C13 A FIRST AGREEMENT

“Shit. You're in big trouble, Bails.” Ava cursed.

Bailey's heart froze as she saw Carlos standing over them, his eyes blazing with fury. She quickly pulled away from Noah, her face turning pale.

“Carlos, it’s not what it looks like,” Bailey stammered, trying to keep her voice steady.

Ava, sensing a fight, stepped in. “Carlos, calm down. It was just a game. Noah wasn’t trying to—”

Carlos cut her off. “Stay out of this, Ava. This is between me and my wife.”

Carlos ignored them and glared at Noah. “I warned you to stay away from my wife.”

Noah stood up, trying to maintain his composure. “Carlos, I—”

“Save it,” Carlos snapped. “You’re fired, and if I see you near Bailey again, there will be consequences.”

Noah didn't back down. “I don’t care about the job, Carlos. I care about Bailey. Besides, you’ve already fired me.”

Bailey’s eyes widened. “Noah, stop. You’re making it worse.”

“Maybe Bailey deserves better, Carlos. Ever think of that?” Ava said bluntly.

Carlos turned his glare to Ava. “Stay out of this, Ava. This is between me and my wife. I won't warn you again.”

“Oh, I’m very much into this. You treat her like garbage, and you think she’ll just stay? Expect me to keep calm?”

“Noah, please, Don’t do this.” Bailey pleaded.

“I’ve had feelings for you for a long time, Bailey. You deserve someone who treats you right.” Noah said, ignoring her pleas.

Carlos’s face turned red with rage. “You think you can just waltz in here and take my wife?”

Bailey’s temper flared. “I’m not a possession, Carlos! And Noah, this isn’t helping.”

“Maybe she’d be happier with Noah.”Ava crossed her arms, glaring at Carlos, adding to the fire.

Carlos sneered. “And you think interfering will make things better, Ava? You’ve always been a troublemaker. This is your last warning.”

Bailey stepped between Carlos and Noah, her voice trembling. “Stop it, all of you. This isn’t solving anything.”

Carlos’s eyes narrowed. “You’re defending him now?”

“I’m trying to keep this from turning into a disaster,” Bailey snapped back. “Carlos, you’re overreacting. Noah, you need to stop.”

Noah shook his head. “I can’t. Not when I see how miserable you are.”

Bailey closed her eyes, trying to hold back tears. “This is not the time or place.”

Noah put a hand on Bailey’s shoulder. “You don’t have to put up with this.”

Bailey brushed his hand off. “Noah, please. Just go.”

Carlos smirked. “Listen to her, Noah. Get lost.”

Noah stood his ground. “I’m not leaving until Bailey tells me to.”

Bailey looked at Noah, her eyes filled with sorrow. “Please, Noah. Just go. This is my fight.”

Noah hesitated, then nodded. “Alright. But remember, I’m here if you need me.”

He walked out of the coffee shop, leaving a tense silence in his wake.

Ava shook her head, looking at Bailey. “You deserve better, Bailey. You do.”

Carlos sneered. “And you think you’re the judge of that, Ava?”

Bailey took a deep breath. “Carlos, let’s go home and talk about this. We’re making a scene.”

Carlos glared at Ava one last time before grabbing Bailey’s arm. “Fine. But this isn’t over.”

When they finally arrived, Carlos stormed into the house, slamming the door behind him.

"Carlos, please, let's talk about this calmly," Bailey pleaded, following him into the living room.

"Calmly?" Carlos scoffed, turning to face her. "I found my wife with another man, and you want me to be calm?"

"He kissed me on the cheek, Carlos. It was part of a game. You're blowing this out of proportion. It's not like you have feelings for me."

Carlos’s eyes narrowed. "A game? Do you think this is a joke? You cheated on me once, Bailey. How do I know you're not doing it again?"

Bailey's temper flared. "Oh, don’t you dare accuse me of cheating, Carlos? You're the biggest womanizer in New York!"

Carlos took a step back, his expression hardening. "Don’t try to turn this on me. You know what you did five years ago."

"And you think I’ve forgotten about your mistress, Vivian?" Bailey shot back.

Carlos’s face remained impassive. "Vivian is none of your concern."

Bailey let out a bitter laugh. "Of course, she isn’t. Because in your eyes, you can do no wrong."

"You don’t get to play the victim here, Bailey," Carlos snapped. "You betrayed me, and I haven’t forgotten that."

"I made a mistake, Carlos. I’ve been trying to make it right ever since."

"Trying to make it right by letting some guy kiss you in a coffee shop?" Carlos sneered.

"It was a game, Carlos! You're just looking for an excuse to be angry."

"An excuse? I don’t need an excuse to be angry when my wife is being unfaithful."

Bailey's eyes filled with tears. "I’m not being unfaithful. I’ve been doing everything I can to make our marriage work."

“Then why does it feel like you’re not even trying?"

"Because you won’t let me! Every time I try, you push me away.” Bailey cried.

Carlos was silent for a moment.

"And what about you? You think I don’t know you’ve been snooping around, gathering information for your father?"

Bailey's heart sank. How did he find out?

"I don’t have a choice, Carlos. He’s my father. He’s putting pressure on me, and I can’t just ignore him."

Carlos crossed his arms. "So, what’s the plan? Gather dirt on my company and hand it over to your father? You're more stupid than I thought.”

"No, I would never do that," Bailey protested. "I’m just trying to keep both sides happy."

"Well, it’s not working, You need to make a choice, Bailey. Make the right one. I don't forgive easily, you’re a testament to that." Carlos said coldly.

Bailey took a deep breath, trying to steady her voice. "Carlos, please. I don’t want to fight. I just want to make this work."

Carlos stared at her for a long moment, then sighed. "Fine. Let’s make a deal. I'm tired of this back and forth anyways."

"What kind of deal?"Bailey looked at him warily. Carlos was always up to good.

Carlos’s expression was hard. "I’ll re-hire Noah, but you’ll have to cover for me with Vivian."

Bailey felt a surge of anger but forced herself to stay calm. "So, I’m supposed to turn a blind eye to your affair? So you can freely cheat?"

Carlos shrugged. "It’s a small price to pay for keeping your boyfriend, Noah around, isn’t it?"

“Just keep my father at bay. Always support me no matter what.”

Bailey clenched her fists. "You’re unbelievable. You know I can't do that. How can you even suggest that?"

"Is that a yes or no, Bailey? I'm already being too kind by giving you a choice."

She closed her eyes, taking a deep breath. "Fine. But this doesn’t mean I forgive you."

"Nor do I forgive you," Carlos replied coldly. "But it’s a start."

Bailey nodded, feeling defeated. "I guess it's a start."

Bailey couldn't believe how she had once fallen in love with this man. It seemed he was hell-bent on making her regret her decision.

If anything, she blamed her father. His greed was what led to this.

Her thoughts were cut short by her phone ringing.

“Here. Diana Newman.” Carlos said, handing the phone over to her.