No Matter What.

　　After a joyful and fun-filled breakfast, I went back to my work. After hours of hard work I was finally able to complete my work. I was just wrapping up, as Iris came in.

　　Iris: So, are you done?

　　Cassie: Yep. Don't tell me you are in the mood to celebrate again?

　　Iris: Well, maybe

　　Cassie: Just go with Scott, I have to go home. I need to get ready for tomorrow.

　　Iris: Fine. By the way, what is your plan?

　　Cassie: To surprise your father.

　　Iris: How?

　　Cassie: Let's see.

　　Iris and I went back up to the ground floor. Chris was sipping his coffee. We sat with him on the couch.

　　Chris: What's the plan?

　　Cassie: I don't know. Still thinking.

　　Iris: I'm going out.

　　Cassie: Oh. Let me gather my stuff.

　　Iris: Baby. I am going in a totally different way. I have a date with Scott.

　　Chris: Don't worry. I'll drop her.

　　Iris: Chris you're a lifesaver.

　　Chris: I know I know.

　　In a few minutes Chris and I were on the way to my place.

　　Chris: How about you surprise Dad?

　　Cassie: That's what I am thinking. But how?

　　Chris: Easy. We can set the system in his office before he arrives.

　　Cassie: Well that's an amazing idea.

　　Chris: See problem solved.

　　Cassie: Yeah. Thanks.

　　We reached my apartment, said our goodbyes. When I opened my door. I was surprised by my sister and brother-in-law.

　　Katy: Surprise....

　　Cassie: Oh my God. Katy. Jack.

　　Jack: How are you Cassie?

　　Cassie: I am fine.

　　Katy: We came for your birthday.

　　Cassie: Oh God. I love you guys. How's Mom and Dad?

　　Katy: They're good. Having fun. Just busy so they couldn't come.

　　Cassie: Well at least you guys are here.

　　My phone pinged and I looked at the screen. It was Chris.

　　Chris: "If you need anything Candy for tomorrow. Just give me a call".

　　Cassie: "Okay. I will. Thanks".

　　Chris: "No need to thank me Candy. Happy to help".

　　I put my phone on the kitchen counter and started cooking dinner for my family. I was so happy they came. We had dinner together. After dinner and cleaning, my sister and her husband went to their room and I went for mine. I was excited for my birthday. Not because it was my birthday, but because I was about to launch my best. My phone pinged. It was midnight.

　　Chris: "Happy birthday Candy".

　　I smiled then my phone started to ring. It was Sam.

　　Sam: " Hey babe. Happy birthday".

　　Cassie: "Thanks."

　　Sam:"What are you doing?"

　　Cassie:"Thinking."

　　Sam:" About"?

　　Cassie:"My project. It's done Sam."

　　Sam:"Congratulations baby."

　　Cassie:"Thanks. What are you doing?"

　　Sam:"Planning."

　　Cassie:"What? Our wedding?"

　　Sam:"What? No. I'm not gonna rush for the wedding. I'm not ready now. I was planning new projects for my firm."

　　Cassie:" Oh. Okay. So you won't be with me tomorrow?"

　　Sam:"No baby. I'm sorry but your dinner and gifts are due."

　　Cassie:"Awww. You're too cute."

　　Sam:"Thanks and I love you too".

　　Sam hung up and I put my phone on the nightstand and drifted off to sleep.

　　Next morning I woke up early. Packed my stuff and went to my car. But when you're too happy. Something bad happened .

　　My car refused to start. I was about to call a cab when I heard a horn.

　　Chris: Missed me Candy?

　　Cassie: Chris you're a lifesaver.

　　Chris: Come on. We have to be there before dad.

　　Cassie: Yeah.

　　I climbed in the car. He handed me a small box.

　　Cassie: Chris. What's this?

　　Chris: That's for you. Happy birthday.

　　Cassie: Thank you.

　　I opened the box and gasped at the beautiful blue pendant in it.

　　Cassie: Oh my God Chris. It's beautiful.

　　Chris: Well an older woman was selling it. She claimed it's a lucky charm. So I bought it for you.

　　Cassie: God. Thank you Chris.

　　Chris: Never lose it.

　　Cassie: Are you kidding?

　　We reached the office. Iris was already there. We set everything up before Mr Hunt got to the office. Security guard called Chris and he said,

　　Chris: Dad's here.

　　We finished with the final touches and hid behind the wall. As Mr Hunt came into his office. Alarm turned on and Mr Hunt turned to look for the source.

　　Liam Hunt: What is this?

　　Cassie, Chris, Iris together screamed together: SURPRISE.

　　Liam Hunt: Oh you kids. What is this?

　　I turned the system off and told Mr Hunt.

　　Cassie: It's the security program I was designing. It's ready now. So I thought a surprise for you would be great.

　　Liam Hunt: Really. Congratulations Cassie and happy birthday.

　　Cassie: Thank you Mr Hunt.

　　Liam Hunt: So you think you are the only one who can surprise everyone?

　　Cassie: What do you mean?

　　Liam Hunt: Well I have thrown a party tonight. Why? It's a surprise.

