Page 10 of Neptune

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CASSIE

"T he wedding dress will be ready for the fitting tomorrow," Paul chirps.

I'm staring into the mirror, listening to Paul tattering again about my wedding preparation as I sit at the dresser, waiting for a studio staff member to call my name.

Tonight, I’m going to do my first interview since my engagement to Luke was announced. I’m at Ella Deaguero’s studio.

I’ve known her quite well and have done numerous interviews with her. But that doesn’t mean that I’m less nervous.

Because now, I have to play along with the script Luke has instructed me to follow. Talking about our fake love.

And lying isn’t my best ability.

Paul has finished glowing me up. I’m dressed in an off-the-shoulder black dress, knee-length. My hair is tied up in a high ponytail, accentuating my bare shoulders. My lips are covered in soft pink gloss.

Paul scrolls through his phone, frowning.

“Cassie, did you tell Luke about the flowers?” he asks, curiosity in his voice. “How come they already requested countless daisies for the garden decoration? I haven’t told them anything about that.”

I know what Paul means. Daisy is my favorite flower, and I’ve never spoken of it in my interviews, so only the people close to me know about it.

“Come on, Paul. It’s not rare to see them in a garden wedding,” I say. “Maybe the organizer just figured that it matches their theme. ”

Paul’s face falls as he sees another sight of how unenthusiastic I am about the wedding. “For me, it’s rare. Strangely, they aren’t prioritizing garden roses or peonies, considering how luxurious the event will be.”

That crosses my mind too, but I can’t really pay attention to what he’s saying because I’m bloody nervous about the interview.

A knock from the door startles us, and I snap my head toward it.

“Cassie, it’s showtime,” a studio staff member informs me, and I stand up.

I take a deep breath, and Paul smiles at me.

"Don't worry, darlin'." He pats my shoulder. "You'll be fine."

"Wish me luck." I bite my lower lip and totter toward the door.

"Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Cassie Castillo," Ella's voice echoes in the air.

I step onto the stage, smiling and waving at the audience in the studio who clap their hands, cheering for me. There are so many people coming to watch the show—it's nice to know that a lot of people still like me. I guess that Luke has done a good job of restoring my reputation.

I shake Ella's hand and take a seat on the couch in front of her. She flashes a dazzling smile, gorgeous as always with her jet black pixie hair.

Tonight, she’s dressed up in a rock and roll style, her black eyeliner making her beautiful grey eyes pop.

"How are you doing, Cassie?" she starts the conversation.

"Good. I'm doing good." I smile, crossing my legs.

"You must be busy with the wedding preparation," she says. "Aren't you nervous? You're about to tie the knot. Geez, the entire world is shocked to hear that you're getting married soon."

"Very." I nod. "I'm very nervous indeed," I say truthfully, and a small laugh escapes from my lips.

Who would have thought that I would get married this year?

"So, about all those previous rumors, they were all false, weren't they?" She shakes her head in sympathy, and I catch sight of slight guilt on her face.

I understand. Back then, nobody, including her, was brave enough to invite me to clarify the truth in their talk show, because there was just so much hate directed at me.

But after Luke stepped in and instructed his company to control all those dirty headlines all around the world, everything changed.

The turning point was when Brian Russel admitted that he did assault me after receiving a lot of pressure.

And to make it better, not many people know that Luke has the majority of the shares in Premier News and Media Corporation, so many people won't notice that our marriage is a business deal.

"All false." I nod.

"We're sorry for what happened." Ella sighs. "But it's all in the past now."

"Thank you, Ella," I sincerely thank her.

"If you don't mind me asking you..." she falters. "You broke up with Jude because of your differences, didn't you?"

I lay back on the couch. "Just like any other couple," I say. "Yes, we had our own principles, and we didn't agree much on that. Going in separate ways was the best decision for both of us."

I'm not lying, though. I just don't spill the fact that Jude cheated on me with his backup dancer. A peaceful closure is what I need right now.

