Twenty Nine

CHAPTER 29

Cassandra lay on Jessica Wallan's plush bed, staring at the ceiling. The hum of traffic outside and the occasional creak of the building's pipes filled the silence in the room. Jessica, who was also lying beside her, seemed lost in her own thoughts. An unspoken understanding hung in the air—the kind of understanding forged by years of friendship. But it didn’t last long; Jessica shifted and abruptly sat up.

“I need a cigarette,” she muttered, opening the bedside drawer to retrieve a pack of cigarettes and a lighter. She walked over to the desk near the bed, lit a cigarette, and leaned against the table, exhaling a thin trail of smoke that curled upward like a question mark.

Cassandra shifted onto her side, propping herself up on one elbow. “Jess, there’s something I need to tell you.”

Jessica raised an eyebrow but remained silent, taking another drag. Her eyes signaled Cassandra to continue.

“I made a deal with Antonio,” Cassandra began, her voice barely audible. Her throat tightened as she spoke the words she’d been dreading to admit.

Jessica’s brow furrowed. “A deal? What kind of deal?”

Cassandra hesitated, her gaze dropping to the floor. “I... I slept with him.”

The confession hung in the air, heavy and charged. Jessica’s reaction was immediate. She choked on her cigarette, coughing violently as her eyes widened in shock. “You what?” she managed to sputter, pounding her chest. “Cass, are you insane?”

“I didn’t have a choice!” Cassandra’s voice cracked. She sat up, hugging her knees. “It was part of the arrangement. But now... now I don’t know what to do.”

Jessica’s initial shock shifted into a mix of disbelief and admiration. She shook her head, a crooked grin forming on her lips. “That’s insane,” she said, exhaling smoke through her nose. “And dangerous. But... also kind of badass.”

“It’s not badass, Jess. It’s a mess.” Cassandra’s voice was filled with despair. “I regret it. I hate myself for it. But the worst part is...” She trailed off, her voice catching in her throat.

Jessica’s playful expression faded as she noticed the conflict etched across Cassandra’s face. She stubbed out her cigarette in a glass ashtray and turned to fully face her friend. “What’s the worst part, Cass?”

Cassandra hesitated, then let out a shaky breath. “I don’t know if I can go through with the plan. I don’t know if I can kill him.”

Jessica blinked, stunned into silence. She leaned back, folding her arms across her chest as she tried to process Cassandra’s words. “Wait a second. You’re telling me that the great Cassandra, who’s always three steps ahead of everyone else, is now hesitating to take down Antonio?”

Cassandra buried her face in her hands. “It’s not that simple.”

Jessica’s eyes narrowed, a spark of curiosity lighting up her features. “Why not? What’s holding you back?” She leaned forward, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. “Don’t tell me you’ve actually fallen for him.”

Cassandra’s head shot up, her eyes wide with alarm. “What? No. That’s ridiculous.”

Jessica tilted her head, studying her friend intently. “Is it? You’re acting like someone who’s more confused than they should be. If Antonio’s just a pawn in your game, why are you hesitating?”

Cassandra opened her mouth to protest, but no words came out. The truth was tangled in a web of emotions she wasn’t ready to confront. She clenched her fists, her nails digging into her palms as she tried to steady her breathing.

Jessica’s expression softened. She reached out, placing a hand on Cassandra’s knee. “Hey. Whatever this is, you don’t have to face it alone. But you do need to be honest with yourself. Is this really just regret, or is there something more?”

Cassandra looked away, her eyes fixed on a crack in the paint on the bedroom wall. She had always prided herself on being in control, on keeping her emotions locked away where they couldn’t interfere with her plans. But now, faced with Jessica’s piercing gaze and her own mounting confusion, she felt that control slipping.

“I don’t know,” she finally admitted, her voice barely audible. “I don’t know anything anymore.”

Jessica gave her knee a reassuring squeeze. “Then start with what you do know. What does your gut tell you about Antonio? About all this chaos?”

Cassandra closed her eyes, searching for clarity amidst the turmoil. But all she found was a lingering sense of uncertainty—and a small, nagging voice she couldn’t ignore.

“My gut isn’t telling me to kill Antonio,” she whispered.

Jessica stayed silent, waiting for the continuation she knew was coming.

“My gut is telling me to protect him.”

Jessica let out a heavy sigh, then chuckled softly. “Okay, hold on a second. You feel the need to protect Antonio, the man you’re supposed to take down. And on the other hand, there’s Alexander, who’s clearly head over heels for you. Cass, I know you hate drama, but this is shaping up to be one hell of a love triangle.”

Cassandra covered her face with her hands. “I feel guilty, Jess. Somehow, Alexander is always so kind to me. And that makes me feel even worse.”

Jessica smirked, tilting her head as she crossed her arms. “So, you’re in love with both Antonio and Alexander?”

“No!” Cassandra quickly shook her head, lowering her hands. “Alexander is just my friend. I feel guilty because... he’s a detective chasing Antonio, while I went and slept with Antonio. It’s... it’s wrong.”

Jessica stared at Cassandra, equal parts shocked and amused. “Cass, if this isn’t the definition of a massive disaster, I don’t know what is.”

Cassandra took a deep breath and looked at Jessica, her eyes filled with confusion. “I really don’t know what to do, Jess. I need your advice.”

Jessica chuckled lightly and handed Cassandra a pack of cigarettes. “First, you need a smoke. And maybe we need some alcohol to untangle this mess in your head.”

Cassandra frowned, brushing Jessica’s hand away. “I don’t need that, Jess. I need solutions, not more problems.”

Jessica’s laughter grew louder. “Oh, Cass, you’re too serious. But I’m serious about this: you’re so close to completing your mission. You just need to focus and... yeah, be ready to sacrifice one of them.”

Cassandra frowned. “What do you mean?”

Jessica looked at her with a sharp gaze. “You can’t have it all. So, who will you sacrifice? Alexander or Antonio?”