Chapter Thirty-One.

"Come my dear." Rodger Milton stood at the entrance of the golden gate,beckoning to her.

"Father!" Cassie cried,her heart over filling with joy. She smiled when Beatrice appeared beside him with a smile on her face. "Mother!"

Beatrice waved to her,her white gown glistening like a glass in the sun. "My daughter,I've been expecting you."

Another woman appeared on the left side of Rodger. "Our daughter."

Cassie knew then that the woman must be her biological mother. She smiled and waved at the woman.

"What are you waiting for?" Rodger questioned. "Come to us."

Cassie began to move forward but one man,dressed in white with huge wings appeared before her,blocking her path.

"Let me through." Cassie pleaded.

"It's not yet time,Cassie." The winged man told her softly. "You have not completed your time on earth."

"B-but I want to stay here." She whined. "Who are you anyway?"

"Angel Gabriel." The man smiled at her.

Cassie blinked. He was an Angel?

She didn't know that Angel's are so hot and handsome. Even Kaden had nothing on this spotless and handsome Angel.

"I can hear your thoughts." Angel Gabriel's smile widened. "Thank you for your compliment, but you have to go back,or don't you want to see Kaden again?"

"I want to. But I also want to be with my parents."

"The lord says that it's not your time." Angel Gabriel grabbed her arm. "See you later Cassie."

Then he pushed her.

Cassie felt herself falling backwards. She tried to grasp his arm but he was gone. She saw her parents wave to her as she fell from heaven with the speed of a rocket.

I am going to die!

She screamed and sat up straight in her bed. All around her,the monitor began to beep like crazy but she was not listening. Her heart was beating like thunder and as she became aware of her surrounding, the first face she saw was Annie's.

"You're awake." Ansela beamed. "William,get the doctor!"

"Kade." Cassie whispered. Her throat felt so patchy and dry.

Ansela's face fell. But she quickly covered it up by smiling. "Are you hungry, do you want any water?"

"Water."

William and one other man dressed in white lab coat,hurried into the room. Cassie frowned at the man when he asked her to lie on her back. She did as she was told.

The man checked for her pulse. He placed his stethoscope above her chest and the he checked her leg which was hanging from a caste. Next he checked her arm which was also bandaged. When he was satisfied, he moved back from her.

"How are you feeling?" He questioned her.

"Tired and a bit sore. Who are you?"

"I am Dr. Greene. And you should feel that way since you survived a near death experience."

"What do you mean?" Annie questioned.

"It means that you are lucky. The bullet went into your left side where you heart is located." Dr. Greene nodded in surprise. "You have a case of Situs Inversus,which is also called Sites tranversus,oppositus or Dextrocardia.

Normally,the heart points to the left,but in your case,your heart is located on the right. Which is rare,I tell you. It's a miracle in your own case. This is the first time I'm hearing about it or even seeing it. You're one lucky woman Miss Milton."

Cassie licked her lips. "I'm thirsty." She couldn't even comprehend half of the medical jargon he just spoke.

"Miss Mckade would see to it. If you need anything just press that green button by your beside. A nurse would attend to you." Dr. Greene gave her a warm smile. "If you rest very well. Maybe you would go home this week."

"Thank you." Cassie waited until he was gone before facing William and Annie. "Where's Kade?"

Cassie watch them exchange a look before looking away guiltily.

"I'll go and get water." William escaped.

Annie sighed,before taking Cassie's hand in hers. "Don't worry about Kaden,right now. Worry about your self. And I have good news for you."

Cassie let her change the subject. She wondered where Kaden was.

"Albert is in prison as we speak. He and that foolish wife of his. Skylar had been taken out of the country by her parents. Poor girl's traumatized." Annie shook her head. "I trusted Amelia. I even told her that I was Josie and---"

Cassie cut her off sharply. "You are Josie? As in Josephine Odukoya?"

"Yes." Annie smiled. "I am sorry for lying to you."

Cassie saw the door open. Ella walked in with a smile on her face and a bandage around her head.

"Cassie!" Ella ran to the beside and threw her arms around Cassie careful not to touch her bad arm.

"Ouch!" Cassie gently pushed her away. "I get shot in my chest too."

Ella looked mortified. "Sorry! How are you? Gosh, I cried when I heard you have been shot. Do you know how long I waited for you to wake up? Two freaking weeks! Don't you do that to me again."

