Chapter Seven

            SELENE POV

Mr. Rochester was the exact opposite of what I thought he'd be and not what everyone painted him to be too. Instead of a serious businessman who'd be so strict and wise, he's more a cunning stupid womanizer who's done nothing but sexualizing my secretary since we got here. It's not like I have a problem with that. Leah is single and can be with whoever she wants, but it was a bit gross the way he stared.

"So, I'm signing this deal with which of the Valenquez?" He asked with a grin, his hands folded on the table in front of him.

"My brother Emiliano" I voice out and he nods before picking up the paper.

"So it's a tech and motor company" he scrutinized the paper like it was some gold he was trying to mine. "Interesting deal. And what does my company get from this? What's my share?"

"Twenty percent" Both I and Liano say at the same time and Rochester raised his brows staring at both of us.

"Isn't that a loss for me?"

"You're investing not buying my business. If you're not willing to work with me then fuck out!" Liano grunted and I place my hands on his shoulder calming him.

"I'll handle this brother" sitting up, I set my hand on the table, leaning closer to Rochester. "This deal we're striking would help the business, yes, but it's mostly for your good. You get a fucking twenty percent share for doing absolutely nothing after you've invested your shit money. In a year, you'll make more than you invested in the first place!" I stop to take a breath. "I won't force you Mr. Rochester but know this. Your shares from my hotels, restaurants, and resorts would be removed. I won't work with anyone who's not willing to work with my brother" I state with narrowed eyes and he blinked rapidly.

"B-but if you withdraw that would crumble my company" he stuttered.

"Exactly. We don't want to see that now, do we?" I smirk.

"I do" Liano huffed from beside me.

"Fine, I'll invest" Rochester picked up the pen, signing on the contract without even fully reading it. I think that's what fear and money do to someone.

"Done?"

"Done!" He said and we shake hands. He shook hands with Liano and Leon as well before I stood up.

"It's nice doing business with you again Mr. Valenquez" Rochester smirked and I nod at him. "May I propose a celebration for the collaboration?" He grinned.

"A little party won't hurt" I hear Liano say.

"Yeah" Leon seconded.

Seriously?! This guy! I was hoping if maybe I could fly back to Seattle today to Selene and Freya.

"Well?" Mr. Rochester stared at me awaiting my approval.

"Of course" I breathe and he smiled.

"Then we could grab drinks and spray some confetti at my bar downtown," Rochester said before walking us out of his shit office. Rochester deals with the transportation of goods and even sells tech equipment.



Freya took me and Aida around the mall a thousand times just picking out random toys and playing at all the kid's joints. Now, she's craving ice cream but I only allow her to take anything containing milk once a day because she's lactose intolerant, like me.

"Baby, you can't take that," I say and she pouts.

"Oh come one. Just one" Aida pushed before grabbing an ice cream cone and handing it to Freya who jumped up and down. She does spoil this girl more than even Fabrico spoils her.

"Alright, you can have the ice cream and we'll go ok?" I talk to Freya and she nods before taking a huge lick.

"While you wait, I'd love to check out some few dresses I saw outback" Aida gleed before walking away. I turn to my little girl who wasn't paying attention to anything but her ice cream.

"Let's take a seat ok?"

"Yes, mommy" We walk to the side and sit by a chair close to the elevator and Freya tells me all about the fun she had today and how she'd like to come here again with me and her daddy.

"What a surprise Mrs. Valenquez" I hear a familiar voice say from above me. It's Jake and he's grinning down at me. His grinning face always makes me think about Blake.

"Jake Taylor!" I stand up to shake his hand and he stared down at Freya.

"The little girl, is she your daughter?" He asked and I nod. Jake walked to Freya and stared at her closely. My little girl stared back at him with big eyes.

"Who is he, mommy?" She then asked.

"Hi, I'm Jake" he introduced himself before I could speak. "Mommy's friend"

"Jake?" She said his name like she was testing how it sounded on her tongue.

"How are you?"

"I'm fine," Freya said before gripping the skirt of my maxi dress.

"She's a cute little thing," Jake said and I smiled. Freya is the cutest gumdrop and she's my miracle. My little joy. Since I had a miscarriage, I was told I couldn't get pregnant again, but I had Freya and it made me the happiest woman. I only live to treasure her every day.

