*Mike's POV*

As my Mom put the food down in front of Cassidy, I felt he squeeze my hand tight and her nails dig into my skin, I tried to keep a straight face but Vic knew something was up when he entered the kitchen with my Dad, "You must be Cassidy" he smiled, she nodded and stood up, "You must be Victor" she smiled, he nodded and laughed, "I am indeed" he smiled, "Well I can see where Michael and Vic get their good looks from" she laughed before he gave her a hug, "I like this one Mike" he laughed as they both took their seats, I knew she was in a mood with me as she only called me Michael when she was unhappy for something I did or was going to do, "Cass, I'm sorry" I said quietly, the only person that heard me was Vic as he shot a look our way, she shot me a look before swirling the food around on her plate, "Aren't you hungry, Cass?" Vic asked from the other side of the table, eyeing her up, she shot a small, embarrassed smile before looking back at her food and swirling it about again, with everyone watching she took the smallest part of chicken she could find and eat it, "It's lovely" she said quietly at my Mom, my Mom just smiled but shot me a look and I knew that she knew about Cassidy's 'eating habits', "So Cassidy, what are your parents like?" My Mom asked as she was eating, I heard Cassidy sigh from relief as it stopped her from trying to eat, "Well my Dad he works at the hospital, he is a fully qualified nurse and my Step-Mom, Karen, she works at a lawyers firm" she smiled, "And your Mother?" My Dad asked, "Probably a run away or junkie?" Vic laughed, I felt her grip tighten a little as her tears build in her eyes, "Umm, she's not with us today sir, she passed away when I was little" she smiled before looking back at her plate, "Victor, I believe apologizes are in order my Dad said, Vic just looked at Cassidy with apologetic eyes, "Could I be excused?" She asked, my Mom nodded, "Of course dear, if you need the bathroom it's the third door on the left when you go upstairs" my Mom guided, she nodded and wiped her mouth, despite not eating anything, and ran out and up the stairs, I looked at Vic with angry eyes and he looked at me with guilt, "I'm sorry, I didn't know" he said holding up his hands, "No you didn't so you should never had put that comment in" I said standing up, "Mike I-" he started but I cut him off, "Don't" I said looking at him annoyed and angry before I raced up the stairs after Cassidy, when I got to the toilet I heard muffled crying, "Cass?" I asked knocking on the door, suddenly the crying stopped, "Cassidy, I know you're in there" I said resting my head on the door, I heard her sniffle before she unlocked the door, she didn't look at me she just stared at the ground, "Are you okay?" I asked, she nodded and continued to stare at the ground, suddenly Vic appeared beside me, "Cassidy, can I speak to you?" He asked, her head shot up and looked at Vic, before turning and looking at me, "Sure" "No" we said at the same time, I shot Cassidy a look and she smiled softly, "I'll be down in a minute" she said before giving me a small kiss on the lips and sending me on my way.

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*Cassidy's POV*

"If you're going to insult me again I think you should quit while you're ahead" I said turning and walking in the bathroom to fix my make up, "I'm not here to insult you, I'm here to apologize" he said, I turned and looked at him, "I don't want a forced apology Vic, I want a genuine apology, so when you're ready for that, let me know" I said smiling and walking past him, "Wait" he said quickly, I felt a tight grip on my wrist and a wave of electricity rush through me, I wasn't sure if it was anger, fear or hate but it made me turn around and made me want to listen to what he had to say, "I know I've been cold and hateful towards you, but it doesn't mean I don't like you" he started, I laughed a little, "Really because it seems like it?" I retorted, "I'm just looking out for Mike's best interests, after Frenchi he went down hill, excessive drinking, smoking and drugs, he got really hurt and I'm just trying to make sure it doesn't happen again" he explained, I rolled my eyes and shrugged my hand out of his grip, "By driving me away? You thought by driving his girlfriend away, you'd make him happy, now is it just me or is that fucked up?" I asked, he looked down sheepishly, "Well when you say it like that..." he trailed off, "When you're ready Vic, when you're ready" I smiled politely before walking downstairs, I saw Mike and his Dad sitting at the table while Mrs Fuentes was dithering about, doing the dishes, as soon as Mike saw me he stood up and rushed over, "Are you okay?" He asked, I smiled and nodded, "I just want to go home Mike" I sighed rubbing my face, he nodded and smiled softly, "Mom, Dad, we're gonna go home, we'll see you soon though, yeah?" He said, Mr and Mrs Fuentes came over to us, hugging each of us goodbye, "Stay safe my dears, oh and Cassidy, I do apologize for Vic's behavior tonight" Mrs Fuentes said as we were heading out the door, I smiled and nodded before jumping in Mike's car and fastening my seat belt, "So what do you want to do when we go home?" He asked, I looked at him, "I'd rather go home to my house" I smiled before he nodded, "Okay, I'll drop you off" he said before turning to drive into my street.

Notes

Okay, there is going to be some mental and physical abuse in the next chapter, just a per warning for anyone that may be triggered