Chapter5
957 Words
POV Mateo
I answered a call from one of my subordinates while I was busy in my office.
"What is it, Beatrice? You know I’m busy," I protested, annoyed.
“Sorry, Mr. Mateo, but I have bad news to tell you.”
My forehead creased. The tension in her voice was palpable. "What is it?"
"It’s about Hannah," she whispered.
My breath caught in my throat.
“What happened to her?” I asked coldly, trying to remain calm, even though my heart suddenly raced at the mention of her name.
My emotions were a chaotic mess.
I could hear Beatrice’s frustrated sigh on the other end. Hearing that, I reached for my coffee cup and took a sip to calm my nerves.
"Alejandro has been cheating on her with his ex, Jessica. He even divorced Hannah and took over the entire Baxlor family assets."
It felt like I was choking. My chest was hit by a thousand arrows.
"Even Jacob has died because of Alejandro," Beatrice added.
I froze. Was I having a nightmare? My father’s friend died, and I didn’t know. Worse, his death was caused by his son-in-law!
‘Bastard!’ My hands clenched so tightly that my nails dug into my skin.
“What do you want me to do, sir?”
“Keep an eye on her. Don’t let that bastard hurt her, not even a little. Or I’ll destroy you,” I threatened seriously.
“Y-yes, Mr. Mateo.”
I ended the call and immediately dialed Alejandro.
“How are you, Mr. Mateo—”
"I want to meet with you to discuss our Golden Vista project," I interrupted, not in the mood for small talk.
“I’m thrilled to hear that. Where would you like to meet, Mr. Mateo?” The bastard’s voice sounded happy.
“At your mansion, tomorrow,” I replied firmly.
There was a pause between us. Alejandro didn’t answer right away. Maybe he was surprised by my decision.
“Are you sure, Mr. Mateo?”
“Why? Don’t you like the idea?”
“Of course not. I’d be very happy to have you visit our mansion, Mr. Mateo,” Alejandro chuckled warmly, making me want to puke.
“Bring your wife with you because I want to meet her.”
“Alright.”
The next day, I headed straight to Alejandro’s mansion, flanked by dozens of my bodyguards. When I got out of the car, Alejandro was already waiting for me in the lobby with a woman I didn’t recognize.
Seeing this, my chest burned with rage. How dare he discard Hannah for this w***e, but I kept my composure.
Alejandro led me to the meeting room they had prepared.
"Where’s your wife?"
"Here she is, Mr. Mateo." Alejandro proudly introduced the w***e to me. She extended her hand with a shy smile, but I only stared at it coldly.
“Welcome, Mr. Mateo.” I instinctively turned toward the door. My mouth dropped open, and I couldn’t blink when I saw Hannah wearing a fiery red dress that showed off her chest and shoulders.
The air suddenly felt hot. My body burned with desire. But I pretended to raise an eyebrow, puzzled.
"Isn’t Hannah your wife, Alejandro? Then who is she?" I asked, glaring at Camilla.
“She… she…” Alejandro stuttered while the woman named Camilla bowed her head in shame.
“Is she your mistress?” I guessed.
I secretly smirked. Alejandro was so naive. Who did he think he was, hurting Hannah? I swore I’d bring Alejandro back to his original place—a poor businessman.
“It’s been a long time since we last met, Mr. Mateo. I hope you haven’t forgotten the daughter of your father’s friend,” Hannah interjected.
After some pleasantries, she invited me to a guest room. It was just the two of us, and my desire only grew stronger. Especially with her in that sexy dress, flaunting her ample chest and smooth shoulders.
I loosened my tie as heat spread through my body. I couldn’t stop cursing as I hardened at the worst possible time.
“What do you want to talk about?” I asked coldly.
“I want you to cancel your partnership with Alejandro, my ex-husband, Mr. Mateo.”
I pretended to be surprised when she mentioned their divorce, but it was exactly what I’d hoped for.
"I’ll cancel it."
My heart warmed at the sight of her happiness.
But before she could thank me, I interrupted, "But on one condition." I leaned in, staring at her intensely.
“What’s that?” Hannah tensed up but tried to hide it with a calm demeanor.
“Marry me.”
It felt like a bomb had gone off in my chest. The atmosphere between us grew awkward.
I drummed my fingers on the armrest, waiting for her answer. My heart pounded so hard I was afraid Hannah might hear it.
For the first time, I was afraid of being rejected by a woman. I had confessed my feelings to many women—actresses, businesswomen, daughters of billionaires—but I had never been this nervous.
But I had no other choice.
Hannah’s downfall was my fault. If I hadn’t rejected the arranged marriage my father and Uncle Jacob had planned, Hannah wouldn’t have lost her love, her father, and her wealth.
I felt guilty, so I felt the need to take responsibility and protect Hannah from Alejandro’s clutches.
Hannah’s expression was one of shock. She immediately turned away, unwilling to look at me. There was clear disappointment in her brown eyes.
For the first time in my life, I felt disappointed. Had I, the richest man in the USA, just been rejected by a woman?
- Writer
