chapter twelve: insomnia part one

Chapter twelve

Insomnia: talk with the girls part one.

After waking up, Casey took her bath, brushed her teeth and put on the clothes that were provided for her.

It was a white v- neckline fit and flare knee-length dress with a white ankle strap wedge shoe. Her black hair fell over her shoulder.

After taking one last look at the mirror, Casey left the room.

...

Xavier was sitting with the old master and his dad in the sitting room, when Casey walked in.

The first person to notice her presence was Xavier. Following him, both the old master and Mr. Alexander looked up, their was a look of surprise in their eyes.

Old master Blackwell smiled and beckoned for her to come closer, he had her sit beside Xavier.

Casey smiled, placed her small black purse on her leg, glanced at Xavier, before turning to the other two people in the room, her smile brighten.

" Good morning grandpa, good morning dad."

Hahahaha... The old man's laughter echoed in the sitting room.

" Good morning granddaughter. How are you? Hope you weren't bullied by this brat last night?" He replied, his voice still seemed to carry traces of laughter as he spoke. Towards the end of his sentence, he glanced at Xavier, no, he sent a subtle glare Xavier's way.

A slight frown settled on Xavier's face, hearing his grandfather's words and feeling his glare.

How was he to bully her?

He glances at Casey, who also does the same before turning to his grandfather. Just before she turned her head away from him, he seemed to see a light of mischief flash in her eyes, suddenly he felt restless.

Once again Casey glanced at him before answering, " I'm fine grandfather. Xavier wouldn't bully me, apart from what he's already done." She feigned a forced smile, her eyes became misty, she glanced over at Xavier and retracts her eyes almost immediately, bitting on her lower lip nervously.

Seeing this, both the old master and Xavier's father glares fiercely at Xavier.

Xavier struggled to get rid of the restlessness he was feeling, he throws her a warning glance, which Casey ignored within her, but on the outside, she withdrew herself, her head hanging low, she shook her head softly like she had suffered some great unspeakable injustice.

Of course, Xavier's gaze, action and reactions had been seen by both older men, so they were definitely not going to let it go.

Old man Blackwell spoke softly, " don't worry Casey, you don't have to be afraid. I'll help you. You just have to tell what this little brat did."

Casey glanced at him, then she nodded.

" Grandpa, Xavier.. in my chocolate drink.. he put...." Of course, she wasn't going to say anything, she just wanted to frightened Xavier to repay yesterday's debts. She was already suffering, yet he wouldn't let her be. She ended up having a nightmare because of him. Of course, she had to repay the favour.

She said it like that so that he'll know what message she was trying to pass. She could tell that the poison plan was solely Xavier's.

This time it was her turn to give him a scare.

The mischievous light twirled within her eyes, as she glanced at him.

" Grandfather, cold... Hmmm...." Just as she continued her incoherent speech, Xavier covered her mouth with his hand, his other hand holding onto her arm.

As she struggled to free herself from his grip, he stood up, causing her to stand as well. With an urgent smile, " grandfather, father, we'll have to leave now, but don't worry, we'll definitely visit sometime." While he spoke, he slowly retreated, pulling Casey along with him.

He only let her go when they were outside.

Once he let her go, she angrily stepped on him, causing him to grimace in pain. Mick who had just arrived, watched the scene with the driver in the car, none bothered to come down. This was the first time they had witnessed their boss in such a situation. They still valued their eyes and didn't dare to step out. Also, dear lady Casey looked pretty fierce at the moment.

' it's best for married couples to settle their differences on their own'. Both Mick and the driver seemed to come to a consensus on the matter.

Ignoring the pain in his leg, Xavier glared at her, " Casey, don't go too far." His voice low and threatening as he spoke.

Different from before, she didn't back down, she gazed into his eyes, stepped closer. One step at a time, till she closed the distance between them. She leaned in, until there was no space at all between them.

To anyone who saw them, it seemed like they were hugging.

Casey's low voice was carried by the wind.

" Xavier, with you poisoning me, I don't owe you anything anymore. Everyday I suffer because of the poison in me, I'm repaying my debt. The day I finally leave for good, the debt between you and I will be completely paid off." Her voice, although low, was filled with emotions.

She took a step back, just a step, raised her eyes, staring into his eyes.

" Xavier, don't try to threaten me with such things anymore." She suddenly smiled, raising her hand, she helped to fix his tie.

" I'll be gone one day, might as well be happy with what I have been given. I'll accept the good with the bad. You could try, if you want." She gazed into his eyes once again, in the depths of her eyes, he saw that mischievous light twirling around again.

She opened the car door and went in.

He stood firm to the ground, her smile, that mischievous look, his heart shook.

Perhaps it was an open door to something better and moving on from the past for both parties. A journey of healing past wounds or a door to more unbearable pain in the future? Who knows?

