Fourty Eight

Chapter 48

Cassandra woke up to pain radiating through her entire body. The light from the street lamps filtered through the cracked windshield, casting eerie reflections across the cabin. With considerable effort, she pried open the severely dented car door and staggered to the side of the road. The truck was gone, leaving behind a trail of mystery and vengeance.

After taking a moment to calm herself, Cassandra managed to hail a taxi to take her home. Upon arriving, she noticed something different. Two burly men stood at Antonio’s front gate, their posture exuding authority. Their outfits were tidy yet conspicuous, and their demeanor was intimidating. Cassandra narrowed her eyes, studying their faces. One of them had a scar on his right cheek, while the other wore dark sunglasses despite the late hour.

“New guards,” Cassandra muttered, half-questioning herself. A wave of wariness crept into her heart, but she decided not to show any suspicion.

With light steps, she walked past them, offering a faint smile. The two men barely glanced at her before nodding briefly, signaling her permission to enter. Nevertheless, Cassandra memorized every detail of their faces.

Inside the house, the atmosphere felt strange, almost like a carefully laid trap. The living room lights glowed warmly, and the aroma of delicious food filled the air. Cassandra found Antonio lounging on the sofa, a tablet in his hands, appearing nonchalant. When he noticed her entering, he smiled warmly.

“Cassandra, you’re finally home. How was your day?” he asked with a tone so warm it sounded fake to Cassandra’s ears.

She suppressed the wave of disgust rising within her. She wanted to respond with biting sarcasm but opted to maintain a neutral expression. “Not bad,” she replied curtly, walking to a nearby table to set down her bag.

Antonio studied her briefly before placing his tablet on the table. “I’ve prepared dinner. It’s not every night I have time for this, so let’s enjoy it together.”

Cassandra regarded him with a hard-to-read expression. She wanted to refuse but knew doing so would only raise suspicion. With a small nod, she agreed. “Alright.”

Antonio stood, straightening his suit, and gestured for Cassandra to follow him to the dining room. The table was set elaborately—lit candles, neatly folded napkins, and food presented with aesthetic flair. Cassandra took her seat, trying to decipher the hidden intent behind Antonio’s hospitality tonight.

But amidst it all, her unease persisted. Who were the two guards outside? Why had Antonio suddenly turned cordial after nights of tension? And, most importantly, what was his next move?

Cassandra knew that whatever happened, she had to remain vigilant. Antonio never did anything without a reason.

After dinner, Cassandra placed her napkin on the table and looked at Antonio. “Thank you for dinner,” she said flatly.

Antonio smiled faintly, taking a sip of wine from his glass before replying, “I’m glad you enjoyed it. I have to leave tonight. There are some matters I need to attend to. Don’t wait up; get some rest.”

Cassandra nodded. “Alright. Goodnight.”

Antonio stood, buttoned his suit jacket, and walked away calmly. Cassandra remained seated, watching his back until his figure disappeared behind the door. Once silence filled the air again, she felt a slight weight lift off her chest.

In her room, Cassandra stepped into the bathroom. Moving sluggishly, she turned on the light and stood in front of the mirror. The ache in her shoulder prompted her to carefully remove her blouse. She gasped at the sight of a large bruise on her right shoulder. It was purplish, with faint red marks around it.

“What really happened earlier?” Cassandra muttered, staring at her reflection. She recalled the sound of the speeding truck, the harsh impact, and the sharp pain that coursed through her body. The driver’s face was still blurry in her memory—she hadn’t seen it clearly, but her instincts told her this was no ordinary accident.

Clenching her fists, fury began to rise within her. “Antonio…” she whispered, her voice trembling with hatred. The more she thought about it, the more certain she became that this was Antonio’s doing. That truck hadn’t just appeared by chance—someone had orchestrated this to kill her.

She rubbed her face, trying to calm herself. But fear and anger mingled together, making it hard to think clearly. After taking a deep breath, she reached for her phone and dialed Martinez’s number.

It took several rings before Martinez’s heavy voice came through. “Cassandra? What’s wrong?”

“Someone tried to kill me,” Cassandra stated bluntly, without preamble. Her voice was firm, but there was a slight tremor. “A large truck ran into me on the road tonight. This wasn’t an accident.”

There was a brief pause before Martinez replied, “Where are you now? Are you safe?”

“I’m at home. For now, yes, I’m safe,” Cassandra answered.

