Chapter 28: Argument

Akia had sneaked away from Maria and was standing by the door listening when she cried out. "I don't want to go, Mommy."

Mrs. Consuelo, Edward, and Cassandra all turned to look at the little girl. The sight of tears streaming down her tiny face broke their hearts.

Cassandra rushes to her aid. "Baby, we have to go, but I promise you'll see daddy a lot," she said to Edward. "Will you make the necessary preparations for us to leave the day after tomorrow? That should give you plenty of time to finalize your plans."

It broke his heart to see Akia in such distress and to know that they would be so far apart. "I'll drive you there myself," he said bitterly.

"That will not be necessary," she told him.

Edward lost his cool and yelled angrily at Cassandra, not caring who heard him. "I said I'd take you," he slammed his palm on the table, then felt remorse when he saw Akia run into his grandmother's arms.

Akia, terrified by her father's outburst, ran to her grandmother. The older lady hugged the child and spoke softly to her. "Don't worry, you're not going anywhere, at least not right now."

When Edward realized he had frightened Akia, he went over and took her in his arms. "I'm so sorry, honey. I shouldn't have yelled," he said as he turned to face Cassandra. "I'm bathing Akia and reading her a bedtime story since you're taking my daughter away from me," Edward explained, making Cassandra feel guilty.

They walked past Cassandra again, holding her hand and giving her that look. Leaving her feeling terrible, turning her to be into a monster by stealing a child from her father.

She waited until Akia was in bed before going up to kiss her goodnight. Edward was about to leave when she stopped him. "Why have you been staring at me like that all day?"

"It's nothing," he said as he turned to leave, but she stopped him.

"Tell me," she insisted. Edward then pushed her up against the wall, his hands resting on her shoulders. "I'm tired of you playing with my emotions."

"What are you talking about? I'm not playing on your emotions," Cassandra responded.

"Then what's all of this! Cassandra, I don't know what I'm going to do so now I thought everything was fine now coz we make love how many times I love you but why you're making this so hard for me for us," Edward said with sadness in his eyes as Cassandra looked at him.

"No, Edwards, you just misunderstood me—"

"Oh, but you are, this cat and mouse play; you love getting me hot and bothered, then stopping me now? leave me alone before I can get you into bed.

You're a slut teaser, that's what you are now."

Cassandra wanted to punch his face but instead backed away. "No, I'm not; we just got carried away and things that shouldn't have happened, I'm sorry."

He shook his head, angry enough to spit. "I'm not sure if you want me or not. You're always confusing me."

"I'm not the girl for you," she sniffed, "I don't belong to you." She said but the truth was she still wanted him and loved him, but she was afraid of having her heart broken again.

His frustration grew as he ran his hand through his hair. "Damn it, there you go again," Pacing cursed before going back over and pinning her up against the wall. "I'm glad you're leaving soon; I don't want to be around you any longer if I can't have you in my life; all I want is Akia, to be her father but make sure you don't date another man because I am the only one who's qualified to be your husband and Akia's father. Don't try my patience, this is the last chance I'm going to be good at you."

When he left, tears welled up in her eyes.

he slammed the door behind him

~

They were all seated at the breakfast table, with Akia on Edward's lap, feeding him toast. When he reached for a bite, she laughed and yanked it away from him.

Jose arrived, apologizing for disrupting their breakfast. "I'm sorry, Sir, but a Mr. Robel is on the phone for you, and he says it's important."

Edward returned with a scowl on his face.

"Can I speak to you in the other room, alone?" He didn't wait for an answer, just walked away, expecting her to follow him.

Maria turned to Mrs. Consuelo as soon as the two had left the room. "What did you do?" she inquired of the elderly lady.

Mrs. Consuelo smiled and winked at Akia. "Mr. Robel and I are old friends, and he's doing me a favor," she says, turning to face Akia. "Don't tell mommy or daddy about this, okay?" Mrs. Consuelo said as Akia nodded to her grandmother.

Cassandra kept asking, "Edward, what did he want? Is the condo ready?" "We didn't get it, I'm worried."

"What are you talking about? You said it was a done deal."

"Well, I was wrong," he exclaimed.

"Before you get too worked up, he has a lot of property for us to look at; the only catch is that we have to go and see them in person."

"Why?" she inquired.

"The owner wants it that way and refuses to have photographs taken; I know it sounds crazy, but that's how it is."

Cassandra managed to cross her arms, not looking forward to going anywhere with Edward. "When are we leaving?"

"Tonight. I'll reserve a couple of rooms for us; we'll be there for 3 days."

"How come 3 days?"

"So we can take a look at a few more." "Let's go tell Akia that we're all going on a trip," he says, trailing behind him.

"I want to stay here with grandma, daddy," Akia started whining behind them.

Mrs. Consuelo hugged Akia and said, "Oh, let the girl stay with us, we'll take very good care of her."

Cassandra and Edward exchanged glances.

"I've never been away from her, Mrs. Consuelo, and I'm not sure I'd be comfortable bringing her."

The older lady gave Akia a wink. "Cassie, she'd be bored tracing around after you, and this way you could look at many places; please, let us watch her, and she's been invited to Maria's niece's birthday party."

Akia jumped up and down with delight when she heard the word party. "Please, please, mommy. I promise I'll behave while you and daddy are on the trip." Akia pleaded with her cute eyes.

Cassandra threw up her hands in surrender. "OK, okay, you win," she said, taking a deep breath.

Akia swooped into her arms, lavishing her mother with hugs and kisses.

~

Cassandra was nervous about going anywhere with Edward since he was still mad with her. And she couldn't blame him; she should never have had sex with him. So she'd go, pick the first house or condo she saw, and insist on them returning right away.

After a tearful goodbye, Edward and Cassandra drove to the airport, where he barely have spoken to her. He appeared irritated, so she was relieved that no words were exchanged; it would have only resulted in an argument.

When they arrived at the hotel, he led her to her room, opened the door, and entered. "My room is next to this one; do you want to request room service or go down to the dining hall?" he asked, not looking at her.

Cassandra didn't want to be alone in this room with Edward, so she suggested they go downstairs and eat.

"Fine, I'll just go to my room and tidy up; I'll be back in, say, an hour to pick you up," he said as he rushed out without waiting for an answer.