62. Ruined Afternoon
When Saturday arrived Cassidy was bored out of her mind. She had been staying in bed for days, and between Rowan’s busy schedule and getting to know him better through Mrs. Dawson, Cassidy was thrilled when her younger brothers arrived after Maurice picked them up.
“Cass, tell Rowan he did not have to send his driver to pick us up. We can order a car, we know the address.” Dillon the older twin only by minutes greeted her as they reached the foyer.
“Aww… my little brothers are all grown up,” Cassidy cooed and gave them her welcoming hug, complete with the sweet smothering sister affection.
Edmond welcomed her hug and embraced her back while Dillon gave her a fake gag that make Mrs. Dawson laugh softly. The boys paused their greeting when they noticed the older woman.
“Oh, boys, I want you to meet Mrs. Dawson, she’s in charge of this household. So don’t do anything funny, but if you want to dig dirt on Rowan she’s cool enough to share them if you managed to get in her good graces. So… be nice and respectful.”
From a very young their parents had taught them to be respectful of the people working and assisting their daily life. Their mom had educated them that they were financially privileged to have people employed to make their day-to-day life convenient. So the boys were already nice to Maurice without being reminded by Cassidy, and they both gave Mrs. Dawson their biggest smile before thanking her for the chocolate cake that she baked for them.
“Why don’t you put your bags in the guest bedrooms,” Cassidy nodded when Dillon asked if it was the same room as their last stay. “Yes, the ones where you stayed before,”
They were off to the stairs within moments, and Edmond was the first to return to her side. “So, how are you feeling?”
“I’m better, thank you for asking.” She grinned at him as he took his seat beside her on the kitchen island. Mrs. Dawson smiled at him while she makes him a glass of iced tea.
He thanked her and started asking questions about his sister and how she was recovering from her surgery.
“Jezz, Edmond, I’m right here. And I told you I’m fine.”
“Mmhm…” he replied wittily, and from there Mrs. Dawson knew that she was going to like Cassidy’s brothers. At least Edmond, but studying the twin earlier, she’d think that Dillon won’t be much different.
“Yeah, if you stay close to him you might think he’s the older one just because he’s no fun to be around.” Dillon chimed in, walking directly towards the kitchen. The boy was still typing on his phone, miraculously not bumping into anything in front of him, as if he has his personal sonar system.
“Said the guy who’s being sneaking around with his boyfriend and kissing behind the bleachers.”
“As I said, I’m the fun one.” Dillon grinned at Mrs. Dawson and once again asks her about his sister, clearly ignoring Cassidy’s protest.
“Oh. My. God.” Cassidy groaned but Edmond hug her and decided that she had enough. Her brother kissed her temple, telling his big sis that they both love her.
There were more banter and laughter throughout the afternoon. The late lunch was served and the boys praised Mrs. Dawson’s cooking afterward, making her cheeks tinted pink. Cassidy smiled at her brothers and then continue drinking her glass of water after finishing her lunch, she was glad that she finally had her appetite back days after the surgery.
Rowan’s Saturdays had been early since Cassidy stayed with him, he likes spending the weekend with her. He did not go to meetings on the weekends anymore, not unless it was really necessary. So when he did arrive home after his meeting, the boys greeted him with playful gagging noises the second he lay a kiss on their big sister’s lips.
“Aww…” Dillon sighed exaggeratedly but then couldn’t stop himself with the tease and fake gag the second Rowan kisses Cassidy longer. “Stop it, enough, we know you love each other.”Published by Nôv'elD/rama.Org.
“Ewww… You guys are worst than Dillon, there’s no one protecting the young here.” He scooted closer to Mrs. Dawson and she laughed along with Rowan.
“Dude, you’re minutes younger than me.” Dillon scowled while he kept busying himself with the chocolate cookies that Mrs. Dawson just pulled out of the oven.
“Uh-huh, and you’re acting as if you’ve just discovered cookies. You just ate three slices of chocolate cakes for dessert, you’re going to swim your ass off or your dearest captain of the swim team will know what you did this weekend.” Edmond smiled wickedly, already tempting him for one of their brotherly wisecracks.
“You wouldn’t dare,” he said still munching on the cookie. Mrs. Dawson was smiling widely, she almost couldn’t stop her laughter while Rowan laugh freely and draped his arm on Cassidy’s shoulder.
