Viktor's Pov
About a week ago, I had a bad feeling about this new landlord before he arrived, and I shared it with the girls, but they wouldn't listen. I even tried to retire early that night but felt uneasy about leaving April alone with that man in the office.
So, I waited for her to finish with him. And after several minutes, I spotted her coming back inside and wanted to know what they discussed.
Maybe after tonight, they'll finally understand what I tried telling them earlier, I had thought.
"April, wait," I called out, jogging to her, "I need to speak with you."
But she let out a defeated sigh, which indicated one thing. Her plan didn't go as she'd hoped.
"What is it, Viktor?"
She seemed exhausted and probably wanted to crawl into bed, so she failed to hide her frustration. But I needed to know what was decided upon.
"How did the conversation with him go? What does he want? What did you both talk about?"
"You were right. Mr. Ortiz never planned to save Cantia; he just wanted to tear it down. So, I made him a deal."
"I knew it. Wait, what? What kind of deal did you make with such a man?"
I pressed, confused by her answer and how calmly she had said it.
"That if he stayed in Cantia while he's still in the country, I'll work for him as his assistant."
Is she out of her mind? How can she say that so casually, like it was not a big deal?
"Why would you do something like that? If he will destroy the home anyway, why make a deal with him? Can't you see it's just a trap?"
I wish I weren't criticizing her, but I thought she was way over her head making such a decision.
"I don't know. My plan was to buy us enough time to devise a plan to save Cantia somehow."
I shook my head in protest, clenching my fists. How was she now unsure of her decision? I'm sure that bastard tricked her into it.
"I can't just sit back and watch this happen. I have to do something."
"Viktor, please. Just calm down, okay?" she pleaded, placing a hand on my shoulder to soothe me. "Trust me, I'll handle Mr. Ortiz. And he did give his word that he'd give us a chance."
I stared at her for a while before letting out a sigh. I wasn't convinced one bit that her decision would be good, but she looked worn out.
"I'll try. But if he does anything stupid, I'll end him faster than he can say, 'It was a mistake.'"
"Don't worry. Nothing will happen to me, I promise."
Of course, she took my threat seriously even though I meant every word. But I let her go to her room to rest as she looked tired.
I didn't buy any of that back then and still don't. Jacob Ortiz is a ruthless businessman who will not strike a deal if it doesn't benefit him and at the expense of the other party.
We should've all just cut our losses and headed out while still having our wit and hope. But April is too adamant about fighting for this place against my better judgment.
Alright then. But I promised to keep an eye on this new landlord while he's here to ensure he doesn't step out of line. It didn't take long for me to start worrying about Rose.
I fell in love with Rose Anderson from the moment I first saw her when I arrived in Cantia with my mom at age eight. Even though she doesn't know it yet, she is my ray of sunshine.
Her eyes are a stunning baby blue, reminiscent of the clear sky on a sunny day. They are expressive and full of life, reflecting her vibrant spirit and capturing my soul each time I stare into them.
Her warm and genuine smile lights up her face and my heart and adds to her charm. Her rich shade of brunette is cut short in a chic style that frames her face beautifully and accentuates her delicate features.
Her skin, kissed by the summer sun, has a natural glow that enhances her beauty, and her style combines modern trends and traditional Californian influences, reflecting individuality and originality.
It's not just her physical beauty that stood out. Her passion for life and strong sense of self made her beautiful as she carried herself with captivating grace and confidence.
But as embarrassing as it sounds, she's been carelessly throwing herself at Jacob Ortiz since he arrived, and it boils my blood. I get that he's handsome and wealthy, but how could she conveniently ignore that he wants to tear down the home she grew up in?
And am I not equally handsome? It's no secret that I have liked Rose a lot since we were kids. So, why doesn't she gush over me the way she does with this stranger?
"I can't believe how close your boss is getting to Rose. It's sickening."
I shared with April, disgusted by their flirtatious gimmicks, and hoped she would share my view, too.
"I know, it's hard to watch. But there's not much we can do about it. I'm only focused on saving Cantia; whatever else they wish to do, that's their problem."
I don't understand how she can be so calm while I'm fuming inside.
"Yeah, I know Cantia comes first. But it's tough seeing our friend throw herself at someone like that. And the way he looks at her, it's like he's undressing her with his eyes."
I'm not often this jealous of who Rose chooses to flirt with, but it's hurtful to watch.
