Chapter 2

I stood in the courtyard of the Villarreal Group building, gazing straight at the skyscraper that towered proudly through the clouds. Its grandeur seemed to underscore just how small I was in this place. However, I quickly clenched my fists, pushing away the feeling of insignificance that had briefly crept in. I have to be able to stand on my own two feet, I whispered to myself encouragingly. I realized I wouldn’t always be under the Villarreal family’s protection.

I had to be independent. I had to be able to earn my own money. Someday, when that day comes—the day I have to leave and step out of their luxurious home—I won’t be left adrift. I already have a solid foundation to support my own life.

Taking a deep breath to gather my composure, I stepped into the lobby. I felt a little calmer. After all, I’d made it into this company purely on my own merits, passing through every stage of the rigorous selection process without a shred of inside help. Remembering that, my confidence grew stronger. I’m sure I can handle all these new tasks with ease.

However, that calmness suddenly evaporated the moment I stepped into the main hallway. My footsteps came to an immediate halt as I mingled with a dozen other employees who suddenly stepped aside and bowed respectfully. At the end of the hallway, Javier—my adoptive brother, who now serves as CEO—was walking with a firm, authoritative stride. There was no smile on his face, only a stiff, cold expression.

However, it wasn’t Javier’s intimidating aura that made my breath catch in my chest—it was the figure of a curvaceous woman walking gracefully beside him. Her hand was playfully draped over the sleeve of Javier’s suit jacket. I knew who she was. Adriana. Javier’s fiancée, who, according to reports, is set to marry him in a few months—or perhaps a few weeks; I’m not entirely sure. What’s clear is that the diamond ring on her ring finger serves as undeniable proof that they’re officially engaged.

They looked so well-matched. Especially since Adriana comes from a prominent business tycoon family and is also a famous model who frequently graces the covers of fashion magazines. It’s like night and day compared to me, who’s just a lone orphan taken in out of pity.

“Good morning, sir…,” I joined in with the formal greeting like the other employees, folding my hands in front of my body while bowing my head as low as possible. I didn’t dare look at him. I was afraid my eyes would betray all the boundaries Javier had set earlier that morning.

Javier continued walking past the line of employees without turning his head, ignoring every greeting with the absolute arrogance of a ruler. As soon as his firm stride and the click-clack of Adriana’s high heels faded away toward the executive elevator, the whispers around me erupted.

“Mr. Javier and his partner are such a perfect match, aren’t they? One is handsome, the other is stunningly beautiful.”

“True! And his fiancée is a famous model, right? They’re a perfect match. When they have kids, their genes will definitely be flawless.”

“Yeah, especially since they’re both wealthy only children. This company is sure to become number one after they get married.”

Without realizing it, I clenched both my fists at my sides until my fingernails turned white and it stung. The compliments they were hurling were absolute truths. Indisputable facts. Yet, why did just hearing them make my chest throb with such excruciating pain? The sting was so real, as if an invisible knife were slowly slicing through my heart.

****

Time flew by in the marketing division’s office. I was so grateful to have such good coworkers and a supportive team. They patiently guided me as the newcomer. Yes, even behind that friendliness, I knew full well there were a few pairs of eyes glaring at me with disdain—the typical resentment seniors feel toward a newcomer. Still, I chose to ignore it and buried myself in a pile of paperwork.

“Here’s our division’s financial report. Who’s going to take it to Mr. Javier’s office?” called out the division head from the middle cubicle, breaking the silence of the room, which was filled only with the sound of keyboard clicks.

I stayed silent, pretending not to hear. My focus remained locked on the computer screen in front of me, finishing up the data entry I’d been assigned just an hour ago. The room suddenly fell silent; not a single senior colleague volunteered. Facing Javier on the top floor seemed to be a nightmare everyone avoided due to his unforgiving nature.

“Ugh, I’m so busy right now—my work is still piling up. Let the new hire take them upstairs,” said one of the senior women in a deliberately lazy tone. Of course, her sharp remark immediately forced me to look up.

“Me?” I repeated, pointing at myself to make sure.

“Yes, you take those files up, Camila. Just deliver them to the secretary on the top floor—then you can come right back here,” replied the division head, agreeing to the senior’s suggestion without giving it a second thought.

I froze for a moment. My hand gently clenched the edge of the desk, trying to calm the pounding of my heart, which had suddenly gone into a frantic race just from hearing that man’s name mentioned. But I had no choice. How could I possibly refuse an order from my boss on my very first day on the job, right?

With a heavy heart and mixed emotions, I accepted the thick folder bearing the company logo. I clutched the folder tightly to my chest, as if it could serve as a shield to protect my fragile heart, before staggering toward the elevator that would take me to the top floor—the CEO’s executive suite.

Ding!

The elevator doors opened on the top floor. The atmosphere here felt much quieter and more exclusive. I walked down the corridor with its gleaming marble floor, following the directions given to me by the division head earlier. He had said I just needed to hand these documents to Javier’s secretary, who was on duty at the front desk.

However, when I arrived, the chair behind the luxurious desk was completely empty. The secretary wasn’t there.

I stood there, confused, in the middle of the quiet corridor. “So, where am I supposed to put this file?” I wondered to myself.

There was no way I could just go home without any clarity or leave such an important document on an empty desk. After weighing my options anxiously, I decided to knock on the door and hand it directly to Javier. After all, I could see that the large door in front of me was slightly ajar, leaving a gap of a few centimeters.

My footsteps swayed slowly and silently across the floor. But just as my hand rose to knock, every joint in my body suddenly froze. My heart felt like it had frozen, stopping right where it was, when my eyes accidentally caught a glimpse through the narrow crack of the open door.

Inside that spacious room, I saw Javier holding Adriana in his lap on his leather sofa. Javier’s strong arms wrapped possessively around the woman’s slender waist, while Adriana had her arms draped around Javier’s neck. Right before my eyes, the two of them were kissing each other so intimately and passionately.

A scene that usually only appeared in my nightmares was now unfolding mercilessly before me.

Watching them lock lips, all the oxygen around me suddenly vanished. My chest tightened, leaving a suffocating sensation so crushing that it made it hard for me to breathe. My head spun, and my vision slowly blurred as a clear film suddenly welled up in my eyes.

I know this is ridiculous. I know I have no right to feel this shattered. Isn’t this a big deal? They’re a couple who are engaged and about to get married. It’s perfectly natural for them to do that.

I tried to instill that logic in my head, trying to quell the storm of emotions raging inside my chest. But, damn it, my heart refused to compromise. The pain spread so quickly, shattering all the defenses I’d built up since this morning.

With my hands shaking violently, I clutched the folder to my chest even tighter, biting my lower lip hard so no sound of sobbing would escape my mouth.

But why does it hurt so much, God? Why does loving him have to hurt this much? I asked myself silently, lamenting my misfortune—trapped in a labyrinth of forbidden love from which I’ll never find a way out.

****