Take A Risk

"He has a wife?" Rona uttered the moment Cassie started to talk about Theo.

"Had. She died," Cassie explained as she sipped on her cup of Frappe.

"But how?"

Cassie shook her head. "No idea. He just told me about his late wife. Why he's being cold and heartless, and so on. And planting those words inside my head, I got nervous," she clasped her hands together and rested them on the table. "I'm afraid. What if his enemies get into me or to my daughter…"

"Don't be paranoid. I know and trust Theo. He will not let anyone harm you or Camila."

Cassie shrugged her shoulder as she leaned on the chair. "I don't know. You can't tell."

Rona shook her head. "Trust me. You have to trust Theo. Kurt once told me..." She paused when she realized that she had mentioned Kurt, and when she met Cassie's eyes, she gulped.

"You tell me. Are you seeing Kurt Vega? Theo's friend?" Cassie asked, a playful smile lingering on her lips.

Rona pressed her lips together as she sat straight. "Uhm…"

"What? Are you two dating?" Cassie squinted her eyes. "Don't ever think of lying, Ro."

Rona sighed and shook her head. "Not really. Maybe it's just a coincidence. You know, Theo—"

"Enough with excuses and lies, Ro. It's not that I will get angry just because you're dating Kurt." Cassie rolled her eyes and reached for her cup. "It's not bad. Kurt is a nice guy. I can tell."

Rona shook her head. "Still, I don't want attachments. What we have were just pure—"

"There's no harm in trying," Cassie cut the hum of Rona's words and winked at her. "By the way, I may not spend the whole day in the hospital starting next week."

"But why?" 

"I will be handling my father's company. And I need to arrange things for my father. Theo agreed that Dad would stay with us for the time being. Until he recovers."

Rona nodded. "That would be great. How about Mira and her mother?"

Cassie dropped her cup and smiled. "I let them stay at the mansion, but I will block all their resources. Theo lends help."

Rona couldn't help but chuckle. "Theo is helpful, huh? And he will start to court you. Don't you know that an article about you and him has millions of clicks in just a day?"

"I don't like fishing on social media. You know me."

"Yeah. Work freak," Rona mumbled and rolled her eyes.

"Money matters."

Rona shook her head. "I swear, money can't buy happiness."

Cassie laughed. "Really? I don't think so. Well, let's not talk about money. I need to go to the company and needs to learn the market."

"Why don't you let Theo handle it? Besides, people already know that Theo is on your side."

"I will try to understand how business operates. But I will give a thought to your suggestion." 

Rona has a point. She needs Theo to help her operate it. She's a doctor, not a businesswoman. Besides, Theo offered her about his charity projects, and that's all she ever wanted. She doesn't even know if she's ready to handle the business. She just wants to have it and save it away from those witches.

"You have to enjoy life, Cici. We're not getting any younger. Camila will not get younger. Time ticks so swiftly. I wish for you to get wed before thirty."

Cassie frowned. "What? In two months, I will be thirty."

Rona chuckled. "Exactly. Get married—"

"Getting married is not a race. I don't need to rush about it. Many married couples delved into divorce. I don't want to be like that. It is better to stay with the getting-to-know-each-other stage for years, rather than rushing to stand in front of the altar, exchanging 'I do's'." She shook her head. "I won't go for that. I don't know the guy that much."

Rona sighed. "That's why I'm telling you to get along. Spend more time with him."

Cassie scoffed and smirked. "He's out of the country again," she looked outside and saw two men in a suit watching the perimeter, "he's busy."

Rona followed her gaze. "Well, that's life. But you can find time if you want to. You're not getting any younger."

Cassie never dreamed of getting married. She knew how fucked life was. But when Camila came, she somehow wished to give her daughter a complete family. 

She never portrays her life would be with Theodore Smith. She might be attracted to him but never pictured herself in a white dress. 

She's afraid of marriage. Is she?

Or maybe she's afraid to get hurt. 

"Love is about taking the risk, if you want him, then pursue him."

"I'm not used to Rona Santos being a love guru," she teased, making Rona roll her eyes.

It's Rona's habit that no one can ever change.

Cassie fixed herself and stood up. "We need to go," she said, making Rona nod her head.

"SHIPMENTS needs to move out, Smith."

Theo clenched his fist as he stood in front of him—the Boss. The leader of their organization. The ruler of the Faux Mafia—his best friend.

"Come on, Moretti. You asked for my presence because of the delayed shipments. Are you kidding the shit out of me?"

Blake Moretti's eyes darted on him. If looks could kill, Theo might be dead on the spot.

"You involved yourself in that accident—"

"Exactly. That was an accident; you already knew who was behind it before I did. And you never tell me!" Theo's chest rises in anger. He clenched his right fist as he met Blake's eyes.

"There's no relationship involved when it comes to business, Smith. You will have a weak point for that. The shipments have been delayed for months now. And you held the responsibility for that. You need to move that out. Do you fucking get me?"

'Fuck!' Theo cussed inside his head.

"I am still taking my medicine—"

"Don't ever test my patience, Smith. I lost billions because of you—handling your affairs. And now, you're in the media again? Dating?" Blake stood up and grabbed his glass of whisky. "How can you manage that? And worst, you have a daughter."

Theo gritted his teeth. "Don't even mention about my daughter, Moretti."

Theo won't be surprised about the information Blake has. The boss could do anything.

Blake sipped on his glass and smirked. Chills can run down your spine if it is your first time seeing Blake. He's dangerous, but to Theo, he's just a friend. Though ranks are important, he still needs to pay a little respect. There's no way he will let Blake control him.

"You can't control the hell out of me. And stay away from my personal life," Theo warned.

Blake dropped the glass onto his table, leaving a loud thud.

"You knew how you lost your wife, Smith. Don't let that happen to her and to your daughter. Leaving with this life and blending it with love… is dangerous. Take that as a warning. Don't make me do the plan and give you a lesson."

Theo scoffed. "Don't crack a joke on me. Just stay away from my matters, and we're good. Don't worry. I will make sure that the shipments will be out this week."

Blake sat on the edge of the table and weighed things between him and Theo. "You have to. I need my money back."

"What did you do?"

"To whom?"

"To the one responsible—"

"With the accident? What do you think I will do?" Blake crept a devilish smirk.

"This will be the last time that you will act on my behalf, Moretti. I can handle it myself."

At that moment, Blake's laughter boomed in his office, making anyone who heard it shiver.

"Fucktard, Smith, just be thankful that I help you with it. It was Hunter who also sought my help. Shame on you. You can't appreciate my effort—"

"Stop pretending to be dramatic, Moretti. It doesn't fit you. You're a fucking monster."

Blake chuckled. "Says the angel?"

Theo pierced his gaze on him. "Take my warning. I don't care if you're the boss. For me, you're just that Blake Moretti who peed on his pants—" he paused when Blake cocked his gun and aimed it at his forehead.

"Don't fucking test my patience, Smith. One second, a bullet might be planted on your head."

Theo smirked. "I'm not afraid." He knows Blake can't do it. Not to him.