"Well, you've moved on." Ella smiles. "Tell us about this man who managed to sweep you off your feet. Luke Klein. What about him? How did you meet him?" Her voice is rich with excitement and curiosity.

The room becomes silent. I can feel that the audience is holding their breath, waiting for me to spill our story.

Oh, God, it's starting. My hands are suddenly sweaty because of this funny feeling inside my stomach. I'm going to lie to the world. Nevertheless, I've rehearsed this with my team, so I should be okay.

"It all started when I attended an event hosted by one of his companies that specialize in high-end brands," I say. "He wasn't there, but he asked his staff to get my contact through my assistant, who was attending the event too."

"He asked for your number," Ella teases, and I can feel the audience start to become giddy.

"But I didn't let my assistant give it away, because I was still with Jude," I lie beautifully.

"After I broke up with Jude, Luke finally managed to get to me, and since then, everything happened so fast," I pause, but Ella and the audience stay silent, still waiting for me to spill more.

"He's always been there for me even when I was at the lowest point of my life.

He trusted me even when everybody else was against me. He picked me up when I fell."

I feel like vomiting from saying all those beautiful lies about Luke. Damn . I make him sound like an angel when the real Lucas Klein is a devil in disguise.

The audiences echo a loud “Aw.”

Ella stares at me with adoration. "He sounds like a sweet guy."

I nod, faking a smile even though I feel like pursing my lips. "He is."

The hell he is.

" You guys are so lucky to have each other." Ella sighs dreamily. "Come on, show us the ring."

I pretend to let out a shy laugh and cover my mouth with my hand, showcasing the diamond ring, making the people in the room gasp.

"It's beautiful," Ella says, a hint of envy in her voice. "Congratulations, Cassie. I'm so happy for you."

The interview goes on, and I thank the heavens that Ella drags the conversation to talk about my music. We talk about my last tour and my next album. As usual, I hint about what's coming next without giving away too much.

I'm still taking a break, like what Oscar said, but for a shorter period.

When we almost reach the end of the session, Ella offers me to play some game. Usually, she will show some photos on the screen and see my reaction.

I don't know what she's planning to do this time.

"Now that you're about to be taken forever by your future husband, I think that it would be fun if we enjoy a bachelorette moment." Ella winks. "Should we play with some pictures of hot guys?"

Oh, Gosh, what is she going to do to me? And here I was, almost thinking that I've been doing just fine.

"Cassie, I will show you two pictures of famous men, and you will have to choose which one you find more attractive," Ella says. "In short, which one is hotter."

My jaw drops, and the audience laughs from seeing my expression.

Ella looks at the camera. "I'm sorry, Luke."

The audience laughs again.

The first pictures come out. "Brad Pitt...or Tom Cruise?"

I stare at the pictures of the two gorgeous actors on the screen, biting my lower lip.

After a while, I say, "I'm kinda obsessed with Mission Impossible , so I'm going to choose Tom."

Ella grins. "Let's try with the younger generation."

The next pictures are displayed, and I chuckle, shaking my head.

"Logan Lerman...or Dylan O'Brien?"

Aw. Both are cute. This is hard to choose.

"Come on, Cassie," Ella urges, teasing me.

"Why, Ella. You're giving me a dilemma," I growl, and people laugh. "Logan," I finally say before turning to the audience. "I’ve just liked him longer."

"Very well," Ella says. "Now, be ready for this one."

The next pictures surprise me. And it seems to surprise the audience too .

"Justin Bieber...or Harry Styles?" Ella asks devilishly.

"No," I complain, almost standing up from my seat. "No, you can't make me choose one of them."

Ella laughs from seeing me frustrated.

"I know. You know both of them pretty well," she says. "I hope that this won't affect your future collaborations with them."

