Chapter 45

**LUKE**
“Rebecca?” I phoned her the next morning. “Please find any properties under the name Raoul Velazquez,” I requested.
“Did you find a lead?”
“He owns a club. Find the name and send it to me asap.”
“Sure. Anything else?”
“Nothing. Thank you, Rebecca.”
“You’re welcome.” I ended the call.
I hadn’t expected that this would become an endless road. I couldn’t afford to get tired. I did not expect that the fucker would be hard to find. I had tracked down people before, even those who were already dead. I was good at it. The next time I speak to Rebecca, I’m expecting to find a precise result. I already came this far. I should not give up.
I had lost track of time. It was already ten-thirty, and I still hadn’t received a message from Scarlet. Was she planning to stay in her apartment? I told her that I would pick her up.
I stared at the files on my desk blankly. Besides having unending things to do at Hotel B, I still had to deal with AT clients tomorrow. I pressed my temples with my two fingers. This was too frustrating.
When is she going to call me?
I checked my phone screen, but there was still no message. I stood up and put on my coat. I won’t be able to rest comfortably tonight if I don’t see her. I was still waiting for her answer. I dialed her number, and I put the loudspeaker on. It was ringing.
I had completely lost my mind. I wasn’t sure what I was doing anymore. I’d stopped caring for someone else a few years ago. I did not let a woman stay for more than a week. But what was I doing? I let Scarlet invade my life. All I could think of was her. Her silky hair spread on my bed, perfect curves, and soft, lush skin. She’s absolutely stunning.
I wasn’t thinking clearly when I told her about the two-month rule, I must admit. I was digging my own grave.
“Mr. Alejandro?” my assistant interrupted my thoughts. “Someone’s connecting through my line. She said she couldn’t contact your number.”
I glanced at my phone screen. Scarlet wasn’t answering. I pressed the end button.
“Who is it?” I looked at my assistant.
“She said her name is Stacy, sir.”
I grunted. What does she want again? Stacy had called me numerous times, but I had no time to deal with her. I had to tell her to stop. “Connect her to the line.”
“Yes, sir,” she said, then left.
Several seconds later, my phone rang.
“Hello.”
“Luke? How are you? You still didn’t see me.”
I leaned over my swivel chair. “I told you to talk to Rebecca if you need anything.”
“You can’t do this to me forever, Luke. If you truly really love Bella—”
“Stop using Bella!” I snapped, shouting at the phone. “Look, I can’t deal with you right now.”
“Bella wants to see her father. She was crying, and she’s asking for you every day.”
My daughter’s face appeared in my mind. I imagined her crying, asking me to carry her. The last time I saw her, her hair was braided into two, and she wore the dress I bought for her.
Stacy knew Bella was my weakness. I loved the child as my own. I was the only father she knew. I didn’t want her to know that her real father was a fucking cheater and a liar, and her mother was just the same. Besides, Stacy wouldn’t be able to walk for the rest of her life. If it wasn’t for Bella, I was going to cut the ties I had with her.
“I have tons to do this coming week. I don’t think I can visit you. Just call Rebecca. If Bella needs something, you can tell Rebecca as well.”
She sneered in sarcasm. “Are you avoiding me because of your newfound toy? What is her name again? Is it Sarah? Sahlee...”
“Shut up!” I gritted my teeth.
“Ah! It’s Scarlet. I couldn’t believe you picked up another whore.”
“I said, shut up!” I smashed my fist on my desk. I shouldn’t have told her about Scarlet. I didn’t mean to mention her the other day. She was pissing me off, as always.
She clicked her tongue. “Does she know you’re incapable of love? Does she know you’re just playing with her? Just like how you do it with the others?”
“Say something more… you’ll regret it. When will you ever stop making it hard for both of us?”
“Until you come back to me, Luke.”
“You are out of your mind.”
She laughed. “And oh, does she know about Bella? I bet she doesn’t.” I imagined her disgusting smile on the other line.
“Enough!” I shouted. “I’m done with you!”
“Wait! Don’t you miss your daughter?”
“I miss her, but I don’t want to see your face. If you want me to see my daughter, ask Ginny to bring her to the park, then I will go there to see her.” I slammed down the phone.
It was still a few more years until she’d turn ten, then I’d have Rebecca submit a petition for child custody. Then I would tell everyone about her. Bella still needed her mother.
For now.
