"Don't worry, I'll do some research and send the contact information to you," Diego assured, keeping his voice calm and steady."Good, how long will that take?" Vanessa asked, her brows furrowing slightly."Just a few hours, maybe less.""Okay, I'll go get ready now," Vanessa muttered, sounding distracted as she made her way out of the living room and toward her bedroom.As soon as she disappeared down the hall, Diego pulled out his phone from his pocket. His fingers flew across the screen, typing out a message quickly. He was about to hit send when a knock at the door made him pause. He already knew it had to be Lily, so he slipped the phone back into his pocket and headed to the door. When he opened it, Lily stood there dressed in a crisp black and white business dress, a black bag hanging over her shoulder."Good morning, Diego," Lily greeted with a polite smile as she stepped inside the house."Morning, Lily. You’re late today," Diego commented, shutting the door behind her and fo
"You just have to be very careful," Riccardo said, firmly."What are the possible scenarios for this situation?" Vanessa asked, her voice carrying a mix of curiosity and unease.Riccardo paused for a moment before answering. "The person might be someone who works here in your company, or the real culprit could have left it here just to confuse you."Vanessa raised an eyebrow, thinking over his words. "Which do you think I should go with?""I can’t say for sure," Riccardo admitted, his voice softening. "But you should definitely be careful about who you trust and who you’re spending time with."Vanessa smirked, unable to resist teasing him. "So, are you saying I should be careful of you?"Riccardo let out a small sigh, his eyes momentarily dropping to the floor. "Why does everything negative have to lead back to me?""Is it supposed to come to me?" Vanessa shot back quickly, her tone sharp.Riccardo pressed his lips together, clearly holding back whatever he really wanted to say. "Look
Vanessa finally approached him just as Riccardo pushed himself off his car, his eyes catching hers. “You’re here,” Riccardo said, nodding as he saw her standing next to him. “Yes. Let’s go.” Vanessa replied, moving towards the car door without looking at him. But Riccardo moved faster, stepping ahead to open the door for her. Vanessa glanced at him for a moment but didn’t say anything as she got inside. He quietly shut the door behind her and hurried around to his side. Once he got in, Riccardo started the car, the engine humming to life. He smoothly pulled onto the road, his focus on driving. “Where are we going exactly?” Vanessa asked after a few minutes of silence, her gaze fixed ahead. “We’re heading to your company,” Riccardo replied, his tone steady as his hands gripped the wheel. Vanessa turned to face him, raising an eyebrow. “My company? Why there?” “That’s where the signal came from,” Riccardo explained, his eyes still on the road as he navigated through the quiet str
Vanessa’s footsteps echoed softly as she hurried back toward the car, her mind racing with questions. She hoped Riccardo had caught the unknown person, but the growing silence around her made her uneasy. As she reached the car, her breath caught in her throat, Riccardo was still nowhere to be seen.Leaning against the car, she glanced around, trying to spot any movement in the shadows. The street was quiet, too quiet. The weight of the night pressed down on her, making her feel exposed. She reached into her bag and pulled out her phone, thinking of calling Riccardo, but before she could, a noise from the alley caught her attention. It was faint, like the shuffle of feet.Her heart raced. Was it Riccardo? Or was it the unknown suspect in black?Swallowing her nerves, Vanessa slowly moved toward the alley. As she approached the entrance, she saw two figures standing in the shadows, too far to make out clearly. Her heart skipped, one of them had to be Riccardo.But something felt off as
"I'll drive you home," Riccardo said, his voice calm, breaking the silence. Vanessa glanced at him for a second before nodding. "Okay," she answered quietly, her mind wandering. She stared out the window, watching the lights of the city blur by, her thoughts far away. Riccardo stayed focused on the road, his hands resting on the wheel. The silence between them grew, but it wasn’t uncomfortable. He didn’t try to make her talk, knowing she needed the quiet. The soft sound of the car’s engine filled the space as they drove through the night. "Thank you for today." Vanessa said, her gratitude evident. Riccardo stared at her, a hint of surprise dancing in his eyes. He then let out a small smile. "It's not a problem." "Oh." Vanessa muttered, tearing her gaze away from him. The rest of the ride to her house was a quite one and in less than thirty minutes they arrived. Riccardo was fast as lightening to step down and open the car door for her. As she walked toward her gate, sh
NEXT MORNING: VANESSA'S APARTMENTAs usual, Vanessa got ready for work after making sure her kids had gone to school with Emily and a bodyguard. Since Lily slept over, they only had to wait for Diego who was already in the Garage waiting for them."Let's go, Lily." Vanessa said as soon as she stepped into the living room.Lily was dressed in a black skirt and blazer."Okay." She picked up her bag where she often kept her tablet.Together, they both walked out of the living room. Outside, they settled down inside the black Bentley that Diego had already driven out."Good morning, Ms Rodriguez." Diego greeted, glancing at Vanessa from the rear view mirror as he navigated the car out of the drive way."Morning, Diego." Vanessa replied, her eyes fixated on her phone."The hacker I was trying to contact for you is currently not in the country." He informed.Both Diego and Lily looked at Vanessa, trying to gauge her reaction.Vanessa's head snapped up from her phone."Oh, someone helped me
