Love Unexpectedly

Chapter 2

Since my breasts are still nowhere to be found, "well probably still in the process of growing" I just have to find a way to highlight what I've got.

A lot of people say that my best assets are my shoulders and legs so I decided to wear an off the shoulder A-line dress that slightly flares towards the hem just below my knees. It perfectly accentuates my tiny waist and creates an illusion that I have wider hips.

Well, they say you can never go wrong with black especially if it's a Valentino LBD, paired with strappy high heeled sandals, a little touch of makeup and a diamond-encrusted hair clip with my hair swept on one side and I'm all set.

Smiling to myself in the mirror. "Hmmm... Not bad Cassandra." I don't look like 17 or too old for my age either. "I look like I'm ready to be a woman." Wow, I got goosebumps saying that allowed.

"I think I can pull this off perfectly. Yes, I'm positive this night will end up great."

After checking my appearance for the last time I left my room and went straight to our drawing-room. As I near the room I can already hear my parents having an enjoyable conversation with the Hartfords'.

The Harford's are our very close family friend for years. Both families have been friends way back since our great-great-grandfathers.  My mother Lauren Collins and Alexy's mother Stella Hartford are really close. They attended the same school when they were young but admitted that they weren't friends while in school. They just became close when they married our fathers. My father Henry Collins and Alexy's father John Hartford grew up together and were inseparable since they were young. While I'm an only child, Alexy has one older sister Georgina. She's genuinely fun to be with and she's not a rich snob which I like most about her. Unfortunately, I barely see her now since she's living in Italy with his husband Matteo. They recently got married last year and are expecting their first baby.

Entering the room I stopped short when I notice Alexander standing near the window. Wow, he's really good looking. That's my first thought when I saw him. Even though I can only see the left side of his face since he's facing the window I can still easily say that he has a very attractive facial structure and has a great physique under those clothing.

Sighing. And those eyes, he has honestly the most beautiful bluish-green eyes. And let's talk about the lashes, god why can't I have those lashes? The guy doesn't need to put mascara to make it look thick and long. He's the most annoyingly handsome man ever.

"I hate him." I started to move while muttering to myself.

"Oh Cassandra dear, good that you're here. Dinner will start soon." My mother who's always the ever-gracious host noticed me first.

Or so I thought...

"Done ogling Cassy?" Alexy's teasing tone reached my ears. Did he saw me staring at him? Oh my gosh, how embarrassing. I can feel a blush creeping to my face.

I bravely look at him and gave him my best stink eye. See what I mean, annoyingly handsome. Ugh. Just relax Cassandra. Remember your mission you need to be nice.

Avoiding eye contact I turn to my parents and other guests and gave my most charming smile. "Good evening Mom, Dad." I approached them and gave each a kiss.

"Hi, my dear how are you? You look so beautiful tonight." Unlike her son, Stella's really nice.

A sincere smile appeared on my face. "I'm great and thank you. You look gorgeous as always Stella."

Huh, I just noticed that she's wearing a black dress too. Actually, both her and Mom are wearing a black dress. Great, so much for standing out.

"You look lovely Cassandra. How are your studies? I heard from your father you're top of your class. Good job dear." Ahh, the patriarch of the Hartford family. John always talks about studies and accomplishments. Actually, he and father does, while the women talk about fashion and events.

Smiling. "Yes, I'm in my Senior year so I have to be on top of my game. And thank you, I've been really studying hard." I feel truly happy when they gave recognition to my work especially if it comes from my father. It's difficult to be born as a girl in this society. Women are only expected to be married to a wealthy family and then pretend to be good housewives. On the other hand, men work and can even do whatever they want. I find it so unfair, it's the 21st century! men and women should be equal.

I always feel like I have to prove myself that I can do more, do better. I want to be an independent woman. I want to work and buy my own place with my own money. All my life I've been dictated on what to do and not to do. I'm not forced, but still, since they're my parents I have to follow what is required of me.

I can fairly say I'm a good daughter as I've never given my parents headaches or shown any bad reputation. Hopefully, when I'm at the right age they would allow me to do what I really want since I've been nothing but obedient to them.

"Well, she's always been really smart." My father's proud voice rose from the room. That's what I like about Dad, he always supports my work and passion. Hopefully, asking for independence would be easy for him to understand.

"Thanks, Dad, you know I just want to make you proud." I said while hugging him.

"Pfft..." Did someone just snorted at me?

This annoyingly handsome man!! Keep calm, you still need him. I slowly turned to him and bring out my sweetest innocent smile.

"Oh good evening Alexy!"  I know he hates it when I call him with that name. Evil smile...Take that.

"Good evening Cassy" He smirked? Oh, what I would do to remove that smug look on his face.

"Don't call me that." I hissed. Ugh, I hate that name. It doesn't mean that I find the name ugly or anything. It just reminds me of bad memories when I was young.

"Why not? You're my little Cassy remember." Now he's just making fun of me.

And our mothers thought it's sweet. "Ahhh, Alexander you are such a sweetheart. You've always been sweet to our little Cassandra." See what I mean, if only Mom knows how he annoys me all the time.

That nickname didn't even exist until that incident when I was twelve occurred. My classmate stole my favorite hairclip and I knew she stole it because the day after it was lost I saw her wearing the same hair clip and it looks exactly like mine. I confronted her and told her about it but she denied it. I went home crying and told my parents. They said it's only a clip and they'll just buy me a new one and much better. I was starting to get mad at them since I don't want another one. I think my mother had enough of my dramatics because she scolded me and said I was being a spoiled brat which she'd never said that to me before. And the worst part, Alexandar was there with his parents. I was so humiliated that I ran to my room and never went out the whole day.

A few days after that incident, I received an anonymous package, inside it were new hair clips with the same design as the one I lost and some other designs and colors as well. I asked my parents about it but they said they were still planning to buy one for me. Obviously, the package didn't come from them. The only person I knew that knows about it is Cassy. So I approached her at school thinking maybe she felt guilty and bought a replacement. Anyhow, I can't push her to admit that she stole my hair clip since she might get humiliated if anyone finds out so I simply chose to forgave her and thanked her for the package. The weird thing was she just looked at me blankly and gave me a small nod. Well, safe to say we were no longer friends after that and she transferred to a different school a year later. So the incident was long gone forgotten.

Well, not with Alexander. He even started calling me Cassy just to annoy me. He said the name fits me perfectly since I'm a brat and very spoiled. And considering that he can't call me a spoiled brat in front of everyone he would instead call me Cassy. In return, I would call him Alexy just because he hates it. He said the name's too feminine for him. Now, we still use those names just to annoy each other.

Anyway back to the present, I was supposed to say something more when the maid came and informed us that dinner is all set.