What happened at New York?

“Does it mean you’re going to give her a try?” she said hopefully blinking her eyes with a bright smile on her face.

“Nope I just want to know the name!” Stefano said avoiding her gaze trying not to be affected with his sister’s reaction .

“Then forget it and I’ll make sure I put this lady in your rival’s company maybe then you know the treasure you’ve lost” She said creasing her eye brows together.

“Goddamn it Cassie! You’re so impossible!” He said feeling defeated as usual... he ruffled his hair in frustration.

“That’s why you love me fratello!” She stood up and winked at him as Stefano just gave her a killing stare but she didn’t flinch. (brother)

“As much as I love to stay and chit chat with you fratello, I got loads of work to do” She said making her way to the door as Stefano stood up towards her placing his hands in his pocket.

“Cassie!” Stefano resigned feeling frustrated.

“Don’t worry Amore, besides I made sure her work was one of the accessed submitted designs here and I heard she passed the first round” She said with a smile as Stefano eyes furrowed together.

“Good Lord Cassie! Without my permission?” He lamented unbelievable.

“Said who? In fact, the design coordinator approved her work” She said as he gave his sister this ‘I expected that’ look… He knew his sister was smart so it wasn’t a surprise to him...

“So you mean her name made the three lists Ms. Rennes submitted to me this morning in which you interrupted?” He said emphasizing on the interrupted then she chuckled.

“Really? Did she call out the names for you?” She asked with a hopeful look then he nodded as Cassie’s eyes went wide.

“You mean she called out the three?” she asked again not believing her ears.

“Not exactly … let me say two out of three” He said uninterested with names called to him.

“Oh…” That’s all Cassie said trying not to destroy all the plans she set for her brother so she kept mute to herself

“Oh?” Stefano furrowed his brows together.

“Sweetheart, I’ll be on my way now, we'll talk some other day” She said hurriedly checking her wristwatch as she hugged her brother pressing a kiss on his cheek “I’ll miss you” She added before rushing out without waiting for his reply.

An hour and thirty minutes later.

Stefano

What the hell is wrong with my sister! I know her better than anyone else and I’m sure the main reason she popped at my office without notification hasn’t been addressed yet but…the door burst opened again.

“What the hell! Do you want to break my door?” I fumed who else if not my devilish sister

“What again this time? I thought you had loads of work to do?” I said directing my eyes at her as she maintained a beam smile on her face before ushering her hand to my side pulling me to the love leather sofa... her eyes settled on mine.

The eyes held a lot then I knew that her main purpose for coming up here would finally be revealed now and with that kind of gaze… it doesn’t look like a good news and it’s giving me some kind of unwanted chills.

“Achilles” She said calmly as something stirred up in me… that name bring back a lot of memories of someone I tried to erase but failed in doing so and she's aware of that.

“Stefano” I corrected. She smiled because she knew why I hated someone calling me the name.

“I heard about what happened at New York” She paused trying to find an emotion in me but I still maintained my neutral blank face. I know where she’s going and she knows I hate to bring up topics like that.

“New York? What do you mean?” I asked as if I didn’t know what she’s talking about.

“At the Russo’s building On Claire’s Birthday” She said like someone trying to pick out the right words gently in order not to hurt the person which is unusual of her .

I adjusted my head to the back seat trying to maintain my neutral expression. I shut my eyes for a moment.

Flashback

I flew to New York in my private plane to attend Claire Anderson's Surprise Birthday party hosted by her Boyfriend which happen to be Ryder Russo.

Getting to the Russo building, everyone went silent, stopped and gave a respectful bow to me as I made my way inside. Sometimes I forget how powerful I am in the Billionaire world.

I stepped into the elevator but before I could close it, a hand stopped me abruptly entering the elevator with me with his eyes widened in surprise as the elevator closes.

"Sorry .... I mean you are Mr. Al-Alcantara right? The CEO of the ALCAN’S Group? " He said in a weepy voice as I smiled and nodded.

He brought his hand forward to shake me which was weird... " Ohmy... Pardon my manners... I'm Greg... Greg Russo" He said expecting me to return the handshake which I did... No wonder his face was familiar... he's Ryder's distant Cousin.

"Pleasure to meet you" I said and gave him my beam smile

"I...

Thank God the elevator opened for me to get to my destination... Reunion is the last thing I need right now... I remembered he was one of those that condemned me back then to my face.

"Please hold on... Can I get your direct contact?" He said holding me at the arm level.

"Sorry maybe next time" I said unfolding his hands from mine and left abruptly without waiting for his reply. There won't even be a next time.

I took the next elevator that'll only take you to the last floor... Blame Ryder and his contractors who made this disruptive plan on his building.

I opened the door only to be welcomed with the illuminated lights flourishing all over the place and birthday candles... Ryder did a great job on this.

