Chapter Four: The Arrangement Solidifies

Alonso's pov

"Alonso!”

“ Carlos’s voice broke through my thoughts as he entered my office, his presence a welcome distraction. "I’ve been thinking about Vincent’s proposal."

Carlos had been my confidant for years. He knew my thoughts about marriage and how I had no interest in entering into a commitment, especially a forced one. But even Carlos could see the importance of having a stable home for Alejandro.

"Have you made a decision yet?" Carlos asked, leaning back in the chair across from me.

"Not yet," I replied, rubbing my temple. "I’m still considering it. But to be honest, I’m not looking for a wife. I need a mother figure for Alejandro. That’s the only reason I’m even entertaining this proposal."

"You’ve been pacing for the last ten minutes, Alonso. Just make a decision."

Carlos’s voice cut through my thoughts, pulling me from the relentless loop I’d been stuck in all morning. I exhaled, forcing myself to stop in front of my desk.

"I can’t rush this," I muttered, rubbing my temple. "This isn’t just about business. This is about Alejandro’s future."

Carlos leaned back in his chair, studying me with a knowing expression. "And that’s exactly why you need to stop hesitating. You know as well as I do that Vincent Parker is desperate. That means you have the upper hand here. But if there’s even a small chance this could benefit Alejandro, you need to seriously consider it."

I let out a sharp breath, frustration coiling in my chest. Marriage had never been a priority. Hell, I never thought I’d have to entertain the idea like this forced, transactional. But Vincent’s offer refused to leave my mind, gnawing at me every time I looked at my son.

"I’m not looking for a wife, Carlos. I need a mother figure for Alejandro. That’s the only reason I’m even considering this."Carlos nodded. He knew the situation with my son had been difficult for me. I had stepped into the role of both father and mother after the deaths of my brother and his wife. My mother had done her best to help, but she couldn’t fill that void. 

"Do you think she’ll be a good fit for Alejandro?" Carlos asked.

I hesitated. "I don’t know. I need to meet her first, see for myself. But I have no intention of getting emotionally involved with her. I’m not doing this for me. I’m doing it for Alejandro."

Carlos nodded, his expression unreadable. "Then the next step is obvious. Find out who she really is. You need to know if this woman can be trusted around your son."

He wasn’t wrong. If I was going to do this, I needed certainty.

I turned to my desk and pressed the intercom button. "Miguel, get me everything you can on Skyla Parker. I want a full report on my desk by the end of the week."

Miguel’s voice was crisp over the speaker. "Understood, Señor Ignacio. I’ll get started immediately."

Days passed, the weight of the decision pressing down on me. Each night, I found myself watching Alejandro as he slept, wondering if I was doing the right thing.

By the end of the week, Miguel handed me a folder, thick with information. I opened it carefully, scanning through the details about Skyla Parker. The first thing that stood out was her age: twenty-three. Young. But then again, I was only five years older. Her career as a freelance artist intrigued me,she had graduated from Universitat de Barcelona, and she had lived in the city for years. She seemed to be a woman with ambition, someone who would understand the importance of pursuing her dreams. That could be a good sign.

I flipped through more pages. Family background ,troubling. Being Vincent Parker’s daughter immediately raised suspicions. I knew what kind of man he was, which made me wonder how much of that had influenced his daughter.

But as I read on, something shifted.

There was no indication of her being involved in any scandals. No relationships. No signs of recklessness. She lived with her friend Emma Smith, focusing on her career. She seemed private, careful, and nothing like the manipulative man who had offered her to me like a business transaction. I had no reason to doubt her outright after all, she had no relationship status listed. She appeared to be focused on her career, her independence, and living with her friend Emily Smith. I could work with that.

Then there was her photograph.

She has a strikingly beautiful ,long chestnut hair, usually tied in a loose braid or bun. Green eyes with flecks of gold. I barely registered my fingers tightening around the edge of the page before I shook off the thought.

I wasn’t interested in her. Not in that way.

She would be a mother to Alejandro. Nothing more.

Yet, as I continued reading, I found myself feeling a bit more hopeful about the situation. Perhaps Skyla could provide the stability Alejandro needed. Perhaps she could be the mother figure I was looking for.

But still, I had to meet her in person. I couldn’t base this decision on a file, no matter how detailed. I needed to see if she had the right temperament, if she could handle the responsibility of being around my son.

Weeks passed, my focus divided between business and this looming decision. Vincent had been relentless, pressing Miguel for answers. But I had put this off long enough.

By the time I picked up my phone and dialed Vincent’s number, I already knew what needed to be done.

The call barely rang once before Vincent answered, his voice practically dripping with enthusiasm.

"Good afternoon, Mr. Ignacio! How’s business? What prompted you to call my line? I hope it’s good news."

I kept my tone measured. "Mr. Parker, I’ve thought long about your proposal. Before I can make a decision, I need to meet with the woman you’re offering me. I need to know who she is before I make any commitments."

There was a pause,brief but telling. Then Vincent’s voice returned, overly cheerful. "Wonderful! I knew you’d come around! I’ll arrange a meeting with Skyla. Thank you for your participation, Mr. Ignacio. I really appreciate it."

I clenched my jaw at his choice of words. Participation. As if this were a game.

"Goodbye, Mr. Parker," I said flatly. “ I have things to attend to.” I ended the call before he could respond.I could almost hear his grin through the phone. I wasn’t sure if that bothered me more than the fact that he had been so eager to sell me his daughter.

 I didn’t want to waste any more time with pleasantries. I had a meeting to prepare for.

As soon as I hung up, I felt a strange mixture of relief and dread. The next step had been taken, and now, I would have to meet Skyla Parker. I only hoped I was making the right choice for Alejandro’s sake.

And that was the part that truly mattered.