She had a dream, one she's forgotten. A dream that filled her with courage, yet with fear. A dream that had changed her. One she had concluded to be a nightmare, meaning the courage she gained in the dream wasn't strong enough to help her get over her fears and pains, but granted her enough to forget. Though she had forgotten, her heart remembered all it went through. She knew his words the other night was the trigger. It was a nightmare she'd forgotten...

If the courage could carry her through, perhaps, the reality will differ from the dream..

In a world of unknowns possibilities, what would the future hold?

.....

Casey watched the car speed off with complicated feelings. Although she had behaved fearlessly with Xavier just earlier, she was still concerned about the dream she had.

After the car was no longer in sight, she walked into the store. Hannah had just finished attending to a customer, who walked away carrying quite a lot shopping bags.

She took a sit on the couch, and waited for Hannah to finish up with her work.

Hannah ran to Casey, giving her a big hug.

" Oh my gosh Casey! You're the best!" She squealed happily with an excited and energetic expression.

As she withdrew herself from the hug, Casey gave a confused look, " uh.. thanks? I guess." She said in an uncertain voice.

Hannah smiled with understanding and explained: " your plan worked Casey. With help from Esther and Stella at the party, lots of elites have taken my contact information. And not just that, I've spoken with quite a few of them who are interested in some of my exclusive products." If enthusiasm could be embodied, Hannah at the moment would be the perfect person.

" Congratulations Hannah, I'm so happy for you, and I'm glad I could be of some help to you." Casey smiled happily.

Hannah slumped in to the couch, hugging the cushion, she stares at Casey, " so..."

" So what?" Casey asked with raised brows.

" Why did you come to see me today?" Hannah asked.

" I guess I just wanted to speak with a friend." Casey replied with a shrug, and a somewhat dazed expression.

After waiting a whole minute in silence, Hannah sighed and sat up straight, she glanced at Casey and urged, " don't just sit, say something."

Casey opened her mouth to speak but then closed it when no words came out.

" Why? What's wrong?" Hannah asked, seeing Casey hesitate.

" I.. I don't know how to start." Casey glanced at Hannah, her voice laced with a bit of discomfort.

" Then just say it any how you want, when you're done, we'll figure it out." Hannah encouraged in a low voice.

" It all started like this...." Casey went on to explain all that had happened since the night before.

About five minutes later, Hannah stared at Casey, astonished.

" You.. you mean that you visited the Blackwell estate yesterday?" A look of surprise painted her face, her voice as well.

Casey nodded meekly, " hmm."

" You met with the old patriarch and Xavier's father, Mr. Alexander Blackwell?" Her voice at least a notch higher than before, with an obvious tone of disbelief.

" Shush.." Casey hushed her, gesturing with her hand, asking her to lower her voice.

Hannah gulped down saliva, to wet her dry throat, not bothering to get herself a glass of water.

" I'm sorry. I just can't believe that while I was here trying to attend to customers, working diligently, you were at the Blackwell's estate, enjoying dinner with two of most influential business men, oh no, make that three." She spoke with an envious gaze.

" Sigh.. why didn't I noticed you were so into the world of business?"

" How can I not be? It's the Blackwells we're talking about here."

Yet another sigh left Casey's lips, " can we focus on what I told you?"

" Oh, right. So you're saying both the old master and Xavier's father didn't seem to have any problem with you? Then all of a sudden, Xavier brings up his sister's matter when it's just you two?"

Casey nodded.

" He's jealous. He's definitely jealous that you now have all their attention." Hannah said with a feigned expression of somber conviction.

Casey glared at her.

" Hahaha.. continue." Hannah said after a dry laugh.

" It's not Xavier that's my problem." Casey stated.

Hannah's nose scrunched up, a little crease formed on her forehead. " Wait, it's not?"

Casey replied with a nod, " no, it's not."

" Then what happened?"

" Well.. it's a dream that I had. A dream.. nightmare." The uncertainty in her voice increased with each word she uttered.

The frown on Hannah's face deepened, " a dream? No, I mean.. a dream- nightmare?"

" Yes."

" Why call it a.. a dream.. nightmare?" Hannah asked, her expression strange, obviously not okay with the word.

Casey understood her friend's thoughts with one glance. " Yeah, I did, that's because, it was a dream but also a nightmare."

" Okay Casey, but I don't think you understand how dream and nightmare work." Hannah started.

Her gaze remained on Casey as she continued, " a dream is.. .. well, in simple terms, something beautiful. Though, there are sometimes when the dream becomes a scary one. Something that frightens you, which you could also call a nightmare, but there's absolutely nothing called a dream- nightmare. I don't think that's a thing." Hannah said with a light laugh, causing the frown on her face to ease up.

Realizing that she was the only one laughing to her joke, she ends with a, ' ahh' sound.

" Okay. Dream- nightmare." Hannah teased, earning Casey's glare.

After a few seconds of silence, Hannah went on, this time with a serious expression.

