#4

Before heading to my company, I made a quick stop at the hospital to visit Faye’s mother, bringing along a basket of fresh fruits for her.

Upon my arrival, I found Faye’s father there, assisting his wife in getting up.

“Good morning, Uncle and Aunt,” I greeted them as I approached.

I set the fruit basket on the bedside table next to her hospital bed.

“How are you feeling, Aunt?” I inquired.

“I’m feeling better, but I’m sorry for not being able to attend your wedding with our daughter,” she replied.

“It’s alright, Aunt. Your recovery is what matters most right now. We can discuss Faye and our wedding later,” I assured her with a smile.

“Thank you for your understanding, hijo,” she said.

I nodded in response and spent a few minutes with them before excusing myself to go to my company. They didn’t try to stop me.

As I left the ward, I refrained from looking back and headed straight to my car.

However, as I reached my parking spot, a familiar figure caught my eye: the man I had been trying to avoid since the day of my wedding.

He seemed to linger like a shadow, always present yet never approaching, quietly watching my every move.

Now, he leaned against the door opposite my driver’s seat, blocking my way. If I wanted to get in, I had to confront him.

Stepping closer, I shot him a serious look.

“What do you want, Mr. Alcaide?” I asked, my tone steady.

He leaned casually against my car door, arms crossed, his intense gaze locked onto me. A playful smile tugged at the corners of his lips.

I felt a chill run down my spine at that smile; I could see the desire in his eyes, especially when his gaze dropped to my midsection. He teasingly licked his lips, followed by a quick bite—a gesture that made me frown in confusion.

I realized I had made a huge mistake that night, one I had no intention of repeating. I'm straight, and I have no desire to be in a relationship with someone like him, let alone any man.

It felt like a significant misstep that shattered my quiet life, especially now that the guy I hooked up with is pursuing me.

I regretted what happened that night, particularly for having let him take charge, knowing he is also my fiancé's uncle.

"Do I really need to answer that? Hmm," he replied, his gaze lingering on me inappropriately.

"Fuck off, Mr. Alcaide. As I told you yesterday, I have no time to play games with you. So, before my patience runs out, don’t block my path," I warned him, my voice steady despite the turmoil within.

In response to my threat, he let out a soft yet mocking laugh that sent a chill down my spine.

With a casual push off from leaning against my car, he seemed to revel in the power he wielded over the situation.

As soon as he stepped away, I dove inside, and started the engine, eager to escape.

But just as I was about to drive off, he swung the door open with a suddenness that caught me off guard. In a shocking twist, he leaned down and kissed me—no ordinary kiss, but one that lingered, ending with him biting my lip. As he pulled back, a grin spread across his face, and he wiped his lips with a look that bore into me.

"Fuck you!" I cursed, fighting the urge to strike him as he turned away too quickly for me to react.

He raised his hand and waved casually, walking further away with a confidence that infuriated me.

"See you around," I heard him say, the words echoing in my mind like a taunt.

My fists clenched tightly around the steering wheel, and I couldn't help but curse under my breath.

Damn him!

Fueled by a mix of anger and disbelief, I slammed the gas pedal and sped away from the hospital, weaving through traffic without a care in the world.

......

I have earned a reputation as a talented young businessman. By the age of twenty-two, I had already built my own considerable enterprises without any financial assistance from my parents, despite our family being one of the wealthiest in the country, second only to the Alcaide family.

Speaking of the Alcaides, I couldn't help but think of my fiancée's uncle, Clark Alcaide, who feels like a ghost continually haunting me.

"Damn him!"

That thought made me curse again as I recalled our encounter earlier this morning in the hospital parking lot. My fists clenched, and I couldn't resist striking the table in frustration.

At that moment, the manager of my clothing department paused in his explanation of the company's new endorsement.

"Is there something wrong with what I'm saying, Mr. CEO?" he asked, confusion and concern evident on his face.

Frowning, I took a deep breath and adjusted my posture; I was in front of several executive members of the company, and my thoughts were clouded by worries of the Alcaide incident.

After my deep breath, I instructed him to continue with his report. The meeting resumed, albeit with a palpable tension due to my earlier outburst.

Fortunately, the meeting concluded successfully without any further issues and was eventually adjourned.

I returned to my office to continue signing other important documents. While I was engrossed in paperwork, my concentration was interrupted by a knock at my office door.

"Come in," I called out, looking away from what I was reading.

Fave entered, walking towards me with a bright smile on her face.

"Hi!" she greeted cheerfully.

"Why are you here?" I asked as she stopped beside my chair.

"My mom said you visited her earlier. So, I came by to bring you lunch." Her voice was light, and she placed a lunch box on my desk.

She seemed about to say more but then noticed my swollen lip, a result of an earlier encounter with Clark when he kissed me.

"What happened to your lip?" she asked, her brow slightly furrowing as she stared at it.

She raised her hand as if to reach for it, but I flinched away.

"I accidentally bit it while eating breakfast," I replied, concealing the truth.

I couldn't let her know that it was caused by an encounter with her uncle.

No one should know what transpired between Clark and me, as I had no intention of tarnishing my reputation in the eyes of others—especially not because it seemed I had been involved with someone like him.