38 Unconditional Love

[ Chapter 38 ]

In the middle of the night, Cassandra sat demurely on the edge of an opulent brown, cushioned settee on the opposite side of her older brother. The sky above was cloudless as the starlight filtered in through the window from the moonless sky outside.

The light inside was gentle and dim as the bronze chandelier with amber shades provided the Victorian styled room with a sumptuous and elegant feel. The room was dominated by a dark, sumptuous scheme of rich Victorian hues; deep brown, black and opulent gold.

The interior design of the room highlighted the classic and vintage feel, as the spacious study room was carefully orchestrated with aesthetic paintings hanging on the wall and all sorts of high-end furnishings to create a beguilingly serene and comforting atmosphere.

The warmth was provided through the tactility of the matched scheme and radiator, despite the arrangement of some contemporary ornaments. By finding a matched arrangement of furnishings and furniture upholstered in velvets, the room was able to provide a sense of comfort without sacrificing a truly Victorian feel.

Situated on the second floor of an estate built atop of a small hill, with open-plan layout, the beautiful view of lush greenery backward and huge lake outside could be seen from inside the classic and elegant room, presenting a satisfying amount of soothing and serene atmosphere.

Fashioned with sophisticated taste, as Cassandra tended to spend a lot of time in this study room, she personally arranged everything here. From the paintings to velvet curtain, a bookshelf along an entire wall, Tillman panelling, Lignum Vitae desk, Persian style rug, bean bags and everything was presented in taste.

Cassandra was silent as she eyed her white shirt clad brother with her dimmed eyes. Darren was hunk and six one tall with a trim, muscular build and short slicked back blond hair that matched his slightly tanned complexion. He's light-shaven and broad-shouldered with muscles that flexed with every movement of his sinewy body.

Good looking was an understatement to compliment him, even in his mid forties, as just like the rest of Qins, Darren was genetically blessed with excellent physique and attractive features. He's the exact embodiment of ruggedly handsome, a heartthrob in his youth and still striking in his middle-aged.

An intimidating air was naturally hung around him, for he's both a high-ranking four star military general and head of Qin Household. To the other, Darren was a cold, known for his calm yet ruthless way of handling things. But in her eyes, he's always been a hard-hearted yet protective sibling.

Cassandra breathed low as she watched his winter eyes settled on the book in his hand, posture straight sitting on a felt-upholstered wingback chair and lips pressed into a thin line. She chose not to speak before him as she knew him too well, as he could become short-tempered sometimes.

Somewhere in the corner a clock chimed one o'clock in the morning. She watched as Darren continued reading by Tiffany lamp placed by his side. After half an hour of complete silence, Darren finally lifted his head, placing his fingers in the leather-bound book to mark his place as he eyed her straight in the eye.

"It's been a while, isn't it?"

Darren placed down the book on the table next to him as his husky, baritone voice cut through the silence. Regained his complete calmness. He looked at his youngest sister through his heavy-lidded eyes, his gaze bore into her as a faint frown folded in his forehead.

He openly sized her up, dressed to the nines in yet another splendid outfit, a set of outfit befitting her devastating beauty, like a daisy in an exquisite vase. But something was different as he hadn't seen her in such a look for ages. His eyes contracted at how provocative she's in her dress.

His sister had always been a picture of grace and sophistication, universally prim and elegant lady, with hair almost never out of place and make-up always looked professionally applied. But now, in the way she had outdone herself in her amorous make-up, looking sultry in her form-flaunting outfit.

Letting out a sigh, Darren mentally shook his head and pressed his palm on the back of his other hand atop his thighs. Knowing what she had been up to recently. It surprised him to be honest, since he knew how repulsive she's with the idea of getting close to someone else.

However, regardless of whether it's serious or casual entanglement, he's glad that at least she seemed to embrace herself as a single woman. It's better if she could find herself a partner. He longed to see his mirthful and radiant sister who appeared to be disappeared along with Nicholas sixteen years ago.

He knew when you lose someone as dearest as Nicholas to Cassandra, part of you died with them. Most people may be able to move on while some of them couldn't. Unfortunately, his sister belonged to the latter. He knew her better than anyone else. He knew that she appeared to have moved on with her life while something deep inside her refused to let it go.

