"Miss Lia, were you trying to take a taxi earlier?"
The man's gaze remained calm, his voice betraying no emotion.
"Mmm."
Lia lowered her head, hiding the items in her hands behind her back as she responded quietly. When encountering an old classmate, it would be polite to exchange greetings, but she barely knew Cassius.
"I'll be on my way," she said quickly.
"I'll give you a ride," Cassius said, just as she turned to leave. Both of them had spoken at the same time, and Lia hesitated, stepping back.
He's offering her a ride? Her fingers nervously twisted the hem of her soaked shirt. Back in school, they had rarely spoken. Though they were classmates, they were practically strangers, nothing more than acquaintances. Yet now, he was offering to drive her.
Had he mistaken her for someone else?
Kyle, standing in the background, was equally stunned. Wasn't it the boss who just said not to be sympathetic? Now he's offering someone a ride?
"No need, thank you," Lia replied, unsure of his intentions and reluctant to accept.
Cassius's eyes darkened slightly. "Miss Lia, you've given me something so generous, it's only right I return the favor. Let's go."
At Cassius's signal, Kyle quickly stepped forward. "Miss Lia, this way, please," he said, respectfully gesturing to the car.
Lia stood in indecision for a moment. The rain was pouring, and it would be hard to find another ride. She sighed and approached the car.
As Cassius opened the door for her, she apologized softly. "I'm sorry for dirtying your car, Mr. Cassius."
Cassius's lips curved slightly. "Don't worry, I won't make you pay for the car wash."
Was he joking? Lia glanced at him, unsure how to react.
Everyone knew her role—Lucas's nanny, running his errands, chasing after his girlfriends, enduring the ridicule of his friends. She'd been treated as a servant for years. Her relationship with Lucas was complicated and often painful, but she needed the money. As long as she could pay off her debt to the Valen family, she could be free.
Cassius, on the other hand, was nothing like Lucas. He was at the top of his class, from a wealthy and powerful family, admired by many. Their paths barely crossed in school, except for one misunderstanding.
Back then, someone had spread a rumor that Cassius had feelings for her. It wasn't true, of course, but it stirred up jealousy and gossip. The whole school had been talking about it, and Lia had faced harassment from students who believed the lie.
That incident had been humiliating for her, but it eventually blew over. Still, it left her thinking Cassius had hated her because of Lucas.
Now here he was, offering her a ride and even cracking a joke. Maybe things had changed over the years.
In the car, Lia pressed herself against the door, trying to avoid getting the interior dirty. Cassius noticed her shivering and took off his coat, draping it over her shoulders.
"Mr. Cassius..." Lia started, wanting to return the coat, but he stopped her.
His cool fingertips brushed her hand briefly, making her pull away quickly. "You'll dirty it," she whispered.
"Next time, don't wear a white shirt when it's raining," Cassius said, his gaze shifting out the window.
Lia blushed, realizing what he meant, and quickly covered her chest. She had rushed out of the house without thinking and hadn't noticed how revealing her wet clothes had become.
Cassius loosened his tie, the warmth of the car contrasting sharply with the storm outside. "Where are you headed, Miss Lia?"
"The Emperor Hotel," she answered softly. "Thank you."
His eyes narrowed slightly, his grip tightening on the steering wheel. "To see Lucas?"
"Yes," she replied, not thinking too much about the question.
Cassius's knuckles turned white. "In this rain, and with condoms no less. Looks like you're in for a fun evening."
Kyle, seated in the driver's seat, felt a shiver run down his spine. Was the boss implying what he thought he was?
Lia's face flushed with embarrassment, realizing how it sounded. "It's not like that," she wanted to explain, but it felt unnecessary.
"Whatever you say," Cassius muttered. "Kyle, take us to the Emperor Hotel."
The car moved forward in tense silence. After a moment, Cassius's voice cut through the quiet. "Three boxes. Does he really need that many?"
Lia didn't know how to respond. Lucas had always been cruel, and his girlfriends all seemed to think there was something between them, though nothing could be further from the truth. Lucas despised and hated her, but she was bound to him by debt, unable to escape.
"What's on your mind, Miss Lia?" Cassius asked, leaning closer to her.
Lia quickly shook her head. "Nothing."
