But she quickly wiped them off and returned to her bed. She picked up her phone from the nightstand and dialed a number, the person picked up after the third ring.
"Hello Mom" Vanessa said. There was silence before her mom finally replied. "You finally decided to call?" Her voice sounded from the other end. "I'm sorry for not calling all these while. How are you and dad doing?" She asked slowly. "We're fine, but you don't sound fine to me. What's wrong?" Her mom asked. "Nothing Mom, I'm just tired" She lied. "Are you sure?" "Yes, I am." "When are you coming to visit us? It's been ages" "Tomorrow" she replied "Okay, I'll send my PA to pick you up at the Airport" "Thank you" "It's nothing, take care of yourself" with that being said, she disconnected the call. Vanessa brought down her phone from her ear and sighed. She quickly booked the earliest flight to Madrid, Spain. After, she was done, she laid on her bed and soon, she drifted off to sleep. The next morning, Vanessa quickly got ready, she tied her hair into a bun and wore a white Floral gown. She booked and Uber and soon she was on her way to the Airport. An Hour Later. As Vanessa sat in the Airplane on her seat close to the window, she suddenly thought about all the years she had spent here in America. All her efforts to make Riccardo love her, but sadly, everything was just futile. She still found it very hard to believe that Riccardo could accuse her of cheating. He didn't even allow her to speak, so she didn't get the chance to tell him about her pregnancy. Her hands subconsciously moved to her flat stomach. "Don't worry, your mom is going to take good care of you" she whispered. Now she remembers that picture was taken in a club. She could still remember clearly that someone had texted her that Riccardo was drunk and throwing a tantrum at a club. And as Caring as she was or should she say foolish, she quickly rushed to the address that was sent to her. Reaching the club, she had asked the bartender if something like that happened and he said 'Yes'. He also went ahead to tell her that Riccardo fell asleep and was kept inside one of the club rooms. Rushing inside the room, Vanessa couldn't find Riccardo, she decided to leave but before she could reach the door, she started feeling dizzy, that was when it dawned on her that the room was drugged. She woke up some hours later alone on the bed, she didn't give it much thought. If only she had known that then was when such defaming and whoring pictures were taken. She had gone to ask the bartender about it, but he wasn't there anymore. Oh how foolish of her to have thought that it was a mere coincidence and Mistake. Now she where it was landed her. But she was so going to make Riccardo regret ever calling her a Gold digging Wh*re! She was going to make sure that he regrets everything he had done to her! She'll make him come crawling down on his knees, pleading for forgiveness. And then she'll turn her head and say. "I don't give second chances". But all that will come later, for now, she was going to establish a good life for herself and her unborn child. She wasn't going to continue crying over spilled milk. She was going to fight her way to the top of the business industry! NINE HOURS LATER Vanessa settled down into the plush seats of the car. Which the lady which she guessed to be her Mother's PA came to pick her up with. "So, you're my mother's Personal Assistant?" Vanessa asked the young lady who was now driving the car out of the Airport. "Yes, I am" the lady replied. It was unlike Vanessa's Mom to hire someone so young to work for her. But three years has passed, maybe even her own mother has changed. "I'm Vanessa" "Camila. It's a pleasure to finally meet you. I've heard a lot about you" Camila smiled. "Really?" "Yes" Camila replied. Vanessa nodded her head slowly, before staring at of the window. She inhaled the fresh air. "Home" she muttered. Suddenly her phone began to ring. Bringing it out of her purse, she saw the Caller. It was Riccardo's Grandfather, but she couldn't bring herself to pick the call. She just let it ring. "You're not picking the call?" Camila asked. "Yes, I'm not" Vanessa replied, her voice a mixture of different emotions. Once the ringing stopped, she quickly put her phone on Silent mode and kept it bag inside her purse. Few Minutes Later "We're here Ma'am" Camila informed. "Wow" Vanessa muttered as she looked out, her parents had refurnished the Mansion and it was looking so Luxurious. "Well, you can just call me Vanessa" with that she opened the car door and stepped out. She quickly sighted her Mom who stood in front of the gate to welcome her. "Mom" she called running towards her, and her Mother welcomed her with open hands. Vanessa ran into her embrace, she has missed her Mom's warm hug so much. Her Mom wrapped her hands around Vanessa as she reciprocated the hug. "I have missed you Mom" Vanessa muttered. She has been away from her family all these