Chapter 284: Gemma, What Do You Think of Mr. Cassius?
Gemma was a quick learner.
After just a couple of tries, she could already ski in a straight line.
She adjusted her posture easily, testing out turns.
Before long, she was gliding freely across the slopes.
She wasn’t fast, though–safety first.
Cassius watched her progress, a flicker of admiration in his eyes.
“Not bad.”
He skied over and fell into step beside her.
Late at night.
(
The snow–covered slopes.
A man and a woman.
Side by side in the glowing, multicolored lights.
Peaceful. Perfect.
Gemma grew more confident, exchanging a smile with him as their movements fell into sync.
She suddenly realized-
Cassius was surprisingly easy to get along with.
And the more time she spent with him, the more she saw qualities in him that were rare and precious.
This was the real Mr. Cassius.
A far cry from the version everyone else spoke of.
An hour later.
Gemma called it a night and changed out of her gear.
It was her first time skiing, after all–she wasn’t exactly a pro.
And skiing was exhausting.
She was out of breath.
Cassius, on the other hand, looked like he’d just taken a casual stroll.
She gave him a thumbs–up
‘Cassius, I gotta admit, you’ve impressed me.”
“You’ve got insane stamina.”
“I’m dead tired.”
Right then, Shawn and Thea showed up with Noah, bringing dinner.
They had planned to call Gemma and Cassius to eat, but just as they stepped outside, they overheard her last comment.
Shawn’s eyes widened.
“Stamina?”
“In what way?”
Gemma hadn’t meant anything by it, but Shawn’s “innocent” question sent her brain spiraling.
Realization hit her like a freight train.
Her face went bright red.
Thea smacked Shawn.
‘Do you have a single functioning brain cell?”
Shawn just grinned, eyes darting between Gemma and Cassius.
Oh, he had just stumbled upon some juicy gossip.
But before he could enjoy it–
Cassius shot him a sharp look.
Shawn shut up immediately.
12.36
Setting
Chapter 284: Gemma, What Do You Think of Mr. Cassius?
Not because he wanted to, but because Cassius‘ glare could probably kill a man.
“The food’s ready,” Thea said quickly, breaking the awkward silence.
She grabbed Gemma’s hand.
“Ms. Kelestine, we even got you a
Gemma followed her gaze-
A seven–tier cake.
Packed with her favorite fruits.
cake. Come take a look.”
Topped with a little princess figurine.
Girly. Sweet. Perfect.
She loved it.
“Thank you.”
Thea chuckled.
“I own a bakery, but honestly, I’m not that great at designing cakes. This one? Cassius picked out the design.”
Gemma turned to Cassius in surprise.
He nodded.
“Simple enough. Hope you like it.”
Cassius never used words like “hope,” “maybe,” or “wish.”
But when it came to Gemma, all his usual rules seemed to go out the window.
“I love it. Cassius, is there anything you can’t do?”
She was joking, but Thea nearly choked.
No one in the business world would dare talk to Cassius like that.
But instead of being annoyed, Cassius just nodded, as if agreeing.
Thea knew Gemma was different, but this?
This was next–level shocking.
Meanwhile, Noah pulled out a gift.
A small music box, shaped like a magical orb.
“Auntie Gemma, this is a wishing ball! If you have a wish, just tell it, and it’ll help make it come true.”
Gemma hugged the gift, beaming.
“My first wish is for Noah to be healthy and happy every single day.”
Noah jumped with excitement.
“Of course! I’ll make sure your wish comes true!”
Gemma playfully tapped his nose.
“Do you have another wish?” he asked, tilting his head.
Gemma thought for a second. “Not yet. But when I do, I’ll tell the magic ball. Oh wait, the wish ball.”
Noah clapped. “Great! All of Gemma’s wishes will come true!”
Gemma ruffled his hair.
“Good boy.”
They all sat down at the table.
Every single dish was one of Gemma’s favorites.
Shawn smirked.
“You probably don’t know this, but back when you stayed at the estate, Cassius took notes on everything you ate–what you liked, what you didn’t.” “Look at this table. Recognize anything?”
Gemma had noticed.
But hearing Shawn spell it out made it hit differently.
*Gem, look how thoughtful Cassius is,” Shawn teased. “Aren’t you touched?”
Gemma nodded.
Honestly, ever since she’d found out today was a special occasion, she’d been drowning in emotions.
“But aside from being touched…”
Setting
12.36
Chapter 284: Gemma, What Do You Think of Mr. Cassius?
Shawn’s grin widened. “Don’t you feel something else?”
Something else?
Gemma blinked.
Did she?
She turned to Cassius-
And felt her heart race.
That strange, familiar–yet–foreign feeling twisted inside her, tightening its grip.
She instinctively pressed a hand to her chest.
“…Yeah.”
Shawn perked up.
“Oh? And what exactly is that feeling? Wait, don’t tell me–you want to be with Cass forever? Till the end of time?”
Gemma froze.
That wasn’t it.
Was it? But the thing was… She didn’t hate the idea.
For the longest time, because of Marcus, she’d avoided anything romantic.
Marriage? Out of the question.
She had sworn never to go down that road again.
And yet-
Thea cut in, sensing Gemma’s struggle.
“Ahem. Anyway, the food’s getting cold. Let’s eat,”
But Noah wasn’t letting this slide.
“Wait! Gemma still hasn’t said what feeling it is!”
He lifted the wishing ball.
“Gemma, just tell it your wish! It’ll make it happen!”
Gemma, “…”
She had no idea how to put it into words.
She cleared her throat.
Awkwardly laughed.
“I don’t really know how to describe it, but for Cassius… I’d walk through fire.”
Shawn sighed.
“Gem, so many people would walk through fire for Cassius.”
“Maybe… you should give him a different title?”
“Shawn!”
Cassius warned, voice low.
Shawn shrugged, still grinning.
Apparently, he wasn’t scared of Cassius anymore.
“Heh, Gem, you better think this through. You might just figure it out.”
Gemma, “…”
