Chapter 77 Ten Years

Chapter 77 Ten Years
Cassian's eyes have been locked on his phone since he sent the last text. He has been waiting for her reply, and it's past five minutes, no reply from her.

He saw the typing sign, so he knew she was typing back, but suddenly it disappeared, and never appeared again.

It can only mean one thing—something interrupted her, but what?

He scrolled down their chats, a smile cascading his lips as he imagined her reaction when he said those last words. That reaction of hers is something he craves to see. Acting innocent when she's getting ruined by him.

The smile left his lips like it never appeared, sadness creeping into his eyes. The conversation he had about her father rushing through him.

Typical him, getting the information he wants by coming up with the game. He could have asked her right away, and he knows how to get an answer from her. But he chose to play fair. At least he gave her the chance to ask questions about him. Mutually fair.

Recalling her words again, he rested his back on the leather chair. "She didn't see his face."

The red button on his table beeped. Somebody wanted to come into his office. He pushed the button, and the door opened.

Ziggy walked in. "I've gotten the house address."

"Which one?"

"Roman's father. He's in this city."

Cassian nodded, opening his lower drawer. He took out a pack of cigarettes and a lighter.

Snapping the lighter, he looked at Ziggy. "I need the hospital record of death incidents nineteen years ago."

"Is it still about Lalissa's father?" Ziggy asked, curiously.

"I don't entertain deep personal curiosity," Cassian reminded, blowing out air. "I need the information by tonight. Latest tomorrow."

"As you wish," Ziggy replied, and turned to leave.

Cassian's voice made him stop. "Along with the hospital records, I need the list of mortuaries particularly to that year." He added. "Prepare the car, we're going to say hi to someone."

"On it." Ziggy nodded and left the office.

He hasn't even reached the elevator when he came across Bella.

"You're here?" Bella asked, shocked.

"Is that your way of saying you missed me?" Ziggy winked.

Bella rolled her eyes, remembering something. "Why did you send that weird text to my IG?"

"What text?"

"Don't you dare act dumb with me," she threatened, fishing her phone from her purse.

Logging into her IG, she went to her inbox, and then the weird text.

"This!"

Ziggy looked at it, pretending to be oblivious. "That's a compliment."

"I don't want anything that comes from you," Bella glared. "You're bad news."

Ziggy laughed, leaning on the table behind. "Sorry, but you've got this bad news interested in you."

Bella smirked. "I don't. Sorry, but I blocked you."

"You think you can block me?" He stretched, and poked her forehead. "Think."

He started leaving after giving her a meaningful smirk.

Bella frowned, checking her IG. It's still blocked.

She rolled her eyes concluding he's nothing but a thug who lost his mind.

"Wait!" She stopped him.

He stopped, but didn't turn his back.

"You are close to Cassian, you must know what happened to Manager Jane."

"Didn't you hear the news? She went to her—"

"Oh, cut that crap! That looks like a made-up excuse. Jane is too tacky to leave like that."

He tilted his head to give her a side look. "Not only sexy, but smart."

"So I was right, there's another reason," she mumbled under her breath, but he heard her clearly.

"I owe boss my loyalty. If you're so curious, ask him yourself."

"Hey!" He had gone into the elevator.

"Arrogant fool!"

\[MANO HOUSE\]

Natasha's phone had been ringing for the past ten minutes. She was sitting on the old, and tattered mattress, staring into space.

She had been in that position even before her phone started ringing. Throughout that time only two names rang in her mind—Cassian and Lalissa. The film that will shake the whole of Canada is scheduled tomorrow, and she has been doing nothing but hiding in here like a coward.

Releasing her legs, she finally picked her phone.

The number was unknown, so she didn't bother answering.

She skipped the number, and went to the news that had caught her attention.

She started reading.

"No, no, no," sweat appeared on her skin. Not normal type. The pores were open and the amount of excessive sweat that poured out could be mistaken for water.

She read the news, fanning herself with her hand as her heart failed to digest it.

"It can't be true! My hard work! They can't go to waste! They fucking can't!" She screamed, catching sight of the second one. The kidnapping case.

She didn't bother to read through them before punching her manager's number on the screen.

It connected at the third ring.

"Why didn't you answer my call!?"

"Who's this?" The manager's voice sounded calm from the other end.

"It's me, Natasha!" Her voice shook the building. "Natasha Beaumont! I'm the one!" She screamed, not bothering to hide the anxiety in her voice.

"The hell is going on! The movie was scheduled to be released tomorrow! Why am I seeing these news! Why did you cancel the release! I've worked so fucking hard to get to that stage and—"

"You aren't going to pretend you didn't see the news, did you?"

