CHAPTER THREE

Lexien’s POV:

No matter how many times Ma’am Esmeralda offered to send someone with me, I gently refused. I reasoned that I still had documents to complete for her upcoming investor meeting. Truthfully, I just didn’t want to be a burden.

“Okay, okay,” she gave in with a small smile. “I’ll have food delivered for you. Make sure you eat well, alright?”

“Thank you, Ma’am, but I’ll be fine,” I politely declined again, but she gave me a sharp look.

“There it is again—another ‘no’ from YOU."

“You need to eat, hija.You’re getting too thin. Your family might think I’m working you to the bone and not feeding you properly.”

“Yes, Ma’am. T-thank you,” I said, feeling like I was being mothered.

“I have to go. Go home early too, alright?” she said, kissing me on the cheek. I wasn’t surprised—she always did that before leaving.

“Yes, Ma’am. Take care, and thank you again for the food,” I replied.

She simply nodded and left.

A few hours later, the food Ma’am ordered finally arrived. So here I am now, eating in front of the computer, trying to finish the paperwork she asked for. I want to get it done so I can finally take a day off—my friend’s already sulking about not seeing me.

I paused mid-typing when Sir Marco suddenly crossed my mind. My stomach turned. Ma’am Esme’s plan replayed in my head like a warning I couldn’t ignore. It was the first time I’d ever heard Sir Marco sound that angry. I didn’t know how to process it—my anxiety spiked, my thoughts spiraled. I didn’t know what to think anymore. Everything just felt like a mess.

I brushed my hands through my hair, trying to calm my nerves. 9:30 p.m. blinked back at me from the screen.

“Wow… I didn’t even notice the time.”

I had just started gathering my things when the door slammed open with a force that echoed through the room—like it had been kicked. I froze.

My eyes flew wide in shock. It was Sir Marco—his face stormy with rage. The way he marched toward me made my heart pound. Without thinking, I stepped back.

“Where is Mom?!” he demanded when he got close enough. I could smell his expensive cologne mixed with the sharp scent of alcohol. 'Oh no, he’s drunk,'

“S-she already went home, Sir,” I stammered.

A chill ran through my body when he looked me over from head to toe, his eyes locking on my ID. I quickly tried to cover it with my hand, but it was too late. His eyes narrowed.

'Oh no. I’m dead.'

“Tsssk! So, you’re Lexien Mendez?!”

I looked down, my heart pounding harder.

“So, it’s you,” he hissed, stepping closer. “I don’t know what you did to my mother, but this? This isn’t her.”

I kept moving back until I had nowhere else to go. My back met the cold wall, and my heartbeat thundered in my ears.

“S-sir, w-what do you mean?”

“Tssk! How much do you want?”

“P-pardon?”

“Tsk! Don’t act innocent. I know my mom behind this. She paid you to play along, didn’t she?”

The bitter smell of alcohol filled the space between us. He was inches from my face—I had to look away.

His eyes were too intense, too angry. Like they could burn through me.

“You’re mistaken, Sir. Ma’am Esme didn’t—” I was holding back my tears, trying not to cry.

“Don’t lie to me! I know she paid you! Just tell me—how much? I’ll double it. No—triple it if that’s what it takes!”

“S-Sir Marco—” I couldn’t finish my sentence. He suddenly grabbed both my arms tightly, his fingers digging into my skin.

“Ahh!” I cried out, eyes squeezed shut in pain.

“S-Sir M-Marco, that hurts,” I gasped. He even lifted me slightly off the ground in his grip.

“Look!! Listen to me—and listen well. If you go along with my mom’s twisted plan, this won’t be the last thing I’ll do. I swear, I’ll make your life a nightmare,” he growled, his eyes blazing, veins pulsing in his neck.

“Understood?!”

He suddenly let go of me, making me stumble slightly. He gave me one last deadly glare before storming off.

I stumbled into the nearest chair, shaking uncontrollably. “Oh God…” I whispered, pressing a hand to my chest as my heart thundered. Cold sweat clung to my skin—I’d never felt fear like that before.

