Chapter 27 Calling Her

Christopher's POV

After Cassandra ran away from my house, I sent someone to follow her. I also sent a taxi for her because I knew she didn’t have money and didn’t bring her phone.

She left her phone and her bag in my car. So, I also sent those items to her house after installing GPS on both of her phones.

“You did it, right?” Dexon, who had been sitting quietly across from me, now spoke after a medic finished wrapping the wound on my neck.

“Did what?”

There are so many possible meanings for that damn question, and I didn’t want to fall into a trap.

“Telling her,” Dexon frowned. “You told her you’re her husband.”

“Oh,” I nodded.

“What do you think I was asking?” He asked again.

I ignored the question and chose to focus on the GPS of the taxi Cassandra was riding.

She actually went home, not stopping by a bar like she used to do when she was frustrated.

“Franco messed everything up. I want you to handle his work while I figure out what to do with him.”

“You’re not thinking of killing him, are you?”

“And make Cassandra hate me even more?” I countered. “I’ll forget that idea for now.”

I could still feel the anger inside me when I remembered how Franco pushed her and made her fall with the large vase that landed on her body.

What made me even angrier was the fact that Cassandra still tried to plead at my feet to save him after what he did to her.

Damn, I know there’s something between them. And it makes me so angry.

“Is your head okay? Are you sure it doesn’t need stitches?” Dexon asked.

“I’m fine.” I felt a little dizzy, and it happened because Franco hit my head hard, not because I lost a lot of blood.

“She shot you, and now she’s making you hurt. Aren’t you overdoing it lately, Chris?”

“It wasn’t Cassandra who gave me this wound. It was Franco. He couldn’t fight back, so he got very angry and did this.” I explained casually. “But since I already beat him up first, I think it’s fair for the wound I gave him. And about Cassandra,” I paused for a moment while I tried to find the right words to explain everything, “you know I’ve been looking for her my whole life, and I didn’t have any clues except her green eyes. And now, I found her like a miracle. There’s nothing excessive about this. What I’m doing now is still within reasonable limits. But if I can’t control her, of course, I could use methods beyond what she imagines.”

***

I stepped out of the elevator to head to Franco’s apartment. I have access to his apartment door because he lives in my old apartment, which is not far from his workplace.

“Are you sure you want to do this?” Dexon, who walked beside me, asked.

“I’m just going to meet my cousin, not a convicted terrorist,” I replied.

“Yeah, the cousin who just hit your neck with a ceramic.”

I ignored what Dexon said and immediately opened Franco’s apartment door. I stepped in casually and sat in the living room, waiting for the owner to realize my arrival.

“I knew you’d come here,” Franco said as he walked to the sofa with a bottle of champagne. He also brought two glasses and threw them on the table roughly.

I just smiled when I saw what the kid was doing. Apparently, he realized it faster than I expected.

But one thing I knew was that I might have already disturbed his territory, and he was angry about that. However, one thing Franco should know is that Cassandra is mine, and he’s the one disturbing my territory.

“Did they treat you well?” I hate small talk with anyone. It’s a waste of my time.

“You beat me up and sent someone to treat me. Is that how you play?”

I snorted and poured a drink into my glass, even though Franco hadn’t offered it to me.

“You also hit my neck, if you forgot,” I pointed to the bandage still on my neck.

“I did it because you beat me up, damn it!” He slammed the table, making my champagne glass spill on it.

“And I did it because you made Cassandra hurt.” I stared at him seriously—showing him that I wasn’t kidding about what I said since morning.

I could see Franco’s face hardening when I mentioned Cassandra’s name. I could feel how much her name affected him, and I hated that.

“Stay away from her, Chris,” Franco said in a low voice. “I’m serious when I say she’s mine.”

“I can throw our marriage certificate right now if you want.”

“Don’t play with her,” Franco looked up, and his eyes stared sharply. “You know I love her.”

I knew he wasn’t joking. His eyes clearly showed that he was hurt by everything that happened. But what could I do? Let Cassandra go for him?

Hell, I’ve been looking for that woman for over a decade—since I escaped from that kidnapping house and left her alone there. After finding her, I will never let her go, no matter the reason. And coincidentally, we’re married, so my position is far higher than Franco’s.

“I married her before I knew you had a relationship with her, Franco. So, I’m here to warn you.” I took a deep breath. “You know I’m usually not this nice to people who try to mess with what’s mine. But you’re my cousin, and I still remember that clearly. So, don’t make me change my mind.”

“That marriage isn’t legal, right?” Franco retorted, “Cassie never said anything about the marriage.”

“Because we agreed to hide it,” I shrugged.

“Bullshit! She doesn’t even know you’re her husband!” He snapped at me, and I took it. “How could you both be married if she doesn’t even recognize you, damn it?! I know you must have trapped her!”

“Yes, I did.”

“Damn it!”

Franco stood up and nearly attacked me. However, Dexon stopped him and pushed him back into his seat.

“Easy, Franco! I don’t want you both ending up with more injuries,” Dexon said.

“I don’t care about that! I could kill him right now, just like he’s always said to me!”

“Yes, but if there’s another way other than killing each other, I’ll try to make it happen for you guys,” Dexon held Franco in place while I grabbed my glass and refilled it with champagne.

This isn’t my favorite collection, but I’ll appreciate Franco’s hospitality.

“For whatever reason, I married her, and she’s my wife,” I said after taking a sip. “You didn’t know before, so I tried to stay nice with you. But now you know, and I warn you not to approach her in any way, or I’ll give you a punishment you’ll regret.”

