Episode # 8:- “Forceful Bonds”

"I will deal with you later," Cassian said, nodding towards his guards. Adam realized that they were already surrounded by Cassian's men. "You can't touch me," Adam said with a smirk, only to receive a death glare from Cassian. "Who knows?"

"I'm going, but now I know why the great Cassian Holt came here," Adam said with an evil smirk, eyeing Hailey standing behind him. "Adam Steve, leave before it's too late for you," Caleb exclaimed angrily from behind.

"I'm leaving, but it's not over yet," Adam said to Cassian, but Hailey realized that he was referring to her. Cassian said nothing and fully covered her behind him.

Cassian took a deep breath and turned around to face Hailey. Hailey looked at his face, and the first thing that came to her mind was, Is he some Greek God? However, her thoughts were quickly replaced with anger, and she glared at him.

"Rose," Cassian exclaimed, but in return, Hailey punched him hard. "I told you, I'm not Rose, you Psychopath," Hailey hissed in anger. Caleb's eyes went wide at seeing this, but the next second, he burst into laughter like a maniac.

Cassian knew why he was laughing and, while taking a deep breath, eyed Hailey, who was breathing heavily with anger. Her right temple was bleeding, her cheek had turned purplish-blue from the slap, and her lips were cut.

"Your wounds need treatment," Cassian said softly. "Go to hell," Hailey said and turned to leave, but Cassian held her arm. Before she could react, he had already picked her up in his arms.

"Let me go," Hailey said and tried to escape his grip. "Shut your little mouth, Rose, or else, don't blame me when I kiss you," Cassian exclaimed while walking towards the elevator. Hailey's eyes popped wide open at this; she shut her mouth immediately but didn't forget to give him a death glare.

Caleb chuckled upon seeing this, now walking beside them. Hailey heard him and hissed, "Shut up," making Caleb press his lips together to control his laughter. They reached her penthouse.

"Key?" Cassian asked. "Not in hell am I going to let a Psychopath into my house," Hailey said through gritted teeth. "No worries. Caleb?" Cassian exclaimed. Caleb, with a smile on his face, went forward and opened the lock with a key in his hand.

"What the hell? You stalker," Hailey exclaimed and punched Cassian's chest, but he remained unaffected. Jack was not there, having gone to grab the monthly groceries.

"Where is the first aid box?" Cassian asked after making her sit on the couch in her hall. But she kept mum. Cassian took a deep breath and eyed Caleb, who was enjoying the situation. "What?" he asked through gritted teeth. "Nothing," Caleb said, showing his teeth.

"If you know him, then it means you know that he is the one who comes into my room," they heard Hailey's angry voice and saw her giving Caleb a murderous look. Now, it was Cassian's turn to enjoy Caleb's discomfort, as he visibly gulped upon hearing Hailey's words.

"I'll bring the first aid box," Caleb exclaimed and went inside in search of it. Cassian walked towards Hailey, but she raised a warning finger. "Don't you dare come near me. Who the hell are you? I mean, I know now who you are, but what the hell do you want from me?" Hailey said, hissing in the end as her lip stretched.

"Stop talking for now," Cassian exclaimed, taking the first aid box from Caleb, who had just returned after finding it in the kitchen. "I'll go," Caleb exclaimed and left.

Cassian settled in front of Hailey. She tried to get up, but he held her arm in a firm grip. "Don't," he said in a tone that made her reluctantly agree.

Cassian took out the necessary supplies and started cleaning Hailey's wound. "Ouch," Hailey hissed as the antiseptic stung her temple. She tried to pull her head away, but Cassian held her steady. "It will burn. Don't move," he instructed, blowing gently on the wound.

Tears welled in her eyes from the pain, but Cassian said nothing and applied a bandage to her temple. He cleaned the cut near her lips, causing the same burning sensation. "It hurts," she whispered, her voice choked.

"I know. Wait for a while; I'll give you some medicine," Cassian said softly, trying hard to control himself as he noticed her cheek turning darker with bruises.

"All done," he said, handing her the medicine Caleb had just brought. Hailey took the medicine, and Cassian's eyes fell on her bruised knuckles.

He gently held her hand and pressed it lightly. "Ouch, what are you doing?" Hailey exclaimed, trying to free her hand, but Cassian held it firmly and picked up some cream. "Who told you to punch, then?" he asked sternly.

"I'll punch you more," Hailey murmured. Cassian shook his head and bandaged her hand. "I want to go to the office. And don't you dare stop me," Hailey warned as Cassian opened his mouth.

"Okay, but my guard will go with you. And no need to tell anyone about what happened today," Cassian replied.

"I wasn't going to," Hailey retorted, standing up. She eyed Cassian and Caleb, who gave her a questioning look.

"What?" Caleb asked.

"This is my house, and if I remember correctly, I haven't invited any of you here. So, leave," she demanded. Caleb glanced at Cassian, who settled comfortably on the couch.

"Why would I leave? It's my Rose's house," Cassian said, earning a murderous look from Hailey.

"I don't want any strangers in my house, and I'm not your ROSE," she said angrily. Caleb, also settling down on the other couch, replied, "How are we strangers? You know us."

"Yeah, you're Caleb Grant, MD of Holt Group of Companies, and he's Cassian Holt, CEO of Holt Group of Companies," Hailey said, pointing at Cassian. "And he's a psychopath, and you're a liar. That's all the information I have about you both," she added, hands on her hips.

"I think that's enough to make us known to you," Cassian shrugged.

"What...," Hailey started but stopped, taking a deep breath to control her anger. "So, you both are staying here?" She asked, and both nodded. "Okay, fine. Go find a room for yourselves. I'm going," she said, storming out.