"She is" I chuckle. Aida reappears again with two bags of clothing in her hand and I shake my head. An older woman who loves fashion like a youngster.

"Who's this?" She asked referring to Jake.

"This is Jake Taylor, a...friend. and Jake, this is my mother in law"

The two share an awkward handshake before Aida takes Freya's hand in hers. "We'll be ahead"

"No, I would also come now." I jerk. "Bye Jake."

"I could come to the office tomorrow and we could finally talk," Jake said and I nod.

"Sure"

...

I call Fabrico when we get back home because Freya wanted to tell him about her day and Fabrico was so interested in what she had to say I just listened to them converse like they were paddies.

"Congratulations on the contract honey" I smile and Fabrico grinned.

"Thanks love. I'll be coming back sooner. I can't wait to see you"

"Just see me?" I smiled cheekily.

"No, not just see you. Kiss you and hopefully eat you" he smirked making my cheek flush and thank goodness Freya wasn't around here anymore.

"I can't wait to see you too" I blow him a kiss. "What are you doing tonight?"

"Well, Rochester is holding a little party at his bar and I'm invited"

"Of course you are" I chuckle.

"I should be on my way soon though, it's almost time"

"Since when did you care about the time?" I chuckled again.

"Now, because I want to speed this thing up and get back home to you" His eyes looked longing when he said that and I wished I could hug him through the phone, my heart ached.

"Speed it up then" I smile at him and he nods.

"I'll call you tonight when I get back but if you're going to bed, send me a text and I won't disturb you. Alright?"

"Yes sir" I grin.

"You would be calling me that by tomorrow when I tie you to our bed!" Fabrico said and I hear someone cough in the background.

"Jeez, slow down you two" It was Leon's voice and I chuckled, shy at being caught.

"Fuck off" Fabrico warned him before facing me again. "Bye love. Talk later. I love you"

"I love you too. Bye" I smooch kisses at him before hanging up and I sigh relaxing against the headboard of the bed.

Fabrico POV

Rochester's idea of a bar is more a club. He ushered us to a booth for six and we all sit. I stare around. "Where's Leah?" I ask Leon.

"Said she was coming later on...oh there she is" He points to the door where my assistant just walked in, in a red dress so tight and short. It was my first time seeing her dress so provocatively and with her red hair tied up in a ponytail. Huh. Rochester eyes her from top to bottom.

"Sorry I'm late sir" she apologized to me with a smile before sitting next to me and I just nod before grabbing the bottle of vodka in front of me.

"So, Leon. You never really told me what you do" Rochester said to my friend who was trying to chug his drink.

"I'm not an office guy like these two" Leon points to me and Liano. "I'm more a see you in court kinda guy. A Lawyer" he smirked proudly. Leon can get along with literally anybody and I'm not surprised to see how he's conversing with Rochester so smoothly.

"That's very nice," Roch said and they continue their conversation talking about business chains. I busy myself with my vodka until I see my phone flash with a call from Selene and I get up, walking away from the rest. I found out I stumbled a bit.

"Hey, babe," I say when I close myself in a more quiet area.

"Where are you?"

"Rochester's club"

"I thought you said it was a bar" she whined.

"That's what I thought too until I got here" I sigh and relax my head against the wall and then withdrew Immediately. Gross. Who knows what has been done on this wall. I just pace around.

"Please tell me there are no strippers because what you told me about Rochester, he's insane" Selene's voice was like a whisper in my ear.

"No. No strippers I promise"

"Ok" she sighed. "Is your secretary there?"

I wonder why she always asks me about my secretary and how she's faring. It's kind of weird that she does it and I'll just have to ask her why she does it when I get back. After the call with Selene, I walk back to the booth to see only Leah sitting there sipping on her margarita like it was a precious drink.

"Where's the rest?" I ask her before sitting again.

"Rochester left to handle something. Leon is on the dance floor" she said and I grimace. I'm not sure how Kay would take that her boyfriend is grinding on strangers. But the thing is, they're not dating. I wonder what they are actually.

"And Liano?"

She points to the bar counter where Liano is talking to a brunette. That brunette. Vanessa is fucking here! I should've known. Oh wait, I did know.  I grunt! Everyone's happy but me. From the peripheral of my eyes, I see Leah move closer to me and I blink.