𝟏.𝟐: Bleeding Scars
𝐓rue to her word, Cassie was out of the apartment complex within five minutes. She didn't have to look around much to spot Winfred.
The woman's tall frame stood by the side of the car, hands tucked in her pockets. Her pin-straight black hair was pulled back in a high ponytail, with sharp bangs partially obscuring her onyx eyes.
She hadn't seemed to notice Cassie yet, given her brisk glance down at her wristwatch.
Cassie walked up to her then, lips curling into a smile when Winfred's gaze snapped up to meet hers.
Nodding once in acknowledgment, the manager straightened her posture and moved aside to open the passenger door. "Please step in, Miss. We're running short on time."
Cassie complied, adjusting her skirt when Winfred suddenly ducked into the car, their faces seperated only by a hairsbreadth.
"Excuse me," she muttered, leaning across from the now frozen brunette to strap on her seatbelt.
After making sure the strap was secured, she backed out of the car and let the door shut with a soft click.
At that moment, Cassie gave a quick prayer of thanks to the heavens for making her manager a work-zombie who paid no mind to anything else when she was on the clock.
Otherwise, she might have caught a glimpse of her flustered reaction to their close proximity. Despite her efforts, Cassie still struggled with people invading her personal space.
Once the taller woman was strapped in the driver's seat, the pair were on their way.
"I wasn't sure if you would have gotten yourself something to eat before I arrived, so I stopped by that coffee shop you like and got you some breakfast," Winfred started, gesturing for Cassie to look toward the center console.
Cassie's heart immediately swelled with gratitude at her thoughtfulness.
Winfred was always like this.
She was one of the few people who treated her like a human and not some unapproachable success story—or scarred freak with too many secrets to spill.
Oh, big whoop, that's what she's being paid for. Anyone would argue.
But that's what made Winfred so different. Paycheck or not, her character was a constant. Cassie couldn't help but depend on her, even though it was hard for her to let down her guard around anyone else.
"Winfred, really, thank you. To be honest, I had planned on skipping breakfast. I couldn't muster up an appetite, you see…" Cassie almost felt guilty when she noticed the concern on Winfred's side profile.
"Miss Arlette, if for any reason you don't think you can handle the interview, please request that it be rescheduled. You don't have to push yourself."
As much as she appreciated the woman's consideration, Cassie couldn't hold back her shudder; she felt like she was being backed into a wall.
Not immediately responding, her eyes lowered to her clasped hands on her thighs. Out of habit, she squirmed in her seat, taking her bottom lip between her teeth.
Her vulnerable side only came out whenever she was with Winfred.
In a small voice, she finally said, "You don't have to worry. I… I just… had a minor episode this morning, but it didn't last long this time. I was able to get a hold of myself before I got swept away. I'm fine. Really. Please don't worry. I've been looking forward to this interview for weeks now. I'm fully prepared for it."
As if trying to be more convincing, she flashed her manager a trademark smile that didn't reach her eyes but was still a vision to behold.
At the same time, the car slowed to a stop as they turned onto a crossroad.
The countdown on the traffic light informed them that their lane wouldn't be free to move again until two minutes were up.
Winfred killed the car's engine and turned to face Cassie, her black eyes boring into Cassie's hazel ones.
"Listen, I know it isn't my place to speak, as I'm no mental health expert, but if you would let me be frank with you for once…" The sudden solemnity in her tone made Cassie tense up.
She wondered what exactly the woman had to say to her with such a grave expression.
"Whenever I look at you, I get this uncanny feeling I can never shake off. I've never seen you frown, and I've been glued to your side for over three years. You always say you're fine every time I ask you to consider your well-being. It's almost as if you see not 'being fine' as a taboo, like you're going to be ruined if you let yourself show any sign of weakness."
Cassie blinked in surprise, her clasped hands forming loose fists on her thighs.
She… I didn't expect… that she'd pay that much attention to me. I know she's different from the others but still…
The brunette wasn't given enough time to come to terms with the realization because her manager continued, "Miss Arlette, I think it's unhealthy that you're doing this to yourself. As someone who's conversant with the human psyche, you of all people should know that shit happens to everyone and screws with our heads. But we get over it because we have to. "
"Please, allow your wounds to bleed first, so they can heal." Winfred finished, making sure to emphasize those final words.
Cassie was dumbfounded. No one, absolutely no one, had ever said these words to her before.
Normally, she was the one saying things like this, not hearing or receiving them. She felt like a fish out of water.
She didn't know how to react or what to say. Not even her decades' worth of scientific knowledge could stop her mind from freezing up at that moment.
"I-I…"
Winfred broke eye contact with her, turning to read the traffic light. There were only ten seconds left on the timer.
She relaxed into her seat and revved up the engine. As soon as the green light came on, she put the car in gear and pressed on the accelerator. They were off again.
"Don't be mistaken, Miss. I never asked that you honor me with a response, so don't feel pressured to say anything back. All I ask is that you consider everything I just said to you… For your sake and mine—"
"HEY! WATCH OUT!!!"
A panicked shriek pierced the air, instantly electrifying Cassie's nerves.
She turned to assess the situation but before she could even blink—Bang!
A tremendous force smashed into the side of their vehicle, sending it tumbling several meters away into an adjacent building.
The last thing Cassie remembered was the raucous screeching of tires, the violent collision of metal, and the piercing rain of glass shards.
Then came the unbearable pain, ripping through her senses before everything went dark.