Chapter 74 Her Return

Chapter 74 Her Return
\[MANO HOUSE\]

The house sat at the far, quiet, abandoned and discreet place in Canada. No house was in the surrounding, only that house.

Someone's footsteps creaked under the trees as she fiddled with the lock. She had a scarf tied around her neck which she used to hide herself.

Opening the door, she looked left and right, before going in.

Heaving a sigh of relief, she threw the scarf away with a slight force, and a sharp groan left her lips.

"Ah!" She yelped, grabbing her right shoulder, and looked at the door with eyes full of revenge as her face revealed to be Natasha.

Thanks to the smoke gas, she was able to escape. And luckily, Cassian didn't come for her immediately, otherwise he—he wouldn't be able to find her even if he did. She had everything prepared beforehand, and if not for—

She stopped, and sat on a small stool inside the house. Her eyes darted around the place with disgust. A well-known actress is squatting in a poor house, and it's all because of Cassian and Lalissa.

"I have to find a way out of here," she muttered, getting her phone from her skirt.

She switched it on grateful that Cassian had shot her previous phone. He can't track this number.

She stared at her contacts, wondering whom to call. Her manager?

Her movie—the biggest movie in the whole of Hollywood is set to be released tomorrow, and instead of celebrating, she's hiding like a criminal.

Roman?

He's an idiot. She has no idea where he is. Then who?

Her lips stretched into a smirk when she dialled a number.

"I need to leave the city at any cost."

Silence, then a thick voice spoke. "The easiest flight going is in five days. By ship, it's in ten days time."

"What!?" Natasha stood sharply, groaning at the pain in her shoulder. "I need to leave at the earliest. My life is—"

"It's an illegal transportation. Right now, you're wanted badly. The search is still hot. Lay low for now. I'm sure by then something else must have popped up."

Natasha inhaled. "Five days?"

"I'll start the arrangements." The line went dead.

Natasha pushed her tongue to the side of her cheek, twirling the phone in her hand.

"Five days, Cassian," she raised her hand, demonstrating the five. "I'm going to make sure I ruin the both of you, and you wouldn't know what hit you."

The scent of blood hit her nose, and she looked at her shot shoulder. The cloth tied around it has been fully soaked with her blood.

She gritted. "Shit."



\[CASSIAN'S HOUSE\]

Lalissa walked into the house, her cellphone pressed to her ear. She phoned Sienna on her way back home, and she answered the call as if she had been waiting for it. But Lalissa could tell something was wrong. Sienna didn't tease her as usual, and she spoke less.

"You don't look okay to me," Lalissa said slowly. "Are you okay?"

"There's nothing wrong with me. It's just stress. My work is just draining me."

"Why does it feel like you're lying to me?" Lalissa mumbled, her steps slow.

Sienna didn't reply.

"Si?"

"Sorry, I got busy."

"Please, talk to me."

Sienna chuckled from the background. "I'm perfectly fine. I don't know what gave you that idea, but I'm fine. We just saw each other a few hours ago, don't I look fine to you?"

Lalissa hummed, tracing her finger on the couch. "You know you can always talk to me?"

"Count on me. If something is wrong, you'll be the first person to know," she paused. "Um, I gotta go now."

"Take care." The call ended.

Lalissa sighed, feeling the deep unsettling feeling that something is wrong. She's sure but can't pinpoint exactly what it is.

"Lissa, you're home?" Mrs. Nora's voice brought her back to earth.

Lalissa flashed her a small smile. "How're you?"

Mrs. Nora noticed the look on her face. "Is something wrong?"

Lalissa shook her head. "It's nothing."

Mrs. Nora looked on.

"Okay, it's something," Lalissa admitted throwing herself on the couch. "I feel something is bothering Sienna."

"She looked fine to me."

Lalissa sighed, dragging her hand over her face. "She doesn't. I don't feel that Sienna's energy again. I don't know...I just can't explain it."

"Sometimes, the greatest remedy to stress is an alone time. Maybe she just needs space right now. You're her friend, and if she ever considered you as one, she'll open up to you."

Lalissa nodded. "Thank—"

The car honk at the gate cut her short. She exchanged glances with Mrs. Nora.

