071
Chapter 71
She Doesn't Know You!
I felt my throat tighten.
His words were heavy. I wanted to ask again, to demand the truth, but instead I found myself whispering, "Lose me… to who?"
Nikolas hesitated. His jaw clenched a little. He blinked away for just a second, then back at me. "To everything… to everyone. I don’t want to risk it."
My chest felt tight. "You’re confusing me…"
He leaned closer again, his face inches from mine, his voice low so only I could hear. "Maybe I am. But one thing I’m not confused about is how I feel for you."
I stared at him, my lips trembling. "Nikolas…"
"Yes?" he whispered.
"Are you… sure?” I asked, trying to be sure.
He smiled with a nod.
“Are you okay Cassy?!” he asked as I bent over.
“Yes.. just tired..” I said with a small smile, even though my body felt heavier than ever.
Just then, without another word, he came closer and scooped me in his arms.
“Nik…!!” I called at once, surprised, my hands gripping his shoulder.
“We’re going home.. just stay still..” he said softly.
His arms were strong and steady around me.
Dre was right behind us, and Simeon was already at the wheel waiting.
Nikolas carried me gently to the car and opened the door. He set me down on the seat like I was fragile glass and slid in right next to me, not leaving any space.
He looked down at me, his eyes softer than usual. “You can rest on my chest..” he muttered.
I stared at him, unsure for a moment, then I nodded slowly and laid my head against his chest.
I drifted off.
“Cassy..” Nikolas called but got no response.
Suddenly, Cassandra’s phone beeped and immediately he picked it up.
It was Ethan.
“Hi Cassy..” Ethan's voice rang.
“Ethan!” Nikolas voice came after making Ethan shocked.
“Where's Cassy?!! Why are you with her phone?!!” Ethan asked.
Nikolas looked at Cassandra on the face and continued answering the call.
“Should I remind you that Cassandra is my wife?!!” Nikolas said not wanting to wake Cassandra.
“Lie!! You're just tying her down!! Guess what I'm going to take her from you!!” Ethan said.
“I'll see you try!!” Nikolas said.
“Don’t dare me Nik!! She deserves better than a selfish man like you!!” Ethan’s voice cracked through the speaker.
Nikolas smirked, pulling Cassandra’s head gently closer to his chest so she wouldn’t stir.
“You sound desperate Ethan. If you had any chance with her, you wouldn’t be screaming at me through her phone. She’s with me… not you. That should tell you something.”
“You forced her!! I know you Nik… you always get what you want even if you cage people to have it!!” Ethan yelled.
“And yet… she’s the one sleeping peacefully in my arms right now.” Nikolas replied calmly. “Does that sound like someone who feels caged?”
Ethan went silent for a second, then growled. “Nik… you’re not her savior. You’re her prison. One day she’ll see it. And when she does, I’ll be there waiting. She’ll come to me.”
Nikolas clenched his jaw, his grey eyes narrowing. “Keep dreaming Ethan. You can chase shadows all your life but Cassandra will never be yours. You don’t even know her the way I do.”
“You think because you sleep beside her you know her?!!” Ethan snapped back. “Cassy tells me things she’ll never tell you!! She trusts me!!”
Nikolas lips curved. “Trust? That’s what you call this? Sneaking behind like a coward… calling her at night… whispering lies to her ears? That’s not trust Ethan, that’s weakness.”
“Shut up Nik!!” Ethan barked. “I’ll expose you!! She doesn’t even know half of what you’re hiding!!”
At that Nikolas froze. His fingers tightened around Cassandra’s phone, his expression unreadable.
“What I’m hiding…?” his voice dropped, dangerously low. “Be careful Ethan. Don’t push me.”
“Oh I will push you.” Ethan hissed. “And when Cassy sees who you really are, she’ll run from you. Straight to me.”
Nikolas chuckled darkly. “You talk too much. But words won’t change reality. And the reality is simple… she’s Cassandra Nikolas. My wife. Not Cassandra Ethan. You’ll die with that fantasy in your head.”
And with that, he cut the call and placed the phone back in Cassandra’s lap.
They soon got home and Nikolas came down as Dre wanted to help him with Cassandra he blocked her.
