SHACKLED

CHAPTER SEVEN

He lay in bed, staring at the ceiling with his shoes on. He didn’t even bother to take them off. His mind kept replaying the kiss, over and over.

It was impossible to make sense of it. Did it mean anything? Was it just an impulse? Did she feel it too? he wondered. His emotions tangled like a knot, pulling him in every direction. What now?

His phone sat on the nightstand, silent. He reached out for it, typed a message, but his fingers hovered over the screen. He deleted it. He’d always been careful with his words, but tonight, his thoughts felt too jumbled to express.

Saturday came too quickly. He found himself standing outside her door, not with the usual ease he was accustomed to. This time, the weight of the dinner ahead hung heavily on him. He dressed carefully, as if his outfit could somehow convey what words could not an attempt at control, at dignity.

Casser greeted him with a small smile, her expression unreadable. They sat at the table in silence, the distance between them palpable, like an invisible wall pressing them apart.

The food went untouched, their eyes meeting only occasionally, neither of them willing to speak first. The silence stretched on, heavy, suffocating. Charles couldn’t remember the last time a meal had felt so empty.

When she finally spoke, her voice was barely above a whisper. "I shouldn’t have kissed you."

The words were like a slap, but not unexpected. He felt the hesitation in her, the unspoken warning. He wanted to say something, but his throat felt tight. Was this the end?

"I…..” Charles started, but his voice faltered. He had no words to explain the storm raging inside him.

Casser’s eyes softened, almost imperceptibly, and she turned her gaze downward. The tension in the room grew thick enough to cut through with a knife.

"I’m sorry," she murmured, her fingers playing with the edge of her napkin.

Charles sat there, lost. His mind raced, torn between wanting to pull her into an embrace and the fear of pushing her further away. Could she possibly feel what I feel? But he couldn’t speak it. The words lodged in his chest, stuck behind the guilt of everything he had done.

---

Sunlight sliced through Charle’s curtains, but it didn’t warm him. He lay there, still, the events of the night before swirling in his head. He couldn’t shake the feeling that something had irrevocably shifted between them. Had she regretted it? Was it just a mistake? His chest tightened, and the thoughts wouldn’t quiet.

The night fell with a sense of unease that Charles couldn’t shake. He had barely walked past Charlie who dropped him off at Casser's Apartment.

The chaos that followed was a blur of shots fired, the sudden shift from the quiet of the evening to the panic of survival.

Charles moved quickly, driven by instinct. He barely registered Amelia’s presence beside him, her voice calling his name in the chaos. He fought off the assassin, a sharp surge of adrenaline pulsing through him.

Amelia stepped in front of him, blocking a blow. Charles barely had time to process the action before he pushed the man down.

“Are you alright?” she asked, concern thick in her voice.

Charles nodded, his body still shaking from the fight. His mind was elsewhere back on Casser, back to that kiss. What did it all mean?

“I don't think I'm injured,” she said, showing a palm filled with blood.

“Will you be okay with the injury?” Her brows knitted together, as she reached out instinctively.

“They lights are off in your apartment and you wouldn't want to go to the hospital looking like this,” she said pointing at his dirty shirt.

He stood there confuse and Amelia turned to leave trying to look unconcern

“I'm just worry for nothing”, she said walking away

“Excuse me” he snapped

“Give me a hand” he said as he held her.

In her apartment, he stood still. He was so embarrassed that she saved his life and will give him first aid because he couldn't reach where he was injured.

“Excuse me, I'm sorry to ask but can I borrow your shirt? his voice was barely a whisper, choked with shame.

She just stared without a word as she fixed his wound.

He stayed in the bathroom as long as possible, she could hear him go through her stuff.

“What's with him?". She slammed her fist on the table, teeth clenched.

“What is he going through the bathroom for?" she said as anger choked her.

"I need your help, he said as he beeped through the bathroom.”

She ran quickly and met him spraying her perfume.

“It smells nice”. A grin stretched across his face, slow and genuine.

“Since you are an actress, I don't think you will feel uncomfortable being close to someone you don't know well.

“Right, I took the tranquilizer that's in there,” he said pointing to a cupboard. It's the same thing I have”. He said, sounding blunt.

“I can't be mad at you for being a little rude. He said while trying to focus.

“I will put this on. You didn't get cut thankfully, it's just a scratch." She said finally, his face was unreadable.

She blew on it while applying the ointment carefully as she stared intensely. Their eyes met and she retrieved them immediately.

