Cassandra's POV

I opened the door knob, tears streaming down my cheeks. My vision blurry and my head spinning a little.
I felt my phone vibrate ignoring the beep.

I walked into the living room where I saw Xavier from a distance.

"Where have you been?" I've been worried sick." He said walking towards me.

I somehow found my legs moving towards him, the tears streaming down my cheeks. As soon as he stood in front of me he pulled me into his arms as I broke down into tears.

Images of today's events popped up in my mind causing a sharp headache.

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*Earlier that day*

Xavier excused himself from the table to take a phone call.
I watched as he disappeared into his study.

I continued eating my breakfast thinking about what I saw yesterday. Did Melissa send someone to poison me or was it a coincidence that she met that guy? It is possible the cashier lied about that guy poisoning my drink.

Minutes later Xavier came back from his study, his expression had suddenly turned cold as he clenched his jaw and kept his hands into tight fists.

"Cassie, Benjamin is going to drive you today. There is something I need to take care of." He said walking towards me.

"Is everything okay?" I asked an eyebrow raised.

"It will be," he answered. He placed a kiss on my forehead before leaving.

What could have possibly made him this upset? He was in a good mood early this morning.

I continued eating my bacon and eggs not giving this another thought.

After breakfast, I went to my room to take a nap as I was feeling very tired. I was energetic this morning but now I felt drained. I guess making babies is harder than it seems.
I fell asleep as I began to dream of better days.

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I felt a cold hand on my shoulder shaking me roughly. I opened my eyes slowly, Benjamin standing in front of me looking annoyed.

"You have to wake up, I'm driving you to your classes today." He said, I could hear the coldness in his tone.
As soon as we made eye contact he turned away.

I shifted on the bed suddenly feeling like I was bumped by a truck. I tried getting up but my body was glued to the bed.

"Come on, you're wasting my time." he said.

He walked away from me and stood by the door.

I don't know what I did to him but I surely didn't deserve this from him. All I did was avoid an awkward situation.

"I don't want to go," I snapped. "I'm staying at home today." I said staring at the ceiling.

If this is how he was going to behave I didn't want to be with him.

"You have to go, I get paid to take you there!" He yelled.

"I don't want to go, if you have a problem you can talk to a Xavier about it, I'm not going anywhere," I snapped. "You can take a day off." I said.

I folded my arms as I continued to stare at the ceiling.

He exhaled deeply then walked out of the room, the door following after him with a bang.

I don't know what his problem is but I didn't like this side of him.

I turned to the other side of the bed trying to fall asleep.

I heard the door knob turn, expecting to see Benjamin walk in, or Xavier. To my surprise it was Paula.

Today she wasn't dressed in her usual maid uniform.

"I'm going grocery shopping, do you need something?" She asked.

"No thank you, thanks for asking." I said.

"I hope you don't mind being alone. Kris will be here soon." she said.

I replied with a small smile as she walked out of the room.

I finally fell asleep, again, without any interferences.

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I was awoken by the sound of the doorbell as it continued to ring. I waited for a bit hoping the person would leave but whomever it was seemed very persistent.

I tried covering my ears but the sound kept getting more annoying, I don't know how the sound is so loud when the house is this big.

Paula wasn’t back from her glossary shopping and neither had Kris arrived.

I walked out of my room and to the front door.

I rubbed the sleep out of my eyes with my thumb.

I opened the door, already wearing an annoyed expression. I would have expected to see a friend or one of Xavier's friends but this took me completely by surprise.

Instead, the front door was covered in black roses, the roses covered in red drops of what looked like blood.

My body started to shake, staring at the scene in front of me. So many emotions washed over me. I took steps back, my eyes whelming up in tears. I leaned onto the door for support. Looking down, I saw a card on the floor.
I kneed to pick it up as bending as impossible for me at this stage.

I opened the card then read the words in front of me.

"'RIP, your grandmother is waiting,""


-A

The card read.

The card fell from my hands as tears ran down my cheeks. That's when it hit me, today was Grandma's anniversary. Throughout the years, Lynne and I have always spent the day together, but this time I had no one.

There was only one person who was cruel enough to do this, Antonio. Hasn't he done enough damage already?
I wasn't about to let him get to me.
I wiped tears off my checks then went to the sitting room where I had left my phone. I took my phone from the counter taking it with me in case I needed to call someone.

