Tatiana sat frozen in the car, her face turning red as a tomato, and her lips sealed shut. The image of Cassius carrying her replayed in her mind, causing her heart to race uncontrollably.
Regaining her senses, she shot a glare at the man driving. “What was that? Why did you carry me?” she snapped.
“I needed to talk to you privately. Resist again, and I’ll do more than that. I hate disobedience,” he replied, his voice cold. But Tatiana couldn’t care less.
“Why should I obey you?” she questioned.
“You don’t need a reason. No one does,” he responded, his gaze still fixed on the road.
Tatiana scoffed. “You’re used to people obeying you, aren’t you? Well, sorry to burst your bubble, but I’m not that kind. I do what I want.”
“Not with me,” he turned his head towards her, his emotionless blue eyes piercing through her. “I told you I would show you the consequences of crossing paths with me, little rebel,” he added before returning his attention to the road.
“What’s with the nickname?” Tatiana raised an eyebrow.
“It suits you well. Little Rebel,” he stretched the nickname enough to upset her, and it did. “Now be quiet before I do something else.”
“Are you upset because I rejected your offer?” She raised her brow. Cassius shut his eyes momentarily, then opened them again. Her disobedience!
“No,” he mumbled. “But I’m wondering why you think I would accept such a deal from you. You want my resources and help to find your sister’s killer… in return, you’ll pay me? How?”
“Money.”
“You think I don’t have that?”
“I’ll make a successful comeback soon, so my fame will be yours.”
“You think I don’t have that too?”
Tatiana sighed. She knew that getting help from this man would come at a price. She had nothing to offer him yet.
“What do you want, then?”
A smirk formed on the man’s lips. “Whatever I want. You’ll come whenever I call you, help whenever I ask you to. No matter the circumstances.”
“If it’s something I can’t do, then I won’t. You have to consider that too,” Tatiana stated firmly.
“Fine,” he replied. Tatiana didn’t expect him to agree so easily. She felt guilty for thinking he was about to ask for her body. He was just so confusing!
The car stopped in front of her apartment, and Tatiana wasn’t surprised that he knew where she lived. She got out of the car hastily, and he drove away without uttering a word.
—
“How are you feeling, ma’am?” the nurse asked Maya, who sat on the bed with a blank expression.
“It hurts a little,” Maya replied, her dry, pale lips quivering.
“Alright, ma’am. All you need is rest, and please be careful not to fall again. It could cause internal injuries, possibly requiring surgery,” the nurse informed Maya, who nodded slowly.
“I’ll go get the doctor before you’re discharged,” the nurse said, leaving after receiving a nod from Maya. Maya’s tired gaze shifted to her hand, covered in bandages.
She had lied, claiming that she had accidentally spilled soup on herself while cooking. Her chest, stomach, back, and leg ached tremendously. She concealed her pain behind a smile.
If people were to discover the truth, her husband would kill her.
She had no one to turn to. Or maybe she did…
She simply didn’t want to involve her in her mess, particularly when they had no power.
After being discharged, Maya headed to the grocery store. She disguised herself to avoid being photographed by the media.
Mason loved freshly cooked food and wouldn’t eat the same meal twice, so she had to cook two or three times a day.
“Cookies! Cookies!” a tiny voice caught her attention. Maya’s eyes landed on a young, adorable boy pointing upwards.
She let out a pained smile-she didn’t have a child of her own, and the reason behind it felt like a stab in her heart.
“Maya?”
Maya froze; someone had recognized her even in disguise.
“Maya, it’s me, Cat,” Catelyn said, locking eyes with Maya.
“Auntie,” Maya forced a smile.
“Maya,” Catelyn closed the distance between them and hugged Maya, sensing her wince and frown.
“Are you okay?” Catelyn asked, her narrowed eyes taking in Maya’s shocked and fearful expression.
“I’m fine. I… I got into an accident, so I don’t feel well.”
“Oh my God, are you alright? What are you doing here all by yourself? Where’s your husband?”
“He had something to attend to. I’m fine, and I have to go. I need to eat and take my medicine,” Maya nodded hurriedly and left the scene.
Catelyn’s brow furrowed; something was definitely wrong.
“No! That’s not yours!” Dylan suddenly snapped at a man, diverting Catelyn’s attention.
A man was holding the chocolate cookies she intended to buy for him-the last pack.
“I saw them first, and I wanted them first,” Dylan spoke again, leaving the man unsure of what to do.
“Please, sir, those are his favorite cookies. I was about to buy them before I got momentarily distracted,” Catelyn politely explained, and Hudson nodded.
He handed the cookies to Dylan, and the boy’s smile returned. Catelyn thanked the man and walked away.
Hudson narrowed his eyes at the boy; he resembled his boss so much.
“Well, this is nonsense,” he shook his head. “The boss doesn’t have a child. What a coincidence that they both love the same cookies. The boy is adorable, but quite cold.”
He looked up and found none of Cassius’s favorite cookies remaining.
“He’s going to kill me,” Hudson mumbled.
“What? You gave them to a boy?” As expected, Cassius’s voice didn’t sound pleased.
“He wanted it so badly, so I gave them to him. I’m sure the store will have…”
“Hey!” Cassius’s voice cut him off. “Do you know how badly I’m craving them? I’m definitely chopping off your head once you get here!”
“Did I do a wrong thing making a young boy happy? Fine! Fine! I’ll find your damn cookies!” Hudson snapped and ended the call.
“Fuck him, fuck him, fuck him,” he cursed, glaring at his phone as if it were Cassius.
His face suddenly dropped, recalling the fact Tatiana had rejected the offer.
“Something fishy is definitely between my idol and Boss,” he mumbled.