years. If only she had listened to her Mom when she warned her about getting Married to Riccardo. Just remembering how she had disobeyed her Mother brought tears to her eyes. And soon she was crying uncontrollable. "Vanessa dear, what's wrong" Mrs Rodriguez asked. But Vanessa couldn't reply she just kept crying, still hugging her mother. She felt safe in her mother's embrace. In her mother's embrace, she felt a cocoon of warmth and security. The gentle rhythm of her mother's heartbeat and the soft, familiar scent wrapped around her, dissolving her worries and fears. Every tension in her body melted away as she nestled closer, finding solace in the unwavering love that surrounded her. Thirty minutes later, Vanessa was seated in the dinning room opposite her Mother. The big windows let in lots of warm light, and a beautiful crystal light hung over the big, shiny wooden table. There were pretty flowers in the middle and soft, comfortable chairs all around. The walls had wood panels with paintings, and a soft rug covered part of the shiny marble floor. A cabinet with nice vases and candles stood against one wall, and a small bar cart with expensive drinks was ready for the evening. The table was set with fancy plates, glasses, and silverware, making it look super elegant. But now, Vanessa felt refreshed after taking her bath and eating the Tortilla Española, her Mom specially prepared for her. "As soon as the maids where done clearing the dishes, her mom faced her fully. "You look thin and stressed, just what the hell have you been doing In America?" Mrs Rodriguez asked, her lips stretched into a thin line. "Mom, I'm Pregnant" Vanessa spoke slowly. "What? For your husband?" Her mom asked. "No" Vanessa replied "What do you mean by that?" Her Mom asked scrutinizingly. "We've divorced" tears stung at the back of her eyes as she said those words. Vanessa went ahead to tell her Mom all that had happened, but she knowingly left out the part when he had insulted her. Her Mom sat composed after hearing the whole story, but Vanessa knew that she was very angry. "But I warned you about this whole marriage stuff. Now see where you are" "What are you going to do about the Pregnancy?" Her mom asked. "I'll give birth to the child" Vanessa said, her voice firm and determined. "So what?" Her mom asked "Huh" Vanessa replied confused. "I mean why did you come back after all these years? Is it because your marriage didn't favour you. So, you came back here so that we can help you?" Her mom asked, staring at her with a mixture of anger, and the other look that Vanessa couldn't comprehend. "No, that's not the reason. I came back because you're the only one I had left."I stepped into my room after a long day at work, feeling the weight of exhaustion settle over me. As I walked further inside, an unsettling feeling of emptiness hung in the air. Something felt off, like a puzzle piece missing from its place. I headed to the closet, my heart pounding slightly, and opened the door. My eyes scanned the space, and I realized with a jolt that all of Vanessa's clothes were gone. All that remained was a single dress hanging there, a stark reminder of her absence.With a sense of dread, I moved to the bathroom. The matching couple toothbrushes and towels were missing, leaving bare hooks and an empty holder. Even the scented candles that used to sit on the nightstand, filling the room with a comforting aroma, had vanished. "I guess she finally left," I muttered to myself, feeling a mix of relief and sadness.My eyes were drawn to a stack of papers on the nightstand. Picking them up, I saw it was the divorce agreement, Vanessa's signature already in place. I
Mrs Rodriguez walked into Vanessa's room and met her lying on her bed, with her face buried in her pillow. She could hear her sniffling. That's how it has been the past few days. Vanessa cries at any slight chance she gets, and it was slowly getting on her nerves. She had warned Vanessa about marrying this man, but she didn't listen to her, now she's facing the consequences alone, hurt and pregnant with the child of a man who just dirvoced her. "And what do you think you're doing?!" Vanessa mom asked, her expression stoic as she walked closer towards the bed. Vanessa raised her face up and stared up at her mother. "I'm sorry" she muttered, raising her hands up to her face to wipe her tears away. "You don't have to apologize" her mother's face softened. "I understand that you're heartbroken and sad, but trust me, crying won't solve your problems. You'll just end up draining up all your energy" Her mom stated as she sat on the bed beside Vanessa. "You should be strong, for