“You are not wearing the ring again” she muttered to herself but enough that he heard.

Charles gave an insane look.

“Let's just say that I'm worried about you because you resemble my cat.”

“I can't believe that you stay with a lady that can kill, I mean a judge can kill too” she said as she forced a smile, elegant and empty.

He gave her a stern look and chuckled, “I'm the strongest vessel and she's the weaker one, so who should be careful of who.”

“You don't know what we women can do.” She said half laughing, half panicking.

“I think you like playing the detective role too much. We are just a normal married couple.”Charles said, ignoring her face.

“A husband from a normal family doesn't borrow clothes from a man upstairs. You disappear late at night and you show up two days later and disappear again in a few hours.”

“By chance is she taking advantage of you because she is a lawyer or are you involved in some s*x traveling business?”

He laughed hard until he began panting for breath. Then stared at her with an annoying look

Yes, why should I keep lying to her he thought within, I should just tell her the truth. Besides, we are divorced and she won't be seeing us together again.

“Yes, I travel for work.” he exhaled slowly, keeping her tone level and eyes steady.

“Are you serious ?” she jolted back in fear.

“I'm a travelling housekeeper.” He said giving a weak smile but regrets immediately.

“I make rice and soup every two days and I make some side dishes and for you to know more, I am a good cook.”.

“You heard her, she said I'm hungry, come let's eat.”

“Don't you think you have too expensive a taste to do that?” she said, shrugging while dressing his wound.

“Looks like you have prejudice against housekeepers?” Charles said as he twisted into a puzzled expression.

“Thank you,” Charles said as he was about to leave.

“You are Johnson Ganin, the only son of the CEO of Ganin Group, aren't you?” She asked in a low voice but eager.

“I have to take my leave now, thanks for everything.” His footsteps echoed fast and heavy down the hallway.

“Johnson Ganin” She called firmly

He paused for a while, his face beamed with anger.

“We've met before, although it was a long time ago.” Her voice trembled with excitement as she spoke.

He remembers how they met on the pathway 15 years ago, after he walked out of the altar, he stood at the door staring stealthily.

He stared in disbelief wondering what to say and sneezed suddenly.

“Are you okay?” She asked, her voice low and trembling with worry.

“You do have cats here, I'm allergic to cats.” He said, his face foiled with anger.

Cassser returns from buying from the stall and the security informs him of the incident of how Charles was attacked by a serial killer and how he went upstairs with Amelia.

“Hello?” the security man greeted.

“Your boyfriend is okay, right?” He asked concernedly.

“Pardon?” She said surprisingly.

“His car was registered for the second floor.”

“I didn't think he was your husband because he only come sometimes”

“I see, he is your brother,” giving a weak smile.

“But why… she muttered, exhaling anger.

“He got soaking wet and was in terrible shape.” His brow knitted together.

“He went upstairs with Amelia’s help” he said blinking twice, as if the word hadn't made sense.

“Is he not at your place?” he stood there, stunned into silence.

“Casser was so confused, she stared, frozen, like the world had just tilted sideways.

“I shouldn't have said everything, I should get going” the security man said as he hurried away..

Casser walked slowly to her apartment, she waited for him downstairs but he didn't show up and began imagining several things.

“He's at her place?” his face changed into a futilled expression.

He imagined them kissing, and with that he became angry and typed their divorce letter, sign on it, preparing to give it to him as soon as he came down.

****

“So are you saying that you are the last born of the Nanim group?” Charles asked confusingly.

“I caused trouble back then, I was curious, didn't think you would change your name.” she said her knee gave out, and the world felt too heavy.

“You caught me off guard, are you loose lipped?” he stared blankly at her, eyes hollow and glassy.

She sighed with a smile, whispering.

“I care too much about my privacy to be like that.”

“Anyway, what are you really?” she said eyes locked on him.

“There's no way you would become a housekeeper with that impressive background you have.”

“I remember the CEO of Ganin bragging about you, saying he raised a great son who would be good enough for any family. I feel like I can still hear it,” she said, tapping his nose.

“I was raised to be a groom my whole life.

Now I have a career that's perfectly aligned with that. Stop being too curious anymore.”

“It's a secret for you too, that you're an heir of a conglomerate, right?”

She starred without any response

“Let's keep our wedding bouquets buried together, then.” He said as he stood up to leave.

“Well, you can send me a bill here for the shirt.” He said as he handed her his card.

“Also, thank you for today.” He walked away.

