Chapter 5 The Games Men Play

Don Pedro's POV

"Life would be so much easier if women reasoned like men," I mumbled to myself as I adjusted my cufflinks in the rear-view mirror.

Why are women so complicated, men are just very easy to come around

In my world, business was a chess game-calculated, strategic, ruthless, with no mercy. Dog eat dog; you either eat or be eaten.

Men were built for such pursuits, their minds grounded for making decisions that built empires.

Women, in my experience, were often led by stupid emotions, stubborn in their own ways, clinging to irrational sentiments.

Love? Who believes in love in this day and time, such a joke!

The whole infatuation irritates me.

I smiled smugly at the thought of Tessa and how she was so determined, so infuriatingly headstrong. I wondered just how long her obstinacy would last under the weight of my plans to make her mine.

I had orchestrated many plans in my life, each one executed with precision.

Yet, nothing amused me more than watching a stubborn woman try to defy her destiny. She was going to mine, whether she liked it or not, mine!

My thought process was interrupted by a harsh knock on the car door. I glanced to my right and saw one of my security detail, his facial expression indistinct as he swung the door open.

"Don Pedro," he said quickly. "Sergio is here."

Before I could reply, Sergio slipped in, his eyes swollen and dripping with tears.

I couldn't help but let out a dismissive chuckle.

Men crying... it was a behaviour I associated with weakness. Too womanlike.

I leaned forward and lashed out at him, "Sergio, if you don't stop bawling like a little bitch, I'll have you thrown and run over myself. I cannot abide seeing a man cry over a woman. Crying is for women."

My tone was as cold and explicit as a business transaction. I was right.

It didn't make sense that he was crying considering the huge sum he was being paid to end whatever sham of a relationship he was having with my woman.

Sergio's lower lip trembled as he wiped at his cheeks, his voice breaking, "But I-I love her, Don Pedro. I love her so much."

Did he just dare to lie to lie to me?

Love?

I arched an eyebrow, clearly unimpressed by his outburst.

"Love? Listen here, Sergio. Men like me are built to handle strong-willed, hot-headed women. And Tessa is way out of your league." I paused, my gaze hardening. "Besides, I did my research and found out you were gay, so stop pretending and wipe those treacherous tears of your face."

I could see the look of surprise on his face, his eyes flashing indignantly.

"I'm not-I'm not gay, Don Pedro. I'm bisexual. That's different."

I scoffed dismissively. "Bisexual, huh? Spare me the excuses, Sergio. The way you sob and wail like a bitch, it's impossible to take you seriously."

"Bisexual, gay, whatever you choose to name it doesn't change the fact that you were lying to her. And now, you want to play the victim?" I shook my head. "Pathetic."

He hesitated, his voice faltering as he attempted to explain, "But Tessa... I just-"

I cut him off snappily, leaning forward so that my steely gaze met his watery eyes. "How do you want to explain these pictures of you breathing hard while kissing a Man"

I pulled up the photos from my phone, holding it for him to see.

He was speechless.

"Don Pedro always gets his way, Sergio. You should be grateful I gave you the honour of breaking up with her amicably. At least she now has a man like me to take care of her." I let my words hang in the air, each one deliberate and precise.

Sergio's face contorted. I loved the look on his face.

I laughed-a cold, mirthless sound. "Oh, please, Sergio.."

Sergio's eyes widened, his voice rising, "But sir...."

I fixed him with a hard stare. "I do what I must to maintain order, Sergio. And if that means teaching a lesson to those who dare to meddle in my affairs, then so be it. You should know that men like me do not tolerate weakness. Take the two million dollars I am offering"

He looked down, ashamed, as I reached into my suit pocket and pulled out an envelope. "Here," I said, extending it towards him. "Take this money and leave the city immediately. I do not want to see you anywhere near Tessa again. If you dare come close, I will ensure that you are fed to the dogs."

I smiled in my mind.

His hands trembled as he took the envelope, his eyes still red with tears. God knows I was one slip away from pushing this bitch out of my car.

I shook my head.

He tried to protest firther, his voice frail, "But sir-"

"Enough!" I interrupted. "You no longer have the right to interfere in my affairs, nor in Tessa's. I gave you the chance to break up with her without letting see the bitch that you are, and now you're making a mess of my mood with your tears and your constant bickering."

