When Psychos Collide - Chapter 9

Chapter 9 The Only One Who Could Reach Him I slapped him across the face. It wasn't hard. Honestly, it was more teasing than anything, but it seemed to snap Cassian back to his senses. The tenderness in his eyes vanished, replaced by panic and guilt. He immediately stepped away, putting some distance between us as he apologized earnestly, "I'm sorry, Heather. I lost control." Then, he avoided my eyes, stood up, and practically fled in total embarrassment. I stared at the tightly shut door, and all I felt was regret.

'Damn it, I overdid it!' I'd only wanted to play hard to get and watch him lose control. Alas, I'd scared him away instead. Oh, how I wished I could turn back time and take that slap back. Thad assumed that, with how obsessed Cassian was with me, he'd spend one awkward night sorting out his emotions before coming to see me again the next day. I never imagined he'd disappear for an entire night and the entire day after that. I didn't catch a single glimpse of him for a full 24. hours. The only person who came was the housekeeper, who delivered my three meals on schedule.

She would quietly set the food down and leave without saying a word. Eventually, I couldn't take it anymore. So, I stopped her and asked, "Where's Cassian?" The housekeeper shook her head. "I'm sorry, Ms. Rhodes. I don't know Mr. Knox's whereabouts." Anxiety slowly crept into my chest, and I couldn't help asking myself, 'Did I hurt him with that slap?" As I was drowning in my doubts, a message from Andrew suddenly popped up on my phone. "Ms. Rhodes, when are you coming back from your vacation?" Apparently, Cassian had simply told everyone at work that I was on leave after locking me up here.

_Something told me Andrew was contacting me because of Cassian, so I hastily replied. "What's wrong?" Just as I'd expected, Andrew filled me in almost immediately. "Mr. Knox's father suddenly came to the company for an inspection today. He tore into Mr. Knox in front of all the senior executives. He was super harsh. "Mr. Knox looked completely crushed afterward, and then he disappeared. No one knows where he's gone. You're the only one who could calm him down every time after Mr. Knox's father rips him a new one.

Now that you're gone, none of us know what to do." I frowned as soon as I finished reading Andrew's text. I'd always known that Cassian's father had always found fault in him despite Cassian's glamorous image and his control over such a massive corporation. To his father, he was never good enough. It didn't matter how well he performed in his career, how many major projects he secured, or how impressive his results were; all he ever received from his father was more criticism, disappointment, and even higher expectations. Not once had he been praised or truly acknowledged by the man.