Chapter 4

“Oh my god! Is this going to be another scene?” Zella whispered.

“Zella, can you just keep quiet?” Sofia replied, clearly annoyed.

Sofia was now watching Asher’s parents approaching the venue. She let out a deep sigh, knowing that some drama was bound to unfold.

Asher had explicitly told her not to invite his parents because they didn’t get along. Sofia didn’t care about the conflict between Asher and his parents, but now she had to deal with the consequences.

“W-wait a second, that man looks familiar, Paloma. Oh my god! He’s one of our regular guests at the casino. That’s Armando Quinto,” Zella exclaimed in shock.

Zella immediately turned to her friend, Paloma. She could see the tension on her friend’s beautiful face.

“I didn’t know Mr. Armando Quinto was Asher’s father,” Sofia said in confusion.

She let out another deep sigh. She needed to step away from the scene and get some fresh air.

Sofia felt like she couldn’t breathe with Armando’s presence there. She quickly excused herself from Zella and went to find her boyfriend, Amir. While searching for him, she saw that he was engaged in a conversation.

She decided to let him be for now so she could have some alone time. She headed to the back of the hotel where she and Asher had met the previous night.

Sofia laughed to herself at the absurdity of the situation. She never expected to see Armando again, much less find out that Asher and Armando were father and son.

She was startled when her phone suddenly rang in her pocket. She quickly answered the call.

“Hello?”

“Paloma? Where are you?”

“I just went to the restroom. I’m retouching my makeup.”

“Where exactly? I’ll come find you.”

“Oh, no need! I know you, Amir. I’m on my way back.”

Sofia ended the call before Amir could respond, knowing he’d create some mischief if he came looking for her in the restroom.

She quickly composed herself and returned to the garden area where the gender reveal party was being held. As she got back, Amir was walking toward her.

“There’s a restroom at the back of the hotel?” Amir asked curiously.

“Yes, there is. By the way, who were you talking to earlier?” Sofia asked, furrowing her brow.

She changed the subject to avoid more questions from him.

“Oh, they said they’re relatives of Asher. They own a modeling agency and were trying to recruit me as a model,” Amir said with a laugh.

He chuckled because such offers were nothing new to him. People had approached him before, offering jobs as a model or actor.

Amir admitted he was handsome and had a great physique, which is why people made such offers. But he always declined because he preferred tinkering with cars rather than walking runways like a lifeless mannequin.

“You let that opportunity slip again? That’s such a waste, especially since I know those people. They own a famous modeling agency. Asher works there as a model,” Sofia said.

She often encouraged her boyfriend to accept offers to model because it would be a good source of income. But Amir wasn’t interested in such things.

She wasn’t worried that Amir might become famous, forget about her, or find someone else. Sofia knew Amir wasn’t like that. If there were awards for loyalty, her boyfriend would certainly win one.

Sofia often thought how lucky she was to have Amir. Though she herself was involved in questionable actions, she did it all for her mother and for Amir.

“Let it go, Paloma. Who knows, maybe one day I’ll change my mind and become interested in those things,” Amir said with a smile.

“I hope so, Amir. It would be a shame not to use that good looks and charm of yours,” Sofia said with a grin.

“Why would it be a waste? You’re the only one who benefits from me, and that’s enough for me,” Amir said with a mischievous smile.

“You’re so full of nonsense! By the way, where’s Zella?” Sofia asked.

Sofia looked for her friend and saw her up front, where the gender reveal was about to happen.

Sofia jokingly told Amir that Zella seemed like family since she was right in front with Asher and Cassia’s families.

As they moved closer to the front, Sofia’s eyes landed on Armando Quinto. She swallowed hard when she realized he was looking at her, seemingly pleased to see her.

Without realizing it, she tightened her grip on Amir’s muscular arm.

“Paloma? Are you okay?” Amir asked, concerned.

He immediately sensed something was wrong when Paloma suddenly held onto him tightly.

“I’m fine. I just feel a bit hungry since I didn’t have a proper breakfast this morning,” Sofia said as an excuse.

“It’s a girl!”

Sofia looked up and saw pink smoke in the air, signaling that Asher and Cassia were having a baby girl.

She joined the crowd in clapping and cheering. A soft smile formed on her lips as she observed Asher’s reaction a forced smile on his handsome face.

She knew Asher had been hoping for a boy. Whenever they were together, he always talked about wanting a son.

“They’re having a baby girl,” Amir said happily.

“Are you getting baby fever too?” Sofia teased.

“I’m just waiting for you. But maybe not yet. I still need to save more,” Amir replied with a smile.

Amir had been saving money for them because he knew he wanted to spend the rest of his life with Paloma.

“You know, Amir, we’re getting too sentimental. Let’s just go congratulate the couple. I’ll introduce you to Cassia,” Sofia said.

Happiness filled Sofia’s heart at Amir’s words. She didn’t realize he was already saving for their future.

Though she was delighted, marriage wasn’t on her mind yet. She was also saving up to lift her family out of poverty.

Sofia was about to step toward Asher and Cassia when Amir stopped her. She looked at him curiously.

“I meant what I said, Paloma. I want to spend the rest of my life with you. But I know you’re not ready yet. Don’t worry, I’ll wait for that day,” Amir said.

“Thank you, Amir,” Sofia replied with a small smile.

Sofia didn’t know what else to say. Her gratitude toward her boyfriend came straight from her heart. She invited Amir again to approach Asher and Cassia.

When they reached them, Sofia gave Cassia a tight hug and congratulated her. She could see the joy on Cassia’s face now that she knew she was having a baby girl.

“Thank God! I’m so happy right now! Asher and I are having a baby girl!” Cassia said cheerfully.

Cassia felt like her dreams were coming true. She prayed for their baby’s health.

“Well, congratulations, Cassia! I’m so happy for you and Asher,” Sofia said with a smile.

She then turned her attention to Asher, who was looking at her. She approached him with a smile and hugged him.

“Sorry, it’s a girl. Don’t worry, we can always try for a baby boy,” Sofia whispered playfully.

As she stepped back from the hug, she chuckled quietly at Asher’s reaction to her remark.

“Cassia, I’d like to introduce you to my boyfriend. This is Amir Gomez, my handsome and dashing partner,” Sofia said proudly.

She pulled Amir from behind her, knowing he was a bit shy.

“A-Amir, nice to meet you,” Cassia said with a faint smile.

Cassia swallowed hard upon seeing the handsome and dashing man in front of her again.

She never thought she’d see him again. As she looked at Amir, she noticed his eyes widen slightly in recognition.