Chapter 15: Meet his mom

On the van ride, Akia babbled nonstop. Regardless of her thoughts for Edward, Cassandra was amazed at how well he managed Akia. He was patient and understanding. After all, he might make a good father.

Akia sat on his lap. "You'll be meeting your grandmother; I called and told her everything about you; she's looking forward to meeting you," he says to Cassandra, adding, "the both of you."

Cassandra remained gripping her hands, nervous about meeting his mother. She'd read everything about her in the gossip magazines. His mother worked as a well-to-do woman who was deeply engaged in charitable work If she took a disliking to you, she was said to be harsh.

She doesn't want to be involved in Edward's life, especially since she knows he already has a fiancee. She doesn't want to make things worse for them, especially since they have a daughter.

Cassandra was visibly stressed, and Edward knew it had something to do with meeting his mother. So he took her hand in his own. "Don't worry, she'll love both of you."

When he touched her, she felt a tingling sensation and a splashing of desire. She couldn't help herself; Edward was a very attractive and promising man. And she was intimately familiar with every inch of his body and how he was capable of bringing a woman to the highest possible level of euphoria ever known. Slowly, she drew her hand away. Thinking that she would never, ever give in to his charisma or handsomeness again.

He was pressuring her to marry him even though he already has a fiancee and she does not want to be involved in his affair. She's just a simple woman who doesn't want to complicate matters.

They arrived at the ranch after two and a half hours of driving. Cassandra exclaimed as she approached the mansion. It was wonderful and opulent.

When Akia saw all the horses grazing in the field, she jumped for joy. "Can I ride them, daddy?" she yelled.

He chuckles as he strokes Akia's long brown curly hair. "Only if I'm with you, and we'll ride together," he says, noticing Cassandra's expression. "and we need to ask mommy's permission first."

Cassandra then sighed and rolled her eyes. What was the point of arguing with Edward, she reasoned, when he could do whatever he wanted?

Cassandra got out of the car and looked around before halting in front of the house. It was indeed beautiful, with a lovely horse farm and an astounding mansion. In comparison to the City, the fresh air smelled amazing.

A servant greeted them and assisted them with their luggage. "Welcome home, Sir; Mrs. Consuelo awaits you in the reading room."

"Thank you very much, Jose. Anyway, this is Cassandra, and this is our daughter Akia," Edward introduced them to Jose.

Jose extends a warm smile to Akia and shakes her hand.

"Hello, Miss Akia, it's a great opportunity to meet you," Jose said.

Her eyes lit up as she gazed up at him, and she blurted out in her childish innocence. "Are you a colossus?"

They all laughed because he was indeed very tall, to which Jose replied, "Well, let's say Yes, but I'm a friendly giant."

Akia laughed because she liked this giant and thought he had a pretty smile.

When Edward got inside, he opened the door to the reading room and let the other two walk-in ahead of him.

"Mother, we've arrived," he says.

Cassandra shifted her gaze to the fire pit, where a woman in her late sixties sat in a padded chair, reading a newspaper. She removed her glasses and turned to face the trio. "Come on in and let me take a look at you all."

Akia held tight to Cassandra, trying to hide behind her as they got closer. "Mother," Edward said, looking at the older woman, "I'd like you to meet Cassandra Ogatcho."

"Cassandra, my dear, I'm so happy to finally meet you," she says as she extends her hand to shake Cassandra's.

She hadn't expected such a warm welcome. "Wait, what did she mean by finally? Did this man tell her about me?" she wondered, perplexed. "The pleasure is entirely mine, Mrs. Consuelo, " she replied with all her respect.

Behind Cassandra, the older woman looked over. "And who is this beautiful young lady?"

Edward then knelt next to Akia and took her hand in his. "You don't have to be afraid, sweetheart; your grandmother is a very sweet woman, and she always has chocolates on hand in case a child pays a visit."

"Mother, please meet my daughter, Akia," Edward said.

"Come closer, child," she said with a smile. Akia then approached her grandmother, standing in front of her. "Hello, grandma," Akia said hesitantly.

"Hello, sweetheart. Oh my gosh, you look exactly like your daddy. Do you like ice cream and cookies?"

Her little face glowed. "Oh yes, grandma, I love cookies, and my favorite ice cream is mango-flavored," Akia exclaimed happily.

"Then I'll have some sent in; please, everybody take a seat; tea will be served briefly," Mrs. Consuelo said, not looking tired of Akia. Instead, she asked many questions and responded to whatever Akia posed.