“Ohh….., Let me ask you one more thing since I'm already indebted to you.

“Do you have a business envelope?” he said bluntly.

“Pardon?” She said as her face scrunched in confusion.

An envelope was given to him as she watched him wrap some paper stealthily.

He left with the divorce file brought for Casser but was confused to either give it to her or leave with it.

“I have another reason to leave New York,” he murmured to himself outside her apartment.

“Hold on, should I be bringing this to her? What if she isn't ready for it.” He tilted his head, eyes scanning for context clues.

As he stepped out of the elevator, he ran into Casser who was worried about their affair and they decided to have a chit chat.

“Why did you come from upstairs?” Casser asked, surprise flickering in her eyes.

Their gaze dropped at the same time to the envelope between them.

“I heard you were hurt,” she said, her voice trembling. “The security guard said you were upstairs... I……I got worried.”

“It was just a minor accident. The neighbor upstairs helped,” Charles murmured, eyes dropping to the floor like it suddenly held all the answers.

“Are you okay?” she asked, scanning his body, her voice tight with concern.

“I’m fine,” he said, a bit too sharply. “It really wasn’t a big deal.”

A beat of silence.

“Did you go upstairs... for me?” he added, a faint smile tugging at his lips.

“Why don’t you come in for some tea?” she blurted, almost stumbling over her words.

“Yes… though maybe we should go to a café instead. Going back inside might... stir something up,” he said, eyes downcast, voice a whisper.

She blinked, confused. “Stir something up?”

“I mean... the apartment,” he said quickly, twisting his hands. “Let’s avoid it.”

“Right,” she said, carefully blank-faced, even as her heartbeat betrayed her calm.

They walked silently down the street, deliberately moving away from his apartment.

“Did you have dinner?” he asked, staring intently at the sidewalk.

At the restaurant, they sat opposite each other, a heavy silence between them until Charles finally spoke.

“It’s kind of funny. Sharing a meal feels less awkward than having coffee together,” he said, voice low.

Casser tilted her head. “But you’re the one who suggested it because going to a café felt awkward.”

“Not exactly. Sorry,” he said, flashing a nervous, too-bright smile.

She leaned forward slightly. “So… what happened earlier?”

He paused, then changed the subject. “You practice law, right?”

“I do,” she said cautiously.

“I think someone’s been watching me. And today… a woman in a helmet attacked me,” he said, folding his arms across himself.

“Did she say anything?” Casser asked, her expression tightening.

“Her voice was computerized. She called me dirty, and cheap. Probably a hate crime?” His attempt at a laugh fell flat.

Casser’s eyes narrowed, her smile cool. “I don’t think so.”

“Why not?” he asked, startled.

“Because you’re a plausible target,” she said matter of factly. “Your line of work. Many of your clients may have complicated feelings.”

“Target?” he echoed, trying to make sense of her tone. “What kind of feelings?

“Possessiveness, frustration, hatred born from rejection.”

“I mean… a few were intense, but most were fine,” he said, eyes distant.

“Women often project kindness onto men, even when they shouldn’t. Some ignore the warning signs until it’s too late.”

“The danger zone?” he repeated, stunned. “You think they were foolish?”

“I didn’t mean it that way,” she said, reaching for his arm, her touch light but steady.

“I know,” he said, forcing a laugh that cracked at the edges.

“Do you want to hear more?” she asked quietly.

He nodded.

“To put it simply,” she said, her gaze piercing, “some people resolve their desire to possess by trying to eliminate the other since they can't own them completely.” She said bluntly.

His throat tightened. “Eliminate? As in... kill?”

“Yes. That’s the psychology behind some crimes like these.”

“Why should I die for someone else’s obsession?” he said, voice shaking.

“No one should but people justify violence when they feel wronged or humiliated.”

“Thanks,” he said coldly. “Makes me think I preferred you when you didn’t talk so much.”

Casser blinked. “I thought you wanted legal advice.”

“I did.” He stood abruptly, the chair moving back. “Thanks for the meal.”

He stormed outside, heart pounding, her words echoing in his mind.

It helped me get over my feelings, he told himself.

Casser stepped out a moment later, but walked past him without stopping.

“Excuse me,” he said, voice low. “Let’s end this properly.”

He pointed to the envelope in her hand. “That’s for me, right?”

“Yes, but……..”

She cut herself off. “Here’s the divorce letter. Take it. I’ll file mine separately.”

He reached for it. No words were exchanged.

“Bye,” he said flatly, then turned and walked away.