5 Chapter 5: Coincidence?

Chapter 5: Coincidence?

Mathias

Nevaeh and I are strolling through the Cal State campus, enjoying the tour. Neveah smiles with excitement every time she sees something she likes. When we arrived, we had to tell the admissions office that I was her brother. Unfortunately, even though she’s my daughter, Nevaeh and I don’t look very far off in age. It has been fun anyway. Right now, we are walking to a coffee shop for a quick break. Clapping with excitement, Nevaeh turns to me. “So, how do you like it?” She waves her hand around the campus.

Quirking a brow, I give her an approving smile. “I think it’s a great school, and you’ll fit right in.” Her smile widens, and suddenly she’s in my arms, her arms tight around my shoulders. I stand there, stunned for a moment. Even though we have been spending more time together, we’ve never hugged. It’s nice.

Feeling comfortable, I pull her closer and chuckle.

After a minute, Nevaeh steps out of my arms and shyly whispers. “Sorry, I guess I just got a little overexcited.”

Shaking my head, I place my arm over her shoulder. “It’s okay, Nevaeh. You are my daughter.”

She tightens her arms around me and whispers. “Thanks, dad.”

I pull back and nudge my head towards the door. “Let’s get some coffee.”

Smiling into each other’s eyes, we both walk in. The place is packed with students and parents. As soon as we spot an empty seat, we rush over. Thankfully, the service isn’t slow. The barista instantly takes our coffee orders. Nevaeh and I are talking quietly when another girl approaches us. By the sneer on her face, I can tell that she’s not going to be nice.

“Well, well, well, look who’s here.” The girl mutters with a sneer.

Nevaeh crosses her eyes amusedly and takes an impatient breath before she faces the girl. “Hi, Leigh. How are you?” The girl leans her hand on her hip, giving me the once-over. I have to stifle a cringe when she licks her lips in an attempt to look seductive. “Wow, Nevaeh, one day in college, and you dump Mikhail for a college guy. Does Mikhail know?” I look at Nevaeh, giving her an incredulous look. Is this girl for real?

Rolling her eyes, Nevaeh steadily answers her. “Actually Leigh, this is my brother. Mathias.”

The girl’s self-satisfied smirk instantly disappears. “Oh. Well, you don’t look alike.”

Nevaeh gives her a condescending look. I try not to laugh as Nevaeh answers slowly and with exaggerated hand gestures. “We have different mothers.”

I guess the girl didn’t like her tone because she releases an irritated huff and walks away.

I look at Nevaeh, who gives me a mischievous smile. “I thought I was rid of her in high school, but she keeps coming back like a bad rash. Thankfully, this school is big enough that I can avoid her.” I’m about to answer when her phone begins to ring. Nevaeh looks down and smiles shyly. “It’s Mikhail. I’ll be back.” I nod my head, amused by her giddy expression, and observe as she walks to a quiet corner of the cafe. Leaning back, I look down at the table, letting my mind wander. I’m so lost in my thoughts that I nearly fall off my chair when I hear a voice I thought I would never hear again.

“Are you following me, Mathias?” I look up to see the most enchanting vision. Cassia is standing before me looking like a goddess wearing a .tight tank top that shows off her bare stomach and her golden hair loose around her shoulder. Her skirt is long and tight, emphasizing the curves of her hips and rear.

Mouth dry, I rise from my seat to reply, but before I can, she continues. “Because it’s not funny. If you or the Council think I’m hiding Lukan, you should know by now that he’s not here. So, please tell your council goons to stop sneaking around my house and classes because you’re creeping me out.” She finishes angrily.

Entranced, I watch as she turns to walk away but quickly recover and halt her progress before she leaves. Arching a brow, she looks down at my hand on her elbow and tightens her lips. “Look, Cassia, I’m not here to stalk you or whatever you think. I’m here─”

“Hey, sorry about that.” Nevaeh’s voice cuts in.

Cassia’s eyes focus on Nevaeh with an untold emotion. “Oh, sorry. I…I didn’t know you weren’t alone.” Looking in embarrassment, she turns around and walks away. I watch confused as she rushes out of the cafe.

“Who was that?” Nevaeh asks.

I shake my head puzzled. “She’s…Cassia…I… know her.” I really want to tell Nevaeh that Cassia is Lukan’s daughter, but quickly decide that I don’t want to ruin her day.

Brow furrowed, Nevaeh gives me a shrewd smile. “You know her, huh? Well, it looks like you just hurt her feelings. Did you see the look on her face? I think she thought I was your girlfriend. You should go and talk to her. She was hot.”

I look at Nevaeh in surprise. “What makes you think that it’s like that?”

Chuckling, Nevaeh shakes her head and pats my arm. “Men are so blind. She looked a little sad to see us together. For someone as old as you, you really don’t know anything about women.”