　　Cassie: What surprise?

　　Liam Hunt: You'll know. You've got the invitation. Time and location are on it. Be there, Smarty.

　　Cassie: I hate surprises. Fine.

　　Rest of the day flew by in a blink of an eye at work. Then party time came. I dressed up and got to the party. It was really fancy. I was wondering what made Mr Hunt throw a big party like that for me. Mr Hunt and his family never made me feel that I'm not family. Somehow in 8 years, I became part of their family. But still it wasn't a birthday party.

　　Cassie: WOW.....

　　Liam Hunt: Surprised already Cassie?

　　Cassie: You must be kidding Mr Hunt. It's wonderful but for what?

　　Liam Hunt: You'll know. Till then. Go and have fun. Iris is over there with Mr Lu.

　　Cassie: Thanks.

　　Iris: There you are. You're late.

　　Cassie: No. You just came before me.

　　Iris: Fair enough.

　　Cassie: Hey Scott.

　　Scott: Hey. Congratulations. For your engagement, your success and your birthday.

　　Cassie: Thank you. Thank you and thank you Scott. How are you?

　　Scott: Well I'm alive.

　　Cassie: I feel sorry for you.

　　Scott: Thanks.

　　Iris: Hey.....

　　Chris: There is the star lady.

　　Cassie: Somebody's looking hot.

　　Chris: Says the lady who has brightened up the night.

　　I blushed and looked away.

　　Chris: Ha ha.... You're blushing Candy.

　　Iris: Why do you call her Candy?

　　Chris: It's a secret.

　　Iris: You and your secrets.

　　Just then Mr Hunt spoke on the microphone.

　　Liam Hunt: Good evening ladies and gentlemen and welcome. Me and my wife are so grateful to each one of you to be part of this party tonight. As everyone is eager to know why we have thrown this big party tonight. Well we're not going to make you wait anymore. But first we would like to call our kids, Chris and Iris Hunt on the stage with the lady of the night Cassandra Wolf.

　　Chris and Iris together spoke: Thank you dad.

　　Cassie: Thank you Mr Hunt.

　　Liam Hunt: Now that everyone is here, time to break the biggest news of the month.

　　Everyone was waiting for the news.

　　Liam Hunt: Well the news is our very own Cassie has now been nominated for the title of the best software designer of the year.

　　Everyone cheered as I was in shock that maybe I heard something wrong.

　　Cassie: What? Me? Am I dreaming or something?

　　Stella: No, it's not a dream, also not a joke, we can't prank you in front of all these people honey. Congratulations.

　　I started crying.

　　Stella: Oh honey.

　　She hugged me, held me like a mother. Whenever I needed a family. They are always there.

　　Cassie: I can't believe it.

　　Stella: Well believe it honey and you deserve it.

　　Everyone was congratulating me. I was so happy. Just then I got voicemail from Sam.

　　Sam: " Hey babe. Guess what. As you wished. I'm now planning our wedding. When I'll come back. We'll discuss the details. Love you. Miss you."

　　I was surprised because just last night he said he's not ready and now a sudden change made me suspicious.

　　Iris: Dad when did that happen?

　　Liam Hunt: Thursday morning, I received the call.

　　Iris grabbed me by the arm to drag me to a silent corner.

　　Iris: I knew it.

　　Cassie: What?

　　Iris: Your fame starved fiancee. He did it because he knew you're nominated. I was thinking, how in hell he actually had proposed to you.

　　Cassie: Come on Iris.

　　Iris: No seriously. And I know in a few days he'll ask you for a wedding. If you'll get the award, what I'm sure you will and.... Wait. Why are you making that face?

　　Cassie: Well .... He just...... I got his voicemail. He's planning our wedding.

　　Iris: Did you tell him your program is done?

　　Cassie: Yes.

　　Iris: That brat.

　　Cassie: Forget it, come on.

　　Rest of the night smoothly. We had a lot of fun.

　　Cassie: Oh God. It's midnight. I better run.

　　Iris: Wait for Chris. He'll kill me.

　　Cassie: No. I'm going bye.

　　Iris: Cassie, wait.

　　Cassie: It will take him an hour and we have work tomorrow.

　　Iris: Just be careful.

　　Cassie: Don't worry.

　　I climbed into my car. Rest of the way, I was thinking about the conversation I had with Iris. At some point, I agreed with her. Then my phone rang.

　　Chris: "Where are you?"

　　Cassie:" Slowdown Chris. I'm on my way home."

　　Chris:" Why didn't you wait for me ?"

　　Cassie:" Chris. I'm fine. I'm almost home."

　　Chris:" Cassie, I told you not to leave."

　　Cassie:" Chris I'm fine and I ......... Oh my God.... Shit."

　　Chris: "Cassie.... Cassie..... What happened? Where are you?"

　　Cassie:" Chris. I'm hit. I am ..... Mmmmmmm........"

　　Man: It's okay, Sweetie. Go to sleep.

　　Chris:"Cassie."

　　My head starts spinning. My vision got blurred and then all I saw was dark.