Sincerely, Yours

Chapter 8

A few days they were burying Terri. Kassandra stood between German and Mariano. With Robert closed by. After the service, Mariano pulled German aside, while Kassandra and Robert talked to some people. "Sir, there's a man standing by the tree dressed in black. He's been there through the whole service watching Miss Mills." Mariano said.

German stretched his neck and looked at the man. "I see him. Go check what he wants." German said slowly walking back to where Kassandra stood.

"I'm so sorry for your loss, dear." An old lady held Kassandra's hands.

"It was a lovely service." Another one said as Kassandra and Robert just nodded.

"Thank you." Robert finally said, pulling Kassandra away from the group. "Let's go." They all walked towards the limousine as Mariano walked towards them holding the mysterious man's arm.

"Sir." Mariano called.

Robert turned around and saw the man. He ran towards them and punched the man straight on the face and he fell to the ground.

"Robert!" Kassandra cried. "What are you doing?"

"What are you doing here, bastard? You have no right!" Robert spat at the man.

"Robert. I'm so sorry. I came as soon as I heard." The man said getting up from the floor with Mariano's help.

"Dad?" Kassandra asked.

"Yes, honey." The man answered.

Kassandra pushed Robert aside and ran towards John and hugged him. "Really, Kassie? After what he did?" Robert asked.

"He's still our father and the only one we got right now."

"Let's take this reunion to the house. We don't need an audience." German said, motioning them to get in the limousine.

At the house, they all sat down, except Robert that paced around the living room. "Why are you here after all these years?" He asked furiously.

"Like I said, I came as soon as I heard about your mother. She was my wife, remember."

"You seemed to forget about that when you ran away with all our money with that harlot."

"Robert, enough!" Kassandra said.

"Kassie, you seemed to forget. Maybe because you were too young when it happened, but he sold everything and took all our money and left without a word or explanation all these years. Sorry, but my father died years ago, I don't know this stranger sitting in front of us." Robert said, leaving.

"Dad, I just want to understand. Why did you do it?"

"Honey, I fell in love. Aurora came into my life and I fell in love."

"So, you never loved mom?"

"I did love your mother, she gave me you guys. But, the love I have for Aurora is different."

"Did you love us?"

"How can you ask that? I never stopped loving you guys."

"Why stayed away for so many years?"

"Your mother wanted nothing to do with me. She made it clear the day I left, to stay away from you guys. I tried contacting you over the years, but she would always intercept the calls. So I'll admit I gave up, which I shouldn't. I should've fought for you." He said, kneeling in front of her.

"What do you want? We made it without you all these years as you can see. We don't need you, really."

"Kassie, honey. I want us to be a family again."

"A family? Dad, mom just died, she was what kept this family together after you abandoned us."

"You have twin half sisters, I want you to meet them and be part of their lives."

"It seems you have your own family, you don't need us."

"Kassie, please, give me a chance. I want to be part of your life. I'm here now."

"No, I can't seem to believe that. What do you really want?"

"Fine." He said getting up and sitting back down. "Aurora and I fell into a bad financial situation. We lost our home, we are living in a shelter."

"And what do you want us to do about that? You left us without a penny, we are still struggling. Mom and Robert had to work double shifts just to put food on the table. We don't have money if that's what you came for."

"That was a nice service you gave your mother. Look where you live." He said pointing around. "You're telling me you can spare a few bucks for your dearest father?"

"No, I don't have any money, dad. German was nice enough to pay for mom's service and this is his house, not mine."

"You're ungrateful, brat!" He said getting up to strike Kassandra when Mariano grabbed his arm and twisted it behind his back.

"Get out! I don't ever want to see you again." Kassandra yelled and ran out of the room.

John got up from the floor as soon as Mariano let go of him and dusted his black suit looking between German and Mariano. German got up and walked to a drawer taking a pad out. He wrote on it, ripped it out of the pad and handed the paper to John. "Take this and leave town. You have no idea who you're messing with. If you ever step one foot in this town again you are dead. Do you understand? And don't you ever try to contact Kass again." German said.

John looked at the check German had handed him, his eyes went wide and he smiled. "Thank you, son. I always knew you were a good guy. This is really going to help us." John said, stretching his hand.

German looked at the stretched hand and scoffed. "Believe me, I'm not a good guy. Mariano, can you show Mr. Mills the way out. And have my men following him out of town."

Robert knocked on Kassandra's bedroom door. "Yes?"

"Can I come in?" He asked.

"Yes, come in." She said as he walked inside. She sat at a chair hugging a pillow to her chest.

"I saw they just kicked him out. What happened?"

"He came for money, Robert. Can you believe that?"

"I knew it wasn't for anything good."

"He has a family, twin girls. It's like he just threw us away."

"I'm sorry. He's an idiot."

"I'm glad you're staying with us."

"That's the reason I came to talk to you."

"What is it?"

"I'm leaving town tonight."

"What? Why? You have a place to stay with us and German offer you a job, better pay and better hours."

"I don't want your boyfriend's handouts. I know he doesn't do anything legal. I hate you being involved in this. Why don't you come with me?"

"Robert, I don't know. Now with the war going on I'm not supposed to leave the house, less leave town where I would be vulnerable."

"As soon as I'm established somewhere I'll let you know, okay? Please, take care. And if anything happens, you are welcome where I'm at. Okay?"

"Okay." She said getting up and hugging him tight.