"Diego, do you really think he came back for revenge?" Vanessa asked, a hint of fear in her words."Honestly, I don't know. But, he's the only suspect in my mind." Diego muttered."This just means that we have to be careful." Vanessa whispered to herself.Lily walked out of Damien's office. "Ms. Rodriguez, the cleaners are almost done.""Alright, let's head back." Vanessa said, handing back the files to Diego."So, what was Diego able to get?" Lily asked Vanessa as they made their way back to her office."It's not her, she's currently not in the country." Vanessa informed."Then, who does Diego think it is?" Lily asked slowly.Vanessa steps faltered as she turned to face Lily."Alexander Grey." She whispered."OMG. That creep, how did we forget about him?" Lily asked."I don't know, Lily.""Don't worry, Ms. Rodriguez. Let's get to work, we'll talk about this later." Lily muttered, trying to reassure her."Alright." Vanessa replied, picking up her pace.When she reached the front of he
"The interview is tomorrow. Are you ready for it Leila?" Hayley asked as the two friends walked out of the Company and towards their waiting Car.It had been a long day at work and it was finally time to head home. "As ready as I'll ever be." Leila replied, a small smile dancing across her lips."Good evening, Sir." She greeted the driver as he opened the door for her."Evening Ma'am." The driver replied with a small bow.The two friends settled inside. "This interview will be a great opportunity for your business." Hayley matter-of-factly."Yes, I know. I'll do my very best. I have you by my side." Leila smiled, holding her hands in hers."Alright, let's stop by a Restaurant to grab dinner." Hayley suggested."Sure." Leila agreed readily.Hayley had been staying with Leila ever since Lucas went on his business trip, it's been a week already.They always call each other most of the time, but Leila still misses him and couldn't wait for him to be back."Ms. Rodriguez has finalized the
VANESSA'S OFFICE : NINE A.MVanessa paced the length of her office, her heels clicking against the polished marble floor as she held her phone to her ear. Her reflection in the large window showed her furrowed brow and the way her fingers tugged at the hem of her blazer.“Lily, make sure everything is set up. I don’t want any surprises at this press conference,” Vanessa said sharply, the tension in her voice was unmistakable.“Understood, Ms. Rodriguez,” Lily replied on the other end of the line. “The venue is ready, and the media has been briefed. You just need to arrive.”Vanessa let out a breath, nodding to herself. “Good. Thank you.” She ended the call and set the phone down on her desk.Emily, who had been sitting on the couch, looked up from her phone. “You okay?”Vanessa paused, her hands resting on the back of her chair. “Not really. This press conference could make or break the company. If I don’t handle this right, we’re done for.”Emily stood and walked over, her confidence
NEXT MORNINGThe shrill ringing of Vanessa’s phone jolted her awake. She groaned softly, rubbing her eyes as she tried to push herself up from the warm cocoon of her bed. Squinting at the screen, she noticed three missed calls from Lily.A quick glance at the clock on her nightstand confirmed it was just six a.m.“Why is Lily calling me so early?” she muttered, her voice heavy with sleep.She sat on the edge of her bed, her bare feet brushing against the cool tiled floor, and dialed Lily back. The phone barely rang twice before Lily picked up.“Good morning, Ms. Rodriguez,” Lily greeted, though her voice lacked its usual cheerfulness.“Morning, Lily. What’s wrong?” Vanessa asked, a knot of worry tightening in her stomach.“Ms. Rodriguez, you need to check the trending news,” Lily said, her tone sounding more serious than usual.Vanessa frowned. “What news?” She asked calmly, trying to braze herself for whatever Lily had to say.“It’s all over the internet. I think it’s better you see
FEW MINUTES LATERVanessa grabbed her bag and cast one last glance at Riccardo. His face was unreadable, his dark eyes steady as he stood by the doorway."I'm leaving," she said, adjusting her bag on her shoulder."I’ll come back to pick Emily later," she added firmly."Sure," Riccardo replied, his voice calm and steady. "Stay safe."Vanessa gave a small nod, muttered, “I will,” and headed out the door.Outside, the cool evening air greeted her. Diego stood near the car, his posture straight as ever. The moment he saw her, he moved quickly to open the car door."Thank you," she said, stepping inside. The faint scent of leather filled the air as she settled into her seat.Diego climbed into the driver’s seat and glanced at her in the rearview mirror. "Where’s Emily?" he asked."She’s staying at Riccardo’s for now. I’ll pick her up later," Vanessa replied, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear as she looked out the window.Diego nodded silently. After a moment, he asked, “Where to?”
