Chapter 4

• Eena sat still in front of her mirror, not moving as Catalina attached pearl earrings to her ear.
• "Sit upright," her mother instructed, lifting her chin until her posture was set.
• "I don't want to go," Eena replied calmly.
• "Your desire is irrelevant now," Catalina said. "You have to put yourself together and make Senior Castillo see that you are worthy of his name."
• Eena gazed at herself in the mirror; her mom had carefully groomed her hair and applied light makeup to her face, but everything about it felt false.
• "Worthy of his name"? She murmured.
• "Enough," Catalina cut in. "If your father hadn't left us in debt, none of this would occur. You are going to rescue us, Eena. You have to accomplish this."
• Eena's jaw became rigid. She looked at the bracelet on her wrist and held it tightly, recalling the promises she had shared with Diego.
• When she was set, she rose from the stool and faced her mom.
• "Is this good enough?"
• Catalina's face beamed with satisfaction, but only for a moment. "Beautiful. Now behave beautifully."
• There was a honk outside.
• "That must be the driver," Catalina said. Eena felt a heavy weight in her stomach. As she walked down the stairs, she met her father. Octavio shared a glance with her. His lips pressed together, and he gave her a remorseful nod.
• That one glance almost broke her.
• But the door was opened, and the moment was paused.
• "Miss Morales," the driver said. "Señor Castillo sent me to escort you; the car is waiting outside."
• Eena's feet were heavy, yet she moved ahead. Her mom pressed against her back to encourage her to move forward.
• The driver opened the car door, and Eena went into the sleek leather interior. A mild masculine cologne filled the air. The driver shut the door softly, and home was behind her.
• As they drove towards the Castillo restaurant, Eena pressed on Diego's bracelet. Her phone lit up with a message from Diego.
• "I'm thinking of you; please be strong."
• She replied quickly, "I'm heading there now."
• Three dots appeared, and he replied. "Whatever happens today, you have to remember us, remember what we share.
• Eena lay her head on the window, holding onto the memory like a shield.
• Finally, the car stopped at the Castillo's private restaurant. The tall glass doors glowed under the bright lights.
• The driver stepped out and opened her door.
• "Miss," he said, leading her out.
• Eena stepped out, her pulse racing.
• The restaurant interior was well-lit and elegantly furnished, clearly reserved just for them.
• Bright chandeliers lit the marble floor as a butler approached at once. "Miss Morales, welcome," he said with a courteous bow. "Señor Castillo will join you shortly." Please come this way.
• Eena followed him to a private dining room. The table was nicely set, with silk champagne gold cloth, silver cutlery, and candles gently lit.
• She sat up straight and placed her hands in her lap.
• "Do you care for a drink while you wait?" The butler asked politely.
• "No," she said quickly.
• He bowed and withdrew calmly, leaving her in silence.
• Eena stared at the empty chair across from her, unaware of what the night held. Her heart pounded in her chest.
• Then the door opened. Carlos Castillo walked in.
• The air seemed to stop with every step he took. His suit, nicely tailored, hugged his frame perfectly. His dark hair was well-groomed. And his piercing eyes fixed on her.
• "Miss Morales," he said smoothly.
• Eena rose automatically. "Senor Castillo"
• He gazed over her, assessing, and then he sat at the head of the table.
• "You're quite on time." He said it as if it were a surprise.
• "I... thought it was important," Eena replied cautiously.
• He gave a slight nod. "Good. I like punctuality; it shows respect."
• She lowered her eyes, trusting herself not to utter a word.
• The butler reappeared, pouring wine into Carlos's glass. He dismissed him with a wave and turned back to Eena.
• "I assume your family explained why we're here," he said.
• "Yes, they did," she said in a low tone.
• "Then let's be clear," he continued, leaning back on his chair. "This dinner is not about your feelings or opinions. It is about an agreement I made with your family. If you understand that, then this would go smoother than expected."
• Eena's hands tightened in her lap, but she forced herself to look at him
• "I do understand."
• He gave a faint smirk that held no warmth. "Good. I prefer the truth to pretense."
• The room became silent for a moment. The soft flames of the lit candles filled the air.
• Eena froze, wishing that she could get going.
• For a moment, Carlos's eyes narrowed on her bracelet. But he didn't utter a word.
• "Shall we eat"? He finally broke the silence, lifting his glass of wine.
• Eena nodded quietly.
• The dinner had begun.
• Eena's phone lit up on her lap, and a message from Diego popped up. "How is it going? Should I come pick you up after dinner?"
• She quickly typed under the table: no love. I'll take care of myself.
• Just before she could press send, Carlos's voice sliced through the silence.
• "You seem carried away, Miss Morales."
• Eena's heart skipped as she quickly jerked her head up.
• Carlo's eyes narrowed. "Victor." The butler approached at once. "Sir?"
• "Take her phone," Carlos said in a calm but commanding tone.
• "What? No." Eena said shakily.
• Carlos's gaze pinned her. "Do you intend to argue?"
• Her fingers trembled as she handed the phone over.
• Carlos took it and glanced at the message. A faint smirk tugged on his lips.
• "Who is Diego?" He asked lazily.
• Eena's voice trembled. "Give that back."
• Carlos leaned back in his chair, holding the phone weakly. His eyes were fixed strictly on her.
• "Love," he said quietly. "Is a luxury for the rich, Miss Morales. The poor can't afford it. But they hold on to it anyway. And that is why they remain stagnant.
• He slid the phone across to her. With his eyes still fixed on her.
• "You will not text him again while you sit before me". His words were calm but firm. "If you wish to keep your little romance alive, then you have to do that far away from this place, and from the life you're about to marry into."
• Eena's face burned with shame as she grabbed her phone.
• Carlos took a slow sip of wine, unbothered. Then he kept his glass down and gave a faint smile.
• "Now," he said almost mockingly, "let's have dinner. It would be such a shame if your first dinner with your future husband goes to waste."
• Eena felt her heart hit her ribs hard. She held the table's edge, her knuckles turning white as she fought back the tears that threatened to fall.
• She thought in her heart
• "This man doesn't just want to marry me, he wants to break me."