TO HAVE & TO HOLD-Sequel of Catch Me I'm In Love

Chapter 18 - Cassandra's Deceit

Cassandra called Matthew. They are back in Manila after attending the engagement party. Cassandra fuming with anger at the second rejection she just got from Erik. Now she has a definite plan how to make Roan suffer.

Matthew was staying in one-bedroom condo in Salcedo Village, Makati. He is renting it until he can find a condo that he plans to buy. It all depends on what he can do in Asia. His team in New York allowed him to cover Asia scene and are lining up projects for him to shoot.

He was just looking at the several photos he shot during the Engagement Party of Erik and Roan before Cassandra’s scene. He was able to capture several shots of Erik and Roan but a lot of them are just of Roan’s. A lot of them are of Roan’s different facial shots. Most of them she was laughing or smiling. All in all – she radiates with happiness.

Matthew smiled. Merely looking at Roan’s pictures again gave him that light feeling, he feels happy seeing her happy. She is so pure and a jolly person. 

There seem to be no pretense and she doesn’t seem to carry any bad feelings in her.   He was busy looking through more of the pictures he took when his phone rang.

“Hello,” he answered.

 “Hi, Matt this is Cassie. Are you available today? Can we meet?” she asked in a rushed voice.  

“Is there any problem, Cassie? Sure. Where do you want to meet?”   “Where’s your place I can go there or you can come over here at my condo.”

 “Hmmm…how about I go there. Give me your address. I will be there in 15 minutes.”

 “Ok, thanks a lot Matt. I appreciate it.” She hung up after giving him the address.   She prepared a glass of wine for her. If Matthew wants one, there’s more for him.   She sighed. She smirked. She didn’t want to use Matthew. But he is the closest there is that she can use without him knowing it.

He seem to have a “thing” for Roan, she saw it by the way he looked at her at the party.

She is pissed. “Why is every guy seem to fall for this Roan. So baduy, kahit bihisan pa sya ng maganda, squatter pa rin ang look nya! Tingnan ko lang kung umubra siya sa gagawin ko.” talking to herself, and started laughing.  

Matthew didn’t understand it. He was being nice to Cassandra, that’s the only reason he is going to oblige but she seem to be in distress and she is alone in Manila. All her family are back in the States, just like his family.

So he felt obliged to kind of look after her. There was something a little off about her though. He just drove – her condo is at Rockwell Center. It will take him about 10 minutes without traffic in Makati Avenue.  

Once he was there, he went into the lobby of One Rockwell, where she is staying. He told the receptionist he was there to see Cassandra. She already knew Cassandra was expecting a visitor so she just told him to take the elevator. He said thanks and headed to meet Cassandra.  

He knocked on Cassandra’s unit and was greeted by a smiling Cassandra.  

“Hi, Matt…come in. Please,” and she gave him a quick peck on his cheek.  

“Hello, Cassie. Nice unit. I’m actually looking for one myself. Is this yours?” he asked.  

“Yes, this is mine. I bought this so when I’m here I don’t have to stay in hotels. I have the comfort of home. Do you want something to drink?” she asked.  

“Sure, what do you have?” Matthew asked and sat down on the sofa facing the huge flat screen tv on her living room.

What she has is a 19-foot floor to ceiling Z loft. Her unit is at the east end of the Z units so she has the breathtaking sunset over the bay view from her living room.   It was a nice unit. Just what he was looking for, too.    She said she has two-bedrooms, the design is modern and unique. She said she chose her furniture herself and imported it from Europe and US.  

“I have red wine, I have white wine, vodka, soda, water – you pick.” she said.   “I’ll have orange soda if you have it.”    She said she has one, so she poured him a glass of orange soda and added ice on it.   She sat next to him and started to ask him things.  

“So, do you have any plans on staying here longer?” she started.

  “Actually, I was thinking of staying – yes. I have to settle down with my own condo first, I am currently renting one in Salcedo. But this unit is actually very nice – I like it. Maybe you can ask your real estate agent to show me some available units. You never know, we might be future-neighbors.” he chuckled.  

“Sure, I can arrange a meeting for you. Just let me know what your schedule looks like. Anyways, Matt, I will be having a party here next week. I want to invite you and help me organize it. It’s kinda my welcome home party. I haven’t been around the circulation here so I want to be seen again. You know what I mean.”  

“Sure, that’s not a problem. Is that why you asked me to come here? You sounded a little nervous and crying even over the phone.”

  “No…I was drinking wine a while ago and when I drank it, it went on the wrong spot I almost choke…so I was in tears and was just recovering from it when I called you,” she lied.

  “Oh, I see. Okay…so tell me what do you want me to do with your party. I am a photographer and I can cover your party and send it in one of the Socialite Events feature in one of the magazines here, no problem. If that’s what you want.”

  “Yeah that would be nice. But I wanted a friend, too. I’m lonely.” and she looked at him seductively.

 “Oh…”Matthew got it. He can use the diversion to get Roan out of his mind, but at the same time he doesn’t feel anything towards Cassie. He sees her as his younger sister.  

Cassandra was trying to kiss him, but he stood up.

Cassandra feeling rejected yet again,   “What’s up with guys now? Am I not pretty Matthew? I just needed to be loved!” and she started crying.  

“Cassie, I’m sorry. I didn’t want to take advantage of you. I’m here as a friend. Please don’t get me wrong. You are beautiful, sexy…desirable. It just so happens that…that I don’t got to bed with anyone just for the sake of getting off. I’m not like that. It might be hard for you to understand but that’s what I am.”  

“It’s okay Matt, I’m sorry too. Medyo I’m a little depressed kasi. I am hurting eh. I feel like I have everything but I feel empty.”  

“I feel that, too sometimes Cassie. Don’t worry. You’ll get over it. I think we all need to be loved one way or another. We just have to be patient.”