CHAPTER EIGHTY-THREE - MAJOR SETBACKS

Before Cassius could respond, Vanessa pulled up a chair, squeezing in between them. "You simply must catch me up on everything. How's Clarissa? I ran into her the other day, and she mentioned you might be free for dinner soon." Mara's coffee turned bitter in her mouth as she watched Vanessa lean in close to Cassius, laughing at some shared memory. She couldn't shake the feeling that this "chance" encounter was anything but accidental. As Vanessa regaled them with stories of her and Cassius's past adventures, Mara felt herself shrinking into the background. She glanced at her watch, suddenly desperate to be anywhere but here. "I'm so sorry," she said, standing abruptly. "I just remembered I have a conference call in fifteen minutes. I should head back to the office." Cassius looked up at her, concern etched on his face. "Mara, wait-" But Mara was already gathering her things. "It was nice meeting you, Vanessa. Cassius, I'll call you later." As she hurried out of the café, Mara cou