His last addiction

Chapter 6

Cassian's POV

I drummed my fingers against the conference table, my mind far away from the room.

I wouldn't be here if I didn't have to show the world that I had legal business dealings as well as illegal ones.

Unfortunately, as the head of the Vescari empire, my presence at meetings like this was unavoidable.

But this wasn't where I wanted to be.

I wanted to be with Royal,but I'm still trying to find the right way to approach her without frightening her.

After the meeting, I decided to check out Royal's apartment.

Henry had informed me that she was still at work, which bought me enough time to go check her place out.

When I got to the company parking lot, David was already waiting.

"Pass me the keys. I'll be driving myself," I said.

"Yes, Boss."

He handed me the keys, and I pulled out of the parking lot before driving toward her apartment.

I parked a short distance down the street and walked the rest of the way.

Using the duplicate key Henry had given me, I unlocked the door and the lock clicked softly.

I stepped inside and quietly shut the door behind me.

The apartment felt... warm,It smelled just like her.

My eyes wandered around the living room as I traced my fingers over the burgundy throw blanket draped across the couch.

Matching burgundy cushions rested against cream-colored pillows.

"So... burgundy is your favorite color."

A small smile tugged at my lips.

I walked into the open soace kitchen and dining area.

Everything was spotless,organized and simple.

My gaze landed on the bouquet resting neatly inside a vase on the dining table.

The flowers were beginning to wilt.

For reasons known to me

I liked knowing she hadn't thrown them away.

I continued walking, one hand tucked inside my pocket while the other brushed lightly against the wall.

I opened the first door,which seems to be the guest room because of how plain it look,nothing personal.

Closing it quietly, I moved to the second room.

The moment I pushed the door open, my eyes swept across bolts of fabric, sketchbooks, a mannequin, and neatly stacked design portfolios.

"Beautiful..." I murmured.

"My woman creates beautiful things."

I walked closer to the design board, studying every sketch pinned to it.

She was talented.

Far more talented than she probably gave herself credit for.

I closed the door and made my way to the final room.

Her bedroom.

The moment I stepped inside, her vanilla scent wrapped around me.

It was stronger here and more intimate.

A burgundy duvet covered the bed, matching the curtains framing the large window. Against one wall stood a bookshelf filled with novels arranged carefully by color.

My gaze shifted to the bedside table.

A ceramic mug sat beside a small stack of novels.

Three novels were staked together,i think this are the novel she borrowed from my library,one of the novel lay on top with a bookmark tucked neatly between its pages,she had been reading them recently.

A small notebook caught my attention and I opened it.

Inside it was rough dress sketches, fabric swatches tucked between the pages, and short reminders written in neat handwriting.

Call silk supplier.

Buy burgundy satin.

Finish Miss Camila dress before fitting on Friday

Remember Eli's birthday.

A faint smile tugged at my lips.

There wasn't a single reminder about herself,Just work ,dreams and the people she cared about.

"Well...that's why I'm here to fill in the gaps.

The number one thing on my to do list for her is to get her a car,maybe i could use her friend.

Interesting.

I closed the notebook gently.

Her bedroom simply reflected who she was.

My gaze swept toward the bookshelf.

Every novel was arranged by color.

"So that's why you couldn't resist my library," I murmured with a quiet chuckle.

For a brief second...

I wondered what kind of story she wanted for herself.

Then another thought crossed my mind.

One day...

I'd make sure I be the best for her and give her the very best.

I walk to the vanity and opened the first drawer, it was filled with hair clips,hair ties and bands. Nothing unusual.

The second drawer revealed neatly folded handkerchiefs.

I chuckled quietly.

"Burgundy really is your favorite color."

Most of the handkerchiefs were burgundy while the rest were white.

I picked up one of the burgundy handkerchiefs before gently closing the drawer.

I Sat at the edge of the bed and brought the fabric to my nose and inhaled it slowly.

Vanilla.

The same scent that had haunted me since the night I carried her out of the club.

"A souvenir," I murmured.

I fold the handkerchief Carefully and slipped it into the inside pocket of my jacket.

I took one last look around the room before leaving the apartment exactly as I had found it.

I drove to a flower shop and bought a big bouquet of rose along with a decorative vase before returning to her apartment.

Sitting inside my car, I stared at the blank card in my hand.

After a moment, I uncapped my pen and write

"A gift for a gift."

I slid the card between the flowers before placing the bouquet carefully outside her front door.

Just as I turned back toward my car, my phone rang.

Henry.

I answered immediately.

"Talk."

"Boss... I have an update."

"What is it?"

"A car has been following Miss Carter."

I froze with my hand still resting on the car door.

"What do you mean a car has been following her... and I'm only hearing about it now?" I asked with a dangerously calm voice.

"I'm sorry, Boss."

"You'll be a lot sorrier if anything happens to her," I said coldly. "Because if it does... I'll personally make sure you lose your head."

A heavy silence followed.

"How long?"

"Since Sunday morning."

My jaw tightened.

"Do I need to teach you how important your assignment is?"

"I'm sorry, Boss. I wanted to be certain they were actually following her."

"Did they make contact?"

"No. They've kept their distance and I also ran the license plate."

"And?"

"It belongs to a dead man."

My expression darkened.

"Listen carefully, Henry."I said

"Yes, Boss."

"I don't want them getting within four feet of her."

"If they do..."

"Put a bullet in every single one of their heads."

"Understood, Boss."

"I'm on my way."

I ended the call without another word.

Starting the engine, I gripped the steering wheel tightly.

Whoever they were...

They had just made the biggest mistake of their lives.

I slammed my foot on the accelerator.

The tires screeched against the pavement as the car shot forward toward Royal's workplace.

"It's time to meet again diavola"