Nicolas was in the conference room with some of his employees seated at the table. They were presenting the new ideas they had to Nicolas based on the project on board. Nicolas listened to what they had to say while keeping a straight face throughout the presentation. He gave them his feedback based on their performance.
Mady was sitting next to Nicolas. She had her eyes on him and was lost in thoughts. She was still staring at him and smiled too and didn't realize that Nicolas caught her.
"Do you mind explaining to me why you are staring at me? Shouldn't you be focused on the presentation? Or do I like the images on the screen?" Nicolas asked coldly.
His voice got her attention and that of everyone in the room. She shook her head nervously and faced the employee, who was standing in front of everyone. Close to the screen.
"Wipe off that smile! It doesn't look professional!" Nicolas said flatly without looking at her.
Mady felt embarrassed and glanced at those seated in the room. They were whispering to each other and she knew it was about her. Nicolas' phone bleeped and vibrated in the pocket of his trousers. The vibration got his attention and he brought it out.
It was a text message from an unknown number. He quickly keyed in his passcode and unlocked his phone. He tapped the message icon on his screen and read the message.
"Good day, Mr Gonzalez! I don't know if this is a bad time but I need to speak with you. It's urgent!" The message had.
"And who are you?" Nicolas typed.
He was about to tap send when another message came in.
"It's Alejandra!"
Nicolas was surprised to know that the message was from her.
"I thought she didn't need my help? Or could it be that she won't consider my offer?" He thought.
"I'm in a meeting right now! Can't it wait until later?"
Nicolas typed and sent.
He kept his phone on the glass table in front of him. His notification tone rang and he picked his phone up.
"I really need to speak with you. It's a matter of life or death." Alejandra replied.
"Drop by the office. We will talk here." Nicolas sent.
Mady noticed the smirk on Nicolas' face while holding his phone.
"I wonder who he could be texting. Could it be that Nicolas has a girlfriend?" She thought inwardly, in disbelief,
"Nah! I doubt it! The only woman he cares about is below the ground and his company. But that will soon change when I finally get to show him how much I love him. Maybe then, he will realize we were destined to be together and nothing can ruin my plans now."
She had a smug smile on and quickly remembered what Nicolas had told her.
"Almost forgot!" Mady said and maintained a serious look without the smile,
"That's better!"
<
Alejandra arrived at Prime Pictures Enterprises and went to the receptionist.
"Hey! I'm here to see Mr Gonzalez!" Alejandra said politely.
"I'm sorry, Miss! But he is in a meeting right now. Do you have an appointment with him?" Maya asked.
"Not really tho'!" Alejandra said.
"Okay! Please sit over there!" Maya said, pointing at the chairs close to the lift,
"I'll inform you when he is done and notify him of your presence."
Alejandra nodded and walked to the chair arranged horizontally and sat down.
<
Nicolas had finished the meeting with his employees. He remained in the conference room while the others had left. Mady was still in the room,close to the door and turned around to see Nicolas still seated at the same spot during the meeting. She wanted to leave and ignore him but a part of her wanted to know what was wrong with him.
"This is your chance to show Nicolas how much you love and care about him. Don't mess it up!" Mady said inwardly.
She took a deep breath and exhaled. She walked towards him.
"Where are you?" Nicolas typed and sent.
"I'm at the reception." Alejandra replied a minute later.
Nicolas quickly stood up from his chair and crashed into Mady. Mady was startled by his sudden movement and almost fell down. Nicolas got hold of her before she fell and held her by the waist. The files she was carrying fell from her hands and scattered on the floor. Mady looked directly at Nicolas' eyes through the lenses of his glasses and saw his face up close.
Mady's heartbeat was faster than it was when she would see Nicolas from a far. She could smell the cologne he wore as the cold air coming from the air-conditioner blew it to her nostrils.
"Are you okay?" Nicolas asked coolly and broke the silence in the room.
He didn't find it amusing when they crashed. Mady nodded and he helped her stand. He quickly let go of her.
"You better watch where you are going." Nicolas said airily.
Nicolas walked to the door and left the conference room. Mady stood still and was stunned by what happened. She didn't know the right emotions to use and a smile appeared on her face. She quickly picked up the files on the floor and went back to her office.
Nicolas went back to his office. He picked up his telephone and rang Maya through.
"Maya, please tell Alejandra to come to my office." He said and hung up immediately.
He sat down on his chair and turned on his computer. He was keying in his password when he heard a knock on his door.
"Come in!" Nicolas said plainly with his eyes on the screen.
The door opened and Maya accompanied Alejandra in.
"Sir,-." Maya said.
"You may leave now, Maya!" Nicolas replied dismissively, cutting her off.
She nodded and left his office. Alejandra looked around his office and was amazed at how big it was.
"His office is really big! Bigger than Mr Anderson's and that pervert, Roman." She said inwardly.
"Have a seat!" Nicolas offered.
She walked towards his desk and pulled up a chair and sat down.