FIVE YEARS LATERVanessa walked briskly out of her office, with Lily behind her."Alright. What's on the Agenda for tomorrow?" She asked, her steps not flattering.Lily hurried to keep up with her pace as she replied."Your first meeting is at 9AM with the marketing team, to discuss the new campaign. Then at 11:00 you have a conference call with the new York's office to go over quarterly report."Vanessa nodded her head. "Got it. Anything else?" She asked, sliding her bag onto her shoulders."Yes, at 1:00 PM, you have a lunch meeting with Mr. Reynolds from Green Tech about the partnership deal. In the afternoon, at 3:00 PM, you need to review the budget proposal with the finance team.""Busy day. What about the contract for the supplier?" She asked as she glanced at her wrist watch.Lily handed a file over to her. "Here it is. It needs your signature before the end of the day. Also don't forget you have a dinner meeting at 7:00 PM with the board members."Vanessa took the file from he
Vanessa stared at her father, not knowing what to say."But Dad...""You don't have to worry about that. I'll surely protect you this time" he reassured her."Why did you suddenly want me to work there?" She asked. She could remember that her cousin was in charge there."Your Cousin...I have some intels that he's laundering the companies money and selling some of our information to our rivals" He informed, his face now scrunching up in anger."What? Why would he do that?" Vanessa asked as she took a step closer towards her dad."I don't know yet. But you'll help me find out right?" He asked, staring at her hopefully."Dad..." Vanessa drawled as she sighed."Please my dear"Vanessa stared at her father right in the eyes. He only adds the word 'Please' when things have gotten really hard for him. He was someone who always liked doing things himself, not depending on others.And over the years, she's learnt to fight for her survival and fight her way to the top. Just like her father had a
Vanessa's heart pounded as she hurried through the bustling lobby of the hospital, her heels echoing on the tiled floor. She dodged around people, her eyes fixed on the receptionist desk.Reaching it, she leaned slightly against the counter, trying to catch her breath. The receptionist looked up, giving her a polite questioning smile."I'm here to see Veronica Rodriguez." She said, her voice tinged with a sense of urgency.The receptionist finger flew over the keyboard."Are you family?" She asked glancing up."Yes. I'm her daughter." Vanessa replied."Take the elevator to the first floor and turn to your left. Room 102 will be on your right." "Thank you" Vanessa replied already moving towards the elevator.As she stood in front of the room, she took in a deep breath before pushing the door open and stepping inside.She met her Mom lying on the bed, with an IV drip connected to her. She looked pale, but her eyes were open. Her dad seating beside her on a small chair."Mom" she called
A wave of Anxiety washed over Vanessa, her eyes seemed to be stuck on the figure. As if on Cue, he also looked her way. His eyes seemed to widen for a moment. They both stood there, staring at each other. The whole world seemed to Blur behind them.Vanessa felt the rapid thumping of her chest, that she feared her heart might pop out. Slowly, she folded her hands into a fist, her gaze turning Dark.Riccardo on the other hand stood motionlessly on the street at he stared at the woman through the Transparent glass doors of the Grocery shop. It felt as if he had just seen a ghost and for a moment he doubted if she was actually the one. His breath became erratic as he struggled to keep himself composed. He closed his eyes and took in a long deep breath. When he opened it, she was still there staring back at him. So, his eyes weren't deceiving him, she was really there. His Ex Wife, who he had dirvoced unfairly. Why was she back after all these years? He had searched for her for months, bu
"Hi, thank you for coming. Please have a seat." Vanessa ushered her in, gesturing at the couch with a small smile plastered on her face. They both settled down opposite each other and Lily stood behind Vanessa. "Thank you, Ms. Vanessa. It's nice to meet you." "Likewise. So, tell me a bit about yourself and why you're interested in this babysitting position." She requested, her smile not faltering. "Sure. My name is Emily, and I'm a senior in high school. I don't have any formal babysitting experience, but I love kids and have often looked after my younger cousins. I'm really responsible and eager to learn." She explained, with utmost enthusiasm. "That's good to hear." Vanessa nodded her head. "How do you think you'd handle challenging situations, like if my kids throw a tantrum? "Well, with my cousins, I usually try to stay calm and figure out what they're upset about. I distract them with their favorite toys or activities and try to talk to them in a calm voice." "If they nee
