<b>Chapter </b><b>105 </b>
After Alejandro left that morning, silence settled over the
room like a warm nket.
Nivea sat still for a moment, her eyes drifting to the untouched breakfast tray.
Her appetite was nonexistent, but she forced herself to nibble at a croissant, chewing slowly, barely tasting it
Alejandro had left not too long ago, and though his presente still lingered in the room like his scent on her skin, she needed to ground herself. Today wasn’t about emotions; it was business.
Today was the contract signing with Vionelle, and despite the physical soreness and emotional whirlwind from the previous night, she wouldn’t miss it for the world.
That reminder snapped her out of her haze, Pulling herself together, she quickly fixed her appearance and made her way outside.
As <b>always</b><b>, </b>Darren and her driver were waiting. The drive to the venue was calm, the city bustling outside the tinted windows.
Nivera stared out the window, her heart hammering softly in her chest, and excitement hummed low in her stomach. This was a big step for her.
A binding contract and her new chapter.
Upon arrival, the building loomed in clean, corporate elegance. She was promptly ushered <b>inside</b>, where Celeste was already seated alongside awyer- Alejandro’s, judging by the slicked back hair, too–clean sult, and unreadable face
The signing <b>was </b>smooth. Paper after paper slid across the table, and her signature followed.
When it was done, she shook hands with the representatives of thepany, photos were taken, and pleasantries were exchanged. It was official<b>, </b><b>and </b>now, she could fully breathe.
Once done, she thanked Celeste and the <bwyer </b>before exiting the boardroom.
As soon as she stepped through the lobby doors, she brought out her phone, intending to text Alejandro and tell him that she had signed the contract But her fingers froze just as she began to type.
Because across the courtyard, walking toward the building, were two very familiar figures.
Her father and <b>her </b>sister.
Her stomach <b>dropped </b>like a stone,
, and her blood ran cold.
<b>Before </b>either could spot her, she turned on her heel and walked briskly back <b>inside</b>. Her heels clicked against the marble floor, <b>loud </b>and <b>erratic</b>.
Running to the elevator was too risky–who knew the floor it was on? There was no way they wouldn’t meet her there.
No. She had to get away–now!
She didn’t stop to think <b>as </b>she turned left, then right, eyes darting until she found a corridor that looked less popted.
Her heart pounded in her ears as she walked. Once she <b>had </b><b>put </b>enough distance between <b>herself </b>and the entrance, she ducked into a quiet hallway and pulled <b>a </b>scarf from her bag, wrapping <b>it </b>around her head.
She added sunsses to cover the rest of her face. Her father could not see her, not today, as Vivian wouldn’t hesitate to find out what she was doing
there.
She didn’t want to risk Vivian causing her to lose the deal, as she wouldn’t put it past her older sister.
“Annoying bitch,” she muttered to herself.
She pushed open a side door, waiting through what looked like a service exit, and stepped into a narrow alleyway behind the building, <b>alpping </b>o the stret
Her breathing <b>was </b>shaky, her hands slightly trembling she pulled her phone out and began texting Darren, exining where she was
Just as she hit send, the sensation of being watched slithered up her spine. She lifted her eyes slowly–and saw one of her father’s guards standing near theer, looking in her direction.
He had definitely recoped her. The scarf and sunsses weren’t enough to hide her identity.
<b>Shit </b>
Panic gripped her chest, but she forced herself to walk
Not fast, not slow. Just casually away so she wouldn’t raise an rm. She turned the corner, crossed a narrow street, and entered the first boild che found open.
A coffee shop.
The bell jingled above her head as she stepped inside. It was quiet, the scent of roasted beans and <b>vani </b>watting through the air.
Only a handful of people were scattered around. Her pulse slowed just a little <b>as </b>she stepped to the counter to order an espresen
As she nced around, her eyesnded on a familiar face.
Zabelle Garcia.
She lookedposed and calm, sitting with a guard stationed nearby Nivera’s heart fluttered–part nerves, part surprise. Without thinking she walked forward
The guard moved instantly, hand dipping into <b>his </b>jacket. “Zabelle? Is that you? Nivera sald, voice still partially muffled by the scart
Zabello looked up, her surprise visible even behind herposed exterior.
“I know her,” Zabelle said to her guard, calming him. “Nivera”
Her eyes narrowed as she took in her disguise. “What are you doing here, and why are you dressed like trouble?”
