Miguel smilled without saying anything else.
The rest of the conversation when on, Miguel stared at Audrey throughout, admiring her beauty.
After the meeting, Miguel stood up and Audrey walked him out of the office, outside the building.
As Miguel left Audrey's office, he felt a mix of happiness and concern. He was thrilled to be working with her but sensed the tension between them. He hoped that over time, Audrey would see that he truly wanted to help.
And if possible, he wants to be with her, as a man and partner.
Back in her office, Audrey sat back in her chair, taking a deep breath. This partnership was crucial for the survival of her company, and she had to make it work. But her past still haunted her, and the presence of Miguel stirred up emotions she thought she had buried. She resolved to focus on the future and keep her personal feelings at bay.
The memories of her ex, the pain and the heartbreak, were still vivid. She remembered the accidental kiss with Miguel that had caught her off guard, the way it had made her feel confused and vulnerable. She didn't want to go through that again, not when she was still healing.
As she looked out the window, Audrey felt a tear slip down her cheek. She quickly wiped it away, determined not to let her emotions get the best of her. This was a new chapter, and she needed to be strong. Miguel had promised to help without expecting anything in return, and she had to trust that. For the sake of her company and her sanity, she had to believe in the goodness of people again.
Meanwhile, Miguel walked back to his car, deep in thought. He knew Audrey was hesitant, and he understood why. He respected her boundaries and was willing to wait, to prove that his intentions were genuine. He drove away with a mixture of hope and uncertainty.
Miguel arrived home, his heart heavy with a mix of frustration and anxiety. The familiar creak of the front door seemed louder than usual, as if warning him of the storm brewing inside. He barely had time to set his keys down before his father's voice, sharp and filled with fury, echoed through the house.
"What did you do? Why did you push her like that? Are you alright? Get your senses together! And I saw the amount you removed from our joint account—what was it for?" Mr. Parker demanded, his eyes narrowing with a blend of anger and disappointment.
Miguel took a deep breath, trying to steady himself. "I'm sorry for pushing her, but she was bugging me. I hate it when people bug me. And, Father, I don't like Betty," he said, his voice trembling slightly.
Before he could react, a stinging slap landed on his cheek. The force of it made his head snap to the side, and he tasted blood where his lip had split.
"What did you say? You don't like who? How dare you say that! Betty's dad and I have planned this marriage for years. You must marry her, and that's final," Mr. Parker declared, his face red with rage.
Miguel's eyes filled with tears of anger and humiliation. He felt trapped, like a caged animal being poked and prodded. "I won't, and never will! I don't love her!" he shouted, his voice breaking under the weight of his emotions.
Mr. Parker's face twisted in disappointment. "I'm disappointed in you. I didn't raise you to be like this. How could you do this after spending the night with her? If Betty gets pregnant, you'll have to take responsibility and marry her immediately," he said, his voice cold and unyielding.
Miguel felt a surge of anger so intense it almost frightened him. He turned to leave, needing to escape before he did something he'd regret, but his father's voice stopped him in his tracks.
"What did you invest in? Why did you spend that amount of money?" Mr. Parker demanded, his tone accusatory.
Miguel turned back to face his father, his eyes blazing. "I invested in something," he said, his voice tight with restraint.
Mr. Parker's expression softened slightly, curiosity creeping into his gaze. "I heard you invested in the late Mrs. Evans' company, saving it from bankruptcy. That's good, because you'll have a share. But I have another question," he said, pausing dramatically. Miguel's heart pounded in his chest as he waited for the next blow.
"Do you have a crush on Mrs. Evans' daughter, the new CEO?" Mr. Parker asked, his eyes boring into Miguel's soul.
Miguel felt as if the ground had been pulled out from under him. He stood there, speechless, his mind racing. Should he tell the truth? Should he lie? He didn't know what to do. The truth was too raw, too complicated to explain.
Seeing his son's hesitation, Mr. Parker's eyes darkened. "Answer me, Miguel," he demanded.
Miguel took a deep breath, trying to steady his racing heart. "Yes, I do," he finally admitted, his voice barely above a whisper.
Mr. Parker's face contorted in anger. "This is why you can't see clearly! You're blinded by your infatuation with her. Do you think she'll ever see you as anything more than a fool who saved her company? You need to grow up, Miguel. This isn't some fairy tale," he spat.
Miguel felt a pang of pain at his father's harsh words. He wanted to shout, to scream that he wasn't a child, that he knew what he was doing. But he didn't. Instead, he stood there, feeling more alone than ever.
"I'm not a fool, and I'm not a child. I know what I'm doing," Miguel said, his voice steady despite the turmoil inside him.
Mr. Parker shook his head, his disappointment palpable. "We'll see about that. But mark my words, you will marry Betty. It's been decided, and there's no turning back," he said, his voice final.