124

124
Chapter 124
Nikolas Can Cook?!!

Nikolas stood there, his fists clenched, his eyes still burning.

Mar looked at him and sighed. "Don’t let jealousy blind you, Nikolas. Cassandra needs your calm, not your rage."

Nikolas finally exhaled, dragging his hand through his hair. "Grandma… I’m trying. But if he dares…" He stopped, shaking his head. "She’s mine. No one touches her."

Mar nodded softly. "Then protect her… with love, not just with anger."

Nikolas didn’t answer. 

Just then Katy rushed over, almost stumbling as her shoes screeched against the floor.

“She’s awake!!” she said, breathless and panicked, her eyes wide with excitement.

Mar and Nikolas both jerked up at once. 

The chairs they were sitting on made loud scraping sounds against the tiles. Without wasting a second, they rushed forward like two people chasing after hope.

“Slow down! Let me help you, ma’am,” Katy said quickly as she grabbed Mar’s arm gently to steady her while leading her toward the ward.

Nikolas didn’t wait, his strides were longer, faster. 

He reached the door just as the doctor stepped out, holding a clipboard.

“Mr. Nikolas… ain’t you supposed to be under treat…” the doctor started, but Nikolas didn’t let him finish.

“Oh! You mean giving you a treat?!!” Nikolas cut in sharply.

His hand suddenly clamped down on the doctor’s shoulder, but the grip looked like a half hug from afar. The doctor’s breath hitched. 

His lips twitched awkwardly.

“Oh yeah… a treat!” the doctor said quickly, his eyes darting nervously. 

He gave a little forced laugh, nodding.

Nikolas smiled faintly, but it wasn’t warm, it was cold. 

He leaned closer, whispered something only the doctor heard, and then nodded as if nothing happened.

“Let’s go see Cassy!” Mar’s voice came from behind as she moved past, her cane tapping lightly.

Nikolas immediately let go of the doctor, straightening like nothing happened. 

His eyes went on for a second longer.

“You’re lucky…” Nikolas muttered low enough only for the doctor to hear before he turned and followed Mar into the ward.

CASSANDRA’S POV

I was sitting up slowly on the bed, my body still weak but my heart relieved to be conscious again. 

The door opened, and Mar and Katy entered at once.

“Oh my dear Cassy!!” Mar’s voice cracked as she rushed to my side. Her arms wrapped tightly around me, trembling slightly as if she feared I would vanish again.

I hugged her back, pressing my face against her shoulder. 

The warmth of her hug felt like comfort itself. Then Katy leaned closer, and I pulled her in too.

“Katy…” I whispered as I saw her red, swollen eyes. “Were you crying?!!”

Katy quickly shook her head, her hands flying up to wipe her cheeks. “No no… just dust. Something flew in my eyes,” she said, forcing a smile.

I narrowed my eyes at her. “Don’t lie to me,” I whispered softly, and she looked away, biting her lips.

Before I could press further, the door creaked again, and he entered.

Nikolas.

The moment I saw him, my heart leapt. My arms instinctively opened wide.

“Nikolas!!” I called, my voice breaking with relief.

His eyes softened instantly. 

I felt his warmth as he leaned down and wrapped his arms tightly around me.

For a moment, the world outside vanished. His scent, his heartbeat, his hold, it was all I needed.

“Cassy…” he whispered into my hair, his voice hoarse. “You scared me… you scared me half to death.”

I smiled faintly against his chest. “I’m fine now,” I whispered back.

Mar cleared her throat softly, breaking the moment. “Let her breathe, Nikolas,” she said with a small smile.

Reluctantly, he pulled back but kept his hand on mine, gripping it firmly like he feared letting go. His thumb rubbed against my skin as though reassuring himself I was real.

“How do you feel?” he asked, his eyes scanning my face carefully.

“A little weak,” I admitted. “But better… much better.”

Mar sighed in relief, patting my leg gently. “Thank heavens… I almost lost my grand daughter-in-law,” she said.

“You’re not getting rid of me that easily,” I teased lightly, making both Mar and Katy smile.

Nikolas, however, didn’t smile. His face was serious, his eyes dark as he leaned closer. “Cassy… you and our baby are safe. That’s all that matters to me,” he said firmly.

My heart skipped at his words. I swallowed hard. “You… you know?”

His gaze held mine. “Yes. I know. You should have told me earlier, but it doesn’t matter now. You and our child, nothing will harm you again. I promise.”

