Cesar
I watch her.
She knows exactly what's waiting beyond this door. And she also knows I won't try anything with Victor here.
You know what? It's fine. I'll take this loss. Casey 1, Cesar 0.
I step away from the door without another word and head back downstairs.
Irina is asleep on my father's shoulder, but he's still awake, sipping his whiskey. I pour myself a glass and glance at Leonard.
He looks so happy. Smiling. Clueless.
It makes me so mad.
He gets everything. The love, the family, the warmth I never had. He gets to be the father I needed—the one I never got. While all I had was an absent, stone-cold man.
"Is everything okay?" Leonard asks,
"Yeah, everything's fine."
Irina shifts, stirring slightly. "Your stepmom's asleep. I think we're gonna go to bed. Aren't you going to bed?"
I swirl the whiskey in my glass. "I actually wanted to talk to you about what you said at dinner."
Leonard raises a brow. "About what?"
I let a smirk tug at the corner of my lips. "I think you made a good point. Since we're going to be one big happy family... I think I'm going to hire her."
Leonard's eyes brighten
"I'm going to take Casey as my PA," I say casually. "Show her the ropes."
He looks entirely pleased and nods. "That's very good. She's going to be so excited."
"Yes," I say, downing the rest of my whiskey. "I'm going to retire to bed," I say about to take my leave.
"It's so early, do you want to keep sitting for a bit?" Leonard asks.
I glance at him. "Aren't you supposed to take your wife to bed?"
"I am," he admits, "But it's been a hectic day, I could take her upstairs and come to spend time with you. I know you're leaving tomorrow evening, so I figured it wouldn't hurt to spend some time together. Just you and I, have some father-son time."
Father-son time?
I laugh. It's not the kind of laughter that comes from happiness or admiration. It's a love born out of anger, resentment, and a deep, unshakable sadness.
"Isn't it a little too late for us to pretend we actually have any kind of relationship?" I ask, my voice flat. "One that isn't just about business?"
He flinches slightly as if my words hit somewhere deep. Good. Maybe now he'll understand.
But I doubt it. Because I remember—
All the times I asked him to show up. Come to one of my games. To be there for a talent show. To just spend time with me. To have dinner with me and Mom. To take me out for ice cream, even just once.
But he was always too busy. Too caught up in his empire.
And now? Now he thinks it's time to play family man? Because he suddenly has all the time in the world for this new wife and her perfect little family?
I shake my head with disappointment.
Leonard sighs heavily. "I know I haven't been a good father..."
"A good father?" I scoff, staring at him. "You haven't been a father at all."
His jaw tightens, but he nods. "I'm sorry. And I will never forgive myself for that. I put the company and work before you. You may not believe it, but I truly regret it. I just... I just hope that as we work together, maybe we can have some kind of relationship."
I grit my teeth.
I could throw it in his face. Tell him the only reason I'm even here is to take his precious company and burn it to the ground.
But that would ruin everything.
So instead, I force a tight smile, stand up, and head outside for some air.
~~~~~~
The Next Morning
After stepping outside for fresh air last night, I took a bottle of whiskey to my room and drank nearly half of it. Now, my head pounds like a damn drum. And to make matters worse, I'm hard as hell.
It's been too long since I had a woman under me. Too long was spent focusing on the acquisition of this company. But soon, things will change.
Leonard is going to step back, let me take over, let me run things while he watches from the sidelines—probably from the comfort of his home—until he decides I have everything under control. Then, he'll disappear completely.
But that's not what's on my mind right now.
Casey is.
Thinking about her hasn't exactly helped my current situation. Last night, my dreams were vivid. The past played out in my head—her on top of me, her face, her reactions. I could almost feel her.
And now, in the present, she's even more beautiful. More... I don't know how to put it. She's just—
I bite my lower lip at the thought.
But today is a new day. Let's see how she reacts towards me.
I take a shower, dry off, and step out of my room, ready to head downstairs for breakfast.
And the moment I open my door, tell me what I see.
The hottest Woman on earth right now.
Casey.
She's stepping out of her room, wearing tight jeans that hug her body like a second skin. They mould to her hips, accentuating the shape of her legs, the curve of her ass. And that t-shirt—simple, soft, but clinging in all the right places, cinching at her waist.
I don't think I've ever had a hard-on for a woman in just jeans and a T-shirt before. But now? I guess there's a first time for everything.
She must notice me because she pauses mid-step, her eyes flicking up to mine. There's a moment of surprise before her expression hardens. She squares her shoulders, forces a tight smile, and tries to slip past me.
Not so fast.
I close the distance in five long strides, grabbing her wrist and pulling her back toward me. She stiffens, avoiding my gaze, clearly not in the mood to talk.
"How about giving your big brother a proper good morning?" I murmur.
"Good morning, Cesar," she says, the words coming out clipped.
Still, I smirk. "Well, good morning there, little sis."
She doesn't respond, just stares down at her feet, shifting slightly as if planning her escape.
"I'm going downstairs to have breakfast," she mutters, attempting to tug her wrist free.
I tighten my grip just enough to keep her close. That earns me a glare—sharp, fiery.
Good. At least she's looking at me now.
After a beat, I release her with a cocky grin, watching as she huffs in frustration and speeds down the stairs. My gaze follows her, trailing down her back to the way her hips sway with every step.
Damn. I stand there for a moment, smirking to myself.
When I step into the dining room, everyone is already seated.
Irina. My father. My new little brother, Victor.
I ruffle Victor's hair as I slide into the seat next to him. He grins up at me.
My father clears his throat. "We were waiting for you," he says, levelling me with a look. "Took your time, too."
I just smile, saying nothing as breakfast is served. The table falls into easy conversation while we eat.
Once the plates are nearly cleared, Irina leans forward, hands resting under her chin.
"So, what are you guys up for today? Whatever you're in the mood for."
"Whatever you want, honey," my father says smoothly, reaching for her hand. Irina beams.
She glances between Casey and me. "What do you two think?"
I shrug. "Whatever. I don't play favourite."
That leaves all eyes on Casey.
She shifts slightly. "I've never been here before, so whatever you guys want to do, I'm up for it."
"Perfect," Irina says, clapping her hands together. "Then let's all head upstairs and get ready, because we're going skiing!"
Victor nearly jumps out of his chair, throwing his arms up in celebration.
"Oh, yay!" He's the first to bolt from the table, feet pounding against the floor as he sprints toward the stairs.
"Careful, Victor!" Irina and Casey say at the same time.
My father pushes his chair back, already moving. "I'll get him." He follows Victor out, his footsteps fading down the hall.
I move to stand as well, but Casey's voice stops me.
"Cesar."
I pause, glancing at her.
"Mom."
Right. This involves me now. With a sigh, I sink back into my chair.
Casey exhales, "Mom, I know you did this for me. You care about me, and that's why you asked Cesar to hire me. But after thinking about it…" She hesitates, then shakes her head. "I don't want to do it."
Irina's brows knit together. "Casey—"
"I mean, it's a corporate job," Casey continues, her tone firmer now. "It's boring, I don't want to be stuck in a..."
"Boring?" I cut in, raising a brow.
She turns to me, unapologetic. "I'm sorry, Cesar. I don't know what you're going to decide about the job, but please—don't worry yourself over it. I don't need it."