Chapter 2 - The Negotiation
Thirty minutes later, Mateo was finally fast asleep in his massive, custom-built bed, his small fingers still loosely gripping the fabric of Valeria’s uniform. Valeria carefully untangled herself and quietly stepped out of the bedroom. Two armed guards immediately escorted her down the grand staircase and into Alejandro Ríos's private study.
The room smelled of expensive Cuban cigars and old leather. Alejandro sat behind a massive mahogany desk, his dark eyes studying her intently. He tossed a thick stack of medical files onto the desk.
“Your name is Valeria Gómez,” Alejandro stated smoothly, leaning back in his chair. “You live in Santa Catarina. You took this cleaning job three days ago because your younger brother, Leo, needs a specialized heart surgery that costs over two hundred thousand pesos. A sum you could not earn in ten lifetimes.”
Valeria swallowed hard, her heart pounding against her bruised ribs. “You investigated me.”
“I investigate everyone who breathes the air inside my house,” Alejandro replied coldly. “Eighteen women with master’s degrees and years of psychological training ran screaming from that boy. You, a girl with a bucket and a mop, managed to put him to sleep. I want you to become his exclusive nanny.”
“I am not a nanny, Mr. Ríos,” Valeria said softly. “I don't have the proper training.”
“I don't care about training anymore,” Alejandro snapped, his frustration bleeding through his tough exterior. “I care about results. My son responded to you. I will pay you one hundred thousand pesos a month. You will live in this house, and you will not leave his side.”
Valeria’s mind raced. One hundred thousand pesos a month was an absolute fortune. But it wasn't enough to save her brother today.
“No,” Valeria said firmly.
Alejandro’s eyes narrowed dangerously. “Excuse me?”
“I will not take a monthly salary,” Valeria countered, stepping closer to the massive desk, refusing to show her fear. “I will take the job, and I will stay with Mateo. But in exchange, you will pay for my brother’s heart surgery today. In full. Upfront. At the best private hospital in Monterrey.”
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The cartel boss stared at the young maid, a faint, dangerous smirk playing on his lips. He admired her sheer nerve.
“Done,” Alejandro said, pulling out a checkbook. “But if you ever betray me, or if anything happens to my son, there is nowhere on this earth you can hide.”
