Chapter 009

I called him at noon.

He picked up on the second ring.

“I want to see you,” I said.

There was a small pause on the line. “When?”

“Today.”

“Time and place.”

I liked that about him. No unnecessary questions. No dramatic tone.

“Five o’clock,” I said. “I’ll text you the location.”

“Alright.”

He hung up first.

I stared at my phone for a moment before putting it down. I wasn’t nervous. I just needed air. I needed to step out of this house without someone demanding money or obedience from me.

By four-thirty, I was dressed.

Not overly dramatic. Just sharp enough to feel untouchable. A fitted black dress, low heels, minimal jewelry. My hair down. Clean. Controlled.

I walked downstairs calmly and headed toward the car lot.

The afternoon sun was still warm, but the house felt colder than usual. As I stepped into the open space near the cars, I heard footsteps behind me.

“Evian.”

I stopped.

I didn’t have to turn around to know who it was.

Francis.

I turned slowly.

He looked almost relieved to see me. Like we were still on friendly terms. Like yesterday hadn’t happened. Like he hadn’t stood beside Kate while I was being humiliated.

He walked toward me quickly, arms slightly open.

“I’ve been trying to talk to you,” he said.

Before he could get any closer, I stepped back and raised a single finger against his chest.

Not hard.

Just enough to stop him.

He looked down at my finger, confused.

“Why would you try to hug me?” I asked calmly.

His expression shifted. “What?”

“You were about to hug me.”

“I just— I missed you.”

I almost laughed.

“Missed me?”

“Yeah,” he said quickly. “We haven’t talked properly. Things have been tense.”

“Tense?” I repeated. “That’s what you’re calling it?”

He ran a hand through his hair. “Evian, come on. Don’t be like this.”

“Like what?”

“Cold.”

I looked at him for a second.

“You stood there while your girlfriend accused me of sleeping with a waiter,” I said. “You watched my father hit me.”

His face tightened. “That wasn’t my place to interfere.”

“But it’s your place to hug me now?”

He didn’t answer immediately.

Instead, he lowered his voice. “I actually needed to talk to you about something.”

Of course.

“What is it?”

He hesitated slightly, then said, “I’m short on funds. Just temporarily. I was hoping you could help.”

I stared at him.

“You miss me,” I said slowly, “and you need money.”

“It’s not like that.”

“It sounds exactly like that.”

“It’s just a small amount.”

“How small?”

He avoided my eyes. “Five million.”

I laughed this time.

“Go ask your girlfriend,” I said.

“It’s complicated.”

“Then keep it complicated.”

“Evian,” he said, stepping closer again. “We grew up together.”

“And?”

“You know I wouldn’t ask if it wasn’t serious.”

“Then explain it.”

“I can’t right now.”

I shook my head. “Then I can’t help you.”

His jaw tightened. “You’ve changed.”

“Yes.”

He stepped forward again, and this time he reached out like he was going to grab my arm.

“Stop,” I said.

He didn’t.

His fingers brushed my wrist—

And then someone shoved him hard from the side.

Francis stumbled back, almost losing his balance.

“What the hell?” he snapped.

I turned.

He was there.

Tall. Calm. Controlled.

The same unreadable expression in his eyes.

Francis looked between us, confused. “Who are you?”

He didn’t answer him. He just stood slightly in front of me now, a quiet barrier.

Francis frowned. “Are you insane? Why are you pushing me?”

“You were touching her,” he said calmly.

“So? Who are you to interfere?”

I stepped forward slightly. “Enough, Francis.”

But Francis wasn’t done. He looked him up and down dismissively. “Oh. I get it. You’re the waiter.”

The corner of his mouth twitched slightly, but he didn’t react.

Francis scoffed. “You have some nerve.”

Then he did something even more ridiculous.

He followed him.

As he turned toward his car, Francis trailed after him, still talking. “You think because you borrowed a car you’re somebody? Do you know who I am?”

I almost rolled my eyes.

He stopped beside his car and finally looked at Francis properly.

“Do you?” he asked calmly.

Francis froze for a second.

The calmness unsettled him more than anger would have.

“Stay away from her,” Francis said finally.

He didn’t respond. He just opened the passenger door.

That silence was louder than any threat.

Francis looked at me one last time. “You’re making a mistake.”

“No,” I said evenly. “I’m correcting one.”

He stood there for a moment, clearly wanting to say more, but something in the air had shifted. He turned and walked back toward the house, frustrated.

I exhaled slowly.

Then I looked at him in front of me.

“You didn’t have to push him,” I said.

“He didn’t have to touch you.”

I studied him for a second.

“What’s your name?” I asked.

He looked mildly amused. “You don’t know it?”

“You never told me.”

“Cassian.”

The name fit him too well.

Unique. Sharp.

“Cassian,” I repeated.

“Yes.”

“Thank you,” I said quietly. “For saving me from Francis.”

His eyes softened just slightly. “You didn’t look like you needed saving.”

“Still,” I said.

He closed the car door and leaned slightly against it, studying me.

“Is he always that persistent?” he asked.

“When he needs money,” I replied.

Cassian’s gaze sharpened slightly. “He asked you for money?”

“Yes.”

“How much?”

“Five million.”

He gave a low, quiet chuckle. “You attract expensive problems.”

I smiled faintly. “Apparently.”

He opened the passenger door for me again. “Are we still meeting?”

“Yes.”

I stepped closer, then paused. “You arrived at the perfect time.”

“I usually do.”

There was something about the way he said it.

Not arrogant.

Just certain.

As I got into the car, I realized something.

Francis wasn’t shocked because Cassian pushed him.

He was shocked because Cassian didn’t look like a waiter.

And deep down, I knew it too.

But I wasn’t ready to ask that question yet.