"What's so urgent that you wanted to tell me?" He started off coolly, with a serious look on his face.
"I-I came to tell you that..." Alejandra said nervously with her eyes on his desk,
"... I've agreed to your business proposal and will be your fiancée. I mean, play fiancée."
"What that why you wanted to speak with me? Couldn't you've told me over the phone?" He said plainly, not impressed with her reason for seeing him.
He focused his gaze on his computer screen.
"That's not the reason I'm here." She said cowardly.
Nicolas heaved and returned his gaze to her.
"Then why are you here?" He asked plainly.
"I-I wanted to know if I could have an advance payment today." Alejandra revealed.
"And what for?" He asked firmly.
"I-I need to pay for my mum's hospital bill." She revealed sincerely,
"We were thrown out of our flat by my landlady and my mum had a heart attack. She is currently in the hospital. Her heart is slowly giving up and..."
"...I don't want to lose her." She said, almost tearing up.
Nicolas could see the sincerity in her eyes. Her tone and facial expression gave her away. He was moved by her story a little. He heaved and pulled open his drawer and got his car key.
"Let's go!" Nicolas said and stood up from his chair.
"Wh-where are we going?" Alejandra asked confusingly.
"To the hospital! Where else?" He said plainly and walked to the door.
Alejandra couldn't believe her ears. She never expected him to be this kind not to talk of going to the hospital with her. Nicolas opened the door and noticed she wasn't following him. He turned his head around and saw her standing at the same spot he had seen her. Only this time, she was standing.
"Aren't you coming?" Nicolas asked, holding the door handle.
Alejandra nodded and walked to him. He held the door open while she walked out first and him, last. The two went to the lift and Nicolas pressured the button on the wall. The doors slid open and they went in. Beatrice was walking pass Nicolas' office and saw the duo in the lift. She was curious to know who Alejandra was and why they were leaving together. They both arrived at the underground car park.
"Wait here while I get the car." Nicolas said sternly.
Alejandra nodded and did as he said. He pressed the unlock button in his car key and his headlights flashed. He used the lightning to locate where his car was among the others. He got in, turned on the ignition and drove to where Alejandra stood. He waited for her to get in and they both left the car park.
As they were leaving, Camilo drove in his car and saw them. Nicolas didn't see him and drove pass him. Camilo saw Alejandra in the passenger seat from the windscreen.
"Where could he possibly be going? And who's that with him?" Camilo thought inwardly,
"I think I've seen her before but can't remember where? Oh, well!"
He shrugged off the thought and drove further into the car park.
There was silence in the car while Nicolas was driving. The only sound that could be heard was the scrunching of the tyres on the gravel. Alejandra bit her lip nervously and looked at the things they drove past through the window of the passenger door. Nicolas glanced at her and focused on the road.
"Are you scared?" He asked plainly, knowing the obvious.
"I would be lying if I say I'm not." Alejandra replied.
"Well, don't be! Your mum is going to be fine." Nicolasl replied coldly.
"How do you know that?" Alejandra asked ironically.
"I just do!" He responded coolly.
"Are you a doctor or a god to predict that?" She scoffed.
"I could be!" He muttered.
"Apparently, you're not! And even if you were,-." She said and stopped.
She remembered he was helping her and wouldn't want to say anything that would provoke him or make him change his mind. He was the only hope she had right now. She sighed and didn't say a word.
"Why did you stop? Suddenly lost your voice?" Nicolas asked sarcastically.
Alejandra didn't respond to his comment and exhaled instead. They soon arrived at the hospital. Alejandra got out of the car at the gate while Nicolas drove in and looked for a parking space. She waited for him at the door and they both walked into the building, abreast of each other.
"What ward is your mother in?" Nicolas asked plainly.
"Accident and the Emergency!" Alejandra replied.
They got to the ward and Dr. June caught a glimpse of them while she was talking to a nurse. They walked past her and straight to Pilar's bed. Pilar was still unconscious and motionless. Nicolas observed how small the place was and looked at the motionless woman lying on the bed. She was breathing through an oxygen mask.
"Alejandra, I see you're back!" Dr. June said as she approached them,
"I've been meaning to talk to you. The test results are out and they don't look too good."
Alejandra sighed and looked at her mother.
"Let's go to my office so that we can talk." Dr. June suggested,
"Away from the patient."
Dr. June didn't want Pilar to hear their conversation. She had experienced cases where patients pretend to be unconscious after regaining conciousness and listen to their medical report. Some of them had died due to the shock and some suffered psychological issues before their treatment.
Nicolas followed them to her office and Dr. June stopped him at the door.
"I'm sorry, Sir! But you can't come in! This is a private issue and only family members of the patient are allowed." Dr. June said.
"He-," Alejandra said awkwardly and glanced at Nicolas,
"H-he is part of the family."
"Then who is he? Your brother? Cousin maybe?" Dr. June said curiously.
"I'm her fiancé!" Nicolas said boldly.