Chapter Four: Test of Power

Lucia woke up to sunlight streaming through windows she didn't recognize.

For a second, she forgot where she was.

Then it all came back.

The contract. The money. Alex's face when she told him.

Diego's house.

She sat up. The room was huge. Cream and gold everywhere. Silk sheets. A bathroom bigger than her old bedroom.

It was a golden cage.

Her phone showed 9 AM. Fifteen missed calls twelve texts from Alex. But she couldn't bring herself to look at them.

A knock sounded at the door.

"Miss Gomez?" It was Rosa's. "Breakfast is ready. Mr. Castillo is waiting."

Rolling her eyes, Lucia got up. Found some of her clothes in the closet then put on jeans and a shirt, but didn't bother with makeup.

She wanted Diego to see what he had bought.

Downstairs, the dining room was exactly as pretentious as she remembered. A long table with a crystal chandelier, while Diego sat at the head, reading something on his tablet.

He looked up as she walked in. His eyes tracked over her face. "You look tired."

"Didn't sleep well."

"You'll get used to it." He gestured for her to sit on the chair beside him. 

Lucia sat, then a woman appeared with coffee and poured her a cup.

"Rosa tells me you didn't eat dinner last night," Diego said.

"I wasn't hungry."

"You need to eat. For the baby."

"There is no baby yet."

"There will be once we start IVF next week. Dr. Reyes called to confirm your appointment."

Diego set down his tablet. "The first round of test would be on monday by 10 AM."

Lucia's stomach turned. "That fast? That’s in two days.”

"The sooner, the better. That's what you want, isn't it?"

Yes.

"What about Alex?" The words came out before she could stop them.

Diego's expression went cold. "What about him?"

"Can I see him? The contract said-"

"The contract said you abstain from sexual relations. It doesn't say you can't see him." Diego picked up his coffee. "But I'd prefer you didn't. It complicates things."

"You don't get to control who I see."

"Actually, I do. Page twelve. You live under my roof, you follow my rules. Seeing your ex-boyfriend while trying to get pregnant with my child is a rule I'm not comfortable with."

"He's not my ex-"

"Isn't he? You told him it was over. Santiago heard the whole conversation."

Lucia's jaw clenched. "You had him spy on me?"

"I had him drive you. Not my fault he has ears." Diego leaned back. "Here's what's going to happen. You'll settle in. Get comfortable and start the IVF process. Then in a few weeks after you've adjusted, we can discuss Alex."

"A few weeks-"

"It's generous enough considering you're here to have my baby, not pine over some grocery store clerk."

Her hand rose to a heavy slap across his cheek.

"Don't talk about him like that."

"I'll talk about him however I want. This is my house." Diego stood. "I have meetings all day. Rosa will show you around. Feel free to use the pool, the library, and the gym. Just don't leave the property without clearing it with me first."

"I'm not a prisoner."

"No. You're an employee so act like it." He grabbed his jacket and headed for the door.

Then stopped.

"Oh, and Lucia? My sister Elena is coming for dinner tonight and she doesn't know about our arrangement. As far as she's concerned, you're a friend staying with me so keep it that way."

"You want me to lie?"

"I want you to be discreet. There's a difference." Diego's eyes held hers. "7 PM, and wear something nice."

Then he left.

---

Lucia spent the day exploring the house.

It was ridiculous. Ten bedrooms, a pool that looked like it belonged in a resort, and a library with more books than anyone could ever read in a lifetime.

Everything looked beautiful, expensive, and yet empty.

Around 4 PM, she was in the garden when she heard a car honk.

Not Diego. He wouldn't be back until evening.

In curiosity, she walked to the side of the house, and a white Mercedes pulled into the driveway. 

The door opened and stepping out was a blonde woman who looked slim and yet beautiful in a designer dress and heels that probably cost more than Lucia's old car.

She looked at the house like she owned it. Then she saw Lucia.

Her eyes went sharp and calculating.

"Well well. You must be the new addition." She walked over with, each steps was deliberate. "I'm Anna. Diego's girlfriend."

Lucia's stomach dropped. "Girlfriend?"

“Are you retard too? I’m Diego’s girlfriend." Anna's smile was all teeth. "And you are?"

"Lucia. I'm... staying here for a while."

"Staying here." Anna's eyes traveled up and down Lucia's body. "How generous of Diego. He doesn't usually let strays move in."

The word stray landed like an insult making Lucia's jaw clench. She inhaled, and, responded as calmly as she could in that moment.

"Look Miss, I don’t give a fuck about what’s going on between you and Diego, I won’t stand here and let you insult-"

"Oh, I’m sorry. Don't rush off. I wanted to get to know you better." Anna moved closer. "How exactly do you know Diego?"