Even after all the passing years. He knew something that held her back from moving on.

Darren watched Cassandra as she sat demurely in front of him, her knees so tight together that a piece of paper wouldn't have fit between them. He could see that since her tight suit skirt stopped invitingly above her knee, with her long shapely legs wrapped in nylon sheer material. It's obvious to him that she dressed to impress.

"I was thinking of coming here when the conference is ended to meet you." Darren stated low, looking at her with a coldness in his winter eyes. "But you didn't let me."

Cassandra was calm and possessed as her enchantingly-shaped eyes holding his, strands of blond hair fell loosely over her pretty face. "Darren, you should've let me know about your visit. I could've arranged my time earlier to meet you."

"Sandy, that's not the point." He responded, sighing in disappointment. "You know why I'm here."

Cassandra teared her eyes away from his icy gaze as she inhaled deeply. There's no point in denying him for much longer as the matter has reached this point. It's just a matter of time before he found her getting into something she should've distanced herself from. Well, it doesn't matter she planned to tell him.

His face hardened, jaw clenched and eyes flamed as he stated, "You don't think that I wouldn't know what you have been doing recently, do you?"

Cassandra shifted in her seat as she returned his eyes as she held his gaze, unwaveringly and determined. "Darren, I've had my choice. I'm not hiding it from you."

His face remained calm but his voice raised, "Do you know how grave the situation you have got yourself into?"

"I know," was all her response, there's no hesitation in her voice, only resolution.

At that, Darren lost his composure and roared and fisted his hand smashing it against the Dalbergia table.

His gaze held her with fury sparkled in his greyish eyes. His face was grim. He's furious at how easy she's putting herself in danger. Flash of dreadful images of what could've happened to her splitting passed his eyes. "Do you know how dangerous the exposure is at the moment? Exposing yourself so carelessly to them. You could've put yourself in—"

Darren shook his head and stopped, sucking in a cold and deep breath. One had to know that he rarely loses control of his calmness, but when it comes to her, he couldn't hold himself. The situation she's got herself into was something out of his reach of protection. After all what happened, he couldn't let her ruin her life once again for something from the past.

"Sandy, If not because of me, something could've happened to you." His face finally softened as he displayed a pained look. It's true that he's the reason why they held back from touching her. He had been holding them back for all these years, but at this rate, he's afraid that he wasn't enough to protect her.

It's regarding the truth of the passing of Nicholas. He knew how crushed she's when she came to know about the truth behind it. At that moment, he vowed to protect her from any harm and make them pay for what they've caused to his close ones.

All these years, he kept building his force and momentum to face them. All he needed was the right time as he's not yet capable enough. That's why he felt like something was crushing him when he discovered that Cassandra had moved on her own making a contact against them.

All a while on the opposite side, no matter how firm and dead-set Cassandra was, her heart couldn't help but waver at the sight of pained look of her brother. She's always known that despite his hard-hearted demeanor, his love for her was bottomless. Since they're children, he's always been caring and protecting her from the shadow.

Cassandra sighed and aligned her face into a soft, reassuring smile. "Darren, I perfectly know what I've been getting myself into. I've no plan of endangering myself. You know me well, I wouldn't put myself in something I've no control of."

She paused a bit and continued, "I want you to know that I'm planning to spend the rest of my life watching Aveline in building her own marriage, watching my grandchildren around. There's no way I would put that dream away for something of the past."

"Then why did you do it?" Darren questioned, eyes seemed to peer into her soul.

Cassandra replied in steel, "Because I could."

A dead silence descended upon them as Darren was quiet, face frowned and eyes looking straight at her in the eye. He tried to read and understand her resolved statement. He knew that she wasn't someone who relies on uncertainty, especially with her daughter's well-being on the line. If she's to state something, he could believe her for that's what person she was.

"Tell me a single reason why should I believe you." He pressured, wanting to know from where her confidence came from.

That's the question Cassandra hasn't yet prepared to answer. She wasn't ready to tell the truth behind it, that she's going to rely on someone, a man at that. As disgraceful as it sounded, she planned to tell him once she's done sealing the deal with that man.

Fundamentally, what she's planned of including Julian in her equation was something complicated. Capability speaking, if Qin Household were to compare with Long Household, all of the former could only capable of holding a candle to only half of Long Household's power and influence.

