Meanwhile, in a bar in the red district of Anteca...
Finn sat on a stool at the bar counter, holding a glass of rum. He swirled the glass in his hand, his eyes fixed on it.
"Penny for your thoughts?" Suddenly, he heard a familiar voice as a woman sat in the chair beside him.
Hearing that, Finn couldn’t help but chuckle, as that casual inquiry was exactly what was on his mind: Penny. That person was in his thoughts.
Slowly, Finn turned his head to catch sight of a beautiful woman in smart casual attire. "Cassandra."
"I heard that your fiancée broke off your engagement," Cassandra remarked, raising a finger at the bartender to order a cocktail. She fluttered her long eyelashes, her eyes falling on Finn. "It’s sad news. Are you okay?"
"Is that a question out of pure concern, or was it meant to mock me?"
"Both." Cassandra shrugged. "You broke off our engagement, so hearing that you were dumped makes me happy."
Finn let out a chuckle, running his tongue across his cheek. "Did I break your heart that much?"
"Oh, you didn’t. I’m grateful you broke off our engagement, but it still stings that, in the eyes of people, I’m the one who was dumped." Cassandra casually smacked her lips, smiling at the bartender as he served her a drink. "Thank you."
"I called you because I thought you’d take my mind off things tonight, but it seems that’s not the case."
Cassandra laughed. "Sorry. I’m not available tonight."
"You’re bringing your date here?"
"Finn, you asked me to come here for some counseling." Cassandra leaned forward slightly, looking at him in disbelief. "Isn’t that stranger than me having a date in a bar?"
"Fair enough." Finn nodded and shrugged.
"Just some unprofessional advice from a friend: if you’re that lonely, get down on your knees and beg her to take you back," she remarked knowingly. "There’s no harm in swallowing your pride for the person you love."
Finn playfully furrowed his brows as he asked, "How about some professional advice?"
"Then take accountability and reflect on your actions," she replied without hesitation. "I don’t think Nina has any idea just how cunning her fiancé is. I’m glad she broke off the engagement before she realized that the man she was marrying wasn’t who he showed himself to be."
"Ouch...?" He arched a brow. "I don’t think that latter part is from a professional point of view."
"It’s not. It’s a side comment."
Finn chuckled. "It’s good to see you again, Cassandra."
"The feeling is mutual," she smirked and winked. "I’m glad to see you again after so long. The last time we met... was just days after you broke off our engagement."
"I didn’t notice the time that had passed," he mumbled, guiding his glass to his lips. As he took a sip, he raised a brow at her and asked, "How’s Kiara?"
"She’s been better." Cassandra grinned. "Doing great, actually."
"I figured she would succeed even after breaking off her ties with her family."
"Don’t mention that to her if you ever see her."
Cassandra shrugged. "She hates them — that’s it." She then pulled her phone out of her purse when she felt it vibrate.
Seeing her get distracted in the middle of a conversation — which was a rare occurrence — made him raise a brow.
"Your date?" he guessed, watching her nod and only look back at him after sending a message. "He must be a catch for you to suddenly give him all your attention."
"Well, guess what?" Cassandra giggled. "Yes, he is a catch. Smart, handsome, funny... very unlike my ex-fiancé."
Finn nodded and chuckled. "That’s good to hear. Second date?"
"Fifth one." Cassandra winked at him.
"You’ve been in Anteca all this time?"
"No!" she laughed, her excitement evident. "We met while I was abroad. When he found out I was extending my stay in Anteca from one week to a month — possibly more — he booked the closest flight to come here. It’s a one-way ticket!"
"Oh..." His mouth formed a small round shape as he nodded in amusement. "He must be serious."
Cassandra smirked triumphantly. "We’ll see about that."
"Not sure about him?"
"I’m sure about him, but I’m not a young woman who mindlessly goes crazy over a man." Cassandra laughed, a little full of herself because she was confident she wouldn’t be the one doing the chasing. "All I’m saying is I’m impressed."
Her confidence made Finn smile in satisfaction. After all, in his past life, she was his wife. They didn’t love each other — they never loved each other more than just friends. Their marriage was an arranged one, but he still respected her as his friend and wife. Even so, he could never make her happy, nor could she make him happy romantically.
It was a sad marriage.
However, that sadness was the least of Finn’s concerns. In his first life, Cassandra had gotten into an "accident." He knew it wasn’t just an accident. He knew Cassandra was simply one of the collateral damages of Finn’s involvement in the wicked battle of the Piersons.
So, seeing her doing well, with the same confidence and glow she used to have, put his heart at ease. This was what Cassandra deserved: to live a good life and enjoy the life she deserved, as she was a good person who, sadly, married a man she didn’t even choose.
"Oh, he’s here!" Cassandra perked up as she saw the message on her phone. She quickly turned around on her stool, her eyes searching for her date.
Her excitement made him chuckle as he shook his head. Finn didn’t bother as she jumped off the stool, knowing she would introduce her date to him, anyway. All he had to do was prepare himself for this awkward meeting between her new man and her former fiancé. However, when he heard her call out her date’s name, Finn’s world stopped for a second.