Neptune

Chapter 42 | The Promise

L U K E

Seven years ago

Cassie and I walked hand in hand as we strolled around the town one last time before I went back to New York, our fingers laced together.

The weather was clear that morning because the storm had passed. I was treasuring every moment that we spent together.

Today would really be my last day in Hallstatt. With her.

But I didn't want to let her go.

Cassie held my arm and leaned on me—it seemed like it was hard for her to part too. Just like she'd said.

A souvenir shop on the street caught her attention. She tottered toward it, dragging me along.

"Look," she exclaimed, gazing at the accessories displayed on the counter—necklaces, earrings, rings and other girls' accessories that I had no idea how they were going to wear.

I glanced at my wristwatch. Damn. I fucking hated this, but I had no choice but to go back home before everything in New York got worse.

Cassie noticed my restlessness. "Is it time for you to go?"

I turned to her and found sadness skating all over her face. Yet, I answered, "It is."

Her face fell.

"You know that I fucking hate this too," I said. "But I have to go. My family is waiting for me. I have urgent matters to settle."

Her lips formed into a thin line, but then she huffed, letting out a deep sigh. However, the pain still crossed her expression.

"I know. I'm not going to let you abandon your responsibilities," she said, her voice small. "I just thought that," she paused, "maybe we could do something more before you go."

I looked at her attentively, listening. "Like what?"

She shrugged.

"I don't know." She laughed, but it sounded like she was forcing it. "Like getting married in a chapel?" Her eyebrows rose.

I stared at her. If it hadn't been her, if it had been some other girl, I would have laughed, thinking that it was nonsense to hear something like that from someone that I'd just met.

But she was not. She was Cassie.

It seemed like she'd always been a part of me, like she was half of my soul, like we were made of each other. Like her presence would never leave me even though we were going to part ways, like she was indeed the air that I needed to breathe.

If one thought that the words she'd uttered just now were crazy, what would they think of me thinking that I would die without her?

A lunatic?

Cassie shook her head in disbelief, a scoff leaving her mouth as she stared down at her feet—she probably had just realized how strange her words sounded.

"Ignore that. I'm crazy." Awkwardly, she turned to the souvenirs again.

Fuck with that. We're indeed crazy, Cassie. We're crazy about each other.

I hugged her from behind as she tried to shift her attention away from me, focusing on the accessories. I breathed against her throat before placing multiple soft kisses on her cheek and neck, ignoring other people who were staring at us dreamily.

Maybe some of them thought that we were a young newlywed couple who were visiting Hallstatt for our honeymoon.

But being together with Cassie behind my parents' backs would only repeat Victor's and Emily's tragedy. Cassie didn't deserve that.