Episode # 5:- "Shadows and Secrets"

Inside the room, Hailey tried to get up, but her body gave in due to the high fever, and she fell unconscious.

Outside:-

"The driver will take you to the airport. Don't worry, my manager will be there; you won't face any issues regarding the office. And remember, do not speak a word about Miss Andreev's whereabouts. And last but not least, you'll forget you ever met Cassian Holt. Otherwise, the consequences will be unbearable for you," Caleb exclaimed in a tone that left Abria unable to say anything other than nodding her head.

Abria had countless questions swirling in her mind about why they were keeping Hailey here. She wasn't naive; she understood that it wasn't just about her sickness. There was something more going on. But who was she to question them or speak out in their presence?

She thought a thousand times before opening her mouth in front of her boss, and now she was facing people whom many would prefer to die rather than question. She had seen Caleb many times on television as the MD, but Cassian Holt was a different story altogether.

Cassian Holt was a name that sparked both fear and admiration in the business world. Known for his unmatched influence and ruthless efficiency, he earned the title of an assassin for his precise and cold approach to eliminating obstacles. No one had ever seen his face—his true identity was a complete mystery. This secrecy only added to his fearsome reputation, making him a shadowy figure whose mere mention could unsettle even the most confident. Those who crossed him or fell into his web of influence often faced severe, unseen consequences.

"Okay," Abria murmured and left with one guard. "Clean your wound," Cassian exclaimed and walked towards Hailey's room. "Yeah, right," Caleb said sarcastically and followed him.

Cassian opened the door to see her lying unconscious on the bed. "Call the doctor," Cassian exclaimed while adjusting her on the bed. "The doctor is coming," Caleb said after disconnecting the call.

Cass nodded but didn't say a word as he checked her medicine. Caleb eyed her for a while, then turned to Cass. "So, what's the plan?" Caleb asked.

"We'll see," Cass replied and looked at the door as the doctor entered the room.

"She needs to eat something before taking the medicine, as she hasn't eaten anything since yesterday. For now, I'm giving her an injection to help her regain consciousness, but make sure she eats something," the doctor advised and left after administering the injection.

"Make sure she eats after waking up," Cass exclaimed to Caleb and left after glancing at her one last time. "What the...?" Caleb murmured in disbelief. "As if she'll let me do that. I don't know how many more punches are on the way when she wakes up," Caleb exclaimed and left the room.

An hour later:

Hailey woke up but had no energy. With great difficulty, she sat up in a half-lying position. Her eyes were burning, and tears welled up when she tried to open them. She didn't dare wipe her tears and settled down calmly with the bed's support.

"So, you know how to cry too?" she heard Caleb's voice. He had come to check on her and found her sitting on the bed.

"I'm not crying, my eyes are burning," she replied with closed eyes.

"Then okay, because it was hard to digest actually, because of the way you punched," Caleb exclaimed in a teasing manner.

"And it's hard to digest that you've kept me here just because I'm sick," Hailey exclaimed and opened her eyes to look at him.

"You're intelligent, I like that," Caleb commented, receiving a death glare from her in return.

"Okay, jokes aside, you're here for a reason. But for now, set things aside and eat something. Whatever you say, you need energy for everything, even to punch me. That'll only come when you eat," Caleb exclaimed.

Hailey kept glaring at him but eventually nodded. "Thank God," Caleb murmured and asked the maid to bring food for her.

"I need to use the washroom," Hailey murmured as Caleb called for the food. The maid had already left after setting the food dishes on the table in her room.

"Okay," Caleb exclaimed. Hailey tried to get up but fell back on the bed due to weakness. Seeing this, Caleb came near her and offered his hand.

Hailey eyed him and then looked at his hand. "Don't worry, the reason you have made so many enemies isn't something I'm involved in. In fact, when we signed the deal, I forgot to mention that at Holts, we take HR policies seriously, especially regarding harassment. We follow all policies strictly, both professionally and personally," Caleb said softly.

Hailey said nothing but took his hand and went to the washroom. "If you want, I can call the maid," Caleb offered when he saw her holding the wall while stepping inside.

"No, I'm fine," Hailey replied. She used the washroom and came out. She silently ate her food and took the medicine Caleb gave her. He observed her every action and realized that she was tired both mentally and physically.

"Where is Abria?" Hailey asked after a while. "I've sent her home, and my manager is with her. You can talk to her if you want," Caleb said, pointing to her mobile on the side table.

Hailey nodded but remained quiet. "Call me if you need anything. I've already texted you from my number," Caleb said.

"Mr. Caleb," Hailey called him from behind as he reached the door. "Yes?" Caleb asked. "Sorry for earlier," Hailey apologized for the punch.

"It's okay," Caleb said and left after asking her to rest. Hailey eyed the closed door and took a deep breath. She went to her bed and lay under the covers. She called Abria, who told her that she was fine and that everything was okay at the office. "Call me if you face any problems," Hailey said to Abria and disconnected the call.

Her cellphone started ringing. Thinking it was Abria, she answered without checking the caller ID. "Where are you?" Adam's angry voice came from the other side. Hailey was momentarily amused but then turned furious.

"The nerve of this man," she thought. "And why do you think I'll answer that question? Who are you? My father? My husband? You're nothing but an ugly swine," Hailey blurted and disconnected the call before Adam could say anything.

