Thirty Three

CHAPTER 33

Silence filled the room after the passionate night between Antonio and Cassandra. The dim light from the bedside lamp cast a soft glow, enveloping the room in a tranquil atmosphere. Cassandra lay asleep on her side of the bed, her body bare, her face serene as if the weight of the world had disappeared in her slumber.

Antonio sat at the edge of the bed, his gaze fixed on Cassandra's form, bathed in shadows. He reached for the blanket at the foot of the bed and carefully pulled it up to cover Cassandra’s bare body. His movements were slow, as though he was afraid of waking her. In the stillness, he studied her face—her soft eyebrows, lips now slightly swollen from their kisses, and her steady, peaceful breathing.

A small smile formed on Antonio's lips. For a moment, he felt at peace, as if Cassandra was someone he could genuinely trust. But that thought lasted only a fleeting second. His expression shifted to one of seriousness as memories flooded back—Cassandra’s intent to destroy him, her secret plan for revenge.

Antonio's smile faded, replaced by a dark and cold expression. He exhaled heavily, a simmering anger building in his chest. “Why did I let myself become this weak?” he murmured, barely audible. His gaze remained on Cassandra, but now his eyes reflected a mixture of hatred and concern. He couldn’t deny that there was something about Cassandra that made it impossible for him to turn away. Yet he also knew how dangerous it was to let his emotions rule him.

Antonio rose from the bed, his movements careful not to disturb her sleep. He adjusted the blanket over Cassandra one last time before leaving the room. His mind was in turmoil, and the only place where he could find solace was his study.

Antonio’s footsteps echoed down the long hallway leading to his study. He pushed open the door lightly and turned on the light. The large wooden desk, cluttered with documents and his laptop, dominated the room. Antonio walked toward the drawer in the corner of the desk and slowly pulled it open. Inside was a small framed photo hidden beneath some paperwork.

He lifted the photo, his eyes locking on the smiling faces of Cassandra’s parents captured in the frame. They looked happy, blissfully unaware of the grim fate that awaited them. Antonio let out another heavy sigh, this one weighed down by guilt. He knew exactly who was responsible for their deaths. He understood the deep scars that Cassandra carried from that tragedy. But he also knew that those very scars were the reason Cassandra was here—in his home, in his bed.

“If only you knew the whole truth...” he whispered to the photo.

Antonio’s hand clenched tightly around the frame before he finally set it back on the desk. With deliberate steps, he moved toward the large safe in the corner of the room. He swiftly turned the combination lock, opening the heavy door, and stared at its contents: neatly arranged firearms, critical documents, and stacks of cash.

Antonio placed the photo of Cassandra’s parents atop the documents inside the safe, then closed the door with a sharp click. He locked it securely, ensuring it was out of anyone’s reach—especially Cassandra’s.

He stood in front of the safe for a moment, his thoughts once again drifting to Cassandra’s face. Despite the anger and suspicion consuming him, Antonio couldn’t entirely dismiss the other feelings that confused him. Cassandra was a threat, but she was also something more. She was a weakness he couldn’t ignore.

With a final sigh, Antonio switched off the study’s lights and stepped out, making his way back toward the bedroom. Yet anger and uncertainty followed him like a shadow that refused to fade.

The soft morning light seeped through the gaps in the curtains, illuminating the room now enveloped in silence. Cassandra slowly opened her eyes, taking a moment to realize where she was. As her vision cleared, memories of the previous night surged back like a tidal wave—Antonio’s touch, his kisses, and the intimacy they had shared.

Cassandra’s face flushed instantly. What have I done? she thought in a panic. She glanced down at her body, wrapped in a blanket, and realized she had nothing on underneath. Embarrassment swept over her like a storm. She quickly sat up, clutching the blanket tightly around her, and looked around for her phone, which lay on the small bedside table.

Grabbing it with trembling hands, she unlocked the screen and immediately searched for Jessica’s name in her contacts. Her finger hovered over the button to type a message, but before she could write anything, a deep and familiar voice interrupted the silence.

“Why are you standing there without clothes on?” Antonio asked, his voice husky and slightly groggy.

Cassandra spun around in shock. Antonio was already sitting up in bed, leaning against the headboard. His hair was messy, but his sharp gaze held a hint of confusion. Cassandra froze, unsure of what to say. Words caught in her throat, and the only response she managed was a small, startled scream.

“AAAAH! Don’t look at me!” Cassandra shrieked, her face turning crimson. She grabbed a towel that had been left on the floor from the night before and quickly wrapped it around herself.

Antonio raised an eyebrow, clearly baffled by her reaction. “Cassandra, seriously. After everything that happened last night, you still feel the need to scream?” he asked, his tone a mix of amusement and confusion.

“I... I don’t even know what happened last night!” Cassandra lied, feeling increasingly flustered. She turned away and rushed toward the bathroom without waiting for Antonio’s response. The door slammed shut behind her, leaving Antonio alone in the room.

Inside the bathroom, Cassandra leaned against the door, trying to steady her breathing. She stared at her reflection in the mirror, her face still red with embarrassment. “How could I be so stupid?” she whispered to herself. She splashed cold water on her face, hoping it would help calm her down.

Meanwhile, back in the bedroom, Antonio remained seated on the bed, staring at the bathroom door with a raised eyebrow. “She’s truly unpredictable,” he muttered to himself. Shaking his head, he lay back down, trying to make sense of Cassandra’s erratic behavior.

But beneath his confusion, a small smirk appeared on Antonio’s face. This woman... she’s truly different.