Chapter 103: At What Cost
Diane’s POV
The shrill ring of my phone pierced through the morning quiet, startling me from my thoughts as I sat at Joan’s kitchen table, absently stirring my tea. Guerrero’s name flashed on the screen, and I felt my pulse quicken. After his cold, dismissive response to the Elite Group contract, I wasn’t sure what to expect from him.
"Mrs. Ashton," his voice came through the line, and I was surprised by how different he sounded...subdued, almost vulnerable. Gone was the confident, commanding tone I’d grown accustomed to. "I hope I’m not calling too early."
"Not at all," I replied cautiously. "What can I do for you, Mr. Guerrero?"
There was a long pause, and when he spoke again, his voice carried a weight I’d never heard before. "I owe you an apology, Diane. A lot has been going on with me lately, and that’s why I haven’t reached out to you properly since... well, since you secured that incredible contract with Elite Group. I know my response was inadequate, and I’m sorry."
I blinked, taken aback by this unexpected turn. "I... thank you for saying that."
"I have something important to tell you," he continued, his voice heavy with emotion. "Something that explains my behavior, and why I’ve been... hesitant about moving forward with our previous discussions. Would you be able to come meet me? There’s a popular coffee shop downtown lla’s Café on Main Street. Would that work for you?"
The vulnerability in his voice was so unexpected, so unlike the composed businessman I knew, that I found myself agreeing before I could think twice. "Yes, I can be there. What time?"
"Would eleven work? And Diane... thank you. I know I don’t deserve your understanding, but I’m grateful for it nonetheless."
After we hung up, I sat staring at my phone, trying to process this dramatic shift in Guerrero’s demeanor. What could possibly have happened to transform the confident, sometimes ruthless businessman into someone who sounded almost... broken?
I made my way upstairs to get ready, my mind spinning with possibilities. I chose a simple free dress, paired with comfortable flats. As I applied a light touch of makeup.