(Luis Ray's POV)
She was beautiful from afar.
But up close?
She was breathtaking in the most wonderful way.
Mia Alps
Her red hair caught the light like fire. You couldn't miss it. Small face. Cute little nose. Pouty lips that always seemed slightly annoyed, especially when she looked at me.
I missed her.
Strange, considering she never really looked at me twice.
At business gatherings, she was always beside Kevin.
Always smiling for him.
Always defending him.
What did she ever see in that man?
If only she knew what I saw last month in Japan.
After the conference our company organized, I stepped out of the elevator, and there he was.
Kevin.
Walking out of a hotel room.
With another woman, his secretary.
Chelsea.
They were laughing.
Comfortable.
Too comfortable.
My fists clenched just remembering it. I wanted to punch him right there. How dare he betray her?
I almost told her.
But I held back.
What if she didn't believe me? What if she thought I was jealous?
So I stayed silent.
Coward.
---
And now,
She was walking toward me.
My pulse spiked.
Is she really coming here?
Or will she just nod and walk past me again?
Then she stopped in front of me.
"Luis."
The way she said my name—
Calm. Direct.
I forced myself to stay composed. "Mia."
She looked surprised, as if she didn't expect me to remember her name.
As if I could ever forget it.
For a moment, neither of us spoke.
Then she asked, "Are you busy?"
I almost smiled.
For you? Never.
But I said, "I always am."
She didn't flinch.
"I need land. Remote. Private. Immediately."
My heart skipped.
Land?
Why?
"For investment?" I asked, keeping my voice steady.
"For something important."
Important.
That word twisted inside me.
Is she building a future with Kevin?
Are they getting married?
I hated how that thought burned.
I leaned back slightly, studying her. She looked different. Colder. Sharper. Like someone who had already made difficult decisions.
"You never approach people without a reason," I said quietly. "What are you planning, Mia?"
Her eyes met mine.
Steady.
Unreadable.
For the first time, I realized,
She wasn't asking for help casually.
She was choosing me.
And whatever she was planning,
I wanted in.
Even if it meant exposing Kevin.
Even if it meant risking the only chance I've ever had to stand beside her.
Because if she's about to tie her future to that man.
I won't let her walk into ruin without a fight.