Chapter 17: Chapter 17

Jethro Silvestre ...

"Next time Jethro. Tell those of you who are sleeping with to know their place. They should know their place before they hit me."

"I lost my appetite Jillian. Let's continue this some other time." He said with a smile.

"W-what? We need to end this."

"Jillian don't let my head heat up, let's stop this for now. I have no appetite." He pocketed the car key.

"Shit that woman! And you just have a smile there. Do you have any idea how irritating that uneducated woman is? And that's exactly what you got! My gosh Jethro, I am very displeased."

"Go on do what you want! I don't care. I already told you before that you don't care what you do. And Cassandra is out of your business."

"Then, it will reach Tito." Her fiancé ignored her.

"Tsk. Just do what you want." He walked out of the building carelessly. He even heard Jillian's irritation as he walked away. He had more important things to do. And what's much important other than his business is Cassandra. It looks like he needs to congratulate the girl for ruining Jillian's day for the first time. He'll give Cassandra a deserving award for letting him escape Jillian's hands. When he said rewards, he means it pleasurably.

Cassandra's chest tightened. When she got home she immediately sat on the pallet. She felt her heart beating fast. She wiped the lipstick off her lips, applied wet wipes to her face to remove make-up. She got dressed right away, earlier she felt uncomfortable wearing it.

"Ate! Ate!" Just as she got dressed, the door of her small room opened. The brother leaned over to insert his head into the small opening of the door.

"Oh Carlos? why did you suddenly shout? “The brother did not answer but moved his mouth as if referring to something.

"Why are you grinning? What are you saying there?"

"Mr. Pogi who came here with us is outside. He is looking for you." Cassandra's eyes widened. It is said that the man will follow her. That will not let go of her harassment of Jillian.

"All right, all right I'll go out." When the sister closed the door, Cassandra flew over the glasses on top of the drawer. She wiped the remaining lipstick off her lips. She straightened her hair and sighed as she faced the door. Gosh, she thinks her heart will jump with extreme nervousness.

Jethro's handsome presence first greeted her. It was sitting on the rattan and it was obvious she really meant it. It holds a bouquet of roses. Before she could get close to where it was, the young man stood up.

"Carlos, go to Mom first with Aunt Ising and help her there."

"B-why sister? I'm not done with my project yet, because Mom said I should finish it first."

"Just go there first."

"O-okay." The brother escaped from the house.

"Sit down." She said. She sat here first. It handed hr the flower he was holding.

"Here these are for you."

"For? I don't remember I bought you flowers right? And besides maybe your fiancé will think badly of it again. You should spend time with her over me."

"Why? Can't I give you flowers and more importantly, you're the one who made Jillian think that way. You showed up there, and to be honest I was literally happy. I was saved by my princess."

"Cut the crap womanizer. I didn't go there to save you."

"Really, so you followed me there earlier. I knew you enough my dear. And what you did made my heart thump. I am literally impressed by you."

"Are you impressed with what I did to Jillian? Really? Aren't you angry? She's your fiancé."

"Why should I, to tell you frankly Cassandra our wedding is only a bribe. It's just a paper, but the truth is we don't care about each other."

"So my instinct was true that your parents just agreed for you to get married for business. That story is too cliché Jeth, there's nothing new to it."

"Then nothing, but right now there's something new to it. You, entering into the picture make it more interesting." He grab her hand. She can't let go, the mere fact because she likes Jethro's hands rubbing against her.

"Do you have any plans now?"

"Nope my day is all clean and available. Why?" She said.

"I would like to invite you for dinner; I have something to talk to you about."

"What is it, you can say that here."

"It would be better to do it formally Cas and besides I also want to be with you longer. I want to spend time with you." Cassandra hides her blushing face. Her heart race and there seem to be rats roaming inside.

"S-sure ..." she replied softly.

"Well, I'll pick you up later. I'll just go back to the office first. I need to finish some documents."

"A-are you and Jillian's don’t have to go somewhere?"

"When we're together Cas, don't talk about Jillian. I want to spend quality time with you. And I want to say your name alone."

Punyemas! Cassandra just stutters and grumbles on her feet. The way Jethro said it was loaded with tablespoon of sweetness. She was thrilled, her cheeks warmed up and hued as red as pepper. It was as if there was a live band inside her chest because of the force of the beating. Jethro's eyes were creamy and tempestuous. His jaws were an accent to his godly-shaped face, and that lips which she tasted before were as sour as peach as yet sweeter than a cupcake. And finally, his touch that made Cassandra's organs surrender in defeat. First time she’d been so into a man, not to Julius but only for Jethro.

Jethro grips her hand tightly, lifting it pressing against his lips. Cassandra just felt Jethro's breath creeping on the back of her hand to the inner most veins she got. Her body hair straightened. And it made a gangling sound like singing bells and Christmas carols. Even her ass seemed to be tickled by hundreds of ants.

