(Entangled with a Hernandez)

Maria's Point of View

My eyes fluttered open, my heart beating wildly. I couldn't believe it—I had just made out with a stranger, which was against the terms of Julio Hernandez.

Don Julio owned me like some sort of property in his penthouse; I even had to find a way to slip out for the rock and roll party at the lounge, and now this?

I felt disgusted as I stared at the man lying like a log of wood on the bed. The rays of the moon pierced through the window, highlighting his features his sun-kissed skin and long, wavy hair made Mr stranger look like a Greek god,

I slipped out of the bed, fear enveloping me. One thing was certain—I was screwed. If Mother found out I had breached the contract, she'd sever all ties with me. The thought of living in the streets made my heart race.

I dashed out of the room without stealing a glance at Mr stranger. I walked out of the hotel, straightening my sleeves. I could feel my chest rise and fall with every breath, anxiously fighting hard to mask my nervousness.

The cold wind howled through the empty street, sweat beading down my forehead. Staring at my wristwatch, I felt my stomach letting out a deep rumbling growl, indicating that it was midnight and it needed something to feast on as I hadn't eaten all day.

I increased my pace immediately, cutting the journey short by following familiar routes, and in no time, I was right at my doorstep.

I inhaled slowly as I stared at my mother's apartment, dread churning in me. My trembling hands rasped on the door, twisting it slowly as its creak echoed through the empty room.

Suddenly, a wave of relief hit my chest as I stared at the empty sitting room. Mom wasn't there.

I quickly tiptoed into my room, not daring to make a sound. Once inside, I closed the door behind me as a weary breath left my lips.

Suddenly, the lights came on, and I felt a tightness in my chest, struggling to draw in each breath as I stared at her reflection in the mirror.

“Where the hell are you coming from?” she questioned.

My breathing was shallow, fear seeping into my bones as I turned in her direction.

“I…I….” I stammered, unsure of how best to reply. “I went to the Grey club,” the words escaped my lips before I could think.

“You did what?!” she yelled, walking closer to me. I stumbled, my back against the wall, my lips trembling as I tried to explain.

“I... went for…”

“Promotion”

“Yes Promotion”

‘I went to advertise Club Encour, Mother. Yunno Grey is at the city's center, and many of the city's best buddies will be there on a Friday night. So I tried looking for rich and… and…” My words faltered.

“If Don Julio finds out about this, he might cancel the contract,” she roared.

There was a shift in her tone. Despite her reluctance to admit it, I could sense that she was satisfied to hear that I was promoting her club.

She turned toward the door. Just as she was about to leave, I called her. “Mother.”

She stopped in her tracks.

“What?” she asked.

“I…”

“Spit the damn words out!” she yelled.

I flinched.

“I love you, Mum,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper.

She glanced over her shoulder, a sharp exhale forcing its way out of her lips.

“I wish I could say the same,” she mumbled, walking out and slamming the door.

I took a deep breath, walked over to my bed, and rested my head. I was glad she replied. Most days, she'd huff and walk out.

Days ran into weeks, and as always, I had to work twice as hard to please her despite juggling school and work. In my quiet time, I found my thoughts drifting back to him ( Mr stranger ) the way he held me, pinned me against the wall, his hazel eyes and thick wavy hair falling just above his eyebrow made me cling to his touches.

I felt stupid knowing that I'd told him all about me but knew nothing about him. Who the fuck does that?

“Focus, Maria,” I whispered to myself, pinching the bridge of my nose. The words felt hollow.

Some moments later, I heard a very familiar voice say

“Whiskey, Maria,”

The husky voice said, snapping me out of my wandering thoughts.

His heavy cologne hung thick as the tantalizing scent of cologne enveloped me, transforming my counter into an intoxicating space that whispered of charm and allure.

My gaze slowly tilted up, and my breathing hitched as I stared at his flawless face. My chest tightened as my jaw dropped in disbelief, practically hitting the cold marble floor.

I steadied my breathing, fear and shame fighting too hard to overwhelm me.

“What are you doing here?” I asked, my voice cracking. I could feel my mother's gaze piercing into my skin.

“Meet me in the hallway,” he commanded, exuding an aura of arrogance.

Quickly, I asked my assistant to watch the bar and trailed him to the hallway.

