Cynical Heart (Heart Series)

by Lee, Vivian Rose

  “I’m not quite sure,” she admitted. “I know he really wants to be in Cabri’s life, and I want that as well, but as a couple? I’m not sure.”

  “Well, all I know is that I like this Cab better than the Cab whose face would have cracked if he smiled,” Cat commented, leaning up on her elbow to look at Dana.

  “Me too,” Zoey agreed. “I have never seen him this happy. To tell the truth, he’s been so mean these past few years, I didn’t think he knew how to be happy. Anyway, I am grateful for the change, and it’s all because of you Dana.”

  “Do you love him Dana?” Cat asked.

  Dana thought for a moment. “I think I do… no, I know I do,” she reiterated. “The question you should ask is does Cab love me?”

  “I think he does,” Zoey joined in.

  “I do too,” Cat added.

  “I don’t,” Dana disagreed. “I think it’s because of the baby.”

  “We shall see,” Cat said laying back down and closing her eyes.

  The other girls followed her lead and closed their eyes. Dana winced in pain when the baby moved to the side. The doctor said everything was fine and that she only had to rest for a while, so the pain she felt was probably soreness from her fall so she ignored it. She wanted tonight to be special, and no amount of soreness was going to ruin it for her.

  When their personal attendant came in to tell them that their mud baths were ready, the girls rose and put on their robes and slippers. As they walked to their destination, Cat saw Cassandra standing at the front desk arguing with the receptionist.

  “Miss I’m sorry, but we are booked,” the hurried receptionist was trying to tell her.

  “I just want a manicure and pedicure!” She snipped snidely at the young woman.

  “I’m sorry miss, but this is an appointment only establishment and we don’t have any openings,” the girl said.

  Cassandra turned her head, and when she saw Cat a smile spread over her face. If she sucked up to the heiress, she might be able to get a full body treatment after all.

  “Cat darling,” Cassandra called out, acting as if they were long lost friends. She quickly walked over to her.

  “Could you possibly let this girl know that I am with you so I can get in? I didn’t realize that they would be booked up,” Cassandra purred.

  She looked over Cat’s head and saw Dana and Zoey.

  “Dana, I’m so sorry about yesterday. Raini…”

  “Spare me Cassie! I know Raini didn’t push me. It was more likely that you pushed her into me,” Dana said. “I can’t prove it, but what goes around comes around. You remember that.” Dana left them there and followed the attendant to the back.

  “I don’t want to think that you purposely did something to harm my friend Cassandra, but if you did, I promise you that it won’t go well for you,” Zoey warned.

  Cassandra ignored them and smiled at Cat. Cat, on the other hand, glared at her suspiciously.

  “I would never do something like that,” she said with fake sincerity. “Cat could you please get me in? I just want a manicure and pedicure.”

  “Can I get you in?” Cat responded, looking her up and down. “As if I would.”

  Bitch! Cassandra thought. “Well then could you at least tell me how much it is?”

  Zoey laughed. “If you have to ask you can’t afford it Cassie! Come on Cat, our mud is getting cold.”

  “Sorry,” Cat said, waving bye-bye before turning and following Zoey.

  Cassandra glared at their retreating backs and then left, slamming the door behind her.

  Raini left her hotel bedroom feeling so bad about what had happened to Dana that she just couldn’t sleep. If she lost her baby, Raini would never forgive herself. When she came around the corner and saw that her half-sister was not there, she was so relieved. She had to get away from Cassandra before she really hurt someone, and she knew that if was around when it happened, she’d take the fall for it just like today. She was getting tired of being Cassandra’s house cleaner, personal maid, and having to put up with her daily insults, and even though she put up with it, not once during her season of ‘servitude’ did Cassandra ever say please or thank you. She only stayed with her because she had promised her mother that they would take care of each other, but after her antic today, she realized that she would never have a life if she stayed with Cass. She had lived with her for five long years, and whenever she got fed up with her nonsense and decided that had had enough and tell Cass she was leaving, Cass would manipulate her into staying by throwing up the promise that she had made to her mother on her death bed. Today however, was the last straw. Cass had embarrassed and humiliated her for the last time. Her eye had swelled from the hard slap she gave her in the mall.

