Three

Cassandra paid deaf ears to those words, it's not new but those words always haunt her already wounded heart like they were new.

Tears blurred her eyes and Cascaded their way down mixing with the downpour of the rain, She suddenly slumped to the bare floor, The rain still drenching her mercilessly.

It was like the whole world was against, She was just on her own like a little tilapia fish swimming amongst myth sea creatures.

Lost.

The weight of the accusations wrecked and haunted her heart relentlessly and most times she'd agree that she truly was behind Cassidy's tragic demise.

She'd agree that Cassidy's better than her even though they were rivals but she'd not go far to the extent of getting her rid of her.

Was she truly behind it, Did she really killed Cassidy? Or was it just Manslaughter?

She had no answers...

It was all just like she was behind it.

Cassandra was lost in thought when she noticed the rain was pouring on her again, Though it was still raining.

She looked up to see a manly figure that loomed over her, Concern etched on the guy's face.

She was under his umbrella actually and the guy was wearing a raincoat.

Cassandra stared at him for a sec, Her brain not processing anything but her legs stood up on their own accord.

She stared up at the guy since he was a bit taller than her, She wasn't all that short.

All she wanted now was to be in someone's comforting embrace, Someone who would make her believe that she's not a murderer, Someone who can make her realize her old self.

With those thoughts in mind, She pulled the guy into a bone crushing hug.

“It hurts...” She cried.

Her already soaked self hugging his weat raincoat with her face buried in his chest, The guy was taken aback by her sudden outburst.

Nevertheless, He reciprocated the hug deepening affectionately.

“It's okay...” He consoled.

All this while the twos stood under the umbrella the guy was holding and after what seemed like forever ever, Cassandra disengage the hug, Tears still sliding down her cheeks.

“What really happened to you?...” He asked and Cassandra eyes squinted, Taking a good look at him she needed no one to tell her that the guy's a newbie around the area.

Cassandra held a dark reputation that triggered recognition wherever she goes, She could easily tell that the guy was new around the area.

Maybe that was the same reason why he offered her a helping hand.

“It's fine if you don't want to talk about it, I'm Alfred Chen” He said snapping her back to reality.

“I'm new around this area, It's nice meeting you” He said offering her a handshake, Cassandra stared at his hand, Weirdly.

From his intuition, She could guess he was a Chinese.

She obviously can't remember when last she received such attention, care and concern. Cassidy's death simply ruined her once perfect life.

Slowly, She shook hands with him and the Alfred guy smiled warmly at her.

Cassandra said no words, instead she kept staring at him blankly.

“You can use the umbrella, I'll go home with the raincoat” He offered handing her the umbrella.

“Bye!” He said with a smile before walking away.

Cassandra stood there under the umbrella, Staring at his retreating figure until he went out of sight.

*

THE EVANS*

That Evening, Cassandra got home to meet her Mom in the living room.

Rachel stylishly laid on the lengthy couch beside the fireplace as she operates on her phone, Cassandra's appearance was a distraction and on beholding her, A frown twitched on her face.

“Good Evening” Cassandra mumbled but the woman in her late forties who happens to be her mom simply ignored her, The frown on her face deepening each seconds pass.

Cassandra on the other hand didn't even wait for her reply, Not like she used to reply her greetings.

She carried her soaked self alongside the umbrella heading upstairs.

“Where you coming from young woman...” Rachel demanded standing on her feet.

Then Cassandra froze on her spot.

“From the Cemetery...” She repiled firmly.

Her reply was firm and sharp.

Rachel smirked walking towards her.

“I told you to stop going to that place or didn't I?...” Rachel inquired.

Cassandra was backing her, One of her hands was on the rails of the staircase.

“Look at me when I'm talking to you young woman” Rachel added more like an order.

‘Young Woman’ was the new name Rachel resumed calling her after the event one year ago.

Cassandra exhaled slowly facing her.

“Why shouldn't I? She's my sister after all” She replied, Her voice more like a whisper, Inaudible yet firm.

“Sister?...” Rachel repeated chuckling briefly, Before she continued - “That word doesn't suit your mouth Young woman, After killing your own twin sister you dare recognize her as one!”

Cassandra shrugged intending to reply;

“I understand how you feel Mom but...

The rest of the words stuck on her throat because Rachel silenced her with a heavy slap.

“Told you to stop calling me that or have you forgotten so easily that we still remain enemies!” Rachel spatted hotly but Cassandra remained unfazed with a blank expression on her face.

Even though she was taken aback by the slap, She kept her cool, infuriating Rachel the more.

“What you gonna huh? murder me like you did to my own daughter!” She spatted again but Cassandra said no words.

She only stared at her blankly, Though within she's crumbling down in tears.

“Yunno ever since you killed Cassidy, I certified myself as a childless woman cuz you can never be my daughter Cassie! I hate you!! And my only wish is for you to have shameful-painful death!!!” She yelled, Totally infuriated.