The Mafia's bride

CHAPTER 2

JAVIER POV

I woke up groggily, feeling a slight headache throbbing in my temples. Rubbing my eyes, I sat up and glanced around the room. To my surprise, there was no sign of the mysterious stripper from the previous night. I couldn't help but dwell on the bizarre encounter and the embarrassing moment we shared. Had she used the opportunity to steal from me? However, as I scanned the room, I noticed all my valuables, including my Rolex wristwatch and shoes, neatly placed by the bed.

Curiosity piqued, I slowly got up, dressed, and left the room. As I stepped out, my loyal bodyguard, Damien, greeted me. I couldn't shake off the nagging feeling about the stripper and wondered where she had disappeared to.

"Where's the lady from last night?" I asked Damien, trying to conceal my concern.

"She left," he replied simply.

Anxiety gnawed at me. Had she revealed our encounter to anyone? It was something I had kept to myself, and the thought of it getting out unsettled me.

"Did she say anything before leaving?" I inquired, attempting to maintain my composure.

"No, boss. Would you like us to bring her back?" Damien offered.

I shook my head sharply, dismissing the idea, and walked towards the parking space, my guards trailing behind me. Conflicting emotions swirled within me as I contemplated why a part of me wanted to see her again. Determined to push those thoughts and the inexplicable connection aside, I focused on the day ahead.

JAVIER'S POV

Back in my penthouse, I stood on the balcony, gazing out at the city skyline, waiting for the sun to emerge fully from behind the horizon. It was time to head to the office, and the anticipation coursed through my veins.

Retreating to my personal office within the house, I idly perused some business plans to pass the time. As the clock struck eleven, I knew it was time to venture out, first to the gym before proceeding to the office. I prepared myself and made my way to the hallway, accompanied by my vigilant guards.

A call interrupted my steps, and I swiftly answered using my ear pods. The voice on the other end relayed crucial information.

"Boss, he's with his wife, and they're headed to Mr. Diego's company," the person informed me.

"Keep an eye on them and ensure we have an insider," I instructed before ending the call.

A half-smile tugged at my lips as I whispered to myself, "Now I see what you're up to." With a renewed sense of purpose, I hopped into the car and drove towards the office.

Arriving at my destination, I was greeted by my secretary, who scurried behind me, reading out my scheduled meetings for the day.

"There's a meeting at Gondez Company at noon, sir," she informed me.

Settling into my chair, I listened with half-interest as she listed my engagements. However, the mention of the meeting at Gondez Company caught my attention. It seemed like a puzzle piece that might finally reveal the answers I sought. Grinning inwardly, I signed some deals and decided to grab lunch before attending the meeting.

Upon entering the Gondez Company, I marveled at the grandeur of its unique structure, one of the architectural gems in all of Mexico. The bustling garage housed an array of luxury cars. A lady guided me to the conference room, where curious gazes from other company members met my arrival. Each person had their own bodyguard, armed to the teeth. My eyes lingered on Manuel, who stood with his wife, Rosa, by his side. The tension in the room was palpable, and I couldn't help but meet Manuel's gaze with a cold stare.

The purpose of the meeting became clear—it was to determine who would become the CEO of the company. Voices rose, each person sharing their opinions and making arguments. Manuel wore a self-assured grin, thinking things would align in his favor if a vote were cast.

"I think we should cast a vote" Mr Diego suggested.

However, Mr. Torres, one of the biggest shareholders and a man known for his unpredictability, spoke up, shifting the dynamics of the discussion.

"Well, Mr. Gondez had set certain rules for this company before his demise. I believe we should stick to those rules," Mr. Torres suggested, causing Manuel to feel a sense of unease.

All eyes turned to Mr. Torres, waiting to hear his proposal. In a low, authoritative voice, he continued,

"The rules state that the CEO must be married, or better yet, marry into one of the partner's families."

"Then it seems Manuel here has already fulfilled that requirement." someone added

The room buzzed with murmurs and glances exchanged among the partners. However, someone raised a valid concern about the negative publicity surrounding Manuel's marriage, fueled by reporters and public opinion.

"But his marriage has been marred by negative press. We can't afford to have all those prying eyes on us," Mr. Perez chimed in.

A suggestion floated in the room, urging us to give the best man a chance to prove himself within a few months. Surprisingly, everyone seemed to agree, but the look on Manuel face shows this was unexpected and that his fate hinged on his performance.

JAVIER POV

The day's business was finally over, but my mind couldn't help but dwell on Mr. Torres' unexpected support. I wondered if his actions were driven by personal gain or genuine assistance, especially considering his affiliation with the southern region. Lost in my thoughts, I soon found myself contemplating the inevitable conclusion of their favor—a forced marriage. The mere idea of having a wife, something completely outside my plans, made me roll my eyes in disdain.

As I entered my penthouse, my bodyguards opened the door, and a delightful aroma wafted through the air. Confused, as I hadn't requested any dinner, I made my way to the kitchen. To my surprise, I was greeted by the presence of my niece, Sofia. She leaped into my arms, and I lifted the cheerful three-year-old, while my sister, Valeria, approached me with a warm peck, welcoming me home. It was an unexpected visit from Valeria, leading me to suspect that something was amiss for her to show up without prior notice. Holding my niece, who continued to babble about various things, I made my way upstairs.

CARMEN POV

I arrived at the hospital, carrying food for my brother, Antonio. Entering his ward, I found him asleep on the bed. Sitting beside him, I gently touched his cheek, and tears began to stream down my face. The past few years had been an arduous journey for us.

My mother suffered from amnesia, I had to shoulder the responsibility of caring for both her and Antonio as a young child. Eventually, my mother recovered and started working, but her health deteriorated whenever she exerted herself. I believed things would improve when I managed to secure a few odd jobs to sustain us. However, a few months ago, Antonio fell ill and had to be hospitalized. The medical bills skyrocketed, and I was faced with the daunting task of arranging for his surgery to save my only brother.

I sometimes wished our father was still alive to relieve me of so much burdens but wishes aren't horses.

"I'll do anything to get you out of here. I promise," I whispered tearfully, pressing a gentle kiss on his forehead