21. Chapter 21

Chapter 21

Matías Moreno

C attleya's team won their second playoffs match, and I'm so fucking proud of her. Part of me is pissed at myself for putting us in this secrecy situation; I want to scream to everyone who'll hear that my girlfriend is a kickass soccer player who's about to win her first championship in Argentina. During her first season here! And don't get me started on her call to join Colombia's national soccer team; this woman is unstoppable. I feel so damn honored to be able to share her bed every night and be her rock when she needs to rest the weight she holds on her shoulders. I'm proud to be her man.

My morning routine has changed a little since I basically moved in with Cattleya—it's like one day she invited me over, and I never left. I go back to my apartment for clothes and whatnot, but I sleep with her every night. When I wake up in the mornings, the first thing I do is kiss mi ángel 's lips.

"Good morning, beautiful. How did you sleep?" I say against her mouth. She rewards me with a gorgeous smile.

"Good morning, bae. I slept amazing; I love the way you hold me at night."

My dick twitches in appreciation at her praise. I wish I had time to get lost in her this morning, but it'll have to wait until tonight. There's a planning meeting this morning at work, and I want to arrive before everyone else so I can prepare my data without interruptions.

"What the actual fuck?" Cattleya hisses, and I immediately jerk in her direction.

"What happened?" I ask, confused.

"Have you read Bleacher's Pulse this morning?" she asks in a murderous tone. I know she's not mad at me but I don't want to be in the wrath path when she decides to combust. "Somehow Romina got pictures of us yesterday at Tigre , and in her article she's wondering if this is the end of my career. Apparently, female soccer players can't focus at work if they're in a relationship. I honestly don't know what on Earth I did to deserve the lies and toxic attention this woman pays me. But I'm reaching my limit."

Cattleya gets up from bed, her phone on her ear, as she goes to the living room, I'm assuming to check on Tinta. I take my phone out and pull up the article. My eyes go big at the title, "Cata Cardona and her mystery man. Is this the end of her focus and commitment to her team?" Who the fuck reads this shit and thinks, oh yeah, Cardona is throwing away her career? It's not like having a partner is a sin. I toss my phone to the side and decide to get ready for the day instead.

"Good morning, everyone. I want this meeting to be short and beneficial. I want to hear personally about the progress we've made on the stadium, not just read the reports you all submit at the end of the week. The Golden Warriors' board wants an update. They want to see numbers and the progress that matches those numbers. Matías, why don't you start."

Everyone in the room turns to look at me, and I can't help the heat rising through my skin. Taking a few deep breaths, I give myself a quick pep talk. I worked on these numbers. I made sure they were correct. I've got this.

"I'm in charge of overseeing the purchase of all the materials, and ensuring that we have everything we need at any time during the construction. We're currently in the foundation and columns phase, and as you can see here, I have made a graph that shows the amount required for cement, gravel, and steel per column. I made the same graph for every cubic meter of foundation," I say as I show the presentation on the projector. My coworkers nod at me, and I even get a couple of pats on the back as I go back to my seat. "The numbers you see on the screen are the amounts recommended by the Civil Engineering Board of Argentina as the minimum standards of materials needed to produce safe and stable structures." I barrel on as I glare at Luciano.

This is common knowledge among us, so I'm just covering my ass and reminding Luciano we will be in deep trouble if we mess with these numbers. I might have to work on being more subtle because the look Luciano is giving me is downright deadly. The meeting continues, the rest of the team gives their report and, as expected, we're on track to finish the construction in the next twelve months.

"Matías, my office. Now," Luciano calls as I'm about to sit down in my cubicle. Even though I'm nervous as fuck for what's coming next, I know I've done everything according to code, and I have documents to prove it. "I'm not going to sugarcoat it, Matías. I know you know what's going on here." Luciano starts as soon as I close the door behind me.

"Okay, so what do you have to say?" I reply, not even taking a seat. I cross my arms in front of my chest and wait for him to continue.

"Well, as you know, we've never had a project as huge as this stadium, and I'm not going to let the opportunity pass to set my family up for a good life when I have the chance." I'm gobsmacked. I was expecting something similar but not so openly shameless.

"So, instead of working and making your way in the world, you're going to steal money and put your reputation on the line?"

Luciano's face transforms like a villain in the cartoons I used to watch growing up; Mr. Burns from The Simpsons comes to mind.

"And there, Matías, is where you are wrong. It won't be me taking the blame. I mean, who's in charge of making sure all those numbers are correct?"

The color drains from my face. "I'm sorry, Luciano, but I have all the data backed up and ready to prove I did everything by the book. I'm not going to go down for something I didn't do."

