Chapter 854: First love never dies

Meanwhile...

"Oh, Cassandra," Cassandra propped her elbow on the window, pinching the bridge of her nose in distress. "Why are you being like this now?"

She slowly opened her eyes, her hand creeping up to her chest. Her heart was racing, thudding against her ribcage. Dean’s scent lingered in her nostrils, and his warmth somehow clung to her skin. The slight brush of his breath on the shell of her ear as he reached out to open the door for her made her ears heat up and redden.

"You must have lost your mind," she murmured to herself, touching her ears to try to stop them from heating up. She clenched her teeth a bit, looking distressed by what she felt back there. "You’re with someone already."

And that man she was with was a kind and considerate gentleman who had been doing everything he could to make her happy. Although Cassandra and Jonathan’s relationship hadn’t had a proper label yet, as they were still in the dating stage, she was sure they’d eventually come together.

He was everything she wanted and needed. The perfect man she had always imagined having by her side for the rest of her life.

"No, no." She shook her head. "This is not good."

In a panic over the frustrating feelings in her heart, Cassandra quickly dialed a number. When it was picked up, she almost jumped a little.

"Kiara, where are you?" she asked in a hurry. "Can I visit?"

"I’m in the office — is there something wrong, Cassy?"

Cassandra pursed her lips into a thin line. "Remember that I picked up the ticket for the reunion today?"

"Uh-huh...? Did something happen there?"

"Well... I bumped into Dean Pierson."

"..." For a second, Kiara didn’t answer as she seemed to know where this was going. Still, she asked just to make sure. "And?"

"He asked me to have lunch together, and we did. And now... my heart just keeps racing."

"Cassy, weren’t you with Jonathan?"

"I know! That’s why I’m calling."

"You’re a psychologist, and you don’t know what’s going on?"

"I know, but do you know that a doctor can’t treat themselves??"

Kiara sighed. "Just come over here and help me while we talk about it. I’ll talk some sense into you."

With that, the line ended, leaving Cassandra holding her phone with both hands.

---

One hour later, Cassandra arrived at the small office located at the border of the city, where Kiara’s office and warehouse were. But since Kiara was short-staffed, Cassandra had to follow her around while talking about her current dilemma.

Holding a board with papers clipped to it, Kiara paused in between the aisles of huge boxes and turned to Cassandra. "So, your dilemma right now is that you were flattered by everything he told you?"

"Yes."

"And that he smells very nice, very expensive?"

"Yes!"

"And he’s just as handsome as you remembered him?" Kiara added, and this time, Cassandra nodded profusely. "Cassy, do you love Jonathan?"

"I do!"

"Then why are you like this just because you had lunch with your crush?" Kiara blurted out. "Are you shallow?"

Cassandra frowned deeply, her shoulders drooping. "Am I?" she returned, unsure of herself. "Kiki, what should I do? I love Jonathan because he has always treated me with love and respect. He has always done what would make me happy, and he’s very honest with me."

"Kiara, you know me. Even when I was engaged to Finn, I wasn’t like this," she continued in distress. "Finn is a good friend of mine, and even after he broke off our engagement, I dated a few men. I never looked in any other man’s direction when I was dating."

"It’s the same with Joe!" she exclaimed. "It’s not like Dean’s the first person who has approached me while I’m dating."

"But Dean’s the only one who made you feel like this?"

Cassandra pursed her lips. "First love never dies?"

"..." Kiara shook her head in both disbelief and dismay. She slowly looked away, getting back to work while saying, "I’m not the psychologist here, Cassy. But I don’t think you love Jonathan."

"How can you say that?"

Kiara cast her a knowing look. "Because if you did, you wouldn’t waver just because you found out that your first love, your first crush, and the very reason you had that degree your parents didn’t want you to pursue in the first place, is single."

"But..." Cassandra hummed a long tune, looking at the busy Kiara as the latter checked their inventory. But in the end, she couldn’t say anything else. After all, what Kiara said was true.

Cassandra had studied very hard because the guy she had a crush on was a smart boy. She stayed in the Star Section, diligently attending everything, in hopes that she would see him around school. Although Dean rarely attended and mostly only showed up during exams, she was still hopeful. And because of that, she had quite a fun time, especially during the school festival, when she was able to enjoy it with him... as a group, of course.

But when she heard that Dean had taken an advanced test because he was pursuing medicine, Cassandra thought there was a high chance of seeing him around if she pursued the same field. Her parents wanted her to become an engineer for their business, but she didn’t listen at all because of a man.

"What now?" Suddenly, Kiara stopped and looked in Cassandra’s direction. "You suddenly went quiet, and when you do, I’m a little concerned about what’s going on in your mind."

Cassandra forced a defeated smile. "Nothing," she said. "Just thinking that you’re right."

"Right... in what part?" Kiara narrowed her eyes suspiciously. "Cassy, please don’t tell me you’re going to break up with Jonathan just because of Dean."

This time, Kiara rushed to her friend, holding her hand and keeping her inventory list clamped under her armpit.

"Think it through, okay?" Kiara breathed out. "I know you’ve admired Dean all your life, but... it’ll be too complicated. Dean and Finn are business partners. Moreover, you’re with a good man, Cassy. What you’re feeling right now... it’s not permanent. Just think of it as a test."

Kiara sighed heavily. "Don’t throw away a good man just because of something... uncertain and complicated."

"..." Cassandra smiled in defeat and sighed. "I’m not thinking of dumping Jonathan, okay? I told you. I love him. It’s just that... I need some time."

"Time for what?"

Cassandra bit her lip a little. "Just some time to get it together... I guess?"