The rain outside continued to pour, but the warmth inside the car was becoming stifling.
"I heard you're now Lucas's secretary," Cassius said casually, adjusting his posture.
"Yes," Lia answered. She had no choice but to work for Lucas, under pressure from his mother, Selena. She had wanted to quit many times, but the money she owed kept her tied to the job.
Cassius studied her for a moment, then reached into his pocket and pulled out a business card. "I value talent. If you're ever interested, you could come work for Ravencroft Group."
Lia was taken aback. Ravencroft Group was a leader in the industry, far surpassing Valen Group in many ways, especially under Cassius's leadership. Why would he want someone like her? Was it because of her connection to Lucas?
"Thank you, Mr. Cassius. I'll hold onto the card," she replied politely, taking the card from his hand.
He raised an eyebrow. "You'll take the card but never call, right?"
Lia didn't answer, simply lowering her head. She knew her place. Changing jobs wasn't an option for her right now.
"Boss, Miss Lia, we've arrived at the Emperor Hotel," Kyle announced.
Lia quickly removed Cassius's coat, folding it neatly. "Thank you for the ride, Mr. Cassius, and for the coat."
Cassius leaned over, draping the coat back over her shoulders. "Keep it on. You'll need it."
She hesitated but nodded. "I'll clean it and return it. Thanks again."
As she reached for the door, Cassius's voice stopped her. "I'll come with you."
Lia froze, turning back to him. "You're coming too?"
He smirked. "What? Miss Lia can book a room here, but I can't?"
Her face flushed again as she stumbled over her words. "No, I didn't mean that, Mr. Cassius."
Cassius stepped out of the car, his long strides carrying him into the hotel, with Lia trailing behind.
Inside the lobby, she bowed her head slightly in gratitude. "Thank you again, Mr. Cassius. I'll head up now."
"It seems Miss Lia is eager to leave," his voice was cool, a hint of amusement playing on his lips.
Lia's expression faltered. "Mr. Cassius, don't keep your companion waiting. Goodbye."
With that, she turned and walked toward the elevator.
Cassius watched her leave, his gaze dark and unreadable. Moments later, the hotel manager approached him nervously. "Mr. Cassius, how can I assist you?"
"Check which room Lucas is in," Cassius ordered, his eyes still on the elevator where Lia had disappeared.
The manager hesitated, torn between loyalty to two powerful men, but quickly nodded. "Yes, sir, right away."
Outside Room 606, Lia took a deep breath and knocked softly on the door.
Alicia, Lucas's latest girlfriend, answered, her hostility clear as she looked at Lia's soaked appearance. "You're late, and you're all wet. Who are you trying to impress?"
Alicia's voice dripped with arrogance, but Lia remained calm. She had seen this scenario play out countless times. Now, she was just focused on doing her job.
"I'm here to deliver something to the boss," she said simply, ignoring Alicia's taunts.
Alicia rolled her eyes and sauntered back inside. "Darling, I'm cold," she whined to Lucas, who lay sprawled on the bed.
"I'll warm you up," Lucas teased, pulling her close.
Lia set the items on a table, her voice steady. "Boss, I've brought what you asked for. I'll take my leave now."
Without waiting for a response, she turned to leave.
Lucas's eyes narrowed as he watched her walk away, irritation rising within him. That woman, always so calm, as if nothing could faze her. Did she think she could make him jealous by wearing another man's coat?
"Get out," Lucas barked at her retreating back.
Lia continued down the hallway, her steps heavy. She had always known Lucas hated her, but there was no escape until she repaid the debt she owed.
"Miss Lia."
A familiar voice stopped her just before she reached the elevator.
"Mr. Cassius?" she asked, startled to see him there.
He leaned casually against the wall, his hands in his pockets, a mocking smile playing on his lips. "Finished so soon?"
Lia's body stiffened at his teasing tone. "I didn't want to disturb you," she replied, trying to walk past him.
But as she did, Cassius grabbed her wrist, his grip firm but not painful.
"Mr. Cassius, is something wrong?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly.
His eyes burned with intensity as he leaned closer. "I just got back to the country, and I don't have a girlfriend… but I'd like to enjoy my evening."
The last few words rolled off his tongue slowly, sending a chill through her.