CHAPTER EIGHT

"How long as it been since I tried to have fun?" Cass asked to herself when she got a free time after the show.

As usual, it was a success, and all people who watched were satisfied to see the collection of Arturia.

Her quirk of using weird styles as patterns for her clothes caught the interests of the fashion enthusiasts.

Let's add to the fray her employer who likes to decided on the spot on which model should wear the clothes.

Their combo made their business prosper in few years' time. 

"Who knows? You were busy in college. Now that you decided to stop, you can go out and play wild. Whatever you want." Arturia says while eating a lollipop.

They are currently strolling around the Paris to see the famous places, and Cass is trying to remember the time when she had come here to stroll around. Some of the establishments weren't there during that time.

Scenes from the past replays in her head as she stares at the ruins that were preserved for the others to see. Arturia keeps on taking pictures, as souvenir and a proof she indeed see it personally. Their stroll is one of the relaxing things that Cass experienced after the sudden change of atmosphere and scenery to live. She usually stays at home or walk in some greenhouses to look at plants that are growing nicely.

"Anyway, why did you came to Korea, Cass? I thought it will be the last place you'll go to." Arturia brought up the place where she is living right now.

"It is indeed the last place," Cass answers. "Dad decided to stay there, and I trust his decision. If he wants to stay there, I will stay with him until he grows old of me and kick me out of his life."

They stopped in the front of an arch. "I lost him once; and I dont want to lose him again. I already lost someone from the stupidity that I made before, it cost so many lives, and I almost wished to sleep for eternity too."

Cass stares at the arch she had witnessed being built before. "I never thought I would feel it: that desire that can kill me or send me to despair or will urge me to move forward. It was a bliss and painful at the same time; I never encountered that in the place where I grew up, traditions are being followed, and I never believed on those things. It was my salvation, but my downfall too. Both a curse and blessing."

Arturia looks at Cass who's staring at the arch with an intense expression. She looks at the arch too. "Sounds too complicated."

Cass laughed. "I thought that also at first. But when it's there, you're gonna think it's not. Sure, it will sound like it's a trouble, but it made me happy."

Cass turns around to leave the place when she bumped to a mass of solid yet soft object. All she sees in front of her is a black color of two different cloth, and a pair of hands trying to steady her.

She unknowingly bumped to a human. 

"I'm sorry, I was not looking where I'm going—"

"My dove, it's been a while."

The voice interrupted her apology. She jerks away from the hands who steadied her upon hearing it. "Why are you here?"

"To see you, of course." The man who she had bumped to answered. His dark brown hair and blue-grey eyes are glaring at her, checking her. His handsome features attracts many people, and her standing in front of him looks like they came out of a portrait.

"You have the audacity to show after what you have done? Do you think if your frined is here, he will welcome you with open arms and say that everything is fine and he had forgave you?" Cass says, trying to control her feelings.

"I don't have any plans to see anyone. Come with me. Leave everyone behind and we'll live in peace. I'll give you everything." He said.

"No," Cass replies. "I'm fine with my life, and you don't need to return, Jacob. The next time I see you, I will kill you myself."

He sighs. "Perhaps you are not in the mood. Oh well."

He moved towards her and kisses her forehead. "I promised to stay with you forever. Now that I'm here, I will fulfill it. And I will kill whoever tries to stop me from having you."

He takes a step back and smiles. "For now, I'm collecting the years we missed. I'll be back soon."

Jason turns his back on Cass and walks away like nothing had happened. The latter despises the former's touch. It reminds her on what transpired that day, that wiped out all people on that place.

Cass stares at the retreating figure of Jason. Arturia, on the other hand, was staring with a desire at Jason. "Cass, who is he?"

"An enemy." Cass answers. "My day is ruined, let's go back now."

"Ah, that fast?" Arturia wonders. "He doesn't look like an enemy to me? Who is that guy? He can be a good model."

Cass walks away from thay place too, opposite from what Jason had went too, making sure that she's not going to see him. "I'm going back to Korea now, Arturia. He's here, and he'll find a way to see me again. And no one can stop him to kill people if ever he went on rampage."

She walks so fast that Arturia needs to run to chase her. "Why? We still hadn't see everything yet."

"I need to inform someone, and I will keep all humans safe from him. I'm going to do our duty, I created a mess, and I'm the only one who can clean this up. Not even my dad. I'm sorry, Arturia, but I think my time here in Paris has been cut short. I'll give you something for compensation." Cass replies.

"I don't need compensation; I want to know what's happening! Why are you in rush of leaving when you hadn't even slept to the hotel or had a nice warm bath and meal after the show? You promised that we will spend our time playing around!" Arturia demanded.

Cass stops from walking, takes a deep sigh and looks at Arturia. "Arty, do want to know the truth?"

"I do! And I won't let you go until im satisfied from the answers."

Arturia is a hard-headed person like Cass, but the latter uses it under some circumstances that involves life of others.

"Then we should head back to the hotel, then I will tell you about me." Cass decided. "In order to satisfy your curiosity, I will tell you my secret. And how everything is connected with it. Just promise me that you will not mention this to anyone."

Arturia nods her head, agreeing. They head back to the hotel and Cass takes a call from Charles who's checking up on her.

"How's the show?" Charles asks.

"It's successful, and it went over our expectations." Cass was so down that it is obvious in her tone.

"If it was a success, why are you sad? Did someone tried to pick a fifht with you? Slandered you?"

"Charles, he's... he's here. He found me, together with Arturia," Cass confesses. "I need to return."

"...So that person is indeed alive?" Charles spat over the call. "Ha! All more reason to pound him back to the ground. Get back right away Cass. I'll talk to your butler, we will get another house. We cannot risk the other's safety with this."

"I am. I'm glad you called. I almost exploded when I heard his voice. Charles, why does it hurt? So much that it feels like I cant breathe and my heart is being squeezed? What is this?" Cass is currently confused at her feelings.

"It's heartbreak, Cass." Charles replies. "I'll tell you more when you go back. But I think you need to rest. Meeting him after the show stresses you. I'll fetch you tomorrow then. Arturia can come too if she wants."

"Thanks a lot, Charlie. I mean it."

"You're my little sister, even though you are older than me. I will protect you, I promised that to Amanda before she left us."

Charles ended the call and Cass will face another matter today. She walks to Arturia's room, knocks before entering.

Cass stared at the worried figure of Arturia. "Are you ready to know all of it, Arty?"

Arturia nods. "I won't hate you because of your secret, your my benefactress, I owe my future and life to you."

"Which you should not. I don't care if you get disappointed at me after learning my secret or leave me. But I'm scared to tell this to anyone."

Arturia waited for Cass to speak. She never spoke anything anymore after that. The latter took a deep breath as she spoke the words that also the cause of the trouble.

"I'm an immortal. And so does my family, all of us aren't humans, and if you think we are, then you are wrong."