Lucas appeared serious as he stared at his laptop screen, lost in thought, until the arrival of his secretary went unnoticed.
"Sir," Carlos said for who knows how many times. And this time, he managed to catch Lucas's attention. Carlos walked closer to Lucas's desk and placed a brown folder on it.
For a brief moment, Carlos stole a glance at the flat screen that his boss had been staring at intently. Carlos could clearly see, even for just a few moments, that it was a picture of the top model Luna Estrada, who would eventually become his boss's wife. Carlos finally understood what had distracted his boss for a while.
"Here's all the information you requested," Carlos said, taking a step back. Lucas opened the envelope and pulled out several documents and photos.
"So, she's his girlfriend?" Lucas said, looking at each photo in his hand.
"According to the information I gathered, they are in a relationship."
"For how long?"
"Two years, and it's still ongoing," Carlos replied, causing Lucas to look at him momentarily. Lucas tossed all the photos and documents that Carlos had provided onto the table and leaned back in his oversized chair. Carlos could see Lucas slightly curling his lips.
"So, she's into gentle and romantic men, right? She's a pianist who's not very famous. I guess she's only driven by her feelings for him," Lucas mused.
"Do you need any other information?"
"Arrange a meeting with my future wife. I can't wait to meet her," Lucas said with a smile that was hard for Carlos to interpret. Carlos simply nodded and went to carry out his boss's orders and plans. He had to start rearranging Lucas's schedule to meet the top model with a busy schedule, which wouldn't be easy, especially since Carlos had found out that Luna Estrada was a bit complex in her demeanor.
After Carlos left the room, Lucas picked up his phone from the table and began trying to contact someone.
"Hello," Lucas said with a bright smile, a warm expression he rarely showed to anyone, even to Adams.
"........."
"So, how are the kids?" Lucas asked again, turning his oversized chair to face the large glass wall that showcased the city of Los Angeles. The Alvarez building, his current location, was the tallest in the city. No wonder Lucas felt like he towered over everyone else, making them seem like ants.
Lucas seemed enthusiastic as he listened to someone on the other end of the phone, occasionally responding and smiling as if the conversation was genuinely enjoyable, something that rarely happened when Lucas talked to anyone.
"I'm getting married. Well, of course, Grandfather is forcing me, but before the wedding day, I'll definitely meet you and the kids. I miss you all," Lucas said, briefly looking melancholic but then returning to his warm smile when talking about the children he referred to.
"Tell them, Carlos will send the gifts they asked for. Maybe everything will arrive by tomorrow, and I'm sorry, it's still difficult for me to meet you all right now. I still have some important matters to attend to," Lucas said regretfully, as if he didn't want to disappoint the person on the other end of the phone.
"Alright, I'll hang up now. Don't worry about me, I can handle everything," Lucas added before ending the call and pressing the intercom on his desk.
"Carlos, come in!" Shortly after, Carlos entered and briefly lowered his head.
"Have you prepared all the toys I requested the other day?"
"Yes, sir, everything is ready."
"Good. I want you to send them immediately, and by tomorrow, all those toys should be in their hands," Lucas requested in his usual flat and cold tone that he typically used with people. It was quite a departure from the warm and smiling Lucas from a little while ago.
"Alright, I'll send them as soon as possible," Carlos said, then lowered his head before turning to leave and carry out his tasks. However, his steps halted when Lucas spoke up again.
"Oh, and one more thing, arrange a meeting for me at one of our hotels, and I want to be accompanied by the sound of a piano during dinner with my future wife!" Lucas said with a grin on his lips, causing Carlos to furrow his brow. Could it be that his boss's plans were exactly what he was thinking?
"Do you want Albert, the pianist that I_____"
"Carlos, that's too cruel. Aren't they a couple? How could I introduce them when I'm the one who will eventually be her husband?" Lucas said, confusing Carlos and making him rethink whether his previous assumptions were wrong. But then Carlos truly praised himself for understanding his boss's nature so well, having followed him for over eight years.
