Chapter 8

1885 Words
I felt nervous while preparing all of Cassian's favorite dishes. I was so excited for the dinner that he had agreed to celebrate with my mom. "Sweetie, why are you so nervous?" my mom asked, staring at my face. "Sweetie, I understand that there's no romantic connection between you and Mr. Smith. But why is this necessary?" my mom questioned me. "I need to cooperate with Cassian, mom." "But, I'm doing fine now, sweetie. Isn't this arrangement hard on you, as if you're being subjugated by that man?" "Mom, it's not like that. I need to fully embrace my role as Cassian's wife. It's my duty to him." "I understand that, but do you know how guilty I feel about what you're doing?" "Mom, you know I would go to any length for you." "I'm powerless in this situation, sweetie. If that's your wish, then I respect your decision." My mother embraced me. I returned her hug with a smile, holding on tightly. "We can handle this hot-tempered billionaire, mom. Everything I'm doing is for you." My cellphone's ringtone broke our silence, and the number of the stranger appeared on the screen. An immediate wave of apprehension washed over me. Would this stranger ever stop intruding? I let the call go unanswered, hastily ending it. "Why didn't you pick up the call, sweetie?" "That's not important, mom. Let's just concentrate on our current task," I responded to my mom. We both returned our attention to the task at hand, but I could tell that my mom was still concerned. I gave her a reassuring smile, trying to ease her worries. "Trust me, mom," I said, "we'll get through this. Together." However, as we continued, I couldn't shake off the nagging feeling that the stranger's call was more than just a random interruption. I knew I had to stay focused, but my mind kept wandering back to it. The stranger who provided an unforgettable evening just yesterday. However, I've pledged to myself that I will keep my distance from this man. For the sake of my marriage life. Despite the allure of the mysterious stranger, I knew I had to stay true to my commitments. My marriage, my relationship with Cassian, was my priority. It wasn't always easy, especially with the memories of that unforgettable night persistently lingering in my mind. But I was determined. I would not let a fleeting moment of passion derail my life. I had made a promise, not just to Cassian, but to myself as well. And I intended to keep it. After we'd spent a few hours in the kitchen, my mom, the helpers, and I finally managed to cook all the necessary dishes. We didn't have to do much of the cooking ourselves, thanks to the presence of several chefs. Eventually, Cassian made his appearance. However, one of the helpers mentioned that he seemed rather irritable. As Cassian walked in, a palpable tension filled the room. His usual charismatic demeanor seemed to be replaced with a cloud of irritability. I watched him from the corner of my eye, trying to gauge his mood while keeping my distance. Despite the awkward atmosphere, we carried on with our tasks, trying to maintain a sense of normalcy. The delicious aroma of the dishes we had prepared filled the air, serving as a pleasant distraction. But I couldn't help but wonder, what was bothering Cassian? And more importantly, would it affect our evening? With a heavy sigh, Cassian slumped into a chair, his gaze distant and thoughtful. I could tell something was weighing on his mind. But, as his wife, it was my duty to stand by his side, even if our relationship was far from traditional. Mustering up my courage, I approached him. "Is everything alright, Cassian?" I asked, trying to keep my voice steady. He glanced at me, his expression unreadable. The silence that followed was deafening. Meanwhile, the hustle and bustle of the kitchen continued around us, a stark contrast to our quiet moment. My mom and I locked eyes. I gave her a reassuring smile. I tenderly caressed her hand, silently expressing my gratitude that she had picked up on my unspoken message. Cassian merely shot me a glance. His gaze was intense, yet his distinctive charm was unmistakable. It was apparent he was striving to keep the atmosphere light. "We hope you'll enjoy the meal mom and I prepared for you. We made all your favorite dishes." "We need to talk, Elizabeth. Maybe, tomorrow," Cassian stated. His words took me by surprise. Cassian's words lingered in the air, creating a ripple of anticipation. His serious tone and the unexpected request for a conversation later left me with a knot in my stomach. However, I nodded in agreement, hiding my surprise. As the evening progressed, the lively chatter and clattering of dishes in the kitchen provided a stark contrast to the silent exchange between Cassian and me. Despite the bustling activity, my thoughts were consumed by the impending conversation. Meanwhile, I noticed my mom watching us with a worried expression. I offered her a reassuring smile, trying to ease her concern. But deep down, I couldn't help but feel a sense of unease. Cassian's face was etched with worry. It was as if he was shouldering a significant problem. "I apologize, but I need some rest, Mrs. Chio." With that, Cassian rose from his chair and, without another word, left the dinning. His departure left a silence that hung heavy in the air. I watched him leave, a mix of concern and confusion swirling within me. Turning to my mom, I tried