CASSANDRA
Cassandra is strolling through the garden when she hears a rustle behind her. She whirls around and finds herself staring at Emilio. “Are you here to intimidate me again?” she asks, choosing to focus on the surrounding greenery rather than his face.
He steps up beside her. “Dinner’s almost ready,” he says.
“This place is beautiful–I love the scent of these fresh flowers. You have a lovely home, Emilio,”
“Soon it’ll be yours too. By the way, there are some papers I need you to sign; my lawyer will be expecting them tomorrow.”
me to sign?”
She’s already aware it’s a prenuptial agreement. “When do you want me
“Now would be good–before dinner.”
“Alright.”
They head into his home office, and he hands her the documents. “What’s this?‘ Cassandra asks, just to make him say it out loud.
“Prenuptial agreement.” Emilio hands her a pen. “Don’t worry, I’m not going to make you sign something that gives me total control over you.”
“I don’t have anything to take,” she responds. “Where do I sign?” He points it out, and she signs.
“I’ll join you at dinner in a bit,” Emilio says.
Cassandra decides to go upstairs to check on Alex. On her way, she runs
sinto Mrs. Rodriguez.
“I just left his room—he’s fast asleep.” Emilio’s mother touches Cassandra’s arm. “Why don’t we chat about how you and my son met and why you kept my grandson a secret from me for so long?”
What can she say? Where should she start? Emilio should have had this conversation with his mother, not her, it was his idea to pretend they were in love. What can she say now?
After they move to the terrace and settle down, the woman Cassandra saw earlier brings out more tea. “Thank you, Annah,” Mrs. Rodriguez says.
Cassandra takes a cup and nervously sips her tea. Where the hell is Emilio when she needs him? “Mrs. Rodriguez-”
“Call me Emilia, and after the wedding. I expect you to call me Mother. Is that understood? Cassandra nods. “How you and
Emiliano meet?”
“Well…uhm…the company I was working for had a business party. That’s where we met.”
“How long have you two been together? He never mentioned you or said anything.”
Cassandra gives a shaky laugh. “We haven’t been together long. A few weeks into our relationship, we lost touch; that was fifteen. months ago. Shortly after, I found out I was pregnant. I tried to find him but couldn’t.”
“So why are you two getting married now?” Emilia asks.
Emilio shows up, thankfully interrupting their conversation. “Fifteen months ago, Cassie’s red hair and beautiful smile captivated me. Fate brought us back together two months ago, and that’s when she told me about Alex. I was so thrilled I immediately proposed, and she said “yes. We decided we didn’t want to be apart.
“See, Mama, you’ve been nagging me to settle down and give you grandchildren, but fate already had my life planned out for me…with this beautiful woman.”
“So, you both love each other?‘ Emilia asks,
“Unconditionally.” Emilio says.
Cassandra looks at him. If only that were true.
**I’m happy,” Emilia says. “Emiliano’s father and I were a love match, and I’ve always wanted that for my son. I out there who would win my son’s heart and make him change his ways.
I knew there was a woman
“Love is such a beautiful thing that we all need in our lives. I’m glad, Emiliano, that you’re finally experiencing it. Your father would be
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12:58 PM P
Cassandra can’t stop staring at Emilio. Them–in love? It will never happen; they are worlds apart. She shouldn’t really fall for him and forget why they are doing this.
Emilio o claps his hands, saying, “Let’s eat so that Mama can go and rest.”
“Nonsense,” she replies. “I still need to discuss the wedding with Cassandra. We have a lot to plan and arrange.”
“Mother, everything is already sorted. We’re getting married this Saturday, remember?””
Cassandra sees the shock on his mother’s face. She must have dreamed of planning her son’s wedding, and knowing that won’t happen makes her feel even guiltier.
Emilio continues, “Cassie doesn’t want to make a spectacle of the whole wedding, and I agree with her. We want it to be intimate- long as our close family and friends are there, then nothing else matters. We’ll release a statement afterward to inform the media.”
“That’s a great idea,” Emilia concedes. “That way, the day will be about the two of you.” She turns to Cassandra. “When is your family coming?
Cassandra looks at Emilio. He’s been leading the conversation, so why not let him answer this one too?
“Cassie never knew her family. Mama”
“I’m sorry, dear. It must’ve been tough on you not having anyone to lean on.”
“I survived. At least Alex will have what I never had
a family.”
“You’re right.” Emilia says. “A mother and father who’ll teach him the importance of love and family and a grandmother who will spoil him rotten.”
Cassandra smiles.
Next Chapter
12:58 PM
CASSANDRA
Cassandra, full from a delicious dinner, heads to a guest room. She and Emilio won’t be sharing a room until after they’re married. As she lets down her hair and steps onto the balcony through the French doors, her mind is a whirlwind of thoughts about the day. A gentle breeze plays with her hair.
She can’t help but think about Emilio. He’d left after dinner without a word, and while part of her wondered where he’d gone, she didn’t feel it was her place to ask.
After a few more minutes of stargazing, Cassandra heads back inside, kicking off her heels and heading for the shower. As she’s tying her bathrobe after her shower, she lets out a small yelp.
Emilio is lounging on the bed, half–dressed.
“What are you doing here?” she asks.
“Waiting for you.”
“You should go back to your room.”
“Don’t you want to come closer!”
Cassandra shrugs. She knows that if she gets too close, she’ll lose all sense of reason.
“Why did you tell your mom we were in a relationship fifteen months ago when all we had was a one–night stand? If the condom hadn’t broken, we wouldn’t be in this situation,”
“There’s a reason it broke. We have unfinished business from that night. Until we satisfy our bodies, neither of us will find peace.”
“Not everything is about sex, Emilio. Your mom is righ say we do? We barely know each other.”
need love in our lives. We don’t love each other. How could you lie and
Emilio stands and approaches her. Cassandra backs up until she’s against the wall.
“Love is lust, and we have that. We might not love each other, but the desire and chemistry between us is strong. When we’re together, it’s explosive. Isn’t that enough to make this marriage work? We’re going into this with our eyes wide open…no expectations.”
“Lust fades. What happens when you get tired of me? Will you divorce me, or find a mistress?”
“I don’t believe in divorce that’s why I never wanted to marry. Women these days only love men for their money and status, Once you have that, they’ll marry you without a second thought.”
Emilio traces a finger down her chest, and Cassandra shivers. “But you’re different. I haven’t figured you out yet, but I don’t think I’ll get tired of you anytime soon… There’s something about you that keeps me interested.”
Emilio’s hand moves to the front of Cassandra’s robe and rests on the knot. Her heart races, and her breathing is uneven. He needs to back off–he’s too close.
Cassandra closes her eyes to block him out, but his cologne messes with her senses. Move! a small voice in her head says. If only her feet
would listen.
Cassandra feels her robe fall open, and her eyes fly open. Emilio has untied the knot, and oh god, she’s naked. She was going to change after her shower, but he was on the bed.
Feeling Emilio’s gaze and the heat from his body, Cassandra shivers. Barefoot, she’s barely five feet tall, and Emilio towers over her. He’s the epitome of an alpha male.
Emilio Jeans down and whispers in her ear, “I want you.” His low, husky voice sends a wave of heat through her body.
“Me?” she squeaks, closing her eyes again. His mouth trails hot, hungry kisses down her neck, making her body clench with need. making her wet.
“Yes, you.” His hand moves to her waist and strokes her through the silk of her robe. Cassandra tills her head to the side, giving Emilio better access to her neck.
OMG! He smells so good, feels so good.
