ABSOLUTE INSANITY: A forbidden bond-Chapter 123: Balls

Chapter 123: Balls
Chapter 123
KATYA POV
I twisted my hair up into a bun, fingers moving automatically while my mind replayed last night like a broken, glitching movie projector I couldn’t turn off.
I should’ve slept. At least a little.
But every time I closed my eyes I saw cuffs.
Cuffs. On me. Because apparently that was everyone’s first instinct. I was the enemy’s child. The least trusted one around.
I tugged the hair tie a little too tight, wincing as it pulled. Fine. Good. Pain meant I was awake.
I stepped into my shoes. Where was I even going? What am I going to do? What was I again?
Assistant.
Yes, Romeo’s assistant. But Romeo wasn’t in a wheelchair anymore. He wasn’t helpless.
Apparently he had working legs and the ability to blow out an entire window because he was "
frustrated
."
My jaw twitched. Did they still expect me to follow him around? Was I supposed to just forget that I was cuffed last night like I was a criminal?
I exhaled sharply. They’d all burst into his room like it was a war zone.
Guns raised. Mr. Antonio worrying. James gripping me like I had set the building on fire.
And then... Romeo. Standing in the middle of the room like some smug, infuriating statue carved out of pure entitlement, staring at them like they were the idiots.
The moment his eyes landed on me — and on the cuffs — his brows lifted just barely as Mr. Antonio explained.
And Romeo scoffed.
Scoffed while saying, "Katya? Hurt me? Impossible. She doesn’t have the balls. If anything, I could kill her easier than she could annoy me."
Even now I felt my jaw clench at the memory.
No balls?
No balls?!
Me?!
The man had the audacity to stand there, after literally shooting out his own window like a deranged pigeon, and call me harmless?
I tied my shoes aggressively. "Oh, I have balls," I muttered. "More than the idiot who throws bullets at glass because he’s moody."
I straightened my clothes, checked my reflection, and took a steadying breath.
Whether he could walk or not... whether they trusted me or not... I didn’t give a single damn.
At least now I didn’t have to babysit a grown, bratty man.
I opened my door and stepped out, bracing myself for whatever fresh nonsense today had waiting for me.
My eyes landed on the demon’s room door, and I marched toward it. The soft carpet muffling my steps, but my irritation made every stride feel loud. Sharp and Purposeful.
Today, I wasn’t going to let anyone cuff me, accuse me, or underestimate me without at least trying to defend myself. Especially not Romeo.
I reached his door and lifted my hand to knock, still rehearsing in my head how I would calmly
—very calmly—
ask if he still needed an assistant or if I should go help Nonna instead.
I knocked once. Waited. Nothing.
I knocked again, louder this time. "Mr. Salvatore?" I called, rolling my eyes because I already knew he wouldn’t answer the polite way.
Silence.
My brows pinched. "Seriously? Are you doing this childish thing where you pretend you can’t hear me?" I muttered, pressing my palm to the doorknob.
I twisted it. It didn’t turn.
I stopped.
What? Maybe I’d twisted wrong. Or maybe the door was stuck. Or swollen from humidity. Or
Nope.It was locked. His door was locked. My eyes narrowed. Romeo never locks his door. Not when he was in a wheelchair.
Not when he was angry. Not when he was bored. Not even when he was sleeping. The man had zero concept of boundaries or privacy.
But today? Today it was locked.
A hollow, stupid feeling poked at my chest. Something like surprise. Shock. Something I didn’t want to acknowledge because it was embarrassing and unnecessary.
"Oh," I whispered under my breath, blinking slowly. "So that’s how it is." He could walk now.
He didn’t need a babysitter.
He didn’t need anyone pushing him around or fetching his breakfast or picking up the stuff he threw in a tantrum.
He didn’t need...
me
.
And apparently he didn’t even need to tell me that. How nice.
I straightened up and let my hand drop from the doorknob. "Well, good for him," I said flatly, flipping my hair over my shoulder. "If he wants to lock himself in like a dramatic bat, let him."
Honestly? Good. Fantastic. Perfect.
At least now I could finally enjoy something in this house without being dragged around like a personal servant to an overgrown, trigger-happy toddler.
I turned on my heel, suddenly lighter. Perhaps I could finally start my early mornings with Miss Stella again.
The hallway was still dim, that soft bluish light from the sconces giving everything a sleepy glow.
My footsteps made little sound as I headed toward the kitchen, the scent of something warm and yeasty growing stronger with every step.
Miss Stella was always awake at ungodly hours. I used to think she never slept. Maybe she plugged herself into a charging port at night like a kitchen-based robot.
I slipped out of the elevator, padding across the the hallway and added and peeked into the kitchen.
There she was. Hair tied up. Apron on. Wooden spoon in hand. Stirring something in a pot like she was negotiating peace between ingredients.
No on was around, which wasn’t that surprising. Miss stella also loves ahead.
Perfect. A wicked little grin crept up my face. I tiptoed inside, keeping my steps light as a cat thief, and crept up right behind her.
"Morning, Miss Stell—"
"OH!" She jumped, the spoon whipping around with her — nearly smacking me in the face. If I hadn’t ducked, my whole face would’ve been baptized in boiling sauce.
"Ma dai! Katya! You nearly sent me to the afterlife!" I snorted, covering my mouth. "Sorry," I lied with absolutely zero sincerity. "Couldn’t resist."
She squinted at me, trying not to laugh, before her expression softened. "What are you doing here so early? Does Romeo need an early breakfast?"
I blinked.
Well. That was... ironic. "He doesn’t need anything. I don’t even think of he needs ame anymore."
"And whys that." Miss stella turns back to her meal while I leaned into the counter, lowering my voice into a whisper. " i don’t know if you heard" I paused, just to be dramatic as miss stella eyes snapped at me to finish.
"He can walk now." Miss Stella froze.Her brows lifted so high they nearly flew off her face.
"He... what?"
I nodded firmly. "Walk. Legs. Working. Standing. Moving. Throwing attitude from above eye level now."