CHAPTER 21
- Xavier's POV
Andre's eyes flicker open, and I feel a surge of hope. He's conscious! But as he looks around, his eyes land on Alessia, and he starts to cry. "No, no, no!" he screams, thrashing his little body. I try to calm him down, but he's too scared. I look at Alessia, confused. Why is Andre reacting like this? She's been helping him, hasn't she?
Luna's POV
I'm shocked. My baby is scared of Alessia? But she's been helping him. I look at Alessia, and she seems just as confused. She tries to calm Andre down, but he pushes her away. I try to intervene, he rejects at first pushing me away too but after calling his name several times he calms and clings to me, his eyes fixed on Alessia with fear.
Andre's POV
I don't know what's happening. I was sleepy, and now I'm awake. But there's a new Auntie here, and she's scary, she's not like Auntie Tania or Polar Jessy. She has scary stuff in her hands, and it smells bad. I don't want her near me!
- Alessia's POV
I don't understand. I've been trying to help Andre, using my knowledge of herbal treatments to heal him. But now he's scared of me? I try to reassure him, but he won't listen.
Eni POV (the maid)
I watch the scene unfold, my heart heavy with guilt. I've been feeding information to Cassandra, not realizing the harm it could cause. Now I see the fear in Andre's eyes, and I know I've made a mistake. I want to tell Xavier and Luna the truth, but I'm scared of Cassandra's wrath.
- Cassandra's POV
Eni's update brings a smile to my face. Andre's fear of Alessia is perfect. Now, I'll wait for the right moment to strike, using this situation to my advantage.
Chapter 20 - Eni's POV (the maid)
I nervously make my way to the agreed meeting point, my heart racing with anxiety. Cassandra's message was clear: meet me in person, or else. I see her waiting in the shadows, her eyes gleaming with an unsettling intensity. "Cassandra, I don't know what you want me to do," I say, trying to hide my fear. "Ah, Eni, dear Eni," she says, her voice dripping with malice. "I need you to do one more thing for me. Give this to Andre, and make sure he takes it." She hands me a small vial of liquid. I hesitate, sensing something is wrong. "What is it?" I ask, stalling. "Just a little something to help him sleep," she says, her smile cold. "Don't ask questions, Eni. Just do it."
- Cassandra's POV
Eni looks hesitant, but I know she'll do it. She's too scared to refuse me. I watch her take the vial, my mind racing with the possibilities. Soon, Andre will be out of the way, and I'll be one step closer to getting what I want.
Back at the Xavier's Mansion, everyone is seen resting as they enjoy serenity for awhile, Eni returns and prepares to carry out her task.
Eni's POV (the maid)
I try to shake off the feeling of unease as I make my way back to the house. I know I'm doing something wrong, but I'm too scared to refuse Cassandra. I've been working for this family for years, and I never thought I'd be caught up in something like this. I enter Andre's room, trying to be quiet, but Alessia and Mrs. Maria are already there, watching me. I try to come up with an excuse, but Mrs. Maria's stern expression stops me. I know I've been caught.
"Eni, what's that?" Alessia asks, her eyes fixed on the vial in my hand. I try to hide it, but it's too late. Mrs. Maria steps forward, her voice firm.
"Eni, we want to assume you weren't planning anything evil, otherwise what are you hiding?" Mrs. Maria says. "You're working with Cassandra, aren't you?" I feel a lump in my throat as I nod, tears streaming down my face. I'm so sorry, I want to say, but the words won't come out.
- Alessia's POV
I'm shocked. Eni, the maid, is working with Cassandra? I look at Mrs. Maria, and we both know what we have to do. "Eni, you need to tell us everything," I say, trying to keep my voice calm.
- Mrs. Maria's POV
I'm furious. How could Eni betray us like this? I call Luna and Xavier, my hands shaking with anger. "Luna, Xavier, you need to come to Andre's room now," I say, trying to keep my voice steady.
Luna's POV
Xavier and I rush to Andre's room, worried. What's happening? When we see Eni, Alessia, and Mrs. Maria, we know something is wrong. "What's going on?" Xavier asks, his voice firm.. "Eni's been working with Cassandra," Alessia explains. "She was about to give Andre a substance." Xavier's face darkens, and I know he's ready to take action.
"Eni, you need to tell us everything," I say. "What is this substance? What were you supposed to do with it?" Eni looks down, tears streaming down her face. I feel a pang of sympathy for her, but I know I have to stay firm, she tried to kill my son.
- Xavier's POV
I'm furious. Eni, our trusted maid, was working with Cassandra to harm Andre. I feel a surge of anger and betrayal. How could she do this to us? "Eni, you're fired," I say, my voice cold. "Get out of our house, now." Eni nods, tears streaming down her face. "I'm sorry, Xavier. I was scared. Cassandra threatened me."
