Ch
Ashley didn’t want to stay in the hospital and Alejandro respected her decision, arranging for her discharge without hesitation.N
Once she threw herself back into work, everything else seemed to fade into the background.”
Little by little, she realized–she hadn’t thought about Max in a long time.”
Zoe would drop by every now and then, bringing warmth and familiarity to this foreign place.
This wasn’t what she had expected. She thought she’d be escaping abroad to heal, but instead, she was simply… living. The weight that had been pressing down on her for so long felt lighter.
For years, she had believed that life without Max would be dull and empty. But now she knew–the world still had color, even without him.
Maybe it was time to let go. Maybe she could take her mother’s advice and give herself a chance at something new.% As if the universe had heard her thoughts, a well–meaning colleague introduced her to someone.%
They met at a cozy café and to her surprise, the man was even more refined and gentlemanly than she had expected. From the way he looked at her, it was clear–he was interested.”
Their first date had gone smoothly–by all accounts, it was a success. Yet, as Ashley walked back to her apartment, she let out a quiet sigh.
For some reason, she still felt… empty.”
Stepping out of the elevator, she froze. A man was leaning against the wall near her door, his tall frame partially hidden by the dim hallway light.”
Even without seeing his face, she knew who it was.
Alejandro. What was he doing here?”
She approached cautiously, her voice steady but curious. “Why are you here?“”
He lifted his head, his face unreadable. The usual warmth in his expression was gone, replaced by something sharper, something restrained. But he didn’t answer.
Their eyes met for the briefest moment and in his dark gaze, she caught a flicker of something–anger, frustration. Then, just as quickly, it disappeared.”
She hesitated. Did I imagine that?”
“I came to see you.”
Ashley was caught off guard. Since leaving the hospital, they hadn’t spoken. She had assumed that whatever was between them had quietly faded away.”
She turned the key in the lock, pushing the door open. Alejandro followed her inside without a word, shutting the door behind him.
In the living room, he sank onto the couch, elbows resting on his knees, hands pressing against his temples–like a man weighed down by something heavy.”
Ashley studied him for a moment before asking softly, “Did something happen?“{
Ashley was still trying to process what he had just said when Alejandro continued, his tone laced with frustration.
“I don’t know what Zoe told her, but now my mother insists on flying to Puerto Vendaval to meet my girlfriend in person.“%
He let out a slow, weary breath. “I’ve told her a hundred times–I don’t have a girlfriend.“”
Ashley blinked, still caught off guard. “Then… why not just let her come and see for herself?”
Alejandro gave a dry laugh, shaking his head. “You don’t know my mother.“”
There was something almost resigned in his voice, as if he were bracing for an unavoidable disaster.!!
“Once she sets her mind on something, there’s no stopping her. If I don’t introduce her to someone, she’ll arrange ‘coincidental‘ meetings with every woman she deems suitable. And trust me, that’s not something I want to deal with.“%
Ashley frowned slightly. “That still doesn’t explain why you want me to pretend to be your girlfriend.“”
His dark eyes met hers, intense and unwavering.”
“Because you’re the only woman she would actually believe I fell for.”
Alejandro let out a helpless sigh, spreading his hands in frustration.”
“I never thought my mom would take it this far–calling me nonstop, threatening that if I don’t introduce her to my girlfriend, I might as well stop calling her ‘Mom‘ altogether.”
He exhaled sharply. “She’s even saying she’ll cut off her investment in my Puerto Vendaval projects. And right now, I’m at a critical stage in securing funding.”
“So, I had no choice but to tell her I have a girlfriend.”
Chapter 16
12:53 AM M
0
“So, I had no choice but to tell her I have a girlfriend.”
His tone grew heavier. “But then she dropped another bomb–if she thinks I’m just bringing some random woman to fool her, she’ll still pull the funding.“N
Alejandro ran a hand through his hair, looking genuinely cornered.”
“I’m out of options. Can you help me? Just for a little while–pretend to be my girlfriend.“%
He forced a half–smile. “Honestly, I don’t have the energy to deal with women right now.“%
His words were meant to downplay the situation, but they had an unintended effect on Ashley.
No patience for women? Did that mean he had patience for men?!
Her lashes trembled slightly as she pieced things together–Puerto Vendaval’s reputation, Zoe’s cryptic remarks at the airport…
Could it be?
The thought struck her all at once–Alejandro’s preferences must have changed.
If she had never dated him back then, would things have turned out differently?!
He must be doing this out of guilt–trying to keep his mother from being heartbroken.
She mulled it over, unaware that Alejandro had been watching her closely, reading every flicker of hesitation.”
When she finally nodded, agreeing to his request, a slow, knowing smirk tugged at his lips.
This time, no matter what–he wasn’t letting her go.”