"I understand you, Viktor. But neither one of us can tell Rose what to do with her body; she's a grown-ass woman. And who knows? Maybe she's working him behind the curtains to save Cantia."
I can't believe she just said that while tapping me on the shoulder. She knew I was jealous, hence her absurd speculations.
"C'mon, Rose probably would be the happiest person if Cantia gets torn down. Even you don't believe that, do you?"
"Nope, but it does make me feel better thinking it might be true," she replied, smiling before returning to her task.
"Sometimes, I doubt she'll even miss this place if it disappears. It's like she wouldn't care at all."
That was sad to say, but that's how she made it look.
"I understand how Cantia can make one feel entrapped sometimes, so I don't fault her for wanting freedom at every chance."
April would probably defend Rose till her dying breath, but I know what kind of person Rose truly is. She's not as simple as we think she is.
"You've been here just as long as she has; why don't you feel the same? You're even willing to keep fighting for this place."
"Because I love it here, and it was my choice to return, but she felt forced. Don't let your emotions cloud your better judgment."
How can they be so different despite growing up in the same place and under the same conditions?
"You think I'm being emotional, don't you? I think so, too."
"C'mon, we've got work to do. Try not to let their relationship affect your focus."
I nodded in agreement to her advice. Her determination has a way of pumping me up. So, I decided to push my feelings aside and focus on the task.
If we can find a way to help raise recognition for the home, maybe Jacob Ortiz will not be forced to destroy it. It's a far stretch, but we can pull it off.
°°°°°°°°°°°°
Jacob's Pov
Obtaining Cantia's records proved to be more complex than expected. They were as confidential as government-private documents. Though I bought the building and land for things like that, I couldn't have access to the records.
Becoming a partner was the only other way to obtain them, but doing so meant restoring the structure and losing the ability to tear it down for future development.
I may have impulsively purchased Cantia and its surrounding lands, but for the past two years, the board has been aiming to erect a few business complexes here in San Bernardino.
I attempted to discuss the records with Rose, but her strict rules about not discussing work when we were together made it impossible.
I used to admire her ambition, strong will, and determination, but those traits now irritated me as they don't help my current needs. She wants complete control over me, but that won't happen. I've played this game before and know all the tricks, but I would never let any woman control me.
The best thing about my vow was that I wouldn't have to worry about falling in love or getting stuck with just one woman, seeing as I had a wide range of preferences that extended to my taste in women.
I don't do favorites, but I enjoy certain qualities, such as being intriguing, diverse, attractive, and open-minded. Though my dating standards are strict, they are worth it in the end.
My experiences have taken me across a broad spectrum of women, from actresses and social media personalities to TV presenters, beauty pageant winners, and other celebrities.
However, I was particular about the duration of my relationships, which ranged from one-night stands to a maximum of two to three weeks, with only a select few I let stick around for a month or two.
I found that those timeframes were sufficient for them to experience the highs and lows of a relationship and determine whether it was worth pursuing further. I preferred avoiding unnecessary drama and instead focused on enjoying my experiences to the fullest.
I don't settle for mediocrity either, but my relationship with Rose was already proving to be a bore, and we've only been together for less than three weeks.
While she perceived me as her way out of here, I viewed our relationship as a mere distraction from April's manipulative tactics of entrapment towards me.
What started as a fleeting feeling of lust and desire or thoughts that came and went had grown with time into something stronger than I had initially imagined. I often wonder if love spells existed because I couldn't get April out of my head.
It physically hurts to be away from her, and as someone who relies on logic, I didn't want to jump to any conclusions until I was sure about my suspicions. So, I tried to recall if I had ever reacted this way to anyone in the past, but I couldn't come up with any correlation.
Reminiscing about the brief moments when we had locked eyes and time seemed to freeze, giving us the chance to see each other, truly brought me comfort. My mind latched onto those moments and wouldn't let go.
She exudes a remarkable blend of delicate, sexy, and striking features. Her skin appears to have a natural glow as if touched by the warm Barstow sun, which left its glow prints on her soft flesh.
The whole room lights up whenever she smiles because her joy is infectious, and her positive energy is palpable. Her style effortlessly combines chic and contemporary.
And despite how much I call her out on being fake with her attributes, it's hard to deny that her inner beauty would've steamed from her kindness, passion, and enthusiasm for life.
I lose valuable time daydreaming about her coming towards my desk, all enticing and seductive, so I grab her and pin her on the desk. And I smiled with pure satisfaction as I kissed her face, lips, and neck.