"But in my opinion, it's not a bad idea. Who knows, my future wife might be proud to show me off to her lover. Alright, arrange everything, and we'll see how they react," Lucas said, then reached for the folder on his desk that he hadn't touched since morning due to being preoccupied with his upcoming plans.
"Very well, sir. Excuse me," Carlos said before leaving Lucas's presence.
Once Carlos was gone, Lucas began to imagine how enjoyable it would be to play around with his future wife. He wondered what kind of reaction Luna Estrada would give him. Lucas knew she was a top model who was quite arrogant and conceited, not unlike himself. The only difference was that Lucas could control his emotions and behave without exploding, unlike Luna Estrada, who always expressed her emotions and dislikes openly, displaying her arrogance to anyone who underestimated her, even deliberately provoking those around her.
Lucas was convinced that a woman like Luna would prioritize her genuine feelings over being forced into a marriage. He could already guess that Luna wouldn't easily agree to this arranged marriage. However, one aspect of Luna's personality that she couldn't deny was her desire for luxury and maintaining her status in her career. By marrying Lucas, Luna could retain all of that, and perhaps she might be willing to let go of her romantic feelings for her lover.
"I'm eagerly awaiting our meeting," Lucas mumbled as he looked at his laptop screen, which still displayed the image of a top model who would become his future wife, Luna Estrada.
In accordance with Lucas' request, Carlos painstakingly arranged the first meeting between his boss and his prospective wife. Despite facing several rejections, with the help of his own grandfather Rico, Luna ultimately had to agree to the meeting.A Bugatti Veyron car came to a halt in front of a renowned hotel building in Los Angeles. It's not hard to guess the owner of this luxurious hotel, which was undoubtedly under Alvarez's umbrella. The grandeur became evident upon entering the hotel lobby, adorned with luxurious classical impressions, artistic sculptures in every corner, and large crystal chandeliers hanging in the center, adding to the beauty. However, all eyes turned as Luna entered the hotel, a recognizable figure—a beautiful model with elegance, clad in luxurious and elegantly designed attire by a renowned designer, enhancing her perfection.Luna continued to stride arrogantly, ignoring the admiring and inquisitive gazes. This was a regular meal for her, as she was accust
Turns out, it was indeed Albert. Longing filled Luna as she gazed at Albert; the anger she had built up over the past three days seemed to dissipate into thin air. With his face in view, she closed her eyes, immersing herself in the melody of his piano playing."Albert," Luna murmured, her voice more like a whisper, and of course, Albert couldn't hear her."Albert," Luna repeated, this time her voice trembling slightly. Luna didn't know what to say to Albert. She still loved her partner deeply, and she had also agreed to the arranged marriage set up by her grandfather. So, what should Luna say to Albert? She shook her head as the word "breakup" crossed her mind. No, I can't do it, Luna thought."Albert," this time she spoke as calmly as possible, confident that Albert could hear her."Albert," Luna called again, but he seemed lost in his piano playing, either deliberately ignoring her or completely absorbed in the music.Brakk.Luna slammed her hand onto the piano keys, causing Albert
Luna kept walking and quickened her pace, hoping to catch up with Albert who had gone somewhere unknown."I need to meet him. I have to find him," the sentence echoed in Luna's steps like a mantra. In one of the corridors, Luna encountered Carlos, who seemed slightly surprised to see her. Ignoring his expression, Luna walked towards Carlos."Where is he?" Luna asked, causing Carlos to furrow his brow."Where's Albert? I'm sure you know, don't you?" Luna asked once again, finally making Carlos understand."I believe Mr. Albert is heading to his room.""What's the room number? Quickly tell me!" Luna impatiently expressed her desire to meet Albert, pressuring Carlos to reveal Albert's whereabouts."3025," after mentioning the room number where Albert was staying, Luna walked away. But Carlos's words stopped her once more."Sir Lucas____""Just attend to your master and say thank you for his dinner," Luna said sarcastically, causing Carlos to blink and watch Luna leave, realizing she must
