Chapter 32

Alejandro’s POV

My head almost exploded as I drove back home.

There was no way on earth I would break things off with Mira. Not when she was the only good thing in my life right now.

But I knew my father. I knew exactly how dirty he could play when he wanted something badly enough, and I wasn’t about to drag Mira into whatever twisted game he was planning.

When I had asked him why, all he said was that Mira and I could never be together. No real explanation, nothing solid to stand on. And it wasn’t enough. Not that an explanation would have convinced me to obey him anyway, but still, I wanted one.

Once I got home, Mira was still fast asleep, wrapped up in my blankets like a baby.

I stood there for a moment, quietly watching her peaceful face. The sight alone eased some of the chaos in my head.

After a while I hopped into the shower and took what felt like the longest bath of my life, letting the hot water beat against my shoulders as I tried to clear my mind.

When I finally stepped out, I slipped back into bed beside her, pulling the covers over myself before drifting into sleep.

The next morning my eyes opened to find the space beside me empty.

Still half asleep, I scanned the room until my gaze landed on Mira. She was standing in front of the mirror, adjusting her skirt while checking her reflection.

“Good morning, handsome.” She grinned when she noticed me watching her through the mirror.

“Good morning, beautiful,” I replied, smiling lazily. “You’re up early. And fully dressed too.”

Mira walked over to the bed and pressed a soft kiss against my lips.

“You smell good,” I murmured, leaning closer to her neck and breathing in her scent.

“Thank you.” Mira smiled sweetly.

I pulled her closer against my body, deepening the kiss while my hand slid down her thigh, slowly finding its way beneath her skirt.

“Hmm, Alejandro.” Mira moaned softly, her voice muffled against my mouth. “I have to get to work. Your dad called me.”

I immediately paused, pulling my hand out from under her skirt as my expression hardened.

“He called you?” I asked, my jaw tightening. “What did he want?”

“He said it was something concerning you and an upcoming event he needs me to handle for the company,” Mira explained.

“I guess it’s the annual charity gala we host every June,” I muttered.

I knew my father was planning something. I just couldn’t figure out what yet. But I also couldn’t keep Mira away from her job. After all, he was the reason she had come here in the first place. He was the one who hired her.

“Okay, baby. I’ll work from home today and the guys will be coming over,” I said, brushing a few strands of hair away from her face. “By the time you get back, I’ll make something special for you.”

“You’ll cook for me?” she asked, clearly excited.

I smirked and placed a soft kiss on her lips.

“Yes, I will. And when you eat, I’ll eat you later.”

Mira laughed. “You’re such a cannibal.”

“For you, I’d be anything,” I replied, my hands drifting along her thighs again.

Mira quickly pushed me away and stood up.

“That’s enough, Mr. Montenegro. I’d like to get to work with dry panties.”

I laughed and fell back against the bed, watching her slip on her shoes, tie her hair neatly into a bun, and grab her bag.

“Isn’t that skirt a little too short?” I asked, my brows knitting together.

“No, it’s not, Mr. Montenegro. You’re just a hungry man,” Mira teased. “But don’t worry, I’ll feed you later.”

She walked over again, planted a quick kiss on my lips, and left the room.

Later, I made myself a cup of coffee and went into my study to get some work done.

Some of the talents we had picked from Willows Peak were already gaining traction thanks to the videos the company had uploaded.

There was one guy in particular, Jasper, a model. His facial features were exquisite, almost unreal. Just a single video of him modeling our company’s latest suit designs had gone viral online, and now everyone seemed to want more.

Aside from him, we had signed two adult content creators, Mandy and her boyfriend Carlos. They had already given the audience quite a show yesterday with the stepbrother scene they shot, and the site had been buzzing ever since.

I guess Mira and I really did make a good team, even though it had taken me far too long to realize it.

And I needed to prove that to my father.

I needed to make him see how good she was at what she did. How much my life had straightened out since she walked into this house. After all, that was what he wanted in the first place. For me to get my reckless life under control.

Later in the day Ace and the guys showed up.

We hung out by the pool as usual, drinking and laughing about the most ridiculous things.

Ace had returned from Willows Peak yesterday. Apparently the investors his dad wanted him to meet had agreed to sign the deal, so he had to come back.

Part of me believed him. Another part of me knew he had come here for Mira and nothing else.

“Dro, Marlo here told us he saw you with that babysitter chick your dad got for you at some fancy restaurant yesterday,” Danny said suddenly.

I clenched my fist immediately, already knowing where this conversation was heading. And I wasn’t ready for it.

“Did you complete the bet already? Did you sleep with her?” Ace asked eagerly.

“Not yet,” I lied.

Technically, I hadn’t. Yes, I had slept with her, but I would never record it like the bet required.

“What’s taking you so long?” Danny raised an eyebrow. “Don’t tell me you’ve fallen for her.”

All eyes turned toward me.

Marlo chuckled. “Impossible. Dro has a heart made of stone. I’m sure that date yesterday was just one of his tricks to get her wet.”

They all burst out laughing.

I forced a smile, unsure what else to do. I couldn’t tell them the truth. I couldn’t tell them I had fallen for Mira.

“I can’t fall in love with her, guys. Come on. You know me,” I said, my chest feeling strangely heavy. “Mira’s just my babysitter, remember?”

Ace smirked. “Does she know that?”

“She knows her place, Ace,” I replied quickly.

The words tasted bitter even as they left my mouth.

I hated myself for saying them, but I couldn’t stop the lies once they started spilling out.

“You guys know Dro,” Marlo added confidently. “He’d never stoop that low. Once he’s done with her, he’ll move on to the next.”

They laughed again, and this time I joined them.

But deep down, I already knew I was completely fucked.