Love Unexpectedly

Chapter 20 - Cassandra

We came back to the party like nothing happened. "There you are! I've been looking for the both of you for hours now!" Georgina shrieked waddling towards us.

"Where have you been?" She scrutinized us and I squirmed feeling guilty all of a sudden.

"We were just touring around your vineyard sister." Alexander informed matter-of-factly.

"Oh?" She raised her right eyebrow and look me up and down. "No wonder Cassandra looks red. It's quite sunny today isn't it?" She smiled at me suspiciously.

"Yes, it is!" My lips twitch with nervousness while Alexander looks calm from the outside but his shifty glances reminding you of a caged animal. I look up the sky discreetly and notice how cloudy it is. Yup definitely caught lying.

She squinted her eyes on us, like an investigator trying to decipher a murder. Oh, there is going to be a murder later. I gave Alexander a sideway glare.

She focused her gaze on me. She knows something is up. "Alexander, Matteo is looking for you. He said he wants to talk to you about that business proposal." She told him still looking at me.

"I can't, I..."

She turned her hard gaze on him. "I said Matteo wants to see you now!"

Alexander scratch his head and look at me, conveying with his eyes how sorry he is for leaving me behind with a predator.

I gave him a dirty look, planning how to kill him slowly and painfully.

He reached for me and murmured in my ear. "Don't worry about her. I'll take care of it later." And kiss the side of my head affectionately.

I don't know whose eyes are bigger, mine or Georgina. We were both shocked by Alexander's actions.

"I'll see you later, love." He said loudly.

Oh! I'm really going to kill him! My mind screamed.

Once we were alone, I turned my eyes at Georgina. I smiled innocently. 

"I'm quite famished. Can we go to the banquet table?"

I didn't wait for her answer and just walk towards the table. I took a glass of red wine from a passing waiter and drink it thoroughly. 

"The excursion must be tiresome huh!"

I almost spit my drinks. "Mmmm..." I smiled nodding at her.

"So, you and Alexander?" Okay, I expected that from her. She's always straight to the point.

"Wow! These look so delicious." I said referring to the array of food on the table while trying to deflect her question.

"Cassandra, you still remember the arrangement, right?"

I look at her startled. "I know one day you two would...end up like this. I grew up with the two of you and I've noticed how Alexander looks at you."

"What?" How does he look at me?

"He's always been a caring person, especially to his family but with you, it was always different. At first, I thought he's only doing it because he treats you like a younger sister but I always observe how he gives special treatment when it comes to you. I don't know what happened between the two of you eight years ago but Alexander acted differently from then on."

"I don't know what you're talking about Georgina! Alexander and I are just friends!"

"Pfft! I'm pregnant, my hormones are all over the place so I exaggerate sometimes but I'm not blind Cassandra. Ever since we were young you two were always close. You're even closer to him than me and vice-versa."

"But..."

"Don't deny it. I'm not jealous! Well, I am a little jealous of the two of you but later on, I got over it. You two were inseparable!"

"Georgina..." I started to reason.

"I'm guessing you two are together now, right?" She took both my hands and engulfed it with hers. "I'm happy for you both. But if you continue with this my brother's heart will surely break Cassandra. I can see how much he loves you."

I let go of her hand. "No, Alexander doesn't love me. If he does he would have told me already." I said sadly feeling so depressed all of a sudden.

"Oh, dear! You are in love with my brother!" Georgina smiled excitedly.

"Please don't tell him." I begged. I would die of humiliation if he knows how I feel for him.

"What? I don't understand. You two are together right?" She asked confused.

"No...uhm...we're not really in a romantic relationship. And I don't think he would appreciate it if I declare my love for him. And worst, he would probably stop seeing me. He likes what we have now. " I look down on the ground feeling ashamed admitting it.

"Oh, that pig-headed little devil. And you're okay with it? Are you just going to settle as his f**k buddy then?"

"Georgina!" I exclaimed as I glance up to her.

"That's what you two are right?" 

I pressed my lips tight. I didn't respond because I know she's right.

"Ugh! I can't believe this! You're not like this Cassandra! I know he's my brother and I should be on his side but If he doesn't commit to you then leave him."

"I know he cares for me and that's enough for now."

She rolled her eyes. "My brother needs a wake-up call! He doesn't just care for you. He loves you and I can see that."

"I'm not sure that's what he really feels about me."

