"Not again…" Ricardo muttered under his breath, irritated.
"Son!" his father called cheerfully, walking into the office.
"Afternoon, Dad," Ricardo replied flatly, already dreading the reason for his father's visit.
"Thanks, son. I came with Fiona—you still remember her, right? You two went to the same university." Evan, Ricardo's father, said with a wide grin.
"Yeah, I remember," Ricardo answered simply.
"Great!" Evan beamed. "Fiona, meet my son—Ricardo."
Fiona stepped forward with a graceful smile.
"Hello, Ricardo," she said sweetly.
"So, I brought her here because she's new in town. I figured you could show her around... and maybe get to know each other better," Evan added, not-so-subtly.
"Finally, he landed," Ricardo thought dryly. His father had a monthly habit—bringing a new woman to him every time, hoping to play matchmaker. But it never worked.
"Sounds… interesting," Ricardo said, forcing a smile.
"Great! I booked dinner for you two at Deluxe Restaurant," Evan grinned.
"Thanks, Dad… You really shouldn't have," Ricardo replied, sending him a knowing look.
"I'll get going now. Lots to do," Evan said, turning to leave.
"See you later, Ricardo," Fiona smiled flirtatiously, walking out with Evan.
As soon as the door shut, Ricardo cursed under his breath.
"Sh*t!" He ran a hand through his hair in frustration before leaving his office.
"I'll be heading out. Lock the door when you're done. If there's any work for me, send it via email," Ricardo instructed Emilia, his secretary.
"Alright, sir," she replied.
Ricardo nodded and left with a cold, unreadable expression.
Watching him go, Emilia muttered,
"Who was that woman the chairman brought today?" She sighed and rubbed her temples.
"Please don't let this be another hookup… Why am I even jealous? I've worked with him for two years and he's never noticed me. Not that he will now…"
---
[PARKING LOT]
Ricardo walked toward his car, pulling out his keys and unlocking it remotely. But as he approached, he saw someone leaning casually against the hood.
"You're not even happy to see me," the man teased, approaching him.
"Why would I be? I'm not your girlfriend. Go find one," Ricardo retorted.
"Still as uptight as ever," the man chuckled.
"I saw your dad leave earlier—with a hot woman. Another one of your monthly suitors?" he asked.
Ricardo nodded without a word.
This man was Logan, owner of the country's most successful modeling agency—and Ricardo's best friend.
"Man, you're lucky! Every month you get to meet insanely hot women, and you reject all of them. If it were me, I'd f*ck them senseless before tossing them aside," Logan smirked.
"Still the same old Logan. Thought you quit your playboy lifestyle," Ricardo replied, tossing his suitcase into the car.
"Once a playboy, always a playboy. And you weren't so different—until you met—"
"Don't!" Ricardo cut him off sharply. "I don't want to talk about her."
Logan's smirk faded. He placed a hand on Ricardo's shoulder, his tone suddenly serious.
"Bro… you've got to move on. You have to let her go."
Ricardo gave a small nod, looking away.
"Now why the serious face? You're scaring me," Ricardo joked dryly.
Logan laughed, the tension fading.
"Still the same old you. Serious with a side of sarcasm," he chuckled as they both got into the car.
"It's been a while since I came over. I miss those two little troublemakers," Logan said with a grin.
"Great. Then you'll stay with them tonight. I have a 'special dinner' to attend," Ricardo sighed, rolling his eyes.
He started the engine and drove off.
---
WILLIAMS RESIDENCE
"Today was so much fun, Tina. Thanks for everything," Valentina said, hugging Kristina.
"I should get going—it's getting late. Tell Iris and Aunt Peggy I'll stop by tomorrow," Kristina said as she left.
Valentina waved and entered the house, finding Peggy watching TV and knitting.
"Good evening, Mom," Valentina greeted with a smile. She noticed the time—it was already 6PM. Her shift was supposed to start at 3PM, but she'd completely forgotten because of Kristina's visit.
"Evening, baby. How was your day?" Peggy asked.
"Great! Kristina's back. She said she'll visit tomorrow."
"Aww, I've missed that sweet girl," Peggy smiled.
"Where's Iris?"
"Upstairs. She hasn't come down since she got back. Said she had a lot of homework and needed to focus."
Valentina's brow furrowed. Iris had been acting strangely lately. She'd told Valentina about some bullying at school, and Valentina had advised her to ignore it. But now… something felt off.
She walked upstairs and knocked on Iris's door.
"Yes?" came a soft reply.
"Iris, are you okay? Mom said you haven't come downstairs."
"I'm fine. Just… a lot of homework," Iris responded.
"Alright. Dinner's almost ready," Valentina said and walked away—but concern lingered in her mind.
Inside the room, Iris stood behind the door, tears running down her cheeks. Limping slightly, she walked over to her bed and sat down.
"How do I tell Mom and Tina about this? Will they hate me? I don't want to be a burden…" she whispered to herself, wiping her tears.
She picked up a small mirror. Her eyes widened with shame as she looked at her neck—marked with hickeys and bruises. Faint handprints covered her wrists.
---
RICARDO'S MANSION
Ricardo and Logan entered the living room mid-conversation. Myles, sitting on the floor with his toys, jumped up excitedly.
"Daddy's home!" he squealed, running to hug Ricardo.
Ricardo picked him up with a smile. Minnie soon rushed down and jumped into Logan's arms.
"Uncle Logan! You said you'd buy us toys if we were good! I've been an angel, but Myles fought today, so I get his toys too," Minnie grinned proudly.
"Hey! Not fair! I didn't tell Dad that you broke his favorite watch and hid it in the backyard!" Myles shot back.
"What?!" Ricardo exclaimed.
"Myles, you big mouth!" Minnie scowled.
"Look who's calling me big mouth!"
Logan burst into laughter.
"I wish I had kids like yours."
"Then go get married," Ricardo rolled his eyes.
"Nah, I love f—" Logan paused, glancing at the kids, "I mean, I love eating spaghetti… with a fork."
Ricardo sighed.
"Alright kids, go wash your hands. Dinner's almost ready."
They ran off. Ricardo turned to Logan.
"You need to stop coming here or you'll corrupt them with your nonsense."
"Hey, I plead innocent!" Logan laughed.
"I'm leaving you with them tonight. I've got that annoying dinner to attend. I'll be back by nine." Ricardo said, heading upstairs.
"Sure thing."
Ricardo took a shower, got dressed in a sharp navy blue suit, styled his hair neatly, and headed down.
"Myles, Minnie, Dad's going for a meeting. Be good. Logan's your babysitter tonight."
"Bye Daddy!" they both chorused.
Ricardo smiled, nodded at Logan, and walked out.
"Let's see how this disaster of a dinner goes…" he muttered.
---
VALENTINA'S HOME
Valentina stepped out of her room in a pretty purple gown, her hair tied in a neat bun. She clutched a small black purse, ready for her night out.
"Wow, you look so pretty, sis!" Iris smiled, sitting in the living room. She wore a turtle neck sweater to hide the marks.
"Thanks, baby sis."
"I'm heading out to meet Ryan. Mom's already asleep, so check on her before bed, okay?"
"Okay. Bye!" Iris said, waving.
Valentina smiled and walked out. Parked outside was a sleek black Lamborghini. The window rolled down to reveal a handsome face.
"Babe," Valentina smiled.