to offer a comforting smile. "He's just tired, mom," I said, trying to convince myself as much as her. "We'll talk when he's rested." As the evening wore on, I found myself lost in thought, wondering about the conversation that awaited me with Cassian. Despite the uncertainty, I knew I had to face whatever was coming with courage. Once mom and I had finished our meal, she decided it was time to get some rest. I walked with her to her room. "Good night, mom." "Good night, dear. You should get some sleep too." "Sure, mom." With that, I made my way to my room. It's worth noting that Cassian and I have separate rooms. We don't share a bedroom. I'm clueless about what Cassian was implying earlier when he mentioned that we need to talk. I wonder what our conversation will be about? As I settled into my room, the quiet solitude allowed my thoughts to wander back to Cassian. The anticipation of our impending conversation made my heart race. I couldn't help but revisit our past conversations, looking for any clues about what might be bothering him. As I lay in bed, staring at the ceiling, I couldn't shake the feeling of unease. The unknown was always scary, but I knew I had to face it. With a deep breath, I decided to confront whatever was coming with courage and honesty. Despite the late hour, sleep seemed far away. My mind was filled with thoughts of Cassian, our conversation, and the uncertainty of what lay ahead. Out of nowhere, the vivid recollection of the passionate evening we spent with the mysterious stranger flashed in my mind. I immediately sat up, startled, as if propelled by an unseen force from my bed. What on earth! My heart raced as I tried to make sense of the sudden rush of memories. The images played in my mind like a movie, the intensity of that passionate night flooding back to me. I couldn't believe how vivid and captivating those moments were. Confused and intrigued, I couldn't help but wonder why that memory had resurfaced so abruptly. Was it a sign? Or just a random occurrence? I couldn't shake off the feeling that there was something significant about it. Taking a deep breath, I decided to embrace the unexpected surge of emotions and memories. Perhaps there was a reason behind it, a lesson to be learned or a new chapter waiting to unfold. I was determined to explore the depths of my feelings and uncover the truth behind that unforgettable night. I decided to venture out of my own bedroom and made my way towards the kitchen, intending to fix myself a glass of milk. However, before I could even reach the kitchen, I happened to pass by Cassian in the living room, engrossed in watching a movie all by himself. To my surprise, he called out my name, indicating that he had indeed noticed my presence. "Elizabeth, why are you still awake?" he inquired, his tone carrying a sense of seriousness and authority. Caught off guard by Cassian's question, I paused for a moment, unsure of how to respond. His serious tone made me realize that he must have noticed something was amiss. I took a deep breath, trying to collect my thoughts before answering. "I couldn't sleep, Cassian," I replied, my voice betraying a hint of vulnerability. "Something happened earlier that has been on my mind, and I couldn't shake off the thoughts. I needed some time alone to process everything. "What's keeping you awake?" he inquired. "I'm just caught up in my thoughts," I answered. "Alright, I'll go ahead and fix myself some milk." I was caught off guard as I sensed Cassian's presence seemingly tailing me towards the kitchen. It threw me off balance, leaving me in a state of confusion. What on earth! Trying to regain my composure, I turned to face Cassian, a mix of surprise and curiosity evident on my face. I wondered why he had followed me to the kitchen and why it had unsettled me so much. "Hey, Cassian," I began, my voice slightly shaky. "Is there something you need? Did you want something from the kitchen too?" "It's nothing, I just wanted to inform you that I'm in need of a secretary, and I've decided to choose you. My previous secretary resigned due to her pregnancy," he responded to me. I was slightly taken aback by his offer, but it was a favorable proposition for me. As Cassian's words sank in, I couldn't help but feel a mix of surprise and excitement. The thought of working closely with him and being his secretary was both unexpected and intriguing. "Wow, Cassian, I didn't see that coming," I replied, a smile spreading across my face. "I'm honored that you've chosen me for the position. I would be more than happy to be your secretary." Cassian returned my smile, his eyes filled with appreciation. "I'm glad to hear that, and I truly believe you'll excel in this role. Your organizational skills and attention to detail make you the perfect fit." The compliment from Cassian boosted my confidence, and I felt a renewed sense of purpose. It was an opportunity to showcase my abilities and contribute to something meaningful alongside someone I deeply respected. "Thank you for believing in me, Cassian," I expressed sincerely. "I'm excited to work with you and support you in any way I can. Together, I'm confident we can achieve great things." "Just ensure that you excel in your work. I want to remind you that I have a tendency to become easily agitated when things don't go smoothly."
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