A small step

Cassandra could feel the pain surrounding Alexander as he hugged her tight. She wanted to break the line of hate between them. She hugged him and rubbed his back.

" Don't punish yourself Alex. Let Ohio go now. He needs peace and so do you. " Alexander was running away from emotions ever since he had lost Ethan. But today he broke down sobbing like a child.

" He was the only one who knew me the best. Even if he was a ruthless man in other eyes, there was a soft side which always welcomed us. He was the one who taught me that blood doesn't define one's relationship. He was everything. Now h-he just vanished. "

His weak voice pierced her heart. He was hiding many untold emotions . All those mixed feelings that were forming knots in his heart were untying today.

" I know the pain of losing a loved one. But no matter how much we deny, the truth doesn't hide. Even if one day we choose to pretend the fact, it will show up on its own. The longer you live, the more you realize that reality is an ocean of pain."

"But that doesn't mean we can end it here, right? This too shall pass. A new day, a new light of hope will be found. Until then, we have no choice other than to accept the truth." She said as she found her own wounds opening with him.

" I-I cried.. I cried for him when he never wanted me to shed tears, when I didn't want to. I didn't want to be weak." He said for which she shook her in denial.

" Crying doesn't mean one is weak Alex, It's okay to let your emotions speak when you can't. Even Ohio wouldn't want to see you being miserable. Tears show your love for the person, it defines the bond your share with them. Never..Never be ashamed of shedding tears for your loved ones. "

Alexander broke the hug and looked at her. It was as if her words changed his perceptions, but that was not all. Her words weren't empty, Pain...there was pain in her words. He stared at her while she was lost in her thoughts.

This was the first time he looked at her eyes. They were empty. There were no emotions in her eyes but her words did. Her hazel eyes reminded him of someone but he couldn't tell who it was.

A familiar face, there were similar resemblances." Scarlett " the name came out without much thinking.

Cassandra jerked on hearing that name. It was familiar but she felt an unknown feeling on hearing that name. She realized the current situation and backed off, creating a distance between them.

" I- " he was cut off by her.

" I-It's getting cold. You should get inside. "

" Y- " He was cut off by her again. " I'll prepare dinner for both of you and leave " she said and rushed inside.

She prepared black bean soup for the two so that it would warm them up in this cold. As she was about to leave, she saw her professor inside.

" Oh, you are about to leave. I didn't realize it was time already. Are you fine going on your own? " she nodded at his question.

" Professor Rochefort !" she called out as Mason was about to go in. He halted, looking at her with a questionable face.

" Can we have a talk ? " she asked him as she wanted to disclose her plan. Mason showed her the way to the backyard and waited for her to speak.

" I know this might not be the right timing to say, but I want to investigate Ohio's death. " she said, which put a frown on Mason's face.

" I don't know how deep your relationship is with that person, but after what I saw... I don't want his death to be a mystery. Also, we don't know who did this. "

" So you want to bring justice to his death? " he asked her, since he wanted to do the same.

" Yes and Alex..I mean Mr. Morris is the only one who knows what happened there. So that's my request. Please ask him about the details. Since this case includes the Bennett Mafia, because of whom my client is suffering, I would like to go deeper into it. "

" Fine, but you can't go overboard since you are a psychologist and you basically have no rights to the investigation. " He said, since as far as he knew, he couldn't take the risk of endangering her life. Because, unlike them, she had a family waiting for her return.

" I promise you, Professor Rochefort, I won't cross the limits. "

They saw Alexander coming out of his room as they neared the door. " Cass- " he was about to speak but then she interrupted again.

" I'll be leaving now. I've prepared dinner. Please rest well. " She said, rushing outside. Once again, Alexander was never able to complete his sentence.

As soon as Cassandra reached home, she pulled her brother to her room. " I need your help ", she said, as soon as they came in.

" Could be more gentle Cassy. You pull me as if I'm a prisoner. " he tried to crack a joke but failed since she had a serious expression on her face. " Fine. What's this time? "

" Your friend's sister is a detective, isn't she ? " she asked. As per her vague memory, Ivan's closest friend was almost her age, when she heard about her preparing for her detective post. By now, she must have become a reputed person.

" Yeah, you want her number? " he asked her, since it was easy to read his sister.

" Eeek! how did you know? You read my mind? "

" Why else would you ask silly? It's not like you are interested in her, so it's obvious that you want her number for some purpose."

" Aww... that's so thoughtful of you." she said, pulling his cheeks.

" Ouch !...fine, I'll send you her number. " He said and got up to leave. " Just don't get yourself into any trouble Cassy. " He said and closed the door. Cassandra thought about the last sentence her brother said.

Trouble..it has followed her ever since she took up this case and now there was no turning back. She laid down on her bed as she replayed all that happened today.

She didn't know why she consoled him , why she had hugged him back, why her heart had ached for someone whom she hated. But all she knew was that she wanted to ease this pain. If a small step from her could her made a difference, she would give her life to it.

There was no way she would ever be attracted to him as their first impression itself was a mess. But then she remembered the name ' Scarlett '. She was certain that she had come across that name many times.

She was sure that it wasn't Alexander's girlfriend but that name was something drawing them closer. Out of the blue she felt a sharp pain in her head which was unbearable. She managed to get some tablets and slept off.

In Bennett's mansion,

" Cut the crap, Alaric Bennett. You ruined everything." Damion's voice echoed all over the mansion. " You are no more useful, you brat. Die here !"

" Please listen to me, Damion. " he pleaded.

"Master, we found him ". Damion's men came. Alaric's face rushed with blood seeing him.