Suddenly my phone beeped a message popping up on my screen. I looked at my screen reading the message.

"'You have three hours to leave, your clock starts now."'

The message read.

I stared at the screen for a while processing the words.

It was time I leave, and leave him for good this time. Why was I still here? As long as I was with him trouble was going to follow.

Why was I so stupid? This was not a life I wanted for my children.
Making up my mind for the final time, I decided to leave.

Heading to my room towards the staircase, I stopped in my tracks.

Was this nightmare going to end?

The staircase was covered in bloody footsteps, going up.

"Who is here!" I yelled, tears rolling down my cheeks.

No one answered but soon I heard the sound of laughter echoing through the hall way.

I went to the kitchen then hid under the table. I dialed Xavier's number, my hands shaking.
I called him a couple times but he never answered. The laughter continued, it was the kind you would hear in a horror movie.
After trying to contact Xavier I finally gave up leaving me no other choice but to call Benjamin.

My sister and I wouldn't in talking terms after what happened. I didn't know anyone else who knew this address.

Finally, Benjamin answered on the first ring.

"Hello!" I yelled through the phone tears running down my cheeks.

"What do you want?" he said annoyed.

"Please help me, someone is after me." I said.

"I don't have time for this," he said.

"Please, I'm begging you." I said "I need..." before I could finish my sentence the line was cut. I looked at my phone to see it was off. I should have charged it.

Why didn't I just call the police instead? Benjamin didn't care about me.

I held myself tightly under the table too afraid to move. My head begin spinning as the laughter continued. It was driving me insane.

Minutes later the laughter finally stopped. I tucked myself under the table still too afraid to move nor speak. I couldn't stop crying.

"Cassie!" I heard my name being called.

I was too frightened, instead I sat still staring into blank space.

"Cassie!" I heard my name again.

I rocked myself under the table.

"Cassie," I heard my name again, this time it was a whisper.

I turned to look up to seem Benjamin staring at me doubtful.

"What's wrong, why are you under the table?" he asked.

I didn't reply, I continued crying quietly.

All the memories of my grandmother came back to me. Of how she died in front of me. Her death still torments me.

Benjamin went on his knees hugging me tightly.

"It's going to be ok," he whispered.

He helped me up, from under the table then walked me to the sitting room where he offered me a glass of water. After a while, I finally calmed down able to talk.

"What happened? Why will were you under the table?" Benjamin asked.

"There was someone in the house," I started. "Someone sent me a bunch of black roses with a RIP card. There are on the front door." I said.

Benjamin looked at me confused, his eyebrow raised.

"There was nothing on the front door when I arrived." He said.

"It was covering the front door," I insisted.

"The person must have removed it." He said.

I could tell by the tone in his voice he didn't believe me.

"There was blood on the staircase." I said.

Benjamin looked at me undecided then stood up from the couch.

"Okay, I'll go check it out. You stay here." He said.

He then walked out the room towards the staircase.

Staring into blank space, I noticed the piece of paper sitting on the table. There was something written on it in bold letters, in red ink.

I picked the paper up reading the letter.

"'You are the reason your grandmother died, do you want to be the reason your children die too."'

The letter read.

My grandmother was sick for months before she died. My only fault is not having the money to pay for her medication.

"There was no blood," Benjamin said walking in. "I looked everywhere and..."

"Please take me out of here," I interrupted him.

"What?" he said.

"Please get me out of here," I begged.

"Okay," He muttered.

I scrambled the paper then threw it to the floor.

Benjamin and I walked out to the car. As he said, the roses that were blocking the front door were now all gone with no trace of it.

Benjamin drove to the beach, it was the only place that could calm me down right now. It was my escape.
I left my phone in his car to charge.

I sat on Benjamin's jacket near the shore. I stared at the scenery as it brought back old memories.

Benjamin tapped me on the shoulder bringing me out of my thoughts.

"What's bothering you, I can tell there's something on your mind." He said.

"It's nothing," I muttered.

"Come on, you know you can tell me anything." He said.
He managed to persuade me.

"Today is the day my grandmother died." I began. "Exactly three years ago." I said.
"I had to watch her die," I wept.

He placed his arm around me, rubbing my back.

"She had a brain tumor. She was sick for awhile. We couldn't afford to pay for her medical expenses, let alone in a private hospital." I said.

