Chapter Three
1079 Words
Maria
I had spent eleven years believing I understood the difference between admiration and attraction.
By lunchtime the next day…
I wasn’t so sure.
The conference room on the twenty-third floor overlooked Hyde Park, its floor-to-ceiling windows flooding the room with sunlight despite the gloomy London weather. Designers, architects and executives chatted over coffee while my team connected laptops to the presentation screen.
I was reviewing my notes for what felt like the tenth time when Sophie leaned closer.
“You’ve read that page three times.”
“I have not.”
“You’ve also looked at the door six times.”
“I was checking if everyone’s here.”
“Mmm-hmm.”
Her grin was infuriating.
“You’re waiting for Mr. Tall, Dark and Spanish.”
I shot her a look.
“I’m waiting for the client.”
“Sure you are.”
Before I could defend myself, the room fell quiet.
Alejandro walked in.
No dramatic entrance.
No entourage announcing his arrival.
Just quiet confidence.
He greeted the receptionist by name, thanked one of the catering staff for the coffee and held the door open for two late executives before taking his seat.
It was such a small thing.
Yet somehow…
I’d never seen Daniel do it.
“Good morning, everyone.”
His voice carried easily across the room.
“Let’s begin.”
The presentation started smoothly.
I spoke about the Barcelona property, our proposed branding strategy and the campaign timeline. Questions came from every corner of the table, each one more detailed than the last.
I welcomed them.
This was the part of my job I loved most.
“…which is why we’ve recommended warmer tones throughout the guest experience,” I explained, changing the slide.
“It reflects the Mediterranean lifestyle rather than simply selling luxury.”
One of the board members frowned.
“Luxury is exactly what we’re selling.”
Before I could answer, Alejandro spoke.
“No.”
Every head turned toward him.
“We’re selling how people want to feel.”
Silence settled over the room.
He looked at me.
“Wouldn’t you agree, Miss Bellington?”
For a second…
I’d forgotten how to speak.
Then I smiled.
“Completely.”
I walked closer to the screen.
“People don’t remember thread counts or marble finishes.”
I clicked to the next slide.
“They remember how a place made them feel.”
Alejandro leaned back in his chair, watching me with quiet satisfaction.
“Exactly.”
The meeting continued for another hour.
By the end, the board unanimously approved our proposal.
As everyone gathered their things, congratulations echoed around the room.
“Excellent presentation.”
“Very impressive.”
“We’re looking forward to Barcelona.”
I thanked each person before packing away my laptop.
“Miss Bellington.”
I looked up.
Alejandro stood beside the table.
“Would you join me for coffee?”
My heart skipped.
Professional.
This was professional.
“I’m not sure that’s appropriate.”
A faint smile touched his lips.
“I was referring to discussing the campaign.”
“Oh.”
Wonderful, Maria.
“I apologise.”
“Don’t.”
His eyes softened.
“I like that you considered it.”
Before I could decide what that meant, Sophie appeared beside me.
“I’ll take these downstairs,” she said, lifting my laptop bag with an exaggerated smile.
“I’ll meet you in a bit.”
She looked from me to Alejandro and back again.
“I’ll take my time.”
I silently promised to murder her later.
…
The hotel café was surprisingly quiet.
Alejandro waited until I sat before taking the chair opposite me.
“What can I get you?”
“A flat white.”
He nodded to the waiter.
“And one cortado for me.”
When the waiter left, a comfortable silence settled between us.
“So,” he said, “tell me something that isn’t on your CV.”
I laughed.
“That’s an unusual question.”
“I dislike interviews.”
“This isn’t an interview.”
“No.”
His smile was slow.
“It isn’t.”
I wrapped my hands around the warm coffee cup when it arrived.
“I bake.”
He looked genuinely surprised.
“You bake?”
“When I’m stressed.”
“Cakes?”
“Cinnamon rolls.”
He smiled.
“My grandmother would approve.”
“And you?”
“What would never appear on your company profile?”
He pretended to think.
“I play the guitar.”
I blinked.
“I wasn’t expecting that.”
“Why?”
“I don’t know.”
“You imagined I spend my evenings reading financial reports?”
I laughed.
“I might have.”
“I disappoint you.”
“Not at all.”
He held my gaze.
“I’m relieved.”
My phone vibrated across the table.
Daniel ❤️
The smile faded from my face.
Alejandro noticed the screen but didn’t read it.
Instead, he looked out of the window, giving me privacy.
It was such a thoughtful gesture that it almost hurt.
“I should take this,” I said quietly.
“Of course.”
I answered.
“Hi.”
“Hey, Mari.”
Daniel sounded rushed.
“I’m sorry I missed your call this morning.”
“I didn’t call.”
A pause.
“Oh.”
He laughed awkwardly.
“I’ve had one of those days.”
“It’s okay.”
“I just wanted to let you know I’ll be in Manchester tonight.”
“Tonight?”
“I forgot to mention it.”
Forgot.
Again.
“I’ll be back tomorrow.”
“I see.”
“You sound disappointed.”
“No…”
I glanced across the table.
Alejandro was stirring his coffee, deliberately looking anywhere but at me.
“I’m just busy.”
“We’ll have dinner this weekend.”
“We’ll see.”
“Maria—”
“I have to go.”
I ended the call before he could apologise again.
When I looked up, Alejandro’s eyes met mine.
He didn’t ask who had called.
He didn’t ask if everything was alright.
Instead, he simply slid the small plate of warm almond pastries towards me.
“You haven’t eaten since yesterday.”
I stared at him.
“…How do you know that?”
A corner of his mouth lifted.
“I notice things.”
My breath caught.
Maybe…
That was exactly the problem.
- Writer
