Chapter Three: A Proposal and a Promise

Alonso's pov

"Señor Ignacio, Vincent Parker is still insisting on meeting with you," Miguel says, stepping into my office. "He claims it’s urgent."

I don’t look up from my paperwork. "Schedule it for tomorrow at 8:00 a.m."

Miguel hesitates. "Are you sure? He seems "

"I said tomorrow," I cut in, flipping to the next document. "Let him wait."

Vincent Parker is a name I’ve heard before ,an opportunist, a man who built his wealth on risky ventures and even riskier alliances. His company is struggling, and I already know what he wants. A deal. An investment. A lifeline.

But I don’t give handouts.

He nodded and left. I didn't expect much from this meeting ,another futile business pitch, no doubt. If nothing else, I’d put an end to his insistence once and for all.

The next morning, I had just cleared my desk when the door swung open, and Vincent Parker strode in with an exaggerated smile.

"Good morning, Mr. Ignacio!" His tone was far too cheery for a man on the verge of financial ruin.

I gestured toward the chair across from me. "Proceed, Mr. Parker. I don’t have time for small talk."

Vincent sat without hesitation, his self-assuredness grating. "I’m here to discuss an investment opportunity," he began, launching into his proposal.

I let him talk, though I barely listened. I had no interest in whatever scheme he was about to present. When he finally slid a stack of papers toward me, I skimmed them briefly before setting them down with little interest.

"Your company’s financials are underwhelming," I stated bluntly. "This project has no potential."

His expression faltered before he forced his usual confident smile. "I assure you, Mr. Ignacio, with your investment, we can push it to new heights."

"I’m not interested, Mr. Parker. Your company is not a viable investment opportunity."

Vincent’s jaw tightened. I expected him to argue, to persist,he always did. But instead, his smile shifted, his tone dropping into something far more calculated.

"If you won’t consider the project, then I have something else to propose."

I raised an eyebrow, waiting.

"My daughter, Skyla, recently graduated from art school. She’s a bright young woman. Why don’t you marry her, Mr. Ignacio?"

For the first time in this conversation, he had my full attention. My spine stiffened, my fingers curling slightly over the armrests of my chair. "What use is she to me?" The words left my lips before I could stop them.

Vincent leaned forward, his smirk growing. "You’ll have to figure that out. But she won’t interfere with your business. She’ll mind her own affairs, and you can still do as you please. It’ll be mutually beneficial."

I said nothing, but my silence encouraged him.

"It’ll solve your problem with Alejandro,give him the mother figure he needs."

My jaw tightened. He had struck where he knew I was most vulnerable. Alejandro.

"I’m not interested in your daughter, Mr. Parker. This meeting is over." My voice was cold, final.

Vincent, however, was undeterred. "She’ll make a great mother for your son, Mr. Ignacio. After all, I’ve heard he has no mother."

The words were a deliberate provocation. My muscles tensed, but I forced myself to remain composed. "I said, I’m not interested. Please leave my office."

He stood, adjusting his suit jacket, but the smug glint in his eyes remained. "Very well, Mr. Ignacio. You don’t have to give me an answer now. But think about it."

I didn’t reply. I simply watched as he left, the door clicking shut behind him.

The room felt colder in his absence, but his words lingered. Marrying his daughter? The very idea was absurd. He was a desperate man grasping at any solution to his problems.

Shaking off my irritation, I focused on the one thing that mattered: Alejandro.

By the time I arrived home that evening, the exhaustion of the day settled over me. María greeted me warmly at the door.

"Cómo estás, Ana? Cómo está mi hijo?" I asked, my voice softer than it had been all day. (How are you, Ana? How is my son?)

"He’s eaten and gone to sleep, sir," she replied with a kind smile. "He asked about you before bed."

Guilt pricked at me. I should’ve been home sooner. Nodding, I dismissed her to prepare my dinner and made my way upstairs.

Alejandro was curled up in bed, his breathing even, his small fingers clutching his blanket. I sat on the edge of the bed and brushed a stray curl from his forehead.

He stirred slightly but didn’t wake. I leaned down, pressing a kiss to his forehead. "Te quiero, mi hijo," I murmured. (I love you, my son.)

He sighed in his sleep, snuggling deeper into the covers.

After freshening up, I ate dinner in thoughtful silence. My mind kept returning to Vincent’s proposal, but I pushed it aside. It wasn’t worth my attention.

The next morning, I awoke to small hands shaking my shoulder.

"Papá, papá, despierta! Es mañana!" Alejandro’s excited voice rang through the room as he climbed onto my bed. (Dad, Dad, wake up! It’s morning!)

I cracked one eye open, suppressing a tired chuckle. "Buenos días, mi hijo. Vamos a empezar el día." (Good morning, my son. Let’s start the day.)

Alejandro beamed. "You promised to be home early, Papa."

I ruffled his curls. "Sí, lo prometí. And I don’t go back on my word, verdad?" (Yes, I promised. And I don’t go back on my word, right?)

"A man can’t go back on his word," he declared proudly.

I laughed. "Very well, mi hijo. Now, let’s get ready for school. Vamos a desayunar." (My son) (Let's have breakfast.)

That evening, after tucking Alejandro into bed, I hesitated before asking, "Te gustaría tener una mamá?" (Would you like to have a mommy?)

His big, round eyes lit up. "Sí, Papá! Will she love me like you do? Will she read bedtime stories to me?"

A lump formed in my throat. I had never considered marriage outside of necessity, but Alejandro’s innocent excitement made my chest tighten.

"She will love you, I’m sure of it," I assured him. "But who wouldn’t love a boy like you?"

He grinned. "I know she will be nice."

I smoothed his hair back, my thoughts returning to Vincent’s offer.

I had dismissed it outright, but Alejandro’s words made me pause.

Would a mother figure be good for him? Would it truly be so terrible to consider the proposal?

For the first time, I let myself wonder.