  Why in the world did she ever promise her mother that she would look after Cass while she was on her death bed? She loved her mother, make no mistake about it, but Momma was just as bad as her precious Cassandra! She was the one who was wronged, not Cass, and when Momma was sick, Cass made up excuse after excuse why she couldn’t come and visit, not even after she knew that Momma was dying! For reasons known only to Momma, Cass had always been her favorite, but with that favoritism, she created a selfish, manipulative, vain, and spoiled woman.

  Even as child, she was made to cater to Cass. She was rotten even back then and treated her horribly all her life, at times seemingly with her mother’s blessing. The many times that she complained to her mother of Cass’s treatment, her Momma would just say, “Oh honey, your sister is just like her father. If you hadn’t done what you did, he would be here, and you know Cassie craves attention. Just be sure she is happy and you will be alright.”

  “What happened was not my fault,” Raini muttered to herself. “And I’m tired of feeling guilty for something that was not my fault… I’m done with you Cass!”

  Her mind made up, Raini looked through her phone contacts hoping that she didn’t delete Cab Howard’s phone number that day Cassandra used her phone to call him. She really didn’t have any contacts to speak of, so his number should be easy to find. “Yes,” she whispered, and pressed call button.

  “Cab Howard,” his deep voice answered.

  Raini swallowed. “Mr. Howard this is Raini,” she spoke softly.

  “What can I do for you Raini,” Cab asked. Already she could hear the impatience in his voice.

  “I was wondering if I can see you before Cassandra returns.”

  “What’s this about Raini?” Cab asked, ready to hang up if this was just another one of her sister’s schemes.

  “It’s about Dana’s fall.”

  That got his attention. “Okay. Do you know where the Convention Hall is?”

  “Yes.”

  “Meet me at the entrance.”

  “I’ll be there in fifteen minutes. Thank you Mr. Howard.”

  Fifteen minute later, Raini stood nervously at entrance of the Convention Center and looked around. If Cass knew what she was going to do, she would be out on the street, which compared to the life she live presently, probably was better for her.

  “Raini,” Cab approached, calling her name.

  Raini turned sharply. “Mr. Howard,” she said nervously. Somehow he seemed a lot bigger than she remembered.

  Cab could visibly see her shaking and took pity on her. “Let’s go find a place to talk,” he offered calmly. Raini nodded and walked beside him. He found a small bistro within the Convention Center, and after helping her to sit, watched as Raini folded her hands in her lap and lowered her eyes.

  “Raini, what can I do for you?” Cab asked quietly.

  “How’s Dana?” She asked, genuinely concerned about her well-being.

  “Well so far she’s okay. There was no bleeding or contractions, so the doctor sent her home on bed rest. Is this the reason you wanted to see me?”

  When Raini raised her head, Cab saw the tears shining in her eyes. “Mr. Howard I didn’t push Dana,” she stated quickly, almost losing her breath.

&
nbsp; Cab leaned his elbow on the table and steepled his fingers. He looked her eyes, and for the first time he noticed that she had a hazel eye and a green eye. “Alright. Tell me what happened,” he said calmly.

  Taking a deep breath and exhaling it slowly, Raini told him everything. When Cass found out about this she was going to be homeless, but there was no turning back now.

  “Cassandra approached Dana while she was waiting by the stairs,” she began slowly. “She told Dana that she would not have you long, and not wanting to get into a shouting match in the middle of the mall, Dana told her to take it up with you. Cass called Dana a bitch, and I know my sister well, Mr. Howard. The look in her eyes at that moment even scared me. Fearing what she might do, I stepped in between the two of them and told Cass to come on, but Cassandra’s mind was already made up. She pushed me into Dana so hard that it caused her to fall down the stairs, and me to almost fall right on top of her. I swear to you that I would never hurt anyone purposely, Mr. Howard. Cassandra wants you for your money and up until today I wouldn’t have believed it, but I’m afraid that she’ll do anything to see that she gets her way. I just didn’t want you or Dana to think that I would do something so terrible.” Raini pushed her chair back to leave.

