Marco felt that things were going to go well; he had taken the step he had contemplated and was certain it was the right one. He could hardly believe himself—he was going to be a father.
For her part, Alexa only had eyes for the man she had always been in love with. She was determined to do everything within her power to have him love her back the same way she loved him. And truth be told, that reality wasn't far off.
After they reached an agreement, Marco walked out holding Alexa's hand, leaving all the employees agape in shock.
They were surprised because they had never even seen Marco like this when he was married—even though he had been married for several years, a fact well known to everyone. But who was this young woman? And what had she done to their boss?
Marco saw the inquisitive looks from the people around him; so he paused and suddenly blurted out, "What are you all staring at? Why aren't you working? Do you want to get docked pay? You get paid to work here, not to gossip."
Mia, who was on her way to her office with some papers, approached, swaying toward where he was standing.
Marco saw her as just another employee within the company, but he wasn't foolish. He was well aware of her intentions, though he had no interest in her; he was only returning the kindness her parents had shown him.
So, when he heard her call him "dear Marco" and felt Alexa gripe his hand a little tighter, he knew he had to set the record straight since his intent was to let no one disrupt the budding relationship.
"I'm on my way out, Mia. If you need me to sign anything, hand it to Marcelo."
"But darling, ..."
"Oh, and one more thing I forgot," he interrupted her. "I am Marco Lombardo, CEO Lombardo to you. You can’t address me so informally or speak to me as you do; employees might misconstrue our work relationship."
"But Marco, I don’t care what people say; rumors don’t affect me."
"They may not affect you, but they do matter to me since I do not want my girlfriend to feel uncomfortable."
"Marco, you're divorced. I don’t think it concerns her much after all this time."
Hearing her response left him unsettled, and more so when he felt Alexa attempt to loosen her grip. Thus, he decided to continue and clear the air. Many employees were captivated by the beautiful young woman at his side, and with a scowl on his face, he was eager to get her out of there as soon as possible.
"May I introduce my girlfriend Alexa Ferreti, my future wife."
"And this is Mia Palacios, a new employee. Her father worked with me many years ago," he explained as if justifying her presence and perhaps to clear any misunderstanding that might arise from being photographed together when he was in Mexico—giving Alexa a clear picture that it was strictly business with Mia, and he had no interest in her at all. Assured that Alexa had stopped trying to let go of his hand, he said, "Now that the introductions are out of the way, do what I told you. Marcelo will keep me informed. Let’s go, my dear."
Hearing him call her that made Alexa blush and lower her eyes in embarrassment, a reaction that, unbeknownst to her, agitated her future husband, heating him with a fervor he couldn't bear for long.
They left, stunning everyone with their jaws dropping at the news—what a strikingly young woman to be his wife. No one could deny the man's allure, though he was a bit older for her. In the end, the rich have their ways, they thought as they returned to their work, while Mia simmered with rage, incensed at being outdone by a dull youngster.
But that wasn't all. While some followed their tasks, one of Mariana’s colleagues entered the marketing office with the latest gossip.
"Guys, you won't believe what I just found out; I saw it with my own eyes."
"What? Spit it out, don’t keep us in suspense. You do enjoy holding us on tenterhooks," they prodded.
"The big boss has a girlfriend."
"That’s hardly news; we've seen her walking around the company since she arrived."
"Oh? When did she get here? I didn’t see her."
"She came in with him from the trip, the woman he was photographed with. We all know about it."
"Idiot, I'm not talking about her. I'm talking about the young woman who is his girlfriend—truly beautiful. I'd be in love too if such a girl glanced my way."
Mariana didn't join in the discussion, knowing all too well how nosy her colleagues could be. However, as she was about to leave, the speaker suddenly looked at her desk and then looked at her in shock.
The colleagues looked on with intrigue since it seemed he had lost his ability to speak.
Someone asked what the young woman looked like.
He only managed to say she was young and very beautiful but admitted he was not good at describing people.
The rest booed him and carried on working, while he approached Mariana unseen by the others and asked in a low voice,
"Mariana, you got here because you’re friends with the big boss, right?"
"We've known each other since childhood, he and my daughter's father were close friends."
"Your daughter?"
"Yes, she's my girl. Quite beautiful, isn't she?"
"Yes, absolutely."
"Great, I'm heading out. I have to take this project to the third floor."
"Sure, I won't keep you any longer." With that, he thought to himself that he had nearly lost his job; he was certain she didn't know about the boss’s relationship with her daughter, and he wouldn’t be the one to tell her. Losing his job for a mistake was one thing, but facing Marco’s wrath was another. He knew Marco’s vindictive temperament well.
Meanwhile, Alexa and Marco arrived at a restaurant Marcelo had reserved for them. They headed to a private dining room, oblivious to Lucio's presence at a table nearby. Lucio found it odd to see them together, especially Marco holding Alexa's hand. Still, he would talk to him later, not wanting Carlota to notice Alexa's presence.
"Lucio, you benefitted the most from my son's death. I don't care that you ended up with that insignificant woman, but Alexa is a Ferreti and she should be with me," Carlota asserted.
Lucio raised an eyebrow at the woman's comment and responded, "I would've preferred to keep my distance and see the two people I cared about together rather than lose my friend. As for Mariana, she can grieve all she wants but that doesn't give her the right to speak ill of her."
"Marco, Alexander, and I were always good friends, and Alexander wanted nothing to do with you, especially to keep you away from Alexa. So listen well, I will not let you harm that girl. She is now my responsibility, her second father, and as such, I will protect her from you and anyone else. So, I'm telling you one more time, stay away from my family and leave Alexa out of your damned plans. With that, I must leave; some of us actually have work to do," Lucio concluded and made his exit.
Exiting the restaurant, frustrated, he thought, 'What the hell is Marco doing holding hands with Alexa?' With that on his mind, he got into his car and drove to his company, resolving to look for Marco after work.
At the restaurant's entrance, Carlota indignantly made a call to a number she treasured like gold.
"Hello dear, I'm sorry to say we won't need that fool; it seems he's taken his role as a parent a bit too seriously."
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