CHAPTER 4

Miguel Gunther Salvatierra, the 29-year-old billionaire and CEO of a multinational company, was busy moving from one desk to another.

His office, located on the 30th floor of a tall building, was filled with luxurious furniture and modern technology. He was preoccupied with finishing some paperwork when his secretary, Beatrice, entered his office.

“Sir Miguel, the reports you requested are here,” she said. The concern in the elderly woman’s voice was evident.

“Thank you, Manang (1) Beatrice,” Miguel responded without taking his eyes off the laptop screen. Beatrice had been serving their company for a long time, having been his father’s secretary before he passed the responsibility of the company to him. “Just put them on the other desk, please.”

After the elderly woman left, Miguel exhaled and leaned back against his chair, trying to calm himself for a moment.

He picked up his tablet from the side of the desk and turned it on.

An article immediately caught his attention: “Media Magnate, 68, Set to Marry Young Heiress in Surprise Wedding Announcement.”

Without realizing it, he clicked on the headline to learn more.

According to the news, the well-known media magnate, Arnulfo Fuentes, was set to marry Lilliane Olivares, the heir of the late Leandro Olivares of NexTech Solutions.

Miguel was familiar with the names mentioned, except for the second one.

Arnulfo Fuentes was an influential figure in the media industry, while Leandro Olivares had been one of the most respected Tech Moguls when he was alive.

Miguel had never seen the daughter of the Olivares couple until they died in an accident three years ago.

As far as he knew, Leandro’s sister, Mathilda Amante, and her husband, Richard, were the ones currently managing NexTech Solutions. The company was facing bankruptcy, and one of the possible solutions seemed to be for the Olivares heiress to marry the older Fuentes. He didn’t believe there was any love between the two.

Miguel scrolled further until a picture of the two appeared on the screen.

He suddenly straightened up as his eyes locked onto Lilliane. His lips parted slightly as he stared at the woman’s face.

“I know her...” he whispered to himself.

The memory of the passionate night they shared came flooding back. The times he claimed her body, the moans and cries she made—these memories were still vivid in his mind.

He hadn’t intended to have a one-night stand that night, but she had caught his attention as he watched the people dancing below while sipping from his glass of alcohol.

Her sexy, smooth back, the curve of her body, her seductive outfit paired with her messy bun—Miguel had noticed she was already quite drunk, seeing her take multiple shots despite the bartender’s attempts to stop her.

When she started dancing on the floor, Miguel couldn’t help but approach her. He wasn’t sure why he was suddenly concerned about a stranger when such things were typical in clubs.

Just as another man was about to approach her, Miguel stopped him with a glare, making the man back off from whatever he had planned for Lilliane.

Miguel knew he was attracted to her. She had an irresistible charm, and he was certain many eyes were watching her, waiting for an opportunity to get close to her that night.

As he stared at the picture of Lilliane, Miguel noticed the sadness and exhaustion in her eyes, despite the smile on her lips. It was clear that the woman was being forced into her current situation.

Suddenly, he recalled the words she had uttered when he invited her to leave with him that night.

“I’ll go with you, anywhere! I don’t have any worth tomorrow anyway!”

A frown formed on his forehead.

Was that why she had asked him to take her, to go through with what they did that night?

She didn’t want to give her virginity to the old man!

His interest was piqued.

“Manang Beatrice!” he called to his 59-year-old secretary.

The woman peeked through the door of his office.

“What is it, Miguel?”

When it was just the two of them, Beatrice sometimes didn’t call him “sir”—a habit dating back to when Miguel was younger. To him, Beatrice was like family.

Beatrice approached his desk.

“I need to know all the details and information about Lilliane Olivares.”

Beatrice glanced at the tablet screen, her brow furrowing.

“Isn’t that...” she pointed at the elderly Fuentes, who was smiling broadly in the photo, his arm around the young woman beside him. “And is that, Lilliane?” she asked, shifting her eyes to the beautiful young woman in a soft blush pink dress standing next to Arnulfo.

Miguel sighed.

“Yes. Can you help me gather information about her?”

“What kind of information are you looking for?”

“Her address, Manang Beatrice. Find out where she lives—every detail I need to know, as thoroughly as possible.”

Beatrice couldn’t help but raise an eyebrow.

“Immediately, Miguel?” Beatrice asked. “How much time will you need?”

“I would like it done right away.”

Beatrice hesitated for a moment but chose to leave the office silently to begin her task.

After his secretary left, Miguel allowed himself a moment of reflection. He couldn’t understand why Lilliane’s current situation was having such an emotional effect on him.

He could see the fatigue in her eyes, the lack of life despite her smile. Her tension was also evident in the photo.

He had never seen Lilliane at any important gatherings he had attended alongside her parents when they were still alive—or maybe he just hadn’t paid attention.

Suddenly, his mind drifted to her lifeless eyes from that night when they locked gazes on the dance floor. He also remembered her seductive eyes, silently urging him to continue what he had started.

Her smooth, fragrant skin, which his hands, mouth, and tongue had explored; the way her body arched; the moans and cries that drove him wild.

Miguel pinched the bridge of his nose, closing his eyes as he leaned back once more. He couldn’t help but let out a soft curse as he felt himself stirring again at the memory of their night together.

Since that encounter, she had never left his thoughts, even for a moment.

He hoped he could meet her again.

***

FOOTNOTE

(1) Manang: A term used in the Philippines to address older females as a sign of respect. It is often used for older sisters, aunts, or any older female figure.