He sat behind his large mahogany desk, the late afternoon sunlight streaming through the tall windows of his office. He had always appreciated the view from his corner suite—it symbolized everything he had worked so hard for. The city stretched out beneath him, a testament to his ambition and the legacy his father, Don Manuelo, had built. Today, however, his mind wasn't focused on the business deals at hand.
Instead, he found his thoughts drifting toward his secretary, Violet. She's a new one, after the last week mistake with her old one.
Violet was a striking woman, not just in appearance but in her demeanor. She had a cool, poised confidence about her that intrigued him. And, as the hours passed, it became apparent that Violet had an equally sharp mind for business, which was something Lorenzo respected. Still, that didn't stop him from noticing the way her long dark hair cascaded over her shoulders, or the way her lips curled into a slight smile when their gazes met.
He had a knack for flirting, and Violet was no exception.
"Violet," Lorenzo said casually, glancing over some papers on his desk, though his attention was clearly elsewhere. "I think we can close the deal with Adriana's Group by next week, don't you?"
She moved closer, her heels clicking softly on the floor, the slight sway of her hips catching his eye. "I agree," she replied with a small but knowing smile. "Everything is lined up. But there's something else you might want to consider… the party tonight. The partnership deal will be finalized, yes?"
He chuckled lightly, his gaze following her every movement as she placed the folder in front of him. "Ah, yes, the party. Another formal affair where my father will try to convince me to settle down and take over the company. I'm sure it's going to be full of business suits and shallow small talk. Don't you love those?"
Violet smirked, her arms crossed as she leaned against the edge of his desk. "I thought you liked those kinds of parties. You always seem to make the rounds, don't you, Mr. Garcia?"
Lorenzo leaned back in his chair, eyes gleaming. "I enjoy the attention, sure. But tonight is about more than just networking, Violet. It's about *expectations*."
Just as he spoke, the door swung open with an almost forceful push, and Don Manuelo entered, his presence filling the room immediately. Lorenzo straightened up, clearing his throat, and gave a polite nod.
"Papá," Lorenzo said, his voice neutral but with a touch of acknowledgment.
Don Manuelo's sharp eyes scanned the room before landing on his son. His gaze lingered on Violet for a moment, but there was no change in his expression. "Lorenzo," he greeted him, his voice deep and commanding. "I came to remind you of the event tonight. The partnership deal with the Martinez. You can't afford to skip it."
Lorenzo met his father's gaze and nodded, trying to mask the irritation rising within him. He had no intention of missing the event, but his father had a habit of pushing him at the most inopportune times.
"I'll be there," Lorenzo replied, trying to keep his voice calm. "You don't need to worry about that."
Don Manuelo gave a curt nod, his eyes still lingering on Violet for a brief moment before he continued. "And remember, Lorenzo—tonight is important. Not just for the company but for your future. It's time to show your commitment. To both the company… and to the *family*." The last word was heavy with meaning, and Lorenzo couldn't miss the pointed emphasis his father placed on it.
Lorenzo stiffened slightly, but before he could respond, Don Manuelo turned, already making his way toward the door. "I'll see you tonight," he said over his shoulder, the door clicking softly shut behind him.
As the sound of footsteps faded down the hall, Lorenzo let out a slow breath and turned back to Violet. She stood there, her posture relaxed, as if the brief interruption hadn't phased her. He couldn't help but feel a little annoyed by his father's heavy-handed reminder.
"Well," Violet said, breaking the silence. "Seems like your father has a lot on his mind these days. Are you sure you're ready to take on everything he's asking of you?"
Lorenzo tilted his head, giving her a sly smile. "Ready? I've been ready for years. But it's not the business that's the problem. It's the… *personal* aspect." His voice dropped slightly, his tone laced with something more than just casual conversation.
Violet raised an eyebrow, a playful smile tugging at her lips. "The personal aspect, huh?
Lorenzo chuckled, leaning back in his chair again, his hands steepled in front of him. "He wants me to settle down, marry, and keep up appearances. But the last thing I want right now is to be tied down. I have other plans."
Violet took a step closer, her eyes narrowing slightly as she observed him. "Other plans, huh?" she mused, voice low. "Like what? You don't strike me as the 'love and marriage' type."
Lorenzo smirked, his gaze never leaving hers. "I'm more focused on the business, but sometimes a little distraction is… useful," he said smoothly.
For a moment, the tension between them hung thick in the air, but just as it felt like things might cross a line, the phone rang again. Lorenzo picked it up quickly, relieved for the interruption.
"Lorenzo Garcia," he answered, his voice cool and professional.
Violet lingered by the door, watching him as he spoke. When he hung up, he looked at her again, a smile creeping back onto his face. "You're right, Violet. A little distraction now and then does wonders. But the party tonight," he said, his voice lowering to a more serious tone, "it's going to be… interesting."
She nodded, clearly understanding what he meant. "I'll be there, Mr. Garcia. I'll make sure everything's set up for you."
Lorenzo nodded, eyes lingering on her as she walked out of the room. The door clicked shut behind her, leaving him alone with his thoughts.
As much as he tried to ignore it, the weight of his father's expectations still hung over him. He had a decision to make, one that went far beyond just business. The question was whether he'd ever truly be able to escape his father's control. Tonight, at the party, he would find out just how much freedom he had left.
But for now, he could enjoy the quiet. At least until the next distraction arrived.