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Cassie
The rest of the day is spent in a frenzy of preparations, making my head spin.
Flower choices, measurements taken and instructions on protocol and tradition is a lot to take in. Various people come and go and I am giddy with it all but with my parents beside me and my friends passing comment in the corner making me smile, how can I possibly fail?
The queen often makes an appearance and offers wise words and clarity on things I don’t understand and by the time the last person leaves, I breathe a sigh of relief as I’m left to dress for dinner with just my friends for company.
“I’m exhausted.”
Sinking back on the comfortable couch, they surround me, looking concerned.
“I’m not surprised. It’s been one hell of a day.” Natalia looks tired because they have also endured the same. As my bridesmaids, they have an important role to play and our heads are scrambled as we struggle to learn in a few hours what some prepare for all their lives.
“How are you feeling, Cassie?”
Eloise looks concerned, and I shrug. “Ok I guess, in fact better than I did yesterday.”
“I can’t believe how much you’ve changed already.” Lauren looks a little upset about that and I don’t miss the warning looks my friends throw her.
“What?” I look at her in surprise and she looks down as if she regrets saying anything at all, so I say sternly, “Tell me, how have I changed?”
She sighs. “I thought you were better than this, babe. Wanted to escape like the rest of us, but you’ve sort of resigned yourself to it and I’m a little shocked at that.”
“Lauren!”
Eloise looks angry and I smile. “It’s ok. I need to hear what you think.”
“It’s just…” Natalia looks nervously at Lauren and then smiles. “You were always the strong one among us. The one who knew what she wanted the most. To be a doctor, leave Andromeda and turn your back on this weird life. It’s what we all spoke of, dreamed of and we’re concerned that all those years of dreaming for a better life have been pushed aside after one day with him.”
Eloise throws up her hands and says angrily, “Because she loves him.”
We all stare at her in shock and she says with an anger we rarely see in her. “Don’t you see it because I do. Love is a strange emotion that alters the most determined woman’s mind. Suddenly, you start making excuses for the things you sacrifice. Reason with yourself that you never wanted them, anyway. Pretend that this is what you wanted all the time because of love.”
She sinks back in her chair and smiles. “I know this first-hand because I’ve made all the mistakes I was warned about. I fell in love with a man who should never have looked in my direction. He did, and I fell—hard. I did things I knew were wrong, but went there, anyway. I became a person I didn’t recognize just for a quick fix of him. I went along with everything he told me because I wanted to believe him. I gave him my precious possession, and he seized it with both hands. I surrendered every principle I own out of love and that is why it’s the most powerful emotion in the world - the universe even because love conquers all as they say and whatever you say, Lauren and Natalia, it will change you too.”
“Rubbish.” Lauren shakes her head and says angrily. “Nobody will come between me and my dream. I will make movies and live my life on my terms. I am a modern, independent woman and no man will ever change that. If he tried, I’d kick him into touch and then stamp on his fucking balls because no man will break me—ever.”
Despite the heated conversation, it makes us giggle at the fierce look in her eyes and I pity any man who does try to stand in her way.
Natalia nods in agreement and says slightly wistfully. “Fashion is my life, and every dream I ever had. But I want it all. The career, the freedom and someone to love. Is that a thing? Can we have it all and not give up our hopes and dreams in compromise? I’m kind of hoping I can and if Cassie has changed direction, then I believe it’s for a very good reason.”
They all look at me and I shrug. “Sometimes dreams change direction but remain the same. My mother showed me how that’s possible; today as it happens.”
“Your mom, what the hell?”
Lauren looks confused, which makes me giggle. “Yes, believe it or not, my mom reminded me who I am, who I always was and who I always will be. My dreams have stayed, but with a different agenda. You say love.” I turn to Eloise and feel a little taken aback by the pain in her eyes. “You love Freddy. You wouldn’t have taken a chance if you hadn’t. What’s changed?”
For the first time, she looks uncomfortable and that concerns me—a lot. Lauren and Natalia also look worried and Eloise sighs heavily, and I’m shocked at the devastation in her eyes.
“It’s over.”
“What!” Three voices ring out in disbelief and I say in shock. “Since when—how?”
My mind is buzzing right now because surely Maxim hasn’t backed down on his promise and interfered in her life.
“I called him last night because I was so desperate to hear his voice.”
We share anxious looks as she says in a sad voice, “A woman answered.”
