Gold Forever

Chapter 4 - Journey To The Past.

Author's P.O.V.

Flashback.

Friday 25th March 2016.

Murphy's Bar.

"Just a small-town girl, living in a lonely world, she took the midnight train going anywhere, just a city boy, born and raised in South Detroit, he took the midnight train going anywhere, a singer in a smoky room, a smell of wine and cheap perfume, for a smile they can share the night, it goes on and on and on and on, strangers waiting, up and down the boulevard, their shadows searching in the night, streetlights, people, living just to find emotion, hiding, somewhere in the night"

"YEAH, TOMMY!!"

"GO, TOMMY!!"

The patrons of Murphy's bar are cheering on local lad and karaoke legend Tommy Logan who is currently serenading his beautiful girlfriend Layla Monroe with one of their favourite songs.

Everyone in attendance is happily watching the loved-up couple with huge smiles on their faces and they're all completely unaware of Tommy's true intentions tonight.

In fact, there's only one person in the room tonight who knows exactly what Tommy has got planned and that's Klayton Antonelli who has helped his best friend plan the perfect proposal for his perfect woman.

Even Layla's parents Frank and Louisa who are also in attendance tonight don't know about Tommy's plans to propose to their one and only daughter much to his dismay.

Tommy wanted to ask them for their permission to marry Layla because he felt that this was the right and honourable thing for someone to do when they want to marry the love of their life but then he remembered the time when he eavesdropped on a conversation the girls were having about marriage and kids and he learned his girlfriend's opinion on this particular tradition.

Layla doesn't believe in this tradition and feels that it's something which doesn't belong in today's world because the world is a completely different place from what it was fifty or sixty years ago when traditions like this were more relevant and acceptable.

She expressed her feelings on this matter to her girlfriends whilst being completely unaware of her eavesdropping boyfriend who was standing at the door.

Layla told her friends that she would be deeply offended as well as hurt and angry if she ever found out Tommy had asked her parents for their permission to let them get married because she's a grown woman who is more than capable of making her own decisions and choices in life including who she picks to spend the rest of her life with and in her opinion, they should trust her and respect her choices.

This is why Tommy didn't consult with her parents about his plans because at the end of the day, he'd rather have a happy Layla than an angry Layla and he'd hate to start married life off on the wrong foot.

He also plans on following the old saying 'a happy wife means a happy life' to the letter until the day he dies.

After the song finished, Tommy leaned in and kissed his girlfriend as everyone in the bar cheered for them and some of the patrons even wolf-whistled at them.

When the pair pulled away from each other, Layla attempted to leave the stage but was stopped by a smirking Tommy who was gently gripping her hand.

"Not so fast, princess, not so fast"

Tommy said with a cheeky smirk still plastered on his face as Layla looked at him confused.

"Layla Monroe, my beautiful, sweet, kind and lovely Layla...god, I f*****g love you, I love you so freaking much"

Tommy declared his love for Layla as he looked at her like she was a pristine piece of one of a kind artwork.

"We've known each other ever since we were little kids, we've grown up together, you're one of my best friends and for the past four years I've proudly been able to call you mine but I wanna be able to call you mine for the rest of my life"

Tommy pulls away from Layla as he pulls something out of his pocket, he then gets down on one knee earning himself several shocked gasps, squeals and comments from the crowd such as 'oh my god' 'is this really happening?' and 'is he gonna do what I think he's gonna do?'.

Layla was also shocked seeing her boyfriend's new position, so much so that both of her hands immediately shot up to her mouth as her eyes widened and filled with tears.

As for Tommy, he was revelling in everyone's reactions, especially Layla's and he had to bite down on his lower lip to stop himself from grinning like a Cheshire cat which he ultimately failed at.

"Layla Monroe, you're my best friend, you're the love of my life and one day I'd love to make you the wonderful mother of our children, you're the only woman I can see myself settling down with and building a beautiful family and home with but before I can do any of that, I need to make an honest woman out of you and make you my beloved wife, so...Miss Layla Monroe, will you do me the honour of marrying me and being mine for the rest of our lives?"

