Fourty

CHAPTER 40

Martinez noticed Cassandra’s head beginning to droop as she sat in the waiting room outside Alexander’s hospital room. Her exhaustion was evident, and though her determination was strong, she could no longer fight off the sleepiness. Martinez gently placed a hand on Cassandra’s shoulder. “Cassandra, you should go home and rest. I’ll take care of everything here. You’ve done more than enough for today.”

Cassandra opened her eyes, startled. She realized she had almost fallen asleep. Glancing at the clock, she suddenly remembered her promise to Antonio. “You’re right,” she said reluctantly. “I need to head home now. Call me if there are any updates.”

Martinez nodded. “Don’t worry, I’ll keep you informed.”

Cassandra left the hospital and decided to stop at a nearby retail store. She wandered aimlessly through the aisles before purchasing a cup of instant coffee from a vending machine. Sitting at one of the small outdoor tables, she watched people trickling out of nearby nightclubs. Some were laughing loudly as they stumbled along, while others walked quietly, their weariness evident. The scene was oddly grounding, momentarily pulling her thoughts away from the chaos surrounding Alexander’s attack.

The bitter taste of the coffee helped Cassandra focus. She sighed and checked her phone for any missed calls or messages. Finding none, she decided it was time to head home. When she opened the door to Antonio’s luxurious house, she was greeted by an unexpected sight. Antonio was sitting on the sofa, a tablet in his hands. He looked up as Cassandra entered, his expression unreadable.

“You’re still awake?” Cassandra asked, her voice tinged with surprise. “Why are you waiting for me?”

Antonio set the tablet down and leaned back on the sofa, his sharp gaze fixed on her. “Shouldn’t I be worried when my wife is out so late?” he asked, his tone softer than usual but still carrying an edge.

Cassandra hesitated, unsure how to respond. Antonio rarely showed concern for her whereabouts unless it served his own purposes. “I’m sorry. I lost track of time at the hospital,” she finally said. “My friend, Alexander… he was hurt.”

Antonio’s brow furrowed slightly, but he quickly masked his reaction. “Is he all right?”

“He’s stable for now,” Cassandra replied cautiously, trying to read Antonio’s expression. There was something off about his demeanor, and it made her uneasy.

Antonio suddenly stood and walked toward her. “You must be hungry,” he said, his tone lightening. “I’ve prepared a little surprise for you.”

Cassandra blinked, confused. “A surprise?”

He took her hand and led her to the dining room. The table was set with an elaborate spread of food, illuminated by the soft glow of candles. The atmosphere was unexpectedly romantic, a stark contrast to the tension that usually surrounded their relationship.

“Dinner for two?” Cassandra asked, raising an eyebrow as she sat down. “What are we celebrating?”

Antonio’s lips curved into a sly smile. “Something that makes me very happy,” he said cryptically.

Cassandra picked up her fork but paused, eyeing him suspiciously. “You’re being unusually generous tonight. What aren’t you telling me?”

Antonio chuckled softly, shaking his head. “Can’t I simply enjoy a lovely evening with my wife without arousing suspicion?”

Despite his playful tone, Cassandra couldn’t shake the uneasy feeling. She took a small bite of the food, which was as delicious as it looked. Still, her thoughts kept returning to Alexander. She glanced at Antonio, who seemed unusually pleased with himself, and wondered if he knew more about the attack on Alexander than he was letting on.

Antonio leaned back in his chair, sipping a glass of wine. “Relax, Cassandra. You’ve had a long day. Let’s just enjoy the moment.”

Cassandra forced a small smile and nodded, but her mind remained alert. She knew Antonio well enough to recognize that his actions always had a purpose. Tonight, she was determined to uncover what it was.

After dinner, Antonio remained seated, watching Cassandra, who was starting to look tired again. “You don’t need to worry about anything, Cass,” he said softly but firmly. “What happened to your friend is no longer your concern. I’m sure he’ll be fine.”

His reassuring tone only heightened Cassandra’s suspicion. She studied Antonio carefully, searching for clues in his demeanor. “How can you be so sure?” she asked.

Antonio smiled, a thin smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes. “You know I have resources. If there’s something that needs handling, I’ll make sure it’s taken care of without you having to worry.”

His words hung in the air, adding to the tension between them. Cassandra knew Antonio wasn’t one to speak lightly. He always had a hidden agenda. However, she decided not to press him further that night. She understood that probing too deeply could be dangerous.

“Thank you for dinner,” Cassandra finally said, trying to sound sincere. She stood and began walking toward her room. But before she could leave, Antonio called out to her.

“Cass,” he said, his voice lower. “Don’t stress over things you can’t control. Focus on what matters to you. I just want you to be happy.”

Cassandra paused for a moment, glancing back at him. She wanted to respond but eventually just nodded slightly before continuing toward her room. Yet in her mind, everything was far from settled. Tonight, it was becoming increasingly clear to her that the game Antonio was playing was much bigger than she had initially thought.

As Cassandra reached for her bedroom door, the sound of Antonio’s footsteps behind her made her stop. His strong hand gently but firmly gripped her wrist.

“Wait,” Antonio said in a low voice. Cassandra turned to face him, confusion in her eyes.

Antonio’s gaze shifted, his eyes glowing with a mix of intensity and desire. “I’m not done, Cassandra,” he said, his voice soft yet full of intent. “How about we go to the bedroom now and have some fun?”

Cassandra frowned, trying to discern Antonio’s intentions. She looked at him cautiously, attempting to determine whether this was part of a larger game he was playing or merely a moment of playful teasing. But Antonio’s gaze remained steady, leaving Cassandra to wonder what exactly he had planned for the night.