Billionaire's Love Trap

Cassandra is rushing down the stairs while holding her handbag in one hand and her phone in the other. She’s already late for her graduation ceremony today. She mentally cursed herself for staying up late, watching her favorite TV show. “Cassandra…! We’re going to be late.” she heard her mom’s voice calling her from the dining room. “Yes, I’m coming!.. Oh, Crap!?” she dropped her phone on the stairs, and the screen was broken. Her dad stood in front of her, crossing both arms while narrowing his eyes at her. “This is the third time this month you crashed your phone. Are you planning on making your dad poor from buying your phone?” He said sarcastically. Oh please! For all she knows, his dad could buy the entire phone in the store for her if he wants. Why he’s so stingy with her? But she knows that her father was weak for her. She clung onto his arm and flashed him her sweetest smile. “Maybe this time you can buy me a new phone as a graduation present, dad?” Cassandra winked at him, and he let out a deep sigh. “Fine, consider it a gift from me for being the top student in the class.” He said, pinching her cheek. Jackson Gray was so proud of her daughter. She was the perfect daughter all parents could ever ask for. Cassandra is a beautiful woman with a smile as bright as the morning sunshine. She had a good grade and never skipped class. She never went back home late like the other reckless teenager unless he approved of it. Cassandra has also never been in a romantic relationship with a man before because, according to her dad, all men were bastards. None of them worthy of his precious daughter. Her dad had basically planned her future for her. He already arranged for her to take a bachelor’s degree in Yale for architecture program and later maybe a master’s degree in business. She had to pass the Gray family legacy and become the next CEO of Gray’s corp someday. She had been told many times to be prepared to rule the company. But the problem is, she wasn’t sure if that was what she wanted. “You look lovely, my dear.” Her mom said, twirling Cassandra while studying her appearance. Cassandra wore the dress that she personally picks for this special day. It was a flowy, blush pink dress that stopped modestly on her knee. Not too revealing but still looked classy. Brooke almost shed a tear. Time passed so quickly. It seems like it was only yesterday she brings Cassandra home from the hospital after giving birth to her. Now she had grown up into a woman, ready to face the world and maybe even marry the man of her dreams. If only Jackson didn’t kick out all of the men that tried to pursue their daughter. “Let’s go, shall we?” Cassandra clung both her arms to her parents, right hand to her dad, and left hand to her mom. In the world, Cassandra loves her parents the most. She never wants to disappoint them. Her parents always provide everything for her. She was thankful that she didn’t have to suffer financially for the lack of money. ************ Before their car stopped, Cassandra already felt the tension building up in her stomach. All of her hard work for four years already paid off. She couldn’t wait to find a job after this and stand up on her own feet. Cassandra already browses for an architect job in New York, and she had planned on working in one particular company. Her dad always forced her to work at Gray’s Corp, but she felt that she wanted to start from the bottom without his help. She didn’t want other people to look down or talked bad behind her back, just because she was the CEO’s daughter. She wants to be recognized for her own talent, and she sure had proved herself by graduating as a summa c*m laude. Their car finally pulled over, and there she saw a cluster of people in front of the gate. Most of them already wore their graduation robe, some taking selfies while smiling widely at their phone. “Cassandra!..” Angela jumped at her back, startling her. She almost tripped to the ground for wearing heels, but Cassandra held her hands. “Damn it, Angela…Can you please be more careful?” she cursed. Angela grinned at her while she stood up back. “Good morning, Mr. and Mrs. Gray.” She greeted, making Mrs. Gray chuckled. She was as clumsy as her daughter. Maybe that’s why they were best friends.  Angela is a nice girl with long curly brown hair. Even though her grades weren’t as good as Cassandra, but at least she never used drugs or get drunk. She’s also not the type of woman who changed boyfriend every weekend and makes your parents worried. She had sworn to stay single with Cassandra, which she found ridiculous. But Angela is a stubborn girl. Sometimes Angela would come to Cassandra’s house and stay over on Friday movie night or when they had a project together. “Good morning, Angela…Congratulation, dear.” Mrs. Gray said, hugging her. Not long after, Angela’s parents also joined us. “Let’s take a seat…The ceremony will begin soon.” Angela’s dad said. Brooke’s eyes filled with tears as she saw her daughter’s name being called. Her husband looked to her side and took her hand, squeezing them gently. Cassandra turned around, facing the camera while holding the trophy and her graduation certificate. ************** Later that night, after the graduation ceremony, Jackson booked a reservation at the restaurant for them to celebrate. “So, where is my favorite niece?” Uncle Nic suddenly greeted with his usual cheery voice. “Uncle Nic!?...” Cassandra squealed and hurriedly ran towards him. “Congratulation, sweety pie…I’m so proud of you.” Uncle Nic said as he handed her a small red box from his hand. Making her eyes widened in shock. “You even brought me a gift?...” Cassandra asked in disbelief. Uncle Nic’s wife – Aunt Scarlett also came with him. She still looked like a fitness model even in her fifties. No wonder Uncle Nic falls hard for her. Cassandra once guessed that she was a vampire because she looks like she had no idea how to age. Cassandra opened the box and saw a watch inside. It’s so beautiful with diamond embellishment around the rim. The chain itself was a combination of silver and gold. “I hope you like it. Aunt Scarlett picks them for you.” Uncle Nic said while watching her expression. He’s started to get worried because she didn’t say anything. He silently wondered maybe it was too flashy for her? “It’s lovely…I love it!! Thank you, Aunt Scarlett.” Cassandra said, giving her a bear hug. “So, where’s Damian and Daniel?” Cassandra asked, frowning. They’re Uncle Nic and Aunt Scarlett’s son. Apparently, they were lucky enough to get a twin. The twin is annoying sometimes, but they’re the only cousin that she had. As a doctor, Uncle Nic once told her there’s a s*x position to get a twin scientifically, to which then he earned a glare from her dad. He always thinks that Cassandra was too pure to know about that kind of thing. She likes Uncle Nic. He was fun and loose, unlike her dad, who seems very strict and serious all the time.  “Damian can’t make it tonight. He had to study for the exam. And Daniel was out with his friend to only God knows where.” She could sense the disappointment in Aunt Scarlett’s voice. Damian followed Uncle Nic’s path to become a doctor. He was a responsible and geeky type of guy. Later Cassandra finds out that Angela secretly had a crush on Damian. Who knows that a geeky man could be a chick magnet too? Daniel was more of a free-spirited type of guy who studied art. Aunt Scarlett used to complain a lot about him, and even more lately. “That’s okay…I doubt they even remembered that I invited them tonight.” Cassandra said, trying her best not to sound sad. “Anyway, I’m glad you both can make it here tonight….” Cassandra said, guiding them to their seat. Uncle Nic gave her a smirk. “I’ve also brought some champagne…” he said, raising the bottle in his hand.