Tears stung my eyes, and I bit my lips to stop them. “Nikolas…” I whispered.

Mar’s eyes widened. “So it’s true after all. Cassandra is pregnant. She’s carrying the heir of the DeSantos!!” she exclaimed, looking between us.

Nikolas bent slightly, his voice calm but strong. “Yes grandma… it is.”

Mar hit Nikolas on the back. “Be gentle now, will you?!”

“Grandma…” Nikolas muttered, rubbing the spot.

I chuckled weakly. “Don’t be too hard on him, Mar. He’s been here all through, hasn’t he?”

Mar sniffed. “Still… he should be gentle, he should have protected you better too...”

Nikolas gripped my hand tighter, his jaw tightening as if silently vowing never to fail again.

Katy moved closer, placing a glass of water by my side. “Here Cassy… drink slowly,” she said gently.

I smiled at her gratefully. “Thank you, Katy. You’ve been crying a lot, haven’t you?”

Katy looked down shyly. “I was just worried… you’re like a sister to me,” she admitted softly.

I squeezed her hand. “And you’re like one to me too.”

Nikolas shifted, his eyes moving to Katy sharply for a moment before softening. He turned back to me, brushing a strand of hair from my face.

“Cassy… when you were asleep, I…” He stopped, his throat tight, his voice lower. “I thought I was losing you. And I realized I can’t live without you. You’re my everything.”

My chest ached, tears spilling despite my effort. I cupped his face gently. “I’m not going anywhere, Nikolas. I’ll stay… for you, for us, for our baby.”

His lips pressed to my forehead softly.

Mar smiled faintly at the sight, her heart easing. “Good… that’s how it should be.”

Katy sniffed again, turning her face away to hide her tears.

For a while, silence settled. 

I rubbed my stomach gently and sighed.
“Uhm… I’m starving… will you grab something for me Katy?!!” I asked with a smile, tilting my head at her.

Katy stood up at once, “yes… of course, I’ll go get it right away…”

Before she could move, Nikolas’s voice cut in.
“No. I’ll go get it!!” he said sharply, already standing from his chair.

Both me and Katy froze and looked at him.

“Uh? You…?” I blinked in surprise, my finger pointing at him.

“Yes,” Nikolas said firmly, brushing his suit as if he was preparing for a mission. “I’ll go get it.”

Katy looked between us awkwardly, unsure if she should argue.

I chuckled softly, shaking my head. “Nikolas… you, cooking?!! That’s something I have to see.”

His eyes narrowed but a small smirk curved his lips. “Don’t underestimate me, Cassy. I can do more than you think.”

Katy let out a small laugh. “Boss… are you serious?!!”

Nikolas shot her a look, and she quickly covered her mouth. “Sorry, sir…” she muttered.

“Stay here with her,” Nikolas ordered Katy, his tone leaving no room for argument.

I reached out and held his hand lightly. “Just… don’t burn down the kitchen, okay?!!”

He leaned closer, kissing my forehead softly. “I won’t. I’ll be back soon.”

Nikolas walked out of the ward. 

The moment he stepped outside, Simeon was already waiting by the car.

“Where to, boss?!!” Simeon asked, holding the door open for him.

Nikolas slid into the backseat smoothly, his face calm but focused. “To the house. I have to prepare a meal for Cassy.”

Simeon paused halfway, his eyes widening in shock. “You… what?!!”

Nikolas looked at him blankly. “You heard me.”

“You… you can cook?!!” Simeon asked, almost stuttering, his jaw hanging.

Nikolas raised one brow, smirking faintly. “You’ll see…”

Simeon shook his head in disbelief as he got behind the wheel. “This is going to be interesting…” he muttered under his breath.

As the car started, Dre, who was sitting in the passenger seat, turned his head slightly. “Boss, you sure about this?!! We got chefs waiting at the house.”

Nikolas’s voice was steady. “I don’t want the chefs. I’ll do it myself.”

Dre exchanged a look with Simeon but neither dared to push further.

The drive was silent for a while, only the sound of the engine humming. 

Simeon couldn’t help but glance through the mirror at Nikolas.

“Boss…” Simeon started carefully.

“Yes?” Nikolas answered, eyes closed like he was thinking about something deep.

“This… this is the first time I’ve ever heard of you cooking. Like ever. Are you sure you know what you’re doing?!!”