Dina Tried Not To Show How Offended She Was That Cassandra Did Not Know Who She Was. It Was Curious,

Dina tried not to show how offended she was that Cassandra did not know who she was. It was curious, considering Dina's massive online presence as a fashion icon. Was this girl not online? It must have been that way, considering all the rumors she had heard about Cassandra Goth and her disdain for people.

"Why did you transfer? Did a certain Landgraab have anything to do with it?", Dina asked, smirking as she watched Cassandra grow very red in the face. She wasn't sure if she was blushing or if she was angry, but her reaction made it obvious that was true.

"Papa and Mama thought that I should spend some time with my Uncle before going away to University.", Cassandra explained, trying to avoid eye contact with Dina.

It was obvious something was going on. There had been rumors for years about an arranged marriage between the Landgraab's son and the Goth's daughter. It would have made sense from a business standpoint. Old Money had a tendency to stick together. It would also explain why Malcom had refused her advances for the past three years despite her persistence.

"Are you going next year? Perhaps, we will be going together. That would be fun, don't you think?" Dina chimed, ignoring the look on Evie Copur's face as she rolled her eyes in the background.

Dina knew that she needed to get in good with Cassandra Goth, and while she wasn't exactly thrilled about the idea, it had to be done. Dina had dreams and ambitions of her own; marrying into a rich family was just one of her schemes. If she became Cassandra's bestie, perhaps, if the Landgraab boy was taken she would at least know of someone else that was looking for a wife.

"If you want, Cassie, I can show you around the school after class. I would love to get to know you better and I think we're going to be the best of friends!", Dina said, watching as the girl exhaled slowly, rubbing at her temples. "You know what....That would actually be great. Thank you...Dina."

"I mentioned them, didn't I?", Katrina questioned, trying her best not to make eye contact with Don. She was sure that she had, but she didn't think she had mentioned their ages. There had been a point to that. Having teenage daughters was often a death sentence to any man being interested in her. And yet, for whatever reason, Don seemed intrigued by the idea.

"You did. I just thought they were....younger.". he replied, as he continued to stare off into the distance at the two girls arguing.

"Of course. They're both seniors in high school. About to graduate and go off to university in the fall.", Katrina explained, hoping that the idea that the girls were about to leave the home would allow any anxiety that he might be feeling to disappear.

She hated feeling that way. She knew that her daughters would always come first, but she found herself feeling very selfish. For once, she wanted to be known as a woman and not a mother. She had raised her girls. It was time for her to have fun again.

"Oh really? Then maybe I will see them around campus." Don continued, as he turned his attention back to Katrina as she sat down four plates of eggs and toast on kitchen island behind her.

"We should eat, girls. It will be time for school soon, and I can introduce you to my....friend.", she hesitated, meeting Don's gaze as she felt his fingertips brush hers. It gave her a renewed strength to push forward.

Things were going to work out for her this time. They had to.

Cassie and Dina, and the rest of the gang, took turns singing on the microphone for a few hours various songs of all genres. Dina wasn't sure she had ever seen Cassandra laugh and smile so much. She seemed to really be having fun, which Dina was actually grateful for it. If what her father said was true; that she spent so much time isolated away from other people, it would be good for her to spend time out having fun.

Dina took to the dance floor with the girls, only to glance over her shoulder and see Cassie seated at the bar, watching her. She had tried to convince her to come out and dance, but Cassie said she had been born with two left feet and that dancing was not her forte.

She let herself get lost in the music, the rhythm of the song pulsing through her head. It was only when she took a spare moment to herself to look back over her shoulder to check on Cassie that she noticed Malcolm Landgraab sitting there.

This was her moment.

She broke away from the pack, making a beeline for the empty seat. She gently tapped on his shoulder, drawing his attention away from Cassandra for once.

"Is this seat taken?"

"Not at all. Go ahead.", he replied, watching as she stepped up onto the edge to slide into the seat. "Cassie and I were just talking about you."

Dina could see Cassie's face light up behind him at her compliment.

"She is great. I've known her for a long time.", Malcolm said, a protective edge to his voice appearing that she had never heard from Malcolm before.

He had always been rather cold and standoffish. Was Cassandra Goth the key to getting him to show some vulnerability? She wasn't sure, but she also felt that if she could get him to continue to open up to her that it would be her way in to the Landgraab fortune, and being set for the rest of her life.

"I actually should be heading home, Cole", Cassie whispered into his ear, getting up from the bar to give him a hug. He reciprocated, only briefly, as she placed a hand on his shoulder. "You two should stay and talk. If we're to be friends like Dina said, then she should know you as I know you."

"Bye, Cassie. See you at school tomorrow!", she beamed as Cassie waved back, making her way towards the door.

Now that she was gone, she turned back to Malcolm with a different expression. "Cole?", she asked, flicking hair over her shoulder as she leaned in, making sure that their knees rubbed against each other as she did. "That's a cute nickname. What's it mean?"

"She calls me Cole because my heart is as hard and black as coal, Dina.", he said with a smirk as he motioned for the bartender, slipping a card into their hand. "Get me and my lady friend here a beer. Imported. Now."

"I thought it was probably a middle name." Dina said, as the waitress sat the beers down in front of them. Dina wasn't much of a drinker; especially not beer, but she didn't even bat an eye that Malcolm was able to secure them so easily. His family practically owned the whole town. He could get away with just about anything.

"It is, but that's still the reason.", he said as he took a violent swig from the beer, the monotone voice that she had learned to expect from him had returned as soon as Cassandra had left. What was it about that girl that possessed him, and why wasn't he interested in her? It didn't make sense.

"I know you've been asking questions about Cassie and I, Dina, but for your own well being, I would stop. It's not safe for you, or for her.", he said, as he chugged the rest of the beer, standing up from the chair and throwing down a few meager dollar bills on the bar. "This is your last warning. If you do anything to hurt her.....I will hurt you."

Before Dina could stop him, Malcolm had made his exit, followed by the guard that was always lurking in the shadows. Dina was left with far more questions than answers, and while she probably should have headed his warning, she was going to find out what the connection was. If Malcolm Landgraab was engaged to Cassandra Goth, her plans would fall apart at the seams, and she couldn't afford that.

broken promises

welcome baby teddy!