Mag-log in“Easy,” Ivan said, holding out a glass of water for her.After drinking, she lowered her head and stared at her plate, wishing the ground would open and swallow her. Ivan sat beside her, looking far too calm but every now and then, she felt his eyes on her. Whenever she looked up, their eyes met, and every single time, Valeria quickly looked away.She was still too shy to look at him after what had happened between them, and Ivan seemed to enjoy it.Valeria noticed a small smile appear on his lips. “Stop smiling,” she whispered.“What? I didn't say anything.”“You don't have to.”“You're still blushing,” he said, leaning closed.“I'm not,” she lied.“You are.”Valeria quickly put another spoon of food into her mouth so she wouldn't have to answer him. Ivan chuckled softly. She was still smiling when the dining room doors opened, and Ivan looked up.His grandmother walked inside.“Grandma!” Ivan called, rising from his seat immediately.“Mrs Romano,” Valeria called, disbelief etched i
On their way back to the bedroom, Mike called out to them from the hallway. “Don't you think it's still too early to go to bed?”“We need some time alone as a couple. But you'll not understand that. You're still a bachelor.”Valeria giggled into her palm, Mike rolled his eyes.“I'm going to surprise you soon.”Ivan scoffed. “You’re getting a wife? Please hurry up.”Valeria could no longer hold it, as she chuckled out loud.Mike raised a brow. “You seem to enjoy seeing your husband make fun of me.”“She should,” Ivan chuckled. “That's the thing about marriage. You get a fan who's always by your side.”Mike laughed. “Whatever. Come join us for a moment.”They followed Mike down into a small gathering of not more than four business men. The air was filled with small talks, clicking of glasses, and soft laughter. Valeria couldn't hear everything they said from where she sat, but from the little she heard, she could tell it was all business.Ivan kept addressing the small group while ste
Valeria was still standing in Ivan's room when someone knocked on the door.She quickly adjusted her dress and looked toward the door. “Come in,” she said.The door opened, and Ivan walked inside.He had changed his shirt, but the small cut on his forehead was still visible.“Are you busy?” he asked.Valeria looked away, shy. “No.”Ivan looked at her for a moment before walking closer. “There is something we need to talk about.”Valeria's smile disappeared. “What is it?”Ivan held her hand and led her out of the room.“It's about Callista.”Valeria stopped walking. “Callista?”Ivan turned to see her staring at him in confusion. “How do you know Callista?”Ivan didn't answer immediately.“Ivan, how do you know my friend?” She repeated, her brows knitted together.“She is here.”Valeria's eyes widened. “Here?”Ivan nodded. “In the mansion.”Valeria stared at him, unable to understand.“Why is Callista in your mansion?”Ivan took a slow breath. “She came here with me.”Valeria's face ch
Ivan drove through the quiet streets until the tall iron gates of the mansion opened, the large house stood silent under the night sky. He parked, stepped out, and walked around to open Valeria’s door. She took his hand and stepped down.They walked in, and up to his room.“Come inside,” he said, holding the door for her.Valeria stepped in, and Ivan closed the door and locked it. He turned to face her, the cut on his forehead still looked red.“You should rest,” she said.“Later,” he answered. “Your wound,” she said.“I'm fine.”She pointed to the chair near the window. “Sit there.”Ivan smiled a little, and shook his head. “I'm fine.”I insist,” she protested.“Fine,” he said. “That is the first aid box,” he added, pointing to it.Valeria walked away and returned with the box, placed it on the desk and turned to Ivan again.As soon as she turned, she froze. He was now shirtless.Hard muscle moved under smooth skin, faint marks from the earlier fight showed on his ribs and arms. Va
Mike looked at Ivan one last time before turning toward the security team. “I'll find out who owns that phone,” he said. “Stay here until I come back.”Ivan nodded. “Be quick.”Mike looked at Valeria. “Stay close to him.”Valeria nodded. “I will.”Mike walked away with two security officers following him. Within a few seconds, he disappeared around the corner.Ivan looked at Valeria. “Are you alright?”She nodded slowly. “Yes.”“You're sure?”“Yes,” she replied, then glanced toward the window. “I'm just worried.”Ivan squeezed her hand. “Don't be.”She looked at him. “You always say that.”A small smile appeared on his face. “Because you worry too much.”“And you don't seem too worry much.”Ivan chuckled softly. “Maybe.”They remained in the hallway for a few minutes. The party was still going on behind them, but the noise had become distant. Most of the guests had no idea what had happened, and Ivan wanted to keep it that way.Valeria leaned against the wall and looked at him.“Do
Ivan led Valeria back into the party with her hand in his. She was still trying to understand everything that had happened between them, but the way he held her hand made her feel strangely calm.The moment they entered the room, Mike looked at them and smiled.“Well,” he said, raising his glass. “Look who finally came back.”Ivan ignored him.Valeria lowered her eyes, feeling shy again. “Everyone is looking at us.”“Let them,” Ivan replied.She looked up at him. “You really don't care?”“No.”He squeezed her hand gently. “You're my wife. I have nothing to hide.”Her cheeks warmed.Mike watched them for a moment before shaking his head. “I still can't believe this.”Ivan gave him a warning look. “Mike.”“I'm quiet,” Mike replied with a grin.Ivan turned back to Valeria. “Stay close to me.”“I will.”Ivan then moved toward a group of businessmen who wanted to speak with him. Valeria remained beside him, quietly listening as they discussed the company. She tried to follow the conversat
“I can't do this, there's no way I'm doing it," Valeria Cruz murmured to herself.She sat at her usual table in her favorite coffee shop, her coffee sat in front of her, untouched.She kept sighing to herself, as she replayed her father's proposal over and over again.No matter how hard she thought
“Ms," Ivan called reaching out to touch her.Without raising her head, she pushed past him and stumbled into the rack of sunglasses, falling with it to the floor. Without hesitation, she hurried back up and ran out with the sanitry pad in her hand.“Hey, come back here. You need to pay for that," o
“I think I'd stop here," she suddenly said.Relief flash across his face.“Why, did I say something bad?," he asked, feigning regret.“Oh, no. I forgot I needed to get groceries." “Oh," he smiled. “That's totally necessary." Valeria nodded and faked a smile, her heart racing in her chest.The dri
“Are you going somewhere?" Callista yawned, rubbing her eyes as she settled into the couch.“I have an interview," Valeria replied. “I told you I'd be getting a job soon." “An interview," Callista repeated. “Shouldn't you be feeling nervous? You look happy like you're assured of the job." Valeria