"I will pick you up later my dear. But for now relax yourself; I will get to see you later." She did not answer. She shivered as she stared into the young man's puffy eyes.

"And don't dress like you wanted to seduce me. I might not be able to control myself and I might eat you as a dinner."

Cassandra's eyes widened as Jethro stole her kiss. His lips pressing against hers were heaven.

"I have to go." All Cassandra could do was touch her lips as she watched him walk away.

Jethro Silvestre ... a soon-to-be married man, Her target at first and now the man she fall for. She will admit that she is falling in love with Jethro. A feeling she knew she should not, but on the process she did not stop.

Jethro picked her up with new car around 7 pm. The gentleman said goodbye to his mother. Cassandra just let Jethro take her, she didn't have time to ask. Her eyes were glued right from the moment Jethro step out of the car wearing not his business suits but a black jacket and a tattered jeans, it looked to be very teenager, far from his dark and grumpy aura.

"I must say you look gorgeous whatever you wear."

"T-thank you I guess." She sat up straight next to him. he even managed to comment on her dress while driving. The fact that she was wearing the most non-thought out dress made her happy with Jethro's compliment on her.

"I want to bring you to a place suited for that lovely look of yours."

They arrived at a restaurant in Poblacion. She was amazed how luxurious the place is. Just outside, they were greeted by a live band that now plays romantic music. Only now did Cassandra discover that there are so many beautiful places here in Poblacion. Of course, she was not able to leave Libertad Dos even before because of her financial constraints and if she was able to relax, she could only go out during the festival but she did not go to Poblacion so she could not see the changes in the barangays. covered by Dumaguete City.

Some chaperones greeted them. It guided them in; Cassandra couldn't help but be amazed. Hanging above her were chandeliers, shining flowers and each tables are placed and neatly arranged. The colour of the restaurant is golden and the candlelight place on every table makes it so romantic. She dreamed of stepping this kind of place before, when she was still in high school she dreamed that a special man would bring her into her life in this kind of place. And now she's living her high school dream and more romantically she is with what her heart now considers special someone- Jethro.

Their seat was the most private. One is your little room lit only by a dim chandelier and candlestick separate from the restaurants naturally set up adjoining chairs.

"Anything you wanted to eat?" he said to her as they sat down. "I go for the steak and red wine."

"I-isn't it expensive here?" Cassandra was stunned when he held her hand.

"Cassandra you're with the most influential man in the town. And this restaurant is partly ours. I invested half of it." She doesn't know if it's bragging but she's impressed.

"I-Is that so, ahm I go for the steak as well and wine." She gave the waiter her order.

"Can't you tell me something Jeth. What is it?"

"Let's talk it out with food. We are not in a hurry." His smile draws her attention. She's blushing fervently. The strange heat rushed over Cassandra's body as if it was a summoning her romantic feeling. Cassandra no longer feels acting she is now feeling every word Jethro throw at her.

When the meal was ready, the young man opened the lawsuit again.

"Don't worry all of the staffs here are reliable, besides I paid the whole place 'just for us."

"You shouldn't do that Jeth. I'm not bothered by what people say. Do you really think that I will come with you here if I am afraid of what other people think."

She did not know what was strange about what she said but the man just grabbed her shoulder and kissed her lips. She was surprised at what it did. The kiss left a sweet sensation to her lips.

"You're really something else Cassandra. I won’t mind having you for dinner than anything." He wanted to shout in excitement.

"What are we going to talk about Jeth. I mean, what you are trying to tell me?" she first shortened the throbbing in her chest.

"I want you to stay with me. I want you to move to the condo unit I own. I want you and your family to stay in my sight." Cassandra was shocked. She didn't expect that offer coming from Jethro.

"Y-you don't know me very well Jeth and then you trusted me?" She replied confused. She sank into the wine glass.

"I know we just met three weeks ago. But I don't want to slow things I bet you noticed that. I'm afraid I might not see you again when the land continues to be sold."

"Will the sale of Hacie really continue?" Cassandra could not explain how she felt. Half of her heart was happy that Jethro offered and trusted her, because that was what she planned to take the young man inside. But half of it was hesitant and sad; it looks like there is a good chance that the land will actually be sold.

"I don’t know. That's why I'm afraid you might disappear from my sight. Honestly Cassandra, I never trusted women like the way I trusted you now. You were the first woman to kneel before someone like me." Cassandra couldn't contain her confused feeling. She did not know what to answer. "So if you deserve it. I want you to stay with me forever. I want you to be the only one my eyes can see."

