Page 53 of Consequence of One Reckless Night

He smiled indulgently at her. “Now you know.”

“Happy birthday,” she wished, leaning up to kiss him on the cheek.

Alexandre, however, caught her around the waist and leaned in for another kiss—this time on her lips. Shaking her head, she tilted her head away, looking around surreptitiously. “Not in front of the kids,” she chided, drawing an amused chuckle from him.

“Is this how you’re going to be when our baby is born?”

She flushed.

Clasping her hand in his, he led her to the small building that was the orphanage, he explained. “I spend every birthday with these kids,” he told her, almost reluctantly, as though unwilling to reveal such an intimate detail about his life. “This is where I spent most of my time as a boy.”

Raquel looked quizzically at him. “You grew up in an orphanage?”

Hadn't he lived with his grandfather? Then why had Alexandre spent time at the orphanage?

He shook his head. “Not really.” He was quiet for a minute before he spoke. “I lived with Carlos at the mansion, but I had strict orders not to be seen. So I ended up spending my free time here. Lobo grew up here, too.”

“You are good friends?”

“He is my best friend.” Alexandre’s admission surprised her.

Father Lobo was an unassuming man—short and balding, with an easy smile and kind eyes. It was hard to believe that a man of God was her husband’s best friend because Alexandre didn’t outwardly seem religious and wasn’t forbearing in particular. What could an unrepentant playboy like Alexandre have in common with a priest?

Her lips twitched. “A priest is your best friend?”

He narrowed his eyes on her. “Don't be so judgmental. He might be a Padre by vocation, but he is very much a human being.”

She chuckled. “I would never have thought you’d even know a priest, much less have one as your friend.”

“Why? Deplorable rakes can’t be friends with priests? How do you think we pulled off a church wedding in two days? I know people,” he answered smugly, making her laugh.

At the orphanage, Alexandre took her to the visitors’ room where she met the two dozen children who were keenly waiting for them—and the presents. He was received like an old friend—the boys hugging him warmly, while the girls greeted him with shy smiles. One thing was obvious, however—the children loved him and thought the world of him.

The staff too, came to greet Alexandre, who in turn introduced Raquel to the group who clearly hero-worshiped him.

Soon, a lavish lunch followed, courtesy of Alexandre, one nun told Raquel softly as she served the food.

Raquel looked around the hall filled with children and staff who all looked well cared for. There were smiles on everyone’s faces and not one person had a bad thing to say about her husband.

After the meal, she chose to sit outside, under a huge gulmohar tree heavy with orange flowers, watching her husband play football with the children.

They formed two groups—one led by Father Lobo and the other, captained by Alexandre.

Football, otherwise known as soccer, was a very popular sport in Goa, enjoyed just as much as cricket, perhaps more. So it was only natural that the children chose to play football on a beautiful summer day with the cool breeze providing just enough relief to an otherwise hot, humid day.

She watched with disbelief and—rapt adoration, her husband became one with the children, chasing after the ball, issuing orders, taking control of the game, kicking and passing the ball along so they could score a goal.

Father Lobo was just as competitive, and it was obvious to her that the two men admired each other greatly because when one scored a goal, the other congratulated, not caring they were on opposing teams.

She, however, couldn’t take her eyes off Alexandre. She’d never seen him so happy before—a radiant smile on his face, his face flushed with exertion, sweat dripping down his face as he chased the ball. He argued and laughed with the children, kept an easy banter with Father Lobo, and looked like he was having the time of his life with a group of children other rich men wouldn’t be quite so comfortable around.

Charity anyone could do, but spending time with the less privileged? It took a special man to dedicate one whole day to young children who clearly needed a good role model in their lives. And he was a good role model, Raquel acknowledged proudly.

To the world, Alexandre was an ambitious businessman, an unforgiving foe, and an unrepentant playboy, but to these children, he represented what they could be if they put their hearts and souls into achieving their goals—a success story. A man who achieved unbelievable success all due to sheer determination and hard work.

Her heart began to pound heavily inside her as emotion clogged her throat. Pride filled her and another feeling, terrifyingly like love, began to flood her as she watched him play alongside these unfortunate children who had been abandoned by their loved ones.

She observed how he treated them as his equal, never once looking down on them. Instead, he was like an older brother—indulgent and inspiring, and rebuking when someone did something wrong.

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