The CEO’s Revenge

Chapter Four.

Richard.

The ride to his place from the hospital was quite short—about fifteen minutes. But it felt like an hour due to the strained silence between the two. Richard was deathly quiet, turning over the situation in his mind. His arrangements were barely in place, but things were already going awry. He’d anticipated that he might feel a mild attraction to Cassie. She was his first love, after all. But the reality could not be any different. He was shaken and unprepared by the sheer intensity of the tension between them. His knuckles tightened around the steering wheel. He glanced at his crotch, eyeing the softening tent in his pants. Richard bit back the urge to curse.

"How much farther is your place?" Cassie finally broke the silence. The sound of her voice pulled him out of his thoughts.

"Close," he deadpanned. The uncomfortable silence ensues once more. After a few seconds, Cassie tried again.

"Earlier, I didn't—that was not…'' She trailed off.

Richard took his eyes off the road for a second, pinning her with his icy gaze. She looked away, completely red-faced.

"For the record," he started. "You kissed me. Quit acting as though I took advantage of you."

"It was an accident! And I’m not acting—"

"Save it." Richard cut her off sharply. He turned his attention back to the road. Beside him, Cassie fumed silently at being interrupted. He ignored her. They soon reached a massive gate. The wrought iron gates opened as the car neared. Richard drove up a long and winding driveway. A tall, sinewy man in black appeared at the end of the road.

“Welcome, boss.” The man bowed. Richard nodded at him as he stepped out of the car. He threw the car keys to him. The man in black caught it deftly. “Inform Five to stop by my study later,” he instructed.

“Alright, boss.”

Richard was almost at the biometric door when he turned around. He saw Cassie standing a couple of steps away, looking around in awe. Richard felt a dose of vanity from her blatant appreciation of the place. But the iciness in his tone betrayed none of it.

“You coming?” Cassie jumped, appearing sheepish. He looked away from her before scanning his fingerprint. The door opened, revealing the luxurious interior.

“This way,” he instructed without looking back. Richard walked down the massive hallway to the left. Cassie followed behind. He stopped before a door. “Ready to see your brother?” She nodded. The door opened to reveal Terrence sitting on a single chair. He looked up as the door opened.

“Cassie? Oh my god, you’re alright!” He shot up from his seat to envelope Cassie in a bear hug. Richard watched on in distaste as the two siblings hugged and fussed over each other.

“You are, right?” Terrence asked worriedly, leaning back to study her features.

"My side still kinda hurts, but the doctor said nothing's broken." Cassie continued with a smile, "So I guess I’ll live."

Terrence wrapped his hands around her again. "I'm so glad you are okay. I've been so worried."

"Don't worry, Terry. I'm fine." She hugged him back reassuringly. Richard frowned at the closeness between the two.

"When you're done with the touching reunion," he cuts in dryly, "let me know so we can get down to why we're here."

He saw Cassie tense in Terry's arms before pulling back. She looked at her brother. "What is he talking about, Terry?"

Terrence blanched and turned to Richard. "Mr. Evans, leave my sister out of it. This is strictly between you and me."

Richard c****d a brow. "Is it, though?"

"Stop talking about me like I'm not in the room!" Cassie yelled. She looked at her brother. "What is going on here? Is this about the money you owe him?"

His eyes widened. "He told you about it? Don't worry, Sis. I'll find a way to repay him and..."

"And how do you intend to repay two million dollars?"

Cassie gasped. "TWO million?! Terry, how?"

He had the decency to look away. "I... I will work for your company for free until the debt is repaid, Mr. Evans."

Richard sneered, "Your salary will not make a dent on that loan even if you work for five years." He added, "besides, I do not have the patience to wait that long."

"So what do you want?" Cassie interjected.

"Funny you should ask," Richard began. "I am willing to write off the loan."

The siblings looked at him in shock. Cassie's gaze turned wary as she asked, "on what condition?"

"Simple. Marry me.”

There was a pin-drop silence in the room.