Chapter Three

CASSY

“What do you mean by leaving for two months? I can do the internship from here can't I.” I said calmly, my spoon scraping my plate as I sat in front of my father for yet another ritual of a breakfast.

Maybe I would be happy if I had a chance to catch up with what my father is telling me. Right now, I’m too busy trying to understand what he just said. I’m going to another city in Russia for an internship? Why would he even want me out of the city knowing how paranoid he was about protecting me. What on earth was he thinking or plotting now? “But i didn't apply for an internship. You rejected the idea once, didn't you?”

“You didn’t have to. I took care of everything. Don’t I always?” Yes, he does, and right now, that doesn’t make me feel happy. As usual, I don’t get any say in my life. What a trade-off. I have all the money I could ever want. I never have to worry about anything, but I also don’t get to make a choice. Not even where I finally get to work after all these month of trying to convince him.”

He’s looking at me like he expects me to be grateful, so I put on a smile. “This is great.” I almost roll my eyes inwardly. Whatever it was he was planning I didn't want to be involved. But I couldn't say that straight to him. He would think I was an ungrateful brat mother didn't raise well. I know how lucky I am. My life could’ve gone in a very different direction if he hadn’t found me. I could be out on the streets or just scraping by while working two jobs. Instead, I practically live in a castle.

The least I could do was just do this just once.

I have been living practically like a prisoner for the past year and finally I'm not on the losing end. I will have a but of freedom away from his peering gaze. “Everything is already taken care of. I already have your housing settled, your furnitures and everything just the way you like it. You will get enough rest before you resume work.”

I looked down at my breakfast, almost letting out abtired sigh but I held myself back. “Thank you.” I mumbled underneath my breath.

“The best for my sweetheart.” he said with a smile. “I have to say I'll miss having you around. We haven't been together for a long time but I know I'll feel your absence once you leave. But I have to get used to it. Sooner or later, you'll have to get married and leave me here.”

I looked up at him but he wasn't looking directly at me. This wasn't the first time he was speaking about this marriage of a thing. It was like he wasn't ready to let it go and it strangely annoyed me. I didn't have anything in my name and he spoke about marriage here and there.

I could tell he was picturing marriage to one of those stuck up rich kids who feed off their father's money and barely know a thing about working for themselves. “You said the internship is two months right. I'll be back. That's if I don't get a permanent job.”

“Why would you work permanently with another person?” His eyebrows drew together, slightly arched. I looked at him the same way. Why would you send me for an internship just for the sake of the internship? “Let that be. Drake would be there to oversee you so I have nothing to worry about during the two months.”

There I was, thinking I didn't have much of an appetite. Now it would be a miracle if I could keep down the next spoon without throwing up all over the table. table. I have to swallow back the bile that rises in my throat before answering. “Drake? What’s he got to do with anything?”

My father’s attention drifted down to his phone, but now it snaps back to me. “Obviously, Drake will go with you.”

“To work?”

“Naturally.” He stares at me, unblinking.

“Isn't that a bit extra for an intern? I don't even have a job there. Would the company agree–”

“They would go with anything I say. You need Drake with you at all times. What if anyone tries to plot against you there?” He pointed out, his brows furrowed, an expression I couldn't tell what was written all over his face. “Did you think I wojld leave you alone in a foreign state? I am no fool.”

I have to bite my tongue over that one. The last thing I want to do is piss him off, which means I have to be careful. “It’s just that Drak… I mean, what’s he going to do? Use my desk with me? Follow me around? Sit with me when I eat?”

“If I say he does, yes. That’s precisely what he’ll do.” His eyes narrow, and I know I’m dangerously close to the edge of his patience. He has a short fuse. And I mean an extremely short one. Not that he’s ever blown up on me, but I’ve been in the house when he’s blown up at other people. And every time, I found myself glad I wasn’t in that person’s shoes. I was thankful I didn't get his temper in any way.

“Is he going to be living with me?”

“Well, I’m not going to have you living alone, am I?” He blurts out a laugh like this is hilarious rather than a nightmare. This was a freaking nightmare. He picks up his knife and fork, shaking his head. “Like I would let my daughter live alone in a foreign city.”

Then why is he sending me there if he would make my life miserable there. How could I survive with him?

Why would he rather have me live with Drake, a man, than alone? “So it would just be the two of us?”

“Yes, it’s a two-bedroom condo not far from the company. There’s a security guard in the lobby, and an alarm system is going to be installed shortly.” He sounds very pleased with himself. “I’ll rest better at night knowing you’re safe.”

I’m glad he’ll sleep easy. Me, on the other hand? Then again, it’s pretty obvious I don’t have a say in any of this. Why would it matter how I feel about the decisions being made regarding my life?

That wasn't even the case. Considering how things has been going between Drake and I recently. And after how I embarrassed and humiliated myself before him, he had to make it worse by making us live together.

I have to push food around on my plate for a while to make it look like I’m eating before excusing myself from the table. All I want is to be alone. For him not to see what this is doing to me.

What was the point of the bodyguard. I admit I could be found anywhere like i was in Manhattan. But why? I don’t know what my dad does for a living or how he earned all this money in the first place, but there are times when I can’t help wondering if everything he does is legal.

I wasn't a kid not to know what was going on but still. He hid it so damn well. Or i just have never realized and he hasn't even done that.

I hurry down the hall, my footsteps muffled by the thick rug running down the length of the passage.

“Hey, Dad's pet.” My blood turns to ice the instant I hear his voice.