"YES!!, YES!!, OF COURSE, I WILL!!, YES!!"

Layla didn't even hesitate as she screamed her answer in pure excitement and pounced on poor Tommy after he put the glorious diamond ring on her finger.

Everyone in attendance cheered and clapped for the couple as the DJ played Celebrate by Kool And The Gang.

"You knew about this, didn't you?"

Cassidy asks her boyfriend who was standing next to her and trying not to smirk.

"Knew what, babe?"

"Don't play dumb with me Klayton Antonelli, it doesn't suit you"

Klayton looks down at his girlfriend with a full-blown smirk on his lips.

"Of course I knew about it babe, I helped him plan it"

"Urgh!!, Klayton"

Cassidy whines in annoyance.

"Urgh!!, Cassidy"

Klayton said mimicking her earning himself one hell of a glare from his little girlfriend.

"Why didn't you tell me? why didn't he ask me to help him plan the proposal? women are so much better at these types of things than men are"

"Firstly, don't be sexist Cassidy and secondly, the reason why Tom didn't ask you or any of the others is because proposals are supposed to be a surprise for the person who's being proposed to, if Tommy told you or the others what he was planning then every citizen in the western hemisphere maybe even the entire world would have known about it before he'd even picked the ring out"

"What are you trying to say, Klayton? are you insinuating that I've got a big mouth?"

"Well, if the cap fits wear it, right?"

Klayton says as his smirk grows.

"Whatever"

Cassidy says kind of immaturely as she crosses her arms over her chest.

"Oh, don't be like that, babe"

Klayton says, his voice filled with amusement as he wraps his arm around Cassidy's shoulders and pulls her into his chest securing her in place by wrapping his free arm around her waist.

"There are perks to having a big mouth you know"

Klayton says as he kisses Cassidy's forehead.

"Oh really? like what?"

Cassidy asks confused as she looks up at Klayton who was once again smirking with a cheeky glint in his beautiful brown eyes.

"Well for one gattino, your beautiful and wonderful mouth can take all of my huge c**k with ease when you're giving me one of your fabulous blow jobs" (Kitten)

Klayton states causing Cassidy to gasp and slap his chest.

"Watch your tongue, Klayton, our families are here"

Cassidy says and Klayton chuckles as he pulls her closer to him again.

Cassidy loves being in Klaytons arms and she feels safe in his embrace which is why she didn't hesitate to rest her head on his chest and close her eyes as she breathes in his scent which was quickly enveloping her making her feel all calm and relaxed.

Klayton Antonelli is the only one who can make Cassidy feel like this and he's also the only one who can tame her feisty temper, funnily enough, he's one of only a few who can really rile her up and make her angry, this is why he tries to avoid making her mad.

The couple are madly in love and feel so blessed to have each other in their lives.

Cassidy opens her eyes and they immediately settle on Tommy and Layla who look like they're glowing from happiness.

"Did you really help him plan this?"

"Mm-hmm...although the song choice was all his...personally, I wouldn't sing a song like this to my love when I propose"

Klayton says whilst kissing Cassidy's forehead.

"Really?...what song would you sing if you proposed to me?"

Cassidy asked with a smile as she looked up at her beau who was smiling back at her.

"When babe, not if"

Klayton states in a very serious tone.

"And when I propose to you Cass, I'll either sing a song I wrote myself or I'll sing How Would You Feel? by Ed Sheeran, you know that's our song, right?"

"Yes it is"

Cassidy smiled at Klayton as she bites down on her lower lip.

Klayton's eyes drifted down to look at Cassidy's lips, he then cupped her face with one of his hands and gently pulls her lip from between her teeth with his thumb.

He then looked deep into Cassidy's hazel eyes and her heart skipped a beat when she saw how much love he had for her swimming around in his beautiful brown orbs.

"I love you so much, Cassidy Williams and I can't wait for the day when I get to call you my wife and the mother of my children"

"I love you too, Klayton Antonelli and I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with you"

Klayton smiled brightly at his love as he leans in and briefly brushes his lips against hers before kissing her.