"Ella," I shout, and the audience howls with laughter. "Why do you have to be so evil?" I shake my head, but I'm smiling. My lips then form into a thin line. "Well, since Justin is married, I'm gonna go with Harry."

Ella laughs. "Cassie, you're going to get married too. Soon. I don't know whether we should be doing this game. Maybe we shouldn't," she jokes.

"Maybe," I tease, but then, the next picture still comes out.

"Young Leonardo DiCaprio, or..." she falters.

To say that the young Leo on the screen I'm staring is gorgeous would be an understatement. It's a picture from his Romeo and Juliet era, and he looks so handsome.

This is no brainer. I'll definitely choose him.

"Lucas Klein," Ella finishes her sentence.

And my mouth drops open again. The audience gasps loudly—that's understandable. Maybe this is the first time that they’ve taken a good look at Luke.

And mind you, he is smoking hot in the picture. I always saw him in his formal attire because I always met him in his office, but right now, Luke on the screen wears a white t-shirt and a black leather jacket.

His dark brown hair, which was usually neat, is now messy, tempting any woman who sees it to run her fingers through it. He looks dangerously handsome.

The young Leo beside him might make a girl's heart race, but this picture of Luke would make a woman's pussy throb.

Wait, did I just say that in my mind?

God, I think that I'm going mental .

Whatever. That doesn't mean that I'm going to choose him over young Leo. "Of course it would be—"

Then I realize that it's impossible for me to just ditch my future husband like that on national television. What the hell?

"Luke," I say, making the audience aw .

"Of course." A playful smirk creeps on Ella's lips.

Next, Liam Hemsworth is up, but Ella doesn't remove Luke's picture from the screen.

"Which one, Cassie?"

The audience laughs. They are having so much fun, while here I am, trying to hide from embarrassment.

I cover my eyes with my hand, laughing in disbelief, shaking my head. "You guys got me good this time."

Ella laughs. "Come on, Cassie."

I look back up and repeat, "Luke."

They fail to notice that I'm clenching my fists tight on my knees to suppress my irritation.

"Really?" Ella whisper-shouts. "Let's try the brother."

This time, Chris Hemsworth's picture is placed beside Luke's, and I curse whoever initiated the idea to make me choose Luke over young Leo and the Hemsworth brothers.

"Luke," I say for the third time. By now, my face must be as red as a boiled crab.

"Cassie, you're blushing." Ella stares at me in awe. "How cute."

Blushing, you say? My face flushes because I'm mad, not because I'm in love.

"Now, this will be the last one," Ella says, and I sigh in relief. Finally, I can get out of this torture.

But then, the last pictures almost make my heart stop. There on the screen beside Luke's picture, is a photo of my ex-boyfriend, his tattooed arms exposed as he wears a black t-shirt, his hair messy like Luke's, but blonde.

"Jude Scott," Ella pauses, studying my expression. "Or Luke Klein. "

The audience gets even louder. Shit . Whoever initiated this idea is smart, because they know how to skyrocket the ratings of the show in an instant.

"I'm sure that Jude won't have any hard feelings about this." I smile sadly. "Luke," I answer, my voice slightly lower and softer than when I answered the previous questions, but they all can still hear me.

"Well done," Ella says cheerfully, having no idea how the game has made me want to disappear from this planet.

I don't know how I can face Luke again after this. I hope that he won't watch this when it gets aired. If it happens, I will die of embarrassment.

However, I must admit that the show has been entertaining for the audience. All in all, it was a good show.

"Thank you for being here with us, Cassie." Ella smiles, closing the show. "I wish you all the best for your wedding."

I shake hands with her again, returning her smile. "Thank you for having me here."

While the audience claps, Ella leans closer to me and whispers in my ear, "That was such a fun game. Please send my gratitude to Luke."

I raise my brow at her, wondering what she means.

"It was all his idea," Ella whispers before turning her attention back to the audience.

And I feel like choking that cocky, narcissistic, arrogant man to death.