"Cassian is back," she mumbled, realizing she didn't see Cassian today neither did they speak to each other on the phone.

She was busy at the office, but why wasn't Cassian present? And he didn't inform her about not coming. Regardless, she was happy. There's a special kind of warmth and calm energy his face always brings.

"He went to the airport that's why he's late."

Lalissa looked at her. "Airport? Why?"

Before Mrs. Nora could reply, the door burst open. A person walked in, someone she didn't expect she'd see so soon.

She opened her mouth, her words hanging in her throat.

"Sweetheart," Sara said with that her sweet smile.

Lalissa found her voice. "Mom."

They ran to each other, embracing each other tightly. "I heard the news," Sara patted her hair. "I'm sorry for not being there for you. Had a flight delay and—"

"Don't worry," Lalissa assured. "They couldn't lay a finger on me."

"I know they wouldn't dare do it. You are not a McKenzie for nothing."

Lalissa smiled softly, pulling her away slowly. "How was China?"

"Things went more than planned. I was so happy. I also realized how far my clothes have gone in China. The trip was a nice one that I'm going to open a branch there in China."

Lalissa's hand flew to her mouth. "Wow. Are you serious?"

"I can't joke with such a thing sweetheart."

The door squeaked close.

Sara went to Cassian. "Thank you for taking care of my daughter and bringing her back safely. I didn't know what I would have done if something bad had happened to her."

"She's my responsibility," Cassian's gaze flickered to her. "I have to take care of her."

She came close enough, wrapped her arms around his waist and laid on his chest.

Lalissa quickly looked away.

"You have no idea how happy you've just made me now," she whispered in her sweetest voice.

Cassian stayed in the same position. Not hugging her back neither was he looking at her. His eyes remained on Lalissa throughout.

"Lissa's happiness will always be my number one priority."

Lalissa felt his words truly directed to her but she couldn't bring herself to look at him. The thought alone was breaking her. How could she stand here watching the man she—

Mrs. Nora patted her back. The 'everything will be fine' type.

"Nora, the dishes are ready, right?"

Mrs. Nora nodded.

"Good." Sara held her luggage. "I'll go and freshen up. After that we'll have dinner together as a family. I need to know all that happened in my absence.

\--

Lalissa slammed the door shut, hating and loving the way her heart was beating.

Every sensible daughter would be happy whenever their mother returned safely from a business but her—she couldn't believe she's being selfish to even think that her mother should not have come back.

The hate was for her mother, and the love feeling was for Cassian.

Until now, she couldn't hear her heartbeat. It felt like her heart had stopped beating, the hug scene replayed in her head.

Slowly she sat on the bed with a soft sigh. "This is what happens when—" she stopped herself before she could complete it, remembering Cassian will share his bed with her mother.

There wouldn't be any time for them to talk, not tonight.

"Gosh." She dragged her hand through her face. "Can I survive without speaking to him?"

\--

Cassian sat in his study, the swivel moving slowly. His face was point-blank as he worked on his laptop.

His eyes might be there, but his mind had wandered to nowhere else but Lalissa.

He saw the look in her eyes. The cold look of innocent jealousy. He badly wanted to claim her there, and tell every single soul present in the sitting room that no one is his addictive pill other than her, but he had to endure the hug, only because of her.

He got his phone ready to text her, but he kept it almost immediately finishing off the final documents he was working on.

As if waiting for him, his phone screen flashed. Incoming call.

Ziggy hit boldly on the screen, carrying his usual energy.

"Yes."

"The video is set to be released tomorrow. First thing in the morning," Ziggy reported straight away.

Cassian sank into the chair, tapping his thumb on the glass. "As early as seven."

"It will be done," Ziggy exhaled. "About the picture you sent—Lalissa's father."

Cassian stopped tapping the glass cup, relaxing deeper into the couch, while giving his whole attention to Ziggy. It's Lalissa they're talking about.

"Yes. Found anything?"

"I found something, and it looked strange to me."

"What is it?"

"There isn't any death issue pertaining to that face."

Cassian furrowed his brow. "Are you trying to say..."

"The dead body and that of Richard McKenzie's dead body are two bodies bearing the same name."