It was a slow and passionate kiss and one which could easily blow your socks off.

The pair had so much love for one another and felt proud and blessed to be able to call each other theirs.

End Of Flashback.

Cassidy's P.O.V.

A couple of stray tears fell down my cheeks and even though a part of me was trying to convince myself that they were because of the memory of Tommy and Layla's engagement, my mind and heart knew my tears were all because of that bastard Klayton.

"Cass...Cassidy, are you ok?"

Ben asks me as he gently shakes my shoulder.

I snap out of my thoughts and look around before looking at my brother who was looking at me with so much worry and concern.

"Where are we?"

"We're at Tommy and Layla's house, sweetie"

"Oh"

I said absentmindedly.

I don't know how long I was lost in my thoughts for or how long I was thinking about this particular memory but I knew it wasn't longer than four or five minutes because the Journey song was still playing on the radio.

"Are you ok, Cassie?"

"I'm fine"

"Are you sure? you're crying"

I let out a breath as I wipe away my tears.

"My best friend is dead Ben, that's why I'm crying"

I lied to my brother which I didn't feel comfortable about and I certainly didn't like using Tommy's demise the way that I did but it's better than saying I was crying over some bastard who isn't worth my time or energy, especially since I've led everyone to believe I'm over him for so long.

"Ok...let's go"

We both get out of Ben's truck and as soon as I shut my door, I look up at the house and I felt myself freeze on the spot just like last night.

It's crazy to think that just yesterday we were all here getting ready for our day out to celebrate our friend's birthday and now we're here today mourning his passing.

It doesn't seem real.

I know I've said this a few times already and it's the truth, it doesn't feel real that he's really gone and I honestly keep expecting him to jump out of somewhere and tell us everything from his diagnosis to his death has been a joke.

It would be a very sick and disgusting joke but at least Tommy would still be alive so that I can kick his ass for playing everyone like this.

"Come on, little sis"

Ben grabs hold of my hand and leads us towards the home.

My brother then knocks on the door and we wait patiently for it to open, when it does, I was shocked to see who it was that answered and it was someone who I haven't seen in nearly a year.

"Joey"

"Hey there, sorellina" (Little sister)

Oh my god.

"Don't call me that"

I said kind of harshly but I didn't care.

Joey is Klayton's older brother and he's always been a big brother figure to me ever since I was a little girl.

Just like Ben, Joey has always been super over-protective of me and he was absolutely livid when he learned Klayton had abruptly left town without a single word.

He even tried to go after Klayton but he was stopped by his parents for two reasons, the first being that nobody knew where he had gone and the second reason is because Klayton is his younger brother.

Joey was someone who I've loved and idolised my entire life and he was someone who I would often speak to every day, we would also meet up a couple of times a month with his wife and kids for a catch-up but all of this stopped after Tommy was diagnosed with cancer and news broke of Klaytons new relationship with some Victoria Secrets angel.

This news broke my heart when I first heard about it but I quickly got over it when I realised that he clearly didn't love me anymore and even though I loved him with all of my heart and soul and I always would, I knew I had to let him go for good and move on just like he had.

My heartbreak worsened when out of nowhere, the Antonelli family cut all ties with me and didn't even wanna look at me let alone talk to me or be in my presence.

This stung because I've known this family my entire life and I was used to them always being around because our families are close with each other, so it was odd to wake up one morning and have them treat me like I'm some stranger off the street.

This is why I'm acting so harshly towards Joey now because he thinks he can just show up here with a sweet hey there, sorellina and think that's gonna fix everything and it won't.

"Ok"

Joey says sadly and looks away from me.

"Hey brother, how have you been? how's the wife and kids?"

My brother greets Joey.

"We're all good, thanks Ben...how's Kylie?"

I look up at my brother who just shook his head and looks down.

I immediately felt guilty because I've been so wrapped up in my own pain, my own hurt and my own sadness that I completely forgot about everyone else who are also grieving.

Speaking of which, my grieving heart cheered and a huge smile graced my face when I heard a cute, adorable voice calling my name.

"Auntie Cassie"