Albert's decision was the opposite of what Luna had in mind. Perhaps fate would grant Albert's wish, that Luna truly would come to despise him."Whose goodness are you talking about, huh?" Luna's question shattered Albert's reverie. He looked into Luna's eyes, which blazed with anger."Answer me, whose goodness are you referring to? What kindness, huh?" Luna snapped."Not like that, this is for our own good, babe. I know you're destined to be matched with the Alvarez heir, and I believe that's the best for you," Albert tried to justify the thoughts Luna had already grasped."Only I have the right to determine what's best for myself, not you or anyone else. I'm the one who feels it, so stop acting like this.""Babe____""Do you really love me? Why do you avoid me so easily, huh? Is it because of that old man's threat? He must have met you, right? Whatever he said, did he threaten you? Yes? Tell me quickly. You should have told me everything, and we could have found a solution instead o
"Ughh...!" Luna groaned as the sunlight seeped through the gaps in the curtains, still covering the tall windows of her room. Instead of getting up, Luna pulled the thick blanket that enveloped her body, now covering herself completely. It took about ten seconds for Luna to return to her dream world before someone intentionally pulled the blanket off her."Oh god, Luna, wake up! We're really going to be late this time," with her eyes still closed and feeling heavy, Luna could faintly hear someone cursing her.SrekkkLuna tightly shut her eyes as the sunlight now perfectly illuminated her sleeping form."Come on, wake up! Do you know what time it is?" someone said, their tone exasperated, now hitting Luna's leg with a fluffy pillow. Luna was slightly annoyed and tried to gather her awareness, even though her eyes were still very reluctant to cooperate.Bugh bugh bughLuna felt her leg being continuously hit by the goose feather pillow. It didn't hurt, but irritation grew in her heart.
"Where are you going?" Alicia asked as the final schedule was abruptly canceled. There should have been two more schedules for Luna to go through, but once again, her childish behavior emerged, and she canceled everything. Of course, this made Alicia's head ache yet again."I have to meet my dear future husband, cia," Luna said as she walked towards her beloved Bugatti car, followed by Alicia."Are you going to his office?""I don't know, I don't know where he is now," Luna nonchalantly answered."Then...""It's up to you to find out, dear cia," Luna interrupted, making Alicia sigh in annoyance. "You always give me impromptu tasks like this. If you want to meet him, why didn't you tell me earlier this afternoon? I would have found out his schedule," Alicia grumbled in frustration. Once again, Luna was handing her tasks like this, even though she could have assigned Alicia maybe two hours earlier instead of this impromptu request."I forgot, cia.""Excuses," irritated Alicia said, maki
Luna sat with her legs elegantly crossed, facing Lucas directly across from her. For the past ten minutes, they had remained seated in silence, only exchanging glances. It was as if they could communicate telepathically, and Carlos was caught in the crossfire of their silent interaction. He was still frozen in place, unsure if he should leave or wait for further instructions from either of them."Miss Estrada, do you need something?" Carlos asked, attempting to break the silence that was almost choking him. The silence between Luna and Lucas had become stifling."Wine, Burgundy 1945," Luna replied, slightly raising her chin as she looked at Carlos. Carlos stared back at her in silence, unsure how to respond. The wine she requested was Lucas's favorite and one of the most expensive wines in the world, priced at $558 per bottle, with only 30 bottles available. Carlos glanced briefly at Lucas, who continued to gaze at Luna expressionlessly."Prepare it, Carlos!" Lucas's command snapped C
Luna walked out of the Alvarez Hotel, wine bottle in hand. Occasionally, she took a casual sip from the bottle, ignoring the curious glances from passersby. She marched towards her car and quickly sped away. She was seething with frustration and needed something to take her mind off it. Retrieving her phone, she dialed a number."Hello, what are you doing?" Luna inquired as the call connected."...," came the voice on the other end."I need your help. You always know how to alleviate my annoyance.""...," the voice responded again."Yes, of course. See you. And I hope you won't call the gigolos this time. Just us and a few bottles of drinks," Luna concluded before hanging up. She accelerated her car, racing towards one of the most renowned nightclubs in Los Angeles.Angel Brewery.Luna parked her car upon arriving at the high-end nightclub in the heart of the city. Handing her car keys to the attendant, she walked in. Before entering, she presented her club membership card. This wasn'