Chapter 15
Cain Mysia
When Cain woke up around 10 p.m., he was angry with himself for letting his guard down with Isabella. He hadn't seen her in over a year, but their toxic relationship was hard to forget. He remembered meeting her back in his university days when he wasn't wealthy or famous. Isabella had always made him feel inadequate, and that sting had never fully gone away.
Isabella came from a rich background. Her father, known for his car import-export business and owning several clubs in Germany, was a prominent figure. But Cain knew him for what he truly was: a child abuser.
Now, Cain couldn't help but think that Isabella only wanted him for his wealth, and he knew they were no longer compatible.
Gabriel understood the complexity of Cain's past with Isabella—the constant cheating, manipulation, and emotional turmoil. That's why he couldn't fathom why Cain would allow their paths to cross again.
Isabella was still lying next to him, her back bare against the white linen sheets. Sunlight filtered through the half-closed blinds, casting intricate patterns across her skin.
Cain stared at her for a moment before abruptly standing and gathering his clothes.
Isabella stirred, propping herself up on one elbow. "It's 10 p.m. Where are you rushing off to? It's late , spend the night here. We can have breakfast together in the morning."
Cain pulled his shirt over his head without sparing her a glance. "This wasn't a vacation. Besides, I have a flight to catch."
She smiled faintly, unfazed. "You always were in a rush to disappear."
Finally meeting her gaze, his eyes sharp, Cain replied, "And you always think a night means more than it does."
Her smile faded, and she sat up, the sheet slipping slightly, but Cain was already at the door, checking his phone.
"You should pick better places to run into old lovers. Miami's lost its charm," he said coldly, before walking out without another word.
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Cain Mysia left Miami just before midnight, exhausted yet restless. The intimacy with Isabella Montana had done little to ease his mind. Instead, it had stirred old frustrations he wasn't ready to face. By the time he boarded his private jet back to New York, the weight of his responsibilities was already settling back in.
Peter, his assistant, was already seated with a tablet in hand, ready to brief him.
Cain barely acknowledged him as he threw his carry-on onto a seat and collapsed into another.
"Did you finalize the meeting with Mr. Denver?" Cain snapped, loosening his tie with an agitated jerk.
"Yes, sir. I scheduled it for—"
"Don't say 'yes, sir' until you've actually done something right," Cain interrupted coldly. "If that meeting falls through because of your lack of initiative, you'll be finding another job by Monday."
Peter hesitated, unsure whether to respond or stay silent. He chose the latter, continuing to tap quietly on his tablet.
Cain scowled out the window, his jaw clenched. "And cancel that lunch with the investors tomorrow. I need to be in the office. I don't care how long it took to set up—just do it."
"Yes, Mr. Mysia," Peter said, his voice low.
The rest of the flight was filled with Cain's increasingly curt demands—about logistics, upcoming presentations, and hotel reservations. His discomfort seemed to be channeled into everything and everyone around him. Peter bore the brunt of it without protest, well accustomed to Cain's volatility.
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By midmorning, Cain arrived in New York.
"Peter, I'll see you in the office at 7:00 a.m. sharp," Cain said, as he exited the car.
"Yes, sir," Peter replied.
Cain's driver dropped Peter off before continuing to the Mysia mansion.
Cain entered the house and noticed the silence that filled the air. He decided to go straight to his room to freshen up and maybe catch some sleep.
After showering and dressing in joggers and a see-through singlet, he heard a knock on his door.
Frowning, Cain glanced at the clock on his nightstand—it was 3:00 a.m.
He opened the door to find his mother standing there.
"Mother, what is it?" Cain asked, his irritation evident. "Shouldn't you be asleep? It's 3 in the fucking morning."
"Language, Cain," his mother, Charity, reprimanded him gently. "I came to check up on you. You've been in Miami for over a week, and I missed you. I called, but you didn't pick up."
"Why are you in my room, Mother?" Cain muttered. "I need to rest."
"I wanted to check on you and also inform you that I'm having a brunch tomorrow, Saturday. I know you'll be busy at the office, but if you're free, you can join us," Charity said hopefully.
Cain sighed. "I won't be attending. I have a meeting with an important client tomorrow."
"Well, just in case you change your mind, it starts at 2 p.m.," Charity said softly.
Cain gave her a look. "Close the door on your way out, Mother."
"Sleep tight, baby," Charity said before leaving.
Cain lay back on his bed, his mind racing with everything he had to handle in the coming days.
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Author's note
I can't wait for Kassia's graduation!
I've always loved graduation ceremonies.
They're such a special time.
Anyway, what did you think of this chapter?
Let me know in the comments section!
Thank you all for 10K reads!
Love you!
Xoxo,
CC