He didn't let her go and softly asked, "Lia, were you really concerned about me just now?"
"Yeah," she admitted, meeting his intense gaze, unable to say anything that wasn't the truth.
A warm feeling spread through Cassius as he pulled her even closer. "Why are you so cute?" he murmured, almost to himself.
She was so endearing that he couldn't help but tease her, and his kiss left her breathless and weak.
After some time...
At the dining table, they ate quietly. Lia wasn't sure if the food she made was to his liking, and she didn't dare to ask too many questions. To her surprise, he finished two bowls, while she barely touched her own.
After the meal, Lia busied herself with cleaning up and preparing to take the food to her grandmother.
"Who are you bringing the food to?" he asked, noticing her pause. She realized he didn't know about her grandmother being in the hospital.
"My grandmother. She's staying nearby, so I wanted to bring her some food," Lia explained quickly.
"I'll go with you."
"That's okay, you probably have things to take care of."
He could tell she was hiding something and deflecting. "I have a friend nearby I need to meet. I'll pick you up this evening."
"Okay, take care," Lia said, feeling relieved that he wasn't pressing the matter. He watched her quietly as she left.
...
Healing Grace Medical Center.
Arthur looked up in surprise when Cassius walked into his office. "What brings you to the hospital? Are you here to see me?"
It was unusual for Cassius to show up unannounced, especially at the hospital.
Cassius had learned that Lia's grandmother was a patient here, and although Lia hadn't said anything to him, he wanted to know the situation for himself.
"How's the patient in Ward 9?" he asked, getting straight to the point.
"The surgery is scheduled for Saturday," Arthur replied, flipping through a file. Then he paused, looking puzzled. "Ward 9? Someone you know?"
"I'll cover the expenses," Cassius said, his tone firm. "Make sure everything is arranged perfectly."
Arthur's eyebrows shot up in surprise. "Why do you care so much about this particular patient? What's your relationship with her?"
Cassius didn't hesitate. "She's my future grandmother."
Arthur blinked, astonished. "Your future grandmother? Are you serious, Cassius?"
Cassius shot him a look that clearly said he was deadly serious.
Arthur was taken aback. As far as he knew, the woman in Ward 9 had two granddaughters. The one he often saw was Lia—could it be her?
Before he could ask more, there was a knock on the door.
"Come in," Arthur said, still stunned by Cassius's revelation.
"Dr. Arthur, I wanted to ask about my grandmother—" Lia froze mid-sentence when she saw who was standing in the office.
Their eyes met, and she quickly looked away, confused and embarrassed by Cassius's unexpected presence.
"Wait, Miss Lia, do you two know each other?" Arthur asked, sensing something between them.
Cassius spoke calmly. "She's my girlfriend."
Arthur's eyes widened in realization. So it was Lia he brought to Uncle Benjamin's golden wedding banquet last time?
Cassius walked over to Lia and placed a possessive arm around her waist. Under her surprised gaze, he added smoothly, "Lia, this is my college friend, Arthur. And Arthur, this is my girlfriend, Lia."
Lia was caught off guard by the sudden introductions, but she managed a polite smile. "Nice to meet you, Dr. Arthur."
"Ahem, I had no idea, Cassius' girlfriend is my..." Arthur said, still processing the news. He had always admired Lia's grace and had even considered getting to know her better himself, but now it was clear that Cassius had already claimed her.
He was glared at by someone and changed his tone. "My friend."
"Arthur, we'll leave you to your work," Cassius said, steering Lia towards the door, his grip firm and unyielding.
"Goodbye, Dr. Arthur," Lia said quickly, eager to escape the awkward atmosphere.
Arthur watched them leave, still in shock.
...
At the end of the corridor, Cassius stopped, turning to face Lia with a serious expression.
"Why didn't you tell me about your grandmother's surgery?" he asked, his voice steady but his eyes intense. "Were you planning to keep it from me forever?"
Lia hesitated, guilt flashing across her face. "I didn't want to trouble you. You've already helped me so much."
"Is it because you think it's unnecessary? Or because you don't want me involved?" His tone softened, and he brushed a strand of hair away from her face.
She bit her lip, unable to meet his gaze. She had always believed that their relationship was strictly business, that he had no need to know the details of her personal struggles. But he clearly didn't see it that way.
He pulled her into a gentle embrace, his hand stroking her back comfortingly. "Lia, even if our relationship started with money, I wouldn't just stand by if something happened to your grandmother. Understand?"
Her heart tightened at his words, and she blinked back tears. "Thank you," she whispered.
"Lia, I'll go see your grandmother."
"No, there's no need." Lia quickly responded, a little flustered. If Cassius met her grandmother, she worried it would lead to more misunderstandings.
Cassius released her, his expression hardening slightly. "Lia, do you think I'm someone you should be ashamed of?"
"That's not what I meant. I just..." Lia stumbled over her words, struggling to find the right way to explain herself.
Meanwhile...
"Mr. David, you've got a good eye," Karen gushed. "My adopted daughter is beautiful, smart, and works at a prestigious company. If she marries your son, your family will benefit from the connection."
David, a wealthy butcher, chuckled. "Well, as long as she agrees, money isn't an issue. My son's got his eye on her."
Karen, Lia's adoptive mother, was determined to arrange a marriage that would bring financial stability to her family, regardless of Lia's wishes.
As they walked and talked, David suddenly frowned. "What's going on over there?" he asked, gesturing to two figures hugging at the end of the corridor.
"Don't worry, Mr. David. I'm sure it's nothing," Karen said, but she squinted in their direction. Her eyes widened when she recognized Lia in Cassius's arms.
"What is this?" she demanded, storming towards them.
"Mom, what's happening?" Lia asked, startled by her adoptive mother's sudden appearance. She noticed the unfamiliar man glaring at her.
"Who am I?" David's face twisted with rage. "I'm your future father-in-law! Karen, you told me your daughter was decent, but here she is, hugging a strange man in public!"
Cassius's expression hardened, and he spoke with a calm, dangerous edge. "What marriage are you talking about? Because I'm fairly certain that my girlfriend hasn't been engaged to anyone."