Soul Mates Read Online Free PDF Page A

two-hour train ride into the city, Jace described the morning’s encounter to his friend. The two began discussing how the rich controlled Port Hayden, how the middle class was disappearing, and how trying to get ahead in life was an exercise in futility. Chad liked to play devil’s advocate, and they often ended up debating topics they’d initially agreed upon. It frustrated Jace. Chad didn’t take life seriously; he stumbled his way through by chance. Ironically, the haphazard lifestyle worked for him. Luck was on his side more often than not. Jace couldn’t understand that. It didn’t seem fair.
    The topic of the woman at Jace’s apartment came up again as they sat in the crowded stadium, drinking beer and eating spicy nachos. “You should have heard her, though,” Jace stressed, disgust evident in his tone. “She acted like she owned the place.”
    “Maybe she does,” Chad shrugged. “Either that, or she represents the company that owns it.”
    “No, it’s privately owned. I met the guy once, last year. He manages it himself.”
    “Maybe she’s looking at buying it,” Chad offered.
    Jace hadn’t considered that. It was a possibility, and it explained why someone like her would be in his neighborhood. His frustration grew as he contemplated it. She was obviously interested in the land. Real estate in that area was being bought up and developed at an alarming rate. His building would no doubt be torn down to make room for yet another high rise.
    Inwardly, Jace seethed. He had no use for the aristocracy who believed they owned the city and were free to do with it as they pleased, regardless of the impact on its citizens. His anger was directed toward the woman who’d been in his building that morning, largely because of what she represented, and now he wished he’d given her a piece of his mind.
    CASSANDRA SPENT a contented afternoon walking in the gardens, playing with the dogs, and swimming laps in the pool. When her mother had to run out to an emergency meeting for one of her charity organizations, Cassandra suggested to her father that they have a casual evening meal together.
    “My thoughts exactly, kitten,” he winked. “And the timing couldn’t be better. The game’s on. Come and see the theatre I had installed last month.”
    She followed her father to the back of the house where the family room she’d known as a child had been transformed into a sophisticated home theatre. She gazed in awe at the mammoth screen, cinematic decor, and luxurious leather recliners. The window had been removed and the walls covered with panels to absorb and diffuse the sound. Soft lighting on the floor and walls gave the room an authentic movie theater feel. “Wow! How’d you manage this?” Cassandra shook her head, laughing. “Mother was adamant about making this into a conservatory. She had plans drawn up and everything. How did you get her to change her mind?”
    “I finally agreed to accompany her to Europe,” he grinned sheepishly. “It will mean three months of her dragging me into boutiques, eating ridiculous foods I despise in restaurants smaller than this room, and worst of all, visiting her uptight friends and their boring husbands. But wait till you hear the sound in here,” he added with sudden enthusiasm.
    “Oh Daddy,” Cassandra chuckled, giving her father a kiss on the cheek. “You never cease to amaze me.”
    They settled into the comfortable chairs to watch hockey, enjoying the meal delivered to them by the kitchen staff. Cassandra was familiar with the game, having watched many times with her father over the years, so she followed the play with interest. During commercial breaks, they picked up conversation where they’d last left it.
    “I had an interesting visit with Aunt Sophia this morning.”
    “How so?”
    “Well…,” she hesitated, not quite sure how to describe the unusual exchange. “She told me some things.”
    “What kinds of things?” The game was on again, but