I got another huge order from a com

I got another huge order from a company in Milan the next day.
“Cassie, this is insane,” Orlando said. “I mean, you’re already a millionaire.”
“Yeah.”
He raised an eyebrow. “Did you hear what I said?”
“Yes, Orlando.”
“You’re already a fashion icon. There are too many orders that can even be filled. I bet Pia is being grilled at this very moment.”
I leaned back in my chair and thought about my conversation with Janet.
“What the hell is wrong with you?” Orlando said.
“I’m just…distracted.”
“Well, stop being distracted. You’re fucking rich.”
“No, I’m not. Everything I’m making goes back to Tony.”
He rolled his eyes. “It’s still exciting. You’ve already made back the investment you put into this company. The next time you get paid it will actually be for a profit.”
“It is amazing,” I said simply.
“You’re living the dream, Cassie. In ten years, you’ll have more money than you know what to do with.”
“I don’t care about money,” I said.
“Then what do you care about?”
“Tony.”
I’m not following,” he said. “Is there something going on between you?”
I didn’t want to talk about it. It’s all I’ve been thinking about. Now that I had fallen so madly in love with him, I realized how selfish I was. I was selfish from the beginning. I was no good for him. The reason why I feared being alone was because I was meant to be alone. Danny cheated on me because I wasn’t good for him either. I had to end it with him. He was losing his entire family because of me. Janet was right. I had to do the right thing.
“Everything is fine,” I lied.
He eyed me. “It doesn’t seem like it.”
“I need to get back to work, Orlando.”
“I can take the hint.” He turned and walked away.
I went through my finances and determined how much money I had. A lot of dough was rolling in. With the expenses and the income, we had almost broke even. That was enough for now. I had enough credit and had a successful business so I could get a loan to pay back Tony. I could pay myself back through time.
After work I went to the bank and applied for it. I was surprised that I got it. I made some profit from the business but not a lot. The interest rate of the loan was ridiculous, but I needed to pay back Tony. I couldn’t do this without returning his money to him first.
When I arrived at his apartment, I didn’t want to go inside. I stood in the hallway for half an hour, dreading the moment. After I finally stilled my heart, I walked inside. Tony was sitting at the kitchen table, going through the files from the company.
He stood up and kissed me, making me melt immediately. “Baby, I missed you.”
“I missed you too.” I wrapped my arms around him and held him tightly. It felt so good to feel his embrace. I never wanted to let go. I could stay like that forever.
He pulled away and kissed my forehead. “How are you?”
I was worse than I had ever been. “Good. You?”
“Amazing,” he said. “I can’t believe how well the line is doing. You’re a huge success.”
“No, you are. You made all of this happen.”
“But you’re the one who designed the clothes.”
I shrugged. “It’s not that hard.”
“Maybe for a genius like you.” He rubbed his nose against mine. “Let’s go in the bedroom.”
I couldn’t let that happen. If we made love, I’d chicken out. I already didn’t want to do this. Being with him would just make it harder. “There’s something I want to give you.”
“A surprise?”
“I guess.” I pulled out the box that held his scarf and put it on the table.
“Ooh,” he said. “I’m glad you remembered this.”
I opened my wallet and handed him the check. “Here’s your money back.”
He raised an eyebrow when he looked at it. “What?”
“This is all the money you invested in the company.”
“But how is that possible?” He took the check and studied it. “Did you get a loan?”
“It doesn’t matter. We’re square.”
“Cassie, the whole point of me giving you the money is so you wouldn’t have to pay interest.”
“I’ve made a lot of money already,” I said. “I’ll be able to pay that back in no time.”
“But this was still completely unnecessary.”
“It gives me peace of mind.”
He stared at me. “Baby, what’s wrong?”
I took a deep breath. I couldn’t cry. It wasn’t going to happen. “I’ve been thinking…”
His eyes were glued to my face.
“I don’t think we should be together anymore.”
His eyes immediately lost their light. “What?”
“This isn’t working for me.” I couldn’t think of anything else to say. I was just pulling shit out of my ass. If I told him the truth, he wouldn’t accept the break up.
“What are you talking about, Cassie?”
“I don’t want to be with you anymore,” I said firmly.
He ran his fingers through his hair. “I don’t believe you.”
“Well, I don’t.”
“What’s going on?”
“We’re over, Tony. I can’t be in this relationship anymore. I don’t feel the same way.”
“Cassie, I said I was sorry for the way I behaved and I meant it. I didn’t mean to be an ass to you.”
I looked away.
