✷OLD FRIEND✷
_______________

Paisley tried to get out of her hold but Tatiana was stronger than she imagined. She felt a taste. Salty. Urine! She struggled the more, only to have Tatiana push her head further.

Tatiana pulled out her head, her grip on Paisley’s hair still hard and firm, like she was going to pull them out of its scalp.

“Let me give you warning Ɓîtçh. The next time you cross path with me, mind the way you use your word. Talk $h|t about my boy again and I swear you’ll experience a fate crueler than death” Tatiana warned, her tone icy. She dipped Paisley head briefly into the toilet again before releasing her.

Stepping out, Tatiana composed herself and returned back to her calm and charming aura. As she walked through the hall, she felt the curious gaze of the onlookers and cared less about it.

Paisley splashed the running water on her face, scrubbing it intensively, she could still taste, smell and feel the urine. How dare Tatiana?! Does she think this was years ago? Does she even know what she had done?

Her furious gaze settled on the mirror before her, the scene where Tatiana slapped and humiliated her replayed over and over in her head. She removed the mirror and smashed it to the floor.

“You’ll pay for this!” She yelled insanely.
____

“Her audition went well” Hudson informed the cold man seated on his black shinny chair. His jaw moving gently as he chew on his cookies.

“Hmm” Cassius shut his eyes and savor the flavor.

“Why do you like those things so much?”

“Why do you like do like your idol so much?” Cassius asked back.

“Because she is amazing, I knew her audition will go well without even checking up on her”

“Cookies are amazing” Cassius gave his response too.

“So, she was the woman you talked about years ago?” Hudson uttered and Cassuis paused and looked at him. “Are you surprised I found out? Why didn’t you tell me?”

“You know the reason. And if you do that crazy thought sipping into your head right now, I will bury you six feet underground” Cassuis warned.

“She was your first and the woman who…”

“Shut it” Cassius glared and he stopped talking.

“Now I get the reason why she rejected us and I’m glad she did. Do you wish for me to dig in everything about her?”

“No, I’ll get to know her myself” Cassius glanced at his watch, he stood and ordered. “Get the car ready”
___

Tatiana’s phone beeped, Cassuis sent the address she was to come. She sighed and kept her phone. She panned to head there after meeting an old friend.

Tatiana and Jolene stepped down from the car to an area with black Americans. One her old friend lives here.

“Do you think they’ll forgive me. It’s been years” Tatiana asked Jolene.

“They would, at least for me cus I still visit them. They’ll take you back” Jolene replied.

Tatiana approached a doorstep and knocked on his door lightly. When she got no response, she knocked again.

“I’m coming, I’m trying to dress my @zz up” A voice sounded from inside. The voice belonged to Parker, a black gay man.

When the door opened, his eyes widened at the sight of Tatiana. He blinked several times just to make sure she was the one.

“Tatie?” He raised a brow, chewing on his gum lightly.

“Tatiana?” Another voice sounded, it was Stacy, another old friend of hers, she was white. She peeked and gasped.

“Uhm.. I know I really screwed up. I mean I left all what we worked hard for and I feel so bad…”

“Are you here to ask us for help, cus I’m definitely not doing that” Parker said coldly.

“Parker?” Stacy hit him gently. “Be cool, let’s hear what she have to say”

“She left us for the bastard named Nathan, baby. I lost my $h|t” Parker said.

“I deserve your hatred and I swear I’m gonna make it up to you guys. I don’t expect you to accept me now.. but I want you to know that I’m deeply sorry”

“Please guys” Jolene spoke behind her. Parker took a deep breath and sighed deeply.

“I’m cool. I’m just glad you’re back to your senses” Stacy said and gave Parker a look.

“Fine” He said rolled his eyes. “We’re drinking all the way tonight” he said and they all laughed.
____

[STARDUST COMPANY]

Nathan just ended the meeting and watch his shareholders leaving. Flynn stepped in and informed that a female artist wanted to see him.

“Let her in” He smoked replied.

Soon, a young lady burst into the office in tears.

“Please, president you can’t do this” She went on her knees.

“So you can beg, huh?” Nathan smirked, enjoyed how she trembled in fear.

