September 28th

7. Mother

**Stephy**

"Its you!" She screeched. Her voice certainly got higher. Cassandra rushed over and squashed Svante into a bone crushing hug. She squealed and I felt like my ears were about to bleed. How the fuck does she keep doing that.

Svante looked traumatised. Like he was just hit by a tornado and didn't know what to do. "Stephy, help me" he choked out. I shook my head, I was enjoying seeing him suffer and also the fact that she hasn't noticed me yet.

"Finally you come. Every year it's boring old Carlos that comes, trust me I absolutely adore him I mean I love him and stuff but his not you and finally you show up. I'm so sure that this year's event will be ten times better than any other. Gosh I-"

"Uh, excuse me" Svante pushed her away from him a little, "who are you?"

I stifled a laugh. The shock on her face was priceless. I guess she wasn't accustomed to his bluntness.

"Wha-what do you mean Svante it's me Cassandra. We first met a couple of years ago at one of La Vaiga's photoshoot. And meet every year at your company's New year's party." He still looked blank. "My husband is your partner in the La Vaiga's Jewelry collection?" He still didn't recognise her. She seemed so shocked I almost felt bad for her. Almost being the key word because she still was the same Cassandra I knew.

"We are just going to go. Maybe I'll see you around?" He reached behind her and grabbed my hand.

"Estephania?!" Shit she recognised me. "Are you here with her?" She asked accusingly. I actually felt offended.

"Yes Cassandra he is here with me" I turned around directly facing her, "you got a problem with that?"

"Well well well if it isn't ol' Stephy. I see the attitude is back" She moved around me, "so glad to see you out of that dark depressing state and finally making something of yourself."

She stood in front of me with a smirk on her face like she knew something that I didn't. "We all thought you'd never make it after your father's  awful death, but then seeing that it was-"

"Say one more word Cassy and your pretty little neck will get to see what my nails are capable of" I said getting close to her. She knew exactly what to say to make me tick. She knew the exact words and the right buttons to push but how couldn't she, she was my best friend for the best years of my life right up until high school.

She gave out a small laugh, "down kitty down. I can see that he doesn't know yet." She looked over at Svante, "but I'm sure that when he finds out he is going to leave you. Just like Jason did." My heart stammered at the mention of his name.

"What's going on here?" Mireya stood by the entrance.

"Ah Mireya how are you. So glad to see you again." She rushed over and they hugged giving each other air kisses. "O it's nothing to worry about I was just greeting Svante and the lady that's with him."

She moved from my view and I got a good view of Mrs. De La Vaiga. She truly was an astonishing woman. You can tell by the structure of her face that she took no bullshit and always got what she wants. She stood dressed elegantly in a red and black dress fitting her figure perfectly if I didn't know better I'd say she didn't give birth to two grown men who now run a company. She was beautiful with an air around her that demanded respect and she sure looks like she gets it.

Brenda walked past us carrying her bags towards the receptionist. Mireya walked past Cassandra to greet Svante,  "my son." She hugged him and Svante reluctantly hugged her back,"how have you been. I haven't seen you in so long."