“I'll do it myself!!” Nikolas said and scooped Cassandra in his arms and walked inside.
Cassandra stirred faintly in his hold, her eyes half opening.
“Nik..?” she whispered sleepily.
“Yes… we’re home already.” Nikolas whispered back, brushing her hair aside.
I blinked slowly, then rested back against him. “Aren’t you tired of carrying me?”
“Never tired of you.” He muttered and kept walking inside.
Dre and Simeon exchanged a look but kept quiet, knowing better than to question their boss when he was in such a mood.
Nikolas placed me carefully on the couch, removing my shoes one by one.
He adjusted the blanket around her and sat down beside her. For a while he just stared at her, brushing her hand softly with his thumb.
But his mind wasn’t at rest. Ethan’s words replayed in his head. She doesn’t know half of what you’re hiding.
He clenched his fist. “What does he know..?” he muttered under his breath.
Just then Cassandra stirred again.
“You’re mumbling…” she whispered with her eyes still closed.
Nikolas forced a small smile. “Nothing important. Sleep Cassy.”
I reached for his hand, holding it tightly. “Stay with me…”
“I’m not going anywhere.” He whispered, squeezing my fingers gently.
Later That Night…
I woke up a little.
I turned and saw Nikolas still sitting beside me, awake, staring into the distance.
“Nik…” I called softly.
He turned quickly, forcing another smile. “You’re awake… do you need water?”
“No… why are you still awake?” I asked, studying his face.
“I was… just thinking.”
“About what?” I asked, sitting up slowly.
Nikolas hesitated, then shook his head. “Nothing you should worry about. Go back to sleep.”
But I wasn’t convinced. I leaned closer. “Nik… don’t hide from me. I’m not fragile. If something’s wrong… tell me.”
Nikolas looked at me, his grey eyes heavy with something I couldn’t read. He reached out and tucked a strand of my hair behind my ear.
“You don’t need to carry my burdens Cassy. Just being with you… is enough for me.”
“But…” I started, but he placed a finger on my lips.
“No buts. Tonight… just rest.” He whispered.
I sighed but leaned against him, resting my head on his shoulder.
The Next Morning
I woke up early, the sun was up already and was entering through the curtain.
Nikolas was already awake, sitting by the window with a cup of coffee.
“Morning…” I said, my voice soft.
He turned and smiled faintly. “Morning Cassy. Did you sleep well?”
“Yes… because you stayed.” I smiled.
He chuckled lightly. “Then I’ll stay every night if that’s what it takes.”
I giggled, standing up and walking to him. “You’re so sweet sometimes Nik… but sometimes… so hard to understand.”
Nikolas raised a brow. “Hard to understand?”
“Yes…” I said, crossing my arms. “One moment you’re open and gentle… the next moment you’re closed up like a locked chest.”
Nikolas smirked. “Maybe you just need the right key.”
“And you won’t give me the key?” I asked, tilting my head.
He looked at me for a long time, then reached out, pulling me closer until I was sitting on his lap.
“Maybe… I’m afraid of what happens if I give you that key.”
My eyes softened. “Nik… whatever it is… I won’t run.”
“Don’t promise me things you don’t know yet.” He whispered, brushing his lips against my forehead.
“Wait for me here… I’ll be back..” Nikolas said and I sat on the bed waiting for him.
“Where’s Nik going..” I said with a smile, swinging my feet gently off the edge of the bed.
My hair was falling loosely down my shoulders, and I tried not to think too much, just waited.
My heart beat a little faster, wondering what he was up to.
Soon, Nikolas returned, holding a tray carefully in his hands. He pushed the door open with his foot, smiling a little like he was nervous but also proud.
“Sorry… this is coming later, breakfast in bed..” he said.
I laughed softly. “You’re unbelievable…” I covered my face shyly.
He set the tray on my lap carefully. The smell of eggs, toasted bread, and something sweet drifted up and made my stomach growl.
“You cooked this?” I asked, raising my brows.
Nikolas smirked. “Well… I might have had some help from the kitchen, but yes… I made some of it.”
I blinked at him, teasing. “You? Cooking? That’s something I must see with my eyes.”
He chuckled and sat down beside me, leaning on his elbow as he watched me. “Just taste it first before you doubt my skills.”