Cassie winced. "Two weeks?"

"Yes." Ella sniffed. "Don't ever leave me again. I'm sorry about Beatrice."

Cassie nodded not trusting herself to speak.

"What happened to your head?" Cassie asked when she got a hold of herself.

"That Skylar nearly pulled my hair out of my scalp. When she tried to kidnap me,I fought with her. That blasted Sarah attacked me,while that bitch pulled my hair." Ella winced. "All this talk is making me tried." She sank into the chair beside Ansela who was smiling. "What?"

"You haven't changed one bit."

"You don't even know me."

"I do. Or have you forgotten Josie?" Annie grinned.

"Jos..." Ella sat up straight. "You are Josie? Wow. But you look different."

"That's because I am not using disguise." Ansela's grin faded. "I knew that Cassie was the best match for my brother so I had to bring them together."

Every one became silent. Each of them lost in their own thought until a nurse,carrying a tray containing a glass of water and two tablets of aspirin entered. After Cassie used the medicine the nurse asked them to leave so she could rest. After their goodbyes, they all left. Cassie went to sleep thinking about Kaden and what he was doing.

Few days later,Cassie fiddled with the sleeve of the itchy black sweater Ella forced her to wear. It was late winter so every where was cold. Kaden's parents,Arabella and Steven had told her that she would be having a chat with the press. At first she declined,but they told her that it was inevitable, which was why she was sitting in this blasted wheel chair enduring this itchy sweater,when she really wanted to be at home laying on her couch eating hamburger,chips and soda.

And oh,by the way, Kaden was whereabouts had been confirmed. She had learn from one of the nurses that he was out of the country. So typical of him,isn't it?

He didn't even care about her. What a great great man he is.

"Cassie are you ready?" Steven crouched in front of her.

"Yes."

"You'll be fine." Arabella patted Cassie's hair affectionately. "We are with you, thank you for saving my son's life."

"I am happy I did it."

"Let's go."

Annie and Ella stood by the door leading out of the hospital. They gave her a wave and smile as Steven pushed the wheel chair out the swinging door.

They were immediately attacked by camera flashing lights and a lot of question. The body guards Steven hired to protect her held back the press with the help of some police men too. Cassie smiled at the Camera when questions flew at her from every direction.

She raised her hand and every where became silent. She cleared her throat and began to speak.

"I am alive and I'm not dead,I thank God for that. While I was kidnapped I saw the nasty things people wrote and said about me. My father used to say that there's always two side to a coin. Don't ever judge someone until you are sure that that person really did what he or she is being accused of. I am not a gold digger. I am not sleeping with William but I won't deny that I did with Kade." She paused and felt encouraged when Arabella squeezed her shoulder gently. "Either we are from downtown or uptown,we shouldn't look down on each other. We should leave in peace and harmony. I won't say I am not proud of the fact that I come from a poor family or from downtown, I am really proud of that fact. I have tasted both the uptown and downtown life and I tell you that I enjoyed both life. Philadelphia is a great place and I love it and everyone in it,be it poor or rich.  I lost my mother to this incident,it pained me a whole lot,but I am happy that we got to settle our differences before she was killed. I want to thank everyone who has been there for me,most especially Ella and the Mckade's. Thank you all. Like I said earlier, don't judge people if you don't know the truth.

If I learned something in life,it is that don't take the time you spend with everyone for granted because one day you would realise that you lost a diamond while you were busy collecting stones. Thank you."

Cheers and Claps erupted from everyone and everywhere. Cassie didn't even know that she was crying until Arabella wiped her face with a hanky. She smiled as they hugged her to them.

Everywhere became silent and Cassie wondered why. She looked up and saw William kneeling in front of her while holding a small jewelry case. A diamond ring lay on the velvet cover in the box.

"Cassie,I love you from the very day I set my eyes on you." He told her. "Which is why I'm asking you. Will you marry me?"

The place was so quite that you could hear a pin drop. Everyone held their breath for her reply. Cassie closed her eyes and opened them. She bit her lips.

The word came out as loud and clear as a spring water.

"No."

~^~^~^~^~

Three months later.

"Go on and have fun." Cassie said as she sat in the park bench with the help of Annie and Ella.

