THE DEVIL' S WRATH

Chapter 22

While still in her deep slumber, the incessant ringing in her phone wakes Cassie up.

Without looking the name of the caller assuming it was Alice, she answered it immediately.

Hello Alice , must you vex me this early? asked Cassie with her croaking voice. Oh!! my head is killing me and my throat is parched.

Cassandra Burke, why are you still in bed this late?

Oh shit!!

Did you just cursed young lady? Mind your words Cassandra.

No, Dad no...of course not. Even though she grew up with military men, they never used any expletive words infront of her and aunt Maggie.

They're always like gentlemen, that's why her father would reprimand her whenever he heard her cursing. For him, it is not a lady like attitude. Her Dad would always remind her about her Mother being gentle and soft spoken.

Explain then, and don't even think of lying, I know when you are. So, what made you still in bed at this time?

Looking at the digital clock in her bedside table, she can't believe she slept this late, it's already 2'o clock in the afternoon.

There's no daylight seeping in her room, the curtain is pulled out shut. She never close the curtain tight. She also notice a bottle of water and aspirin wondering who put it there, her mind is still in haze.

Her Dad's voice jolt her musings...

Well young lady I'm waiting...and why is that your voice sound scratchy. Did you get drunk last night? and why would you think it's Alice calling, where are you?

Slow down Dad, I have a splitting head ache. I need to drink water and take aspirin, hold on a minute, while reaching the bottle and aspirin gulping it down.

Uhm Dad... the thing is...

You're stalling Cassandra..

Cassie inhale first, I went to a club with Alice and her boyfriend last night. She narrates about why Alice is not in the condo, with little omission about what happened last night, that she was harassed by that asshole. Surely her Dad would freak out, and she didn't want that.

Cassandra, I didn't send you to New York for you to gone wild. You know there are many men in those clubs who will take advantage of a drunken women. Specially you, one look at you and men would flock. I know your capable of defending yourself, but what if you got drunk.

I'm sorry Dad, but you don't have to think what if something bad will happen to me all the time. It's not reassuring, whether I' m here or in the ranch, and  if something happen... happens. I know you worry about me  all the time, but please...you have to trust me also to be responsible for myself.

But Alfred still adamant to see reason, I guess I have to call your Grand Mother and inform her you're in New York. Atleast, she can keep an eye on you.

Don't you dare Dad, you know how I hated that old witch.

Don't be disrespectful Cassandra, she's still your Grand Mother.

If you do that Dad I would never talk to you again, and I will never come home anymore, threatened Cassie.

Listening at Cassie's outburst, Alfred can do nothing but sigh. Okay, fine you win... I won't call your Grand Mother, but you have to promise me also you're going to inform me of your whereabouts all the time.

Unbelievable...Cassie roll her eyes, and if her Dad could see her right now, she might just have another scolding coming.

Okay Dad agreed, hope your satisfied now.

Don't be sarcastic Cassandra, remember...

Before her Dad can say another word, Cassie cut him off.

I love you and miss you oldman, tell aunt Maggie I said hi, and please tell her I love her and miss her to...bye...she hurriedly cutting off the call.

Phew... Cassie muttered to herself.

Later that day, Cassie received another call. Reluctant to pick up, she thought it was her Dad again, but seeing it was Alice she felt  relieve.

You sound happy not like me, I got a call from my  Father scolding me to no end. I thought it was you, I just woken up when I answered. Father instinct, he found my voice like I have been drunk. I  had no choice and told him the truth, not the incident though. He threatened me to call my Grand Mother and tell her that I'm here, can you believe that? I told him bluntly that if he ever do that, I won't talk to him anymore. That made him think twice, maybe he realized what he just did.

Alice laugh at Cassie's rant.

It's your fault, you know I have little tolerance in alcohol but you keep on pouring my glass. But aside from what happened, I enjoyed the night immensely. God, Ethan friends are hilarious and cocky, they keep on boasting themselves but in a good way. I had so much fun, they're like my brothers.

I'm glad you enjoyed the night, me too, and mostly after Ethan and I...

Geez ..Alicia, must you tell me the intimate moment with your boyfriend? Spare me the details please...

But Alice continued teasing Cassie, although she's not a prude, Alicia can be vulgar sometimes.

Oh my poor virgin ears..( both girls giggling )

Anyway I called you because Ethan made a reservation, there's a new Italian restaurant that had just opened. It's on the rage because it has given a five stars in the food critics review. I bet the food there is delicious and I know how much you love Italian cuisine. It's so hard to get a reservation, you have to book in advance, luckily Ethan knows the owner.

So what do you think?

Thinking of food right now made my stomach quesy, I'm still suffering from hangover.

You still have fours hours to relax Cass, by then your feeling will be settled, just take a bath. Be ready at six, were going to pick you up.

Okay Mother hen...replied Cassie.

Alice just laughed and hang up.