C3 THE FIGHT

Cassie hurriedly crossed the sitting room at the sound of a knock, quickly wiping her hands on her apron. "Hold on a moment, please!" she called out before opening the door.

There stood Jane, balancing two heavy grocery bags and wearing a warm smile. "Well, hello there, princess," Jane greeted.

"Jane, I'm so happy to see you," Cassie exclaimed with a wide grin, embracing Jane tightly.

"I'm delighted to see you too, baby girl," Jane replied, her grip on Cassie firm yet affectionate. As they parted, Jane entered the house and placed the bags on the table before turning her attention back to Cassie.

"How have you been, Cassie?" Jane inquired, giving Cassie her full attention.

"I'm doing well. And you?" Cassie asked, her signature gap-toothed smile on display.

"I'm hanging in there, though work is still a pain," Jane said, eliciting a giggle from Cassie as she mimicked a disgusted expression. "How's school treating you?"

"Pretty decent, except Liam and his buddies are still the biggest troublemakers," Cassie responded, her expression turning somber.

"That young man needs some serious discipline," Jane exclaimed, beginning to unpack the groceries while still keeping an eye on Cassie. With a determined look, she continued, "You've to report them, Cassie. If you don't, they'll just keep bothering you."

"I know but the school might not even do anything about it," Cassie added.

"Don't worry, Cassie. You don't have to handle it alone. Anne and I will take care of everything," Jane reassured, handing over a chocolate bar to Cassie.

"Thank you, Jane, you're the best," Cassie exclaimed, tearing open the chocolate bar that

Jane had given her and taking a satisfying bite

With everything neatly stowed away, Jane turned her attention to Cassie and inquired, "Where's Anne?"

"She's upstairs," Cassie replied, a hint of a smile playing on her lips. "And guess what? I've made up some spaghetti with tomato sauce for dinner."

Jane raised an eyebrow, feigning astonishment.

"No way! That's impressive, kid. Despite all of Anne's cooking lessons, I'm still a culinary disaster," she chuckled.

Cassie grinned back, saying, "It's nothing too fancy, but I set aside your portion since Annette mentioned you'd be dropping by." She retrieved a container from the microwave and placed it before Jane, handing her a fork.

Jane's eyes widened as she savored the meal. "This is delicious!" she exclaimed. Cassie's smile was infectious, and she shrugged, saying, "Thanks, Jane," her cheeks slightly blushing.

"Good work, kiddo," Jane complimented, giving Cassie's cheeks a playful pull. As they enjoyed the meal together, Jane's concern for Annette gnawed at her, but she didn't want to burden Cassie, so she kept it to herself. Annette's recent termination had left her shaken, but Jane was determined to support her and make things better.

After finishing the dishes, Jane announced, "I'm going upstairs to see Annette." Cassie, engrossed in a movie, simply replied, "Okay, see you later."

Entering Cassie's room, Jane found Annette lost in thought. To avoid startling her, Jane called her name softly from the doorway, prompting Annette to turn and face her.

"I didn't know you were here," Annette admitted, looking surprised.

"What's bothering you? Besides the job situation, it seems like there's something else on your mind," Jane inquired gently.

"I have something to tell you" Annette whispered under her breath, inviting Jane to sit beside her on the bed. She then shared the events with the CEO, leaving out the fluttery feelings she experienced.

"That jerk, how dare he?" Jane exclaimed, her voice rising as she glared at her friend, anger evident in both her tone and gaze.

Annette's worry for Cassie's well-being burdened her deeply. "I'm really concerned, Jane. I just don't want Cassie to bear this weight," she sighed, lost in contemplation.

"We'll find a solution. In the meantime, let's start exploring new job opportunities," Jane suggested.

Annette's frustration began to surface. "Seeking new jobs won't be a walk in the park. You don't realize how challenging things are out there," she confessed. After a pause, Annette added, "I'm actually thinking about giving some thought to the CEO's offer."

Jane stood her ground firmly. "Anne, don't even entertain that idea. You can't sink that low."

"I can feel the depth of my desperation," she whispered, "right now, he seems like my only option."

"Please, reconsider getting involved with the CEO. Trust me, it's a path that won't lead to a good outcome," Jane pleaded, attempting to reason with her close friend.

"All I want is what's best for Cassie, and I can't bear to see her continue living like this," Annette admitted.

"Anne, you shouldn't compromise your self-respect for financial gain," Jane admonished, her concern evident as she stood up.

"I understand that life can be tough, Annette, but the CEO's proposal isn't the solution," Jane persisted.

"I realize you have a comfortable life, Jane, but you don't fully grasp my situation," Annette retorted, her frustration surfacing.

"Don't let desperation cloud your judgment. There are better alternatives," Jane stressed, her disappointment palpable.

Annette recognized her words had hurt Jane deeply. "I apologize, Jane. I've already lost so much. I just want to secure a better future for Cassie," she clarified.

Jane's determination remained unwavering. "Let me help you find a job. Don't succumb to the CEO's offer."

Annette's determination wavered. "I'm unsure, Jane. If things don't work out, I might have to seriously consider his proposal."

"Anne, are you truly serious? He doesn't truly have your best interests at heart," Jane exclaimed, her worry for Annette clearly visible.

"I'm ready to do whatever is necessary to support Cassie."

"Believe me, you're mistaken if you think this was the right approach," Jane remarked before exiting Annette's room, leaving her deep in contemplation.

Annette sat on her bed, her mind spinning with Jane's words. She knew her friend was only looking out for her, but the weight of her decisions pressed heavily on her shoulders. She glanced at the photo of her sister, Cassie, on the bedside table – a constant reminder of why she wanted to take this path.

As the evening sun cast a warm glow through the window, Annette's determination solidified. She was well aware of the risks and challenges ahead, but her love for Cassie was unwavering.