He nearly tore me apart in anger—how much worse would it be if we ended up working together?

My mind spiraled with terrifying thoughts. I wiped my face with my hands, realizing they were shaking.

“What do I do now?”

I couldn’t calm down, not even on the ride home. My heart was still racing, thoughts overlapping, refusing to slow. By the time I looked up, I was already outside my apartment. I took a deep breath, trying to shake off the weight in my chest.

I entered quietly. I saw Carla sitting on the couch, fully immersed in her favorite K-drama. She didn’t even notice me enter. I went straight to the kitchen and set aside the food I brought for her. Then I dragged myself to the couch and plopped down beside her, exhausted. I wrapped my arms around her tightly, startling her.

“Are you sick? You’re so pale. Have you eaten?”

“I’m okay, just really tired from work. And yes, I’ve eaten. Ma’am ordered way too much food—so I brought some home for you,” I said, hugging her even tighter.

“Wow, thank you… But why the sudden hug? Hmmm… Did someone upset you? Tell me, and I’ll beat them up.”

“Haha, silly. I just needed a hug,” I said, trying to sound normal. But deep down, I was grateful—grateful for her warmth, her presence, the way she always seemed to show up when I needed her most.

I used to hug her like this whenever I missed Dad. She never needed me to explain.

But this? This was different.

Should I tell her?

No. Not yet.

I hadn’t told her a word about Ma’am Esme’s plan.

“Hmm? Why the hug, bestie?” she pressed.

“Nothing, I just missed you.”

“Liar. You’re being weird.”

“Hehe, I really missed you,” I said with a smile, though deep down, I just wanted to cry. I’d been keeping it all in the whole night—I didn’t want to stress her out, especially now that she’s pregnant.

“Why though?” she still pushed.

I didn’t answer and just hugged her tighter.

“I’m really lucky to have a best friend like you, bestie.”

“You’re such a dork! Of course you are—I'm not just nice, I’m also drop-dead gorgeous! You won’t find anyone like me anywhere else!” she said proudly, and we both burst out laughing.

We stayed like that for a long time—me hugging her tightly while she continued watching. Then I suddenly felt something wet under my nose. When I touched it and looked at my fingers, my eyes widened.

“Oh my God, Lexien! Your nose is bleeding!” She quickly jumped up, grabbing a handful of tissues with worry in her eyes.

“You’re not okay, —I can see it. Please stop pretending. What’s really going on at work?” she asked, her voice firm but soft, her hands gently tending to me. Her concern wasn’t just surface-level—it came from the heart.

“Sit up properly. Move forward a bit. There. Now bend your head down, hold this towel, blow your nose gently, and apply light pressure. Are you dizzy?”

I shook my head and followed her instructions. She watched closely, then sighed.

“That’s it. We’re going to the hospital tomorrow for a check-up.”

“No need. I’m okay. And besides, I already have a nurse,” I teased.

“Oh really? And who’s this so-called nurse, huh?!”

“You. I didn’t know I had a nurse for a best friend,” I said, grinning.

“You still have the nerve to joke! I’m here worried sick, and you’re cracking jokes!”

“It’s just stress, bestie. Don’t worry about me too much. I’m strong. Look—I’m basically Wonder Woman!” I posed dramatically.

“More like Wonder Stick! You’re so skinny!”

“Excuse you—I’m slim, not stick-thin!”

“Tsk! Slim my butt—more like bones and skin!”

“Ouch, go easy on the insults!”

She rolled her eyes at me. I smiled and kept dabbing at my nose.

“Still bleeding?”

“Nope, it stopped.”

“Good. But still, get checked tomorrow, okay? Now go get some rest.”

“Yes, Ma’am. Good night, love you!”

“Good night, love you too!”

The moment I closed the door behind me, the dam broke. Every tear I had fought to hold in came rushing out. I didn’t want Carla to see—she’s soft-hearted, and pregnant at that. She didn’t need my storm. So I pressed my face into the pillow, muffling the sobs, letting the silence swallow my pain… until exhaustion lulled me into uneasy sleep.