Something Special

Later in the afternoon, a soft knock echoed through the bedroom door.

Cassandra stirred in Dante's arms, her body warm and content. She called out, her voice still carrying the lazy satisfaction of their earlier passion. "Come in."

The door creaked open. A young maid stepped inside, her eyes immediately dropping to the floor when she saw them tangled together on the bed. She held a tray laden with food, the smell of fried plantain filling the room.

"Miss Cassandra, Mr. Moretti," the maid said, her voice soft and nervous. "Martha asked me to bring your lunch. Since you didn't come down for breakfast, she thought you might be hungry."

Cassandra smiled warmly, sitting up slightly. The sheet fell away from her shoulders, and she didn't bother to pull it back up. "Thank you. Just give it to me."

The maid hesitated, glancing at the table near the window. "I can set it down for you—"

"It's fine." Cassandra reached out, taking the tray from her hands. "I'll take it. Thank you, and please thank Martha for us."

The maid nodded quickly, relief flooding her face. "Yes, Miss Cassandra. I'll tell her."

She retreated, closing the door softly behind her.

Cassandra set the tray on the bed, the golden brown plantain glistening with oil. She turned to Dante, who was still lying on his side, his eyes closed.

"Baby," she called softly. "Time to eat."

He groaned, rolling onto his back. "I'm not hungry."

"Liar."

She picked up a piece of fried plantain, the sweetness filling her senses. She placed it between her lips and leaned over him, her hair falling around them like a curtain.

Dante opened his eyes. He watched her for a moment, a slow smile spreading across his face. Then he leaned up, taking the plantain from her mouth with his own.

"Got me," he murmured against her lips.

She laughed, pulling back. "So you are hungry."

He sat up slowly, his body protesting. "I didn't say I wasn't. I just said I didn't want to get up."

Cassandra handed him the tray, settling beside him. "Why didn't you just say that?"

"Because I wanted to see if you'd feed me."

She rolled her eyes, but she was smiling. She picked up another piece of plantain, holding it to his lips. He took it, his eyes never leaving hers.

"You know," she said, "I think this is the longest conversation we've had in days."

Dante's smile faded slightly. He looked down at the tray. "I know. I'm sorry."

"Don't apologize. I just want you to be okay."

He looked at her, his eyes soft. "I'm getting there. Because of you."

---

After they finished eating, Dante retreated into his phone. His fingers moved quickly, typing something Cassandra couldn't see. His brow was furrowed, focused.

Cassandra slipped out of bed, heading to the bathroom. The water was warm, the steam rising around her. She let it wash away the last traces of sleep, feeling more alive than she had in days.

When she returned, a towel wrapped loosely around her body, she found Dante still on his phone. She frowned, crossing the room toward him.

"What are you doing with your phone?" she asked. "Don't tell me you're working."

Dante didn't look up. He just motioned her over with his hand, his eyes still on the screen.

Cassandra went to him, a curious smile on her face. She sat beside him, her damp hair clinging to her shoulders.

He handed her the phone. "See. I've forgiven him."

She took it, reading the message he'd typed.

I saw a letter about Alessandro. I now know the truth. Cassandra said I should give you a chance. I have forgiven you, Mr. Vincent.

Cassandra's heart swelled. She scrolled down, seeing the attached picture. A photograph of the watch. The watch she'd found.

"You sent him a picture of the watch," she said, laughing softly.

"He should know. He should see that I still have pieces of my past that he can't take away."

She looked at him, her eyes soft. "You couldn't even call him Dad."

He shrugged, but there was no malice in it. "He hasn't earned that. Not yet. Maybe not ever."

She bent down, wrapping her arms around him. "Thank you. For forgiving him."

He held her, his face buried in her neck. "Thank you. For making me see it."

---

Martha arrived not long after, her arms laden with a tray of beans and more plantain. Cassandra was standing by the window, still in the towel, laughing about something Dante had said.

"Martha, you didn't have to—"

"Nonsense." Martha set the tray down, her hands on her hips. "You didn't come down for breakfast, so you eat now. Both of you."

Dante looked up from where he was sitting on the bed. "Martha, you don't—"

"I do." She smiled, her eyes warm. "You've both been through enough. Now eat."

She left before they could argue.

Cassandra looked at Dante, her eyes bright with laughter. "We have to eat. I'm already hungry again."

Dante shook his head, watching her. He had his phone in his hand, waiting for a video call to connect. His assistant was supposed to call him, but she was late.

Then the call connected. Dante brought the phone to his face, his expression shifting to one of ease.

"Auntie," he said, a smile in his voice.

Cassandra climbed onto the bed beside him, her body pressing against his. She watched as he showed his aunt the watch, explaining how Cassandra had found it. They talked about work, about the office, about nothing in particular.

But he didn't mention Alessandro. He couldn't. Not yet.

Cassandra said hi when he turned the phone toward her, waving at his aunt. The woman smiled warmly, her eyes crinkling.

After the call ended, Cassandra laughed. "You're showing everyone the watch."

Dante grinned, pulling her close. "What do you want me to do? It's a special watch."

"Uh-huh."

He smirked, his eyes raking over her towel. "And speaking of special... you're still wearing that."

She laughed, hugging him. "I'm going to change. Eventually."

"Eventually," he repeated, pulling her closer. "Good. That means I have time."