132

132
Chapter 132
Enough Drama 

I chuckled, shaking my head. “I think I like it that way.”

As we reached my room, I glanced back one last time. 

Downstairs, Nikolas was still standing there, watching me go, a faint smile on his lips.

I stood there, frozen for a moment, my eyes locked with Nikolas’. The way he looked at me… so intense, yet soft, like he was reading through my soul. 

His lips moved slowly, and though no sound came out, I caught the words. “I’ll be with you shortly…”

I nodded faintly and turned around, walking inside. My heart was still beating fast, and I didn’t even know why. Maybe because every time he looked at me that way, I forgot how to breathe.

When I entered my room, Katy was already there, arranging the clothes neatly on the bed. She looked up immediately when she saw me.

“Cassy… should I help you undress?” she asked, her voice low.

I shook my head slowly. “Katy… you don’t have to serve me anymore.”

Her eyes widened immediately, and she froze for a second before whispering, “Are you… are you mad at me? Please forgive me! Whatever I did….”

Before she could even finish, she bowed her head deeply, her voice shaking.

I rushed over to her and quickly lifted her head up with both my hands. “Please… don’t bow to me, Katy.”

She blinked rapidly, tears already gathering at the corners of her eyes. “But why? Did I offend you somehow?”

I smiled weakly. “No, you didn’t. You’ve been nothing but good to me. That’s why I don’t want you to be my maid anymore.”

She stared at me, confused. “Then what do you want me to be?”

I took a deep breath and said softly, “I just want you by my side as my sister, not as my maid.”

Katy’s mouth fell open slightly. For a moment she just stared at me, trying to process the words. Then her eyes watered completely. “Cassy… you’re serious about this?!!”

I nodded and smiled. “Yes, I am.”

She suddenly hugged me tightly, her arms wrapped around me with so much emotion I almost lost my balance. “No one has ever said that to me before…” she whispered. “Everyone here treats me like a nobody. You’re the first to call me a sister.”

I held her tightly, my chin resting on her shoulder. “Because that’s what you are to me, Katy. I mean it.”

She pulled back a little, her eyes red and shining. “You really don’t want me to serve you again?”

I smiled softly. “No. But if you want to stay close to me, I’ll never stop you.”

She wiped her tears quickly and sniffed. “Then… just let me help you undress for the last time. Please? Just this once.”

I laughed lightly. “You and your persistence. Fine.”

She smiled and went behind me, unzipping the gown carefully, her fingers gentle. “You look so happy these days,” she said quietly. “Boss really changed for you.”

I chuckled faintly. “He did. Sometimes I don’t even recognize him anymore.”

Katy giggled. “I know right? He used to walk around with that cold face that scared everyone. Now, he actually smiles.”

“Only sometimes,” I said playfully.

When she was done, she folded my dress neatly and placed it on the chair. “There… all done.”

I turned and faced her. “You should rest early today, Katy. You’ve done so much.”

She smiled softly, her hands still holding mine. “You know, Cassy… I’ll miss this. Helping you dress, arranging your things…”

“You’ll still be around me, just not as a maid. Okay?”

She nodded slowly, tears threatening to fall again. “Okay… sister.”

We both smiled at that word. Sister. It sounded so right, so warm.

After a while, Katy finally left the room, wiping her face but smiling. I stood by the window, staring at the evening sky, feeling peaceful for the first time in a while.

A few minutes later, I heard footsteps behind me,  strong, steady ones that I could recognize anywhere.

“Wife…” Nikolas called softly.

I turned slowly from the corner, pretending to look busy. I didn’t smile, though I wanted to.

He tilted his head a little, trying to read my face. “What happened, wife?” he asked, walking closer.

I crossed my arms and frowned slightly. “Nothing.”

He chuckled quietly. “Don’t lie to me, Cassy. You never frown for nothing.”

I sighed and turned my face away, still playing hard to get. “It’s one of your staff.”

Immediately, his expression changed. 

He moved closer and took my hands gently but firmly. “What did they do? Tell me who. Give me a name, and I’ll off his or her head right now.”

I blinked, startled at how serious he sounded. “Nik! I didn’t mean it that way.”

