Chapter 26: The Celebration

Andres's POV

“Boss, we did it! Creston actually signed!” Jefferson called out, raising his glass high across the room.

I stood at the edge with my barely touched drink, letting the warmth of the win settle in. “Yeah, we did. The team worked their asses off. Feels good, doesn’t it?”

“Feels amazing!” Sarah from finance laughed. “Open bar tonight? My tab is on the company, right?”

“Everything’s on the company tonight,” I replied, smiling slightly. “Drink up. We earned this.”

The team was looser than they’d been in months. Laughter bounced off the walls. Someone turned the music up a notch. I let myself enjoy the moment, watching everyone relax for once.

Then Gary walked in.

“Parties already started without me?” Gary announced with that easy, perfect smile, sliding through the crowd like he owned the place. “Andres, my man! Congratulations on landing Creston. Hell of a win.”

“Gary,” I said. “Didn’t know you were coming by.”

“Couldn’t miss celebrating with the team. You know me.” Gary winked and moved straight through the room like a shark smelling blood. Straight toward Rosa.

I watched, drink still in my hand.

“Rosa, Rosa, Rosa,” Gary said smoothly, flashing his brightest grin. “Look at you, the star of the show. I heard you charmed the hell out of old man Creston. Tell me your secret.”

Rosa tilted her head back and laughed, the sound light and musical. “Gary, you flatter me too much. I just did my job. Creston was tough, but he’s actually a big softie once you talk about legacy and family.”

“Legacy and family? Coming from you, that must have sounded like poetry,” Gary replied, stepping closer. “Seriously, how do you make an old lion like that eat out of your hand? Teach me. I need that magic.”

She laughed again, eyes sparkling under the lights. “No magic. I just listened. He talked about his daughter and his father’s company, so I leaned into that. Asked real questions. People like him don’t want to be sold to. They want to be respected.”

“Beautiful and smart,” Gary said, voice dropping playfully. “No wonder Andres keeps you close. If I had an assistant like you, I’d never let you leave my side either.”

“Careful, Gary. People might get the wrong idea,” Rosa teased back, still smiling. “But thank you. It was a team effort. Andres led the whole thing brilliantly.”

I stepped forward, unable to stay quiet anymore. “Gary, don’t distract my best player. Rosa carried that meeting. We all saw it.”

Gary turned, still grinning. “Andres! Jealous much? Come on, join us. Rosa was just telling me how she won Creston over. Sounds like she’s the real closer around here.”

Rosa glanced at me, her smile still in place. “I was just saying it was teamwork. You set everything up perfectly, sir. I only filled in the gaps.”

“You filled them damn well,” I said, holding her eyes. “The way you brought up his father’s old contracts? That was perfect. Creston lit up. I’ve never seen him that engaged.”

“You noticed that?” Rosa asked, voice softer. “I was nervous he’d shut me down. But when he started talking about building something that lasts… I knew I had him.”

Gary laughed. “See? She’s a natural. Rosa, you and I should grab coffee sometime. I could use tips on handling difficult clients. Maybe Andres can spare you for an hour?”

“Coffee sounds nice, but my schedule’s packed with the Creston follow-ups,” Rosa replied smoothly. “Maybe after the deal closes fully.”

“Come on, one coffee won’t hurt,” Gary pushed, leaning in. “I promise I’m more fun than these boardroom guys. We could talk about real life, not just numbers.”

I cut in. “She’s got important work, Gary. Some of us actually deliver results instead of just talking about them.”

Gary raised an eyebrow. “Ouch. Touchy tonight, Beaumont? Rosa, tell your boss to loosen up. We’re celebrating!”

Rosa laughed again, head tilting slightly. “You two are impossible. Gary, you’re trouble. Andres, the team is watching. Let’s keep it light.”

“The team loves a little drama,” Jefferson called from nearby. “Rosa, you really saved that meeting. Creston was ready to walk until you started talking about family values.”

“Thank you, Jeff,” Rosa said warmly. “I saw the opening and took it. He reminded me of my aunt a little. She's strict but fair. Once I connected with that, everything clicked.”

Gary touched her arm lightly. “Your aunt raised a winner. Seriously, you’re glowing tonight. That victory looks good on you.”

“You’re too much,” Rosa said, chuckling as she gently moved back. “But I appreciate it. Today felt good. Really good.”

I watched her closely. The laugh was real, bright, but her eyes… they told a different story. There was distance there. Calculation. She was performing, playing the part perfectly, but the warmth didn’t reach all the way.

“Rosa, be honest,” I said, stepping closer. “Was Creston harder than you expected? You handled him like a pro, but I saw you adjusting on the fly.”

She met my gaze. “He was tough. Those first sixty seconds when he scans everyone? My heart was racing. But then he mentioned his daughter, and I just… went with my gut. Told him he built something worth protecting, and I was surprised it worked.”

“It worked beautifully,” I replied. “You were incredible. The whole room felt it.”

Gary jumped back in. “See? Even the boss is singing your praises. Rosa, you deserve a real celebration. Dinner tomorrow? My treat. No shop talk, just good food and better company.”

“Gary, you never give up, do you?” Rosa said with another laugh. “I’ll think about it. Right now, I just want to enjoy tonight with the team.”

“The team adores you,” Sarah added, joining us. “Girl, you made Creston laugh! We all owe you drinks.”

“Drinks sound perfect,” Rosa replied. “But only if Andres joins us properly. Sir, you’ve been standing there with the same glass all night. Celebrate with us.”

I raised my glass slightly. “I’m celebrating. Quietly. Someone has to stay sharp while you all get loud.”

“Always the serious one,” Gary teased. “Rosa, how do you work with this guy every day? He’s intense.”

“He’s a good boss,” Rosa said softly, looking at me again. “Tough but fair. Today proved why we follow him.”

The words hit me deeper than they should have. I studied her face. That small flicker in her eyes again. She was saying all the right things, laughing at all the right moments, but there's something that's bothering her.

“Rosa,” I said quietly, “can I talk to you for a second? About the follow-up plan.”

Gary smirked. “Uh oh. The boss wants private time. Don’t steal her away too long, Andres.”

“Won’t take long,” I replied, not looking at him.

Rosa followed me a few steps aside. “Yes, sir?”

“You okay?” I asked, voice low. “Gary can be pushy. If he’s bothering you…”

“I’m fine,” she said with a small smile. “He’s harmless. All talk. I know how to handle guys like him.”

“That laugh earlier… it sounded real. But your eyes were somewhere else. Am I imagining things?”

She blinked, surprised. “You’re very observant tonight. I’m just tired from the day, that’s all. Closing Creston felt big. A lot of pressure.”

“You carried it well. Really well,” I told her. “Don’t let Gary distract you from what matters. You belong here. On this team. With real wins.”

“Thank you, Andres,” she whispered, using my name for the first time tonight. “That means more than you know. Now go enjoy the party. The team needs to see their leader smiling too.”

I nodded, feeling that strange pull in my chest again. “One more drink. Then we all head out before Gary tries to steal you for real.”

She laughed softly. “Deal.”

We walked back to the group. Gary was waiting with fresh drinks.

“Everything good, lovebirds?” he joked.

“Very professional, Gary,” Rosa shot back playfully. “Now who’s buying the next round?”

The laughter rose again. I stood with my drink, watching her shine under the lights, wondering who exactly Rosaura Morales was performing for tonight… and why it felt so damn personal to me.