tears silently fell from her eyes for being rejected. 

"They thought that I tried to snatch their boyfriends" her voice sounded hoarse.

"Why don't you get your shit together and help yourself out for one time at least?"  Cassandra said in one go, not sparing her any moment she turned to Aaron.

"You need my help right? Let's go" she walked away leaving them to solve her problem.

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

Present...

The car drive was silent. They sit straight in their seat tension radiating off of them. Something odd happened and they know it very well.

Knowing Cassandra they know she will struggle but with no resistance on her side Coltrane  succeeded in getting her inside the car. Which feels odd not only that she acted differently. It's as if she was someone else. Shaking his head to clear his absurd thoughts.

Coltrane knows she is at fault and she will be punished. Jeremy stared at her from the front seat looking through the mirror. 

Cassandra blinked her eyes holding her head. She could feel the air conditioner sneezing softly, she sat up on the back seat.

"Stop the car" she yelled at them though it came out hoarse.

"I need to pee" she warned them. He presses the brake almost slamming his and Jeremy's head.

"What the fuck?" Coltrane opened his seat belt unlocking the door.

"Get out" she rolled her eyes at his dramatic act. He checked in a hotel.

"Go use the bathroom" Coltrane and Jeremy sit on the bed of the hotel room. She used the bathroom while they chatted.

"We are going to work this out without losing temper" Jeremy said glaring at Coltrane to try and oppose him.

" I already told you, I kidnapped her. I did this for revenge" Cassndra cold voice startled them. Coltrane stood up, cornering her. She stares at him as he glares at her. She could feel his warm breath fanning on her face. He slammed his hand either side of her body on the wall. She jumped, putting her hand on his chest and she tried to push him away. 

"You wanted to hear that. Now stay the fuck away from me" Jeremy hurriedly got between them pushing away Coltrane creating a distance.

"Didn't I tell you she is innocent?" Jeremy asked, staring at Coltrane.

"Jeremy don't get involved in something that is none of your business" her voice coldly interrupts their conversation. He froze not saying anything in return.

"I need to go to the office and you are coming." Coltrane ordered her.

"Are you coming with us?" He asked Jeremy who shook his head.

Coltrane without looking back walked away and she followed. There was only silence. Cassandra wondered if she was going to the office in her pjs.

"I will stop at a shop. You can get changed," Coltrane said, starting the car. After Jeremy's word he calmed down gradually. Many things happened and getting to a conclusion without observations will create incomplete reports. For now he will be the on looker, an outsider.

"I don't have any money with me" Cassandra stubbornly sat on the car looking out.

"I will pay..."

"No need" she refused glaring at him.

"I will go to the office so let me head back" Cassandra sighed, gripping her seat belt to prevent him from dragging her.

"Okay" he nodded his head, dropping her off near her cafe. 

She was about to get down when he grabbed her hand and painfully squeezed her wrist.

"If I don't see you there in half an hour, I will finish what I started" Coltrane let her go and drive away. She stood there sighing again as the tension she was feeling washed away. She rubbed her wrist away trying to sooth the pain. She awkwardly stands in front of her cafe. They didn't bother to clock her door.

Cassandra rolled her eyes, it's true she does not have anything valuable but still. Clenching her hand she tried to calm down.

She took a shower and got dressed in a formal mint green shirt. She wore a brown coloured skirt and black high heel pump shoes. Pulling her hair in a bun she used nude lipstick and khol for a smoky look. She needs to look like her.

It's as if her consciousness remained her, that she is her replacement. As bitter as she felt, she gulped down her emotions, sealing it deep inside her.

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

Entry was not bad, the staff greeted her with respect.

Cassandra stands in the hall smiling. A perfect beautiful smile of a newlywed, her cheek started to hurt. Knowing her sister she might be kind to everyone and greet them happily. She made her way to the receptionist.

"Good morning ma'am. Congratulations on your wedding" the receptionist greeted her smiling happily.

"Thank you. Umm where is Flynn?" The receptionist blinked her eyes confused.

'Shit' Cassandra cursed forgetting about acting.

"I... I mean Coltrane" she rectified her words.

"Oh! He is in his office, Ma'am" The receptionist replied not asking her anything.

'Well trained' She sighed.

"Call him and tell him to come down," Cassandra asked. She has no idea where this office is.

"Of course Mrs. Mayor" she dialed him and handed her the phone.

She takes it, giving her a confused look, "yes?"

"Come to my office," Coltrane said.

"I don't know....." She hears a sigh and a dial tone.

He came down after a few minutes romantically putting his hand on her waist, "let's go".

*********

"Can you call a taxi for me?" Jeremy asked the receptionist.

"Yes Sir. Please wait" she smiled at him blinking her eyelashes.

"Hello! I need a taxi in the front gate" she cut the call.

Jeremy checked out of the hotel which Coltrane booked and went to his hotel. After pulling an all night. He was exhausted, getting down from the taxi he sighed. 

He was checking in his room, when his phone rang.

"Hello?" He mumbled ready to tell whoever called him to call after an hour.

But the voice on the other side of the phone froze him and his words.

"..........."

"..........."

"Where?"

"............"

"When?"

"............"

"What?" he asked annoyed.

"................."

"Okay,I am coming" he blinked, his eyes wide awake.

"Call me a taxi" he ordered the manager of the hotel.

Jeremy called Jason his right hand man who takes care of all his office work here.

"Jason speaking?" He rolled his eyes hearing him.

"Jason, where are you?" He asked.

"In office sir" Jason stood up speaking.

"I will be joining the office today. And you will transfer to the main sector. Right a transfer letter I will sign it"

"Alright sir" Jason said confused but stopped his questioning.

"Oh! And ask someone to clean my penthouse. I will be shifting there" he said.

***********

"Jeremy?" She asked, looking at him. He stared at her bitterness filling in. He does not want to see her then what is he doing here?

Jeremy remembered the conversation he had with his subordinate.

"Hello?" He mumbled.

"Hello! Sir. We find her"

"She wants to meet you"

"Where?"

"In Medicinal Health Care room no. 307"

"When?"

"Today. And she have a request"

"What?" He asked annoyed, it's not like he needs to hear her request or anything.

"Not to inform anyone"

Jeremy stared at the woman he once loved with his everything.  The same woman who betrayed him leaving him shattered beyond repair. He closed his eyes trying to control his temper.

"So, What are you playing at? Catherine" He asked, glaring at her.

"What are you implying?" She responded as her eyes looked down.

"You don't know? Then let me call him" he pulled his cellphone.

"No please wait," her hand extended.

**********

Things are getting interesting...

Thank you for reading dear readers...

Do share your thoughts and comment..

I will be waiting, constructive criticism is always welcome.

Untill next time.