“You’re going to kill me?” Franco stared at me defiantly.

“Nope,” I shook my head. “You know that killing is too easy, right? I’m not here to threaten to kill you. I would have done it already if I wanted.”

“You’re a crazy, ruthless man!” He snapped again.

“You’re just getting to know me, huh? Aren’t you one of my dogs? Now you’re daring to judge me.” I laughed. “Whatever. You can say that if you really want to.”

I glanced at my watch and took a short breath when I realized I had been here too long.

“I heard Frederica is in London right now,” I glanced at him briefly. “Your mom and dad are there too, right?”

“You won’t do that,” Franco shook his head when I mentioned his sister’s name.

“What can’t I do, cousin? I can turn someone’s life upside down as easily as flipping my hand. So I can turn Frederica’s perfect life into hell if you mess with my woman.” I smiled briefly. “And isn’t the police looking for your father? What if I send them his location right now?”

***

I lay down on my bed and closed my eyes.

The maid hadn’t changed the sheets because I hadn’t allowed them to enter. I kept my room locked since morning and only returned near midnight.

Normally, I prefer to spend time on the balcony smoking before bed. But this time, the bed felt more... interesting than the cigarette.

I could faintly smell a perfume that was familiar to me.

Damn. This is Cassandra’s perfume. I could still smell her hair scent on the side of the bed she used last night. Even the bloodstain from her virginity was still there, and I couldn’t believe I was able to sleep peacefully now.

Fuck, I think I should change the sheets, but leave Cassandra’s pillow here.

***

“Mr. Alexavier,” Sergio greeted me as usual when I stepped out of the private elevator at my office.

I hadn’t come to the office for two days, but I knew I didn’t need to worry about anything here because Sergio could always handle it well. He’s like Dexon—someone I can rely on, but they have different skills and tasks.

“Where is she?” I turned my head and stopped when I realized that Cassandra hadn’t arrived, and her desk was still empty even though office hours had passed.

Last night, I slept with the scent of her perfume that was growing fainter, and then this morning, when I thought I would see her standing behind her desk, I found that she wasn’t there.

“She said she wanted to resign, Mr. Alexavier.” Sergio bowed respectfully. “She didn’t give a reason and refused the salary she was supposed to receive today.”

I could feel my emotions rising again. “She’s what?”

“Unfortunately, that’s what happened,” Sergio gave me a regretful look. “Should I notify HR to recruit a new secretary?”

“That’s completely unnecessary, Sergio.” I turned my head to him. “I’m not getting a new secretary. I want Cassandra. So, make sure she’s back at this desk when I arrive tomorrow morning.”

After saying that, I walked into my office and closed the door.

Cassandra is really hard to control, and honestly, I had thought that she would probably decide to resign after what happened yesterday. But I quickly dismissed my suspicions when I knew that she needed money—she was desperately in need of money.

But this morning, I found she didn’t come.

And… I also received a resignation letter.

What the hell is this?!

I immediately took out my phone and called her number. But after calling more than 10 times, I found that all the calls didn’t connect.

Damn. She really wants to mess with me.

“Cassandra?” I frowned when the call finally connected.

For a moment, I pulled the phone away from my ear to make sure Cassandra had really answered my call. And yes... it was Cassandra’s number that I saved as ‘Little Tiger,’ fitting her personality. It was her private number, the one I often called when I played the role of her husband.

“If it’s not important, I’ll hang up.”

And it was her voice.

“Damn, you didn’t take my call earlier, and now you’re making me go through all this trouble just to contact my wife.”

There was no response on the other end, and I glanced at my phone screen anxiously, afraid she might have hung up, and I’d have to go through all this trouble again.

“Luckily, I have both of your numbers, so I can contact you again now.” I took a short breath and then looked at the resignation letter she had left on my desk this morning. I didn’t know when she had done it, I hadn’t had a chance to check the CCTV yet and rushed to call her. “Why didn’t you pick up my call earlier?”

“I resigned. I have no obligation to answer your call.”

“But you’re taking my call now,” I replied.

“I can’t file for a divorce right now, so I still have to answer your call.”

I gripped my phone tightly because I could feel the emotions rising inside me. I’ve never had trouble dealing with anyone—I get whatever I want, even before I say it. But Cassandra is a bit different, and I have to admit that this woman is the toughest.

“Come to the office tomorrow morning.” That’s all I could say in the midst of the emotions overtaking me.

“I resigned.”

This woman is really playing with my emotions, and I hate it.

“No, you can’t. What can you give me in return, Cassandra?”

“You slept with me. You took it from me. Is that not enough?” I could hear the emotion in her voice, and I felt relieved because I wasn’t the only one feeling frustrated with this conversation.

“Not enough,” I replied calmly. “I want it again, now.”

“I don’t give a shit about you, bastard!” She shouted loudly. “This is not a real marriage where I have to always serve you and spread my legs every time you want it. You can sleep with other women, and that’s none of my business!”

“Talking about your legs makes me harder, Cassandra. You’re just making it harder for us when you should know I can have you right now.”

“If you can get me, then you can get another green-eyed woman. You can fuck her on your office desk, and no one will stop you, bastard. So stop bothering me because I’m fed up with all of this!”

“Fuck in my office?” I laughed, amused. “You just gave me an interesting idea. So, do you choose to come here, or should I come to your house and fuck you in front of your mom? The choice is yours. But I’d recommend fucking in my office because it sounds more humane.”