There's a reason why Long Household are feared as the darkest household, even with all the assaults and besieging they suffered those years ago, they remained standing still and strong. The bottom and true foundation of Long Household remained untouched. Extraordinarily influential and financially powerful.

As long as the history recorded, Long family have always been there, long before the Republic Huaxia was formed, standing strong. They had accumulated their power and wealth for centuries. All respected them as they feared them, for they're the backbone of Huaxia.

Even after the downfall of their previous head, Davien Long, Long Household remained strong as they always were. After much of thought, she came to conclusion that why should she refuse Julian if she could have his power and resources.

Don't get her wrong, what she's talking here wasn't based on sexual entanglement, she's not that cheap and low. Excluding her dignity, she's prepared to put her everything on the table. There's something she possessed that even Julian found it hard to refuse.

However, one had to know that relying on Julian wasn't something she deemed as a must. Long before she met him, she had her own plan to deal with her past, if she's willing to wait for some years, her own power couple with Qin Household should be enough to deal with it.

The reason why she planned to use Julian's assistance was because with his assistance, she could cut short the time and it could definitely lessen the risk. In short, there's no reason why she shouldn't be doing this.

Cassandra found it hard to answer his question, "Darren, I couldn't tell you yet, but please trust me, I will tell you everything, but not for now."

Darren breathed a low sigh, looking at how determined she was, it seemed that he could no longer persuade her. If that's the case, he would put his everything to assist her. He asked, "Is it truly necessary?"

"Sandy, Nicholas would've been against it if he were to know it. He wouldn't want you to put yourself in the slightest harm. He would love if you could leave everything behind and move on with your life."

Cassandra sighed and shifted her eyes at the window, looking distant. "Yes and yes," she responded. "I have to do this for myself, to move on."

"What are you seeking?" Darren asked, "Revenge?"

"No," Cassandra replied low as she shook her head. "Revenge is nothing to me, I had let it go long ago."

She continued, "What I seek is an answer."

Darren looked at her melancholic eyes and closed his eyes. He knew what she meant. He knew that she needed him and he's willing to give his everything to protect her. He had vowed to their late father before his passing that he would protect her at all cost.

"Tell me everything when you're prepared. Let me know everything you need." Darren has made his choice. "Entire Qin Household is at your disposal."

"I would ensure no harm comes close to Aveline." He vowed.

Looking at his strong figure, Cassandra had a glass of tears in her eyes as her heart wavered, warmed. At the unconditional love of her brother, although he had never said how he loved her, she always knew that he would always be there. His shoulder are always the place she could lean her entire self onto.

"Thank you," Cassandra smiled at him.

Darren nodded his head as his face remained reserved, he's always bad at revealing his emotions. He sighed and looked at the antique Victorian clock, the long arrow pointed at half past one. He straightened himself and standing up.

He looked at her and after some hesitation, he decided to ask, "Who?"

Cassandra was confused and Darren added, "It seems that you've been seeing someone lately."

At his statement, Cassandra bit down her red lip. There's no way she could tell him the man she has been seeing. She knew the Longs are the first in the order of his hated and disgusted list. They're also in her list honestly. She still couldn't forgive what Catherine's bastard of ex, Davien Long, had done to Catherine. It's even worse for Darren as Samantha also had a history with Davien.

At least for now, she wasn't prepared to tell him everything about Julian, that bastard Davien's son. Cassandra replied, "It's nothing, just casual."

She's glad that Darren didn't pursue it any longer. One of the reasons why she loved her brother dearly was because of how attentive he was. She followed him and standing up.

"Please have a night here, it's been too late." Cassandra urged him to stay as he showed no intention to stay.

Darren turned around heading towards the door, not before responding. "I would like to but I have to decline. I have to go somewhere down the morning."

He walked and added, "Come home when the conference is over. Mother longs to see you."

Cassandra followed behind him as she accompanied him, she smiled. "I would."

Both of them made their way around the long and dimly lit corridor, the sound produced by their walking was all they could hear as everyone had already been asleep. They descended down the stairs and then found themselves walking past the huge door.

"Brother." Cassandra called him from behind right before he was about to get in his luxurious SUV, Darren stopped for a moment without looking back.

"Thank you."