Esmeralda woke up from her sleep. She got her phone and saw it was 11 am. "Darn, I overslept." She usually woke up around 6 am, but yesterday's festivities tired her. After dinner, Sosuke's uncles asked her to dance individually; they were all excellent and fast dancers. To her surprise, Ace asked her to dance again. Throughout the party, both spoke to one another.

She had to admit that Ace was quite comical and a good conversationalist. She was very impressed with his interest in sailing and marine life. The young woman couldn't deny that he was good-looking as his father. Ace even asked for her phone number, and she did the same thing.

On the other hand, Sosuke didn't ask her to dance. Instead, he would watch her or speak to other guests. Esmeralda didn't know why, but it bugged her. As Esmeralda was about to put her phone down, she got a text message from Sosuke.

"Good morning, Esmeralda. I just wanted to see if you are doing well. My uncle told me you and your friends could stay in the hotel for a week. Our party was hugely successful; your dance was the night's talk. Congratulations."

Esmeralda sat up and smiled. She texted back to him. "Morning, Billy Goat! I barely woke up! I'm so happy that your family's party was a huge success. I was worried at first, but you encouraged me to be myself. I can't thank you and your family enough for this wonderful opportunity. By the way, you still owe me a dance, you big galoot." She sent the text and giggled. Esmeralda got off the bed and took a shower.

............................

Sosuke saw the text that Esmeralda sent and smirked. "I guess I do owe her a dance." Sosuke drank a sip from his tea. His thoughts were interrupted when there was a knock on the door. Sosuke went to open the door.

He wanted to roll his eyes. 

"Sosuke, it has been a while."

"Loly, what do you want? I thought I told you that we're done."

"Through text. Really Sosuke? Why in the hell would you do that to me? What we had going was perfect!" Loly had long dark blue hair that she had dyed. Her eyes were dark pink from the contact lenses she wore. She was thin and wore a dark blue mini skirt, a black sleeveless shirt, with a dark blue jean jacket. Loly tried to enter, but Sosuke blocked her from doing so. "You're not even letting me in?"

"Why would I? As I said, we're over. I got tired of you."

Loly laughed. "You, tired of me? Come on, sweetheart. How can you get tired of this? Besides, you don't mean that."

Sosuke began to regret sleeping with Loly. She was good and freaky in bed but began to display obsessive behaviors, which concerned him. He should have listened to his uncle. "I do. I got sick and tired of you. I'm not the only that used your body. Do you think that any man would want to be with a whore? You opened your legs to me willingly, and I had my fill. Now go be a whore somewhere else." He was about to close the door, but Loly stopped him.

"You think you can get rid of me easily, you bastard!? You'll see that this won't be the last time you see me! You're mine, Sosuke!"

Sosuke pushed her away from the door and closed it behind him. Loly punched the door and walked away. He let out a deep breath. "She is crazy."

............................

Esmeralda got dressed in a light blue checkered summer dress. It was 1 pm, and everyone was still asleep. She knew that her friends got wasted and would probably be awake mid-afternoon. "I might as well make lunch for myself." Then, her phone rang, and she saw the caller id. She did a small gulp and answered. "Mr. Yhwach, good afternoon. I hope you are doing well."

She could hear him chuckle at the end of the line. "Quite well, my dear. I hope you're not too exhausted from yesterday."

"A little bit, sir, but I'm fully awake. I'm about to make lunch."

"I was hoping that I could take you out to lunch. I think dinner might be ruined since we all had a rough night. I'm on the road, so please be outside in ten minutes."

Esmeralda froze but felt that she had to keep her word. "Oh, okay." Both hung. The young woman was confused. "How did he get my phone?" Either way, she got her purse and everything she needed and waited outside.

The weather was nice and warm. She closed her eyes, enjoying the air for the moment. Suddenly, a black Ferrari stopped before her, making Esmeralda open her eyes. Yhwach stepped out, but this time, he looked different. He still had his mustache but was trimmed; his long hair was cut short to his chin. He wore a white buttoned shirt with a suit above. He also wore black slacks with dark, dressy shoes.

He looked a bit much younger for his age. She couldn't deny that he looked very good. Yhwach walked in front of Esmeralda, and he smiled. "You look very nice in your dress, my dear. Are you ready to go?" Yhwach extended his arm.

Esmeralda blushed. "Y-Yes, sir. I look forward to it." She was motioned into the car. The door was closed on her side, and Yhwach sat on his side. "Well, we shall be off. I hope you like German food."

"I never tried it, sir."

"Well, you're in for a treat." With that, Yhwach drove away to their destination.

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Yhwach POV

Esmeralda was silent as she looked out the window. It did irk me a bit. I knew she was uncomfortable, but we had been acquainted long enough. Can't she see that she has nothing to fear from me? "I hope you had a wonderful time at the party. You and your friends were superb."

She seemed to relax a bit. "Thank you, sir. I had a wonderful time, as did my friends, although they're hungover from all the alcohol they drank."

I chuckled. "I'm not surprised. My brothers made sure to get the best beverages from Europe." I made a turn, and we finally made it to our destination. I looked at Esmeralda, who looked confused. "We're at one of my private homes. I'd rather be somewhere private."

