Exciting News : NEW COVER AND TITLE ALERT!!

I felt that ToT didnt do enough justice to the story thats slowly unfolding in my head. I really hope you guys like it and now lets dive into the story, enjoy!! XO, Ama

Also, its a bit of a long chapter. I hope you enjoy nevertheless.

Lucia ~

Lucia was just turning her keys in the ignition when Cassy asked the question Lucia dreaded to answer. Sighing deeply, she turned it back off and took a long hard breath then turned towards Cassy who was breaking apart in the passenger seat. Cassy who usually looked bubbly and cheerful now looked devastated, somehow she reminded her of a broken doll. Cassy's tear-stricken face took Lucia back to when she herself was a little girl. She used to be picked on by the other little girls in the neighbourhood who never failed to make her cry. Little girls can be mean bullies.

Lucia recalled an incident that took place on her eighth birthday. She could vividly remember it because of what had happened. Her papa had bought her a little pink bicycle with a pretty little wicker basket. Lucia was ecstatic. She remembered riding around the neighbourhood ringing the little silver bells, the tinsels on the handles dancing in the air as she cycled down the pavements. Lucia was so proud of her new bike back then. She remembered feeling like she was the luckiest girl in the world.

But the other little girls in the neighbourhood didn't think in the same way. Her heart ached to remember how the girls stood on either sides of where she cycled, gathered around in little groups, pointing and laughing at Lucia. Their voices that said mean things to her back then, still felt like salt to a wound. The sugar sweet voices that won everybody's hearts chanting "Bikes are for boys", "Lucia is a boy" in sing song voices, that soon came in endless chants.

Back then, for a little girl of eight, being compared to a boy is horrible and humiliating. Lucia remembered losing control of the bike and falling down scraping her knees and elbows. That didnt hurt nearly as much as the girlish giggles and laughter she heard afterwards. Then she recalls the pretty girl who came to her like an angel. That girl had been Cassy. Lucia knew Cassy, the girl with a small heart shaped face and beautiful long hair who was her brother's friend. She was always kind and there she was, kneeling close to Lucia and slowly helping her up. Cassy then squatted on her heels and wiped away the little tears that dripped down Lucia's cheeks with her thumb and held her face in her palms.

"Let them laugh Lu, but don't let it get to you. You are a strong little girl."

Cassy's words that day still echo in her ears. Those words had always resonated deeply within Lucia. They always come to her, even years later, giving her strength to move mountains, whenever she was faced with difficulty. But now, seeing Cassy go through this heartbreak, she couldn't help but pity Cassy. The sweet girl who saved her from her bullies, the one who consoled her, the one who was a big sister to Lucia was now looking in her for comfort. Doubt was looming on her face. Her eyes were red and swollen. Her face was puffy. Cassy looked a mess. It made her angry that it was Pete who did this to sweet Cassy.

As Lucia observed Cassy's tear-streaked face, her heart ached in pain. Memories of their childhood flashed through her mind, and she couldn't help but feel sorry for the pain Cassy was experiencing. Pete was unnecessarily hurtful and despicable to her. Lucia only wished Cassy would have taken her own advice. But it also frustrated Lucia that Cassy let others dictate her worth and her life. It was obvious that Pete's accusations were just a diversion from his cheating. He was merely looking for a way to put the blame on Cassy.

"Cassy darling listen to me." She began, looking deep into Cassy's eyes. She heard her voice filled with compassion. For someone who was a lot younger than Cassy herself, Lucia sounded incredibly grown up and mature.

She continued "One, if you are going to start believing everything everybody says, thats going to be a big problem and you'll never get out of it alive."

Lucia paused looking right at Cassy. In this moment, Lucia reminded Cassy of Sofia. She couldn't help but smile at the memory and at how simply true Lucia's point was.

"Two" she started again.

"Dont let Pete's words define you because it doesn't matter what he said. Do you know who you are?"

At that point Cassy paused to think and then nodded slowly.

Placing her hands on both of Cassy's shoulders, Lucia exclaimed "Then you shouldn't let things like this bother you at all! You are alot stronger than you realise. In fact you are one of the strongest people I know. When I was a little girl it was always you I looked up to, not Luca. I still remember the first time you stood up for me, when I fell off my bike"

Lucia's voice started to crack. Cassy felt Lucia shiver a little. The memory Lucia was referring to was one of the incidents with the bullies. Perhaps the wounds were still fresh underneath.

Cassy was suddenly reminded of how little Lucia would frequently be the victim of bullies. She would try hard to ignore but they would somehow get to her and make her cry.

Like on one day, when Cassy was on her way to Vita Vigneti after school, she saw Lucia being bullied by several other girls. She fell off the bike she was riding and hurt herself. Cassy recalled consoling a teary-eyed Lucia.

"We'll get through this together Cassy." Bringing her out of her reverie, Lucia spoke now.

"Dont let Pete's betrayal change who you are. You are a kind and loving person. You deserve much better and we are both here for you."