Hell, I haven't known pleasure or satisfaction as I do in those dreams, and I hated everything I was feeling, as well as how good it felt after thinking about it, and I wanted it to stop.
Lately, it was impossible to spend alone time with Rose if we were not fucking. And right after the foreplay and sex, my mind drifted right back to thoughts of April.
I would kiss and caress Rose in front of her so she would feel uneasy and not misinterpret my ever-changing attitude towards her in the office. I felt terrible using Rose and stirring up her feelings, but I won't give in.
I refuse to admit that April was bringing me to a point where I started giving a fuck about anybody. It's not running from the inevitable; it's choosing an uncomplicated and unemotional headspace.
Rose's evasiveness regarding my questions about the records was becoming irritating. But I planned to get her to open up tonight, so I planned a date and made reservations at some fancy restaurant in the city she'd been raving about all weekend. Knowing the owner sure had advantages, as one call gave us the best seats in the house.
"I can't believe I'm at The Pine. This is incredible."
From her excitement, I could tell this date meant a lot to her, but I couldn't relate, so I just smiled. I'll get the answers I need, and if she still doesn't talk, I'll explore other avenues to obtain the records.
Sitting across from her tonight, I couldn't help feeling a sense of boredom and complete distraction, even when it was my idea to come here with her. It was probably a side effect of being close to April all day and then apart from her.
Why can't I stop thinking about April when I'm not even fond of her? For some reason, her personality, which used to upset me, doesn't bother me anymore.
"I would've brought you here earlier if I'd known it'd make you this happy," I stated, hoping to digress from thoughts of April.
"Well, now you know," she replied with a smile, guilting me further.
Never have I sat across a beautiful lady to eat, and my mind was preoccupied with thinking about another woman. But what does it matter anyway? I won't have to worry about them in less than three months since I'll be back and busy in Madrid.
However, I'd need Rose to help me further my search tonight. She knew something; I could feel it. There was a connection between her, April, and Cantia, but I can't put my finger on it.
They're hiding something, but what is it? Maybe a shared secret? Only that could've brought them back to the middle of nowhere in the name of running a children's Home.
Having worked with April, I know she's well-learned and talented in business management. It's almost natural for her to run a business, so why was she wasting it on some rusty old place like Cantia?
"Rose," I called, dropping my cutlery to look directly into her eyes, "there's been something on my mind, and I need to talk to you about it."
Her eyes narrowed with worry at my words as she immediately sat up.
"Who's it? Is it April? If it's about that bitch, then I'm not interested in knowing how you feel about her."
What? I sighed, embarrassed by her wittiness and half-accuracy of what I'd been thinking about.
"It's not about her; it's about you. I want to get to know you better, if that's okay."
I was afraid she'd think we were in a serious relationship, so I didn't make it a habit of asking her personal questions like this or telling her shit about me.
Keeping our relationship on a surface level was my way of softening the blow on her when we eventually had to part ways. But if I don't start acting invested now, she may never tell me what I need to know.
"Hmm... Okay. So, what do you want to know about me?"
"Why Cantia? Correct me if I'm wrong, but I've been with you for the past few weeks, so I can tell you're incredibly talented. However, you don't strike me as a managerial type. So, why are you still in Cantia?"
"I grew up there," she replied, each word like a painful memory she wished to forget.
"So, the Home is important to you. I see—"
"Nope. It may have been the only Home I've ever known, but it's been like this huge stain on my life I wish I never had."
Her response surprised me, but now I was curious to know more. Did she experience some trauma growing up in the Home? Would she even be able to get me what I need?
"Why didn't you leave then?"
"Because I can't, not right away. Though I left for college, I had to return when I didn't get the big break I aimed for. And a girl got to stay close to Home, right?"
She casually replied before returning to her meal, breaking our eye contact. Does she expect me to believe that BS?
There was a reason she and I hit it off naturally from the start. She appeared self-centered, straightforward, and blunt, and I was comfortable with that because I thought she didn't hide anything from me.
"What exactly are you waiting for in Cantia, Rose? Who are you waiting for?"
My question took her by surprise, maybe because she wasn't expecting me to crack past her bullshit and call out what it really was. She stopped eating for the second time and looked to meet my eyes.
"The same fucker who left me in front of Cantia's doors twenty-five fucking years ago, that's who."