He grabbed my hips and looked into my face. “You’re just upset and I understand that. The last two days have been rough for both of us.” He kissed me and my knees became weak. His hands dug into my sides and his tongue slid across mine. I felt myself give in to the love I had for him. I pulled away before it could go any further.
“No,” I said.
His eyes widened. “I don’t understand what’s going on.”
“We’re over. That’s it.”
“But why?”
“I don’t want to be with you anymore. I made that clear. Go be with Victoria.”
“Where the hell is this coming from? Why are you pushing me away?”
“I’m not,” I said. “I just want to break up.”
“But you love me.”
I kept my mouth closed.
“Cassie, you love me.”
This was going nowhere.
“We aren’t ending this. You can’t break up with me. I won’t let you.”
“I just wanted the money to start the company,” I said simply. “I got what I wanted. Now let me go.”
He dropped his hands to his sides. He looked pained, like someone shot him in the stomach. “You’re lying.”
“I’m really not,” I said with a straight face. “I got the investment I needed and I paid you back. My empire is ready. I don’t need you anymore.”
Tony stepped back, his eyes watery.
I hated the look on his face. I hated it, I hated it.
“You were using me this whole time?”
I nodded.
“But—you weren’t. No one is that good of an actor.”
“Well, I am.”
He looked at the floor then ran his fingers through his hair. “I don’t believe you.”
“I’m sorry you don’t. It’ll just make it harder for you.”
Tony blinked his eyes and stopped the tears from falling. It was torture to watch. “Well, I’m okay with that.”
“What?”
“I still make you happy. I can give you everything you could ever want. Please don’t go.”
“I can’t believe you…”
“Cassie, you’re everything to me. I can’t lose you.”
“But I’m just using you.”
He said nothing.
I couldn’t believe that. I knew Tony was in love with me, but I didn’t realize how much. He was totally selfless, loving me even though I was a liar. “No.”
“Cassie, I just don’t believe you. I refuse to believe you.”
“I’m not lying.”
He shook his head. “I’m not letting you go. You’re too damn good to get away.”
I avoided his gaze. “Goodbye, Tony.” I turned toward the door.
He stood in front of it, blocking my escape. “No. We’ll work on this.”
“I don’t want to work on it!”
“That’s too fucking bad,” he said. “You aren’t running from a little bump in the road. And don’t tell me you’re using me. I know it’s a fucking lie. You can’t pull that shit on me.”
“I’M NOT LYING!”
He stared me down, not backing down.
“Get out of my way.”
“No.”
I tried to get around him but he grabbed me, holding onto my arms.
“Let me go.”
He carried me to the couch then pinned me down. I struggled against him but he was too strong.
“Get off me.”
Tony rested his leg on my chest and pulled off his shirt.
As soon as I saw his chest, I felt alarmed. I couldn’t let this happen. If it did, I’d be lost. It would make it so much harder to sever the relationship. “Stop.”
He leaned over me and held me down while he got his pants off. “No. You’re lying to me. When I’m inside you, you’ll start thinking clearly.”
“Tony, I said get off me.” I tried to sit up but he held me down.
When he was naked, he lifted my dress and moved my underwear over.
“Please don’t,” I begged.
Tony entered me, his face pressed close to mine.
As soon as I felt him, the fight was over. I lied back and closed my eyes, a moan escaping my lips.
Tony cupped my face and kissed me gently, his lips separating mine. When I felt his tongue dance around mine, my nails dug into his back. His warm breaths filled my mouth, making me lose my train of thought. All I knew was that I loved Tony and wanted to be with him. I was lost in him, feeling the connection between us.
He thrust into me gently, feeling no resistance at all. His breaths were deep and heavy, and I felt it on my skin. When he was inside me, I felt close to him, like we were a single person. I couldn’t resist him. He was the love of my life. There was no one I would rather spend the rest of my life with. Every time we made love, it was the first time. I never had a boyfriend that was my best lover and my greatest friend. Every touch was magic, explosive.
“Tony…”
He moved into me faster. “I love you, baby.”
“God, I love you so much.”
“I know you do.” He grabbed my neck while he moved into me hard and fast. “So stop lying to me.”
I gripped him while the orgasm started between my legs. It burst into flame and sent me spiraling. It was stronger than I’ve ever felt. I felt dizzy and lightheaded, overwhelmed with the emotion. Spending a lifetime without him would be unbearable. I didn’t want to lose him. “Yeah…”
Tony bit his lip while he came inside me. I felt his cock twitch as it released, filling me. He grabbed my face and kissed me aggressively.