Burned Once, Never Again (Niamh and Castiel)

Chapter

27

The way Niamh worked so intently reminded Simon Jimenez of her mother. Niamh herself hadn't expected to adjust to the professional world so quickly after leaving Greenburg.

The soft click of a lighter caught her attention, and she frowned instinctively. The sound was way too familiar to her, as was the smell of gasoline, which she disliked. She glanced at Simon, who was lighting a cigarette, and said, "Uncle Simon, the doctor told you to cut down on smoking."

"Alright, alright, I'll listen to you," Simon replied with a doting smile, putting the unlit cigarette out in the ashtray.

Niamh's knotted brows relaxed as she continued organizing the papers. The past three months abroad had felt like a dream. Her life had undergone a drastic change.

She had never imagined that she had an uncle. Back when her parents passed away, her grandmother died not long after due to a broken heart after witnessing her mother's she didn't manage to tell Niamh she wasn't alone and still had family. If only Roseanne had half your determination," Simon lamented with a sigh.

death. So,

Roseanne Jimenez, Simon's daughter and Niamh's cousin, was completely absorbed in her medical studies and had no interest in business at all. Simon often felt exasperated about this, but Niamh's dedication gave him some comfort.

"I'm kind of busy here, Uncle Simon." Ever since Simon found her, she had heard that same line over and over again. He repeated it so frequently that her ears could pick up the line from his intonation itself without even listening to its contents. "Alright, I'll leave you to your work... Before he could finish that sentence, there came a loud bang, and the office door nearly flew off its hinges.

The commotion was followed by the terrified voice of the secretary. "I'm so sorry, Mr. Jimenez. This gentleman insisted on seeing you, and I couldn't stop him!"

Niamh and Simon looked toward the office door. With just one glance, her gaze

gaze hardened.

It was Castiel, with Lucian standing behind him. After months apart, Castiel still looked as refined as ever, but there was a murderous look on his impeccably handsome face.

Niamh saw in him a man who looked ready to kill.

Simon's expression also darkened upon seeing Castiel, and his tone grew stern. "What's going on?"

Til escort this gentleman out now, Mr. Jimenez, the secretary said, bracing herself to deal with the uninvited guest. But Lucian, who had been silently standing behind Castiel, stepped forward and stopped her from doing so. Niamh stood up. I'll handle this."

She walked toward the door. The secretary shot Niamh a grateful look, relieved to be spared from the confrontation.

Chapter27

Niamh had barely taken a few steps when she heard Simon's firm voice behind her. "Niamh."

The familiar and affectionate way he called her name struck a nerve with Castiel. He hadn't wanted to believe the reports he had seen in the foreign press. But upon hearing this man's intimate way of addressing her, his hands balled into tight fists with his knuckles cracking.

Niamh narrowed her eyes cautiously and went up to Castiel. "Shall we step outside?"

"What are you afraid of?" Castiel had a dangerous look in his eyes as he looked down at Niamh.

He noticed that she had been living well these past few months, so much so that she had gained some weight compared to before. She had been living the high life while things were in turmoil back in the country.

Simon strode toward them and pulled Niamh behind him in one swift motion. "Stay where you are!" His tone was commanding. To everyone watching, it was obvious that he was protecting Niamh. A dangerous glint flickered in Castiel's eyes, and without warning, he swung a punch at Simon. In an instant, there was a dull thud as a fist collided with flesh, followed by a sickening crack.

The sound of a bone breaking filled the room.

Chaos broke out.