Chapter 49

CASSANDRA'S POV~

The moment I turned around and saw my mother still standing, eyes wide, staring right at me… and then at Adriano… and then back at me, my soul nearly flew out of my body.

I turned crimson red on the spot, my whole face heating up like a microwave had just blasted me.

Adriano, the shameless devil, just straightened like he was about to accept an award. And before I could even think of saving the situation, he smirked and said — loudly,

"Mrs. Ashford, your daughter’s sweeter than all the desserts in Italy combined. And I’m starving."

Oh. My. God.

My heart stopped. My soul left my body. I almost blacked out right there.

My mother’s jaw dropped. She flushed so deep a red, I was honestly concerned she might combust.

Meanwhile, Adriano just stood there, looking proud of himself, like he’d just delivered the line of the century.

Without thinking, I moved so fast I surprised myself — and pinched his butt. Hard.

Adriano jumped a full foot off the ground like a startled cat, s