Chapter Four: Aldrich’s Dilemma

The morning sun filtered through the blinds of my office, casting long shadows over the neatly organized desk. I was leaning back in my leather chair, the faint buzz of the city humming through the windows. Fridays were usually uneventful, but today promised to be anything but.

My phone buzzed, interrupting the brief silence. Glancing at the screen, I saw my father’s name flashing. I sighed heavily, already anticipating the conversation to come.

“Good morning, Father,” I greeted, trying to sound neutral.

“Aldrich,” came the familiar, authoritative voice. “I need you home this Sunday. It’s been far too long since the family has seen you.”

I pinched the bridge of my nose, leaning forward in my chair. “I’ll see what I can do. My schedule—”

“No excuses,” he cut me off. “And Aldrich, you know what I’ll be asking about.”

I’d known this was coming, but hearing it still sent a spike of irritation through me. “Father, we’ve discussed this.”

“Yes, and I’ve told you my position. If you’re not married by the end of the year, the company will go to your cousin. I’m not running a charity, Aldrich. This family needs stability and heirs.”

“Understood,” I said tersely, ending the call before he could lecture further.

The weight of his ultimatum pressed heavily on my chest. I leaned back in my chair, staring at the ceiling, my mind churning. My father’s threats were never idle. If I didn’t find a solution soon, I could kiss the company goodbye.

But marriage? To who? None of the women I’d dated were suitable for a long-term commitment, let alone for the role of my wife. They wanted my money, my name, my status—not me.

Frustrated, I grabbed my suit jacket and decided to step out. A cold coffee might clear my head.

The little corner café had been my favorite escape for years. It was unassuming, a haven amidst the chaos of my life. I ordered my usual iced coffee and settled into my favorite seat by the window, letting the familiar routine ground me.

As I sipped my drink, I let my eyes wander to the street outside. People rushed by, each caught up in their own lives. For a moment, I could pretend my problems weren’t so pressing.

That was until a woman’s voice rang out, loud and sharp.

“We’ve grown apart?”

I turned my head slightly, curious despite myself. A couple was seated near the counter, and the woman looked livid. Her voice cut through the usual murmur of the café, drawing more than a few glances.

“Jake, last week, you told me you loved me. Now, we’ve suddenly grown apart?” she demanded.

I raised an eyebrow, intrigued. Breakups in public were messy, but this one promised to be entertaining.

The man, Jake, squirmed in his seat. “I didn’t want to do this here, Vielle,” he muttered.

Vielle. The name caught my attention. Unique, just like the fiery woman attached to it.

“Fine,” she snapped. “You don’t want to be with me anymore. But what about the $3,000 you owe me? You promised you’d pay me back last month.”

I nearly choked on my coffee. She’d lent him money? And he had the audacity to break up with her? Amateur.

“Vielle, money isn’t everything. Do you really want to end things on that note?” Jake’s tone was patronizing, and I could practically feel the disdain rolling off her.

“You’re the one ending things,” she shot back. “And yes, I want my money back. I’m not exactly swimming in cash, Jake. That was supposed to cover rent and studio supplies.”

The man sighed dramatically. “I don’t have it right now. Things are tight for me too, you know.”

“Tight?”she repeated, her voice dripping with disbelief. “You’re thirty-two years old. If you can’t manage to pay back a debt to your girlfriend, maybe you should rethink buying luxury items you don’t need.”

I stifled a laugh. She was relentless, and I admired her for it. Most people would have slinked away in embarrassment, but not Vielle.

“Now you’re being dramatic,” Jake said, his voice low and placating. “I’ll pay you back when I can. But can we not make a scene?”

“You know what, Jake? Keep the money,” she said, standing abruptly. “Consider it a parting gift. I hope it’s worth more to you than I was.”

With that, she stormed out, her fiery presence leaving an indelible mark on the café I found myself staring after her, a mixture of amusement and intrigue swirling in my chest.

“Damn,” I muttered under my breath.

For the first time in a long while, I felt something other than annoyance or stress. She was captivating, and not just because of her looks. There was fire in her, a resilience that drew me in.

I couldn’t help myself. After finishing my coffee, I approached the barista. “The woman who just left… Vielle, was it?”

The barista’s brow furrowed, clearly debating whether to answer. “She’s a regular,” she said finally.

“Does she come here often?”  I pressed.

The barista gave me a look but nodded. “Pretty much every week. Why?”

“Just curious,” I said with a faint smile.

As I walked back to my office, my mind was already spinning with possibilities. Vielle might just be the solution I’d been searching for. Fiery, independent, and clearly in need of a break—she was perfect.

I pulled out my phone and dialed my secretary. “Mr.Ganza, I need you to find someone for me.”

And just like that, the wheels were set in motion. Vielle October didn’t know it yet, but our paths were about to cross again. This time, it wouldn’t be by chance.

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