Fifty Two

CHAPTER 52

She recalled the previous night, the decisions she had made, which now left her confused and unsure of what to do. Sometimes, the guilt weighed so deeply on her, as if it haunted every step she took.

However, the soft knock on her door startled her. Before she could rise from the bed, the door slowly opened, and Antonio stood in the doorway with a breakfast tray in hand.

"Good morning, Cassandra," he said with a slight smile on his face. His voice was calm, yet there was something unspoken in his dark eyes. The tray he carried contained a plate of fresh fruit, toast, and a cup of warm coffee.

Cassandra stared at him, unable to hide the confusion still lodged in her heart. Antonio walked closer, and without waiting for Cassandra’s reaction, he sat down beside the bed. Gently, he picked up a spoon and fed her some fruit.

"I thought we should start the day on a good note," he said, watching Cassandra’s reaction with unreadable eyes.

Cassandra just looked at him, confused, almost unable to conceal her anxiety. "You..." Cassandra’s voice faltered for a moment. "You really have a side of you I can’t predict."

Antonio just smiled, not in a hurry to answer. He continued to feed Cassandra the fruit, allowing her to enjoy the breakfast amidst the growing confusion.

"What do you mean?" Cassandra finally asked, unable to hold herself back. "What is it that you really want from me, Antonio?"

Antonio looked at her silently before offering a slight smile. "I think, Cassandra, you must have more secrets than you let on. Everyone has a hidden side, even you."

Cassandra lowered her gaze, trying to absorb Antonio’s words. Something about them made her feel trapped, as if she were caught in a bigger game than she could understand. Antonio, with all his charm, had managed to stir confusion within her.

The atmosphere in the villa room grew more awkward. The tension, impossible to ignore, hung in the air, and suddenly, Antonio changed the direction of the conversation in a surprising way.

"How about we shower together?" he said, his voice low and meaningful. "You must need to freshen up after last night, and I think we could talk more comfortably."

Cassandra felt her cheeks flush at the suggestion. Of course, this wasn’t just about showering together. Antonio always knew how to heat things up, and Cassandra felt an urge to escape immediately. Without saying anything, she jumped off the bed, trying to avoid the temptation that was so strong.

"I... I’ll shower alone," she replied with a slightly trembling voice, trying to hide the worsening feelings within her. "Thank you."

Antonio simply smiled and nodded slowly, though the smile was full of meaning. "Alright, Cassandra. I’ll wait outside."

Cassandra hurried to the bathroom, hoping to calm herself with the cool water. Once the bathroom door closed, she stared at herself in the mirror, seeing her flushed face. Why did she feel so trapped by these confusing emotions? Why did she feel overwhelmed by a passion she couldn’t control?

Letting the water flow, Cassandra savored every drop as it touched her skin. However, even though her body felt refreshed, her mind couldn’t stop from imagining Antonio’s body so close to hers, strong and dominant.

"What’s really happening to me?" she thought, her heart whispering with deep confusion. "Why am I so weak for him?"

Regret began to seep in. Cassandra cursed herself for not being able to resist those impulses. She knew this wasn’t just about physical attraction or desire, but something deeper that was drawing her toward Antonio—something very hard to explain. A pull so strong yet so dangerous.

Under the running water, Cassandra tried to push the feelings away. She needed to control herself, to remember what was really happening. This game was much bigger than just impulses or fleeting desires. But why did Antonio have to test her like this? What did he really want?

She closed her eyes, letting the water run over her face, hoping it would wash away the mixed emotions. But every time she thought she had forgotten it all, Antonio’s image would return to her mind, as if something bound her even deeper to this game.

After a while, Cassandra calmed herself and quickly finished her shower. She stepped out of the bathroom with a mix of feelings—desire and regret, what she felt and what she should avoid. She knew she had to be careful. What had happened the night before had been confusing enough, and she needed to be ready for whatever might come next.

With a heavy breath, Cassandra left the bathroom. Her mind was still swirling, but now she knew one thing: she couldn’t remain trapped in her confusion. A decision had to be made.

After showering and putting on the clothes Antonio had provided, Cassandra felt slightly more at ease. However, when she opened the bedroom door, she found Antonio lounging on the sofa, looking at her with a mysterious smile. His eyes seemed to read her thoughts, making her feel even more uncomfortable, but at the same time, there was an attraction she couldn’t ignore.