Vanessa pushed open the door to the guest room. The bright overhead bulb illuminated the space, making the white walls appear even more pristine. She expected to see Emily fast asleep, curled up under the neatly folded comforter. Instead, Emily sat cross-legged on the bed, her phone in her hands, scrolling leisurely.Vanessa paused in the doorway, tilting her head. “Why did you say you needed a nap if you’re not even sleeping?”Emily looked up, a playful smile on her lips. “I realized you both needed to talk. So, I gave you privacy.”Vanessa blinked, taken aback by the bluntness of her response. She stepped further into the room, closing the door gently behind her. “Wow,” she said after a moment. “That’s... unexpected.”Emily shrugged, setting her phone aside. “It wasn’t a big deal. You both looked like you had things to say.”Vanessa sat down at the edge of the bed, her movements slow as she processed Emily’s words. “Well, thank you. That was thoughtful of you.”“No problem.” Emily’s
Vanessa glanced around the house as Riccardo led Emily toward the living room. She had only been here once before, and that was under far different circumstances, desperate and frantic, begging him to help find her missing kids and Emily. The house still felt foreign, despite its warm lighting and elegant decor. The scent of polished wood and faint cologne lingered in the air, a reminder of Riccardo’s presence everywhere.She followed them into the spacious living room. The walls were lined with tall bookshelves, the shelves neatly filled, and a large painting hung above the stone fireplace. Vanessa took a hesitant seat on the soft gray couch, her posture stiff. Emily, on the other hand, settled in comfortably, running her fingers over the plush throw pillows.“Ms. Rodriguez, this house is so beautiful,” Emily said, turning her head to glance at Vanessa with wide, admiring eyes.“Yes, it is,” Vanessa replied simply, her gaze briefly flickering to Riccardo, who was pouring tea from a s
Two hours later, Vanessa leaned back in her chair, rubbing her temples as she glanced at the time on her laptop screen. It had been a long day, and the weight of it was beginning to settle in. She was just about to shut her laptop when a soft knock came at her door."Ms. Rodriguez, are you done for today?" Emily’s voice came through as she peeked in.Vanessa glanced up with a small smile. "Yes, dear. I’m just about to wrap up."Before she could finish, the door opened wider, and Lily walked in with Emily now standing beside her, both carrying the faint energy of people eager to leave for the day. Vanessa clicked her laptop shut and rose from her swivel chair, picking up her jacket from the back of it. She took a moment to stretch, rolling her shoulders as she approached them.But as she moved, her mind drifted back to Riccardo. She’d been curt with him earlier, perhaps too curt. A twinge of guilt poked at her chest.Was I too harsh? she wondered. He had helped her find her children, a
The restaurant buzzed with quiet conversation, and the ambient lighting made everything feel intimate yet professional. Vanessa stepped inside, her tailored navy-blue dress exuding confidence. Her sharp heels clicked against the polished floor as a hostess guided her to the reserved table.Mr. Kenwood stood when she approached, offering a polite smile. “Ms. Rodriguez, always a pleasure.”Vanessa extended her hand. “Mr. Kenwood, thank you for meeting me.”He gestured to her chair, and she sat gracefully. A waiter appeared, pouring wine into their glasses and presenting the menus.“You’ve been keeping quite busy, I hear,” Kenwood said, sitting across from her.Vanessa nodded, her fingers resting lightly on the menu. “That’s one way to put it. Expansion doesn’t happen without a bit of chaos.”“Chaos is an understatement in your case.” He chuckled. “I’ve seen your numbers. Impressive growth, but it comes with risks, doesn’t it?”Vanessa met his gaze, her tone steady. “It does. But calcula
Diego brought the car to a gentle stop in front of the company building. Vanessa stepped out gracefully, her heels clicking softly against the pavement. Lily followed closely behind, carrying a tablet and a folder, while Emily trailed them with an eager smile. Diego nodded and drove off to park the car in the designated lot.The glass facade of the building gleamed under the morning sunlight, and Emily tilted her head up to admire it.“This place is stunning,” Emily said quietly, taking in the sleek design and bustling energy of the entrance. It was her third visit here, but she still felt a sense of awe.Vanessa smiled at her enthusiasm. “Ready to get to work?” she asked as they walked through the rotating glass doors.Inside, the lobby buzzed with activity. Employees moved with purpose, their voices mingling with the faint hum of computers and phones.Vanessa glanced at Lily as they headed for the elevator. “Lily, what’s my schedule for today?”Before Lily could respond, Emily piped
Vanessa woke to the warm rays of sunlight streaming across her bed. She blinked a few times, her vision clearing as the golden light bathed the room in a soft glow. Stretching her arms over her head, she let out a long sigh and swung her legs over the edge of the bed.Padding across the cool wooden floor, she made her way to the large window. She pulled the curtains open fully, letting the sunlight flood in. The view of the busy city stretched out below, alive with the early morning hum of cars and distant chatter. Vanessa stood for a moment, taking it in, before turning toward the bathroom to start her day.The scent of lavender soap filled the air as she finished her shower. She wrapped herself in a soft towel and stepped out, her skin still damp and cool from the water. Dressing in comfortable jeans and a light sweater, she tied her hair into a loose bun before heading to the kitchen.The kitchen smelled faintly of coffee from the day before, and Vanessa immediately set to work. Th