"So fucking what!?" She thundered. "I slept with the director for the role! I'm not the first person doing shit! It's normal in the industry!"

"If you're so confident, then why are you hiding? And this number, it's a new number. As it is now you can't leave the country. There are cases against you, and that includes kidnapping."

"It's a lie! I'm being framed!!!" She yelled like a deranged woman, because at this rate, she's going mad.

"The evidence is true." From the other end, he sucked in a breath. "I'm not disclosing your information because of our past relationship. After today, don't bother calling me again. I wouldn't want to be seen as an accomplice of yours. As for the number, I'll rid it off my phone. Goodbye."

"Wait! Listen to me! Hang on!"

The line went dead.

"Shit!!!" She walked to the small stool, and gripped both ends.

Carrying it, she flung it towards the window.

The window shattered into tiny pieces.

"This isn't happening!!! It can't be!!!"

She dialed the number of the person that was supposed to help her leave the country in five days.

No answer.

On the third time, his number was no longer available.

Her eyes widened when she realized he's abandoned her as well.

She took her index finger into her mouth, and bit her nails repeatedly.

"It can't end...everything can't go down the drain." She stopped, and slapped herself hard almost knocking herself down.

The pain wasn't compared to the reality of her life now. It's all Cassian's doing. She's sure of it.

She needs help. Her hard work can't end like that.

She punched a number, dialed and waited for barely three seconds when the person answered.

"Who's this?" His voice rang out.

She balled her fist together. "Dante."



\[Edmund Mansion\]

Mr. Edmund climbed down the stairs, his phone placed to his ear as he was speaking to the private investigators responsible for finding Roman.

"I need my son to be found today! His visa is ready. He needs to leave the country as soon as possible!" He waited, and listened to them.

"Do everything you can to find him ASAP!" He clicked the red button, and picked the remote on the couch.

He turned on the television and the first news happened to be Natasha's news. He has seen the news before. How her life was ruined under ten minutes.

He's well aware Roman was behind Lalissa's kidnap. He was also in support if it meant getting revenge on what Cassian did to him, but now, seeing the news, he doesn't want revenge again.

If Cassian can do this to his lifelong friend, what more of a stranger.

Not being able to handle the news, he switched off the TV.

At the same time, the door kicked open, and one man who looked like a complete ex-convict walked in.

"How did you—"

His words hung in his throat when another person joined the first guy.

His height, face, aura and domineering personality gave away the recognition he needed—Cassian.

"It's been a long time, hasn't it, Sean?"

"Who...are you?" he asked in pretence, secretly typing on his phone.

A cold barrel pressed to his neck. He froze, shivers running down his spine.

"I'll take that." Ziggy snatched the phone, and glanced at Cassian.

Sean was still shivering on his spot when Ziggy slammed the gun to the back of his head.

He passed out.

\--

Sean woke up to ropes tied around him. His hands were left free for a reason. He looked around, noticing he's still in his house.

The ex-convict guy stood, holding a gun like it's a children's toy while Cassian sat on the long leather couch close to him.

"Cas...Sian I did nothing to you," he stuttered.

Cassian smirked, and held Sean's jaw in a tight hold.

Sean winced, Cassian forcing him to look at him.

"I thought you didn't know who I am?" He left the jaw like he just touched the dirtiest thing ever.

Sean shook his head fearfully. "Spare my son, he did nothing wrong."

"You should have thought about that before sending your son to come after me," he laughed, but everyone could tell there was no atom of sincerity or mercy.

"Ten years ago, Reid's Global came into existence. Your company was the first company I bought. Back then, I dug into the company's affairs like a bug. Gathered evidence that threatened to ruin you all while Reid's Global was trying to find its balance." He tilted his head, giving him the cold look of failure.

"Ten years after, Reid's Global has grown into a big investment company. It has gathered media firms. Top private investigators. Top lawyers. And you think your stupid son can do what you couldn't do back then?"

"Don't hurt us, Cassian. I... I'll do anything you want. Anything at all," he cried, looking like one who'd pee on his pants any moment from now.

"I like the sound of that." Cassian signaled Ziggy.

Ziggy stepped closer with a phone.

"W..what do I do?" The old man trembled.

"You'll make a call to your son, and—"

"No..."

Ziggy pressed the gun to his forehead.

The old man shrieked in fear. "I...I'll do anything you ask. Anything at all."

Cassian leaned closer and patted his bald head. "I like when you cooperate. Makes you look less like a dead meat."

The old man nodded more than five times as he watched Ziggy making the call with his phone.

The call went through.

Sean looked at Cassian. He could swear his heart left his chest when he saw the look Cassian gave him.

"H...hello, Roman?"