AllFreeNovel
Share Us
She waved her spoon. “I don’t want to plan anything more than finishing this delicious ice cream. I thought you’d brought me too much. It’s so good, though, I may have a second bowl. There’s nothing that has to be decided tonight, is there?”
“Just the kittens’ residence.”
“Fine. Bring them with you the next time you’re here.”
He regarded her as closely as he would an exotic museum exhibit. “You make it sound as though I might not be invited back.”
She brushed
a curl away from her face. “Did I? I’m sorry. I’m just tired, and maybe nothing is coming out right.”
That was a lie if he’d ever heard one, but he wouldn’t call her on it. “I understand. Maybe I should go back to my studio tonight. I’ll clean up the kitchen first.” She didn’t argue with him, and he left her seated on the sofa with a book. She looked more lost than tired to him, but clearly she didn’t crave his company as badly as he longed for hers.
When Alejandro got up the next morning, it hurt to stretch, and he hadn’t slept nearly as well alone as he did after spending hours making love to Ana. The overcast morning contributed to his dark mood, and the hot water and steam from the shower just made him wet. He rubbed his hair dry as he surveyed his closet. He had bespoke suits, monogrammed shirts and designer ties, so he looked the part of CEO of the Ortiz Line whenever he had to, and it was required for the reading of the will.
As he dressed, he replayed his last conversation with Ana, but no matter how he shuffled the exchange, she’d simply brushed off his suggestion they live together with a halfhearted concern they might feel crowded with a baby. Their baby wouldn’t be born for months, so it was a lame excuse and made him wonder if she cared for him at all. He thought she had to like him a little. Clearly she liked the sex as much as he did. Maybe he hadn’t given her enough time to get over his lie about their marriage. If that held her back, he hoped time would take care of the problem long before they became parents.
Carlotta was the last to enter the boardroom, and she’d brought her sons, Rodrigo and Francisco. They were ten and seven respectively, and while handsomely dressed, looked as though they’d prefer to be in school. They had neatly trimmed black hair and their father’s gray eyes. Alejandro had been aware of their existence but had never played the role of big brother. He supposed he really ought to own up to it now.
There were also half a dozen members of the Ortiz Corporation’s board present, men who’d admired Orlando and expected Alejandro to follow his lead. The corporate attorney, Jacob Tabladillo, had also handled Orlando’s personal affairs, and he had the will ready to read. He was a thin man with intense black eyes who looked as though no aspect of any maritime law had ever escaped his notice.
“I’m reading this will with great sorrow,” Jacob began. “If you have any questions, Mrs. Ortiz, I’ll be happy to explain in greater detail.”
Carlotta was dressed in a black long-sleeve dress and wore no jewelry other than her wedding ring. “Thank you. I’ll listen closely.”
The attorney made eye contact with all those seated around the table. “Orlando had a gift for seeing the future, and he planned thoroughly for every eventuality. He left explicit directions there is to be no funeral or memorial service. He requested cremation and wanted his ashes scattered at sea.”
Appearing shocked, Carlotta leaned forward. “Didn’t he realize the boys and I would need to say good-bye?”
Jacob squared his shoulders. “Mrs. Ortiz, you and your sons will certainly be able to ride in the boat and distribute Orlando’s ashes. Flowers are often thrown into the sea at such times, and you can bid your husband good-bye then.”
“It’s not right,” she maintained, her eyes filling with tears.
“Pray for his soul whenever you attend mass, but there is to be no funeral of any kind,” Jacob stressed. “Your late husband left a generous trust fund for you and his sons.” He passed her the appropriate papers for her review. “As for his share of the stock in the Ortiz Lines, it is to be divided between you three and Alejandro, his eldest son, with seventy-five percent going to Alejandro and twenty-five percent to be shared by you, Rodrigo and Francisco.”
“Twenty-five percent?” Carlotta nearly shrieked. “That’s not fair. There are three of us, and he’s only one person.”
Alejandro spoke softly. “The trust fund will provide more than you’ll ever need, Carlotta, so in every respect, the stock division is fair.”
“I believe I need my own attorney,” she countered. “Do I have to listen to anything more?”
“There’s just one additional item. Orlando had known you’d had two children before you met him. He regretted the loss of your daughter, but admired Rafael Mondragon’s courage and believed he’d inherited it from you.”
Carlotta’s complexion drained of all color. “How long had he known?”
Jacob concentrated on the will rather than the increasingly distraught widow. “For as long as he knew you, I believe. He was a man who kept a great deal to himself, for whatever his reason, and he allowed you to keep your secrets as well.”
Carlotta rose and, taking her sons by the hand, fled the room as quickly as she could herd the boys through the door.
“You should have spoken to her in private,” Alejandro admonished. “There was no need to embarrass her in front of us.”
Jacob nodded. “I agree, but it was what Orlando desired, and I’m following his wishes to the letter as I always have.”
Alejandro glanced around the table. The board members were as astonished as he. That his father had kept quiet about having a matador for a stepson amazed them all.
“I’m sorry Orlando didn’t discuss his will with his wife while he was alive to defend his choices,” Jacob stressed. “If any of you have made the same mistake, you ought to correct it immediately. Now let me continue.”
There were charitable donations his father had wished made, and Alejandro nodded as each was named. There were letters for each of the board members and one for him that outlined his hopes for the Ortiz Line, but no word of love or praise. Alejandro slipped his into his pocket and promptly forgot it.
