Before leaving, Cassius draped his coat over her once again. Lia looked at him, puzzled.
"Don't wear this in front of others," he said, his voice steady.
Lia hadn't realized just how much her outfit attracted attention. She had dressed to impress, but fortunately only for him.
"Ahem, yes," she replied, hastily pulling the coat tighter around her. It carried a pleasant, refreshing scent—no trace of tobacco or alcohol. This man clearly didn't indulge in bad habits.
They left the private room, walking one behind the other. Cassius noticed she wasn't keeping pace and deliberately slowed down.
"Lia, you're here for coffee too?" A voice interrupted them in the corridor—it was a colleague from Valen Group.
"Yes, hello," Lia responded, nodding and offering a polite smile.
He looked at her leisurely, with a doting look in his eyes, but Lia, focused on the interaction, didn't notice.
"Is this Lia's boyfriend?" another colleague asked with interest.
Lia glanced at Cassius before answering quickly, "No, I have other matters. Let's talk next time."
"Oh, sure. Next time," the colleague replied, still eyeing Cassius.
As they walked away, Cassius's face remained unreadable, though a slight frown formed when he heard the word "no."
After they left, the two employees whispered between themselves.
"That guy looks so familiar. His presence is… intense. Haven't we seen him somewhere before?" one asked.
"That's Cassius from Ravencroft Group," the other replied, starstruck. "Of course he looks familiar."
Valen and Ravencroft were two of the most powerful families in Knoxfell, and Cassius was one of the most eligible bachelors in the city. Handsome, wealthy, and mysterious—he was the type many women admired.
"No wonder Lia left. Looks like she's jumped ship to a competitor," one colleague remarked.
"I didn't think Lia was that kind of person," the other sighed.
"You can't really blame her. We all know how Lucas treated her."
"True, and honestly, Cassius is a far better choice than Lucas."
The two female employees continued to chatter as Cassius and Lia moved out of earshot.
...
In the car, Lia took off the coat and folded it neatly before handing it back to him.
"Thank you, Mr. Cassius."
He barely glanced at the coat. "Keep it on. If you want to have fun in the car, fine, or wear it."
Feeling awkward, Lia put the coat back on and turned her attention to the window. Outside, traffic passed by, but she couldn't quiet her restless thoughts.
The car soon stopped in front of a villa.
"Sir, Miss, we've arrived," one of the bodyguards announced as he quickly opened the door.
"Mr. Cassius, where are we?" Lia asked, surprised. She had expected him to take her to a hotel, but they were in front of what seemed like his home.
"I prefer staying at home," he replied casually.
"Oh, I see."
Lia's mind raced with questions. If he liked being at home, then why had he suggested a hotel last time? But she didn't ask.
Before she could dwell on it further, Cassius had already exited the car and opened her door himself.
"Thank you," Lia said as she stepped out quickly.
Although she had seen wealth firsthand while working for the Valen family, Cassius's villa was different. It was sleek and modern, far simpler than the ostentatious grandeur of Valen's estate.
The servants lined up on either side, their eyes filled with curiosity and surprise as they watched her follow him inside.
His bedroom, like the rest of the house, was minimalist yet elegant, though the dark tones gave it a somewhat brooding feel.
Lia had prepared herself for what would happen, but now that she was here, anxiety crept in.
"Have a seat," he said, settling on the sofa.
"Okay."
Lia sat obediently on a single chair, while Cassius seemed to command the room from his place on the sofa, exuding authority without effort. She clasped her hands together, trying to appear calm, but inside, she was anything but.
"Would you like something to drink?" he offered.
"No, thank you," Lia replied, her voice steady despite the growing unease. She was sure he could see right through her, even though she tried her best to appear composed.
"Nervous?" he asked, his tone soft yet probing.
"No," she lied, forcing a smile. Her palms were already damp with sweat.
Before the tension could build further, a knock sounded at the door. Lia instinctively jumped to her feet.
"I'll get it," she said quickly.
Cassius didn't stop her, his eyes following her every move. When Lia opened the door, servants entered, carrying trays of fruit and snacks, before quietly exiting again.
"Help yourself. The night's long," he said, gesturing toward the food.
"Okay. I'll be right back, I need to use the bathroom."
He nodded in acknowledgment.
Inside the bathroom, Lia stared at her reflection. Her face was flushed, even more than she had realized. She splashed cold water on her cheeks, hoping to cool down the nerves bubbling inside her.
"We're adults," she told herself, trying to calm her racing thoughts. "Just stay composed and do what you need to do."
Returning to the room, Lia sat down and began nibbling on the fruit, though she tasted nothing. The silence between them was palpable, but Cassius simply watched her, saying nothing.
"Mr. Cassius, would you like to eat?" she asked, attempting to be polite.
A small smile tugged at his lips. "You go ahead. I haven't washed my hands yet."
Lia wasn't sure if he meant it or if it was a subtle hint. Either way, she decided it was better to act. She carefully peeled a grape and held it up to him with a smile. "I just washed my hands. Here, Mr. Cassius."
He studied her for a moment, his gaze unreadable.
"Is this how you treat Lucas too?" he asked, his voice low and measured.
Her hand faltered, but she quickly recovered. "I try my best to do my job well," she replied, her voice soft but firm.
Cassius's smile deepened, though it didn't reach his eyes. "Good. Keep doing your best."