Lucia sighed.

"We went to high school together."

"High school." Anna's eyebrow rose. "The mysterious first love it is if I'm not mistaken. He had mentioned you just once. But that was while he was drunk. He simply called you his biggest mistake."

The words hit harder than they should have.

"I'm sure he did."

"So why are you here? After all this time?" Anna tilted her head. "Don't tell me you're trying to rekindle things. Because Diego is mine now. Your time already expired."

“He never mentioned you to me” Lucia moved in slightly.

 “We're working things through." Anna's hand went to her stomach for a second. 

Which Lucia caught the gesture. "Are you-"

"Pregnant? Yes." Anna's smile widened. "Surprise. Ten weeks and it's Diego's baby."

Is Diego's ex is pregnant with his baby? 

"He didn't tell you, did he?" Anna's voice was like a sweet poison. "Of course he didn't. Why would he? Since you're just a rebound. The blast from the past and the girl he's using to forget about me."

"I'm not-"

"Oh please. You're living in his house likely wearing the clothes he bought. Don't play innocent with me." Anna stepped closer. "I know a golddigger when I see one. So just a piece of warning, stay away from Diego."

Lucia's throat was tight. "If Diego wanted you, you would still be together."

"We are together. He just doesn't know it yet." Anna pulled out her phone and showed Lucia a photo of Diego sleeping in a bed Lucia didn't recognize. "Taken three weeks ago. We still see each other. We still-well. Let's just say the chemistry never died."

"You should leave," Lucia's voice came shaking.

"I'm not going anywhere. This is my home too." Anna pocketed her phone. "But here's some friendly advice. Don't get too comfortable and start thinking you matter to him because you don't. You're just a distraction. And once this baby is born? You'll be gone."

"Miss Anna."

They both turned.

Rosa stood at the door. "Mr. Castillo left explicit instructions. You're not welcome on this property."

Anna's mask slipped for a second. "I'm just visiting-"

"You're trespassing. I've already called security, so you have two minutes to leave before they escort you out."

Anna's jaw clenched. She looked at Lucia. "This isn't over."

"Yes, it is. So now leave." Rosa's voice was ice.

Anna got in her car and slammed the door. Then started the engine before rolling down the window. "Enjoy your time here, Lucia. It won't last."

Then she drove away.

Lucia stood there shaking.

Pregnant. Anna was pregnant.

With Diego's baby.

Rosa moved beside her. "Are you alright, miss?"

"Is it true? Is she pregnant?"

Rosa's face gave nothing away. "That's not for me to discuss."

"But you know something."

"I know Miss Anna is not to be trusted. And I know Mr. Castillo would want you to ignore everything she just said."

"She showed me a photo-"

"I have nothing to say about that. Please come inside, miss. You should rest before dinner." Rosa headed for the house.

Lucia didn't follow. She stood in the driveway where Anna's car had been.

Then footsteps came from behind her.

When she turned, Diego stood there. Home early. His face was hard. "I heard Anna was here."

"She said she's pregnant."

Diego's expression didn't change. "And you believed her?"

"Is it true?"

Silence.

"Diego. Is it true?"

"It's complicated."

The words were a confession.

Lucia's breath left her lungs. "Oh my god."

"Lucia-"

"She showed me a photo of you. In bed. Three weeks ago."

Diego's jaw clenched. "That photo is from six months ago. Before we broke up. She's playing with you."

"Maybe I should leave."

"You signed a contract."

"Fuck the contract!" Lucia yanked her arm free. "You lied to me. You brought me here knowing your ex was pregnant-"

"I brought you here because I want you to have my child. Not her. You." Diego's voice was hard. "Anna stole my genetic material. Used IVF without my consent and if the baby truly exists, it most certainly is not something I wanted."

"But it's still your baby."

"Maybe. Maybe not. I won't know until it's born and I can do a DNA test." Diego's eyes were ice. "But that doesn't change this arrangement."

"It changes everything!"

"No. It doesn't." Diego stepped closer. "You're here. You signed. You took the money. And in one week, we start trying for a baby. My baby. With you. Not her."

"You're insane."

"I'm determined." His hand came up. Cupped her jaw. "Anna doesn't matter. What she says doesn't matter. The only thing that matters is you giving me what I paid for."

Lucia shoved his hand away. "Don't touch me."

"I'll be touching you a lot more than that once we start IVF." Diego's voice dropped. "Or did you forget that part? Did you forget what you agreed to?"

Tears burned her eyes. "I hate you."

"You shouldn’t." Then he walks away.