Chapter 7

Cassy's P.O.V

"Earth to Cassy." Recy's voice was heard and made me withdraw from my thoughts. Sometimes its, irritating, but still, I love my friend for that. Always be there for me and pull me back to my senses.

I focused my attention on her and said, "Sorry, I am just thinking and spacing out again."

"Yeah, you're doing it a lot nowadays, girl. Let us focus. Please, you are in big trouble now. The statement is a threat." She said and stated the obvious.

"No shit Sherlock, this is just a reminder and a prank for us all to be careful," I said sarcastically to her.

"Language their Cassy." Ms. Hanes scolded me, and I shut up immediately because of embarrassment. I just cursed in front of my dream girl. Damn! I almost forgot that she's here.

"Both of you, be quiet and let us focus and think of a solution and strategy here. Not only Cassy is in trouble now, Recy. Including you, I, and her other friends are in trouble too." Ms. Hanes continues.

"Why?" Recy asked, raising her left eyebrow. Her habit when she's curious.

The appalling letter stated, "you may have friends, but I can destroy them"; we are her friends: right? And we are in this mess, so let us protect each other and watch our backs. I am not blaming you, Cassy, for putting us in this, but let us deal with the reality here. We are all doomed. There is another thing that I am just puzzled by, the statement, "be careful of your infatuation": do you have an infatuation with you, Cassy? Ms. Hanes adds, worried, and stated curiously.

Recy and I are just looked in each other's eyes and then shrugged.

"Amm... I can't say her name yet, but I will soon. The important thing is, Recy and I will protect her too." I just half lied. I can't tell her yet that she is my infatuation. It is not the right time, maybe soon.

"Okay." She replied.

Silence overwhelmed us for a minute, trying to absorb everything until Ms. Hanes, stands up, startling us, and said, "Come on guys, it's getting late. We have to continue this on Friday, and tomorrow is Friday, so you can both go to my apartment tomorrow night and have a sleepover to decipher the mysterious letter. Can I have that, Cassy? I will keep that, in case?

"Sorry ma'am, but I am not available tomorrow night until Saturday night. Instead, can Recy and I crash into your apartment this Saturday evening?" I sadly decline her offer because of my obligations in church. "And for the letter, can we photocopy this and I'll keep the original because the one who wrote this letter knew my father so probably father has an idea who is it," I said to them.

"Oh, yeah, right. It's okay. No problem. That's a good idea." She responded. And, maybe disappointed? Why?

Nah, it is just your imagination, girl. Do not let it get into your head and let yourself assumed for nothing.

"Cassy, come with me. I will give you a ride to your house. I want to make sure that you are safely back home." Ms. Hanes offered, and I just nodded in response. I do not trust my voice this time. I might squeal in excitement and embarrass myself more in front of her. She might find it weird and distance herself from me.

"Recy, do you have a ride back home?" She asked now to my friend; what a kindhearted woman. She's not making this easier for me to fall out of her.

"Yes, ma'am, I have a ride. We can walk together in the parking lot though, for us, to watch each other, starting now and do not worry miss, I know how to defend myself. I study self-defense every Saturday (whole day)." Recy responded and assured miss Hanes.

I just whistled in response to Recy and said,

"Rich kid".

She just smiled and suggested, "We can learn together if you want?"

"Nah, you know I am busy during Saturday, right?" I declined.

"Yeah, I know, but I mean, I can reschedule it for Sunday morning, then bring Jess and Geof (your sister and brother) with you. Do not worry about the expenses; it is on me. Just bring yourselves." Recy offered casually as if the big of a deal, not an issue. I am blessed to have her as my friend.

"Are you sure? I will not decline that once-in-a-blue-moon offer. You are a gift from God." I said and hugged her.

"Nah, maybe it is my way of flirting with you. Can't you sense and get it? Inviting your sister and brother can help me have my way to your heart easily. They are your weaknesses, you know." She playfully states with a smirk and grin after seeing my glare at her, hinting me that she's just kidding. Ah, this idiot can sometimes get on my nerves.

I playfully punch her in the stomach, getting a whine from her, unaware of my actions and a little bit surprised by it.

I just grinned at her and gave my full attention to miss Hanes, watching us with an amused face: witnessing our bickering for the first time.

I just said 'sorry' to her, awkwardly, instead of Recy because it's inappropriate to witness the bickering session of us two.

She responded, "It's okay".

I walk fast to hide my embarrassment and reddening cheeks.

We walk silently to the parking lot and let our minds wander in our own space. Miss Hanes' car and Recy's are just one block away, so we let Recy hop into her car and watch her drive away from us.

Ms. Hanes and I went to her car. She opened the passenger's seat for me and let me in. She closed the door (again, another chivalry act) and quickly ran to her side when the engine suddenly roared to life.

I watched quietly, the city road in the night mood inside the closed car of Ms. Hanes while she's driving silently and have her thoughts.

As I am watching her through my peripheral, thinking loads of things: like, I want to know her thoughts, share my thoughts and, just talking to her. I want to hold her hand while driving, staring at her beautiful face, annoy her so that she'll not get bored and whatnot.

