Chapter 2 Love and Secrets

Two years ago...

I give up.

I slumped my body on the soft sheets of the mattress. My fingers felt the rose petals on the bed. It's our first anniversary, yet I'm alone in this suite. I looked at the time, and it's already midnight. A lone tear escaped my eyes.

It has always been like this. I prayed something would change now that it's our anniversary, but Lorenzo is still Lorenzo.

With my red lingerie, I dozed myself to sleep alone. The next day, I was already flying back to work. I immediately made myself busy with work. I had a few films to shoot so it made me occupied for the whole week.

"We published the article, Val," I heard Ella whispered as I got outside the car. After eight months of shooting a film, I'm now back in the mansion. It's the longest I've been away from here.

I nodded.

"Did you pay them already?" I asked regarding the people I hired to pretend like me and Lorenzo for publicity.

I read the article. It's about our romantic vacation trip. Of course, the woman in the pictures just looked like me. The man looked just like Lorenzo, too.

"Yes..." There was a small pause Ella did. I looked back at her. I raised my brow and prompted her to speak.

"How long are you gonna keep doing this?"

I sighed.

"As long as this marriage continues."

"I know it's not my place to say this, but... you're lying to the public and-"

I cut her off.

"I know what I'm doing, Ella. I just want this marriage to look... perfect. You know how everyone was always excited about my union with Lorenzo. It's disappointing to let them down."

Lorenzo and I agreed for this marriage to be of convenience. For him to acquire the company. And for me, to impress my family.

But...

He never knew I always desired him. He was my goal. My dream. I knew my parents were never gonna be impressed with my passion for arts and theaters. And the accomplished Lorenzo Huxley was the key to get my parents proud of me.

"I have a deal," I rushed to him. He's walking fast, but I had to run to get to his pace.

He stopped when I blocked him from his office. He's the new Finance Director after working in their company for 4 years.

"I'm busy. What is it?" he never really had any fond memories with me compared to his half-brothers, Matias and Mikael. He always seemed distant.

"Marry me," I went direct to the point.

I saw his eyes widened at my words. I chuckled at his reaction.

"You want the company, right? Use me."

His eyes narrowed. "Why are you offering me this?"

I smirked, "Use me to acquire this company. To inherit it. Then, I can also use you to impress my family and finally have my freedom in accepting projects in my career."

He looked at me like I just made the stupidest offer to him. He was about to reach for the door when I stopped him again.

"There has been a pending deal between our families. A merge. It's still up for discussion even when it's been proposed two years ago. Other than the merge and investments that goes with the deal, Monique plans to tie me with Matias or Mikael to secure it. But your brothers haven't given it an interest since they're not interested in the company."

"So what are you suggesting?"

My lips curved more.

"You're the only one who's actively participating in the company," and you're the only one I like, my mind whispered.

"I know where this is going. I'm not interested."

He successfully reached the door and pushed it. He entered, and I did the same. I'm eager to get this man.

"Do you think Monique would let you have this company?"

"I have my ways, Valera."

"Your stepmother also has her ways. My family is considering Matias already. If I marry Matias, he'll easily succeed in the position you want. He'll be the CEO even if he doesn't want to."

He scoffed at my remarks. He sat on his desk and crossed his arms as he intently looked at me. Suddenly, I forgot to realize I'm alone in a room with him. I feel small, yet giddy being with this man.

"I know my brother. Even if he marries you, you can't force him to work here."

"But he loves his mother," I said as a matter of fact.

There was a long silence as his eyes only stared at me. I don't know what's in his mind right now, but the shift of an unfamiliar emotion in his eyes happened.

"And what can you gain from this?"

"Freedom. I'll have my career all to myself."

"Why me?"

"You're the one my parents want. You're just not in the options Monique offered to my parents. But what if I choose you myself? You'll have this company. I'll have my career. And we'll free Matias and Mikael. That's more than two birds a stone can hit."

Did I regret that decision?

No.

We agreed to have this loveless marriage. But I thought I could turn it into something I wanted. I thought I could make him fall for me. Because I always fell for him. But after getting that company, he was too busy and occupied to even notice me. Or... he wasn't just into me.

I did my best to get his attention. Brought him lunch, scheduled dates, gave him gifts, and wherever I went, I always made sure it benefited him. He was able to close deals with the Rodriguez Corporation when I met their scion at a party one time. And there were more moments like that.

Because of the word I get to give from whoever I was with, Lorenzo soar.

"Is he coming?" I asked one of our maids.

"He hasn't been back since last week, Mrs. Huxley."

I just came back to the mansion from an out of the country shoot. Our second anniversary is nearing. I have been thinking about plans, but thinking about how last year turned out, I didn't bother anymore. However, Monique still made plans.