Looking back to were Cassia disappeared, I prepare to deny her suggestion. Then a thought occurs to me. She said she has been followed for weeks, but I never set an agent on her. Turning back to Nevaeh, I nod my head. “I have to talk to her. Can you wait for me here? I’ll be right back.”

Nevaeh nods her head excitedly. “Sure, no problem. Mikhail is meeting me here anyway. Call me when you’re done.” She mutters with a sly wink. “But don’t hurry back on my account. I can always hitch a ride back with Mikhail.”

It takes me a few minutes to find her, but I finally spot her setting up a table near the art building. “Cassia,” I approach slowly. Cassia stiffens at the sound of my voice, then looks around as if gauging how far she’d have to run to get away from me. She’s definitely not comfortable now.

Holding my hands up, I carefully approach the table. Cassia straightens her spine and looks me in the eyes. “Look, Mathias, sorry for the scene back there.” She rolls her eyes in embarrassment. “I’ve just been on edge lately. Tell your girlfriend I’m sorry for the weird behavior.”

I shake my head. “Nevaeh is not my girlfriend, she’s my daughter.” Cassias mouth drops, then she recovers. “Oh, sorry. I guess I didn’t think about that. I mean, it makes sense that you’d have a daughter her age considering how old you really are.”

Shrugging my shoulders, I wave her apology away. “You said you’re being watched. I never sent men to watch you. How long has this been happening?”

She looks around uncomfortably. “It started a couple of days after you came to my mother’s house. I would feel like I was being followed every time I left my sorority house. Sometimes I would spot a shadow or hear footsteps. I don’t know, maybe I'm paranoid─maybe it’s nothing. Forget I even said it.” Sighing with aggravation, she turns back to the table and places a box of brochures on the surface.

My face tightens with anger when several men pass by and stare at her rounded bottom. One of them even whistles, but quickly retreats when I give him a withering glare.

I’m surprised when Cassia turns towards me and does the most unexpected thing. She moves closer, wraps her arms around my neck, and kisses me. Her pouty lips are soft and pliant. Tilting my head to the side, I pull her into my arms, savoring the touch of her lips. Our tongues swirl and retreat deliciously. Short gasps and sighs escape her lips. Groaning, I slide my hands up her back and nip her lower lip. It is the best kiss I’ve ever had. Better than any kiss I’ve ever shared with Marael.

Reality washes over me at that moment. Marael. Stunned, I quickly pull away from Cassia, wipe my mouth, and pull myself together. Cassia frowns in question as she observes my inner struggle. However, no one is as shaken as I am when she moves closer and evenly says, “It’s okay Mathias, you’re my mate?”

My heart stops, and my mouth widens in shock. “What?” I’m stunned. Did she just say what I think she did? She thinks I’m her mate, but that’s not possible. However, when I think about how good the kiss was, I have a moment of doubt. Is she my mate?

Seeing my puzzlement, Cassia stands crosser her arms in front of her chest. “I know you’re my mate. Didn’t you feel it?” Her eyes plead with mine, but I don’t know what to say.

“What makes you think that you’re my mate?” I ask steadily.

Cassia gives me an incredulous glare. “What? Do you really think I’m making this up? For your information, I’ve been dreaming about you for nearly five years. That’s how I know.”

I look into her beautiful eyes and somehow know that it’s true. But I’m not ready to be with anyone. Not after Marael. “Look, Cassia, you seem like a wonderful woman. But I met the woman I loved over twenty years ago and lost her. After that, I promised myself that I would never fall in love again. I’m sorry.”

I feel my guilt compound, as every word causes her to flinch. Biting her lip, Cassia takes a step back and gives me a sad smile. Her eyes are gleam with tears, but I refuse to take back my words. She doesn’t understand what she’s asking of me.

Lips twisting into a sneer, Cassia looks angrily down as if trying to control her anger. “You don’t want to love again. Wow, okay, I guess that’s it then. Let’s just forget I said anything.” She replies, sarcastically. “I guess if you can find someone, it shouldn’t be hard for me to do the same. Have a nice life.” She says before she turns and walks away.

Guilt-ridden, I follow behind her in hopes of getting her to understand. “Cassia, wait.”

She gives me a disbelieving look from over her shoulder. ”What? What do you want?”

“I know that I have no right, but would you call me if something else happens?” I ask firmly. I might not want to mate with her, but I still think she needs protection.

For a moment, she’s unresponsive. However, I can tell by her heavy breathing that she’s contemplating my request.

“Look, Mathias, you made your choice. Therefore I hope it doesn’t hurt your ego when I say I’d rather bleed out of every pore of my body then call you. Just do me a favor and stay the hell away from me.”

This time I let her walk away.