Chapter 122 Who is Cassian Valtieri?
Rebecca’s POV
Cassian was a man I met back in college. He was the top boy whom all the ladies on campus wanted back then—except me, because, of course, I was with Gabriel. He was fucking handsome, and girls flocked around him every now and then, wanting to be his girl. But how ironic—he didn’t want any of them. He only wanted me.
We weren’t in the same department back then, but that didn’t stop him. He would come from his department, which was the Department of Project Management, just to watch us and stare at me from a distance. It was something I noticed often, but I never truly acknowledged it until he finally expressed his feelings for me.
Back then, I loved Gabriel too much to even consider anyone else. When Cassian confessed, I told him I was with someone else and that it couldn’t work between us. And being a man who valued his self-respect, he backed off. He stopped talking to me ever since, merely waving from afar anytime we crossed paths.
At first, I felt offended by his sudden distance. So, I confronted him. I asked why he was keeping away, insisting that if I couldn’t accept him as my boyfriend, he could at least be my friend, right?
“I stayed away to control myself, Rebecca. I love you too much, and it’s beginning to feel like I’m stalking you. Accept how things are, and we will all be good in the end,” he had said to me back then.
His words hit me to the bone marrow. They stung. But, in the end, I understood. He needed to put himself first. He needed to follow his heart to find peace. So, I let things be.
Years passed. Gabriel and I got married after college, and to my surprise, Cassian sent flowers even when we hadn’t spoken in years. That was the last time he reached out. And just like that, he disappeared from my life.
But now, seeing him again after all these years? It was surreal.
“What are you doing here?!” I asked, my voice filled with excitement.
The smile on his face was great, his happiness contagious. He was still that handsome man he used to be. Though he looked much more mature now, of course, I couldn’t expect him to look exactly the same way he did in college, right?
Back then, his face was clean-shaven, but now, he had a cute mustache and a beautifully groomed beard linking to his sideburns. His voice, too, had deepened. The moment he stepped into the classroom and after we hugged, it didn’t matter that we were at the back of the class—the ladies in the distance noticed him immediately.
They covered their mouths and smiled, whispering to each other while stealing glances at him. Their behavior made it obvious. They were talking about him, admiring him, perhaps even instantly crushing on him.
Cassian stepped closer to my desk and placed one leg inside the empty space beside me. A silent cue that he wanted to sit next to me. Without hesitation, I shifted to make room for him.
“What do you mean, what am I doing here? I am the professor here, and what are you doing here? Are you one of my students?” he asked with a teasing smile.
Professor? Did Cassian just say professor?
My eyes widened in shock, but then, of course, I quickly masked my reaction when I remembered just how brilliant he had been back in college. He was so exceptional that the school recognized his achievements, awarding him a full scholarship until graduation because of his outstanding results from the very first semester.
And now, he had become a professor?
“Yes, sadly, yes,” I answered his question, my voice carrying a hint of reluctance.
“I am a student here now. I’m getting my master’s degree,” I added, my voice slightly lower.
“What do you mean by sadly?” he chided playfully. “This is a good thing, Rebecca!”
I chuckled at his enthusiasm, but before I could respond, he was already standing.
“I have to go now. We will see each other after class, right?” he said, glancing down at me.
I hesitated for a moment before skeptically answering, “Yes, maybe...” Truthfully, I needed to go to the company to oversee things, but a part of me felt drawn to staying back just a little longer.
“Okay. I will look around for you. Don’t run anywhere,” he said, walking away backward, flashing me that same old teasing smile.
“You look beautiful as ever,” he added, his lips curling into a knowing smirk.
I blushed immediately but quickly masked it, clearing my throat in an attempt to regain composure.
At this moment, Cassian was already at the front of the class, introducing himself to everyone.
“So, if you need anything, if you want me to help you through any difficulties regarding your course, you may always come to me. My office is a bit far from here, but you’ll find me nonetheless, right?” he joked, earning a round of chuckles from the class.
Three hours later, the lecture was over. I packed my things, ready to leave immediately, but something within me told me to wait. Maybe just for thirty minutes. After all, I had some time to spare before heading to the company. And, truth be told, I wanted to talk to Cassian again.
“You’re still here?” his baritone voice sounded again. This time, he was approaching from the front of the class, just an inch away from me.
His tall frame, his charming smile, his deep, manly voice—
“Oh my God,” some of my classmates whispered as they walked past, giggling and stealing glances at him.
“He is so fucking cute. I wish he’d just ask for my number right now,” another girl sighed dreamily, her voice filled with admiration.
I smiled at the scene unfolding around me. It was amusing, but Cassian merely shrugged.
“This is what I’ve been dealing with for the longest time now,” he said jokingly, shaking his head.
I chuckled, but deep down, I understood. Which lady wouldn’t be drawn to a man like him?
“Do you want some ice cream?” he asked, snapping me out of my thoughts.
“Or some coffee?” he added.
I smiled. “Yes. I might need a coffee.”
And with that, we headed to a coffee shop on campus.