Chapter 33

Mira’s POV

I sat in Mr. James’s office, watching his mouth move for several minutes now, but I couldn’t hear a single word.

My mind was foggy, thick with thoughts of his son. Thoughts that, if he knew about them, would have gotten me fired a long time ago.

Alejandro was the only thing I could think about. The way he breathes against my neck, the way he grabs my hair whenever he wants my attention, the slow kisses he leaves all over my body, and the promises he whispered about eating me up the moment I got back home.

I bit my lower lip and smiled to myself, my hands clutching the hem of my skirt like it could somehow save me from this ridiculous dilemma he had wrapped me in, even when he wasn’t physically around.

“Miss Martinez.” A faint voice called.

I ignored it.

“Miss Martinez!” the voice called again, louder this time.

I jerked, snapping back to reality. The look on Mr. James’s face was unreadable, but something told me I had just landed myself in trouble.

“Ye… yes, sir.” I stuttered.

This man had to be about seventy, maybe older if my guess was right. Yet he wore that same smirk Alejandro always had on his face. Even though they didn’t see eye to eye on most things, they still looked almost identical. The resemblance was honestly unsettling.

“Do you mind sharing with me what’s making you behave like a little demon in my office and smiling to yourself?” he asked casually. “Maybe I can find it amusing as well.”

I fidgeted with my fingers under his desk, my eyes wandering around the office as I tried to come up with the best possible lie.

“It’s nothing really, sir,” I replied after a long, awkward silence.

“So did you hear anything I said, or anything I have been saying for the past thirty minutes?” he asked, adjusting his tie.

Even God in heaven and the devil underground knew I hadn’t heard a single damn word he had been ranting about. But I had a feeling it had something to do with the company’s upcoming event.

He let out a quiet chuckle.

“Well, I’ll say it again. You’ve been doing a good job with Alejandro. I’ve noticed the changes in his behavior and life choices lately. So your services will soon no longer be needed.”

For a moment, my lungs forgot how to work. I couldn’t breathe. I couldn’t move. My entire body froze.

“Sir… I think he might still need more help,” I said quickly, the desperation slipping into my voice before I could hide it.

He lit the cigar he had been holding, taking a long puff before glancing back at me.

“Your services will no longer be needed after the charity gala next month, Miss Martinez. That will be all. You can return to your daily activities.”

James finished speaking and slowly turned his office chair, giving me his back as he faced the large window overlooking the city.

“Oh, and I know about the silly little relationship you think you have with him,” he added calmly. “End it before then and walk away with the money I promised you. If you do not, then you can kiss the money for your treatment goodbye.”

Slowly, I forced myself to stand up, my legs trembling slightly before I hurried out of his office.

A few days ago, I would have been happy hearing this. Knowing I didn’t have to deal with Alejandro anymore would have felt like freedom.

But not now. Not now that my feelings for him were painfully obvious.

I had hoped his father didn’t know. But he did.

Now I was expected to choose between getting the operation that could keep me alive or being with the man I had somehow fallen in love with.

“You’ve really put yourself in a tough spot, Mira,” I whispered to myself, clutching my bag tightly as I stood outside the company building, waiting to call a cab.

My phone buzzed. I rummaged through my purse and pulled it out. It was Alejandro.

Him: I’m waiting for you, my beautiful girlfriend.

A smile slowly crept onto my lips. Just like that, one stupid text managed to push my biggest worry aside.

For now.

For now, I would keep everything his father said a secret until I found the courage to decide between my health or the man I loved.

As I typed a quick reply telling him I was heading home, a car pulled up in front of me and honked.

Ace stepped out, looking annoyingly hot as usual.

“Need a ride?” he asked with a grin.

“Sure,” I replied, returning the smile as I climbed in.

We drove in silence for a while before he finally broke it.

“You look pretty as always, Mira.”

“Thank you. You don’t look bad yourself,” I replied softly.

He grinned wider. “A compliment from the most beautiful girl in the city melts my heart.”

He clutched his chest dramatically, clearly teasing me.

I laughed quietly. “You’re insane.”

“It’s not really my business to ask this,” he said after a moment, his tone suddenly turning serious. “But I just have to.”

“Ask what?” My brows creased.

“Do you have anything going on with Dro?” he asked.

I hesitated, trying to process the question, but before I could answer, he spoke again.

“I don’t even know why I asked that,” he said, glancing at me briefly. “I already know you two have nothing. Dro said it himself.”

My heart stopped at those words. My brows furrowed as I turned to him.

“What did Dro say?”

Ace smirked, his eyes still fixed on the road.

“He told us you were just the babysitter his dad hired for him. So we were all surprised when Marlo said he saw you two out on a date. Dro insisted it wasn’t a date.”

My vision blurred almost instantly. My lips trembled and my hands slowly curled into fists.

I was such a complete idiot for thinking he loved me.

“Are you okay, Mira?” Ace asked carefully.

I stayed silent, staring out the window at the passing cars and the quiet evening streets until we finally reached Dro’s gates.

“Thank you for the ride, Ace,” I said quietly, opening the door.

He grabbed my hand before I could step out, his eyes filled with concern.

“Just know I’m always here for you if you ever need anything,” he said.

I nodded, forcing a small smile before walking inside as he drove away.

The moment I stepped into the house, Alejandro was already standing by the door with a wide smile plastered across his stupidly handsome face.

“I’ve been waiting,” he said as he started walking toward me.

I stopped him, placing a hand firmly between us before he could pull me into a hug.

“I’m going upstairs,” I said coldly. “To pack my bags.”

“And I’m leaving tonight.”