Chapter 5

It had been a long day at Smith Mansion, so I decided to cook some special dishes for my husband. I rummaged through the fridge and pantry, looking for ingredients that would make a delicious meal. As I chopped vegetables and marinated meat, the aroma of spices filled the kitchen. I smiled, excited about going to the building in Delaware Enterprises where my husband was working as a CEO.

After a couple of hours of cooking, I finally finished preparing the dishes. I took one last look at the food, ensuring everything was perfect, before packing it up and heading out to the Delaware.

Upon arriving at the building, I was greeted by a luxurious skyscraper towering high above the city. I entered, awestruck by the opulence surrounding me.

I took the elevator to the top floor, where my husband's office was situated. As I stepped out of the elevator, his assistant met me and led me to his office.

My husband was at his desk, engrossed in a pile of papers. As I entered, he looked up, his face dark, and I sensed he wasn't happy to see me.

"Is everything okay?" I asked, trying to sound as casual as possible.

He sighed and rubbed his temples. "What are you doing here?" His irritation was evident.

"I'm here to bring you this. I cooked it for you, and I hope you'll like it," I said, trying to keep my tone light. I handed him the container filled with his favorite dish, my hands shaking slightly.

He looked surprised, but quickly masked it with a small smile. "You didn't have to do this," he said, accepting the container from me. "But thank you."

I shrugged, trying to conceal my nerves. "I wanted to. Cooking helps me unwind," I explained.

He lifted the lid of the container and the rich scent of the food filled the air. His eyes widened slightly and he looked at me, a genuine smile lighting up his face. "This smells incredible. You've outdone yourself," he complimented, sounding truly pleased.

A wave of relief washed over me. "I'm glad you think so," I replied, returning his smile. "Enjoy your meal."

As I started to leave his office, he called out to me. "Wait," he said. I turned back to him, an eyebrow raised in inquiry. He seemed a bit uncertain for a moment, then offered, "Would you like to join me? There's more than enough for two."

I hesitated, taken aback by his invitation. But then I nodded, accepting his offer. "Sure, I'd love to," I agreed. And so, we sat down to enjoy the meal together, the previous tension gradually replaced by a comfortable camaraderie.

As we shared the meal I had prepared, the atmosphere in the room began to shift. The earlier tension seemed to dissolve, replaced by a sense of ease and warmth.

The meal ended all too soon, and as I rose to clear the dishes, my husband stopped me. "Let me," he offered, standing up. "You cooked, so I'll clean up."

I smiled at him, touched by his thoughtfulness. "Thank you," I said, watching as he began to clear the table.

I never imagined that Cassian had such a genuine side, especially given his usual hot-tempered demeanor. Seeing him relaxed and open, a stark contrast to his usual stern businessman persona, was a pleasant surprise.

This side of him made me realize how much he'd been keeping to himself. Perhaps his fiery temper was just a shield, a facade to keep people at a distance. But today, he'd let me see beyond that, and it made me appreciate him even more.

"Cassian," I broke the comfortable silence that had settled between us. He looked at me, his eyes questioning. "I just wanted to say... thank you. For this. For letting me in."

Cassian seemed surprised by my words, but then his serious demeanor quickly returned. His brows furrowed, as if he was deep in thought.

"Is everything okay?" I asked, concern creeping into my voice.

He looked at me, his eyes softening slightly. "Yes, everything's fine," he assured me.

The room was filled with silence that was both comfortable and slightly awkward. Cassian was still holding my hand, his grip firm yet gentle. He was looking at me with an intensity that made my heart flutter. It was as if he was truly seeing me for the first time.

I could see the internal struggle in his eyes, the battle between his desire to open up and his instinct to protect himself. It was clear that this was new territory for him, that he wasn't used to being vulnerable.

"Cassian," I broke the silence. "You don't have to say anything if you're not ready. I understand if this is hard for you."

He looked at me, his eyes filled with gratitude. "Thank you, Elizabeth," he said. "For understanding, for being patient with me."

I gave his hand a reassuring squeeze. "Of course, Cassian. Take all the time you need."

We spent the rest of the day in silence, simply enjoying each other's company. It was a different kind of intimacy, one not based on words but on understanding and acceptance. Despite the occasional awkwardness, I wouldn't have traded it for anything. Because it was in these quiet moments that I felt closest to Cassian, that I felt like I was truly getting to know him. I knew that, with time, he would lower his guard and open up to me. And I was willing to wait, no matter how long it took.

"About what I mentioned earlier, regarding my mom. Can I bring her to the mansion?" I asked him, hoping he would agree.

Cassian paused, his eyes meeting mine. The silence stretched on, and for a moment, I was afraid he would say no. But then, he let out a sigh and ran a hand through his hair.

"Your mother is important to you, isn't she?" he asked, his voice softer than I'd ever heard it before.

I nodded, feeling a lump in my throat. "She is. She's everything to me."

He was silent for another moment, his gaze thoughtful. Then, he nodded. "Alright. We'll arrange for her to come here."

I felt a rush of relief wash over me. "Thank you, Cassian," I said, my voice choked with emotion. "This means so much to me."

He gave a small nod, his expression unreadable. "I can see that," he said quietly. "We'll make it work."

We spent the rest of the day discussing the arrangements. Cassian was surprisingly helpful, offering to have a room prepared for my mother and even suggesting we hire a full-time nurse to care for her.

As I left his office, I felt a sense of hope. Despite the challenges we faced, it seemed like things might just work out after all. And for the first time in a long time, I felt truly grateful for the unexpected turn my life had taken.