Rowan was happy, and Cassidy was too. Mrs. Dawson could see it in their eyes. She couldn’t wait for Rowan and Cassidy to be a real family. But, the perfect afternoon got interrupted when there was a knock at the door and she excused herself to greet the guest.
Mrs. Dawson did not expect her, she tried to tell her that Rowan was not home. But his laughter carried through the air and Heather the-ex raised an eyebrow, “Really? You’d lie blatantly now? I knew that you never like me. Let me in or I’m calling him.” The bitchy ex pulled out her phone and was ready to call Rowan. A few seconds later she smirked when Mrs. Dawson moved back to let her inside the house.
“Wait here, I’ll get him for you.”
But Heather never listens to her, so she goes past Mrs. Dawson and goes straight to the source of the voices and happy waves of laughter leading her to the spacious modern kitchen.
“Well, I didn’t expect you’d adopt the whole Rhodes into the house. That was quick.”
Cassidy tensed in his arm when she heard her voice, the hatred in Rowan’s eyes can cut through the air in the kitchen alone. But the boys, the boys looked at Heather like she was their next roast.
“Wow, who’s the lovely MILF, beautiful, but you should tone down on your make-up dear and that dress is a bit too clubwear don’t you think?” Dillon was the first to start, the boy did not go down easy and Cassidy could see the almost smile on Mrs. Dawson’s lips.
“Rowan, is she your aunt from your far side of the family? I think I saw her from somewhere, but I can’t remember, maybe it’s the cakey makeup?” Edmond continued, while Cassidy couldn’t look more horrified than ever. She was not sure of Rowan’s reaction to her brothers’s words. She knew they would defend her to their last breath and they know about the vengeful ex-wife from their talk about Rowan.
“Oh, you two little…” Heather’s was fuming, her face was flushed and the boys couldn’t look happier at her response.
“Heather, don’t, go to the office. We’ll talk there.” Rowan moved away from Cassidy, but not before he leaned down to kiss her hair telling her it’ll be just a couple of minutes.
“Mrs. Dawson you can start making dinner and set it up by the pool. I won’t be long.” Rowan calmly said and followed Heather who was already on her way to his home office as if she still owns the house.
“How much will it take for you to disappear from my life forever?”
“You really hate me that much, don’t you?” She couldn’t believe her eyes, she didn’t like seeing how happy he was minutes ago. The man never laugh so freely when he was married to her and it shocked Heather to the point that her eyes stung with regret.
“You’re really asking me this? You’re not welcome, we are done, don’t make me get a restraining order against you. And stop with the tears, they don’t work anymore.”
“You know what?! keep your cheque. I’ll talk to my lawyer and we’ll figure this out.” She huffed angrily and her hand was on the doorknob when he made her turn around with his parting words.
“Just let this go, Heather. We were married, but never in love. You know this. I will tell my lawyer to call yours but this is the last time, the judge’s order was clear. This is me being nice and I hope you’ll reciprocate.”
Rowan saw how she quickly wiped her tears away, maybe he was being too rough on her but she needs to see what she made him do. She needed to know that it was done. That they’re done.
After Heather left, the situation gradually improved. The boys were back to their banters, then they spend the rest of the afternoon by the pool where Dillon swim the chocolate cakes off and Edmond quietly read his graphic novel. Mrs. Dawson excused herself and went home after dinner was served.
“How are you feeling?” Rowan asked once they ended their day. He got them settled in his bed, tucked in warmly under the cover. He hated that Heather ruined their perfect day, but at least Cassidy’s brothers were there to cheer her up.
“Better now that you’re with me.”
“You know that Dillon was right,” Rowan said pulling her closer under the cover, spooning her from behind, and smelling her hair like she’s the essence he needs to breathe properly.
“Huh?”
“What he said this afternoon when I kiss you, the moment I saw you laughing with your brothers and Mrs. Dawson. You looked so beautiful and perfect in my kitchen.”
Cassidy knows what he was saying, but still, she was afraid.
“I love you, Cassie. I want this, I want us.” He gave her sweet kisses along her shoulder. Her cotton tank top barely hides her supple skin.
And when she decided to let go and fall for him, she knew she was screwed. Cassidy realized that he had ruined her for other men. She knew that he was the one, and when he decided he had enough and let her go, Cassidy knows it’ll be hard if not impossible for her to forget about him.
“I love you too.” She finally gave up and whispered when she thought he was asleep.
And Rowan smiled in his sleep, spooning her with his love for her.