CASSANDRA
Cassandra can’t believe how she just melted in Emilio’s arms. She can’t even look at him. Her dress is hiked up over her hips, and her belt is missing. She didn’t even feel him take it off.
She notices a few loose strands of hair framing her face. Touching her hair, she realizes her chignon has come undone. Perfect. She tugs her dress back down. She can’t believe she acted like a hormone–crazed teenager. How mortifying.
She lightly touches her swollen lips, and when she finally looks at Emilio, she sees a smug grin on his face. She’s tempted to slap it off, but he disappears through a door before she can. He comes back a few minutes later, looking all put together with his hair neatly combed.
“Do you still think you can work here after what just happened?” he asks, standing right in front of her. Butterflies go wild in Cassandra’s stomach. His thumb brushes her bottom lip, and she shivers. “Don’t leave; we need to talk. I’ll be back in fifteen minutes. Go and clean up the restroom is through there.””
He points to his left, and as Cassandra follows his gesture, he kisses her again, gently biting her lip before pulling away. “From now on, only I get to bite that lip.”
He leaves the office, leaving her wanting him even more. Cassandra collapses onto the couch, her knees weak with desire. She’s afraid she might fall over.
Once she’s calmed down, she heads to the bathroom and splashes cold water on her flushed face. She looks like a mess all hot and bothered. She sighe
and lets her hair down, she’ll have to redo it.
Cassandra goes back into the office to put her dirty thong in her bag. She’ll have to go o commando all thanks to Emiliano Rodriguez She can’t believe her body betrayed her like this.
And now she can’t even find a hair tie to put her hair back up.
“Are you ready?” Emilio asks later.
“Ready for what?” Cassandra replies. “I’m not going anywhere with you except back to my apartment.
“I sold it,” he says simply.
“Why?” she exclaims. “Why would you do that? Where am I supposed to live after the DNA results?”
“I already got the results, and it’s confirmed that Alex is my son. I’ve been thinking, and I’ve made a decision.”
Cassandra doesn’t like where this is going. “What does that mean?“”
“I need a wife, and you need a place to live. If you marry me, I’ll take care of you and Alex. You won’t have to work. It’s a win–win.”
“For who? I don’t want to marry you, and I don’t want to live with you. You’re crazy. I barely know you.”
“That didn’t stop you fifteen months ago or a few minutes ago. My son needs his father, and I plan to be there for him in every way. I can’t do that if he’s only with you.”
Cassandra runs a hand through her hair. “You don’t want to marry me, Emilio; I’m not your type. What will people say? They’ll laugh at me. Your friends and family will laugh at me.”
“No one will laugh at you while I’m around,” he says firmly. “I’ll be a good father and do my best to be a good husband…”
“I’ll embarrass you. We’re worlds apart,” Cassandra argues. “You don’t even love me, Emilio, I mean nothing to you.”
He gives her a scornful look. “I don’t believe in love and never will. Love is lust, and I can assure you, I won’t disappoint you
Cassandra’s checks turn red. Damn it! She scolds herself, This isn’t the time for that.
there.”
“You don’t have to marry me to be a good father to Alexander, I’ll share custody with you. You don’t have to pretend with me, Emilio. I understand you’re shocked about finding out you have a six–month–old, but that doesn’t mean you have to take such a drastic step. We barely know each other.”
“That can be easily fixed,” he says nonchalantly.
12:54 PL
“Why are you doing this to me?” Cassandra gives him a defeated look. “What did I do to deserve this? Tell me.”
“I don’t owe you or anyone else an explanation for my actions.”
“This is
my life we’re talking about. Marriage is a lifetime commitment. I think I deserve an answer for you taking away my life without even discussing it with me.”
Instead of answering. Emilio walks over to his desk and picks up the phone. “Is it done,” he says to the person on
on the of
other end.
He hangs up, walks over to Cassandra, and takes her hand. He pulls a small box out of his pocket and opens it. A stunning, princess–cut ring with a diamond platinum band stares back at her.
Cassandra’s throat tightens with unshed tears. She’s speechless as he slips the ring on her finger.
“I haven’t said “yes, she whispers.
“I’ll happily change your mind.”
“This is wrong on so many levels. What if I fall in love with someone else?”
“That won’t happen. I’ll keep you so busy, you won’t have time to think about another man.”
Emilio leads her out of the office and to the elevator before she can respond.
Finally, Cassandra manages, “I forgot to put my hair up.”
“Leave it be,” be instructs. “You’re more beautiful like this ”
“And where exactly are we headed?” she inquires.
“I’m not a fan of being questioned.”
“Well, I didn’t plan on getting hitched, but here I am, engaged.”
The elevator dings open, and they step out into the bustling lobby. Emilio guides Cassandra down a corridor before halting in front of a door and holding it open. She pauses for a moment before stepping inside, surprised to find most of the bank’s staff already gathered in the conference room.
Cassandra shoots a glance at Emilio, who wraps his arm securely around her waist and pulls her close.
“This will be quick,” he starts. “Ms. Miller and I are engaged, which is why she’s no longer an employee here. I’d appreciate it if you all kept her previous involvement here under wraps.
“I’m sure you all recall the confidentiality agreement you signed when you joined the company. If any of you violate that agreement, there will be legal consequences. I trust I’ve made myself clear.”
Cassandra is taken aback by Emilio’s sudden announcement. Some of the employees look shocked, while others exchange skeptical glances. Jake just looks let down.
Once they’re back in the lobby and out of earshot of the employees, Cassandra says, “You’re worried about the company’s image if it gets out that the big boss is involved with his employees–that’s why you held that impromptu meeting.”
“What I said in there applies to you as well. And the boss, as you so crudely put it, is not involved with any of his employees–do you understand?”
As they exit the office building, both of them silent, it becomes apparent that the men who had approached Cassandra that morning are Emilio’s bodyguards. They’re here to keep the press at bay.
Outside, the camera flashes are so intense that Cassandra has to shield her eyes. Questions are hurled from every direction, but Emilio simply states that he’ll be issuing a press release later that evening. As they navigate their way to his car, he keeps his arm around Cassandra, and his bodyguards do an excellent job of forming a protective barrier around them.
Regardless, the sight of Cassandra and Emilio together will undoubtedly be headline news by tomorrow morning.
ly in the car, Cassandra lets out the breath she’s been holding. She turns to Emilio just as he asks, “Where’s my son?
Once they’re safely in
“At daycare,” she replies softly.
