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Rafael, ever the showman, gestured grandly as if he were unveiling a priceless painting. “Cassie, meet Veronica Lane—one of our brightest stars, sharpest tongues, and possibly the only woman in this building who could out-drama me in a staring contest.” The woman, Veronica, arched one perfectly sculpted brow at his introduction. Her lips curved, but the smile didn’t reach her eyes. “Flattery as always, Rafael? At this hour? You must need something. And... who's this?” she said, motioning her eyes towards Cassie. Cassie stood awkwardly at Rafael’s side, clutching her bag strap. She forced a polite smile. “Hi. I’m Cassie.” Veronica’s gaze flickered over her once more, slow and deliberate yet again. Then she tilted her head, her voice smooth but carrying a sting Cassie couldn’t miss. “Cassie… And Rafael escorted you here personally, I guess. How interesting.” Something about the way she said it made Cassie’s skin prickle. Why do I feel like I just signed up for a competition I di
Cassie flushed, caught between flattered and panicked. “Rafael…”Before she could protest further, he clapped his hands together. “Perfect timing! There are producers here today. They’re scouting new faces for an upcoming film. You should try out. I’ll take you to them now.” Her eyes widened in alarm. “Wait—what? I didn’t come here for that! I'm not ready to film. At least, i need some time to learn and get the drill first, right?” “Cassie, please.” Rafael waved away her panic like it was smoke. “This is me. Trust me. Worst case? You embarrass yourself, I laugh, and we get drinks later. Best case? You blow them away, and suddenly you’re the next big thing. Either way, I win.” Cassie stared at him, torn between horror and amusement. Rafael was impossible to reason it. He's of the same height and body structure as Nikolai. Both sinfully handsome and powerful. While Nikolai is like ice, Rafael is like the sun. “You’re insane.” “Yes,” Rafael said cheerfully. “But I’m fun insane.” As
Cassie’s phone buzzed softly in her hand. She glanced down at Rafael’s reply to her message: “Stay put. I’m coming down myself.” She blinked, surprised. Rafael, the big boss of the company, was actually coming down just to greet her? That was something she hadn’t expected. She thought he night be busy and would have sent someone to pick her up. But not himself. She sighed and slid her phone back into her bag and leaned lightly against the marble wall by the elevator, as she tried not to mind all the curious gazes at her. The lobby was massive, Cassie noticed, with the constant stream of people striding past with folders, scripts, and cups of coffee. She subconsciously smoothed her dress for the third time, suddenly hyper-aware of how out of place she must look. The ding of the private elevator cut through the noise. The doors slid open and out stepped Rafael, his usual vibrant energy practically spilling into the air around him. His sharp suit couldn’t hide the easy char
The Drive to Rafael's Company was set in silence throughout. Nikolai's hands gripped the wheel tightly, his knuckles raw and bandaged with Cassie's makeshift care. The silence in the car was heavy without any of them wanting to break it. What happened back at the cemetery was... Cassie sat quietly beside Nikolai, her fingers twisted together in her lap as she fidgeted. Every few seconds, she glanced at his profile. His jaw was sharp, clenched, and his eyes stayed fixed on the road. But beneath that cold, stoic mask, she could still feel the aftershocks of his rage. Finally, she reached out, her hand resting gently on his arm. "Nick..." Her voice was soft, hesitant. His eyes flicked briefly to her before returning to the road. "Yes?" "You didn't have to do all that for me." Her voice wavered as she spoke. "I could've handled him." Nikolai let out a humorless chuckle, low and rough. "Handled him? Woman, he was one second away from forcing himself on you. If I hadn't shown up, "
When they reached the driveway, Emily was still fast asleep in the backseat of the car, her tiny chest rising and falling peacefully. Cassie let out a shaky breath of relief that her daughter hadn't witnessed any of the violence. Nikolai opened the passenger door for her gently, his earlier fury hidden under a tight mask. Cassie climbed in, but before she could say anything, she noticed his bloodied knuckles trembling slightly. "Nick," she whispered, pulling out a pack of wet wipes from her bag. "Let me." She took his hands tenderly, wiping the blood away with slow and careful strokes. Her fingers lingered over his torn skin, making her heart ache at the sight. Nikolai watched her carefully, his jaw tense, anger still simmering beneath his calm exterior. "He touched you," he muttered darkly, his voice still low and dangerous. "He touched what's mine. I should've killed him." Cassie paused, her thumb brushing softly over his bruised knuckles. Her eyes met his, steady and warm.
FEW MINUTES AGO... Nikolai had been waiting for Cassie to come down for a while now. He played with Emily until the little girl fell asleep. Yet, Cassie was still back. Nikolai frowned, not knowing what to do. Then, he gently lay his daughter in the backseat and got out of the car. He made sure to lock it before making his way up the cemetery. He just wanted to make sure that Cassie was okay. However, when he got nearer, he heard shouting. He quickened his steps, and his breath caught in his throat when he saw the scene in front of him. "Let go of my wife, you asshole!" Nikolai stood tall, his chest heaving, every muscle coiled with rage. He looked like death incarnate. Raymond let go of Cassie and took a step back as if his body couldn't go against Nikolai's voice. "Touch her again," Nikolai growled, his voice low, dangerous, "and I'll bury you right here." Nikolai's roar ripped through the quiet cemetery like a thunderclap, raw with fury. He rushed towards him and his fi