Kiss me

Lia didn't have the luxury of time to dwell on her feelings. She needed to find a job immediately, pay off the Valen family's debts, and cover her grandmother's medical expenses.

Just as she was actively searching for a new job, disaster struck—her grandmother suffered a heart attack and was rushed to the hospital.

In the ward, her grandmother lay connected to an oxygen tank, looking frail.

"Dr. Arthur, how's my grandmother's condition?" Lia asked anxiously.

Arthur sighed deeply. "She needs surgery as soon as possible. Medication alone won't help anymore. The family needs to make a decision quickly."

Lia felt her legs wobble, and the nurse nearby had to help her stay on her feet.

"Oh, my poor mother! What are we going to do? We can't afford surgery," cried Karen, Lia's foster mother, sobbing uncontrollably by the hospital bed.

Lia remained calm, despite the chaos. "Dr. Arthur, how much will the surgery cost?" she asked quietly.

"You'll need at least 500,000 upfront, but with follow-up care, it could reach around a million," Arthur explained, trying to keep his tone gentle, knowing their financial situation.

Karen's sobs grew louder when she heard the amount. "How could we possibly come up with that? John barely makes enough to support us with his salary. There's no way we can afford 500,000 yuan!"

She turned to Lia, grabbing her hand with desperation. "Lia, your grandmother adores you. Don't you have some savings?"

Lia knew there wasn't much Karen could do. Their family had always struggled financially. She forced a smile. "I'll figure something out, Mom. Don't worry."

But in her mind, the reality weighed heavily. She had no job, Mrs. Selena wouldn't help, and Lucas certainly wouldn't. She had no one to turn to.

As her thoughts raced, Lia's hand brushed against the business card in her bag. Her heart clenched.

It seemed there was only one person left to ask.

...

Lia arranged to meet Cassius at a private room in a coffee shop. She had dressed deliberately, wearing something far bolder than her usual professional outfits. Her pink scarf draped softly around her shoulders, accentuating her delicate neck and collarbones.

For the first time, Lia dressed like this, trying to stay calm as she smiled across the table at Cassius.

He glanced at her briefly, his eyes cool, before looking away. The contrast between her bold outfit and her previous conservative attire was striking, and it left an impression on him—even if he didn't show it.

Nervously, Lia reached for the pocket on the table, pushing it toward him. "Mr. Cassius, these are your clothes. Thank you for lending them to me."

Her arm extended, and her fair skin glowed under the light.

"You're welcome, Miss Lia," Cassius replied, his tone calm and detached.

Lia had used the excuse of returning his clothes to arrange this meeting. She had no choice but to rely on him now. Still, he hadn't really looked at her since they sat down, and it made her anxious. Was he no longer interested?

After a long pause, Lia decided to break the silence. "Mr. Cassius, does your offer from last time still stand?"

Cassius looked up, his expression unreadable. "What offer?"

Had he forgotten?

Lia's smile faltered, but she gathered her courage. "Do you still want me tonight?"

She tried to keep her voice steady, but her flushed cheeks betrayed her nervousness.

Cassius's hand, resting under the table, tightened slightly. A faint smirk touched his lips, though it was gone as quickly as it appeared.

"What's this, Miss Lia? You lost your job at Valen Group and now you're in a rush to find something new?" His fingers tapped the table rhythmically, his voice casual but pointed.

Lia wasn't surprised that he knew about her resignation. She didn't try to hide it and maintained her composure. "Yes, I've resigned. But if Mr. Cassius isn't interested, I won't push it."

She knew people held grudges, and Cassius might still resent her. During her time at Valen Group, several wealthy men had offered to take care of her, but she had always refused. This was different.

"Sorry to waste your time, Mr. Cassius," Lia said, preparing to leave.

But as she stood, Cassius's voice stopped her. "Miss Lia, you're aware there's quite a gap between us, aren't you?"

His words made her pause. What did he mean?

"Please, speak plainly, Mr. Cassius," she said, turning back to him.

With a smirk, he leaned back in his chair. "Come here."

Hesitant but with no other option, Lia stood and slowly walked over to him.

She stopped in front of him. "Mr. Cassius, what is it?"

Without warning, he grabbed her waist and pulled her into his lap. Lia gasped, her hands instinctively pushing against his chest.

"Mr. Cassius!"

He leaned down, his eyes now carrying a glint of amusement. "Tell me, Miss Lia, why the sudden change of heart?"

Lia lowered her gaze, her voice soft but steady. "I need money."

Most people would find her behavior shameful, but Lia had no choice. Money was everything right now—it was her only lifeline.

Cassius wasn't surprised. His fingers brushed against her cheek as he asked, "How much?"

Her hands trembled slightly as she replied, "Six million."

Cassius raised an eyebrow, his fingers lightly tracing her lips. "And do you think you're worth that much?"

Lia's throat tightened at the irony of his question. "It's not up to me to decide what I'm worth. If Mr. Cassius wants, I'm sure you could even afford 60 million."

She was gambling—she had no confidence he'd agree, but there was no other choice.

The silence stretched between them, thick with tension.

Lia stayed frozen in his lap, unsure of what he would say. The wait was excruciating, her heart pounding in her chest.

Finally, Cassius's lips curved into a faint smile. "You have a sharp tongue."

Did he agree?

"Kiss me," he said, his voice low and commanding.

Lia hesitated for a moment, then leaned forward, her lips brushing his in a tentative kiss. She pulled back almost immediately, unsure if she had done it right. "Is that okay, Mr. Cassius?"

His eyes darkened as he looked at her. "That wasn't a real kiss, Miss Lia."

Her face flushed with embarrassment. She had no experience in this, and it was showing. "I'm sorry if I displeased you."

Cassius's lips twitched in amusement. "A kiss isn't supposed to be so brief. Lucas never kissed you, did he?"

"He hates me," she answered bluntly, a hint of bitterness in her voice.

Cassius didn't respond, instead cupping the back of her head and pulling her into a deeper kiss. His presence was overwhelming, his touch demanding, leaving her breathless.

When he finally released her, Lia slumped against him, trying to catch her breath.

"Breathe," he murmured into her ear, his tone teasing, as if amused by her flustered state.

Lia gasped for air, her face burning with embarrassment. She had never been so overwhelmed, so disoriented.

"Now that's a real kiss," he said, his fingers trailing gently along her flushed cheek.

"Mmm," Lia muttered, trying to calm herself. The intensity of the moment left her shaken.

They stayed like that for a long time, wrapped in the tension between them.

As Lia tried to regain her composure, Cassius finally spoke again. "I've made up my mind. Let's go."

His words were casual, but they shook her to the core.

She stared at him in disbelief. "Go…where?"

"Miss Lia, do you prefer to stay here?" he teased, a glint of mischief in his eyes.

"No, I—" Lia tried to get up but stumbled, her legs weak from the tension. She fell back into his arms.

Cassius chuckled softly, his laughter rumbling in her ear. "You're already falling for me, and we haven't even left yet."

Her face turned an even deeper shade of pink.