chapter 11

I reached home at 10 pm. I lounged on the sofa and rested my head back. I was really

exhausted, from the work and a long flight back from Seattle. The rain was so heavy so our jet

had to endure some turbulences.

She must be sleeping right now. I was surprised when Costner informed me that she didn't lock

herself in anymore. I smiled to the photo of her riding Camille that he sent. It was too bad i

wasn't here to teach her my self how to horse riding

| walked upstairs to my bedroom and got showered. I put on a black v-neck long knit tees and

khaki shorts. And headed downstairs to my study to get the fax Andrea sent. I was reaching the

last ladder-step, when i heard her screaming out loud. Followed by a sound of glasses

shattering on the floor. Cassandra ! I raced to her bedroom.

I opened her door and scanned the room, no traced of her. I walked inside, the bed was empty

and the flower vast scattered on the floor. I checked the french door to the balcony, it was still

locked.

"Cassandra ?" I tried to call her but no response.

I went to her walked-in closet, it was empty. I knocked the bathroom door, but no one

answered. I opened the bathroom door and shocked to see her in a tub. Crying and closing her

ears, her knees up to her chin.

"Jesus, Cassandra !" I ran toward her.

I checked on her. She was trembling. She screamed and shut her eyes when a thunder strike in.

Then it occurred to me, she had Astrapopobhia. A phobia of thunder. I lifted her then hugged

her on my lap and she clung her arms to me like her life depended on it. I didn't know the CPR

for Astrapopobhia so i just I soothed her back and swung her back and forth slowly. When i felt

that she was cooling down, i lifted her in my arm and took her to bed. I lay her on the bed but

she still clung to me. I sat next to her and pulled her to me.

The rain was still pouring hard, but the thunders had gone. I released her, i was trying to get up

when she tucked my shirt. Not letting me go. I pulled the duvet to cover us until waist. I put her

head on my chest and inhaled her hair. Something moved in my heart, what did she do to me.I

tilt her chin to search her eyes.

"Are you feeling better now ?"

She nodded weakly, i caressed her cheek with my thumb. She still didn't have a gut to look me

in the eyes. The door flew open, a young red hair stood on the doorway.

"Miss Cassandra are you alright ? I heard something's breaking." She worried but then gasped

when i turned to face her.

Her mouth dropped. Her eyes widened.

"T'm fine, Lily. Thank you. But i broke the vast" Cassandra replied softly.

"No. It's fine, Miss. I will clean that up." She startled but can manage to reply.

She quickly took the scattered glasses and throw it on the trash can. She vacuumed the

parquet and the carpet. I stood and talked to her.

"Can you get me the medical box ?"

She gasped but did what i said and came back with a medical box. She handed it to me. I took it

but she kept staring at me with longing eyes.

"Enngg.. Thank you ?" 1 said unsure of what i should do.

She clasped her mouth with her hands then got out of the room.

"What is her problem ?" I whispered.

"She's new. Maybe that was the first time she laid her eyes on you." Cassandra replied.

Isat next to her and brought her injured hand to me. She was still not used to my touch, but

this time she wasn't flinched away. I opened the medical box and cleaned her wound."Since when are you having astrapopobhia ?" She looked hesitant to answer.

"Since i was 15. I watched my mother died got strike by a lightning." She answered with teary

eyes.

I watched her with compassion, didn't know what to do to console her. It wasn't everyday i met

a crying woman.

"I will tell Costner to put the sound-absorption in your room. And tell Greta to never put a vast

again."I pointed to her injured hand.

She looked down at her fingers. She was still scared of me. I had to set this straight.

"It never was you"

"What do you mean ?"

"I never meant to take you, i mislead you with your stepsister. I thought she was your father's

daughter"

"What ? Does she know it ?" She asked disbelief.

"Of course she does. She was there when i threaten your father"

"But how come? They didn't do or say anything when i was taken." She said with hurt

"There are some people who can be very tricky and manipulating, Doll. Such as your

stepmother and stepsister."

She sighed and rested her back on the headboard.

"if it wasn't me, were you really going to sell her ?" She asked anticipating my answer.

"I'm afraid so."

"So it was true what they have been telling me about you."

"What is it ?"

"That you are a mafia, is it true ?"

"T'm not. I don't have a herd or sorority. I work alone."

She didn't response, like it wasn't the answer that she wanted.

"But i will never hurt you, let alone sold you:" I rubbed her cheek with my knuckles and her pink

lips with my thumb.

How i wanted to taste those lips.Ravished her. Marked her. She was mine, i had to have her.

"Why ?" She asked softly.

"Because you're mine."

"Can i ask you something, Cassandra ?" l asked but focused on her hand.