" You said it was a dream, and a nightmare, a.. dream - nightmare. Why do you say that?"

Well, Hannah finally asked the ultimate question, and even more absurd than her little word get up of the word ' dream - nightmare', Casey's reply to her question made Hannah's shoulders heave with emotions, with a look of exasperation on her face.

" The truth is, I don't remember the dream.. or the nightmare. I don't really know what it was about."

The irritation in her eyes didn't reduce. " Casey, if you weren't my friend, you'd be looking at the door to my store right now."

Casey flinched a little, but she continued, " although, I don't remember, I have a feeling."

Seeing as she had Hannah's attention, she added: " it's like when you have that dream that you can't remember, but you just feel it somewhere deep down, that whatever had happened in that dream was something good or bad." She explained somewhat soulfully.

The frown on Hannah's face washed away, " so you feel you had some sort of dream, and also a nightmare?" Though her tone was uncertain, she had a look of understanding on her face.

" Yes." Casey sighed, and nodded in understanding.

" So you mean you suddenly decided to speak up to Xavier because of a dream.. nightmare that you don't even remember?"

' Absurd!!' This was the word that occupied Hannah's mind.

" Ahh, I know it sounds stupid, but I did it any way, and I don't have any regrets." Casey replied after a low shout.

" I'm glad you feel that way." Turning to sit in such a way that she was facing Casey, Hannah spoke.

" Casey, ever since you found out the truth, you've been acting differently. It's like you aren't that Casey again. I don't know what the dream.. nightmare must have been about, but I'm glad you're finally being yourself again.

You shouldn't let your mom's mistake eat you up. The accident with Xavier sister isn't something that was intentional. You, continuously lowering yourself and living in regrets isn't the right way to go about this.

Just like you've told Xavier, you're both married now, till death do you part, although, not in the way it was meant, but still..

What I'm saying is, you have a new family now. We all die someday, but we're living each day as it comes.

Right now I think the best way is to help Xavier heal slowly from his sister's death, maybe, he'll give you the cure." Hannah advised Casey after some thought.

Casey sat in silence, considering her words thoughtfully.

She nodded slowly in agreement, " I'll try."

Just as Hannah stood up to get herself a glass of juice, another customer walked into the store.

" Sigh, I'll leave you to your thoughts." Hannah said as she walked to the customer that had just come in.

Hannah was sorting out some clothes, when Casey walked up to her.

" Oh, are you done?" Hannah asked, while organizing some clothes.

" Yeah. Thanks, your words were very useful." Casey smiled.

She glanced at her, " I'm glad I could help." She smiled.

" Well, if you're done, help me with these clothes."

It took a while, but the girls finally finished, organizing the new clothes.

" Wow, that was so stressful. Do you have to do this every day?" Casey said with shaky breaths.

" No, not every day. Just sometimes." Hannah replied, downing a glass of water.

After resting on the couch for few minutes, Hannah sat up, pulling Casey's hand, trying to get her to sit up as well.

" Leave me alone, I want to rest." Casey muttered in a low voice.

" Casey, get up. I'll treat you to dinner. What do you say?"

Casey glanced at Hannah from the corner of her eyes. " Just order something." She gave a low mutter, before closing her eyes once again.

" Okay, I'll order pizza for us. Is that okay?" Hannah asked, as she stood up to search for her phone.

" Okay."

.....

The sun had set and the crescent moon could be seen hanging in the sky.

A low sigh escaped Casey's lips as she opened the door. Just as she was about to head up to get some rest, she noticed Xavier in the dining room.

She sat at her usual sit, after washing her hand. The table was definitely not what one person should be having.

She stared at the full table and then at Xavier who sat from across her, eating gracefully. As if noticing her gaze, he looked up. " Are you going to sit there staring at me or are you going to eat?"

She looked away from him, staring once again at the numerous dishes lined on the table, a sigh escaped her lips once again. She had just had pizza with Hannah and she knew she wouldn't be able to eat anything else. She also didn't expect him to be back.

As if annoyed by her silence and lack of response, he looked up again. " Are you waiting for an invitation, or do you need grandfather and dad helping you once again?" His low voice rang softly in the room.

She rolled her eyes at his words. " Classic. Well, I'll have you know that I don't need anyone to help me, and, I had dinner with a friend so I won't be eating tonight, I only came to keep you company, but since you obviously don't appreciate it, then, that's your loss." She stood up with a smile.

She walked towards him, bent low and whispered, " oh, so don't wake me up in the middle of the night, because I didn't eat, okay? Good night." She gave his shoulder a soft pat.

She took a few steps back, staring at his reaction with a triumphant smile, she walked away.

Xavier turned around, staring at her receding back, as she ascended the stairs. Truthfully, he was at a loss for words. Recently, she had been acting differently.

.....

Xavier: Casey can't we both just stick to our roles? Why bother and go through all the trouble?