A sudden and frank confession, damn it! What will she answer? She was in the middle of a tight situation. She did not know how to react. She wanted to answer yes to his offer to her. But she knew it was a wrong idea- very wrong. Even though she knew the trouble she was going to bring into Jethro's life, she still had a little doubt. If she'd accept to stay at Jethro's side she has a lot to sacrifice, and few of those are the people living on the land and her father's memory both important things to her.

"Jeth, aren't you going to get married? Why are you offering me this kind of thing? Aren't you afraid of what people will say when they find out that you are living with someone other than your fiancé?"

"Then I will face that Cassandra. But for now, I want to hear your response. If you agree, I will prepare the suite you will stay in." For the first time in her life, Cassandra felt the danger. She was not afraid of what would happen to her. She was afraid what will happen to the people living in the hacie. She knew they would be hurt. She could not leave that land. She promised her mother to protect the land and everything in there. Even if her heart wanted to stay in Jethro's power she could not do that.

"I'm ready for anything to happen Jeth. Frankly speaking, the moment I saw you and befriends with you I was ready for what people would say. I am ready for the scandal I am into."

"If you're ready then say yes. I won’t hesitate to protect you and your family from everything."

"Why so sudden Jeth, Why? I don't know you very well and you don't know me very well."

"That's because I like you Cassandra. I want you in my life. I don't know how many times I thought of your face, your body and what else about you."

"Jeth. I don't know what to answer. I do not know what to say to you. I do not know what to say."

"Then just nod. If you agree just nod, I don't care what and who you are Cassandra. Just nod and I will do everything I could." the young man's eyes were serious. How should she respond to that? She did not know what to do, her decision was divided. She wanted to say yes but she knew there was a big thing in return.

"I like you Cassandra. The moment I laid my eyes on you I want you. I know a womanizer like me looks insincere but it was true."

"It's not enough that you just love me Jeth." She replied. She tried not to drift with passion.

"Then like me too if that's the problem."

"It's not that easy Jeth. If I say yes are you ready to give up everything you have Jeth? Will you be okay with just me alone? What about your family?"

She noticed that the man had stopped speaking. It did not answer her question.

"If I say yes you will not sell the land?" The man averted his eyes from her. It was obviously confused as well.

"Everyone knows that the land is a wedding investment. So-"

"Will it still be sold?"

"Why are you so attached to that land anyway? Is that the reason why you're holding back?"

"No Jeth." She sat down. She may even know that is her purpose.

"Then what's the reason?"

"I just don't want to be indebted to you Jeth." She answered depressingly.

"Fuck with that character Cassandra."

She noticed Jethro stopped, deep in thought.

"See Jeth, I told you it was so sudden. I know you have your own reason why you can't answer me so I do too. I have my own reasons to say no. I am sorry but I will not stay in your condo unit. "

"B-but ... Jillian and I will be married in a month. You will be impeached from the land."

"I am not afraid of that Jeth. Just like I said if you want to exclude me then do it in your mansion." In fact, Cassandra was scared so she accelerated everything. But she did not imagine that would lead to this. Her only point is to destroy his marriage and that does not include what the young man wants and she also wants it.

She did not give Jethro a reason to read hwe eyes full of concern at what it said. She just nodded at the thought.

"But I like you Cassandra. I like you."

"It's a first Jethro. I am happy that you told me such things. To tell you honestly, my ex didn't make that gesture. You who I did not expect to say that will be the first to make me feel."

She averted her eyes from the young man. She was worried that what happen today might affect her relationship with Jethro. She would have really agreed to live in his condo unit, but on one condition. Do not sell the land. But judging from the way Jethro paused it would be hard for him to convince it. The land is a wedding investment after all, and the only way to save the land is to stop the wedding. So she will just stay there, that way she will be able to move more freely and she will not be indebted to the young man. Besides, she also could not leave that land, she said before that her father's memory were planted there, so leaving the land will erase everything.

"Jeth. I am sorry but I will not accept your offer."

"Fine but you can't stop me from coming closer to you Cassandra. I will hunt you wherever you go on the continent."

"I will not go away Jethro- until I will stop your wedding for good." The last line was stated in her brain. If she could only tell her his purpose, she would have done it. But she could not, she might even think that she was just using the man. And first, yes, she did use Jethro. But now, that is no longer her feeling and purpose. She was already fallen in love for the man, and she wanted to suppress his marriage not only to save the land but also to replace Jillian for good- she wanted to take over as hisfiancé.

"Can't I really change your mind Cassandra?" Cassandra thought before answering. Something much anticipating came up on her mind.

"If you really want to convince me on staying, I want to know you more so I want you to take me to the mansion. I want to meet your Mom." Cassandra just made a way to cross between them with the man. She wants to get to know him better and by entering his private life she might get some information she can use to prevent the wedding from happening.

The young man looked at her. Suddenly his face lit up. He touched her face and then gave her passionate kiss.

"Just wait and see."