XANDERS POV
My heart skipped a beat as Cassandra dropped the bombshell on our way back from the restaurant, "My dad wants to meet you."
I asked, my voice laced with a mix of confusion and curiosity, "Why?".
Cassandra's response was as vague as it was intriguing, "I don't know, maybe it has something to do with your dad."
When we arrived at her house, her dad was nowhere to be found, so I settled in to wait as Cassandra went upstairs to freshen up.
Cassandra's mom walked in, and I greeted her with a polite, "Good afternoon, auntie."
She smiled warmly and asked, "How're you doing?"
"I'm okay, thanks, and you?", "I'm good", she replied sitting opposite to me.
As we chatted, her mom's curiosity got the better of her, "Wait, who are you? Her
boyfriend?"
I thought to myself, 'Well, your daughter's got a serious crush on me,' but I played it cool, saying, "No, auntie, we're just friends... classmates."
Cassandra burst in, saving me from further interrogation, "When did you arrive, Mom?"
Her mom teased, "Not long ago, you were supposed to be freshening up."
"Yeah I'm done, where's dad?", Cassandra asked her mom. She sat beside me and focused back on her mom.
"Oh oh, I see it now, aw young love…"
"Stop it mom, where's dad?", Cassandra asked.
I couldn't hold back my laughter, why is she behaving like this? I already know she's in love with me. She makes it very obvious.
"What's funny", Cassandra asked looking upset.
"Erm.. nothing, I just thought about something", I said straightening my face.
"Your dad left for a meeting, he'll be back tomorrow", her mom said standing up.
"I'm heading to my room now, you guys should be good", she added smiling.
"I guess I'd take my leave now", I said after Cassandra's mom was out of site.
"Alright, I'll drop you off", she said standing up.
"No it's okay, I'll call Romeo", I said to her.
"No, I'll take you", she responded.
"Okay fine! You win, let's go", I said making my way out.
When we got to Romeo's house, he was making a call outside. He looked very angry. He ended the call immediately he saw us walking towards him.
"Is everything okay?", I asked.
"You can't be here, you should leave now", he said to us.
"Why?", Cassandra asked.
"Hey Romeo, let them in", his mom shouted.
"Listen to me Xander, go home, I'll come see you", Romeo whispered to me.
I was about to leave like he said but realized Cassandra had already gone inside, oh my gosh this girl!
ROMEOS POV
My mom's calm demeanor belied the storm brewing beneath the surface as she asked, "How're you doing?".
Xander and Cassandra chimed in unison, "Good auntie."
But the question that really mattered was the one she shot at Xander next, "How's your dad?" Xander hesitated, clearly caught off guard, "Erm.. he's fine, I guess."
But then the bomb dropped, "He came here, scattered my stuff, and threatened to kill my son if he doesn't stay away from you."
Xander's face was a mix of shock and anger as he leapt to his feet, "Wait, what? Why didn't you tell me?"
Cassandra jumped in, "Calm down, everyone. He came to my house too, threatening me.
He wants us to abandon Xander, but..." My mom cut her off, her voice firm, "But what?"
Cassandra's response was laced with conviction, "For some reason, he fears my dad. I mean, he went on his knees when he saw my dad. He promised he won't harm us."
A spark of hope ignited within me, "Really?"
Cassandra nodded, a confident smile spreading across her face, "Yes, we have nothing to worry about now."
My mom's warning was clear, though, "Okay, but if something happens to my son, you'd all be in trouble."
Cassandra reassured her, "Nothing will happen, auntie."
ROMEO'S POV
"I stormed into school, ready to take on the day... or so I thought. Cassandra and Xander strolled in, looking like they were plotting something. 'You're early,' Xander said, dropping into his seat.
Cassandra's eyes sparkled as she asked, 'We'd vacate soon, where are you guys spending the days?'
I leaned in, 'Lucille's thinking of jetting off to Germany. I'm tempted to join her.'
Xander hesitated, 'Uh, I might head to London.'
Cassandra's eyebrows shot up, 'London?'
Xander looked puzzled, 'Why?'
She waved it off, 'No reason, just sad you'll all be gone.'
Xander turned the tables, 'What about you? Any wild plans?'
A sly smile spread across her face, 'Actually, I wanted to throw a party on my dad's yacht...'
"A party? What's the occasion?" I asked, surprised.
"My birthday," she replied, flashing a grin.
"Why didn't you say something? We would've stayed, right?" Xander said, eyeballing me.
"Yeah, but it's not too late. I'd tell Lucille about it; she might stay," I said.
"Aww, thank you so much," Cassandra said, spreading her arms.
We stood up and she wrapped us into a hug.
During lunch break we schemed on what to do.
"I'm willing to stay back for the Birthday party," Lucille said before sipping her orange juice.
"Really? Thank youuu!" Cassandra said happily.
"You weren't this excited when I told you I'd stay," Xander said hilariously. Cassandra looked at him and laughed.
"I don't have many friends here, five of my friends from where I relocated from will be joining us. I want a few people there, I don't really like the crowd," Cassandra said.
"mm… that's okay, I also don't like too much crowd," Lucille added.
"Leave the playlist for me," Xander said, raising his hand.
"Okay sir," Cassandra responded.
"It's good to see you two getting along," I said.
Lucille laughed seeing the look on their face.