Met My Man When I Was Broke

CHAPTER9

CHAPTER 9

DAMIAN POV

“Lowen, how’s the case?” I asked my friend as we sat in my office. Lowen and Adam had come to visit me.

Lowen took a sip of his coffee before answering.

“Well, this case involving Estella is likely to win now that she’s of legal age. That damn uncle of hers is truly evil. I found evidence that he bribed the nun at the orphanage where you and Estella stayed, just to make her life miserable. This evidence strengthens our case significantly,” Lowen explained.

I had always thought Estella was just an orphan without any relatives. Turns out, she had an uncle who took everything from her. I swear, I’ll make that man pay. I know what Estella went through back then. She was just a kid.

“I feel sorry for her. How could a girl like her go through such hardship?” Adam commented quietly.

I felt a wave of sympathy from my friend. Yeah, Estella deserved so much better.

“Yeah, me too. That’s why I’m willing to help her now. I’m Lowen—the greatest lawyer of all time,” Lowen said with a proud grin.

We all looked at him like, Here we go again—full of himself, as usual.

But honestly, I was grateful. Lowen didn’t want any payment for this case; he just loved taking on challenges like this.

I glanced at my visitors with a mix of amusement and mild annoyance. “By the way, why are you guys here again? I can’t get any work done with you two around.”

Adam shrugged lazily. “I’m bored.”

“Me too,” Lowen chimed in, “and hey, your coffee here is really good. What was the name of your sexy secretary again?”

I rolled my eyes. “Gago, you’re such a fuckboy. Don’t use my people for your libido, okay?”

Lowen laughed. “Hey, don’t be selfish, Damian.”

I raised an eyebrow. “Seriously, don’t you guys have any work to do?”

Adam stretched. “My company works fine without me constantly monitoring it.”

Lowen nodded. “And this? This is my break.”

I shook my head and smiled. “You two are hopeless.”

“Exactly,” Adam said, grinning. “Which is why we came to bother you.”

“Lucky me,” I muttered, taking another sip of my coffee.

I continued working at my desk while the two idiots remained comfortably settled on my couch—Lowen scrolling endlessly on his phone, and Adam too immersed in his mobile game to even blink.

“Oh no—do you see the news?” Lowen suddenly blurted out, sitting up straight.

I looked at him. His face had gone pale.

“What is it now, Lowen?” Adam asked, eyes still fixed on his screen.

Lowen didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he turned to me with wide eyes. “Damian… check your phone. Now.”

Curiosity got the better of me. I unlocked my phone and opened the news app—and that’s when I saw it.

The headline hit me like a punch in the gut.

BUSINESS TYCOON SPOTTED IN PARIS WITH MYSTERY WOMAN—IDENTIFIED AS VALERIE BUSTAMANTE.

My father.

And Valerie.

My ex.

Together.

In Paris.

In a luxury hotel.

Like some kind of twisted honeymoon.

“Bro…” Lowen said, breaking the silence. “Your ex is having an affair with your own father.”

My heart dropped.

My grip tightened on my phone.

Fuck that.

My father was a widower. So yeah, I get it—he has every right to find someone new.

But her?

Valerie?

Of all people, it had to be my ex. The one woman who messed me up so bad, I swore I’d never fall like that again.

Valerie wasn’t just some girl I dated. She was the one I loved back in college—the kind of love you think is forever. I supported her, even when I was always in the background. I cheered her on when she started chasing the spotlight. I stood by her, even when her world started to grow bigger than mine.

And what did she do?

She used me.

When her career took off, she dropped me like I was nothing. Just a stepping stone. A silent supporter. Not once did she look back.

Now she’s with him? My own father?

That wasn’t just betrayal.

That was a slap in the face.

[ESTELLA POV]

I headed to the gym downstairs—it was one of the perks of living in this building. With my earphones in, I started my workout routine, hoping to silence my thoughts with music and movement.

Lately, I’ve been trying to get rid of the stubborn belly fat that’s been bothering me. So here I am again, back on the treadmill, trying to stay consistent. I pressed play on my workout playlist and grinned when Crazy in Love by Beyoncé blasted into my ears.

Perfect.

Since the gym was empty, I didn’t hold back. I turned the volume all the way up and even sang along under my breath—okay, maybe a little louder than that. Who cares? No one was around, and I was having fun.

I closed my eyes for a moment, feeling the rhythm pump through my veins.

“Got me lookin' so crazy right now—your love's got me lookin' so crazy right now,” I belted out, giving it my full Beyoncé energy. Hands slightly swaying, feet in rhythm, hips moving a little too much for a treadmill workout, but who cares?

For a second, I imagined I was in a music video. A sweaty, gym-themed one. But still—a video. I was in my zone. Queen Bey would be proud.

I didn’t notice the gym door open behind me.

Unbothered and too caught up in the chorus, I kept singing, “Oh ohhh ohh ohh”

Apparently, I was giving a full-on concert. And I only realized something was off when I felt a slight shift in the atmosphere—like someone was watching me.

I opened one eye cautiously, slowing the treadmill down. My heart didn’t stop from the workout—but from sheer mortification.

There he was.

A tall guy by the dumbbell racks, towel slung over one shoulder, water bottle in hand, and a grin he clearly wasn’t trying to hide.

What. The. Actual. Hell.

Where did he come from?

He leaned against the mirror, arms crossed now, amused like he’d just stumbled into an exclusive Beyoncé concert.

“You’ve got some serious stage presence,” he said, voice low but clearly entertained.

My face went red.

Oh my gee. I forgot to turn the volume down. I forgot to stop singing. And I probably sounded like a goat on high notes.

I yanked out my earphones immediately. “You—uh—I didn’t know someone else was here,” I stammered.

“Clearly,” he said with a chuckle. “And yet, I don’t regret walking in when I did.”

Great. I wanted the ground to open up and swallow me whole.

“Don’t mind me, miss. You can continue your concert over there,” he added, teasing, motioning to the treadmill like it was my personal stage.

I let out an awkward laugh, pressing the stop button as fast as I could.

“Concert's over. Beyoncé just retired.”

He grinned. “That’s a shame. I was kind of enjoying the private show.”

This man is so handsome. Like, stupidly handsome. Tall, with a relaxed confidence and eyes that looked like they could charm the whole gym if they wanted to.

I gave him an awkward smile, the kind that says please stop looking at me but also maybe don’t stop just yet. “Well… next time I’ll bring backup dancers,” I muttered, half-joking as I turned my focus back to the treadmill.

He chuckled again, but didn’t say more.

I resumed my workout, pretending to be unbothered while turning the music down just enough so I could hear if he moved. Which he did. A few minutes later, I saw him out of the corner of my eye heading to the weights section.

After an hour of exercise, I decided to head back to my unit. I packed up my things, wiping the sweat from my forehead. Through the glass walls of the gym, I noticed the man from earlier was still working out, focused and determined.

As I turned to leave, suddenly a voice stopped me.

“Hey, Miss! Your tumbler,” he called out, holding up a water bottle I hadn’t realized I dropped near the treadmill.

I paused and smiled, walking back toward him.

“Thanks,” I said, taking it from his hand.

He smiled warmly. “I’m Rael, by the way. I own a unit here too.”

“Oh, nice to meet you, Rael. I’m Estella Railey,” I replied, offering my hand.

He shook it firmly. “Pleasure meeting you, Estella. Looks like we’re neighbors.”

I chuckled softly, feeling a little more at ease. Maybe this gym wouldn’t be so lonely after all.