I stared crying, her face popping up in my mind.

"I did everything I could. I just can't help but feel I could have done more for her. Maybe if we had the money she would still be alive." I continued.

"I'm sure your grandmother is proud of you and for everything you did for her. You know you tried your best and that was good enough." Benjamin said tucking my hair behind my ear.

We stayed at the beach for a couple of hours. Letting my emotions helped me release emotions that I have been keeping in for awhile.

Benjamin and I will back to the way we were before, he was back to his happy self.
We spent the rest of the day with his family, once again they were friendly and welcoming. His grandmother even offered me to live with them, at which I replied with the words "I'll think about it" because I know that whatever I do I can't stay with Xavier anymore.

It was ten p.m. when Benjamin drove me back to the house.

I didn't want to stay there anymore. No one was going to convince me otherwise this time. I'd leave tomorrow first thing in the morning.

The radio was playing in the background while Benjamin drove.

Driving into the yard, the lights were still on which meant Xavier was probably awake.

"Thanks for today," I said to Benjamin getting out of the car.

"Sure," he said.

I was walking towards the front door when Benjamin stopped me gripping my arm.

"Wait," he said.

I stopped in my tracks turning around to face him." What is it?" I asked.

"There is something I need to tell you." He said.

I redirected my attention to him.

"The offer still stands, you can always move in with us. We would be happy to have you." He said.

"Thank you Benjamin, I'll think about it." I said.

I turned around to walk away but he stopped me again.

"Cassie I'm in love with you." He said.

I stopped in my tracks facing him again.

"I've been in love with you since the day I first saw you." He continued.
"You different, you kind and the most selfless person I've ever met. You also the strongest, I don't know how you cope with everything that has happened to you." He said.

He took my hand into his making eye contact. I stared at him confused not knowing how to react.

"I tried to deny my feelings for you but I fell more in love with you. I'm willing to do whatever it takes to be with you. I promise I'll never hurt you." He continued.

He took a step closer, his eyes scanning my face.

"Please me mine," he whispered.

He leaned in, his breath brushing against my cheeks. He was so close I could feel his heart beat.

That's when I snapped out of my thoughts. I pulled away from him taking a step back.

"I'm sorry, I can't." I said shaking my head.

"Cassie, just give me a chance." He said.

"Maybe in different circumstances, I'm pregnant with twins. I don't ever want to put that kind of a burden on anyone." I said.

"You can never be a burden to me, I love you. I'll learn to love those children too." He said.

"Please don't make this any harder on me." I paused. "I'm sorry but I don't feel the same way." I said.

"Then you leave me no other choice." He said.

He turned around walking away.

"What will you do?" I yelled after him.

"I'm leaving you, I'm leaving this job. I can't do this." He said.

Suddenly the thought losing him hurt, I don't know why. He has been a great friend to me through this dark tunnel.

"Please don't, your family needs the money." I said.

"I have some money saved up, with the money my dad has we can re-open the restaurant." He said.

"Please don't leave," I begged.

I might not feel the same way but I needed him. I couldn't bare to lose anyone else.

"I have to, I don't want to be your shoulder to cry on anymore. I need to get over you. Please understand." He said. "I'm sending my resignation letter tomorrow, this is the last time you'll ever see me." He said.

He walked away getting into the car then drove away. At that moment, I knew I had lost him. Once again I was alone. I waited until the car disappeared into the darkness before the tears started running down my cheeks.

I was getting too used to pain and losing people, I was weak and life just kept pushing me down.

I walked into the house, still thinking of Benjamin.

I walked into the living room where I saw Xavier from a distance.

"Where have you been?" I've been worried sick." He said walking towards me.

I somehow found my legs moving towards him, the tears streaming down my cheeks. As soon as he stood in front of me he pulled me into his arms as I broke down into tears.

"What's wrong?" Xavier whispered.

"Everyone leaves me," I wept.

"That's not true, I'm here." He said

I wanted to believe him but I knew sooner or later be would leave too.

I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket, I had managed to charge it in Benjamin's car.

I pulled away from Xavier to read the text message.

- Good luck bitch you have no idea what I have in store for you.

I read the text message.

"What's wrong?" Xavier asked studying my expression.

"Nothing," I whispered.

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A/N: Thanks for reading!