A low smile appeared on Cassian’s face as he stared at the woman before him. "This is the first time I’ve seen someone so beautiful it feels unreal," he thought. "Fearless and nonchalant, yet completely defenseless." His gaze deepened, the curve of his lips twisting into obsession. "I really want to lock her to my bed."
The lady’s brows knitted together. "Weird... Why do I suddenly feel the urge to kidnap this man and make him mine?" she thought.
"I guess it’s not that strange. Who wouldn’t be tempted by such handsome man?" Taking a bold step closer, a smile spread across her lips.
"You won’t get mad over that, right?" she said, her voice feather-light. Looking at her now, framed by delicate glasses, no one would ever suspect she was the same person who had shot down three men just moments ago. She looked entirely innocent.
Cassian’s smile widened, he was supposed to be suspicious and question her identity right away yet somehow he found her harmless and feel the urge to own her more. He stood, towering over her small frame, and gently rested his large, warm palm on top of her head.
"What is a little girl like you doing in a place like this?" he asked, his deep, hoarse voice vibrating through the space between them. His dark eyes remained utterly fixed on her.
She frowned slightly. "Little girl?" Pushing the thought aside, she answered truthfully, "I don’t know."
"I’m really not sure why I’m here anyway," she thought. "It’s better to stick close to him for now. Besides, wouldn’t kidnapping this big guy be so much easier from up close?" A wicked intention flashed briefly in her eyes.
Cassian studied her, carefully. "This beauty is quite mysterious." He took in the sight of her elegant dress and flowing hair. "She looks so fragile. With arms that slender, was she tricked into coming here?" Masking his concern, he questioned, "What is your name?"
"My name?" she echoed softly, her expression completely blank. "What is my name?" A faint crease appeared between her brows as she struggled to remember.
Catching her lost expression, Cassian realized she truly had no idea who she was. "Amnesia? That explains everything," he thought.
"Don’t think too much about it," he coaxed, his tone softening. "From now on, your name is Nova. Are you willing to come home with me?" He asked in a soft tone.
She stared up at Cassian, captivated. "Nova," she repeated in a breathy whisper.
Suddenly, a soft glow illuminated her vision. A translucent system screen, visible only to her, flickered to life in the air.
[Ding!]
Identity Confirmed.
Name: Nova
Age: 18 years
Male Companion: 1
Other Information: Locked
Identity Registered!
Just as quickly as it appeared, the screen vanished. Nova blinked, a small, amused smile playing on her lips. "Interesting. So I’m really eighteen," she thought, struggling to erase the annoyance that suddenly build up within her.
She looked back up at Cassian and offered a light, breathtaking smile. "You want to take me with you? Of course I’ll go."
A smirk tugged at the corners of Cassian’s mouth. He gently patted her hair, then guided her to sit on the edge of the bed. "Tell me, were you forced by someone to come here? And to dress like this?" he asked gently.
Nova remained quiet for a moment, trying to piece together fragments of memory. "I don’t know," she admitted, failing to recall anything. "All I remember is finding this dress in my bag and changing into it. Whatever I was wearing before was completely ruined."
Cassian smiled affectionately, reaching out to brush his knuckles against her cheek. "So soft. I really want to..." He caught himself, pulling his hand back. "No. I can’t frighten her. What if she runs away?"
"Wait for me here, alright?" he said. Snatching his phone off the mattress, he turned and stepped into the bathroom.
The moment the door clicked shut, a dark, possessive smile spread across Nova’s lips. "Just like that. Isn’t this beauty mine for the taking?" she chuckled darkly, her eyes locked on the bathroom entrance.
Shortly after, Cassian emerged. Fully dressed and looking like a deity descended from the heavens, he approached Nova. Noticing her bare feet, he effortlessly scooped her up, settling her securely into his strong arms.
"Let’s go home," he said.
"Mhm." Nova nodded, wrapping her slender arms around his neck. She rested her head against his shoulder, entirely relaxed and utterly defenseless in his hold.
Cassian smile. He grabbed his large jacket and draped it over Nova, shielding her face completely from prying eyes. Carrying her out of the room, he walk down the long staircase and stepped out of the bar into the cool night air.
A sleek, beautiful black car was parked neatly at the curb. Cassian approached it and was just about to pull open the door when a young man in a sharp black suit hurried over.
Breathing heavily, as if he had being running from a long distance, the subordinate reported, "Boss, you were right. The spy was actually hiding around here."
Cassian’s face remained cold. "Lock down the entire bar," he commanded. "Even if he buries himself in the earth, you must dig him out."