I walked into the dimly lit hallway, trying to figure out where he was, suddenly, a firm grip yanked me towards the hallway balcony.

“I’m going to make this fast. It's more like an offer,” he said, his lips folding into a thin line.

“What offer?” I asked, raising a brow.

“My father has been on my neck to get a bride, and if I don’t, I’m going to get into real trouble,” he began.

I couldn't help but ask, “How am I involved in this?”

My gaze darted around to see if anyone was watching us. Gladly, I found no one.

“You are going to marry me…. more like a contracted bride. You'll get married to me for two years, and we’ll file for a divorce.”

The idea felt ridiculous. I wanted to object to whatever nonsense he was cooking up in his mind, but I found myself paying rapt attention.

“After the divorce, you'll be settled with 10% of my inheritance, but first, 10 million dollars will be paid now," he said, raising a brow.

Ten million what?! That was two times what I made as a stripper for Don Julio! Plus, accepting the role as his bride would take me off stripping.

My jaw widened, the words finding it difficult to escape my lips.

“I… I’ll think about it,” I stammered.

“You don’t need to think about it, Maria. I want an immediate reply besides, I'm into Women I'm Gay,” he said in a tone that showed desperation.

Before I could say a word, he slipped out a file from his coat, stretching his hand and handing it over to me. Everything happened so fast, and I found myself signing the documents without even reading through them.

After that, he left. He fixed a date for me to meet his father.

Soon, the realization hit me that I had just accepted to be married to a man I knew nothing about. I went back to duty, waiting for the right time to break the news, and just then, the queen herself walked by.

You, where have you been?

Skipping duty again? Huh pathetic

“Mom, a man asked me to marry me,” I spoke bluntly, not minding the consequences of my actions, and as predicted, mother let out a scream.

“What”?

“Who”?

“You aren’t getting married to him!” my mother said, her tone leaving no room for argument.

“Mother!”I called out, my eyes widening in astonishment. I had broken the news to her, and just as predicted, this was her response.

“You belong to Julio, and that’s final!” she yelled, clenching her fists.

“He’ll pay 10 million dollars and 10% of his inheritance if I agree to be his contract bride,” I said, a hint of seriousness laced in my voice.

My mother’s eyes widened in shock, greed etched into the lines of her expression. Of course, she’d change her mind over cash.

“Be home by six,” she muttered, masking her shock with a cruel smirk as she walked away.

………..

The appointed day came knocking faster than I expected. The sky was bright and blue as the warm sun and a gentle breeze carried the sweet scents of blooming flowers across my room.

After my cold shower, I put on the stunning sleek evening dress that Diego bought for today. I smoothed my lipstick, ready to give the impression of a perfect bride.

I climbed out of the cab, taking in the beauty of the hotel. The towering glass reflected the golden glow of the chandeliers inside, casting a warm welcome over the polished marble floor.

I stepped into the hotel, my heels echoing off the cold marble, my dress flowing behind me.

My eyes searched the lobby, scanning for him. Finally, I saw him.

I took a deep breath, steadying myself as I walked toward Diego. He stood beneath the soft glow of the chandeliers, looking perfect—too perfect—with his neatly pressed suit and warm, expectant smile. In his hands, he held a bouquet of roses, their deep red petals vibrant against his crisp white shirt.

I forced a smile; my head tilted high as an undeniable air of confidence I wished I had radiated from me.

And then Diego snapped me back to reality in an instance —

“Maria, meet my father,” he said calmly, pointing at a man behind me.

I blinked, slowly whirling around in his direction.

And then I saw him.

Don julio.

The breath in my lungs ceased immediately.

No.

No, this wasn’t real.

But it was.

He stood behind me, composed, powerful, just as I remembered. Sharp jaw, piercing dark eyes, the kind of presence that made the air shift.

I stripped for him.

I let him watch me with those very same eyes, let him drink in every inch of me as I moved under dim lights, thinking I would never see him again.

And now… he was Diego’s father? Fuck, this was getting…interesting.

“Maria,” I greeted, my hand trembling as I stretched it, sweat trickled down my forehead as I watched him grab my hand,

“Antonio,” He replied, his gaze narrowing slightly.

Antonio? How are you, Antonio my thoughts wandered as he tightly held my hands.