Cassandra sat silently back. Edward's mother was not the harsh, vicious snob she expected. Cassandra liked her because she was a kind and gentlewoman.

Mrs. Consuelo then turned to face Cassandra. "Dear, I've instructed the servants to provide you and Akia adjoining rooms so you can keep an eye on her. I hope you'll be okay. Edward will show you to your room and make you feel at ease," Edward's mother said softly.

"Don't worry, we're fine with that; I hope we're not bothering you," Cassandra explained.

"Not at all. I need to rest before dinner, so please just make yourself at home." After hugging Akia, the nurse who was hired to care for her leads her to her room.

Maria, a woman in her mid-fifties, fell in love with Akia right away. While the other three started talking, she sat painting and doodling.

Cassandra and Akia were then shown around by Edward showing them the rest of the house, then took them outside to a large pool. "Now, Akia, you must not come out here without an adult, okay?" Edward instructed.

"I'd like to go swimming, daddy; please?" she inquired.

"No."

"Well, then, I'll have to teach you; did you and your mother bring swimwear?" Edward inquired.

"No," Akia replied.

Edward turns to face Cassandra. "Then we'll have to go buying clothes for you."

He then led them to their rooms, which Akia had to explore.

"Do you feel much better now that you've met my mother?" Edward inquired as he slid against the door, viewing her as she wandered around the room, taking in the sights.

"Yes, I do; she's not what I was expecting," she said, raising an eyebrow at Edward. "Why? What were you expecting?" he asked, his gaze drawn to her legs, thankful she was dressed in a mini skirt.

"Well, you know, especially since you already have a fiancee, you're forcing me to marry you," she smiled as she looked at him.

"Wait, what do you mean I already had a fiancee?" Edward asked, perplexed by what she had said.

"Why do you look so surprised? I saw your Instagram post and a girl named Nikki commented that she was your fiancee," Cassandra explained.

"Oh come on, she's not my fiancee but she was my childhood sweetheart but I don't like her she's a brat, arrogant, and she doesn't know the word respect. She always did that telling everyone she's my fiancee but she's not. You are the woman I want to be with me forever, Cassandra. I'm in love with you," Edward said as their gazes met. Cassandra blushed when he smiled at her.

Until he spoke, there was an awkward silence. "I'm not going to force you now, but remember this, I'll make sure you'll be mine sooner. I'm going to change my clothes first." He turns to leave but then stops. "Would you like to assist me? "He inquired, teasing her.

She rolls her eyes and walks away, refusing to answer him. Knowing he remembered what happened that night when she had done exactly that.

Later, Edward returned to take them to dinner. They were treated to a delectable meal of homemade meatballs and chicken curry. Leche plan and mango ice cream are on the menu for dessert. Later, they sat and talked until it was time for Akia to take a bath.

Before leaving with her mother, she made sure everyone got a hug and a kiss.

"I'll be up in a minute to put you into bed," Edward said.

Cassandra's bedroom door was open when he went upstairs, so he walked right in. Akia was scribbling on her bed. "Hey sweetheart, where's mommy?" he inquired, looking around.

"In the bathroom daddy," Akia replied.

Cassandra walked out of the bathroom, taking his breath away. She was dressed in a short, lacy nightdress. noticing Edward standing nearby

With his gaze fixed on her, she let out a small scream while attempting to pull on the robe.

"What are you doing in here?" she wondered.

"Wow, that's a lot more attractive than those loose-fitting pajamas you've been wearing." He gave her a big smile as if he liked what he saw.

"What are you doing in here?" she asked again, blushing.

"I told you I'd be back to tuck Akia into the bed," he says as he walks to her room with her hand in his and turns to Cassandra. "Are you coming?" but Cassandra just rolled her eyes at him.

~

It didn't take long for her to fall asleep, and they exited the room.

"It's early, would you like to come downstairs and have a glass of wine with me?" he inquired.

"No, I'm exhausted, so I'm going to call it an extra hour of sleep, so you can go now," Cassandra tried to walk out as Edward walked right up to her and put his hand around her neck, starting to feel her soft warm skin as his thumb touched her. He lowered his gaze to her slightly parted lips. "What if I don't want to leave you? What if I want to kiss you? Would you resist me?" Edward asked, his eyes glistening with desire.

Cassandra then tried to push her away from Edward, but he was too strong for her. When her gaze met his enticing gaze, all she could do was swallow hard. She was about to say something to him when Edward suddenly kissed her firmly.

"I need you, Cassandra; I badly want you now," he mumbled.