Chapter 1

• Maximo's POV
• "Son, you can't continue like this. I'm tired of the wild life you're leading now. You're a businessman, you should settle down," my father said, annoyed, while I tried to control my anger.
• "Look, ever since I took over the company, sales have doubled. So, don't complain."
• "I know, but the investors won't like it if the boss leads such a wild life."
• Well, he was right. I had a wild life, parties, alcohol, sex... a lot of sex. But hey, I was twenty-seven years old—still young.
• "So, what do you want me to do? Get married?" My father's gaze became more serious than usual, and that was when I realized he was up to something.
• "That's right, son. You're going to get married. I don't care with whom, but you will."
• "What? You're crazy if you think I'll lose my freedom!"
• "Is that so, son? Or I'll just take away the company then."
• "Why are you doing this? Do you want to ruin my life?"
• "I just want to help you, son. You have one month to find a wife, or else you need to say goodbye to the company." I looked at him with the urge to kill him, but all I did was leave without looking back, full of contempt.
• "Son, what did your father tell you?" my mother asked, somewhat worried. But I decided not to say anything. I kissed her on the forehead and left.
• * * *
• I was in a bar, drowning my sorrows in alcohol. I couldn't believe my father was forcing me to get married. The worst part was, where would I find a woman who would marry me, accepting my conditions?
• "Are you alone, handsome?" I turned around and saw a pretty, sexy brunette, biting her lip as she looked at me.
• "I don't think so anymore." I flashed my pant-dropping smile.
• "Will you buy me a drink?"
• "Of course, gorgeous."
• We started talking, but soon I felt the urge to fuck her, so I took her hand and led her to the bathroom, where I fucked her hard. When we were done, she gave me her number, but there was no way I'd call her. It was just for fuck.
• When I left the place, it was very cold outside, so I ran toward my car. But as I was getting closer, I saw someone lying on the ground. I went closer and realized it was a woman.
• "Are you okay?" I didn't get a response. I carefully turned her over, and I was completely blinded by her beauty. I noticed she was wearing worn-out clothes, and she was quite thin.
• "Beautiful, wake up..." I still didn't get a response, but I could see her trembling. Without thinking, I picked her up and took her to my car to take her to my house.
• On the way, I called my friend Steven, who was a doctor, to come and check on her because I was worried about the state I found her in.
• When we arrived home, I lay her down on my bed, took off that dirty, wet coat, and covered her with a blanket. Not long after, Steven arrived.
• "What happened? Why did you call me at this hour?"
• "I need you to check on someone."
• We went up to the room, and when Steven saw the girl, he looked at me.
• "Don't tell me you were rough with her during sex."
• "No, man, I haven't even touched her. I found her lying on the ground shivering from the cold when I left the club."
• "I see... Well, I'll check on her." He did his thing while I observed every move he made.
• When he was done, he looked at me, somewhat worried.
• "Well, she has a bit of a fever, but it will go down soon. What worries me is her thinness. It seems like she hasn't eaten in days."
• "Yeah, I noticed that."
• "I'll give her some IV fluids, and you buy these vitamins." Steven handed me the prescription.
• "I'll come by tomorrow to check on her," he added.
• "Okay. Thanks, buddy," I said, bidding him goodbye, and then went back to the room to watch the girl sleep.
• She was truly beautiful, like an angel, and... What the hell was I thinking? I'd better go to sleep.
• The next morning, I woke up, and the first thing I did was go to the girl's room. But when I entered, there was no one in the bed. I searched until I saw her coming out of the bathroom. She looked surprised upon noticing me. It made me smile.
• "Hello," I said as I sat down.
• "Hi, could you tell me why I'm here?"
• " I found you passed out on the street. You were freezing."
• "I see... I should go." She tried to leave, but I grabbed her arm and stopped her.
• "Wait, I'll take you home." She smiled, but it was a smile tinged with sadness.
• "I've been homeless for weeks." She blushed when she said that.
• "And your family?" She became somewhat tense and quite serious.
• "They died," she replied through gritted teeth.
• "I'm so sorry."
• "It's okay. I've already moved on. Well, I should go now." I didn't know why, but I didn't want her to leave.
• " Wait. You're still delicate. You can't leave."
• "I don't want to bother you."
• "You're not bothering me. What's your name?"
• "Lia. And yours?"
• "Maximo Bulton." She opened her eyes as if surprised.
• "The owner of the infrastructure companies' empire?"
• "That's right." Her expression amused me, but I held back.
• "Even more reason for me to leave. I can't stay here."
• "Wait. At least have breakfast. You're very thin." She nodded.
• We started eating. She was really hungry as she quickly devoured everything.
• "Lia, wait for me. I'm going to check some things in the office." She nodded with food in her mouth, making me laugh.
• I entered my office, and a message from my dad appeared, reminding me of the damn deadline. I didn't want to get married, but I had no choice at that moment. Then a light bulb went off in my head, and I shouted,
• "I know who I will marry! She's perfect. I'll give her everything she wants, so she can start her life. Lia will be the right wife."
• I came out with a smile on my face, and there I found her looking out toward the balcony.
• "Do you like the view?" She turned around, startled, but then managed to smile.
• "Yes, it's beautiful."
• "I have something to propose to you that will benefit both of us." She sat with me, and then I said...
• "Marry me."
• She choked on her saliva and coughed like crazy. "Is this... Is this a joke?"
• "No. This will benefit both of us."
• "Oh, really, and how?"
• "I'll give you money and luxuries. And when the contract ends, I'll give you a good sum of money, so you can start over." I saw her expression change, and she started to think.
• "Why do you want to get married?"
• "My father wants me to get married and settle down, or else he'll take away the company."
• "I see... I'm sorry, but I don't think I can be the right fit for that."
• "Of course, you are." I took her hand, and it seemed to catch her off guard.
• "Look, you should find someone from your class... I don't even belong to that world."
• "It doesn't matter. You're the ideal one. I'll help you, and you'll help me... Deal?"
• She seemed to think about it a lot, but after a long silence, she looked me in the eyes.
• "Okay, I accept..."