Her life had improved greatly. She now stayed with the Mckade family. And her bullet wounds were healed. The only thing left was her leg. She went for physiotherapy twice in a weak. Her physiotherapist, Anna Suya Melbourne, told her that if they kept it up,she would be walking with her feet five months to come.

William left for Camps bay,south Africa after she declined his marriage proposal. Cassie felt bad for doing that to him but she didn't love him. Those nosey press printed and published it,each of them painting it in their own way.

Honestly, she didn't care.

Kaden had not returned from Paris either. He didn't call or text her. Cassie pretended not to care,but deep down inside she was hurt. How could he forget her so easily?

"Cassie, are you sure?" Annie asked even though she was eyeing the merry-go round from afar.

"Yes. I'm not a baby." Cassie rolled her eyes. "Get me ice cream on your way back."

Ella gave Cassie the novel they brought along for her. "Here, read this while we are gone."

"Thanks a bunch."

Cassie watch them go with a smile playing on her lips. A couple waved at her as they went by,Cassie returned their wave.

Deciding that she won't think of Kaden today, she opened her book and began to read it.

"Miss."

Cassie looked up to see a cute little girl with an adorable smile holding a single Gerbera Daisy. Cassie smiled back.

"For you." The little girl said.

Cassie accepted it. "Who asked you to give me?"

The girl smiled before dashing off. Cassie frowned as she watch the girl go. She felt a tug on her arm. A boy held out a single Tulips to her before running off.

And just like that, little girls and boys brought flowers to her. They were nine in total. After the ninth child, Cassie found herself waiting for the next child but who she saw made her jaw drop.

Kaden walked towards her while clutching a bouquet of roses of different colours. Red, blue,orange,white you name the colour and she would point it out. Kaden got to her and went down on his knees before her.

"Kade." Cassie smiled not believing that he was really here.

"Cassie, I've missed you."

Cassie dropped her book on the bench beside the flowers, move forward and bit and... Slapped him on his face!

"That's for leaving me hanging." Tears ran down her cheeks.

"I'm sorry." He used his thumb to wipe the tears away.

"Apology accepted." She beamed at him. "What's with the flowers?"

Kaden remained on his knees. "The Gerbera daisy symbolise Beauty, innocence and purity,which describes you Cassie. Tulips stands for perfect love,which you have shown to me from the very start of our relationship. The Alstroemeria also known as Peruvian lilies, represents friendship and devotion. I hope we can establish that.

The casa Blanca Lillie's represent beauty,class and style,which also describe you." Kaden paused for breath.

Cassie was blushing and crying at the same time. "Don't stop."

Kaden smiled. "The fifth one,which is an Orchid also symbolize love beauty and strength,you have everything Cassie. The Carnation stands for fascination and new love,which is how I'm feeling right now. Sunflowers represent warmth and happiness which is what I am promising you right now and forever. The iris stands for faith and hope,which is the way I'm also feeling right now. And the Gardenias signifies purity and joy."

Cassie smiled through her tears. She felt happy that she had waited all those long three months because he was here and he was speaking his love for her without actually saying the popular three letter words.

"And the roses?"

"Roses symbolize love,Romance,beauty and perfection. Which is what I want to share with you now And forever." Kaden reached into his pocket and produced the blue and silver ring he bought for her. "Cassandra Milton,My queen,the love of my life and woman of my dreams, would you do me the honour of becoming mine now and forever?"

Cassie frowned. "Where did you go all this month?"

"I was in Paris,building our family home."

"Does this mean that I would move to Paris if I agree?"

"Yes."

Cassie smirked inwardly. "I won't see Ella or Annie?"

"They can come and visit." Kaden was beginning to get impatient.

"And---"

"For the love of God Cassie put me out of my mystery already!"

Cassie began to laugh at him. "Yes, yes I would marry you."

Kaden slid the ring on her middle finger and was happy when it fitted her properly.

Cheers and claps filled the whole park,but Cassie ignored them. She felt happy and complete. She thought she saw Beatrice from the corner of her eyes. She was waving at her and smiling too.

Mom,I am getting married and I miss you.

Cassie smiled at Kaden as he got on his feet and carried her bridal style after giving her the bouquet.

"I love you." He whispered to her.

"I love you too."

He captured her lips with his own.

The End. Fin.