Episode 1

Sweetheart, come here, why are you hiding? Alexander's gentle voice was audible in the living room.

Alexander looked at his little princess with excitement, she was the twinkle in his eye, while Mariana watched as her little one took her first steps towards her father.

Mischief all day, I insisted that you come to me, yet you have your favorite, she said with a pout, pretending to be offended. Alexa, you're a traitor. Ha, ha, ha.

As they smiled, the maid arrived to announce that the two great friends of the Gentleman had arrived.

Lucio Esquivel and Marco Lombardo, both men entered, seeing their dear friend alongside his little one. Lucio looked at little Alexa and told her she was a beautiful girl, whereas Marco stooped down to her level, lifted her in his arms, and said, you’re not just beautiful, you’re a princess, you’re going to break many hearts, to which Alexander disagreed and said my girl will be a novice, prompting everyone to laugh.

Alexa laughed along with everyone, not understanding what they were talking about – she was just a year and two months old, a small child surrounded by young people. Alexander was 24, Lucio was of the same age, and Marco was the youngest at 21.

The three were very good friends until things would change among them, bringing an excessive amount of tension due to the impending ordeal, great pain, and sorrow.

Time passed, and there were only two days left until Alexa's 8th birthday, her life was that of a princess; Alexander and Mariana spoiled her in every possible way, but in recent weeks Alexander had been acting very strange, anguished and nervous, still, he always tried to say it was nothing.

One afternoon he met with Marco and confided in him, which led to Marco slamming his fist on the desk, shaking his head in anger at the folly committed – he couldn’t believe Lucio had been so foolish as to associate with such low-life characters and get Alexander involved. He knew that of the three, Alexander was the most trusting and had the best temperament, nevertheless, Marco was outraged by the looming situation.

Marco called Lucio, and he immediately appeared. When he walked through the door with a smile, seeing his two friends, he never imagined he’d be greeted with Marco's fist and a raised eyebrow.

Damn it, why are you hitting me? What did I do to be welcomed like this? Have you gone mad, Marco?

Tell me, idiot, how did you let Alexander do business with Simonds? You know that bastard is an opportunist and now our friend is in serious trouble.

Marco, how could you think I’d do something to hurt him? I'd never do that; we're like brothers, you know that.

As Alexander saw the situation, he explained, as it seemed there was a misunderstanding: the truth is, Lucio just introduced me, and he presented a proposal I thought would be very profitable. But I don't know what happened; the investors backed out halfway, and I’m about to lose everything. He said this, clutching his head with both hands.

Marco shook his head, unable to fathom how he could help; a small investment would be useless, as it wouldn't get him out of the mess he was in…

While the men discussed solutions and how to support Alexander, Monique, Marco’s fiancee, arrived.

When she stood before the three handsome men, she thought about why she should settle for Marco when Lucio and Alexander might also be part of her fun or, say, her bachelorette farewell.

Lucio could clearly see how uppity Monique was, while Alexander had too much on his mind to focus on anything else. He simply got up and said goodbye to his friends, telling them he'd seek them out again to figure out a way out of his predicament.

Lucio walked out with him, leaving Marco alone with the love of his life – or at least that’s what he claimed, as Monique and he had been a couple since school.

So, when she stood behind him, winding her arms around his neck, she leaned in close to his ear out of curiosity and whispered, "Sweetheart, did something happen?"

Marco simply replied, "Nothing we can't handle. Now come tell me, did you like the gift I sent you?"

"Yes, it's beautiful. I didn't wear it because I'm afraid of losing it."

Marco just nodded, contemplating talking to his mother about helping Alexander. If necessary, he would become a partner to save his company and ensure that Mariana and little Alexa would be fine.

Hey, darling, you're not paying attention to me.

I'm just thinking about matters I need to resolve.

Oh no, I won’t have that. Our wedding is next week, and I don't want any distractions. We need to finish the last preparations, so whatever you're thinking of doing, put it off until later.

Suddenly, his secretary’s interruption made them both turn.

Do you not know how to knock? scolded Monique, looking at her with annoyance. She thought highly of herself as Marco's girlfriend, since he would inherit the Lombardo group and become the country’s most important CEO.

Marco dismissed it and asked, Anais, what do you need?

Sir, the truth is a package has arrived, but they say it must be delivered to you personally.

Alright, let her come in with the delivery person.

Monique curiously watched Marco, assuming it was another surprise for her. When the delivery person came in carrying a box adorned with a beautiful pink ribbon and a PRINCESAS label, Monique's eyes sparkled – it was clear the package was for her. However, when Marco signed and the delivery person left, she reached for the box, which Marco stopped her from opening, saying, What do you think you're doing?

Darling, it's obvious, I want to open my gift.

Marco smiled and told her, "Your gift is at home; this isn’t for you."

What do you mean, it's not for me? Who else are you buying things for, Marco Lombardo? he sighed and said, Monique, I don't like jealousy scenes, so you better cut the nonsense; this isn't for any other woman. It's for a child.

You have a secret child?

"Don't be ridiculous. How could I hide my own child? That's for Alexa Ferreti."

"Why not have it sent to her home?"

"Because I want to give it to her in person, as I do every birthday."

"Well, alright, but remember to set everything aside and focus on us."

Monique, I will, but I also have things to do, and I'm not changing my plans, okay? he said this a bit irritated, annoyed by Monique's domineering attitude – Marco disliked being controlled.

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