"Um, well, I thought-"

"Please don't fret. My family and I are known in this area and high society; if someone known were to see us, it could lead to misunderstandings, and word will spread like wildfire. I don't want you to get unwanted attention since you like your privacy."

"Oh, okay, that makes sense. You have a lovely home, Mr. Yhwach."

I hate when she calls me 'Mr' and 'Sir.' I got out of my car and immediately went to her side and opened the door for her. Once out, a gust of soft air blew by. Her raven hair and dress flowed along with it. Such a beautiful sight, so pure. It was as if nature was also enamored with her beauty.

I motioned her to follow me. Once inside, my house workers greeted us. However, once lunch was served, they were instructed to leave. I wanted to be alone with her since I had reasons for inviting her here.

"Wow, your house has a lot of European influence, sir. Have you designed it?"

"Of course, my family and I travel to different parts of America for business, we mostly live here, and I miss my home country, so I asked my homes to be made European style." I led her to the dining room, where the small rounded table was filled with food and drink plates. My chef was there and greeted us.

Once we were both seated, we were left alone. I gave my chef strict orders to make our lunch perfect. Esmeralda eyed the food with interest. "It smells so delicious!"

"It's Bratwurst, one of Germany's famous dishes, sausages made from veal, beef, or pork. There's also potato salad, sweet bread, cheese, and other vegetables. Please don't hesitate to taste everything."

She cut a piece of usage and took a bite. Her eyes became wide open. "This is so good! Even herbs can be tasted. Your chef is a wonderful cook!"

I took a bite of my food. "I'll be sure to inform him. I want you to taste some authentic European food Americans aren't good at." I know I sounded harsh, but it's the truth. Most American foods were fake, with chemicals, and disgusting. I ensured I ate the best, even hiring my chef from France.

"Well, there are some good places that make good food. I admit that it is great to eat food made traditionally, but times are changing, and there's nothing wrong with eating something made in the present and past. If I may ask, are you from Romania?"

"Yes, I guess Sosuke told you."

"He brought it up since my friends and I asked him more about his heritage since he does look European."

She seemed curious about our family. However, she shouldn't know the entirety of our family. Then, the memories of my father and mother came to me. I squeezed my fork. His sadistic smirk, love for pain, and all because of that witch Integra! "Mr. Yhwach, are you okay?" Esmeralda called out to me, eying me with concern.

"Forgive me; I just remembered something, that's all. Anyway, you are correct that my brothers and I are Romanian. Our family is complicated. My brothers were taken by their maternal grandfather to England while I stayed behind in Romania."

"So, does that mean you and your brothers are half-brothers?"

She's pretty intelligent. "Yes, but if you don't mind. I don't like talking about my personal family affairs."

She looked down at her food. "S-Sorry about that! I didn't mean to pry."

"It's alright. You were just curious since Sosuke brought it up. Anyway, tell me more about yourself." I listened intently as I learned about her family, work, and situation. To think a pure beauty like her lives in the dirty and poor city of South Los Angeles. I've driven there to get to specific meetings, and there was nothing there but homelessness, trash, crime, prostitution, and the poor of California. Esmeralda didn't feel ashamed of her situation but instead proud that she didn't let her position put her down.

She is pretty admirable but deserves more, especially her beauty and talent. I was also impressed that she knew quite a few languages and had the motivation to learn more. Her father was also her motivation since he was her only family left—quite the opposite of mine.

She even asked me about my hobbies. Of course, I didn't tell her that I enjoyed screwing escorts. However, I told her I liked watching movies, reading, the arts, and horseback riding. Esmeralda did become intrigued and asked me more. We talked for more than two hours. I never enjoyed myself this much. Even with her young age, she held so much maturity that many older women I've been with don't have.

Esmeralda was indeed one of a kind. I then decided to give her a tour around my home until we got outside. She likes gardens and flowers; I come to find out that her favorite flowers are daffodils. I gave her a flower and gladly took it. This woman was indeed the one. I hated the fact that we weren't born at the right time. Without hesitation, I would have taken her as my wife, but things didn't go as planned. I'm still married to Unohana, and we are still married because our finances and companies are combined.

We both wanted to divorce, to be free from one another. If we decide to divorce, it would be costly, and we would have to fight for everything. One would gain everything while the other lost everything. I would ask Esmeralda to become my mistress, but now knowing her personality, she would reject me. She had self-respect and respect for others. Not only that, I would lose her favor and respect, and everything my brothers said about me would be proven true. So I had to think of something. "Esmeralda, there's something I would like to tell you."

"Yes?"

I walked closer to her, but she kept her distance. "I would like to offer you a job to be my secretary. Previous secretaries I've had haven't been too responsible and tried to test one's limits, and you seem reliable and respectable. You will be paid handsomely, of course. The money can help you and your father. What do you say?"

Esmeralda looked shocked and uncertain.

"I know this is sudden, but I will give you until tomorrow to decide. It will be a wonderful opportunity." Then, I noticed an SUV driving up; Esmeralda noticed too.

I let out an annoyed sigh. "Sosuke, Ace, how nice to see you both."