"I still don't give a damn about what you think," I say simply. "I handle my own stuff. You handle yours. We're going to mind our own business."
"Not gonna happen," Luke says firmly, not tolerating any objection. "We're together now."
Gosh, why is he acting like we're real husband and wife?
"We will do everything separately and won't care about each other one bit," I insist.
"No." Luke is persistent.
"Yes," I hiss.
"No." Luke glares at me, his eyes piercing.
"Yes!" I shout.
"No!" he snaps.
The sound of dining utensils dropping onto the plate echoes in the room, and we snap our heads. Aiden has just stopped eating his half-finished dinner.
His jaw tightens, disappointment crossing his expression. Before I can comprehend what's happening, he gets up from his chair and runs out of the room.
"Aiden!" Luke warns his nephew, but it seems that the boy won't just come back and finish his dinner. Guilt skates on Luke's face, and he looks away, his jaw clenched.
And I look down at my lap, sighing, feeling the same guiltwashing over me.
12
________
CASSIE
The next morning, I wake up to the sound of birds chirping. I get up from my bed and open the curtain to enjoy the beautiful view of the garden—I can see the swimming pool too from where I'm standing.
Gosh, this house is wonderful—if only the owner was as amazing as it is.
I step out of my room, still in my pajamas. It's a wonder that Ms. Langston didn't wake me up to have breakfast together with Luke or Aiden.
I want to see the boy again to make up for what happened yesterday—I should have cared about his feelings more.
When I arrive at the dining table, I see my breakfast already prepared, but Luke and Aiden are nowhere to be found.
"They went earlier because Aiden has an early extracurricular activity in his school today." Ms. Langston appears from the kitchen with a smile on her face, startling me.
I glance at the clock on the wall and wonder whether I woke up that late, then I realize that it has been a long time since I had the privilege to get enough sleep that I might have gotten carried away.
It's amazing that I don't have to wake up in panic due to the hectic schedules of my tour, performances or practice.
Sighing, I settle at the table before eating the pancakes and omelets that Ms. Langston has prepared for me.
"Does Luke always send Aiden to school before he goes towork?" I ask.
"Every single day," Ms. Langston says. "When he's not on a business trip."
Well, that's surprising. I thought that a busy businessman like him would barely have enough time to have that kind of routine, since there might always be something urgent from the office.
My phone buzzes on the table, and I look at it, only to find a text from Luke.
Luke: If you're going to catch up with your friends today, don't mention Aiden.
