Chapter 5 END NOW
Luca's POV
I couldn't sleep. It was my thoughts keeping me awake, constantly replaying scenes I felt I had forgotten.
Cassian stared at me…then it lingered a little longer.
But he wasn't just staring. His gaze seemed like he was reading me, trying to understand me from my expression.
“I think it's just the house.” He broke his silence. “It's a new environment for me.”
“I think I know what will help.”
I went into the kitchen and poured out some milk, allowed it to heat for a while then returned to the living room with two glasses of milk.
“This should help. It helps me get over my insomnia most times.”
He starched his hand to grab the glass of milk, and our finger tips met.
He instinctively tried to pull away, but I stiffened my grip on the glass.
I locked eye contact with him as the entire room settled into silence.
My eyes trailed through his arm down to his fingertips.
Then I noticed the ink and chemical stains around his fingers.
“You're still making art?” I finally released my grip around the glass cup.
He took a quick glance at his finger then returned his eyes back to me.
“Is that the reason you lingered too much on that grip?”
That wasn't the reason. There's no need to lie to myself.
“Yeah. My eyes caught sight of it.”
“I actually quit doing that a long time ago. It wasn't helping.”
“But you really lived to do it.”
Cassian smirked. “Do you really think anybody cares about purpose while trying to survive?”
“I'm really sorry I made you remember all of that.”
He exhaled heavily and got up to his feet. “You don't need to apologise. I actually just need some rest.”
He disappeared back into his room, slamming the door firmly behind him.
I leaned back on the sofa, hands crossed behind my head then I let out a huge exhale.
After that, I stood up from the sofa and headed back to my room.
As I laid on the bed, my open eyes kept staring at the ceiling.
My right hand rested on my chest, trying to calm my raging heart.
But my heart kept slamming hard against my chest.
It had finally dawned on me that we weren't just stuck together for six months.
We had to learn how to survive with these walls separating us and a desire burning fervently in our heart.
I slammed my hand against my alarm, yawning and begging to linger on the bed a little longer.
But it was already a new day, and I had a few other things to take care of.
I freshened up and went to the living room where I met Denise and her PA, Tessa.
“How long have you two been here?”
“Long enough to hear you singing in your shower.”
I slammed my palm against my forehead. “I really need to change the lock.”
“That's not the reason I'm here,” she opened. “I'm here to show you the progress we've made so far.”
“How about the management? Have they said anything about keeping me as the captain?”
She shook her head. “I haven't received any news like that.”
I heard the lock click open, and Cassian walked out, his slightly narrowed gaze taking in the faces of the living room.
“Gokd thing you're awake. I have a few things to show you as well.”
So Cassian sat at her right while I sat by her left.
Then she started scrolling though every moment caught on 4k.
“This is trending now. It has held the Internet for 24 hours now.”
“But that doesn't make sense?”
Denise's brows furrowed. “What's that?”
“The management should have reached out by now. I've been waiting for their message all night.”
Suddenly, Denise's phone buzzed with a message from the same people we've been waiting to hear from.
A faint smile appeared on her face. “You still have your position.”
“Yes!!” My entire nerves burned with excitement.
“But…” Her cold tone forced me back to calmness.
“...this isn't over yet.”
Meanwhile, Cassian hadn't said anything since he walked out of his room.
His steady eyes have just been looking at the pictures carefully. He kept calculating, closely examining everything.
“What are you looking at?”
A soft grin spread generously across his face, then he lifted his eyes from the tablet.
“I'm looking at the pictures.”
“There's more to that look on your face. I've seen it several times.”
“It's the pictures. The way they were taken. It's like…the photographers were looking for something more.”
“How can you tell?”
“It's not hard to understand a piece of art, Luca.”
“Whatever we have going on here, I need you guys to always be ready.” Denise's voice cut through our conversation.
My brows furrowed. “Why would you say so?”
“We still have to give them more. I have a plan drafted out for this, and all you're going to do is execute.”
“I have to go and see my mother today. Am I allowed to do that?” Cassian asked.
His tone sounded more like a plea and not a question.
It wasn't a secret that he really loved his mother.
I was now left with Cassian alone in the living room.
“You still remember it, don't you?” Cassian's voice followed after the door was shut.
“Remember what?”
He turned his eyes towards me, peering straight into my own eyes.
“The dark room.”
I froze.
I didn't see that coming.
Words eluded my mouth, and all I could hear was my steady heart beat.
I swallowed hard, and fingers curled slightly on my thighs.
Cassian didn't look away. His eyes remained still.
“I…I wish I knew what you were talking about, Cassian.” I tried to deny the fact.
Lying was all I could think of right now.
But Cassian leaned in—not too close to my personal space, but he was close.
I could feel his breath up close, and his eyes were still locked on me.
“Don't make me look like a fool, Luca. I know what I'm talking about.”
“That was years ago, Cassian.”
He smiled and pulled away. “At least you've admitted it.”
“Yeah, we almost shared a moment.”
“Almost?” Cassian scoffed. “How can you say that?”
“Cassian, I really don't want to talk about this.”
He stood up to his feet then patted me on my shoulder. “We're stuck together, Luca. I hope you know that.”
I remained mute as I watched him walk back to his room.
Then I looked over to the sofa and noticed a ring he left behind.
My eyes narrowed as I stared at the familiar silver ring.
Then I reached for it and held it in my hand.
“I will always love you.” Those subtle words from my lips replayed in my head.
This ring was the ring I gave him in that dark room.
Who would have known that he still had it with him up till now.
I stood up and went straight to his room.
Just as I was about to lift my hand and place a firm knock, he walked out holding his camera across his neck.
“What's the meaning of this, Cassian?” I sparked.
This was actually my own defense. This was the only way I could stop these emotions from having the best of me.
“I just wanted to return something you left with me a long time ago.”
“You can't just walk in here with all of these memories.”
“Luca, I'm not doing anything. I'll be back in the evening.”
He walked past me, right through the door and he shut it behind him.
I stood there staring at this ring in my hand.
I wasn't forced to hold it. I could easily toss it right through the window or dump it in the trash.
But something inside me still wanted to hold onto it.
I wasn't willing to let go of it just like that.
I grabbed my keys and rushed right out of my house immediately.
Then I drove straight to Denise's office.
I was losing my mind and I couldn't keep up with this. At this rate, I might commit to something I really don't want to.
Denise raised her eyes from her desk as I walked into her office and shut the door behind me.
“Luca, why do you look so tense?”
“You need to put an end to this contract!”
Her eyes widened. “Why are you saying this now?”
“Why did you have to make it continue for six months?” I asked. “We've gotten what we wanted from the entire arrangement.”
“Alright, I'm going to need you to calm down, Luca. You really don't want to mess this whole thing up.”
“Denise, end this contact immediately!!”
She slammed hard on her desk and stood up from her chair.
Her eyes widened and they beamed with fury. Then she leaned in to me.
“Every sponsorship deal, everything you've owned and everything you feel you've worked your young ass for will seize to exist the moment you make one little mistake, Luca.”