I slanted back, regaining my composure, and continued in a tone that brooked no argument. "Consider yourself lucky that I spared you a more humiliation you were likely going to face if I had decided to show her. Take the money, disappear, and do not cast your shadow around Tessa's ever again."

I watched Sergio's shoulders collapse in defeat, and then retreat toward the door. "But, Don Pedro-" he began, voice trailing off in desperation.

I cut him off with a dismissive wave. "Just get out, Sergio. Your pity is as useless as your love or whatever it is you call it. I have no need for a man who cannot control his emotions"

I watched Sergio disappear into the darkness ahead, my fingers drumming lazily against the armrest, signalling my driver to move the car.

And then I realised, Weak men disgusted me as well.

"Drive," I ordered, and my driver pulled out smoothly into the night.

Tessa would learn soon enough. I didn't play fair. I play to win. To prove a point.

***

The next morning, I sat in my private study, sipping coffee as I reviewed the morning reports on the daily newspaper. Everything was in motion, just how I wanted it.

Tessa was alone now. No distractions. No escape.

I smiled as I imagined her face when Sergio threw his tantrum, calling her names, breaking up with her like the wounded little boy he was.

Was all that worth it for two million bucks?

It was predictable, just like all men who let their greed and quest for money to control them.

He was two million dollars richer thanks to me. I revereed in the reality that was.

A knock came at the door.

"Enter." I ordered.

Franco, my right-hand man, stepped in, his face impassive. "She tried calling Sergio this morning. Multiple times."

I chuckled. Of course, she did. "And?"

"He blocked her." Franco's lips fidgetted. "Just like you instructed."

I leaned back into my bed, satisfied. "Good."

"She's confused," he continued. "Hurt. She went to his apartment, but it was empty. He left town last night."

Perfect. Just perfect. Good boy! I love it when people take simple instructions.

"And now?" I asked.

"Now," Franco said with a smile, "she's exactly where you want her."

Alone. Vulnerable.

Mine.

Not yet, but will be.

"And her miserable aunt?"

"She has refused to eat until Tessa arrives" he said.

"The miserable bitch can die for all I care".

I picked up my phone and dialed Tessa's number.

One ring. Two.

She picked up at the third. "What do you want?"

Her voice was hoarse and harsh, just like I expected, but at the same time, I could hear the strain beneath it. The small cracks from a crash only a failed relationship or horrible break up could give.

"Now, now, Tessa," I murmured, "is that any way to speak to your husband?"

She was silent. I could almost hear her teeth grinding.

"You are not my husband! Moron!!," she snapped.

I smiled. "But I am and will always be."

"You had something to do with this, didn't you?" Her voice was low, accusing.

I tilted my head, amused. "With what?"

"Sergio!" she hissed. "He-he just broke up with me out of nowhere! He accused me of cheating! He-" She stopped, as if piecing it together. "You did this."

I swirled my coffee lazily. "Did I?"

"You bastard!"

"Careful, Tessa," I warned. "I don't like being insulted. Moreover you never told me you had a serious relationship outside our marriage, those are valid grounds for divorce"

I teased her.

"Then divorce me, leave me the fuck alone" she screamed.

"Never happening my darling" I said, "Remember the clock is ticking!"

"Go to hell!" she shouted.

I chuckled. "I'd rather take you with me."

Her breathing was heavy, angry. I let the silence stretch, enjoying the way her fury vibrated through the line. I could feel my dick getting hard.

"You destroyed my relationship," she finally bit out. "For what? To prove a point?"

I leaned forward, my voice turning cool. "No, Tessa. I destroyed your relationship because it was already a lie. You were dating a man who did not deserve you. Who could not love you."

She inhaled. "You don't know anything!!."

"Oh, but I do." I smiled, leaning back. "but that's conversation for another day. And I know that no matter how much you fight it, you will be mine."

"You're insane!" she spat out. Oh I loved her resistance.

"Perhaps," I cooed. "But that does not change the fact that the only man left in your life now... is me."

Another deep breath. I could feel how much she hated me. Good. Let her hate me. Let her rage on, it fuels my desire to own her. She was just a woman. My woman.

She would come to understand soon enough.

"Enjoy your day, mi corazon," I said smoothly. "We'll see each other soon."

Before she could respond, I ended the call.

Franco raised an eyebrow. "She's furious."

I smirked. "Let her be. Hate is just passion in another form."

And passion, whether in love or war, was the first step to victory.