Chapter Seven: Jealousy Sparks

Monterrey, Mexico – 3:00 p.m.

After the exhausting brunch and the even more exhausting photoshoot, Valeria decided she deserved a moment of peace.

So, when Alejandro mentioned a last-minute meeting with some "potential collaborators," she waved him off.

“Go. Network. Build your empire. I’ll stay here and… not exist.”

He smirked but left without another word.

Valeria changed into comfy leggings and a hoodie and planted herself on the plush sectional, flicking through the penthouse’s endless TV options. She should have felt relaxed, but her mind kept replaying the way Alejandro had looked at her earlier, the way his fingers had brushed hers like it meant something.

It was dangerous.

It was stupid.

It was... hopelessly addictive.

She was still stewing in confusion when a sharp buzz announced a visitor.

Frowning, she padded to the door and opened it — only to find a tall, stunning woman standing there, all perfect blonde waves and a body poured into designer jeans.

"Hi," the woman said with a megawatt smile. "I'm Sofia."

Valeria blinked. "Uh, hi?"

Sofia laughed lightly, tossing her hair. "You must be Valeria. Alejandro told me about you."

Told her what, exactly?

Sofia breezed past her into the living room like she owned the place.

Valeria closed the door slowly, her mind racing. She barely had time to catch up before Sofia turned to her with a conspiratorial wink.

"So," Sofia said, plopping gracefully onto the couch. "How long have you and Alejandro been… 'engaged'?"

Valeria bristled at the air quotes but forced a smile. "A few weeks."

"Wow. Fast mover," Sofia said, arching a brow. "Alejandro's not usually the…committing type."

Valeria clenched her jaw. "People can surprise you."

Sofia chuckled. "True. He certainly surprised me when he dumped me via email."

Valeria's brain short-circuited.
Ex-girlfriend?!

Before she could come up with a neutral response, the door opened again — and in walked Alejandro, looking tired, distracted, and way too good in his casual suit jacket and open-collar shirt.

He froze when he saw Sofia lounging in his living room.

"Sofia," he said tightly. "What are you doing here?"

"I was in town. Thought I'd drop by," Sofia said airily. "You didn’t answer my texts."

Valeria crossed her arms. "You gave her your address?"

Alejandro shot her a warning look, but Valeria was already too riled up.

Sofia rose gracefully and walked toward Alejandro, placing a hand on his chest with far too much familiarity.

"I missed you," she said, pouting.

Valeria’s stomach twisted painfully.

This was none of her business.

They were fake. This was fake.

And yet…

She stepped forward, sliding her hand into Alejandro’s free one, her fingers curling possessively around his.

"He’s a little busy," she said sweetly. "With his fiancée."

Sofia’s eyes flicked to their joined hands, and something icy flashed across her features before she smoothed it away.

"Of course," she said, voice dripping with insincerity. "Congratulations."

Alejandro squeezed Valeria’s hand lightly, a silent thank you.

Sofia grabbed her designer purse and sauntered toward the door.

"Well, don’t let me interrupt. Best of luck with... everything."

The moment the door clicked shut behind her, Valeria yanked her hand away and turned on Alejandro.

"Are you serious right now?" she snapped. "Your ex just shows up at your house?!"

"I didn’t invite her," he said, rubbing his temples.

"But you didn’t exactly look surprised to see her either!"

Alejandro dropped his hands and met her furious gaze head-on.

"What would you have me do, Valeria? Slam the door in her face?"

"YES!" she exploded. "If you’re supposedly in love with me, YES!"

The words hung between them, heavy and electric.

Alejandro’s expression darkened. He stalked toward her until there was barely a breath of air between them.

"You’re the one who said this was fake," he said, voice low and dangerous. "You wanted lines. Boundaries. Rules."

"Maybe I changed my mind!" she burst out, shocking even herself.

Silence.

Alejandro’s eyes burned into hers, searching, demanding.

"You’re jealous," he said, a thread of wonder in his tone.

Valeria opened her mouth to deny it, but nothing came out. She hated how exposed she felt, how vulnerable.

"You’re jealous," he repeated, softer this time.

She shoved at his chest, but he caught her wrists easily, holding her without hurting her.

"And you like it," he whispered.

"I hate you," she spat, but it came out sounding breathless and desperate.

He smiled, that slow, devastating smile that turned her insides into molten chaos.

"Liar," he said, before slanting his mouth over hers.

The kiss wasn’t gentle.

It was wild, clashing teeth and frantic hands, weeks of tension finally snapping.

Valeria clutched at him like he was the only thing keeping her grounded, and maybe he was. Maybe she’d been falling from the moment she agreed to this farce, and now there was no safety net.

He backed her against the wall, his hands bracketing her face, his body pressed to hers.

When they finally broke apart, gasping, Valeria rested her forehead against his chest.

"This is a bad idea," she whispered.

"The worst," he agreed, but he didn’t let her go.

---

Later that night

Valeria sat on her bed, knees drawn to her chest, replaying everything.

The kiss.

The way Alejandro had looked at her — like she wasn’t a convenience, but a necessity.

She was in trouble.

Deep, irreparable trouble.

Because somewhere along the way, pretending had stopped feeling like pretending.

And the scariest part?

She wasn’t sure she wanted it to end.