Break The Rules

"Come on, Cici. The rest wants to chill tonight."

Cassie closes her eyes as she pinches the bridge of her nose. Rona kept on bugging her since this morning about going out tonight.

"I can't. I have work to do," Cassie replied.

Rona arched her brow. "Work? You just nailed a million-dollar operation. Won't you give yourself a rest?"

Cassie rolled her eyes as she stood up. She removed her white coat and hung it on the rack. "I'm busy. My family will be having dinner with the Carters," she said, which is true. The Carters asked for her presence, and she needed to be there.

Rona sighed heavily. "Yeah, right. You have a fiancé. But—"

"I can't say 'no' to my father," she cut off.

Rona arched her brow and crossed her legs as she stared at Cassie. "You're not young anymore, Cassie. You can decide on your own. You're against that engagement, yet you agreed just because of your f*cking father—excuse me for the word, but I really hate your manipulative father."

She's right.

Cassie was already twenty-eight. Got a degree. Got a better job. She earned millions, yet she let her family decide what was best for her.

"If I were you, I would not let someone decide alone. Now, come tonight with us and please, it's not that hard to break rules just for once," Rona asserted and formed a sly smirk on her lips.

Cassie arched her brow. "Yeah, and you're that good at breaking rules."

Rona laughed as she stood up. "My life, my rules," she said, winking at her.

Cassie shook her head as a smile escaped from her lips. "Yeah. Whatever."

"So, eight o'clock tonight. Okay?"

"I'll think about it."

Rona arched her brow but eventually clapped her hands as if she were sure to win in a game—a convincing game. "Sure. And if you need an excuse for your father, you can easily tell him that you're on duty tonight and can't make it. Let your father have dinner with your fiancé. Besides, it was him who liked that jerk," she said and laughed. "So, see you later, babe," she added as she walked towards the door of Cassie's office.

Cassie nodded in response. She fixed her table and had some tea before going out. Every day is a hectic day inside the hospital. It's been three years since she resided in one of the famous hospitals in town.

Driving to her condo, her phone rang. She looked at the caller, and it was her father. She heaved a deep sigh. Maybe Rona was right. She also needs to break the rules. Since she was a kid, her father has already controlled everything for her. He's the family she had since she lost her mother when she was born. Although her father got married for the second time, she doesn't feel comfortable with his second family.

She chose to distance herself. Nevertheless, she still obeys him… for all these years. Even if it's hard for her sometimes. He wanted her to be a doctor, so she became a doctor. When in fact, she wanted to be a flight attendant.

He was also her great critic. He asked her how could she be a flight attendant when she was fat and ugly.

She just tries to laugh about it. Every time he slapped her with those words, she always tried to hide them with a smile.

'I am fat, but am I that ugly?'

Another ring interrupted her thoughts. It's him again. She grabbed her phone and answered it.

"Where are you?"

As usual, she heard his cold and devilish voice again.

"I'm—"

"Move your ass here, and we will be having dinner with the Carters tonight. Don't make any excuses again, Cassie."

'How could I ever explain when he's giving a threat beforehand?'

Suddenly, Rona's voice echoed inside her head. 'Break rules.'

"I'm sorry, Dad. But a patient needs me tonight." Before he could react, she ended the call. She knows what she did is wrong, but she wants to have time for herself, too.

Being in this situation, she always wished to have freedom but ended up obeying him.

While focusing her sight on the road, she tried to dial Rona's number, and in just three rings, she answered.

"Yes. What can I do for you?"

She bit her lower lip and heaved a sigh. "I am coming tonight."

"Great!" Rona blurted, making her pull her phone away from her ear and leaving a grimace on her face.

"Your voice."

Rona laughed on the other line. "I am sorry. You know, I am just happy. Finally, our Cici is coming tonight. With that, drinks are on me."

Cassie slightly shook her head as she entered the subdivision. She stopped the car, lowered the window on her side, and tapped her white card. "See you," she said and ended the call.

The gate opened, and she saw the guard, who was the same age as hers, smiling. She nodded her head.

CASSIE pulled her hair as she stared at her closet, wondering what to wear. Seriously, she doesn't mind wearing anything when she goes to work, but for tonight… she sighed. She dialed Rona's number once again.

"Ready?"

"I don't know what to wear," she said, straight to the point, making her happy friend laugh her ass out.

"Seriously, Ci?"

She rolled her eyes and sat on the edge of her bed. "I never joked, Ro."

"Yeah, right. Just wear anything that will be appropriate to a high-end bar."

She pushed down herself on her comfy bed and stared at the ceiling. "I don't usually—"

"Wait for me. I'm coming. You're hopeless, Ci. Gosh!" Rona asserted and ended the call.

Cassie put down her phone and stretched her arms. Well, this is her. She was not a party girl like them.

After a couple of minutes, since Rona's subdivision is just a few meters away from hers, she heard her doorbell ring.

As soon as she opened the door, her pouty lips welcomed her sight.

"He—" She didn't finish it when she just entered.

Rona is not new to her house, so she knows every part of it. She walked towards her room and strode straight in front of her closet.

"You almost got everything. You're a rich bitch. But doesn't know what to wear?" she started as she flipped every dress she had.

Cassie crossed her arms as she leaned on the door jamb.

"Hmm… you have to wear something that will show your perfect curves—"

"You mean, my fats?"

Rona stopped, turned her head in her direction, and glared at her. "How many times do I have to tell you that you have a perfect body?"

Cassie laughed and walked closer to her. "I am FAT and UGLY, period." She grabbed the dress that she just lifted. "For you, I'm gonna wear this revealing dress, mother," she teased.

"You're beautiful. And that's not too revealing," Rona said.

Cassie just smiled and walked toward the bathroom. Well, it's revealing for her as she used to wear conservative dresses. While this one is plain and simple, it doesn't change the fact that it shows her bare shoulder and her cleavage.

When she got out, Rona clapped her hands and showered her with compliments repeatedly. She knows she's not lying, but it was just her who couldn't accept that fact.

She grew up in the surroundings, where people criticized her not until she decided to leave the Morgans' manor.

"I hope you will enjoy the night, Cassie Morgan," Rona whispered as she strode toward Cassie and started to walk away.

Cassie shook her head and smiled.