Nivera gave a tired smile, ncing over her shoulder. “I could <b>ask </b>you the same thing.” She leaned closer. I’m running away from my father’s men.”
“Remind me of yourst name again, Zabelle asked casually, although Nivera knew she’d never mentioned it before.
“Elton,” the guard beside her answered tly.
Nivera flipped him off without hesitation, as <b>she </b>wasn’t proud ofing from the Elton family and would have rather kept it a secret.
“Mind if I join you?” she asked, tuming her attention back to Zabelle.
“Sure,” Zabelle gestured to the empty seat across from her<b>. </b>
Nivera immediately settled in, adjusting her scarf plightly. She then ordered an espresso, as she <b>needed </b>something strong
“You’re one of the daughters of the Elton family, Zabelle <b>said</b>, eyes twinkling. “And a famous supermodel. That part you failed to mentionst time.”
Nivera shrugged casually. “It’s nothing. They’re annoying” Her eyes flitted to the guard. “A pleasure meeting you <b>again</b>.”
“You can go,” Zabelle chuckled.
The guard looked hesitant. “Ma’am, Mr. Garcia-”
“I’ll be fine,” she cut in, wawing him all
<b>Nivera </b>let out a long!
g breaths. “Alejandro told me you were discharged. I should have visited you”
Zabelleughed, the sound warm. “Alejandro?”
Nivera nodded. “He’s so freaking annoying.” Her eyes softened a little. “How’s your arm, by the way? And how are you feeling? I’ve seen what
around the inte.
“It’s a lot to take in Zabelle admitted.
Tell me about it. The way one single post can turn the whole inte against <b>you</b>,” she hissed in annoyance as memories of what Nathaniel put her through came to her head.
“I know, right!”
Their conversation flowed naturally from there. They joked about city coffee spots, gossiped about celebrities, and mused about how the media twisted
“So, you and Alejandro…?” Zabelle started out of the blue, and Nivera was immediately reminded of what she and he had done.
Nivera sighed, swirling her espresso. Her face shifted, subtle but unmistakable. “It’splicated. He’s… not the
lest man ta deal with.”
“Tell me about it.” Zabelle rolled her eyes.
Both womenughed, their shoulders rxing
In the middle of theirughter<b>, </b>Nivera’s phone lit up the screen
<i>with </i><i>a </i>
<b>a </b>message.
Darren Where are you, ma’am? Are you safe?
She texted back quickly, and as she did, sherealized two hours had gone by. Fuck, it had been that long? It felt like minutes.
Nivera: I’m at a coffee shop with Zabelle Garcia<b>. </b>All good. Don’t worry. She then shared her location with him,
She looked up again. “That was Darren, my guard. He’s worried as I vanished. I should probably head <b>out </b>soon.
Zabelle nodded. “Yeah, Antonio wille looking if I don’t get back too.<b>” </b>
They stood, and Nivera smiled–genuinely this time. it was really nice hanging out with you. I haven’t done this in a long time”
“Same here. Thank you,” Zabelle replied.
Not wanting the next time they’d see each other to be when they’d bump into <b>each </b>other, Nivera reached into her purse and pulled out a pen..
She than grabbed Zabelle’s hand and scribbled her number onto her <b>palm</b>. “Here’s my <b>number</b>; text me
With that, she turned and slipped out the door, disappearing into the <bzy </b>afternoon crowd.
Outside, she texted Darren again.
Nivera: <b>I’m </b>done. Come get me.
Not even a
minuteter, a ck car rolled to a stop in front of her. She slipped inside and let her head fall back against the seat with a long exhale “Ma’am, please let us know before you disappear like that again,” Darren cautioned her as he inhaled deeply.
*r would <b>have </b>our heads if anything happens to you.”
+14) Wed, 23Jil od U
“I’m sorry. Zabelle was in the coffee shop, and I got carried away.” Nivern apologized, “it won’t repeat itself again.
“Thank you. Back to the mansion!” Darren asked.
“Yes, I think I’ve had my daily dose of chaos”
The carp
pulled away from the curb, merging into traffic, leaving behind the coffee shop.
As they drove away, her fears came back in full force. The guard had seen her, or hadn’t he?
She wasn’t sure anymore<b>. </b>
But if he had, it wasn’t going to be good for her. No, she wasn’t going to take that risk.
she’d
She wasn’t going to let them ruin this for her–not again. Not with Alejandro in her corner now. Even if she had to burn every bridge behind her… sh make it through
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