As Lucia's words began to sink in, Cassy felt her chest tighten. She wanted to believe them but a storm of self rage was gradually consuming her. Cassy couldn't help thinking about Pete's accusations. How could she ignore them when they still echoed inside her head?

Cassy wiped her tearful eyes with the back of her sleeve and managed a faint smile.

"I guess you're right Lu. Thank you for coming with me today. It was such a strength have you with me"

Cassy ~

Stepping out of the car Lucia parked by the side of the busy street, Cassy stood infront of the Regal, her heart pounding in her chest. The place held countless memories that it felt like her second home.

The modern building stood tall among the towering skyscrapers in the busy street. The tall glass windows reflected the purple orange hue of the approaching evening. The sleek front double doors, adorned with large brass handles stood graciously presenting the Regal in prestige. A large sign proudly displaying Regal in Gold letters gleamed mightily over the front doors, calling attention from the passers-by.

As Cassy approached the front doors, she was in awe of the grandeur of the building despite having passed the very same doors numerous times in the past.

Inside, the familiar scent of fresh ink, the rhythmic clatter of keyboards greeted her, reminding her of the countless hours spent within these very walls. However, meeting her boss after 'the incident' was what Cassy dreaded with each step she took inside the Regal. Lucia was walking in step with Cassy daring anybody to challenge her.

As they walked passed the lobby, the tension in the air intensified, the busy newsroom in full swing with journalists bustling across the room. Cassy took in the familiar sight, part of her longing to come back, while her hesitation regarding the decision she was faced with overwhelmed her.

At the heart of the room, commanding every move left and right, stood Francesca Moretti. The woman whom Cassy had looked up to since she first set foot at the Regal. She had been a beacon of competence and authority navigating the stormy seas of journalism with exceptional skill, steering the vast ship of the newsroom against the towering giants.

But instead of the usual idolisation, Cassy's heart exploded with rage and mistrust. The strained relationship with her boss was far more difficult to comprehend than the tenuous confrontatiom with Pete. Perhaps it was because of the pedestal Cassy had kept Moretti on for so long, that the simplest possibility of her being anything besides the icon was bewildering.

When Moretti saw Cassy approaching, Cassy noticed a hint of a mocking smile play ever so slightly on her face. Dressed in an expensively tailored blackish blue jumpsuit, pitch black pumps and makeup with a bold red lip and a sophisticated updo, she easily wins supremacy.

As Cassy, accompanied by Lucia went closer, Moretti gestured the two of them into her office which was a glass cubicle Cassy had frequented many times before.

The boss's office stood prominently in the bustling newsroom, offering a transparent view of her authoritative domain.
The strategic location of the office enabled Moretti an observant glance of the operations outside.

The office itself was spacious and elegant. The ceiling to floor glass windows illuminated the office with natural light while providing a panoramic view of the city.

The large polished Mahogany table at the center of the room, drawing immediate attention to itself, was neatly organized with an array of items such as a leatherbound planner, a high-end pen set and a macbook on it. A sleek black nameboard with a slim gold line reading Ms. Francesca Moretti, Editor-in-Chief, sat proudly on the table.

The minimalistic decor on the walls adorned with various framed newspaper clipplings presented Moretti's victories in Journalism.

Once inside the office, Moretti strode towards the high-backed leather chair and poised on it. She then gestured Cassy and Lucia to so the same. But neither of them did.

The tension inside the cubicle was so thick you could cut it with a sword. Moretti and Cassy kept shooting each other difficult and disgusted looks.

Moretti appeared to be more composed than Cassy was, oozing with confidence. Her face, a display of victory and satisfaction.

It was also Moretti who broke the awkward, toxic silence.

"Cassy dear, to what do I owe this pleasure?" Moretti had a smug look on her face.

"And what can I offer you, tea, coffee?" Mock hospitality was written all over that.

Tea was the last thing on her mind.
Cassy's fingers were cold and her palms were sweaty. Her mouth had suddenly become very dry. She had always hated big decisions like this. What if she messed up? What if her decision was wrong? Journalism had not always been her dream but when she started working at Regal, she had developed a liking for it. It was difficult now to let go of something that has been so steady in her life.

She had started fidgeting with the strap of her purse, her eyes wandered down to her feet. She wanted to be totally sure but she knew she had no time.

"I... I think I want to.." she found her voice trailing off. Her nervousness was very evident in her voice. The courage that had been with her a short while ago had disappeared into thin air.

Moretti snorted, crossing her arms over her chest.

"Darling, if you had really known what you want in life, maybe Pete wouldn't have turned to another woman. You know that it's your indecisiveness that led him to me."

Cassy's face shot up, blushing from embarrassment. Her eyes started to sting, she felt her ears burn as if on fire. She wished that the ground would open up and swallow her. But she couldn't back out now. She knew she had to speak up. Enough is enough!

She was also sure about her decision. Lucia standing next to her clenched her fists. She was like a volcano ready to erupt.

