4. Blind Date

~Esperanza's POV~

I finally found a job.

At first, it was difficult to adjust to the corporate world.

Everyone knew who I was, but the way I worked without engaging in any drama, people around me didn't care about the words they heard earlier.

I was doing well, respected by my colleagues, and slowly rebuilding the confidence that I had lost while living in Carlos's shadow.

I finally moved into a modest apartment and was slowly working towards the life I once lost.

Though I still have shadows that I fight silently.

I still see tiny wriggling fingers of my baby in sleep that always leave me with a wet pillow.

But every cry forces me to believe that one day I'll rise from the ashes and hold my baby boy in my arms.

Though I have no idea when it will happen, I know I'll make this come true.

I just want to focus on my work... How I'll bring my baby back to me… but Valentina thinks otherwise.

She thinks the light I carried once was gone. That I had built walls around my heart.

And now, I need to meet people before I start living like a ghost. Especially men.

I don't need men...

They disgust me now.

But even after hating the idea of being around any man, here I was, in front of an upscale restaurant, waiting for my blind date to begin.

Valentina persuaded me for a week and after everything that she has done for me, I agreed just for one date.

"Just one dinner. What's the worst that could happen? You're already surviving the worst thing imaginable," Valentina smiled at me.

I sharply inhaled, "You know I'm doing this for you..."

"I know," Valentina chirped and left after a tight hug, leaving me alone at a place where I never wanted to be.

My palms were already sweaty. My heart was racing with unpleasant thoughts running through my head, but I was willing to try.

I had been through worse... I'm sure I can handle one dinner that would either change me or make me more stern about how I feel about men.

I walked inside and my eyes immediately found the man waiting by the window, as described by Valentina.

Tall, confident, impeccably dressed while speaking quietly on his phone. Everything about him suggests quiet authority and strength.

For some reason, I found my cheeks heating up.

What the hell was happening with me?

Why was I suddenly hot just by looking at him?

Get a grip, girl. He’s just a man.

Maybe it's the cosy vibes of the restaurant...

But the more I gazed at the man, the more I realised it was due to the man who looked no less than a gentleman, dressed in a white shirt and black trousers, while a black blazer rested beside him.

He was dressed casually, so why was I noticing his every movement as if I'd seen a man with muscles for the first time?

I had been working with my colleagues for more than three months, but never once had anybody caught my attention as he did.

He was still on a call, but as soon as his eyes landed on me, a small smile appeared on his lips, and he immediately walked towards me, disconnecting his call.

"Sorry for keeping you waiting, I'm Diego Alejandro Rowland," He said, extending his hand to me.

A Rowland…?

Oh god...

She didn't find anyone else to set me up with?

He is my boss!

His penetrating gaze seemed to see through me, making me slightly nervous and turning my cheeks warm.

I brushed that feeling off and shook hands with him, but it felt like Diego, my boss instantly read the weak smile behind the forced confidence I was trying to gather.

When our hands brushed, I instantly felt an unfamiliar feeling settle in my chest.

Settling and dangerous...

I don't want to feel that way... Not with him. Not with anyone else.

"Shall we?" Diego asked.

I merely nodded and was instantly guided by Diego to the garden area of the restaurant.

Minutes passed, and I only drank water to calm my nerves.

"I have no idea about you but... I... I didn't sign up for this blind date. But I couldn't deny it either," Diego awkwardly chuckled.

"Was this your best friend's idea too?" I asked with a nervous chuckle leaving my mouth.

"Kind of... It was my grandfather's idea," He answered.

"Oh."

"So... Is it your first blind date or...?"

I sharply inhaled, "First."

"Same..."

The waiter arrived to take our orders, leaving both of us surprised.

Might be a coincidence but we shared the same taste.

And guess it was enough to be the ice breaker that we needed to get along with the evening, nice and smooth.

We talked effortlessly about everything until he shifted his focus to where I worked, taking me back to the guarded state.

I didn't know how to say this...

Should I lie?

Or shall I tell the truth?

Why did this have to be so difficult?

"I… I work as a manager at Rowland Corporation," I quietly answered.

I noticed the change in his eyes. His brows furrowed while his lips settled in a straight line.

Great.

Now, he may think I'm here to seduce him.

"Why didn't I ever see you there? I'm Rowland. I work in the same company as you."

I awkwardly smiled, "You are the boss and I'm the manager. You don't work with every single manager on your own."

A small, yet dangerously charming smile appeared on his face as he took a sip of wine.

I don't know what the meaning behind that smile was, but for some reason it had me shivering.

"Well, I spent five years managing the company's U.S. operations, and after giving one successful project after another, I finally returned to take over the main headquarters,” Diego calmly answered.

"Though I'm not looking for marriage prospects at the moment, I still respect my grandfather's wishes."

Great... Another man who's running from marriage. But at least he is clear about it.

"When did you return?" Esperanza carefully asked.

As heir of Rowland Corporation, he was entitled to know the dark and juicy truth of the corporate world.

And by now, everyone knows the dramatic story of the rich heiress and Carlos Mendoza falling apart.

If he knows who I am, then maybe it's time for me to find a new job.

"Two weeks back."

Thank goodness!

He might not know it all, but before he does, I'll make sure to deliver great work so that he doesn't judge me for my past.

I had enough rough days of being judged, answering everyone's direct questions, and being tormented by people's stares.

I don't want any of it from anyone I'll meet in my life from now on.

"I have no idea what it is but you seem like someone who's been through difficult times," He carefully said.

His grey eyes bore into my brown ones, pure concern flowing in them, "But don't let past pain define you or break your spirit. You might not know it yet, but you are more than that."

Valentina has been saying the same to me for months but hearing them from a man who could buy the world in a snap, melted the rock that had been sitting on my heart.

Why would he say that?

How did he know I had past pain?

He doesn't even know me. Or... he does?

"Thank you... That..." I whispered. "That means more than you know."

As if he understood my discomfort, he avoided talking about work and let the evening pass by with a little conversation about what we liked to do in our free time.

The evening passed without any discomfort, making me sigh in relief.

Though it felt nice to talk to a stranger, I would never see him again.

He is my boss, I can't be seen with him like this again.

I prepared to book a taxi, but Diego offered to drop me off at my place since it was late.

"No, you don't have to worry about me. I'll be alright," I denied.

"You will be but I'm not a jerk to leave someone as smart and beautiful as you on her own so late at night. Don't worry I'll be the same gentleman I was for the last two hours," Diego chuckled.

"Also, what kind of boss would I be if I let my company's manager travel alone at night in a taxi?"

"Oh, so... You drop everyone off at home?" I asked.

Oh god...

Why did my voice come out like I was trying to flirt with him?

Diego opened the car door for her with a small smile on his face, "Not everyone though. You are first. I've never been on a date with any of my employees."

I wanted to deny him. All the memories flooded back in my head and even after wanting to leave alone, I found myself nodding my head.

It's the first time in months that someone has been this sweet to me which captivated my heart and allowed me to let my guard down for once.

"Sure. But only if you promise not to be a sweet serial killer," I chuckled and settled on the passenger seat.

"Sweet, I am... But serial killer, no Missy, I prefer to be a man who simply believes in offering people peace," Diego chuckled and drove away.

For the first time in months, I didn’t feel broken. I didn’t feel abandoned.

I just felt… Seen.

And that scared me more than anything else.

Because the last time I felt seen by a man, I lost everything.