Lia nestled into his arms like a kitten, her body small and soft against him, though at 170 cm, she wasn't exactly short. But standing next to Cassius, a man towering over her, she felt delicate in comparison, almost fragile.
"Thank you," she murmured, her voice quiet and hesitant. She wasn't quite sure what to say, only that every movement sent sharp pangs of soreness through her body. The ache was persistent, a reminder of the night before, and she felt it deeply.
Cassius's brow furrowed slightly as he noticed her discomfort. "Are you in pain?"
Lia blushed and shook her head quickly, embarrassed. "No, I'm fine."
She wasn't sure how to explain it. Her friend Elena had always described such moments as pleasurable, something thrilling and full of warmth. But for Lia, it had been far from that. Her entire body ached, especially in certain places, and she couldn't shake the feeling of discomfort that lingered.
Cassius seemed to understand without her needing to say more. He cleared his throat, his tone suddenly softer, more delicate. "It's common. They say a woman's first time can be… difficult."
Lia's face turned a deeper shade of red. She couldn't even look at him, too mortified to respond. The silence that followed was heavy, but Cassius, sensing her embarrassment, gracefully shifted the conversation.
"Go freshen up," he said, his voice gentle but firm.
"Yes," she replied quickly, eager to escape the awkwardness. But as he set her down in the bathroom, she realized he wasn't leaving. He stood at the door, watching her quietly, his gaze steady and unreadable.
His gaze made her nervous, her hands fumbling as she tried to get organized. For some reason, under his intense eyes, even the simple act of squeezing toothpaste became difficult. She squeezed and squeezed, but nothing came out.
"The toothpaste is new," he said, almost amused, his voice carrying a hint of a smile. "You have to open it first."
She glanced down, realizing the cap was still sealed. Of course, she hadn't even opened it yet. She flushed, feeling foolish. "Oh… right," she muttered, quickly peeling back the seal.
Her hands still shook slightly as she squeezed the toothpaste onto her brush, and for a moment, she glanced at him again. "Mr. Cassius… did you brush your teeth yet?"
"No," he replied simply.
Lia paused, the toothbrush still in her mouth. Without thinking, she handed him the toothbrush she had prepared for herself, offering it to him before realizing what she was doing. Flustered, she quickly pulled it back, her eyes wide with embarrassment. "I—I'm sorry! I didn't mean to—"
Cassius looked at her with mild amusement. "It doesn't matter. I needed a new toothbrush anyway," he said, his tone casual as he took it from her.
Feeling awkward, She handed it over hesitantly, stepping aside to give him room, but Cassius's gaze remained fixed on her. His eyes were sharp, studying her as if trying to decipher something deeper.
"Are you always this nice to everyone?" he asked suddenly, his voice low but carrying a weight that made her pause.
"It's not about being nice," Lia gave a small smile, trying to downplay the situation. "Sometimes it's just... practical."
Cassius leaned in closer, his face near hers now, his eyes piercing as he searched her expression. "So tell me, Lia… what do you really want? Is it money, or is it me?"
The question caught her completely off guard. Her breath hitched, and for a moment, she couldn't speak. His voice was calm, but there was something deeper in his words, something that left her unsettled.
"I… Mr. Cassius, you're joking," she said quickly, trying to regain her composure.
His expression didn't change. "I'm not. If you're here for the money, I'll give it to you. If you're here for me, well, you'll have me anyway. You're smart, Lia. I think you know what I'm saying."
His words sent a wave of confusion through her. What was he implying? She had come to him for money, hadn't she? But the way he said it, the way he looked at her—was he suggesting something more? Her heart raced, but she forced herself to keep calm. "I'm sorry to disappoint you, Mr. Cassius, but I don't quite understand."
Cassius's lips curved into a small, knowing smile. "That's alright. You'll figure it out."
His words left her even more confused. What did he want her to think about? And why did he make it sound like he had more to offer? Lia shook her head, trying to clear her thoughts. She must be imagining things. There was no way Cassius could be serious. He was used to women of all kinds—beautiful, accomplished, confident. She was none of those things.
...
After they finished washing up and eating a simple breakfast, Lia knew she couldn't stay any longer. The relationship between them was strange, and she was too confused to process everything that had happened. It was time to leave.
"Thank you for your hospitality, Mr. Cassius," she said politely, standing up from the table.
But Cassius remained seated, his posture relaxed as he looked at her with a lazy, almost amused expression. "You're leaving without the money. Aren't you afraid I won't give it to you?"
Lia turned to face him, standing obediently, feeling his eyes linger on her as she did. She was still wearing his shirt, which hung loosely on her, reaching just above her thighs. The fabric brushed against her skin, but she couldn't help but feel the weight of his gaze. She hadn't had the chance to put on any underwear, and the thought made her feel even more exposed.
"I trust you, Mr. Cassius," she replied calmly. "I don't believe you'd go back on your word."
He gave a soft chuckle, clearly pleased with her response. "I'll take that as a compliment," he said, standing and walking over to the table. He picked up a check and placed it in front of her. "Take a look."
Lia walked over and picked it up, her eyes widening as she read the amount. Ten million? She blinked in disbelief.
"Mr. Cassius, we agreed on six million," she said, her voice faltering. Though she needed the money, and more was always welcome, she didn't want to take more than what was agreed upon. "This is too much…"
Cassius leaned back, his arms resting casually on the back of the sofa. "I'll decide how much your first time is worth," he said, his voice teasing yet firm.
His words made her blush, but she said nothing, carefully slipping the check into her bag. "Thank you, Mr. Cassius. I appreciate your generosity."
She turned to leave, but his voice stopped her. "Miss Lia, are you planning to walk out like that?"
Lia looked down at herself, remembering she was still wearing his oversized shirt with nothing underneath. Her face heated up in embarrassment.
Cassius smiled lazily, watching her with amusement. "Wait for your clothes to arrive," he said, nodding toward the door.
"Yes… thank you," she said softly, her voice barely above a whisper.
"Why don't you lie down while you wait?"
Lia looked at him, surprised by the suggestion. "Lie down?"
"I'm not a beast," he said with a smirk. "You look like you've caught a cold. Rest for a while."
Did he notice how sick she felt? Lia hesitated but eventually nodded. There was no harm in lying down, and she did feel exhausted. Taking a deep breath, she nodded and climbed back into the bed, feeling her body sink into the softness of the mattress. She was still sore, and the exhaustion made her limbs feel heavy. As soon as she lay down, a wave of relief washed over her. She hadn't realized just how much her body needed rest until she gave in to it.
Not long after she settled in, she heard the rustle of movement. Cassius was climbing into bed beside her. She tensed up, unsure of what he was doing, but before she could react, he slid in next to her, wrapping an arm around her waist and pulling her gently toward him.
"Cassius…" she began, startled by his sudden closeness. Her body stiffened, unsure how to respond.
"Relax," he murmured, his breath warm against her neck. "I didn't sleep well last night. Stay with me for a little while."
Lia felt her heart race. She lay stiffly in his arms, her mind racing, wondering what he intended. "But…" she started, unsure how to express her confusion.
"I'm too tired," he interrupted, his tone soft but firm. "Just stay. You're warm."