Chapter 57: Cassey Or Cassandra
Kyle stayed with Collins for an hour or so, observing the progress on the construction of his ambitious multipurpose nightclub. He couldn’t help but imagine Ella performing here one day if everything went according to his plans. Kyle was confident this venue would be a massive success because of the unique strategy he had in mind. He planned to operate the business with no immediate profit in mind, keeping the prices marginally lower than his competitors.
This approach would ensure that people would flock to the nightclub, eager to take advantage of the opportunity to save some money. Kyle believed there was no reason to do more than necessary in the initial phase. Of course, he didn’t intend to run it at a complete loss—this strategy would be temporary, lasting only for the first year. After that, he planned to gradually increase the prices, relying on the loyalty of an already established customer base to sustain the business.
"Well, Collins, I have to head out now. It looks like my project is in good hands," Kyle said, satisfied with what he had seen.
Collins, catching a glimpse of Kyle’s luxurious car, couldn’t help but wonder why someone with such a sweet ride would choose to use an Uber. "Sure thing, boss man! We’ll have everything done in no time," Collins reassured him with confidence.
"I expect nothing less," Kyle responded, a faint smile crossing his face before he excused himself and made his way toward the car. However, before leaving, he decided to confirm his plans with Cassandra to ensure they were still on track for the day.
Kyle contemplated sending her a text but opted instead for a direct call. Cassandra had a baby, but he reasoned there was no practical excuse why she couldn’t hire a babysitter for a short outing. She wouldn’t be gone for long, and besides, if she had a husband, there was no reason he couldn’t take care of the child while she was out. Kyle dialed her number, and to his mild surprise, it took only three rings before she picked up, almost as if she had been waiting for his call.
"Hello, Cassey?" Kyle began the conversation, his tone casual yet deliberate.
[[Cassey here. How’re you, Kyle?]] Cassandra responded, her voice carrying a mix of politeness and warmth.
"I’m good, but I’ll be much better once I’ve had my morning coffee," Kyle replied, emphasizing the word "coffee" with a playful undertone.
[[About that... I don’t think I’ll be able to make it,]] Cassandra said, her tone hesitant yet decisive. However, Kyle didn’t feel an ounce of disappointment.
He had anticipated the possibility of her getting cold feet, knowing it was his job to ease her concerns. "Is that so? I guess it can’t be helped," Kyle replied calmly, his voice devoid of frustration.
"Coffee alone it is. Maybe some other time," he added before ending the call. He understood that rejection wasn’t the end of the world, and how one reacted to it often determined how others perceived them in the long run.
Kyle knew he could have pushed harder, perhaps even pressured her into meeting him, and the chances of success would have been high. However, that would have made her uncomfortable, and Kyle preferred for her to come of her own volition. There was a subtle power in allowing people to make decisions for themselves, even if they required some persuasion.
Deciding to redirect his attention, Kyle considered heading back to the hospital where Ella had been admitted. However, he doubted she was still there. Hospitals rarely allowed patients to stay longer than absolutely necessary, especially when beds were needed for others. Just as he was about to start his car, his phone rang again, pulling his attention back to the screen.
It was Cassandra. The same woman who had just canceled on him was now calling him again. Kyle couldn’t help but smile, guessing she had reconsidered her decision.
[[Hi, Kyle. My schedule just cleared up...]] Cassandra informed him, though Kyle suspected she had nothing planned in the first place. Still, he wasn’t going to press her about it.
"That’s great. Should I pick you up?" Kyle asked. He thought it would be best to handle the transportation, especially since he didn’t know if she had nosy neighbors who might notice her leaving with another man. Such gossip could easily stir unnecessary drama.
[[No, I’ll come to you,]] Cassandra replied, her tone measured and distant.
"Don’t worry, I’ll take care of the fees. Here’s the address," Kyle reassured her, providing the location of a discreet coffee shop he had chosen. It was far enough from her place to reduce the chances of anyone recognizing her but not too inconvenient for either of them.
[[It’s fine; I can handle it. I’ll see you soon, Kyle,]] Cassandra responded before abruptly ending the call.
Kyle noticed an energy shift in her demeanor. She sounded more formal, almost detached, leaving no room for him to argue or impose. Her insistence on handling her own transportation felt like a subtle rejection, as though she was establishing boundaries he wasn’t allowed to cross.
He sighed, realizing that this might be more challenging than he had initially thought. "Is this even worth it?" Kyle wondered to himself but quickly pushed the thought aside. The harder the task, the more it distracted him from thinking about Aiysha, making it a perfect distraction.
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Kyle arrived at the coffee shop ahead of time. It wasn’t too far nor too close to his place; they had agreed to meet halfway, quite literally. He waited patiently, noting that Cassandra hadn’t shared her trip details, leaving him unsure whether she was driving or taking a cab. Ultimately, her mode of transportation wasn’t his business, as long as she showed up.
He checked his watch and realized she was running late. Approximately 30 minutes had passed, and there was still no sign of her. "The hell..." Kyle muttered under his breath, his irritation beginning to show. If she didn’t want to meet, she could have just said so instead of wasting his time.
Kyle was about to call it quits when the door to the coffee shop opened, and in walked Cassandra. She was dressed differently from what he had asked her to wear, opting instead for an outfit that mirrored the style she had worn when they first met. Her clothes covered her from head to toe, and she wore large black shades, making her nearly unrecognizable to the casual observer. The only notable difference was the absence of her child.
Kyle immediately realized what she was doing—she was reclaiming the power she had subtly ceded to him.