  Cab rose also. “Raini thank you, and make no mistake about it, I will deal with your sister. Are you going to be alright?”

  “Well, when Cassandra finds out what I have done she will probably kick me out, but I will not take the fall any more for her.” Raini turned to leave.

  “Raini,” Cab called after her, and when she stopped walking, he went to her. “If you need anything, I mean absolutely anything, call me.” He handed her his business card.

  Raini looked down at the card and tears welled up in her eyes. “Thank you Mr. Howard,” she said, feeling the guilt of Cassandra’s dirty deed lifting from her shoulders. She turned and walked swiftly out of the bistro before blending in with the crowd.

  Pulling out his cellphone, a heated Cab scanned his contact list. “Cassandra, meet me at the Bistro in the Convention Center,” he ordered, and hung up.

  “Raini!” Cassandra screamed as she slammed the door to their hotel suite. Raini came out of her room. Cass’s usually flawless creamy skin was darkened with rage, and Raini knew by her screeching that Mr. Howard had spoken to her.

  “What do you want?” Raini asked calmly.

  Cassandra walked over to her and slapped her across the face, but Raini didn’t flinch.

  “Where the hell have you been today?!” She screamed.

  “What do you want Cassandra?” Raini again repeated calmly.

  “I just know you’re not giving me an attitude after what you did to me! Need I remind you that your ass would be out on the streets if it were not for me?” She shouted in her face. “You stabbed me in the back, you bitch! It’s only out of the kindness of my heart that I took your homely ass in in the first place and here you go and tell Cab a bunch of lies! You ruined my chances for getting him back! How would you like it if I told him your little secret?”

  Raini paused for a second. No, she didn’t want her secret to get out, but she was not going to let Cassandra bully her any longer.

  “Are you delusional Cass? Mr. Howard never wanted you, and I was not going to let you lie any longer and blame me! I am sick of you and the way you treat me! You could have killed Dana and her baby, but then again I guess that was your plan all along, wasn’t it? Don’t bother kicking me out because I’m leaving!” With that, Raini went to her room to get her small suitcase and purse.

  Cassandra stood there and watched as Raini walked away, but she knew that Raini had no place to go. In fact, Raini leaving didn’t concern her much at all until she returned with her bag in hand.

  “Where the hell are you going?” She snapped.

  “I’m going home,” Raini answered. She walked towards the door determined to leave this place and her sister in the dust, but Cassandra blocked her way.

  “Your place is here with me, and if Momma were alive she would tell you the same thing! You took something very important from me and Momma, and because of that you owe us. If you ever go against me again Raini, I swear your ass will be on the street! Got it?”

  Pushing Raini out of her way, she moved past her as if their conversation these last few minutes never took place. “Now, help me get ready for the Gala. Did you press…?”

  Cassandra turned around just in time to see the door open and Raini going through it right before she slammed it shut behind herself.

  “Oh okay, go on then you bitch! You’ll be back!” She shouted at the closed door before suddenly smiling maliciously. “If you want your secret to remain a secret, you’d better be back!”

  The Gala was decked out like a Hollywood opening premiere with a long red carpet, searchlights, and camera flashes from dozens of paparazzi. Since this was the closing festivities of the convention, it was by invitation only. Inside the venue, the décor was as fabulous as any real Hollywood party. Outside, limo after limo lined up to walk the red carpet, as sports figures and their managers from the many firms that attended the convention the past week were there, and some with well-known supermodels. The glamour was out and on full display.