I went to Scarlet’s apartment as promised. It was already eleven. I sent her a text saying I would be waiting for her to come down. I needed to see her face. I needed a diversion because I kept on thinking about Bella. If she was really crying to see me, or it was one of Stacy’s schemes to get to me.
I leaned over my car while I waited for Scarlet outside her apartment. I checked my phone after a few minutes to see if she had sent me a reply, but she didn’t. I called her number twice, and she did not answer. I clenched my fist. She knew I hated waiting.
I typed another message.
I’m coming up.

**SCARLET**
I convinced Nate to talk to Katherine about what happened the other day. I just couldn’t hide it from her. She deserved to know about it, and I would apologize on Luke’s behalf.
However, she was going through some family matters right now. Nate told me that she had to cry all day because her parents were close to filing a divorce. So I advised Nate to give her a gift or probably surprise her tonight.
Nate and I went to the mall and helped him pick a gift. We stopped in front of a pet shop. I knew Katherine always wanted to own a hamster.
“Trust me, she’ll like it.” I grinned in excitement when I found the hamsters. I approached the saleswoman. “Hi! We wanted to buy a pair of hamsters.”
“Hi! Sure, this way. We have different types of hamsters here.”
“Types?” I blinked my eyes. I didn’t know there were different types of hamsters.
“Yes, Ma’am. I’ll show you. It’s this way,” the saleswoman said politely.
Yellow roses. Check. A pair of hamsters in a cute cage and ribbon. Check. 70% dark chocolate. Check. A bottle of Sauvignon. Check.
“Done. Thank you for all of this, Scar. You’re busy with your parents here, but you still came to help me.” He said as we stepped down the car.
“Oh, sure. You know, I’ve got to apologize to her too.”
“It’s nothing. You didn’t have to.”
He smiled. There was no other person who could make Katherine happy, and only one person could make her sad. Only Nate. So, it would sadden her if she found out Luke smacked her boyfriend.
“Oh, give that to me. I’ll give it to her myself.” Nate took the cage from me and passed the flowers and chocolates. “Hold these instead.”
“Aww, they’re just too cute. Are you sure Katherine likes these? Or just you?” I teased. “Hi, new babies!” I waved my fingers at them.
He chuckled. “You should have told me. I would have bought you a pair too.”
“I won’t be able to take care of them. I’m too lazy—aww!” I yelped in surprise. Someone snatched my hand from the back. Shock crossed my face, and my mouth opened slightly. “Luke!”
Luke cocked his head to the side. His eyes narrowed at me. “Have you ever checked your phone?” His eyes lowered to the bouquet of roses I was holding and snatched it from me.
My jaw dropped.
“Hey!” Nate yelled at him. “What do you think you are doing?”
Even if Nate was already tall, Luke was at least two inches taller. Nate snatched back the flowers from Luke. “What is your problem?”
“You are my problem!” Luke glared at him, then shifted his intense gray eyes at mine. “Do you know what time it is? I’ve been calling you the entire day!”
“I’m busy, Luke. I was at the mall—”
“Hey!” Nate called him again. He grabbed Luke’s shoulder. “What are you doing?”
“Can’t you see what I’m doing? I’m talking to her. Back off.”
“What did you just say?” Nate’s voice raised. “Back off?”
“Stop it! Please, It’s okay, Nate. Katherine is waiting for you. I’ll follow you in a minute.”
Nate glared back at Luke, but eventually, his shoulder relaxed. “Hurry up, Scar.”
I nodded; I watched him as he marched into the building.
“I told you I’ll be late,” I reasoned.
“It’s past eleven. This is late.” He grabbed my wrist. “Let’s get you home.”
I pulled my hand away. “No. I can’t. Katherine needs me. She wants me to stay tonight.”
“She’s with her boyfriend. They seemed fine, and besides, Gene’s at home.”
I heaved a sigh. “I already told Mom. Please, Luke. We can still see each other tomorrow. Katherine is having a hard time right now.”
He groaned, and then he pulled me close. His expression suddenly softened. “I’m having a hard time too.”
I blinked. “Really?”
“Really, so let me take you home now.”
“I still can’t. Just tonight, please?”
“I still need an answer, don’t you think?”
I gasped at him. He was serious about it. Honestly, I still didn’t know what to say to him.
Luke’s arm tightened around my waist, then I felt his fingers run down my lower back and squeeze my ass. I arched in pleasure.
“Luke! What are you doing?”
“I need your answer.”
“Why don’t you come upstairs and stay here with me?”
He was stunned. “What?”