A humorless chuckle escapes his mouth. "You should have thought about that before you decided to go out with a player from the Golden Warriors," he says as he unlocks his phone screen and shows me the goddamn Bleacher's Pulse article.

I close my eyes and press my thumb and forefinger against my nose bridge. I can't believe this is happening right now. I'm close to having a panic attack, but I focus on mi ángel's beautiful face—the way her eyes light up when she sees me—and I start breathing easier.

"I've known her for a while now. Yes, we reconnected when she moved to Buenos Aires, but this isn't new. It's been a long time coming." I smile at the memory of the first time I laid eyes on her and how she stunned me when she took the soccer ball from my feet.

"Okay, well. I'm feeling generous since you've been a good employee, and I really don't want the company to go down in flames."

I remain silent, waiting for him to speak, even though there's no way in hell I'm going to help him cover this theft.

"If you look the other way, I will let this little fling you have with the player pass and give you a percentage of the money." I'm about to tell him no when he motions with his hand for me to stop. "Don't give me a rushed answer. Think about it, mull it over. We'll talk next week after the team meeting."

Luciano wakes his computer up, and I leave his office without another word.

‘Bae," Cattleya singsongs my moniker as she comes in. I'm in the kitchen trying to get dinner ready, but my mind is reeling, stuck in that meeting with Luciano this morning. I feel her toned arms going around my middle as she places a kiss on my naked back. It's a warm day, and for some reason, I decided not to turn on the AC. I guess I'm trying to punish myself .

"Mati, is everything okay?" she asks in a low voice, almost scared to disturb me.

"Hi, mi ángel . Yeah, I'm fine, just a heavy day at work."

She releases a deep breath and turns me around so I can face her. "Forget about dinner, we're getting take out. Come take a seat with me, and we'll talk it out." Cattleya starts rubbing circles on my back, and the motion immediately calms me down. "I'll order Chinese. Are you okay with that? I've been craving some lately," she asks, and I nod. I really don't feel like eating, so whatever she orders it's fine.

Putting her phone away, she sits on top of me, straddling my thighs. "Okay, tell me what happened."

I tell her everything, from the team meeting to the private conversation with Luciano.

"What a motherfucking piece of shit. What he's doing is beyond illegal." My fierce warrior jumps up from me and immediately goes for her phone. If this situation wasn't so messed up, I'd be smiling at how fucking adorable she looks when she's pissed off, ready to burn the world down for me. "Hey, Daddy, I'll fill you in with all details later, but right now I need your professional advice. You're on speaker."

Oh, shit. I guess it's time to face the music with my father-in-law. Future father-in-law, but still.

" Hola, hija . What's going on?"

"Okay, so do you remember Matías? Franco's friend?"

"Yes," her dad replies, and my girl barrels through.

"We've been dating for a couple of months, and it just so happens he's part of the company that's building the stadium."

Her dad interrupts her, and I inhale a deep breath. "Wait a minute. You're dating one of Franco's friends? Why haven't you told us? Is he treating you the way you deserve? Isn't he too old for you?" I bite my lower lip to stop myself from laughing at his last question. Then I hear him shout, "Claudia, mi amor . Come here. Did you know Cattleya is dating one of Franco's friends?"

I can't help it anymore, I bark out a laugh, but I try to cover it with a cough.

"Dad, please focus. I told you I'll tell you the details later." I hear Samuel release a deep breath, but he remains quiet. "Okay so, the thing is, Matías found out his boss is changing the materials orders for the new stadium. When Mati confronted him, his boss told him to either join him and get a cut of the money, or he'll be blamed if this comes out."

Samuel lets out a string of curses, and Claudia scolds him. God, I love this family so much.

"Okay mija , tell Matías not to agree to anything, and try to buy some time with his boss. Your mom and I are on our way." I frown, but Cattleya heaves a deep breath in relief.

"Thanks, Daddy. I'll see you guys soon."

"Love you, mija ," Claudia says before the call ends.

"So your parents are coming, huh?" I ask a mix of nerves and anticipation invading my brain.

"Yeah, bae. There's no one I trust more. I know Dad will figure something out."

I get up from the couch and hug her tight to me; she's taking care of me. Like I'm part of her family. Like she feels for me the same way I feel for her.

Having Cattleya in my arms, I promise myself to set up an appointment with Dr. Sosa next week. I can't let this ordeal with Luciano get in my head, make me doubt myself, and put what I have with Cattleya in jeopardy; she's everything to me, and I need to be strong for her.