“Please, I’m sorry, I’m so wrong daring you. It won’t happen again. I promise, please don’t destroy my brother’s reputation. He doesn’t do drugs anymore and if that news reach out, he won’t be able to further his education and be arrested. He is the reason for my hardwork so please” She pleaded, her tightly clutched together.

“It was just a simple request sweetheart. Have a night stand with the famous singer Matt Brown and gain more fame. Is that so hard for you?” Nathan asked, his eyes devoid of emotion.

“I.. I just can’t sell my body.. I have a fiancee” She mumbled in tears.

“Fiancee?” Nathan chuckled. “You’re still not ready, fine. Flynn release the d@mn thing”

“No!!” The lady stood and kneel closer. “I’ll do it. I’ll pleasure him for one night I promise. Don’t release the news please. All my effort will be in vain. Please”

Nathan lifted his finger stopping Flynn.

“Good. You will pleasure him dear and bring me more fortune and fame” He stated and she nodded vehemently.

“I’ll do it”

“Clean those tears of yours. You’re one of the most beautiful dancer we have here, act like one. Flynn will prepare everything. All you have to do is please him the way he wants” He spoke calmly and lady stood wiping her tears.

She tried her best not to curse at him, knowing what this monster can do. She had seen him ruin artist beyond measure, just because of their disobedience.

“Understood” Her lips trembled as Flynn led her out.

Getting home that night, Nathan found Paisley crying around the corner of the room.

“What is it?” He asked, his voice neither cold nor soft.

Paisley rasied her head to her, she cried harder. “It’s Tatiana. That Ɓîtçh attacked me”

Nathan expression didn’t changed. He had already suppressed Paisley’s humiliation news immediately it got out. He crouched before her, hating her tears.

“She attacked me all of a sudden because of what happened years ago. She h@ťěd me, she humiliated me before everyone. She took me to the toilet and..” she paused and sniffed as more tears streamed down her face.

Nathan stayed silent.

“I got to find out something too. She has a son” Paisley said and Nathan eyes narrowed.

“A son?”

“Yes around the age of five. It’s not yours, right? You aren’t f-__-king her before the wedding right?” She asked, fear swirling in her gaze.

“That, I can’t tell” Nathan mumbled and Paisley eyes widened.

“But you told me, you haven’t touched her since two years before the marriage!” Paisley yelled.

“Why are you so riled up?” Nathan raised a brow.

“You lied?! Is that child yours?! It can’t be! Tatiana can’t have your child, she can’t!” Paisley yelled.

“Go freshen up, I’m hungry” Nathan stood and made to leave but Paisley quickly held him.

“It’s not your child Nathan. Please tell me the child is not yours” Paisley pleaded and Nathan shot a glare at her.

“Can you stop overreacting? We are done with this conversation” He said coldly and shrugged her hand off.

Paisley shook her head. “It can’t be. Nathan doesn’t have another child outside. I’m the only one who bare her child. I’m the only one” she quickly took her phone to make some calls.

However Nathan stepped into his study room, his gaze swirling with an unknown emotion. He pulled out his phone and called his assistant.

“Hello boss” his assistant answered immediately.

“Find out what happened to Tatiana Wallington, the night before she left” He ordered in a cold voice.
____

On the next day, Jolene took Dylan to school and Tatiana’s mood was bright. Her audition went well yesterday and she got back with her old friend who promised to help her again. She drink with them to make up with them, Jolene didn’t so she could drive her home.

Tatiana’s disappeared remembering Paisley’s word. Dylan attend the same school as Paisley’s son.

“You should stop worrying, nothing would happen to Dylan” Catelyn spoke as she stepped into the kitchen too.

“I know but I can’t help it” Tatiana replied.

“It’s normal for a good mother to be worried, especially a type that would dip a woman’s head into the toilet for not being able to use her mouth. I would ki|| Paisley if I set my eyes on her” Catelyn said with a serious face and Tatiana burst into laughter.

After a while of silence, Tatiana spoke. “Thank you so much auntie, for everything. Especially, Dylan”

“It’s my pleasure. Dylan is like my son too. I watched him grow and I’ll always be there for him,” Tatiana heart swelled with Catelyn’s words.

