Chapter 31 EMILIANO Emilianos heart is pounding as Cassies honesty hits him. Her body is calling out to his, and its all he can do to keep himself from taking her right then and there. Instead, he takes her hand and guides her to the bed. This is going to be one long night, he thinks to himself. Holding her soft body against his, a body that fits so perfectly in his arms, Emiliano can feel himself getting hard. He wants her so much that he almost doesnt care that shes on her period. Once Cassie is sound asleep, Emiliano carefully slips out of bed and steps out onto the deck. His mind wanders back to his nightmaresthe reason he cant share a bed with anyone. In his recurring nightmare, a faceless figure shrouded in darkness appears before him. Then, hes suddenly engulfed in darkness and starts to suffocate. He only wakes up when hes on the brink of losing consciousness in the dream, drenched in sweat. Lately, his nightmares have been getting worse and more frequent. He doesnt want to risk hurting Cassie in his sleep, so he never stays the whole night with her. He only comes back in the early morning hours to avoid raising her suspicions and prompting questionsquestions he cant answer. Cassie has a calming effect on him, bringing peace to his troubled soul and pushing back the darkness that threatens to consume him. Shes becoming more important to him than anyone else, except for his mother. He cant bear the thought of putting her in danger. CASSANDRA When Cassandra opens her eyes, shes greeted by her husbands handsome face and she cant help but smile. Good morning, he says, his lips brushing lightly against hers. Good morning, she replies, sitting up. Youre up early. I brought you breakfast. Emilio places a tray on her lap. Eat, he instructs. Such a bossy man, Mr. Rodriguez. What happened to being a gentleman? Cassandra teases as she spreads butter on a croissant and takes a bite. Arent you eating? she asks after swallowing. I already ate. Emilio stands up. Hurry upwere leaving in fifteen minutes. Cassandra looks at him, puzzled. Where could they possibly be going? Emilio…were on a yacht. Where else can we go but into the water? Just get ready, he says, then leans in to give her another kiss before leaving. After finishing her breakfast and taking a quick shower, Cassandra finds Emilio on the upper deck talking to one of the crew members. Shes about to say something when the sound of a helicopter overhead interrupts her. As it lands on the back of the yacht, the wind from the rotor blades unravels the bun at the nape of her neck. Emilio comes over to her. Are you scared of heights? he asks. Why? Good, because were going for a ride. He takes her wrist and before she knows it, hes leading her towards the helicopter. A ride? Where to? They stop outside the helicopter, and Emilio quickly exchanges a few words with a man in Spanish. Then, he helps her inside, making sure shes securely strapped in before heading to the front. Wheres the pilot? Cassie asks. Youre looking at him, Emilio says, grinning. He hands her a pair of headphones. You can fly? she asks, surprised. Theres a lot you dont know about me, sweetheart. Emilio winks at her and then theyre off. Cassandra never imagined shed be in a helicopter, but she has to admit its thrilling. Emilio flies as if hes been doing it for years, and she feels surprisingly safe with him. Hes full of surprises. She wonders what else he has in store. Im guessing this is your helicopter? Yes. Where did you learn to fly? My dad sent me to flight school when I was fifteen. I got my license later. Cassandra can hear the love and respect Emilio has for Carlos in his voice, even though hes no longer here. She dreads the day he finds out that the man who was such a good father to him isnt his biological dad. After flying for about twenty minutes over beautiful mountains, trees, and endless sea, Cassandra asks, Where are we going? Patience, my beautiful wife. A few minutes later, they start to descend. Once theyve landed and the motors are off, Emilio helps her out of the helicopter. Her feet sink into the soft beach sand, and she looks around to see a stunning glass house. You keep surprising me, Cassandra says. I dont know if I can handle any more. Im afraid youll have to because I have one more surprise for you inside. Are we staying here tonight? Without another word, Emilio leads her inside. The house is spacious and comfortable, but Cassandra feels a sense of unease as she waits in the living room for Emilio to return with her surprise. When she hears his footsteps, she turns around and sees Alex? His name is barely a whisper on her lips before she rushes over to kiss his chubby cheeks. She leans in to her son, safe in Emilios arms, and breathes in his scent. Oh, Mommy has missed you, my angel. She hugs Alex tightly, careful not to hurt him, and asks, Oh, Emilio, how did you get him here? Theres nothing I cant do. He kisses her forehead. Do you like your surprise? I love it, thank you. Tears well up in her eyes, and she wraps her arm around his waist. Emilio pulls them both close, and Cassandra feels so much love in her heart that she couldnt ask for anything more. Will you take my gifts from now on? Emilio asks his wife. Seeing as I lost and accepted this one, I guess I dont have much of a choice. I never start a fight I cant win, he says, running his fingers through her hair. Losing isnt in my nature, sweetheart. Note to self: never make a deal with you, Cassandra chuckles softly. So, its just us three? Yep. I sent Annah home with José. She was watching him until we got here, he replies, flashing her a mischievous grin before leaning in to kiss her. Got any plans? Actually, I doAlexs bottle. Emilio groans, and Cassandras laughter rings out again. Way to kill the mood… Weve got everything we need for our stay. That includes our stuff, he adds, seeing her about to speak. Why dont you go warm up his bottle? Ill spend some alone time with him. As shes in the kitchen preparing the bottle, Cassandra watches Emilio with their son. Hes a different man with Alex, even his body language changes. Its clear he adores him and would do anything for him. She couldnt have wished for a better father for Alexor a better husband for herself. Cassandra rejoins them in the living room, letting Emilio feed Alex his bottle. They spend the rest of the day together as a family, taking a leisurely walk on the beach and then cooking dinner. Emilio even surprises her by whipping up a delicious lasagna; shed assumed a man who grew up with such luxury wouldnt know how to boil an egg, let alone cook. She can tell Emilio is trying hard to keep himself in check, especially when theyre in bed together. At night, she can feel his arousal pressing against her back as he holds her. But even though they arent making love, Emilio still spends every waking moment with her, and his undivided attention only deepens her love for him. These past few days have been the best shes ever had. Words cant express how happy she is. Title: A Tangle of Love (English-dubbed) In "A Tangle of Love," a captivating romance unfolds within a unique observation show where participants navigate intricate relationships, love triangles, and power dynamics. Set against the backdrop of modern-day complexities, this ongoing series delves into themes of reincarnation, revenge, and personal transformation. Follow the journey of diverse characters as they grapple with misunderstandings and emotional conflicts while vying for love and success. As the drama unfolds, one couple emerges from the chaos, showcasing a remarkable glow-up that defies expectations. What sets "A Tangle of Love" apart is its blend of billionaire lifestyles, contemporary romance dynamics, and the allure of second chances. Dive into this enthralling narrative available to read online at CrushReel for a compelling exploration of love's complexities in a world where power and passion collide.