The moment was here.

"I Quit!" Cassy spat out loudly.

Both Moretti and Lucia froze. Cassy could feel Lucia turning to look at her. She also noticed Moretti sitting up in shock. An impact was made.

"Enough is enough! I have always had so much respect for you. Which was my fault clearly! You never deserved it. You maybe the queen of journalism, but Ms. Moretti, you suck as a woman. Hell you suck as a human. I trusted you with my life. And this? This is how you treat me, by cheating on me with my boyfriend? Pete isnt worth it! Now he never will be!"

Once she started, she couldnt stop. Cassy surprised herself at what she had said. She had been loud. Very loud. Cassy was sure the other people outside the cubicle were listening in. But she didn't care anymore.

It was odd, seeing the kind of look on Moretti's face, merely because of something Cassy said. Usually the woman has an absolute straight face. But at that moment, she seemed to have gone very pale and somehow looked miserable. Her eyes seemed to have a look that Cassy couldn't decipher. In truth, she didn't even want to try.

Cassy was breathing hard, she noticed her fist clenched tightly around the purse.

A sudden unexpected relief washed over her. It felt as if somebody finally lifted the weight that had been crushing her. It felt easier to breathe.

"Oh and Ms. Moretti, you can keep him. He was up for seconds anyway." Cassy felt herself smile snarkily at a Moretti who was paralysed at her desk, her hands gripping the wdge of her table so hard that her knuckles were white.

"Come on Lu" Cassy had already reached the door when she called out to Lucia. She had to focus all her energy to keep herself from looking at her colleagues. She was determined to walk straight outside, to maintain the facade of keeping a straight face when inside all hell had broken loose.

Once outside her knees buckled, she bent over to keep herself from falling. Her heart was beating so fast that her chest hurt. Her ears were ringing loudly. She saw the feet of several passers-by pause in front of her for a moment or two, then continue to walk away. It didn't matter anymore. She just wanted to catch her breathe.

She then felt a soothing palm on her back. Lucia was standing close by, gently stroking her.

"You did great Cassy. That was incredible" Lucia's support meant so much at the moment. It was what kept Cassy afloat.

"I.. I couldn't.. have done it.. without you Lu" she managed to say weakly.

#####

On their way home, Cassy wanted Lucia to go to the grocery for supplies. She wanted to make some Risotto. It had always been an amazing comfort dish and paired with numerous others she could have Risotto everyday.

First she put the chicken broth on the stove and let it heat up, awakening the senses. As she skillfully diced the onions, memories of her childhood came back. Cooking with her Nonnina she had learnt the art of food and the song of aromas.

She then let the onions cook separately. She remembered Nonnina saying that risotto onions should be gently cooked over medium heat, to turn them into soft, translucent onions. Nonnia would say when the onions were cooked perfettamente. The aroma of the caramelising onions soothed her, the realm of peace and calm that she knew.

The entire apartment was filled with the aroma of cooking onions that it made Lucia's mouth water. She had offered to help but Cassy had refused. Lucia could see that she was in her element, her haven. She saw how Cassy worked with ease in the kitchen showing years of joyous practice. Lucia saw an entirely different side of Cassy, like a composed and skilled performer, unshaken by the crowd watching.

As Cassy stirred in the rice, a sense of calm settled over her. Cooking had always been her escape when chaos threatened to upend her. She felt at ease moving in rhythm with the kitchen.

As Cassy poured the wine into the Risotto, Lucia couldn't help but sigh "That smells amazing, Cassy." Cassy smiled gratefully at Lucia, for staying with her in this moment of peace.

The aroma of caramelized onions filled the air, mingling with the rich scent of simmering broth.

Finally she took the pan from the stove and in went the parmesan. The aroma that spread throughout the apartment was divine.

Lucia's stomach grumbled loudly. But Cassy wasn't done just yet. She went onto making the crispy chicken thighs afterwards. The sound of sizzling chicken thighs in the skillet added to the symphony of flavors that enveloped the kitchen.

Upon Cassy's request, Lucia has asked Luca to bring a bottle of Chardonnay with him. Cassy had been enthusiastically explaining how the Chardonnay is a classic choice for rich Risotto and Crispy Chicken. It felt good to see this bright side of Cassy, the one who smiled and laughed. The one who didnt remember Pete. Her big sister.

When it was time for dinner, the trio gathered around to enjoy the hearty meal. It reminded all of them of home and when everything was joyful and comforting. Lucia noticed how Cassy's eyes lit up with excitement as she talked about wine pairings.

They clinked the glasses and the Chardonnay truly complimented the Risotto, the creamy texture and hint of oak of the wine, brought out the creamy richness of the Risotto and the nuttiness of the parmesan.

Out of the blue, Cassy caught sight of a large patch of bright red on Luca's hand. The blood had seeped through the white bandage that had been wrapped carefully around Luca's right hand.

"Oh my god! What happened to your hand, Luca?!" Cassy's gasped her eyes widening.