"Well, he needs to confess it now!" Georgina mumbled.

"What?"

"Oh, nothing. But Cassandra, you know, you should inform him about our parent's plan right? You can't prolong the inevitable. You know how this will end, especially when the arrangement is coming."

"I...I will tell him about it, once we're back in New York. I just don't know if he's going to be pleased or not." I said feeling frustrated.

She took my hands again. "Cassandra! I trust you. Just talk to him before it's too late. Please don't break my brother's heart." I doubt he will be heartbroken. But mine? It would definitely break into a million pieces.

Later that night, Alexander came to my room. 

"What are you doing here?" I asked panicking.

"What? Am I not allowed to visit a friend's room?" He smiled boyishly. I really hate it when he says we're just friends. We both know we are way past that stage.

I gave him a glare. "Alexander! You know you can't just barge in here. Georgina already suspected something is going on between us. I don't want her to see you here!"

"Why? What did she tell you earlier? You were too serious talking to each other after I left."

He moves towards my bed and lie down beside me. "Tell me what she said. Did she say anything bad to you?"

"No nothing like that. She...she was just asking what our real relationship status is."

"And?"

"And what?" 

"Did you tell her the truth?"

"Of course not! Why would I tell her?" I said feeling defensive.

"You can tell her about us you know. I don't mind." He said faintly as he hugs me tightly while his nose is buried on my neck.

"Are you serious? I can't just tell her we're f*****g each other." I said indignantly.

He looks at me. "You know this isn't just about s*x Cassy. Yes, the f*****g is really good, the best I ever had. But this..." He pointed to the both of us. "...this is more than that. I would never treat this as a simple hook up." 

My heart is beating widely on my chest. Is he going to confess something to me? "Then...then what are we, Alexander?"

He caressed my face with the back of his hand. "We're lovers." He declared simply. "Are we not?" He added with doubt.

"Uhmm...yes I guess so but..." But what Cassandra? Aren't you happy that he finally admitted that you're more than a f**k buddy? Well, I should be, but why do I feel empty? Doesn't he love me? Should I ask him? What if he does? What about the arrangement?

"Hey? You're thinking too much, love! Can't we just savor the moment that finally we have a label now on our relationship? I mean, aside from that stupid student-teacher relationship I came up with." He chuckled.

"So you just made that up?"

"There are relationships like that but that wasn't my initial plan. I just simply wanted to f**k you again that's why I formulated that idea."

He chuckled loudly when I repeatedly smack him on his chest. "You son of the devil!"

"Ouch...I'm just joking...Ouch...Hey, calm down!" He holds both my hands preventing me from assaulting him more while he chuckles.

"But you know I didn't expect to lo...to losing myself in you." He stuttered. "To be attracted to you not just physically but the entire you. Is it bad wanting you for myself Cassy, the whole package? I only wanted it all for me."

"Alexander I...I want you too." So much that it hurts! I love you so much! My heart cried.

He kissed me passionately and I returned it with so much intensity. I kissed him with all the passion I could give. All my frustration and love that I couldn't say in words. 

I could feel his touch running all over me. If I didn't stop him we will end up having s*x again. We can't do it here. They will surely hear us.

"Wait!" I stop his hand from further exploring. "We can't do it here."

"We can be quiet, love." He started kissing my neck.

"No, we can't and you know that."

Huffing, he removes his ministration on my neck and breast. "Fine! If that's what you want but I will sleep here with you."

"Definitely not Alexander! We are in Georgina and Matteo's house. Go back to your own room!"

"Ah-ah!" He shakes his head slowly like a resilient child as he locked me tightly in his arms.

"Alexander!" I tried to remove his hand but he's gripping me hard.

"I will not let you go!" He said stubbornly.

I kept pulling his hands away but to no avail. "Ugh! I give up!" I raised both my hands.

I could feel his smile on my neck. "I can be very determined if I want to." He then snuggled closer and hugged me tighter.

"You do realize that you're heavy and muscular right!"

"Thank you for the compliment, love." He then kissed my left breast.

"I'm not complimenting! I'm complaining, you big bully! You're too heavy! Stop suffocating me!"

"Oops!" He chuckles and finally loosen his hold and looks at me sheepishly. "Sorry, I can't help myself. I just want to hug you like this forever."

I giggled. "You big baby! Come here!" I pulled him and hug him tighter. 

"I love you!" We both stilled.