"Cassandra," Antonio said, his voice deep and gentle, "you look better. How are you feeling?"

Cassandra simply nodded, trying to hide her anxiety behind a forced smile. "I’m fine," she replied briefly. "What are we doing today?"

Antonio rose from his seat and walked toward her. Without saying a word, he gently took Cassandra’s hand and led her out of the villa. Outside, the morning air felt fresh, with a light breeze blowing, easing the tension inside her. The villa, perched on the edge of a hill, provided a breathtaking view, with lush green trees stretching out across the landscape, while the bright morning sky gave a sense of peace that contrasted with the turmoil in Cassandra’s heart.

They walked along the winding path surrounding the villa. The atmosphere was calmer than before. No harsh words or threats, just a stillness that made each step feel heavier. Yet, despite the calm, Cassandra couldn’t shake the uncertainty that still lingered inside her.

Antonio walked beside her, taking his time. Occasionally, he would glance over at Cassandra and smile, but there was tension in his gaze, as if waiting for something. After walking for some time, Antonio broke the silence.

"You know, Cassandra," Antonio said, his voice deeper than usual, "I often think about our contract marriage."

Cassandra was startled by the words. Slowly, she turned to Antonio, who kept walking beside her. His eyes seemed full of meaning, and his smile this time was more serious than usual. "Contract marriage?" she replied, her voice almost a whisper. "What do you think about that?"

Antonio stopped walking and looked at her with a sharp gaze. It seemed as though he was analyzing every emotion that appeared on Cassandra’s face. "I know you didn’t want it at first," he said softly, "but over time, I’ve started to feel there’s something more than just our agreement."

Cassandra’s heart began to race. The mixed feelings surged deeply. She wanted to say something, but the words seemed to get stuck in her throat. What did Antonio mean by those words? Did he truly feel something more than just the contract?

"I don’t know what to say," Cassandra said finally, trying to avoid Antonio’s intense gaze. "We both know why we’re here, Antonio. This is just business, nothing more."

However, Antonio didn’t give up that easily. He took a step closer, only inches away from Cassandra. "Sometimes, things that begin for the wrong reasons can end up differently," Antonio said in a softer tone. "I’ve seen another side of you, Cassandra. I know, even though you try hard to hide it, there’s something more between us than just a contract marriage."

Cassandra turned her gaze away, trying to control the feelings that were growing more confusing. There was something in Antonio’s words that made her heart race faster. She knew they couldn’t keep going like this, trapped in their own confusion. But the more she tried to distance herself, the stronger the pull became.

"We’re trapped in this game, Antonio," Cassandra said, trying to speak more firmly. "This marriage isn’t about feelings or desires. It’s about tactics, politics, and the reality we have to face. I can’t give you more than that."

Antonio didn’t answer right away. Instead, he reached out and gently touched Cassandra’s cheek. The touch was so soft, yet there was a powerful vibration in it, as though conveying a message without words.

"You know, Cassandra," Antonio said softly, "even though we both know the reasons behind all of this, I still feel there’s something bigger than just an obligation. Something that might be stronger than just a paper contract."

Cassandra looked into Antonio’s eyes, which now appeared more serious and deep. Confusion gripped her again, but this time, there was something different. There was a feeling beginning to emerge in her heart, something she couldn’t deny, even though she tried as hard as she could to reject it.

Without saying a word, Antonio stepped closer, inviting Cassandra to walk with him along the villa path again. They walked side by side, but this time, the silence that had once been awkward now felt more natural, as if they were sharing a moment that belonged only to the two of them.

Cassandra felt like she was trapped in a game she hadn’t chosen, but on the other hand, she couldn’t deny that part of her was beginning to want more than just this contract marriage. A part of her wanted to open her heart, even though that meant facing far greater consequences.

Antonio, with all his charm, made it harder for her to remain outside this circle of emotions. And even though her heart was still full of doubts, there was something deeper that kept her walking beside this man—something she couldn’t explain, but felt so strongly.

When they reached the end of the path, Antonio looked at Cassandra with a softer gaze. "I know we’re on a difficult road," Antonio said, "but I hope we can understand each other, Cassandra. Whatever happens, I want you to know that I never intended to make you feel trapped."

Cassandra looked at him, trying to find meaning in his words. Though there was still confusion in her heart, she could feel the truth in what Antonio was saying. Something that made her believe that this contract marriage might not be the end of their story.