Chapter eleven

Isabel POV

I poured more wine into my cup left resting back to focus on the television. I had streamed the whole product launch event of Martinez corporation since I was unable to go. I was glad I could help him with his product. My eyes caught a glimpse of someone, Antonio. He was greeting Miguel Martinez with Elena by his side. 

My phone vibrated and I checked the caller.

Miguel Martinez. As expected. I connected the automated voice before swiping the answer button.

" Good evening, Miss Cruz." My eyes widened in realization. How did he even get to know my gender? I decided to play dumb knowing that he could be playing mind games.

" Good evening Mr Martinez, lovely event you had."

" Well, you couldn't show up to even give your speech yourself, how can you be so sure." 

" I apologise for my absence but it was inevitable." 

" I understand, you clean up so good though. No one has ever seen you not even at your merchandise drop off locations."

" Someone had been doing a background check on me." 

" Well, you can never be too sure in the business world. Frauds are always lurking around looking for their next prey." The saying made me chuckle a bit.

" You are right."

" Miss Cruz, I'm giving you an ultimatum. If we don't meet up within the next one week. I'm sorry but I would be forced to cut business ties with you." His voice sounded so cold, strict and stern. He sounded like someone who would not go back on their words. 

" I understand, Mr Martinez." With that he hung up. I let out my breath that I didn't know I was holding. Martinez corporation holds a huge part of our shares we can't just let him cut ties with us. 

I tossed and turned unable to sleep as the thought of what the aftermath of cutting ties with Martinez corporation might cause. It was going to damage Cruz group. My eyes widened as an idea popped into my head. A perfect tool for my perfect revenge plan. Well, it seems I would be introducing myself a lot earlier than I had planned. It is all for the good of Cruz group. 

The next day I woke up all fired up.

" Talia call Martinez corporation, set a meeting with Miguel. The venue should be somewhere quiet and far from much human interaction." I said quickly like the words were bitter in my mouth. I didn't hear a response so I lifted my eyes from my laptop and I was met with a shocked Talia.

" You didn't hear what I had just said Talia?" 

" I heard you Isabel, I'm just confused and suprised. What changed?" She said looking into my eyes directly like she could get information by doing that.

" Nothing changed." I said trying to sound as indifferent as possible. " Did he threaten you?"

" No, he did not."

Well actually he did, thought not with force but with the potential death of my company. I couldn't tell Talia that, she's going to overthink the situation.

" Then why the sudden change of mind sis." She said ending her statement with a light chuckle. 

" Talia, I have a lot of work to do. Can you just please follow through and do what I said." I said in a pleading tone." No problem, I'll be watching you." She said squinting her eyes at me. 

I stared at the purple dress that hung in my closet, the day to finally reveal myself to Miguel has come so fast. I don't have a choice at this point. I quickly had my bath before dressing up. 

" Isabel are you done?" Talia asked entering the room.

" Yes" I answered putting on my jewelleries.

" Is that what you're wearing?" She shouted behind me startling me a bit. " What the fuck Talia, you scared."

" You can't wear this."

" Um ...why?" 

" Well I just feel the black gown is better." She said pointing at the black gown that was in the far back corner of my closet.

" I'm going for a meeting with one of my business associates not a dinner date." 

" Well it feels like." I stared at her warning her silently with my eyes. " Well I'm going out this way and there nothing you can do about it." She rolled her eyes before leaving the room. 

As we drove through the familiar streets of phillipines the nostalgia of being back to the town I grew up in hit me. 

" We have to make a stop to get gas." The driver said. " Sure."

The car came to a stop. I looked in the opposite direction of the glass station taking in my surrounding. My eyes fell on a coffee shop. It looked abandoned from the outside, the old wood works and the lack of so many customers. It was literally deserted. 

I looked at the sign post few feets away from the coffee shop and it read, 'Maria's Cafe'.

Flashback

As little Esmeralda took a bit of the doughnut she closed her eyes savouring the taste as she a moaned escaped her lips. 

" Mum this has to be the best doughnut in all of Philippines."

" I know baby, their coffee is so creamy and delicious. I think I need to get another cup" the older woman said looking through her purse for change.

" It's better than Sammy's that few steps from the house." The little girl said before focusing back on her doughnut.

" Esme baby, do you know why we drive a long way to Maria's to get coffee and doughnut?"

" Cause it tastes really yummy?" The older woman chuckled at her reply.

" No, it's because we need to remember where we come from and we always after value. Do you understand?" 

" Yes mum." 

End of flashback

" Sis, we are here." Talia said drawing me back to reality. I felt a wetness on my cheeks which I cleaned immediately.

" Time for the reveal"