“Babe, what’s on your mind?” Cassian asked gently.
His assistant watched in amazement–Cassian could switch emotions faster than flipping through a book!
“The receptionist was wrong, but she was manipulated by Sonia. Since she’s already fired, maybe we should just leave it at
that.” Ana said.
“No way. This doesn’t end here,” Cassian replied firmly.
Ana didn’t say anything, just stared at Cassian intently.
It was the first time a woman’s stare had made Cassian’s scalp tingle with nerves. “Babe, you’ve got something else to say, don’t you?”
Ana raised an eyebrow before speaking. “What about Sonia? How are you planning to handle her?”
That’s when Cassian realized Ana was one crafty fox–she’d been setting a trap to figure out his attitude toward Sonia.
“I’ll handle it properly. I’m calling the cops and reporting her for breaking and entering my office.”
Ana hadn’t expected him to go that far. “Isn’t that a bit harsh?”
“You think it’s too harsh?” Cassian turned the question back on her.
He had a slight smirk, looking at Ana with amusement.
Since Cassian asked, Ana wouldn’t lie. “No, not harsh at all. People who try to wreck marriages deserve consequences.”
Her grandmother had always told her that married couples needed to communicate openly–bottling things up led to misunderstandings, which created cracks that homewreckers could exploit.
That’s exactly what had happened with her father and Whitney Stone.
Whitney was cunning, always waiting for the right moment. She’d sweet–talk Ana’s father while simultaneously driving wedge between him and Ana’s mother until she finally succeeded.
a
Once the damage was done, Whitney didn’t let up–she used every trick in the book to keep Ana’s father wrapped around her finger.
He got lost in her web and completely betrayed Ana’s mother.
Her grandmother had witnessed how Ana’s parents would fight constantly, with her mother often moving back to her parents‘
house.
So her grandmother had taught Ana early on that resolving conflicts was time–sensitive–you had to address problems immediately when they arose. Otherwise, if everyone stayed silent and let resentment fester, misunderstandings would only get worse.
17:52
Dumped Today, Married Tomorrow: My Overnight Wedding to a Tycoon
142.0%
Though her grandmother seemed like just an ordinary elderly woman without fancy clothes, she carried herself with natural grace and had been Ana’s source of wisdom–her life mentor after losing her mother.
3
Cassian knew Ana was extremely sensitive about third parties, and he understood it was connected to her own experiences. He needed to make her feel completely secure.
That’s wonderful,” Cassian said.
“Hm?” Ana looked confused.
“It feels wonderful to talk things through face–to–face.” Cassian took Ana’s hand. “Babe, we’re going to be together forever, right?”
There was actually something else he wanted to ask, but he couldn’t bring himself to say it.
Ana didn’t answer directly. Instead, she said, “I can’t answer that, because all relationships can change over time. Some last longer, some shorter. Nobody knows what the future holds. But if you ever betray me, I’ll leave without hesitation.”
Hearing Ana mention leaving made Cassian’s heart clench.
He gripped her hand tightly, afraid that if he let go, she’d disappear.
“Never. I would never betray you!”
“You must be hungry. Let’s eat,” Ana said.
“I really wish I could have that pasta you brought me,” Cassian said with genuine regret.
“I’ll get you some next time, or we can go eat there together. It really was delicious.”
“Deal.”
“What brought you to see me today? Finally remembered you have a husband?” Cassian sounded like he was pouting.
Cassian had asked Ana to have lunch with him several times before, but she’d always declined, worried about people discovering their relationship.
He’d always gone along with what Ana wanted.
Ana looked at Cassian awkwardly. “Well… I actually came because I need your help with something.”
Disappointment flashed in Cassian’s eyes. So it was true–Ana only came to see him when she needed something.
Still, he joked, “Alright, what’s the problem?”
Ana told Cassian about Sharlene’s design situation. “Normally this wouldn’t need to involve you, but these people are getting out of hand, so I figured I should give you a heads up.”
“No big deal. I’ll have my assistant/handle it,” Cassian said.
Ana stood up. “That’s perfect, I should-
”
17:52
Dumped Today, Married Tomorrow: My Overnight Wedding to a Tycoon
142.2%
Before Ana could finish, Cassian grabbed her hand and pulled her toward him.
Ana lost her balance and tumbled into Cassian’s arms, clutching his shift collar.
Her senses were nooded with his fresh. Intoxicating scent.
I was like someone had lit a fire that threatened to consume her completely.
Ana felt her mouth go dry and her breathing slow.
“I’m willing to help you, but you have to agree to one condition,” Cassian said suddenly.
Right then, Ana got a deep understanding of Cassian’s businessman identity–guys like him never took a loss!
Cassian leaned close to Ana’s ear, his voice low and magnetic, his breath tickling her ear.
Ana felt like an electric current was shooting from her spine to her scalp, making her head tingle and her lower abdomen tighten.
Cassian was slowly getting closer, breathing in Ana’s sweet scent–like a delicious orange pound cake that made him want to
take a bite.
Just then, the office door suddenly burst open and his assistant walked in. “Mr. Rhodes, there’s an extremely important
document…”
The assistant froze, swallowing the rest of his words.
His face turned red as he quickly backed out. “Sorry to interrupt!”
After leaving, the assistant carefully locked the office door and stood guard outside, making sure no one would disturb
Cassian.
Suddenly, the assistant thought of something and touched his nose sheepishly. “Weird, why am I doing all this? I feel like
some kind of… eunuch.”
Everyone at the office joked that the assistant was like Cassian’s chief butler–taking care of everything and earning his boss’s
favor.
The assistant figured if other bosses paid him a hundred grand a month, he’d be just as thorough for them too.
After the assistant Jeft, Ana snapped back to reality and pushed Cassian away.
Her face felt like it was on fire as she frantically fanned herself with her hands.
She shot Cassian a look. “This is all your fault. Now your assistant’s got the wrong idea.”
Cassian smirked, his dark eyes fixed on Ana’s lips as they moved. He wrapped one arm around her waist and cupped the back
of her head with his other hand…
17:52