“How’s Reed doing?” Tatiana asked. Reed was Catelyn son who lives outside the country with his wife.

“He is fine, he plan to visit here soon though” Catelyn’s husband died when Reed was just five and she had never thought of marrying another, she loved and nurtured her son until he got married and left for another country. Reed visits once in a while, while they were Europe. Catelyn talks to her son every single day.

So Dylan remind Catelyn of Reed, she missed those days and see Dylan as her own.

Noticing her dress, Tatiana asked. “Where are you going all dressed”

“I need to get myself some books. These four corners are boring without Dylan. I might even open my coffee shop soon” Catelyn said.

“That’s great, oh I’ve missed your coffee. It’s been a while you prepared one” Tatiana blinked her eyes cutely at her.

“That’s not going to work, bye” Catelyn chuckled and left.

Tatiana went upstairs to freshen up, she had woke up late due to hangovers. She sighed as the emptiness of the apartment weight upon her. She has no appointments or plans today. She decided continue to continue her research on Issabella.

Her eyes widened remembering something.

“Oh $h|t!” She cursed and rushed to the living room to check her phone.

~Where are you?~

Cassius message reads and her jaw dropped. She totally forgot about him.

“Nice” A thick voice sound behind her, she jerk when she saw Cassuis and her phone dropped to the floor.

She stared at him with guilt before taking her phone and then looked back at him again.

“How did you…” She trailed off in shock.

“Your passcode is your birthday” Cassuis answered her unspoken question and took an apple from the counter he rested his back upon. His move was graceful, no wonder he is called king.

The passcode was Dylan’s birthday actually, she gave birth on her birthday so Dylan and her share the same day.

Silence settled in the room as Tatiana waited for the man to scold her but he only stared at her with hard face. Does he even smile at all? His piercing gaze made her skin tingle.

“About last night… I am sorry. I went to meet some old friends and I completely forgot about our meeting” She explained, her voice barely audible. The room turned silent again until he finally spoke.

“Come here” He demanded and as if being controlled, Tatiana found herself walking slowly towards him, her gaze facing down.

“I’m really sorry” She stopped and apologized again.

“Closer” He demanded and Tatiana gulped. How was she going to make him leave soon? Catelyn or Jolene would be back any moment.

She took a step closer barely close to the way he wanted. He suddenly reach for her hand and pull her to himself. He carried her fragile body with swift movement and placed her on the counter.

Cassius parted her legs and stayed in between, placing both hand by her side.

His moves was fast, Tatiana froze for a moment. She tried to move but his cold voice stopped.

“Don’t”

Tatiana gulped again, her heart raced as she not only wondered what the man was up to but also the fact that his face was so close to her. His amazing cologne invaded her nose, messing with her senses.

“Not only you are stubborn little rebel, but forgetful too”

“I’m sorry”

“Apologize again and I’ll make you scream my name. You know what mean” He warned and she gulped again.

Her confidence was gone, replaced by her fragile side. How did he managed to make her act this way? She wanted to push him away but dared not to.

“How should I punish you Little Rebel?” He asked huskily, drawing his face closer. His lips almost brushing hers.

“I.. I..” She couldn’t find her words.

“First, you let only me carry the memories of that night, you reject me, disobey me, drove me nuts.. so many crimes you’ve committed, little Rebel, so tell me how should I punish you?” He asked as their gaze lock. She was blushing intensely, unable to look away.

“I.. don’t know” She finally find her words.

“Then I have the right to choose any punishment then” He smirked, seeming to enjoy her stun expression.

“I’ll.. find a way to.. make it up to you. I promise” She stuttered.

Cassius smirked, his gaze moved to her inviting lips.

Just when he was about to make a move, the door swung open, Jolene and Catelyn stepped in.

Their eyes nearly popped out of their sockets when they saw the position the two figures were in. Their mouths hung open as they froze, and Catelyn’s book slipped from her hands, creating a loud thud that grabbed their attention.

Tatiana’s eyes widened, desperately wishing that the ground would open up and swallow her.

‘f-__-k!’ Cassius inwardly cursed.

༆𝑻𝑩𝑪༆