The Billionaire's Promise
Chapter 72: His First Love

Chapter 72: His First Love

On the following day, they left Paris for Italy. They opted to travel via train. It was Erik’s plan to have his team experience the train ride of 460 kilometers per hour to get inspiration for the exhilarating rides that they will design for the Galaxy Amusement Park.

Aryana tried hard to capture the scenery from Paris to Italy but what she got was just a blur. They arrived in the Province of Pisa in the afternoon and after resting for two hours, they headed for an early dinner at a famous restaurant with an unobstructed view of the Leaning Tower of Pisa. She took a selfie and posted it on her social media account.

When the waiter passed them the menu, Aryana let Erik order for her. "Please order for me, Boss!" Aryana teased him.

Erik ordered the famous dishes in Tuscany and a tomato soup on bread. Marlon and the engineers ordered by themselves. The group was enjoying their dinner and having a casual conversation regarding the train trip.

Halfway through their meal, a tall slender woman passed by their table. She looked at Erik and their gazes locked.

Aryana did not see the woman but she saw Erik freeze and a strange expression appeared on his face. He was in a daze.

"What’s wrong Boss?" Aryana asked.

Erik came back to his senses. "Excuse me, I just need to go to the restroom." He stood and left hurriedly following the direction where the tall slender woman went.

Aryana threw a questioning look at Marlon. He just shrugged his shoulders. He also did not see the woman because his seat was facing Erik.

Erik increased his strides. The woman exited the restaurant using the back door. He finally caught up with her.

"Cassie!" He called, his voice full of emotions. The woman looked back at him.

"Erik, it is really you. I thought I was dreaming." Cassie threw herself at Erik and hugged him tight. She was crying.

Erik stiffened but he just let Cassie hug him.

"I missed you so much. I thought I will never see you again." Cassie sobbed.

Erik gently untangled himself from her. He led her to a nearby bench and sat down.

"How have you been Cassie? Why did you leave without saying goodbye?" Erik asked bitterly.

"Can we talk somewhere else? It is a long story. I want to explain things to you." Cassie said gently.

Erik took out his phone and called Marlon.

"I bumped into Cassie. Can you take Aryana and the rest back to the hotel?" He blurted out.

Marlon was silent on the other line for a few moments. "Who did you say it was?" Marlon finally asked.

"It’s Cassie. did you hear me?"

"Yes, boss. But don’t I need to accompany you? You need a bodyguard." Marlon said worriedly.

"I have bodyguards lurking around so I should be safe." He ended the call.

"What happened Marlon? Was that Erik?" Aryana asked.

"Yes. He bumped into an acquaintance and cannot get away." He asked for the bill and paid it.

"Let’s go back to the hotel and have an early night as we will be busy tomorrow."

"But how about Erik? Will he be alright?" Aryana was worried because she sensed that Marlon was hiding something from her.

"He is a grown man and the CEO of a big company. Besides he has been here many times so he knows the place."

Aryana’s face flushed. Was she wrong to worry about her husband? She was silent all the way to the hotel while Marlon constantly threw her a sideways glance.

"Did you have dinner?" Erik asked and Cassie shook her head.

Erik made another call on the phone and soon a black car stopped in front of them. He opened the back door for Cassie before going around to enter from the other side. They went to another restaurant and Erik booked a private room. He ordered her favorite meal from his memory. He watched her intently as she had her dinner.

"You looked different now Cassie." He finally said. She looked more mature and her eyes no longer held the look of innocence that they used to.

"Am I looking better or uglier?" Cassie asked. Erik did not answer her.

"Do you still like cappuccino?" He asked instead.

Cassie nodded.

Erik ordered two cups of cappuccino and their favorite cinnamon coffee cake.

Erik slowly sipped his coffee without saying anything. He was waiting for her explanation.

"On the day after you proposed, your grandpa and your father came to me." Cassie’s tears started to fall but Erik felt indifferent.

"They said that I will hinder you from your success... that I am not worthy to stand beside you because I was an illegitimate daughter." She stammered. Erik reached out and hold her hand and gently squeezed it.

"They threatened me. They said that they will ruin my family."

"Why did you not trust me, Cassie? Why did you not go to me? Am I too weak for you?" Erik sounded hurt.

"No, Erik. It’s not that I don’t trust you. They said that if I truly love you, then I should set you free. They gave me money and sent me away so I can improve myself, become strong, and then I can be proud to stand beside you as Mrs. Lee." Cassie said in the most pitiful voice she could muster.

She threw herself in Erik’s arms once again, her body shaking from crying.

Erik’s emotion was in turmoil. Cassie was his first love. He was terribly hurt when she left him and he has pined for her return.

Now, he was holding her in his arms but he was confused.

"I love you Erik and I missed you so much." Cassie sought his lips but Erik twisted his face so her lips landed on her cheek. Cassie looked up in surprise and then pretended not to notice.

Erik pushed her gently away from him and created a safe distance.

"So, how have you been? Where are you staying? What is your work?"

"I am working as a model. I am based in Milan and I have an apartment there. I am here in Tuscany for a fashion show. It is tomorrow." She rummaged for something from her bag and handed Erik an invitation.

"I hope you can come." She looked at him with those puppy eyes that she used to whenever she wanted Erik to do her bidding.

Erik accepted the invitation and stuffed it inside the pocket of his jacket. He checked his watch and was surprised to see that it was past midnight.

"It is getting late. I’ll send you back." Erik ushered her out of the restaurant into the black car that was waiting for them. "Give me your phone." Cassie complied obediently. He keyed his private number into Cassie’s before returning it to her.

A sly smile appeared on Cassie’s face.

’I will get you back, Erik. I promise.’