Gavin froze, unable to move a muscle. Others stared at him, wondering what was affecting him so much.
“Go on,” Cassius ordered, but Gavin remained frozen. The man before him was scary!
“Mr. Gavin,” Director Felix called out, snapping Gavin out of his trance. “Aren’t you going to…”
“Let’s remove the kissing scene!” Gavin suddenly snapped. His chest heaved as he tried to calm himself.
“What do you mean?” The senior director blinked in confusion.
“I actually talked to the writer and asked her to add it. I did it because I am into Tatiana-” Gavin saw Cassius’s eyes darken at his words and quickly added, “Which was stupid of me, because Tatiana is taken and her man won’t like it.”
Others on set exchanged looks.
Felix’s eyes squinted as if he was getting a hint. His eyes shifted to Tatiana and then to Cassius, whose eyes remained cold. Could it be that the man Gavin was referring to was Cassius?
Why else would Cassius come to the set just because of a kiss? That implied the father of Tatiana’s child was Cassius.
Director Felix choked on his own saliva and began to cough. Even the senior director got the hint. Cassius had solely come here for Tatiana.
Felix’s cough was the only thing heard. He was offered water, and when he calmed down, he spoke. “Good. Then there will be no kissing scene. We’ll act it the way it was before,” he chuckled awkwardly.
The senior director didn’t argue; instead, he stared at Cassius, whose presence exuded power.
The action started, and Cassius watched as Tatiana stared at Gavin with affection.
It’s just an act, his subconscious mind reminded him.
She confessed her love for Gavin according to the script and held his hand. As she did, Gavin twitched. It took every nerve in him not to check Cassius’s expression, but he could feel the intense gaze on him.
Gavin could only pray this would end soon, and it did.
“Cut!” Director Felix finally said the word, and Gavin let out a sigh of relief. “That was good, guys. Thank you,” he appreciated.
Gavin bowed to them and deeply to Cassius before rushing to the restroom. He splashed running water on his face and took a deep breath.
He had made mistakes while acting; the director just hadn’t mentioned them. Never in his life had such a thing happened before. Cassius was just as they had described him.
His presence was dangerous. He couldn’t think of anything but him.
The door suddenly opened, and he turned swiftly. His eyes met Meadow’s.
“Are you okay?” she asked as she stepped forward.
“Yeah, yeah, I’m fine,” Gavin swallowed, and Meadow tried to touch him, but he stopped her. “What are you doing?”
Meadow stuttered. “I… I… have played my part. You have to keep your promise.”
“Well, I didn’t kiss her,” Gavin frowned.
“You were the one who asked for the removal. It took a lot of work to make the senior director agree to this. I see no reason why you liked Tatiana so much, but she is taken, and I’m not-”
“The deal is off. I changed my mind,” Gavin cut in and made to leave, but she held him back.
“Off? You can’t do this. We had an agreement. I played my part, and you should play yours. Date me,” she demanded.
“Let go,” Gavin jerked his arm away. “Stop being clingy, for fuck’s sake.”
Meadow watched him leave and scoffed. “So this is how it’s gonna be, huh?” she mumbled with a cold gaze.
By the time Gavin returned, Cassius had left with the senior director. Tatiana was discussing something with Felix. Their gazes met, and he looked away. He left with his assistant.
“I hope Mr. King isn’t upset?” Director Felix asked worriedly.
“He is fine. Don’t worry about him,” Tatiana assured, and the man nodded.
“I’ll make sure words don’t get out,” Felix smiled.
“Thank you.”
___
[CASSIUS’S MANSION]
“Mom, I made an airplane with cartons. Butler Conrad helped!” Dylan ran towards Tatiana with a crafted plane.
“It’s beautiful,” Tatiana complimented.
“How was work, mother?” Dylan asked as they both stepped further into the apartment.
“Work was great, dear.”
“Little Lion!” Jolene also stepped in with two plastic bags. Her eyes widened with excitement.
“Miss Jojo!” Dylan exclaimed and ran to hug her. Jolene poured kisses on Dylan’s face until the boy complained.
“Your kiss should be limited. Mom might get jealous.”
Tatiana snickered, and her mind suddenly drifted to Landon. That’s right; Nathan was currently in Cassius’s dark hold and Paisley in prison. Was Landon okay?
Jolene chuckled and hugged him again. “I’ve missed you, little one.”
“Me too. You’ve got some scary stories? I’ve missed them.”
“You don’t get scared, so they’re useless,” Jolene shrugged.
“No, they are good. You’re a good storyteller. I liked your stories,” Dylan replied, and Jolene grinned.
“That’s so sweet of you. I’ve got you something,” Jolene pulled out a box of his favorite cookies and a lion toy.
“Cool. I’ll eat these cookies with my father. Thanks,” Dylan grinned, and Jolene pecked his cheek.
Tatiana’s phone beeped, and she checked her phone, only to read Cassius’s message.
~It’s time, little rebel~
___
Tatiana stepped into the not-so-dark room, with some guards protectively walking with her. Her eyes met Nathan’s, whose face was lowered as he remained seated on the floor with his knees folded.
Sensing her presence, Nathan looked up, and when their gazes met, Tatiana could barely recognize him. Cassius had indeed tortured this man.
He looked lean and dirty. Those eyes that were once full of pride were nowhere to be found.
“Tatiana,” he muttered as she stepped forward.
“Nathan,” Tatiana called out, her voice devoid of emotion. “Are you ready?”
“You wouldn’t be here if I wasn’t,” Nathan scoffed. Slowly, he pulled himself up and knelt before her. His jaw was clenched so hard. He had sworn never to kneel before her, but…
Who wouldn’t do it after being tortured by Cassius? No wonder he was feared.
One of the men behind her brought a chair for her to sit on. Tatiana sat and crossed her legs.
“Can I ask a question before I start?” Nathan asked, raising his head to meet her gaze.
“Which is?” She tilted her head.
“How did you meet Mr. King?” he questioned, his voice husky.
Tatiana stared at the man whose eyes looked helpless before her. She didn’t pity him. Nathan deserved every single thing that was happening to him.
“The night you betrayed me, I got drunk and found myself in his bed. I had Dylan in Europe and returned to the country to destroy the one who killed my sister,” Tatiana’s voice dripped with venom.
“So if it weren’t for your sister, you wouldn’t have come? You didn’t come to find Dylan’s father?”
“I’m not here to listen to your mind games, Nathan. Pour out the truth. Why did you kill Isabella?” she glared.
“So you can decide my fate? Just like Zero, being fucked by brutal guys and watched by the military. I guess mine would be worse,” Nathan chuckled.
Tatiana smiled. “Glad you know it.”
Nathan chuckled. “One night, your father called me. He said he still wanted to collaborate with my father’s company, and marrying Isabella off to me was the best way.”
Tatiana clenched her jaw. Her father would never change. Must he use his daughter as a tool to build his own empire? She would come for him soon.
“But you were already married to Paisley. What else did you want?” Tatiana asked. This Nathan man disgusted her so much.
“Extra boobs, ass, and power. Why in the world would I reject such an offer?” Nathan asked.
Tatiana scoffed.
“We discussed this long before Isabella made a hit in the entertainment industry. She was the younger version of you. The only difference was her hot temper. When she heard the news of her father selling her off to me, she didn’t take it lightly.”