I sighed and headed straight to my room. I already stopped from catching his attention. But somehow, I hoped one day I will. I still let the silent rumors about me and my secret men and parties wander around this mansion. I did have a good time at Costa Rica with all the clubs and men.

Eventually, the first year of marriage, I had to spread gossip about me and my alleged infidelities just so I could get Lorenzo's attention, but he wouldn't even bat an eye about it. Now, in our second year of marriage, those gossips became a reality. A hobby, a routine, and an escape.

I blocked all the numbers that kept on calling and messaging me. Those were the men I probably hooked up with, and now they want more. I turned off my phone and slept from all the thoughts that have been lurking.

"This information came from Monique," there was a look of hesitation in Ella's face.

I pouted as I rested my back on the car seat.

"Go on."

She cleared her throat before spilling me the tea. It's been a long day, and what I heard sparked all my exhaustion out of the window.

"Monique thinks Lorenzo has a love interest."

"Who?" I quickly asked, heart stammering.

"Alyssa Grey. She was initially hired as an Assistant Finance Specialist, but promoted as his secretary two months later."

There was nothing I could say. I immediately felt defeat. I lost all interest with my parties and boys. I had to make myself busy with work so I could stop thinking about him and his mistress.

"Val, your phone rang. Should I answer?" Ella tried to get my phone, but I grabbed it before she could. One of my friends called, a model. Probably inviting me to party, but I already declined.

After hearing countless rumors about Lorenz and his mistress, I stopped from all my vices. Maybe because there was no use of it anymore. It was pointless. He can't look at me. Because someone already got his attention.

Present time...

The moment I entered the building, I could hear the murmurs from different mouths. I gritted my teeth. When the elevator dinged, I immediately got myself out. I went straight to Lorenzo's office.

His secretary saw me first and signaled Lorenzo of my visit. Lorenzo turned around, and our eyes met. My half-hearted smile appeared. And he had to sigh heavily before leaving her at the balcony. My eyes followed the woman's hand as she caressed his arm as he exited.

Once the balcony door was closed, my mouth never hesitated.

"You're getting cozy with your secretary. What is this? A love story between the sought-after CEO and his lady in damsel secretary? And what? I'm the antagonist?"

His hand massaged his temples.

"Valera, why are you here?"

"Am I not your wife?" I said sarcastically.

"I have no time playing games with you."

"Should I remind you we have a marriage to fix?"

He scoffed.

"Or your image to fix?"

I swallowed hard. I breathed in deeply. He got me there.

"Both. I need you. Tell the media everything is a lie, a misunderstanding."

His deep set of green eyes stared straight to me, sending tingles of electricity through my spine. The corner of his lips curved to a smile like his planning something I don't like.

"I won't do that. Unless... you divorce me."

I shook my head.

"That's not possible."

"There's nothing else I want right now."

"And I don't want it. Do you really think our families would agree?"

He chuckled, but it was mockery in my ears. My hand formed a fist.

"I'm not 27 anymore. You're not 25 anymore. I guess we can say we're old enough to decide on our own without the help of our families," he stood there, hands on his pockets like he's not making a big decision.

"We're old enough to fix this. Why can't you just do your job like you always do. I never complained. Why do you have to do this to me, huh? Do you really hate me that much?"

He licked his lips as his eyes diverted away from me. The sight of me must have been a sore eye to him all these years. I stepped forward, closing the gap between us. My hand gripped on his chin, forcing him to look my way.

Our eyes made contact, but that was it. Indifference from mine and hatred from him.

"We married for business, for our family. We never love. Hell, I wouldn't care if you fuck someone else right now. You never said a word nor cared about my men and parties. For three years, everything was quiet. So, why? Why?!"

I know the answer, but I just couldn't accept it. My pride could not fathom.

"Unless..." my eyes turned to the woman behind us, watching us from afar. My long nails dug deeper on his jaw. My eyes returned to him with anticipation and fear.

"Unless you're in love," I said it.

My shoulders dropped when he looked away. His head turned to another direction, away from my prying eyes. My jaw dropped as my hand released his chin. I shook my head in disbelief. I should've known this.

"You must be kidding me," I laughed hysterically.

"Please, she's not involved in any of this. This is between us."

My brows shot up. I pursed my lips. I dropped to the couch next to me. This day came. I thought it would happen to me first so I could hurt him but... it happened to him before it did for me.

"That's something a lovesick man would say."

"Just leave her alone," he said before he went back to the balcony. I followed his steps back to her, away from me.

Now, I'm watching the man I never had in the first place, slip away from me. If only he knew how I felt. Why I had so many men and go to parties? He couldn't reciprocate the love I had.

He couldn't love me while I love him... in secret.