ALFRED

Walking into the house that evening, I knew I was in for it. Dad’s voice met me at the door.

“You’re so incompetent, Alfred,” he barked. “Just one simple task—to welcome the partners—and you failed! They almost walked out!”

I swallowed hard. “Dad, I’m really sorry. I was stuck in traffic,” I lied. There was no way I could tell him I passed by Michael’s house and ended up sleeping off after taking a few cups of alcohol. That would have made things worse.

Then something unexpected happened. His tone changed.

“But I must say, I’m proud of Delphine. She saved the situation.”

I looked over at Delphine who had just walked in from the hallway, calm and composed.

Dad turned to her. “How did you pull it off?”

Delphine smiled a little and said, “I heard you talking in the lounge earlier, how Alfred hadn’t arrived yet and how disappointed you were. I tried calling him, but his number wasn’t reachable. Then I remembered the speech he rehearsed last night—I was the one he practiced with. I had crammed most of it. I found the office address on the complimentary card in the wardrobe and took a motorcycle to get there fast.”

Dad chuckled, clearly impressed. “You’re such an intelligent woman,” he said. “I’ve been getting calls all day. My partners were praising your speech—some even streamed it live. You’ve made the Gonzalo name shine brighter. In fact, some new big partners are now interested in joining us.”

Delphine smiled shyly. “Thank you, Sir.”

He looked back at me. “You’re lucky to have someone like Delphine in your life, Alfred. Don’t mess it up.”

That was the beginning. Right there, I could see Dad’s heart softening toward her. And honestly, I was grateful. Delphine had done what I couldn’t—what I failed to do.

Later that night, I decided to show her how thankful I was. I made her jam doughnuts in the kitchen myself and served them with a drink in my room. When I walked in with the tray, she looked surprised.

“What’s this?” she asked.

“A thank-you treat,” I smiled. “For saving my life today. You literally saved my life by that act and you really don’t know how much that meant to me.”

She looked at the doughnuts and chuckled. “Thanks, but I don’t really like doughnuts.”

“Come on, just try one,” I said. “I made it with all my heart. Specially for you.”

She finally took a bite and smiled.

“Hmmm. It’s nice though.”

Then I handed her something else—a small, delicate purple hibiscus flower. She held it gently, brought it close to her nose, and smiled again.

“You’re really sweet,” she said. “And you still can’t get over your love for purple.”

I laughed a little. “Some things don’t change.”

I smiled and moved a little closer to Delphine on the couch. She looked nervous, but she was trying to stay composed. I don’t know what came over me—I leaned in, slowly, trying to kiss her.

She gently pushed my face away.

“Alfred,” she said firmly, “you need to respect boundaries. Don’t forget—we’re just playing a game. I’ll be gone as soon as my mission here is accomplished. I’m only here to help you gain your father’s trust again and win the company.”

Her words hit me hard. I nodded and pulled back quickly, totally embarrassed.

“I’m sorry,” I muttered. “I… I let my emotions get in the way. That was foolish of me.”

I stood up, running my hand through my hair, silently cursing myself. It was supposed to be just a game. Why was I starting to fall?

Before I could say more, I heard heavy footsteps coming down the hallway and a loud voice.

“Alfred, you’ve been so engulfed by the love of this contract girlfriend that you’ve forgotten about me!”

My heart nearly jumped out of my chest.

Only one person could talk that loud—Kendrick. My overly dramatic, food-loving, talkative friend.

I glanced at Delphine. Her head was bowed. She had heard it all.

“I’m sorry… I…”

“No. It’s okay. You don’t need to apologize. That’s what I am, after all.” she cooed with a smile that vanished almost immediately.

Kendrick barged into the room without knocking and paused when he saw Delphine.

“Oh, sorry, I didn’t kn…”

I cut him off immediately. “Kendrick, you talk too much for one man. Why did you shout in the hallway like that? My father could hear you.”

As if the universe heard me, the door swung open.

It was Dad.

Kendrick froze and stuttered his greeting, clearly intimidated.

Dad’s eyes swept the room, then landed on me.

“And who,” he asked slowly, his voice cold and sharp, “is the contract girlfriend?”

My heart stopped. Delphine looked up, startled. Kendrick's mouth dropped open.

I was doomed.

Kendrick had just ruined everything. Dad knew. The secret was out.