"I guess you also own this place, huh?" I said, not really interested in the answer.
"Mm . . ."
I shook my head as I rolled my eyes before I swiped my card and entered my unit in Azure Sky in New Haven. The smell of fresh, clean air welcomed us, and my lungs expanded to savor it.
Good, they already cleaned the place.
The interior was exactly like my unit in New York. Pastel-colored aquamarine and white. Simple and cozy, just the way I like it.
"Make yourself comfortable. Do you want water?" I asked.
Again, what's with always offering him water?
Not my fault! I don't have anything at the moment.
Cain remained standing tall as his eyes did their usual job –– follow me around.
"No need to worry about me." He sat, leaned on the sofa, and crossed his legs as his eyes never left me for a second.
I went to my room, tossed my bag on the bed, and grabbed my memo pad and custom-made fountain pen.
I was about to go to the bathroom when my bedroom door opened, and Cain entered like he owned the place (well, he does kinda' owns the whole place).
I felt nervous. It's very dangerous for us to be alone in a room with a bed in it.
"D-do you need something?" I asked, pushing my nervousness at bay with no such luck.
Cain faced me with all seriousness. "I want to see our room."
". . ."
. . . Right.
I ignored him and went to the bathroom. I listed the things I needed and went to my walk-in closet to do the same.
After my bedroom, I checked the other rooms and areas that needed additional things. All along, Cain tailed me from behind without uttering a word.
Feeling uncomfortable, I finally gave him my attention.
"Aren't you going to return to New York?" I said, hinting him to leave.
"Are you going shopping?" he asked instead of answering me.
"Yes. That's what I'll be doing the whole day."
"I'll accompany you."
I raised an eyebrow. "You have a meeting."
"I'll postpone it."
"No."
I grabbed the handle of the door and opened it, motioning for him to leave. "Message me when you arrive in New York," I said with finality.
. . .
. . .
Our eyes battled in dominance, neither one backing down. Eventually, he sighed and shook his head a bit as he approached the exit. He stopped in front of me and flashed a black platinum card in his hand.
I threw him a questioning look. "What's this?"
"For your use."
I frowned. "Cain, I can pay for my expenses, you don't have to––"
"Leanna . . . please let me have my pride as the head of the family."
It was my turn to sigh. Knowing that he wouldn't budge on this, I accepted the card with hesitant hands.
"Use it as you see fit," he said, face full of pride.
My eyes really wanted to roll over the heavens.
"Mm . . ."
I stared at him with longing, sadness overflowing in my veins. Just the thought of separating and not seeing him for who knew how long –– my heart shuddered empty.
. . .
. . .
We gazed at each other in stillness, memorizing each other's faces. He leaned closer till our breathes mingled, and I closed my eyes when he stopped for my approval.
The kiss was gentle, soft, and slow, savoring each second.
I didn't know how long we kissed until he raised my chin and tilted his head, deepening the kiss. His tongue intertwined with mine, gently biting as he sucked.
His actions turned intense as he grabbed my bottom. He was about to carry and pin me on the wall when I pulled away and shoved him in the exit. Surprisingly, he didn't resist.
"I'll call and message you now and then. When we have the time, let's meet. Okay?" I said and slammed the door, not waiting for his response. I was afraid any moments longer with him, my resolve would crumble, and I would just forget about the whole University thing and go with him to New York instead.
I sighed and took deep breathes, shaking off the creeping sadness and yearning.
----
[Over the Top]
Cain was about to say something, but Leanna already slammed the door in front of his face, signaling for him to leave.
Pft!
Someone suppressed a laugh from behind.
"Laugh. You'll choke if you hold it in," Cain said, staring at the hard cold door, not looking at the man behind him.
"Bwahahahaha! Young master, you should have seen your face!"
"Does it bring you joy at seeing your young master being rejected?" Cain turned and faced Russell, the next head of his personal guards.
Russell stopped laughing in an instant. Seriousness coated his face the moment he saw Cain's frosty eyes.
Cain strode towards the elevator with Russell marching behind him.
"How are Leanna's guards?" Cain asked.
"You have nothing to worry about, young master. I've already chosen the best two women from our troops. They'll guard her 24/7." Russell grinned with confidence as his hands supported the back of his head.
Cain skidded to a stop and shot Russell a chilling glare.
"Only two?"
Cold sweat trickled from Russell's back. "I-I'll add some more."
When they rode the elevator, Cain asked, "How about the cameras?"
"Already planted in her unit. You can check young mistress anytime you want."
Russell swallowed hard when he felt Cain's signature menacing, ice-cold, murderous air.
"You better make sure that no one else but me can spy on my wife."
". . ."
Ahhh . . . young master, please don't say something so shameful in front of your subordinate.
Russell wiped off the cold sweat on his forehead. "We've checked a hundred times, no one else but you can access the cameras."
Cain brought out his phone and log into the spy cameras. On his screen, Leanna was heading in the bathroom. He zoomed in on her face, and the whole elevator turned warm and sunny.
Russell could almost see flying hearts and sparkling rays of pink sunshine inside the elevator. He unconsciously cowered in the far corner of the tiny space, embracing his trembling self as he rubbed away all his goosebumps.
Never did Russell once saw his young master like that. His young master's mood only brightened when he was going to destroy someone.
Ughh . . . Young master, at least in front of me, please hold that cold, indifferent, ruthless image I have of you.
Russell covered his eyes. He didn't want to see Cain acting like this. The perfect image of him in his mind was gradually crumbling.
When they reached the helipad, Russell breathed a big breath of relief –– but was jolted awake upon hearing Cain's voice.
"Not enough cameras. Put more on her things, her car, even inside that University. Put tracking devices on her possessions, her vehicles, her pieces of jewelry," Cain said, expression reverted to his usual poker face as he climbed the helicopter, leaving Russell with mouth hanging open.