I don't care about her excuses. "Get out," I repeat.
Luna's POV
I'm shaking with fear. What if Eni had succeeded? What if Andre had taken that substance? I look at my son, sleeping peacefully in his bed. I feel a surge of gratitude towards Alessia and Mrs. Maria for catching Eni. "We need to call the police," I say, my voice firm. "We need to make sure Cassandra pays for this." Xavier nods, his face set in determination. "I'll take care of it."
Alessia's POV
I'm relieved that we caught Eni in time. But I know this isn't over. Cassandra is still out there, plotting and scheming. I look at Andre, sleeping peacefully. I won't let her harm him. I won't let her harm anyone in this family. "We need to be vigilant," I say. "Cassandra will try again."
Mrs. Maria nods, her eyes serious. "We'll be ready."
Alessia's POV
I go to the fruit market to get herbs for Andre, but when I arrive, I see Cassandra. Our eyes meet, and for a moment, we stare at each other. Then, Cassandra smiles and approaches me. "Alessia," she says, her voice smooth. "I didn't know you were the family's healer."
I feel uncomfortable with her presence, but I try to remain calm. "Cassandra," I respond. "What are you doing here?" Cassandra shrugs. "Just buying some fruit. But I'm glad I ran into you. I didn't know you were my sister."
I'm surprised by her frankness. "Yes," I reply. "We're sisters. But I don't like what you've been doing."
Cassandra laughs. "Oh, Alessia. Always so serious. But don't worry, I won't hurt you. Unless, of course, you get in my way." I feel a shiver at her words. I know I can't trust her.
Cassandra's POV
I'm glad to see Alessia at the market. I know she is the family's healer, but it seems perfect. I can use this information to my advantage. "Alessia," I say, smiling. "I didn't know you were my sister." Alessia looks uncomfortable, but I try to keep the conversation light. "Yes," she responds. "We're sisters. But I don't like what you've been doing." I laugh. "Oh, Alessia. Always so serious. But don't worry, I won't hurt you. Unless, of course, you get in my way." I see a flash of fear in her eyes, and I know I have the upper hand. I can use her fear to my advantage.
Chapter 20 - Alessia's POV
I try to stay calm, but Cassandra's words send a chill down my spine. I know I need to be careful around her. "I'm not afraid of you, Cassandra," I say, trying to sound confident. Cassandra raises an eyebrow. "Oh, really? Then why are you shaking?" I realize that my hands are trembling, and I try to hide them behind my back. "I'm just cold," I say, trying to cover. Cassandra laughs again. "Sure you are, Alessia. Just remember, I'm always watching. ".She turns and walks away, leaving me feeling uneasy and worried. What does she have planned?
Cassandra's POV
I can tell Alessia is afraid of me, and that's exactly what I want. I need her to be afraid, to be on edge. That way, she'll be easier to manipulate. I walk away from the market, feeling satisfied with our encounter. I have a plan, and it's already in motion. Soon, I'll have everything I want, and no one will be able to stop me.
Alessia's POV
I walk into the living room, where Luna is sitting on the couch, looking worried. "Hey, what's wrong?" I ask, but then I remember my encounter with Cassandra. "Wait, I need to tell you something." Luna looks up at me, concerned. "What is it?" I take a deep breath and explain my encounter with Cassandra at the market. Luna listens, her expression growing more and more worried. Just then, the doorbell rings. "I'll get it," Xavier says, getting up from his chair. A few minutes later, Xavier returns with Dami and Jessica, who are both looking shocked. "What's going on?" Dami asks, his eyes fixed on Andre, who is lying on the couch, looking pale and weak. "What happened to him?" Jessica asks, her voice full of concern. Luna fills them in on the situation, explaining how Eni was working with Cassandra to harm Andre. Dami and Jessica listen, their expressions growing more and more outraged. "We need to do something," Dami says, his fists clenched. "We can't just sit around and let Cassandra get away with this." "I agree," Jessica says. "We need to come up with a plan to stop her." I nod, feeling a sense of determination. We will stop Cassandra, no matter what it takes.
Luna's POV
I'm grateful that Dami and Jessica are back. We need their help to stop Cassandra. We sit in the living room, discussing our plan of action.. "We need to find Eni," Dami says. "She's the key to stopping Cassandra." "Yes, but we also need to find a way to protect Andre," Jessica adds. "Cassandra won't stop until she's hurt him." "I agree," I say. "We need a plan to keep him safe." Alessia speaks up, "I think I know how we can do it. I can use my skills as a healer to create a protection spell around Andre." "Will that work?" Xavier asks. Alessia nods, "Yes, I'm sure it will. But we need to do it quickly, before Cassandra tries something else." We get to work, preparing the protection spell and planning our next move. We're determined to stop Cassandra and keep Andre safe.