The man in black nodded firmly. Suddenly, his gaze shifted, noticing the bundle in Cassian’s arms. His brows knitted in alarm, and he immediately drew his gun in a panic, aiming the barrel straight at Nova.
"Boss, you’re holding a woman!" he gasped in horror noticing Nova’s long hair.
Cassian’s expression darkened instantly. "Put down the gun. Don’t frighten her," he snapped, his voice sharp enough to cut glass.
The subordinate was shocked beyond belief. "But Boss, what if she’s a spy too?" he argued anxiously.
"I said, put down your gun!" Cassian’s anger flared, fixing the man with a glare so dangerous it commanded absolute obedience.
The man instantly lowered his weapon to his side, staring at Cassian in disbelief. "The boss has avoided women for years. Why is he being so protective of this one?" he thought.
Cassian hissed softly in annoyance and pulled the car door open. As he settled Nova onto the leather, he finally realized her breathing had slowed—she was already fast asleep.
A soft, warm smile tugged at his lips. He arranged her small frame comfortably across the backseat, lingering for a second to gently caress the curve of her cheek.
"Acting this defenseless and sleeping so carelessly... even if she were a spy, she’s far too naive for the job," he murmured. A moment later, his brows frown together as a thought struck him.
He closed the car door and turned back to his subordinate. "Right. Dig up all the information you can find on her before dawn," he ordered, before slipping into the driver’s seat in the car.
The man in black suit tried to peek into the vehicle, but the heavily tinted glass made it impossible for anyone on the outside to see the lady’s face.
Cassian rolled the driver’s window down just enough to add, "Her belongings are still up in my room. Fetch them for me as well."
"Understood, Boss," the man confirmed, hurrying off to carry out his orders.
Cassian rolled up the window and sped away into the night.
Upon arriving at the massive mansion, the tires crunched to a stop on the gravel drive. Cassian exited the vehicle, opened the rear door, and carefully lifted the sleeping Nova back into his arms.
He walked into the grand foyer. Maids lined the halls on either side, bowing respectfully to welcome their master home, but Cassian cut them off before a single greeting could be uttered.
"Return to your duties," he dismissed sharply, carrying his precious lady straight up the grand staircase toward his bedroom.
As soon as his broad back disappeared from view, the maids exchanged utterly shocked expressions.
"The boss actually brought home a woman! What in the world is going on?" one whispered.
"It’s a pity we couldn’t see her face. This is the first time the young master has ever carried a woman inside. It’s so unexpected!" another gasped.
"Do you think she might become the new young mistress?"
"Isn’t it obvious?"
While the staff gossiped in low tones, a blonde-haired maid stood off to the side, her brow furrowed in deep thought. Without drawing attention, she slipped quietly out the back doors of the mansion.
.....
The moon hung high in the night sky. Though darkness draped the city, people still roamed the streets, keeping the atmosphere as lively and bustling as a bright afternoon.
Blending seamlessly into the bustling crowd, the blonde maid used the cover of the busy street to duck into an empty, shadowed alleyway behind a row of shipping containers.
Reaching beneath her skirt, she retrieved a small compact of powder, carefully dusting her face to disguise her features. Satisfied that no one would recognize her, she pulled out a burner phone, dialed a number she had memorized, and pressed it to her ear.
It rang a few times before connecting.
"Yes?" a straight, cautious female voice answered softly.
Lowering her voice to a mere breath, the maid reported, "Cassian just brought a woman back to the mansion."
"A woman?" The voice on the other end sounded in pure surprise.
"Yes. I wasn’t able to see her face, but she is undoubtedly a girl. He personally carried her inside," the blonde maid confirmed.
"How interesting. Find an opportunity to test this girl," the mysterious woman instructed.
"Understood." The maid ended the call. "How am I supposed to test her?" she pondered, chewing on her lower lip. After a moment, her brow cleared as a cunning plan formed in her mind. She immediately dialed a second number. This time, the call connected almost instantly.
"Sonnie! Calling so late at night—what’s the matter? Could it be that Cassian wants to see me?" an eager, sweet voice chimed.
Sonnie smiled, a wicked, calculating smile. "I think Miss Clara should visit tomorrow morning. Bring breakfast for the boss. He seems to be in a wonderfully good mood," she suggested smoothly.
"Really?!" Clara’s excited voice echoed through the tiny speaker.
"Yes, Miss Clara."
"Very well, then!" Clara chuckled in pure delight before hanging up.
Sonnie immediately wiped the call history, double-checking the phone to ensure no trace of her call remained. Satisfied she was safe, she pocketed the phone, thoroughly wiped the thick disguise powder from her face, and slipped out of the shadows, making her way back to the mansion.