CHAPTER 4

On their first day at the farmhouse, John came up to Kevin with a suggestion.

"So what is your plan?" Kevin asked, his tone full of wonder.

"I still require further details regarding the case. And I have to ensure Cassandra's protection," John answered, a hint of resolve in his voice.

Kevin's eyebrows shot up in worry. "What are your plans? as you reside on the farm owned by your family. Perhaps we would question them about their relationship with us."

John hesitated, carefully weighing Kevin's argument. "As a secretary of Cassandra, you must know her well."

There was a pause in Kevin's expression before he answered. "I must warn you that Cassandra is not easy to handle."

"Why would you say that?" John's interest was sparked and he wanted to know what the dynamics were.

Kevin clarified in a tone tinged with resignation, "Well, it is only based on my experience being her secretary."

"Is that why Sir Robert also sent you in here with us?" John persisted, feeling that the truth was lying just beneath the surface.

"Possibly! I'm not sure." Kevin seemed a little unsure of himself in his response, obviously absorbed with his thoughts.

John was still curious. "Why?"

Her daughter is kind of a spoilt kid. Since she was a child and had all she desired, she has been loved. With a note of understanding, Kevin clarified, "That's why Cassandra was acting that way."

"All right, we were given her. It is our responsibility to safeguard and mentor her. Even if it would be difficult to talk to her," John reaffirmed with an unyielding feeling of obligation.

Kevin said, "I would just say good luck," in a solemn tone.

"Don't say that, you are making me nervous," John said, his calmness betrayed by a brief moment of anxiety.He exhaled heavily.

"Be not!" Kevin comforted him, speaking firmly and convincingly.

"Why?" John asked, looking to Kevin's comments for confirmation.

"Go ahead, please. You hold the authority. Kevin reminded him that she must be under constant supervision because of her father's orders, highlighting the seriousness of their duty.

"I see," John said, his thoughts racing due to the gravity of their obligation.

"So why did you give me a call? Would I be of any assistance to you? Kevin asked, a touch of inquiry relieving the tension.

"I almost forgot to ask you," John said, his mind racing.

"What is it?" Kevin asked, giving John's plea his whole attention.

 " Since maybe you are in here. Maybe you can help me with something?"

" What is it?"

" I need to you be Cassandra's brother."

" What?"

John said, " It is just an act."

Kevin said, " Does Cassandra knows about it?"

John said, " Not yet! I would discuss it with her later."

Kevin said, " I think you should ask for her approval first. Because the act won't go as planned if she did not like the idea."

John said, " I know!"

Then they thought they should ask her first, before dropping some conclusion and planning something that Cassandra might not want. For the record, Sir Robert only told you to protect Cassandra not to put on a show.

John replied with a thought, " I know. But we need to do this so that our cover would not be blown. Because if the killers of Mr. Robert would easily find us here since there are a lot of people in this countryside. We should put an act that we are related to one another so that they won't be able to suspect a thing."

Kevin pout," Cassandra is the daughter of our boss. We should get her approval first before you planned anything."

"I know, but I also need your help with this," John remarked.

"I would agree with that idea," Kevin remarked. once Cassandra gives her approval.

"So, are you okay with that idea?" John asked.

Yes, if Cassandra would like to do that, said Kevin.

John replied, "All right. It's helpful to know that.

"I still didn't agree with that idea," Kevin remarked.

John said, " How about if you just pretend to be a friend of Cassandra then we would arrange a separate living for you?

Kevin said, " I am the secretary of Cassandra. What if she needs me?

John said, " You won't be far from here.

Kevin said, " I still need to make sure that Cassandra needs me. I would be there the second that she needs me.

John said, " So what would you like to decide to act like her brother or friend?

  While Kevin and John were talking. Cassandra just pops out of nowhere and cuts off their conversation.

Cassandra said, " Kevin would act as my brother since I saw him as my brother. I would also live with him."

John said, " How could I guard you if you would live with him?"

Cassandra said, " It was your idea to prepare another place for him to stay, rather than to stay here with us. It is your problem, not mine."

John said, " Fine! You would live here. Kevin. Okay?"

Cassandra said, " Then, good. It is all settled then!"

  After they all settle the living arrangements. Cassandra and John went up in a market.

Estelle said, " Who is this gorgeous lady with you?"

John said, " She is my wife!"

Cassandra said, " What?"

Estelle said, " You looked like a lovely couple."

  Cassandra moves closer to her ears of John and whispered something.

Cassandra said, " Are you fucking insane?"

John said, " Just go along with this."

Cassandra said, " I would excuse myself first."

  Cassandra left John in there hanging. John has no choice but to follow Cassandra.

John said, " Hey! Wait up.

Cassandra said, " Shut up!

John said, " What is your problem?

Cassandra said, " Your ignorance.

John said, " My what?

Cassandra said, " Are you stupid or dumb?

John said, " Excuse me?

Cassandra said, " Just leave me alone. You are stupid.

John said, " What is your problem?

Cassandra said, " My problem is that you almost tell everyone that I am your wife even though I am not. You are making some stories that are not even real. Is my father even aware of it?.

John said, " No. But we have to pretend like we are a happy couple. Because we need to act like we are together. So no one would be able to think of us as suspicious.

Cassandra said, " It is not like we are criminals so they would think that we are suspicious. Don't be overreacting!

John said, " I'm not! I just need to make sure of your safety.

Cassandra said, " Well, if you want to ensure my safety you don't need to tell to everyone that I am your wife. Because I am not your wife, and I would never be.

John said, " Looked it is just an act."

Cassandra said, " I don't fucking care! Just stop telling things like that to other people."

John said, " What do you want me to tell them then?"

Cassandra said, " I don't know. Just make anything else, because I don't like the idea of being your wife."

  As John and Cassandra we're arguing. John felt like someone was following them, so John pulled Cassandra and hid. They hid in a quiet place and he pulled her closer to him.

Cassandra said, " Dont touch me!

John said, " Shhh!

Cassandra said, " Dont tell me to keep quiet if your hands are all over me.

John said, " I'm sorry!

  John lets go of Cassandra, but Cassandra just keeps on complaining.

Cassandra questioned " What?

" Just keep quiet.

 " Why?

John said, " I think someone is following us."

Cassandra said, " I don't care!"

John said, " I need to make sure of your safety."

Cassandra said, " I am having a hard time adjusting to this new life in the province. And now I am stuck with you, now you tell me to keep my mouth shut. How dare you!"

John said, " Can you just please be quiet for a minute?"

Cassandra said, " No. My life is been hard because of you. This is all your fault!"

  John could not handle the loud voice of Cassandra. He pulled her closer to him so that Cassandra would be quiet and John could hear the movement and see who is following them.