Martinez was silent for a moment before saying, “We’ll talk more tomorrow morning at the office. Don’t do anything alone. I’ll ensure your safety.”

“Alright,” Cassandra agreed, her voice steadying. “See you tomorrow.”

She ended the call and placed her phone on the bathroom counter. For a moment, she just stood there, staring at herself in the mirror. The pain in her shoulder served as a constant reminder that her life could end at any moment if she wasn’t careful. But her fear gradually gave way to determination.

Cassandra knew one thing for sure: this was a declaration of war from Antonio, and she wouldn’t back down.

Cassandra returned to her room, but this time she felt as though every wall was watching her every move. Her footsteps echoed on the marble floor, reminding her she was now caught in a game far bigger than herself. She sat on the edge of the bed, massaging her temples as she tried to untangle the chaos in her mind.

Before long, her phone vibrated. Cassandra snatched it up quickly, hoping it wasn’t more bad news. But the name on the screen was the last thing she expected: Antonio.

She stared at the screen for several seconds before finally deciding to ignore the call. But the phone kept vibrating, refusing to be dismissed. Cassandra sighed and answered.

“What is it?” she asked, getting straight to the point.

“Cassandra,” Antonio’s voice was smooth, almost like a serpent’s hiss. “I just wanted to make sure you’re alright. I know today has been hard on you.”

Cassandra clenched her teeth. His voice sounded like a taunt. “I’m fine. You don’t need to worry.”

“Good. Because I want to make sure we’re on the same page. There’s no reason for us to be at odds, is there?” His tone sharpened slightly.

Cassandra held her breath, trying to control her emotions. “Of course. I just need some time to rest.”

There was a pause on the other end before Antonio replied, “Very well. I’ll see you tomorrow, Cassandra. Sleep well.”

The call ended, but the chill it left lingered. She knew this wasn’t just a casual conversation. It was a veiled warning.

That night, Cassandra barely slept. Every time she closed her eyes, the image of the massive truck haunted her. The sound of the crash, the pain in her body, and Antonio’s cold, ever-composed gaze—all of it blended into a nightmare that kept her restless.

By six in the morning, Cassandra gave up on trying to sleep any longer. She got up, donned formal attire, and gathered the documents she needed for the office. Before leaving, she glanced at herself in the mirror. Her face looked tired, but her eyes burned with resolve.

“I won’t let this end like this,” she whispered to herself.

At Martinez’s office, Cassandra sat in a small room with cream-colored walls. The man entered with a folder in hand, dressed in his usual dark suit. He looked at Cassandra with a piercing gaze.

“Tell me everything,” he said without preamble.

Cassandra took a deep breath before recounting the events of the previous night. The truck that came out of nowhere, the bruise on her shoulder, and her suspicions about Antonio. Martinez listened intently, occasionally nodding but not interrupting. Once Cassandra finished, he leaned back in his chair, studying her thoughtfully.

“You’re sure this was Antonio’s doing?” he asked finally.

“I know how he operates. Nothing happens without his plan,” Cassandra replied firmly. “He may not have done it directly, but I’m sure he’s pulling the strings.”

Martinez nodded slowly. “In that case, we need to protect you. But this won’t be easy. Antonio isn’t just anyone. He has connections everywhere.”

Cassandra clenched her hands tightly. “I don’t care. I just want to make sure he doesn’t touch me again.”

Martinez looked at her for a moment before finally saying, “Alright. I’ll arrange something. But you need to understand, this isn’t just about physical protection. We need to figure out his next move.”

Cassandra nodded. “I’ll find out. I know how to access his information network.”

Martinez raised an eyebrow. “Are you sure that’s wise? If you’re caught—”

“I’ve crossed the line of fear,” Cassandra interrupted sharply. “If this is what it takes to stop him, I’ll do it.”

The next evening, Cassandra returned home with newfound determination. As she entered the living room, she saw Antonio already waiting there, seated on the sofa with a glass of wine in hand.

“Cassandra, you’re late tonight,” he said with a thin smile. “Did something outside catch your attention?”

Cassandra held her breath briefly before replying, “Just office matters. Nothing important.”

Antonio stared at her sharply, as if trying to read her thoughts. “Good. I want to ensure you’re not hiding anything from me. Trust is the foundation of our relationship, isn’t it?”

“Of course,” Cassandra replied, forcing a smile.

But deep down, she knew the game had only just begun.