Her cellphone started ringing again, but she ignored it. After ringing 3 to 4 times, it went silent. Suddenly, she heard the beep of a message. She checked and saw a message from Adam:

"If you think you can run away from my clutches, you are highly mistaken. I will get you by hook or by crook. Hailey Andreev, you are mine, and I will make sure of that. Be ready to come under me soon," Hailey read and, in anger, threw her cellphone towards the wall.

Her mobile hit a large photo frame on the wall, which fell to the floor with a thud. Suddenly, her room door opened, and Caleb entered with a worried look.

"What happened?" he asked, eyeing the broken photo frame. "Nothing," Hailey exclaimed and lay down on the bed, covering herself. Caleb sighed and looked at the broken glass pieces. He picked up her cellphone, which was cracked but still working. After a moment's thought, he left the room.

"She threw her cellphone," Caleb handed the phone to Cassian.

Cass took it and examined it. "Buy her a new cellphone," Cassian exclaimed. Caleb nodded and left the room. "Adam Steve," Cassian murmured, tightening his grip around the cellphone.

Hailey's room:

She woke up and found it was already evening, nearing night. She took a deep breath and got up from the bed. Her gaze went to the side table, where she found a box with a new cellphone. She sighed and went towards the washroom. On her way, she noticed clothes neatly placed on the couch. She decided to take a shower and picked up the clothes.

She took a long, relaxing shower and felt somewhat better. When she came out, she saw that the photo frame was cleared, and there was no mess in the room. She walked to the balcony and stood there, resting her hands on the railing. Her hair was wet, and the wind was blowing. She kept gazing into the distance when she felt a presence behind her.

"Standing outside with wet hair at this hour will make you sicker," a deep, husky voice whispered in her ear. There was something in his voice that sent a shiver through her body. She wanted to turn, but the person encircled his arm around her waist and pulled her close, making her feel his strong chest against her back, now wet from her hair.

"Who..." she began, but her words faltered as he brushed her hair aside and pressed his lips against her neck. Hailey tried to twist away, but he held her tighter, his lips tracing a searing path along her skin. A shiver ran through her as he sucked on her neck, and she gasped, "Don't..." The words barely escaped her lips before he bit her gently, sending a jolt of pain and pleasure through her.

To soothe the sting, he kissed her neck again and again, each touch a mix of tenderness and intensity that made her breath catch. "Take rest," he murmured in a voice that was both soothing and commanding, his lips brushing against her earlobe with a lingering kiss.

Suddenly, Hailey's eyes snapped open, her body jerking upright. She spun around, but the balcony was empty, the lingering sensation of his touch a reminder of his presence. The air felt colder now, and the silence was deafening, leaving her in a cloud of confusion and unresolved desire.

Hailey rushed back into her room, her heart pounding as she searched for any sign of the person who had been there moments before. She flung open the door and scanned the hallway, hoping to find him.

"What happened, Miss Andreev?" Caleb's voice interrupted her frantic search. She turned to see him standing behind her.

"Does someone came to my room?" Hailey questioned, her voice tight with anxiety.

Caleb frowned and glanced around. "I've just come from my study. Aside from us, only the servants are here. The guards are outside now," he explained. "Did something happen?"

Hailey remained silent. She knew it wasn't Caleb; his perfume was different, and he had a distinct scent from the person she had encountered.

"No, nothing," she replied curtly and returned to her room. Caleb sighed in relief and shot a look at Cassian, who was casually leaning against the wall and eating an apple.

Cassian, positioned where only Caleb could see him, shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly. "I think you don't like me, that's why behind my life," Caleb said through gritted teeth.

Cassian merely shrugged again and walked away. "Moron," Caleb muttered under his breath as he turned to leave.

In her room, Hailey was on edge. "It's not my imagination, I know," she murmured, approaching the mirror. She brushed her hair aside and discovered a hickey on her neck. "Who was he? And why couldn't I push him away?" Her mind was a chaotic mess.

"He said, 'Take a rest.' Why does that voice sound so familiar?" she pondered. Suddenly, she heard an unfamiliar ringtone. She looked around and realized it was coming from the new cellphone.

She mentally slapped herself when she realized that she hadn't told Caleb that the mobile wasn't needed.

Her thoughts were interrupted as the cellphone rang again. Hailey went to the side table, retrieved it from the box, and saw that the call was from a "private number." She suddenly realized that the voice she had heard before was the same one from the private number.

With urgency, she answered the call. "Hello?" she said, her voice trembling slightly.

"No need to put pressure on your mind," the same voice responded.

"Who are you?" Hailey demanded, but there was a moment of silence on the other end.

"Someone you don't need to know about right now. Take rest," the caller said before disconnecting.

"You—" Hailey started to say, but the call had already ended.

"Arghhh!" Hailey exclaimed in frustration, throwing her head back against the bed.

Other side:-

"I think when she sees you, she'll punch you too," Caleb said, his tone dripping with sarcasm.

"What?" he shot back with a glare.

"I'm just stating the fact. The great Cassian Holt is behaving like a stalker and increasing Hailey's frustration every day. Do you really think she'll just let you off easily?" Caleb taunted as the person was none other than Cassian.

He was the one making the private calls and had also been the one to visit Hailey's room both times.

To be continued...