"Rose, what about the food?" Cassian called after her. Hailey, already out the door, peeked back. "I only serve poison to strangers, you psychopath," she replied and left.

Cassian and Caleb started chuckling. Later, Cassian got up and began inspecting her entire penthouse, with Caleb following. Caleb passed him a gadget, and they meticulously checked every corner.

When they finished, they had found around 15 bugs and 4 microphones. They silently placed them in a box, and Caleb instructed Cassian's security head to destroy them.

"Mr. Cassian, you here?" They heard a voice and saw a middle-aged man standing there. It was Jack.

"Jack, you're here?" Cassian asked as their security head, Lucas, entered.

"Dad, you're here?" Lucas asked with a frown.

"Yeah, I'm a chef and caretaker of Miss Andreev's penthouse," Jack replied. "But why are you all here? Is everything alright?" Jack asked, concerned.

Jack, being Lucas's father, knew Cassian well. He used to be a guard for the Holt Family. After retirement, he didn't want to stay idle, especially after Lucas's mother passed away years ago. So, he started working for Hailey. Hailey had met him in a small cafe, where he loved to cook and bake, and she offered him a job, which he gladly accepted.

Lucas never wanted his father to work, but he knew he couldn't spend enough time with him due to his job. Lucas knew his father worked as a chef and caretaker in Bristol, but they didn't discuss their jobs when they met.

"Why are you all here?" Jack asked again. Cassian, knowing Jack well, was sure it wasn't him who planted the bugs and microphones in Hailey's penthouse. "Jack, did someone come here?" Cassian asked and then explained the entire situation.

"No..." Jack started, but then a realization struck him. "Two days ago, I called pest control. There were two of them. But if they planted these bugs and microphones, why couldn't Jacob detect them?" Jack asked.

"Because these are a special type, and only this gadget can detect them," Cassian explained, showing the small gadget in his hands. "For now, we're both here, but after that, it will be your responsibility to take care of her," Cassian ordered Jack.

"You have my word," Jack responded earnestly. Cassian nodded in acknowledgment.

"Shall I cook something for you?" Jack offered.

"Yes, please, Jack. We're starving," Caleb exclaimed, and Jack nodded with a smile.

"Lucas, go and inquire about the ones who came here for pest control. Get the address from Jack. And Jack, in front of her, pretend that you know nothing," Cassian instructed. Jack nodded in agreement.

"She is a very nice girl. I'm happy for you both," Jack said. He wasn't naive; he understood why Cassian was there. He knew Cassian's nature well.

Cassian nodded and then dismissed both of them.

At the Office:

Hailey arrived at the office in a foul mood. Her employees, noticing her condition, wisely kept silent. When Abria entered Hailey's cabin, she was shocked to see Hailey injured.

"Ma'am, what happened?" Abria asked.

"Nothing. Just give me the files," Hailey replied. Abria quietly handed her the files. Hailey, noticing Abria still standing there, gave her a questioning look.

"Ma'am, there's something I need to inform you," Abria said nervously.

"What is it?" Hailey asked, crossing her arms as she sat down.

"Umm, the other day when I left and you stayed there," Abria began but then hesitated.

"Finish your sentence," Hailey urged.

"Umm, that day I met Cassian Holt," Abria admitted and then explained everything that happened. "Why didn't you tell me?" Hailey asked.

"They told me not to inform anyone. I didn't even tell Jacob, but I couldn't keep it from you," Abria said hurriedly.

"You should have punched them when they stopped you from telling anyone," Hailey said with a twitch of her nose.

"Ma'am, what are you saying? How could I punch them?" Abria asked, her mouth wide open in shock.

"Simple. Like the way I punched them," Hailey replied, shrugging her shoulders and starting to read the files.

Abria felt dizzy hearing this. "Ma'am, you punched Cassian Holt? The great Cassian Holt?" Abria asked, utterly shocked.

"Any doubt?" Hailey asked, raising an eyebrow.

"Ma'am, are you mad?" Abria blurted out but immediately straightened up when Hailey gave her a death glare. "No, no doubt at all. Okay, ma'am, bye," Abria said hurriedly and left the cabin.

"Huh," Hailey muttered angrily and got busy with her work. She was fully engrossed in the files when she heard Abria's voice. "Ma'am, food."

"Food?" Hailey asked, eyeing the table already set with dishes.

"I haven't asked for food," Hailey exclaimed, confused.

"Here," Abria passed her the mobile.

"Who?" Hailey questioned, taking Abria's phone from her and putting it to her ear.

"Where is your mobile?" Cassian's stern voice came from the other side.

"My phone?" Hailey murmured, looking around. "I think it's in the car," she replied.

"Eat your food," Cassian commanded and disconnected the call.

Hailey rolled her eyes and found Abria standing there with a teasing smile on her face. "What?" Hailey spat, and Abria, shaking her head, left the room, though Hailey could still hear her giggling.

"Idiot," Hailey muttered angrily and eyed the food on the table. She got up from the chair, stretched her shoulders, went to freshen up, and came back. She ate her food silently.

Today had been a very challenging day, yet her mind was oddly calm. It had been years since she had allowed herself to feel or think deeply about anything. The last time she cried her heart out was the day she left her father's home. Eight years had passed since she last smiled or cried fully.

The day she became strong, she stopped expecting anything from anyone. If you want to survive in this world, expect nothing from anyone, she had fixed that in her mind. Nobody will come for you, nobody will be there for you; this was the mantra she had been chanting in her mind for the last eight years.

But now, there was someone who had barged into her life forcefully: her Psychopath. Only time would tell what more was in store for her destiny.

To be continued...