Silly..., She's not your girlfriend girl.

Shaking my thought away from my head, I notice Ms. Hanes is watching me. Maybe, she saw me, and she'll probably ask about it.

She forced her attention back to the road. Wait, what? Where are we going? Isn't she going the wrong way to my house?

"Amm... Miss Hanes, where are we going?"

Aren't we going to my house?

"Relax. We are just going to have dinner, and it is on me." She replied after a few seconds.

"O-oh... okay".

"Hop out, we are already here".

I observe the restaurant where we will be eating, and I am in awe. It is just wow, and it looks expensive. I have never been here in my 17 years of existence. This woman does have a luxurious life. Good for her.

She looked unto me and smiled. I, cannot help it, and I smiled back at her. Her smile is so contagious. How can I stop my feelings for her? Oh, help me, God.

When we got inside the restaurant, it was almost packed; the waitress greeted us and asked what table we would choose, then Miss Hanes only replied, "do you have a table where it is somehow secluded?"

I look at her curiously, and I know she noticed it.

The waitress replied, "Yes, ma'am. We have. Please follow me". And we follow her.

"Wow..," It's all I can say because of amazement.

Miss Hanes smiles as well as the waitress.

"Here are our menu, and I will come back after 5 minutes for your orders."

"Thank you..," We both said.

"What do you like, Cassy?" The goddess asked me.

I looked at her and said, "Surprise me?"

She giggled and said, "okay..,"

"But, I will only eat the following: chicken meat, fish (except for eel), beef meat, vegetables, and goat meat," I said and smiled shyly.

"Okay then, please serve as tinulang bangus, adobong manok, and 1 cup of rice for each of us."

"How about the drinks, ma'am?"

"Oh right, please just give us two fruit shakes."

"What flavor do you like, Cassy?"

"It is mango...".

"Okay, and mine is avocado. Do you have any water here?"

"Yes, ma'am. It will come to you shortly." The waitress said and smiled before she went back to the counter.

"Well, what is your plan, Cassy?"

"About?"

"About the situation now. How and what are your plans to solve this?"

"Oh, after our dinner, I will tell father about the letter and talk to him about this. Also, I would like to ask him some questions that I will tell you this Saturday evening together Recy at your house."

"Okay then, --

"Rebekah?" Miss Hanes, was cut off by a woman around her age.

She is beautiful, has neutral, fair skin, has a Roman nose, a toned body and legs (like Ms. Hanes), and cropped hair. Her clothes are slightly wrinkled maybe, because of the long day's activity.

"Jessica?" Ms. Hanes replied, shocked.

"What are you doing here? When did you come back? I thought--"

"Chill. Don't want to be rude with your companion, but can I talk to you alone?"

Ms. Hanes; cut off again. What the hell?

"No. We can talk later. Let us talk via messenger. You can leave now. I am sorry."

"Okay then, I'll chat with you later. Good Night." Jessica replies

She then looked at me and smiled. I replied with a shy smile to her. I even did not remove my eyes from her until I, cannot see her anymore.

I looked at Ms. Hanes. She is a little bit, dejected, and uneasy after the encounter. I bring her out to her thoughts and call her name.

"Ms. Hanes? Are you okay?" She did not answer. Like she didn't hear me.

"Ms. Hanes? Hello?" I waved my hands to her and she's back.

"Sorry. What did you say?"

I close my eyes and said, "Are you okay?"

"Yes, I am. Why wouldn't I be?" She tried to smile but failed.

"Excuse me, ma'am, here are your orders." The waitress and her companion interrupted us and we ate silently after saying "thank you" to them.

We get back to her car in silence and before I knew it, we were at the front door of my house.

I look at her and said, "Ms. Hanes, thank you, good night, and have a safe trip."

She just smiles at me and nods. After I close the door of my house, I hear the engine of her car it means she just took off.

"Why are you late?" I jumped slightly because my favor caught me off guard.

"Father. I'm sorry" I only replied because I didn't recover yet from the shock.

"I already told you to be early because we have something to discuss and yet you still come home late". He rants

I heard him sigh and say: "Let us sit and talk". I obeyed him and give him my undivided attention.

"Listen, dear. Remember when I told you my story before I became an SDA?"

I just nodded and gestured for him to continue.

"There was a man that I treated like a brother and there were two men who almost cost our lives. One of the two men just contacted me(via mail) and send in-direct threats to me. There were only hints but I was sure that our lives now are in danger."

"About that father, I want to tell you something. There was a letter given to me in the school earlier this morning." I gave him the letter and he open it.

While his reading, I am observing his facial expressions and he is terrified. If I am correct, he knows whoever sends the letter and recognizes him. He is angry, for what? I don't know. I just stay quiet and wait for him to speak.

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Hello guys! Long time no see? :D

I am finally back! After a year and I am sorry for that.

I have been caught up with work and whatnot.

Anyway, Thank you for reading again, and stay tuned!