Five

CHAPTER 5

Cassandra's mind raced, taken aback by Antonio's question. Her original plan, driven by a desire for revenge, suddenly seemed dangerous. She had to think fast, to create a story that would satisfy his curiosity without revealing her true intentions.

"No, not the police," she said, her voice remaining calm despite her nerves. "I'm here representing a small fashion magazine. We're always looking for the next big thing, and the opening of Seven Star Mall seemed like the perfect event to cover."

Antonio seemed to accept her explanation, nodding thoughtfully. "A fashion magazine, that's interesting. It must be quite challenging to keep up with all the latest trends and events," he mused, his gaze fixed on her as if trying to unravel the truth behind her words.

The conversation shifted to lighter topics, allowing Cassandra to breathe a sigh of relief.

As the dinner progressed, the atmosphere between them grew more relaxed. Laughter and shared stories filled the air, creating a bubble that seemed to distance them from the outside world. Cassandra found herself drawn to Antonio's charisma and intelligence, her resolve for revenge fading with each passing moment.

Beneath the surface, however, a part of her remained wary. She cannot forget her mission, the reason why she approached Antonio in the first place. The memory of his parents' downfall at the hands of ruthless business practices, which may have been linked to people like Antonio, sparked his determination.

"It looks like it's getting late. I'll take you home, Cassandra."

But at that very second, Cassandra blocked Antonio's hand that wanted to wave for a bill. Antonio looked confused, his brown eyes meeting Cassandra's blue ones.

"What's wrong, Cassandra?"

"You've bought me seafood, but... you haven't bought me a drink, Mr. Franches."

"Do you want alcohol?"

Cassandra nodded her head slowly, looking hesitant herself when she finally said, "This is the only day I get to meet and spend dinner with Antonio Franches, the most famous CEO in New York, I wouldn't miss it." Cassandra's lithe fingers moved seductively up Antonio's arm, she cast a sensual gaze that would captivate Antonio in one try. "Unless... I can get something more 'fun' perhaps?"

Antonio understood what Cassandra meant. He was a conqueror of women. He knew the gestures of all the women he wanted to sleep with. But Cassandra... she seemed to be pushing herself and that just made Antonio feel intrigued. Antonio grinned and returned Cassandra's gaze. "I don't think a few bottles of wine would be a problem."

"Can... you ask your personal bodyguard to leave?"

"Sure."

Antonio waved a hand to the waiter at the restaurant, he ordered some wine of the highest quality to be served. And Cassandra only had to wait a few moments, until finally, the sealed bottle was in front of her. Cassandra lifted her lips, she pointed at Antonio with her forefinger and said, "You're really a good man, Mr. Franches."

Antonio just smiled, then poured the alcohol into Cassandra's shot. Cassandra secretly observed Antonio's attitude, he was indeed masculine, but Cassandra swore in her heart that Antonio's sweet demeanor was just a fake to cover up his past crimes. He was a murderer!

"Cheers!" said Cassandra enthusiastically.

After Ben left, Cassandra began to behave more wildly than before. Cassandra grabbed Antonio's hand and held it without permission. Grinning and half-drunk, Cassandra muttered, "Can you keep me company tonight, Mr. Franches?"

"I don't play with children, Cassandra. Your age... is still too young. I'll take you home. Can you give me the address?"

After trying to pick Cassandra up and carry her to the car, Antonio drove the car to the address given by Cassandra in a half-drunk state. And what a surprise Antonio had when he arrived at the location. It wasn't a house, but a hotel in the city center.

Antonio looked at Cassandra who was now pressing her face against the car window. "You lied to me, um? Where is your real home, Cassandra?"

But Cassandra sulked. "I don't want to go home."

A sigh was heard. "In that case, I'll book a room for you here. Let me help."

Antonio was gentle, he carried Cassandra to the room he had booked. It was a VIP room and Antonio had already paid for it. Once inside, Antonio laid Cassandra down on the bed. Antonio was breathing hard because carrying Cassandra was quite tiring. He was about to leave, but Cassandra's hand suddenly moved to hold him back. Antonio gasped, especially when Cassandra got out of bed and hit Antonio with an unexpected kiss.

Antonio's eyes widened. this was the first time he had been kissed by a woman first. His ego is slightly offended. A submissive and dominant man like Antonio was not accepting of what Cassandra had just done.

Both of Antonio's hands held Cassandra, he moved his body away from her. Their eyes met, but Antonio already knew that Cassandra was drunk. Holding his breath, Antonio muttered in his firm and intimidating voice. "You want something fun, Cassandra?"

"..."

"I'll give you something nice right now."

Antonio lunged at Cassandra with a kiss on the lips. He pushed deeper until the intoxicated Cassandra started to lose her balance. Her body kept going backwards until she fell onto the soft bed. Antonio had no intention of breaking their kiss, instead, he pushed deeper until the man could taste Cassandra's mouth with his rapidly moving tongue.

Cassandra closed her eyes, between savoring the moment and losing consciousness to the alcohol. But on the verge of losing consciousness, Cassandra could taste Antonio's lips with all their sensations. Sweet, but filled with worry. Cassandra let herself fall for Antonio Franches. And this was all for revenge. But Cassandra began to doubt, was the hot kiss that night proof that she had just won Antonio's heart?

Or... was this the beginning of the real disaster?

Antonio broke the kiss, he looked at Cassandra who closed her eyes. The beautiful curve of Cassandra's collarbone made something down there tremble. There was something Antonio couldn't hold back and he had to resolve it right now.

"Cassandra, let's have some fun."