GETTING THE HEART OF THE CEO

A month had passed since Lindsey took control of the company. Every morning, Kyle had tried to find a way to talk to her without success. He sent her a bouquet of red roses every day for two weeks, seeing some employees happily leaving the office with a bouquet from their boss. However, he eventually gave up on that idea.

He was in his office, immersed in papers, when he lifted his head upon hearing a familiar voice.

“Good to see your face, Kyle! I’ve been trying to contact you for days,” Maximilian said with a friendly tone as he settled into the chair in front of his cousin’s desk.

“Hi, Max! My life is complicated right now. My obsession has resurfaced.”

Maximilian raised his eyebrows, thinking, “Could he be seduced by Catrina again?”

“Cousin, don’t tell me you fell back into Catrina’s clutches.”

“What are you talking about? Catrina was the worst thing I let into my life,” and at the mention of her name, his gaze darkened.

“That’s why I’m here. Over a month ago, my mom called me crying because a woman went to her house, causing a scene, wanting to take the child, claiming he was her mother. Of course, Dona Sophia and Stefany didn’t allow it. Since that incident, I’ve settled here in Manhattan.”

“Is she back? I haven’t heard anything about her since my grandfather kicked her out of the country. Catrina won’t make it easy for you, but at least you have full custody of Max.”

“Catrina has money; I had her investigated. Apparently, she married an old millionaire with no children. The man died recently, leaving her a fortune, including a company. The issue is that she returned to the country and recently filed a lawsuit against me, claiming I’m not involved in my son’s life. Also, she wants me to force her to sign that document where she gave up custody of Max, stripping her of her rights as a mother. My lawyer says that even though I have that document, a judge could return Max to Catrina because I haven’t been present in his upbringing.”

Kyle looked at his cousin with compassion; as a father, he couldn’t imagine his life without Lucia and Liam.

“What do you plan to do now? Because your life and your company are in Los Angeles.”

“On my lawyer’s advice, if I want to win custody of Max through the court, I have to be present in his life. That child is my son, and I want him my way. My mom is also a factor; she’ll die if I separate her from Max. For that reason, I sold the nightclub I had in Los Angeles and am moving my company to Chicago.”

“That woman will use all her tricks to take him away. Look at what she did with my life; she destroyed my marriage,” he said with melancholy.

“I know that, which is why I try to spend more time with my son. Yesterday, I got married,” he blurted out without preamble.

Kyle was surprised by the news. He couldn’t believe that the most sought-after playboy in society and the one who took advantage of women who offered themselves to him was now married.

“You got married? Who’s the unfortunate one?”

“Stefany! Before you say anything, she doesn’t know.”

“Why did you do that?” Kyle asked, visibly upset.

“I’m terrified at the thought of them taking Max away from me. If I had proposed it to her, I know she wouldn’t have accepted. That’s why I made her sign some documents supposedly from the child’s school, and what she signed was our marriage certificate. I don’t want my son with that heartless woman, and being married gives me more leverage. Besides, Stefany has been with him since birth and calls her mom.”

“I don’t judge you for what you did. You know what I find wrong about this? You’ll be tied to a woman you don’t love, and she doesn’t either.”

“That’s the problem! I like that woman more than you think. She has awakened in me the desire to take care of her, to want to know more about her. She makes me smile. I’ve flirted several times, but she puts up barriers and avoids me. Something tells me she likes me because I’ve caught her looking at me mischievously. But the most important thing here is not to lose my son, even if my Angel kills me.

“I advise you to talk to her for the sake of all three,” he said, fixing his eyes with a warning. “I just ask you not to hurt her. That girl had to go through terrible things in her life for a scoundrel like you to take advantage of her, so make things clear to her.”

Maximiliano didn’t know much about Stefany. He started working with him on his aunt’s recommendation. She was a nurse in the children’s ward, so he hired her immediately. When his son recovered, he proposed that she become Max’s nanny, and she gladly accepted because she had grown fond of him since she held him in her arms.

“What do you know about Stefany?” he inquired curiously.

“I’m not the one who should tell you; it’s better to wait for her to tell you herself.”

Maximiliano pondered, “Do I have to find out what happened to my Angel?”

“Since Max was born, and my Angel entered our lives, I haven’t been the same as before. I no longer sleep with the first one who flirts with me. Changing the subject, tell me, who is your obsession?”

Kyle leaned back in his chair and replied, “My wife has returned. I’m a partner in her company, and every morning, I pass by there, even though I see her little because she hides from me. Just by looking at her when she arrives, I’m satisfied. I have to find a way to get closer.”

“Good luck with her, cousin. How are the kids?”

“They’re fine, causing trouble but good kids.”

“I’m glad! I’ll soon be opening a nightclub, and I want you there.” He got up from his office and left.

Courney was in her room, desperate, not knowing what to do. Her mother kicked her out of the house and refused to return her money. Her father treated her with indifference, and her friends, upon learning she had no money, turned their backs on her. She regretted letting herself be psychologically manipulated by Kathen since childhood and being part of his ambition for her sister’s fortune.

She had considered seeking out her sister and humbling herself to borrow the money, but just the idea of explaining what it’s for would likely earn her more disdain because she had more responsibility in everything that happened. After her unfortunate incident on the runway and being fired by Pratt’s company, Courney didn’t get many contracts, and she didn’t bother to clean up her name. Since she had money her dad deposited monthly, she didn’t live a bad life, spending her time partying and shopping. Now her image as a model was forgotten, and she had no profession.

She sold all her things and jewelry at a popular market but didn’t manage to raise the complete amount. She took a risk and went to the outskirts of the city in hiding, hoping not to be found by that criminal.

It was Saturday, and the kids wanted to see their grandparents. Lindsey called Sussan to ask if they could come, and she gladly told her they were welcome for lunch together.

The kids were excited. Lindsey dressed and packed their things, then drove to her car with them straight to Grandpa Hugo’s mansion.Copyright Nôv/el/Dra/ma.Org.

Meanwhile, Kyle dropped off his two kids at a children’s party near his grandfather’s house.