Arielle's POV
"Mr. Morello, I think you've gone beyond yourself… and honestly, I think you're not in your right senses," I said, narrowing my eyes at him. He was starting to creep me out—the way he said he was interested in me sounded like something straight out of one of those 9 p.m. documentaries about serial killers or psychopaths.
And then he laughed.
"I'm not trying to scare you, Miss Arielle," he said, calm and steady. "I'm simply being honest about how I feel."
"I mean… I'm really grateful for everything you did yesterday—you helped me, brought me home, cleaned my wounds. Thank you for the breakfast, it's amazing. But right now? You're seriously giving off creepy vibes."
I had my back turned to him, trying to collect myself. When I didn't hear a response, I turned around—only to find him right behind me, his face cold and unreadable.
"I understand, Arielle," he said. "And that's why I'll go slow with you. But… I have one question. Have you ever dated before?"
I blushed hard. He didn't even need me to answer—he could already tell.
"So I'll take that as a no," he said with a smirk.
"Then, Miss Arielle, please allow me to be a gentleman once again… and invite you to dinner."
"I can't," I replied quickly. "I'm really busy. It's Saturday, which means more customers at the bakery. I need the money—for my sister, my bills, and my tuition. So… yeah, I'm a busy woman."
He looked at me with those eyes—those dangerous, intense, mesmerizing eyes—and simply smiled.
"I understand," he said softly. "But I really want to have dinner with you tonight just take it as a way of thanking me for everything . Can I pick you up at 9 p.m.?"
Ugh. Those eyes. I couldn't say no to them.
"Alright, Mr. Morello… I agree. But be early."
"I will. I promise," he said, flashing a smile that honestly should've been illegal.
I was about to head to my room when he asked, "You're going to work now, right?"
"Yes, I am."
"Then let me drop you off. It's on my way."
"Okay, Mr. Morello—sorry… Cassian."
It took me a few minutes to get ready. When I came out, I was surprised to see a different car from yesterday. Today, it was a sleek black Mercedes.
"I see you love black cars," I said, raising an eyebrow.
He smiled wordlessly, and I got in. The car smelled just like him—God, I could've stayed in there forever.
The drive was light—we talked, laughed, and I almost forgot how strange the morning had started. When we reached the bakery, he pulled up right in front. I thanked him for the ride, and he left.
"Oh my God, Riri!" my best friend squealed the moment I walked in. That was the nickname she always used for me. "Who was that fine man?"
I laughed. "Can you stop thinking about that and focus? I'm early for work, and I'm really grateful for that. So just… let me be."
She chuckled, and we both headed inside.
The day went really well. Mr. Gregory's wife was having a brunch, and all our pastries got sold out. By the time I was finished with my shift, I checked the time—7:35 p.m. I still had time.
I quickly cleaned up the shop and let Mr. Gregory know I was off for the day. Saturdays usually run longer for me, so I was used to it. When I got home, I started going through my clothes, looking for something to wear.
And still… I couldn't find anything.
Then the doorbell rang. I glanced at my phone—8:23 p.m.
Who could it be at this hour?
I opened the gate and there he was—Cassian, dressed and ready.
"Cassian? Already?"
"I could've sent my driver," he said, handing me a box, "but I wanted to give this to you in person. Just a little gift."
I opened the box and my heart almost stopped.
It was the most gorgeous, jaw-dropping black dress I'd ever seen.
I thanked him quickly and rushed back to my room to try it on. As I slipped into the dress, it hugged my silhouette perfectly—it was stunning. Inside the box, he'd also included a pair of earrings and a necklace that matched beautifully.
I did my makeup, added the jewelry, and stood in front of the mirror.
Wow…
I barely recognized myself.
Cassian's POV
She opened the door and I forgot how to breathe.
The dress fit her perfectly—better than I imagined when I had it custom-picked just hours ago. Her skin, her eyes, the way her lips parted slightly in surprise when she saw me standing there…
Beautiful wasn't the word.
She was divine.
And she had no idea the kind of power she held over me in that moment.
"You look…" My voice almost failed me. "Absolutely stunning, Arielle."
She smiled—innocent, cautious. Grateful. She had no idea how dangerous that smile was to me.
I opened the door for her like a gentleman, but in my head I was already thinking of every man who might look at her tonight. And how I'd make them pay if they stared too long.
The drive was quiet for the most part. She smelled like vanilla and honey, and for a moment I almost forgot who I was. What I was.
But the truth was—I wasn't supposed to be doing this.
I didn't date.
I didn't chase.
I didn't bring women into my world—because people in my world don't come out clean.
But Arielle… she pulled something out of me I hadn't felt in a long time. Maybe ever.
I took her to the kind of place most people never see—high above the city, private, quiet, owned by a man who owed me more than just favors. The moment we stepped out of the elevator, the staff knew to clear the section.
No distractions. No cameras. No unwanted ears.
Just her and me.
The waiter tried not to stare at her as he pulled her seat. I made a mental note to remind him with his paycheck next time to watch his eyes.
She looked around, wide-eyed, impressed but unsure.
"You brought me here?" she asked, voice soft like the violin music playing in the distance.
"I wanted to give you something different," I said, taking my seat. "A night without noise. Without pain. Just quiet… softness."
Her lips parted slightly, and I watched the flicker of confusion on her face. No one had given her softness before. That was clear.
We ordered. She didn't know what half the dishes were, but I liked that. She didn't pretend. She didn't fake a smile or act impressed by names and money.
She was real. And that's what made her dangerous to me.
I asked about her sister. Her work. Her future. And I listened—not just to her words, but to what she didn't say. The weight behind her silence. The pain she carried like a second skin.
And God help me, I wanted to take it all off her shoulders.
At some point, I leaned in. Not to intimidate—but to get closer. She didn't flinch.
"I know you're still unsure about me," I said. "You should be. But I need you to know—I don't do this. I don't chase women. I don't show up with dresses and drivers."
"Then why me?" she asked, eyes locking with mine.
My jaw clenched. I wanted to lie. I wanted to say something light.
But I couldn't.
"Because you're different," I said. "You didn't flinch when you saw blood,when the d'body laid dead. You looked pain in the eye and refused to break. And now, you're sitting across from me in the kind of dress that could ruin men—and you're still humble."
Her cheeks turned pink. Her eyes dropped. She didn't see what I saw in her.
That was the most dangerous part.
"I don't know what this is," she whispered. "But I'm scared."
"I know." My voice dropped lower. "And you should be, Arielle."
She looked up, and I held her gaze like I held a blade—tight, sharp, with purpose.
"But I'm not going to hurt you," I added. "I'll protect you. Even if it means protecting you from me."
I leaned back, letting the words sink into the air between us.
This wasn't a fairytale.
I wasn't a prince.
And she… she wasn't safe anymore.
Not from the world.
Not from the people who'd come for her when they realized who she was to me.
And definitely not from me.
But I'd burn down everything before I let them touch her.