His grip tightened. “Tell me.”

I looked down, trying to calm him. “No… I just want to teach her a lesson, not have her killed.”

“Who?” His tone was sharp now.

I hesitated for a moment before finally saying it. “It’s Mandy.”

Nikolas’s eyes darkened instantly. Without another word, he turned toward the door. “Dre!”

Within seconds, Dre appeared. “Yes, boss?”

“Get me Mandy. Now!!”

Dre didn’t ask questions. “Right away, boss.”

I followed behind Nikolas, trying to catch his arm. “Nik… please don’t hurt her too much. I just want her to learn.”

He turned and looked at me. “No one disrespects my wife. Ever.”

Minutes later, Dre returned with Mandy, who looked terrified already. 

She was trembling, her hands shaking as two guards brought her in.

“Boss… she’s here,” Dre said and stepped aside.

Mandy immediately dropped to her knees. “Please, sir! I didn’t mean to…”

Nikolas’s voice cut her off. “Quiet.”

She froze instantly, her eyes wide with fear.

“What did you do?” he asked, his tone calm but cold.

“I… I was only talking, sir. I didn’t mean any harm…” she stammered.

I crossed my arms, watching quietly.

Nikolas moved closer, towering over her. “Talking? About what?”

“I… I just said something small about Madam Cassandra, sir. I didn’t mean it in a bad way.”

Nikolas’s jaw tightened. “You gossiped about my wife?”

She swallowed hard. “Sir, I was only joking…”

He turned to Dre. “Bring her to the courtyard.”

“Boss please!!” Mandy screamed, clutching her apron. “Please, I’m sorry! I won’t do it again!”

Nikolas ignored her completely and walked out of the room. Dre and the guards dragged her along as she cried and begged.

I followed behind, my heart beating fast. “Nikolas, please!”

By the time we reached the courtyard, the evening breeze was cool, but the air felt heavy. Mandy was kneeling in the middle, shaking uncontrollably.

Nikolas stood a few feet away, his expression unreadable. “Do you know what happens to people who insult my wife?” he said, his voice deep and steady.

“Please, sir… I didn’t insult her, I swear! I was only talking…”

“Talking?” Nikolas repeated. “You think words don’t cut deeper than knives sometimes?”

“Boss, please!” she cried louder, her hands clasped together. “Please forgive me, I beg you!”

I stepped forward, touching Nikolas’ arm. “Nik… please don’t hurt her. You’re scaring her.”

He looked at me, his expression softening just a little. “I can’t let her go without learning.”

I sighed. “Then teach her… just don’t break her.”

He nodded slowly, then turned to the guards. “Tie her to the post. Leave her there till morning.”

Mandy gasped. “No, please! It’s cold! Please, sir!”

Nikolas ignored her cries and stepped closer. “Next time you talk about my wife, you’ll lose your tongue. Am I clear?”

She nodded rapidly, tears running down her face. “Yes sir! Yes! I swear, I’ll never do it again!”

Nikolas turned away, his arm still around me now, leading me back inside. I glanced back at Mandy, who was still sobbing, the guards keeping her still.

When we got back inside, I stopped him in the hallway. “You really didn’t have to go that far, Nik.”

He looked at me quietly. “If I don’t protect your name, who will?”

I stared at him for a moment, speechless. “But you scared her.”

“She needed to be scared,” he said calmly. “Fear keeps people from repeating mistakes.”

I sighed and shook my head, though deep down, I knew he meant well. He wasn’t doing it out of pride. He was doing it because he loved me in his own rough, intense way.

He cupped my cheek gently. “Don’t frown, wife. I didn’t touch her. I only wanted her to feel what respect means.”

I looked at him, my voice soft now. “Promise me you won’t go that far again.”

He smiled faintly. “I promise. Only if they behave.”

I couldn’t help but smile, even as I rolled my eyes. “Impossible as always!!”

“Maybe,” he said, pulling me closer, “but I’m your impossible.”

I laughed quietly, my head resting against his chest. His heart was beating steady and strong beneath me.

“Come,” he whispered. “Let’s go inside. Enough drama for the evening.”

We walked together back to our room.