Hearing her words, he reached out with one hand and gently took hers, his fingers intertwining with hers as he continued to drive with the other hand.

He imagined dating her would be sweet, but the greasy aftertaste of the breakfast felt annoyingly mundane.

He frowned, his expression reflecting his disappointment. This wasn't the romantic experience he had hoped for.

He realized that not all women were Like Elva, who possessed a grace and elegance that never wavered, no matter the time or place. He was surprised to find that unmarried women could be just as practical and down-to-earth as those who were married and devoted to their family.

In the end, he skipped breakfast altogether, his attention turning to the upcoming meeting that required his focus.

After dropping Holley off at her place, he headed to the office, only to be reminded of the forgotten breakfast when he was about to get out of the car and spotted it sitting on the passenger seat. The breakfast packaging was stained with oil, and even the bag it came in looked greasy, a testament to the messy meal he had abandoned.

He lowered the window and gazed out at Cassidy Avila, his secretary.

Cassidy, looking radiant in her office wear, smiled sweetly and reminded him, "Meeting's about to start, sir!"

Luis gestured to the abandoned breakfast and ordered curtly, “Get that out of here!"

Cassidy's eyes widened as she took in the sight of the breakfast, and she asked with a hint of surprise, "You found a new place for breakfast with Miss Fowler this morning, sir?" Her tone was neutral, but her curiosity piqued.

Luis stepped out of the car, his voice low and subdued as he revealed, "We're done. It's over."

Cassidy was left in a daze. What transpired? Did Luis have a new girlfriend?

Well...

His expression darkened, and a scowl creased his face, betraying his sour mood. As he gazed up at the number on the elevator's floor indicator, he turned to Cassidy with an unexpected question. “What's an appropriate gift to give a woman after a breakup?"

Cassidy's smile was diplomatic as she replied, "Given your past gestures and Miss Fowler's stature, a jewelry set worth around 50 million would be an appropriate token. Anything less would be perceived as a slight, sir. Shall I handle it, sir?"

Luis was expressionless. "No! I can handle it myself!"

Cassidy's eyes narrowed slightly as she observed her boss' distant expression, suspecting that his new relationship wasn't bringing him the joy he deserved. Cassidy's mind flashed back to a time when Luis was newly in love with Elva, and his entire demeanor had radiated joy and enthusiasm. The contrast to his current state was stark, and Cassidy's concern grew.

In the meeting, Luis' gaze drifted, his thoughts clearly elsewhere, his usual engagement and focus conspicuously absent.

He debated whether to give Elva diamonds, rubies, or emeralds as a break-up gift, his mind stuck on the grand gesture. The meeting concluded without any progress or decisions, Luis’ preoccupation and distraction hindering any meaningful discussion or outcome.

His father, Everett Mendez, approached him with a concerned expression that day, inquiring about his personal life. "Son, I've heard you've been seeing the Fowler girl for quite some time now. Don't you think it's time to introduce her to your family?"