The next morning, Miguel woke up feeling strangely light-hearted. There was a spring in his step as he moved through his morning routine, a smile playing on his lips. Today was the day he was meeting Audrey, and something about it filled him with excitement. He hummed a cheerful tune as he got dressed, the sound echoing through the house.
His father, Mr. Parker, noticed his good mood and couldn't help but ask, "Miguel, what's got you so happy today?"
Miguel paused, a flicker of uncertainty in his eyes. "I have something important today, Dad. I guess I'm just feeling optimistic," he replied, trying to keep his voice casual.
Mr. Parker nodded, sensing there was more Miguel wasn't telling him. With a knowing smile and a pat on the shoulder, he let Miguel be. He watched as his son hurried out to the garage.
Miguel's good mood vanished the moment he saw Betty sitting in his car. His heart skipped a beat, and confusion washed over him.
"What are you doing here?" Miguel blurted out, his voice a mix of surprise and worry.
Betty's face hardened, her eyes narrowing. "Why have you been avoiding me?" she demanded, her voice rising.
Miguel felt a knot form in his stomach. "Betty, I can't talk about this now. I'm late for an important meeting. Please, just get out of the car," he said, trying to keep his voice steady.
Betty didn't move. She crossed her arms and glared at him, her face set in defiance. Miguel felt his frustration boiling over. With a deep sigh, he gently but firmly pushed her out of the car. He didn't look back as he drove away, but the image of Betty standing there, looking humiliated and hurt, stayed with him.
Mr. Parker saw everything from the house. He walked over to Betty, trying to comfort her, but she was too angry. "This isn't over," she muttered under her breath, her mind already planning how to get back at Miguel.
Despite the rough start to his day, Miguel was determined not to let it ruin his mood. He drove to Audrey's company, trying to shake off the encounter with Betty. When he finally arrived, he took a deep breath and smiled as he walked into the building.
Meanwhile, in Audrey's office, Rosaline walked in with a big smile. "Good morning, Audrey!" she chirped.
"Good morning, Rosaline," Audrey replied, her face lighting up. "I have great news! The new investor is coming today. They could save our company!"
Rosaline's eyes widened with excitement. "Really? That's amazing!"
Audrey nodded, her smile growing. "Yes, it's the break we've been waiting for. We just need everything to go perfectly."
Miguel entered the lobby, his heart racing with anticipation. He was here to meet Audrey, the woman who had been on his mind constantly. As he approached the receptionist, he took a deep breath to steady his nerves.
"Hello, I'm here for a meeting with Audrey," he said, trying to keep his voice calm.
The receptionist smiled warmly. "Of course, Mr. Parker. She's expecting you. Please have a seat, and she'll be with you shortly."
Miguel sat down, his mind racing. He thought about Betty and felt a pang of guilt. He hadn't meant to hurt her, but he couldn't let her ruin his chance with Audrey. He shook his head, trying to focus on the positive.
Meanwhile, Betty was stewing in her anger. She paced back and forth, her mind racing with thoughts of revenge. She felt humiliated by how Miguel had treated her and was determined to make him pay. She decided she wouldn't let him get away with ignoring her. Betty's anger grew as she thought about how she could disrupt Miguel's life.
A few minutes later, Audrey appeared in the lobby, her smile bright and welcoming. But as soon as she saw Miguel, her smile faltered. She hadn't expected the investor to be him. Her heart sank, and she felt a cold wave of anxiety wash over her. Miguel had always been kind and attentive, since the day she met him, Audrey actually has an hidden talent, a talent that detects when someone likes you, so she knew instantly that Miguel was crushing on her, but she wants to avoid him, and now, but Audrey knew he liked her more than she was comfortable with. The memories of her ex were still raw and fresh, and she wasn't ready to dive into anything new.
"I'm sorry, are you the investor?" Audrey asked, trying to keep her voice steady. She needed to be sure. Miguel nodded, confirming he was the one she had spoken to on the phone. Panic set in as a myriad of thoughts raced through her mind. What if he expected something in return for his help?
"I'm sorry, but I can't..." Audrey started, her voice trembling. She wanted to turn him down, to keep her professional and personal lives separate. Just then, her phone rang. She picked it up, and her face fell as the caller, another investor, informed her of their intention to withdraw from the company. This news was devastating, and it left her with no choice.
"Alright then, let's get to work. Are you ready to sign now?" Audrey asked, her face stern and guarded. She couldn't let Miguel think she was interested in him, not when she was still so vulnerable.
"I'm very ready!" Miguel replied, his voice full of enthusiasm. Audrey forced a smile as she called out to her secretary to bring the file. The papers arrived quickly, and without hesitation, Miguel signed the documents and deposited the agreed amount.
"So, we're coworkers now. Be ready because we'll see each other often," Miguel said, stretching out his hand for a handshake. Audrey hesitated, her mind swirling with conflicting emotions. She didn't want to touch him, didn't want to bridge the gap between their professional and personal lives. But Miguel grabbed her hand and shook it firmly. She shivered, the contact bringing back unwanted memories. This was the first time she had touched a man since her ex, and it unsettled her deeply. As their hands clasped, she had a sudden flashback of what happened from her past. Startled, she quickly pulled her hand away.
"Thanks for saving our company," Audrey said, her voice tinged with a mix of gratitude and discomfort.