The Backyard

Chapter 4

Author notes 

Before you read this chapter, it is very long and so I won't be posting again until this weekend because I have to focus on school. I have all my finals this week. This is jorden Pov so I hope you like it. 

Jorden

I woke up right next to Cassandra; she was still in my arms. We were lying on the couch in the library, and our books were set to the side table. I looked at her, and I started thinking about how peaceful she looked. She was beautiful, but I would never tell her that. I liked that she trusted me enough that she slept in my arms.

I looked at my phone and saw it was three in the morning. I had many missed calls from my uncle. Shit, my uncle never calls. Since I did blow the meeting I was supposed to attend, I screwed up this time. It didn't matter right now; the meeting wasn't that important. It was Cassandra and me. I would miss the meeting over and over again if it meant this girl would be in my arms.

Even though I would get a lecture or two, it doesn't matter. I am 16 now; I turn 17 soon enough. It has been almost three years since I have been in charge. I own my uncle. I own them all. I could destroy them with just a few words; they did sign their lives over to the devil.

I learned how to be cruel from my father; he taught me how to use people's weaknesses against them. He taught me many things, I listened to some, but others I ignored. I hated my father for the man he was; the empire he built off was all lies. He killed people for sport. He killed me in a way, but maybe that was for the better. I am stronger for it; I don't feel anything anymore. But then, if I didn't feel anything, why did I feel the need to protect Cassandra at the warehouse? Why did I want her? I have never feared anything in life and never cowered away, but I felt somehow sick inside. I felt sick because I don't know what she will think when she learns the truth, the whole truth.

My mother and father died from a bomb in their car; no one knows who planted it. They died quickly, but I wish my bastard of a father died a slow, painful death. He made my mother's life hell; she cried each night. He always hurt her emotionally, and god knows if he physically did; I never told anyone what happened when the cameras were turned off.

I saw it all happen when my parents died, we were all driving home, but I was in another car. I was behind them when I saw it happen. I never spoke about it ever to anyone. I didn't talk for two weeks to anyone. I don't remember much other than the driver stepped on the brake pedal so hard I fell forward. We saw my parents' whole car go up in flames; I screamed and screamed so I could see them, but I was held back. I wished it was all a bad dream. After that, I never let anyone in. Apart of me died with them that night. I was 14 or 15 at the time it all happened.

After the death of my parents, everything changed. I was suddenly a multi-millionaire with so much money at a young age. I owned an empire that I didn't earn, and I owned a side business. I let my uncle handle everything on the side business because I didn't want to deal with it. But I have to attend meetings which are very dull and sign many, many documents for both jobs.

My father's business was built overlies. The whole company he had is worth around 350 million. He made a company and organizations in his name, but he also ran a side operation that no one knew, except his closest associates and most trusted. Since he died, I hired someone to fill the company's seat as a temporary CEO. The man's name is David, and he does the job well. The side job involves illegal business. Drugs imported from all over, killing anyone we shall desire and much more. It is kind of like running a mafia. My father's side company name was feared from all over, in places in the city and world, whether very poor or wealthy. It was a kind of code name, not his real one. The rest of the world adored him; he was the rising multi-millionaire. He kept me hidden from reporters and magazines, which was a great blessing. I could never hang out with people unless they were part of the side business or close family. There was lots of security back then. Ever since my parents died, my uncle doubled the security. My uncle wanted me to go to school and finish up, so I made a deal with him. I would go to school, and I would be free of the businesses and security, but I would attend some meetings and sign papers. No bodyguards, no protection. And I told him that he would leave and travel all over the world for both companies.

My last name no one knows at school because if they did, they would begin to run for their life. Everyone was afraid in the city we lived in, but since my father died, everyone thought it was okay now. I decided that we would run everything but be very quiet about it. I wanted to tell Cassandra before she was to become attached or developed feelings, or I would get attached/feelings, but it's too late now.

I called my uncle back while Cassandra was still in my arms; I was didn't want to move. I didn't want to wake her, I asked why he called, and he just asked me why I didn't go to the meeting, and my responsibilities are important and whatever. I just hung up and went back to sleep and hoped that tomorrow would be better.

In the morning, we all woke up and got ready; I borrowed some of Cole's clothes. We all drove to get breakfast, then headed to school. Cassandra and I walked to class; we were late and got a little lecture. Everyone was staring at us, I talked to Cassandra all day, and she was so fascinating. There was something about her. She told me that she had one sister who doesn't speak to her. She wasn't very close with her family either. She always came over to Lindsay's place because it felt more like home. I told her that I lived with my uncle and was an only child. My uncle comes and goes for business. My life was pretty dull; my parents died when I was young a few years ago, so I bounced between family, and now I live with my uncle. But I was living alone. I told her that I liked to read and sometimes draw. I also said that my family is very wealthy, so I could travel whenever I wanted to.

We went on through the day, and It was amazing. I have never felt so free in my entire life. After school, we went over to her place. She took a shower, and then we left to get food and watch a movie. I made a few calls and asked the nearest theatre to clear out the whole place. I wanted to be alone with her; you can never trust who will say what. I couldn't risk it getting to my enemies and the media that I was with her. We watched a scary movie; she jumped and ended up sitting in my lap, she turned away when there was a frightening scene, and I would simply laugh. She indeed was just so fascinating to me. After the movie, I drove us to get dessert. I went to drop her back home, said goodbye, then drove back home.

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I couldn't think for the rest of the night; Cassandra was the only thing on my mind. She was occupying every thought, feeling. I couldn't let myself be vulnerable or let my guard down, but for the first time, I wanted to, for her. Her words, smile made me want to turn into a puddle.

A few days went by, Cassandra and I hung out every single day. We always ended up going somewhere; it was amazing. I don't think I have smiled so much in my life. She said her birthday ball was coming up soon and she personally invited me with a card and everything. She said it was a masquerade ball down by a beach. There was a massive house that she rented out as a revenue. She showed me pictures, and I recognized them. I used to rent out the house and invite many people over for the night, and there were free drinks and everything. All supplied by me.

The house was massive but old; It has a huge ballroom with many bedrooms and washrooms. The beach was beautiful at night, and there was a pier nearby. The ball was in a few days; I already got my suit fitted and ready. I was hesitant to go; I never really did balls. I partied a lot, but I was not too fond of formal ones. I always had to be dressed in a certain way and act like a gentleman. Cassandra finally picked out a dress, but she wouldn't tell me what it looked like.

Today was the day that I was planning on inviting her over to my place. It's only fair since I've been over plenty of times, but I didn't invite her over. I planned on waiting after school, but I was so impatient. I walked in late and gave my late slip to our teacher; I sat next to Cassandra and just gave her a warming smile.

" Why are you smiling"? she asked. "Since when is it bad to smile, plus don't I look amazing," I replied. "No you look horrible, now did something happen to why you are smiling so much." She said. I replied, "I wanna ask you something and It might be bad but take the risk, but you can also you can say no if you don't want to, we can wait until after school." She said. "Okay fine spill." I responded with. "I know school is important and stuff but skip with me and we will go to my place, just for today come with me." I gave her the best puppy eyes I could come up with. "Sure, I don't want to sit through the lecture today and I will just get notes from Emma, plus I really wanna see your place." she said, smiling. "Okay get your stuff and meet me in six minutes out front, I'll go get my car." I said. "Okay," she replied.