As Emilio barks out commands, Cassandra finds herself grateful to be back in the helicopter. At least, she’ll be able to get help for Alex fast.
There’s no car seat, so she holds her baby tightly. She’s not even sure if you’re supposed to have a car seat in a helicopter.
Alex is still restless, but at least he’s stopped crying.
She can feel Emilio’s gaze on her, and when she looks back, his eyes are unreadable. It’s unsettling. ~What’s going on in his head? Has he realized that Alex is his? He must have heard what Mrs. Williams said…~
When the helicopter lands on the hospital helipad, Emilio is out and by their side in an instant. He helps Cassandra scramble out and guides her down the stairs into the building. They get into an elevator and go down several floors.
~This looks like a private hospital,~ she thinks as they step out of the elevator. ~I can’t afford this.~
She’s about to voice her concerns when a pretty young receptionist greets them with a smile.
“Mr. Rodriguez. How can we assist you?”
Cassandra watches as the woman subtly pushes out her chest and bats her eyelashes at Emilio. ~Does she have no shame? She’s at work!~
“Is Dr. Perez in?” Emilio asks.
“Yes. Follow me.”
The receptionist leads them down a hallway and stops at a door on the right. After a soft knock, a woman’s voice responds, “Candice, I thought I told you…” Her voice trails off when she sees Emilio. “I’ll handle this.”
Once the receptionist leaves, Dr. Perez and Emilio share a warm hug and a cheek kiss. The doctor is stunning, with her medium skin tone, honey-colored hair, and hazel eyes. She looks about forty, and she seems to know Emilio well.
“You’re as handsome as ever,” Dr. Perez tells Emilio. “How’s your mother?”
“Better—thanks for asking.”
“What brings you here?”
Emilio steps aside, revealing Cassandra and Alex. Dr. Perez looks surprised as she glances between them.
“Wait,” she says, her eyebrows climbing. “Am I missing something here?”
Emilio glances at Cassandra as if he expects her to say something, but she can’t seem to find her voice.
“Cassie works for me,” he says. “Her baby is ill, so I brought her in. It’s hard to see a pediatrician at short notice.”
Dr. Perez stares at him for a long moment like she knows there’s more to the story—but to Cassandra’s relief, she drops the subject.
“What’s wrong?” Dr. Perez asks, taking Alex from Cassandra. “He’s hot—did you give him a cool bath?” Cassandra nods.
Dr. Perez lays Alex on a small bed in her office and checks his breathing. Cassandra prays that her son isn’t seriously ill. ~Please, not RSV~…
The doctor turns back to Cassandra. “Any allergies?” Cassandra shakes her head. “Tell me about his fever—how long has he had it, and what medicine did you give him?”
Cassandra answers as best she can. He was fine last night; it was only this morning that he seemed off. She had thought it was nothing, but clearly, she was wrong.
“He had a cold a few days ago,” Cassandra adds.
Dr. Perez checks Alex’s ear, and he starts crying again. Cassandra is by his side in an instant. When the doctor finishes her examination, she addresses them both.
“He has a mild ear infection, likely from his cold. It’s not serious, but it would explain his fussiness and fever. I’ll prescribe some antibiotics.”
Cassandra picks up Alex and holds him close. She’s been so wrapped up in work that she failed to notice something was wrong. Guilt washes over her, and she fights back tears.
Dr. Perez places a comforting hand on her shoulder. “Don’t blame yourself; it’s not your fault. These things happen. If you hadn’t noticed now, his symptoms would have just gotten worse. Let me write his prescription.”
The doctor goes to her desk and grabs a prescription pad. “I’m also giving him something for the pain. How old is he?”
Cassandra tells her and then says, “Thank you, doctor.”
Dr. Perez smiles. “I’m just doing my job.” She hands the prescription to Emilio. “Here you go.”
“Thanks, Beth,” he replies. “Give my regards to Uncle. I’d appreciate it if you don’t mention this visit to anyone.”
“My lips are sealed. Take care.” Dr. Perez pauses. “He has an interesting birthmark.”
Cassandra looks between them, confused, but then Emilio guides her out of the hospital. Soon, they’re back in his helicopter, and Emilio hands the prescription to his pilot, instructing, “Get this filled as soon as possible, and take us back to the penthouse.”
Cassandra’s head snaps up. “I need to get home, please. It’s time for Alex’s bottle.” Emilio’s look sends a chill down her spine, but she stands her ground.
“We’ll go to the penthouse first,” Emilio says steadily, and she drops her eyes.
Cassandra can see Emilio’s mind working, so she stays quiet. He hasn’t demanded to know if he’s the child’s father, and she isn’t going to volunteer the information. But by the way he’s acting, he suspects it.
She still needs Alex’s medicine, so she’ll play along with him for now.
For the rest of the flight, Alex is calm. He even falls asleep in her arms. ~Poor baby, he must be exhausted from all the crying.~
They land on the helipad of one of the most luxurious apartment buildings in Times Square, and Emilio leads her to an elevator that requires a pin. He enters it, and they descend a level. Thankfully, Alex remains asleep.
What was she thinking, letting him bring her here? She needs to go home immediately; she has work tomorrow.
~If I still have a job,~ a small voice in her head whispers.
Stepping into Emilio’s penthouse, Cassandra is taken aback by its size.
She’s never been here before. The night they spent together, he booked them into a five star hotel.
~His lips on her mouth, her arms around his neck, as he carried her in his arms~…
She shakes her head. She can’t think about that night, not now.
The open floor plan and floor-to-ceiling windows make the place seem even larger. There’s a bar and wine wall in the entryway, showcasing a variety of expensive brands. The kitchen and dining areas offer a stunning view of the city, with Central Park in the distance. The decor is all white and light gray, adding to the overall elegance.
Emilio sets Alex’s bag down on the couch in the living room. “Come with me,” he instructs, guiding Cassandra up the stairs to a bedroom. He steps aside, allowing her to enter first.
The room is dominated by a massive bed, with large lamps perched on nightstands on either side. Two leather chairs flank a glass table near the window. A grand portrait adorns the wall, and a door to the left likely leads to a bathroom. The walls are a cool gray, just like downstairs, and the floor is hardwood.
She shoots him a questioning look. “Why am I here?”
Emilio’s brows furrow. “We have some things to talk about. Put him down.”
“I can’t just leave him here alone; he could roll off the bed. When he wakes up, he’ll need his bottle. We need to go home.”
Emilio runs his fingers through his hair, mussing it thoroughly. Cassandra has never seen him look so frazzled.
He looks at Alex and asks abruptly, “Is he mine?”
~Oh, God. Oh, shit. What if he wants to take Alex away?~
“I—I don’t know,” she lies. “I don’t think so.”
His face darkens and he begins to pace. “Are you telling me that our night together flipped some switch in you, and you went from being a virgin to fucking around recklessly?”
Anger flares up, and hurt. “My personal life has nothing to do with you, ~Mr. Rodriguez~.”
“Well, in that case…you’re not leaving until I have the results of a DNA test.”