  A lavish black stretch limo stopped at the carpet admitting a party of six. The men stepped out onto the red carpet looking debonair in their Brook Brother’s double-breasted black tuxedos accentuated with pale gold ties, and each of them looking as if they stepped off a Brook Brother’s billboard. Satch, Diz, and Jelly had made other plans as far as their arrival to the Gala goes, but planned to meet up with the group once they arrived. The first of the ladies to step on the carpet was Cat. She wore a strapless beaded gown with metallic disk accents that hugged her body appreciatively, and had on a matching pair of high-heeled sandals. To complete the look, her hair fell in deep waves to her shoulders. Zoey was next to step out of the limo, and she wore a cerulean full-length gown with off the shoulder straps, covered in shimmering floral adornments that had a train and a high side slit over her thigh. Along with matching pair of strappy high-heeled sandals, she wore her hair in a French twist, and her only jewelry was a pair of diamond earrings that she received from Yaz on their first anniversary. Dana was the last to step out of the limo, and Cab was there standing by to help her. He was a little worried about Dana tonight. She’d been very quiet most of the day according to Cat and Zoey, and that wasn’t like her at all. To him she looked weak in her eyes, although she tried to hide it, and even though her condition was a little fragile at the moment, she was simply radiant and Cab couldn’t keep his eyes off her.

  The pure-white strapless empire waist gown with train fell over her belly in a soft drape, and was accented by a bodice laced with jeweled flowers that held her breast attractively. She wore white strappy high-heeled sandals on her feet, and looked like a beautifully serene, blossoming mommy to be. With everyone now out of the limo, the couples stopped briefly for a group photo before continuing inside.

  With his hand on the small of Dana’s back, Cab followed the hostess to their reserved table where he helped Dana to sit and took a seat beside her. Before the festivities began, Duke was slated to speak, and although Cab may have never told him so in so many words, he was proud of his brother. Duke was a man who was forced to retire at the height of his football career due to an injury, and he practically raised his sibling’s singlehandedly after their parent’s untimely deaths. He kept the family together, and because of his sacrifice, Cab held the utmost respect for him. He had built his firm from the ground up and turned it into a multi-million dollar company, and is a well-respected man in the business community. As he sat there admiring his brother’s many accomplishments, Cab took a second to glance over at Dana and was immediately concerned about her well-being. For one, she was simply too quiet.

  “Oh my goodness! Is that Cassandra standing in the doorway?” Zoey wondered.

  All head turned to the door and there was Cassandra dressed in a floo
r length black strapless gown that was fully sequined with a sweetheart cut bodice. Her hair was coifed to perfection, laying neatly on her shoulders, and she accessorized the entire look with a pair of long black and silver earrings.

  Cab told them all about the meeting he had with Cassandra’s sister Raini. He told them Raini said it was Cassandra’s fault that Dana had fallen. He went on to tell them that he confronted Cassandra and threatened to report her to the police if she ever came near Dana again. He was a little concerned about Raini though. After what he witnessed at the mall, he wasn’t sure how Cassandra would reacted when she discovered that Raini told on her.

  A waiter approached the table with champagne and served everyone except for Dana, who asked if she could get a ginger ale.

  “Isn’t this exciting,” Cat gushed, looking around at all the celebrities, many of whom she recognized.

  “Duke when will you speak?” Zoey asked.

  “Soon Pud.” He answered. A waiter came over and spoke to Duke in low tones.

  “Absolutely not!” Duke said the waiter.

  “What was that all about Baby?” Cat asked.

  “It seems that Cassandra doesn’t have an invitation into the Gala and dropped my name at the front desk. She told him that this was also her table. I simply told him that she is lying.”

  They all watched as the waiter returned to the front desk, and had quite the chuckle when Cassandra turned and left in a huff.

  The conversation was lively at the table, and once dinner was served and Duke gave his speech, the party officially got underway. The live band started up with a lively tune and many of the guests were now out on the dance floor.

  “Who is that pretty woman sitting at Satch’s table?” Dana asked.

  Cat looked over at table beside them. “Oh, that’s Ishaan Grant. Satch brought her to dinner a couple days ago,” Cat chuckled. “She is a pistol!”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Satch is trying to sign her brother with HWC, and she doesn’t trust anyone in the business, and said as much without biting her tongue. Words were exchange and the party ended badly,” Cat explained as she looked over at them. “It seems like they are at an impasse now, but that night, she let Satch have it with both barrels. He’s not used to women not falling all over him, so when Ishaan appeared not to be impressed with him, I think Satch was insulted.”