The Temporary Wife: Luca and Valentina's Story(2)

“M-my son, he’s a visionary,” Jackson says. “One of very few. He’s an industry disrupter, a genius. Sure, his claims can be outlandish, but you won’t regret investing in him.”

I stare him down and sigh. “Your son is a dreamer. He’s not after profit, Jackson. He wants to change the world, and it’s a noble pursuit, but it isn’t one I’ll fund. I’m not a fucking charity.”

More sweat gathers on his forehead, and for one single second, something akin to pity washes over me. Thankfully, it’s fleeting. “I gave you a chance to explain yourself, but instead, you spun a web of lies. He needs to step down as CEO, and you need to appoint someone who can actually make your company profitable again. You have three days to make a decision before I pull my entire investment.”

His face pales. “Luca, if you do that, we… we’d go bankrupt.”

I cross my arms and nod slowly. “Then I suppose you’d better think long and hard about your legacy.”

I rise to my feet, and he reluctantly rises too, his gaze pleading. “Three days,” I remind him as I see him out. He nods in resignation as he walks away, visibly in torment.

The door falls closed behind him, and Valentina looks up at me with raised brows, her eyes overflowing with contempt. She acts perfectly professional in front of others, but when it’s just the two of us, she makes a fucking mockery of me. I’m not entirely sure why I let her.

“Three days?” she repeats. “You’re a monster. He’s going to agonize over this decision for three whole days when you could’ve just called an emergency board meeting to replace that kid yourself. You are, after all, the largest shareholder. Instead, you made him come here and tortured him.”

I smile at her. “I’m not the one who called his son a dimwit and messed with him like he’s fucking prey. Besides, he built that company from the ground up. It’s up to him to decide whether or not he’ll let his son ruin it. Three days is enough time for him to find a different investor. If he truly believes in his son’s vision, then that’s exactly what he’ll do.”

The edges of her lips tug up, and she shakes her head as she gathers the documents on my desk before straightening them. Eight years, and I still can’t truly read her.

I tear my eyes off her and glance at my father’s old pocket watch instead. “My grandmother is expecting both of us for our weekly family dinner tonight. You know she doesn’t like to be kept waiting. We’ll attend together, and we’ll finish our work afterward.”

Valentina nods, not even a hint of protest in her eyes. For years, she’s worked the same sixteen-hour days I have. Initially, I only made her work these insane hours in an effort to make her quit, but it’s become our usual routine.

She follows me to my car quietly. Ever since she was hired, I’ve tried to unravel the relationship between my grandmother and her, and I never could. Not even Silas Sinclair, our brilliant Head of Security, could figure out their connection. I have no idea why my grandmother appointed a young college drop-out as my assistant eight years ago, or why Valentina continues to be invited to events that are meant strictly for family. There’s something about Valentina Diaz that I thoroughly dislike, and it isn’t just the mystery she’s wrapped in.





Chapter Two





Luca

“Have some more, Val,” Grandma calls over the noise at our packed dinner table, showering her with the same love she’s always given me and my five siblings. Grams throws me a stern look, and I grit my teeth as I reluctantly add more glazed carrots to my secretary’s plate.

I can’t figure out why Grandma favors Valentina so much. Our weekly dinners are strictly a family affair. There are only two exceptions to this rule: Raven, my sister’s best friend, and Valentina.

Now, I’d understand if Valentina was invited every once in a while, a few years into our working relationship — but that wasn’t the case. She’s been invited to family dinner once a month, like clockwork, from the moment we started working together. She claims not to know why my grandmother treats her so well, but I call bullshit.

I’ve been trying to find out if my grandmother pays her to report on my every move, but I’ve found no paper trail evidencing that. But then again, I never would. My grandmother would never slip up in that way.

Valentina smiles at Grandma, and I stare at her in wonder. Why is it that she never behaves this way in my presence? It isn’t just the genuine laughter escaping her red lips — it’s the easygoing conversations she holds with my brothers, and the inside jokes she has with my sister, Sierra.

Valentina, Sierra, and Raven giggle about something I can’t even begin to comprehend, and I tear my gaze away, focusing on my food instead.

Valentina is on great terms with every single member of my family, except for me, the man that actually pays her an exorbitant salary. I can’t tell which version of her is real. When she’s around my family, she’s so fucking sweet that even I almost fall for her act. If only they could see her at work. That illusion she’s trapped them in would shatter instantly.

I take a sip of my wine, my eyes settling on my older brother, Ares. At this loud table, he and I are the only ones who are quiet tonight. I follow his gaze to find him staring at Raven. She’s laughing at something Valentina said, and he can’t seem to tear his eyes off her.