“What did I miss here?” I said more like an entrance welcome as my eyes flipped straight to the red haired girl across Claire.

What the hell! Why must I meet a red-haired today of all days? Everyone turned to my side except the girl in red hair who's back was still turned to me.

“Stefano” Claire said smiling and looking gorgeous as always... Ryder escorted her beautifully to my side. I opened my arms for a hug and I could feel his piercing eyes on me.

Trust me if looks could kill... I would have found myself under the ground with the agonizing stare Ryder was giving to me.

“Happy Birthday pretty girl” I said in between the hugs.

“Thank you.” She said still holding her beautiful smile as I gave her my own token of gift. “Wow…I love this…thanks so much Stefano” She giggled happily.

“Anything for you sweetheart” I said playfully waiting for Ryder's reaction and I got it just fine. I looked away innocently only for his voice to stop me back on my track.

“Watch the endearment you use on my girlfriend if you don’t want me to shove your ass off this building” He snarled at me... then I chuckled.

"Ouch violent Ryder” I faked hurt then he came nearer to me. I held my hands up in the air.

“Calm man…she’s a pretty one so I advise you marry her soon before other guys shove in” I whispered in his ears as he sent me a deadly glare. I chuckled again. his jealousy is cute. I turned to the other side, my eyes met with Claire's parents. I had this feeling I couldn't explain... No matter how many years or time that may have passed... The sting is still there. I tried not to let it show but I just can't help it. I was still afraid to lock eyes with them for so long after the sins of the past.

"Good day Sir and Ma'am" I said trying to act confidently but it was hard as I offered my hands for a handshake but her Mom surprised me instead as she hugged me with a peck on my cheek. I was flushed but I stood still trying to process what just happened. As she forgiven me for real? Tears clouded in my eyes as I tried to fight it back.

"Don't be too formal with us... It's in the past already and all the flowers you sent and still sending is making our Mansion turn to a flower shop"

she smiled as her eyes blurred with tears... l nodded still trying to hold my tears back... And I smiled.

"Call me Zachary" The father brought me out of my emotional state as he hugged me too. That feeling wasn't explainable. I smiled and manned up quickly as I tried to look away but my eyes shot deadly at that girl again in red hair with her back still turned to us.

“Who’s that girl with red hair? Why is her back turned to us?” I asked feebly as my eyes shot at her direction then back to Claire … I noticed she was silent.

“Oh… or is she tripping for me? I noticed she has been that way since I entered but unfortunately I don’t date ladies with red hair…” I said with a pinch of irritation hidden in my voice.

Then everyone laughed and slowly she turned… I felt void... my throat was stuck...I could not even process... I mean it's been 8 years since I last saw her... what's she doing here? Is she a friend to Claire?

“No way!” I muttered barely audible trying to control every spleen feeling I was feeling at the moment.

“S-stefano” She said barely audible... That was the first time she addressed me by my first name as it sent an unknown chill down my spine... Fuck my betrayal body. She tried to move closer but I stepped back as if something was about to burn me.

“Don’t!” I said with a stoic face then I excused myself to the restroom and from there I texted Claire that I had a meeting to attend to back at Rome so immediately I flew back to Italy.

Back to present

“Can we not talk about this?” I said straightly without looking at her.

“Amor…

“Cassandra please” I said more like pleading as my eyes went shut again.

“It’s in the past now besides I’ve moved on” I added still with my eyes shut.

“Moved on? Wow and yet you told her not to move an inch? Nor could you make a proper conversation with her. So is that what you called moved on?” She said in a breath.

“Cassie you of all people should know better than this...” I paused feeling frustrated at her accusations.

“Exactly … I know how the name Bianca flares you up or is it how you detested ladies with red flaming hair. Look at the time I introduced my friend to you, I saw the eyes you used to look at her why? Because her hair was red and other things that reminded you of her Achilles so if you call that moved on then you’re wrong” She said raising her brows at me… she’s right but no I can’t still stand her and I don’t know why.

“Cassie I…”

“And that means you can’t even work with her as a business man letting your emotions to control you” She said again cutting me off and that came out as a blow to my face…

“Cassie that’s different” at this point I didn’t even know what to say again as I buried my face on my palms… I was miserable as I felt her moving closer to me pulling me for a bear hug.

“It’s okay, don’t let your emotions to override you” She said patting my back as I tried to fight back my tears.

“And do you know why this is so painful for you to hold in?” She asked on my shoulder then I shook my head.

“You haven’t talked to her yet” She said... I scooted my head closer on her shoulders rapping my hands tightly. I know right! but I can’t.

“I can’t” I muttered barely audible but was enough for her to hear me.

“You can. That’s why you’re an Alcantara… we can do anything we set our mind to do” She said then I closed my eyes… God no I can’t do it.