Diego brought the car to a halt in front of a building. "We're here." He informed her, and Vanessa looked up from the files she was busy reading. She stepped down from her sleek black car, adjusting her cream shirt as she took confident strides towards the building. "Lily, make sure we have all the contract details. This negotiation is crucial." "Of course, Ms. Rodriguez, I've reviewed everything twice. Mr. Harris is expecting us in conference room B." Lily replied, following closely behind her carrying a tablet. Vanessa nods, her heels clicking against the marble floor of the lobby. "Good. What are their key concerns?" She asked. Lily quickened her pace to match Vanessa's, glancing at the tablet. "They’re primarily focused on pricing and the length of the contract. They want more flexibility." Vanessa reached the elevator and pressed the button. "Perfect. We'll emphasize the value we bring and find a middle ground on the contract terms." Lily let out a small smile, a
A NEW CHAPTER Three years later. Ethan and Emma were running around, playing tag with Riccardo, who pretended to struggle to keep up with their speed.“Daddy, you’re too slow!” Emma giggled, darting away as Riccardo reached out to catch her.“Oh, I’ll get you!” Riccardo teased, his playful growl making both kids squeal with delight.Vanessa leaned against the doorframe, cradling her six-month old daughter in her arms. The baby cooed softly, her tiny hands grasping at the edge of Vanessa’s blouse.“You’re enjoying this, aren’t you, Sofia?” Vanessa whispered, pressing a kiss to her daughter’s soft hair.The past three years had been a journey of hope, love, and healing. Vanessa’s diagnosis had been a heavy weight, but with Riccardo’s unwavering support, they’d found the best doctors and treatments. Through hard work and a little luck, her. condition had stabilized.“Mommy, come play!” Ethan called, his dark curls bouncing as he ran toward her.Vanessa smiled, walking over with Sofia in
TWO DAYS LATER Vanessa’s heels echoed on the marble floor of her office as she paced back and forth, her phone pressed to her ear. Her movements were sharp, her mind racing. For weeks, she had been gathering evidence against Alexander Grey.He had done too much harm, kidnapping Ethan and Emma, orchestrating the failed attempt on her life, and lurking in the shadows, ready to strike again. But she wouldn’t let him win.Her phone call ended with a click, and she stared out of the large window overlooking the city. The evidence was solid. It wasn’t just a small victory, it was the beginning of the end for Alexander Grey. She took a deep breath, her hands clenching at her sides.“Ms. Rodriguez?” Diego’s voice interrupted her thoughts. He stepped into the office.She turned to him, her voice calm but firm. “It’s time, Diego. I’ve sent everything to the authorities. The files, the recordings, everything. We’re moving forward.”Diego nodded, his respect for Vanessa clear in his eyes. “They’
ONE MONTH LATERThe sun hung low in the sky, casting golden light through the windows of Vanessa’s office. She sat at her desk, focused on reviewing a stack of reports. The past month had been hectic. Riccardo had recovered, Lucas had been relentless in tightening security, and life was slowly falling back into its usual rhythm. But today felt... different.Vanessa glanced at the calendar on her desk. It was her birthday, but she had no plans to celebrate. Birthdays had never been a big deal for her, especially not now when there was so much work to do. She sighed, brushing a strand of hair out of her face as she reached for her pen.A knock at the door pulled her out of her thoughts. “Come in,” she called, expecting Lily or Diego with an update.The door opened, and Emily poked her head in. “Ms. Rodriguez, sorry to bother you, but can I steal you for a moment? There’s a small problem with Ethan and Emma.”Vanessa frowned, setting her pen down. “What’s wrong? When did they get back?"
The warm sunlight streamed into Juliet’s room, touching her skin and making her stir. Slowly, she opened her eyes, blinking at the brightness filling the space. For a moment, she stayed still, letting the peace of the morning calm her. Then it hit her, like a storm rolling in.She remembered.Her heart began to race as memories came rushing back. She could hear her stepmother’s cold voice, the cruel words that had shattered her world. Juliet had overheard her stepmother plotting to kill her, all for her father’s money and property. The betrayal still burned deep in her chest.Her breathing quickened as more came back to her. The fear. The panic. She could see herself running, her steps fast and desperate as she tried to escape. She had been so scared that she hadn’t noticed the car. She remembered the blinding headlights, the screech of the tires, and the sharp pain when she hit the ground.And then... Romeo.He had been the one to save her. She saw his face in her mind, calm and stro
The quiet hum of the machines filled the room as Vanessa sat by Riccardo’s side, her fingers gently brushing against his cool hand. Each second felt like an eternity as she waited for Lucas. The sound of hurried footsteps pulled her from her thoughts. Vanessa glanced up just as the door opened, and Lucas stepped in. His tall frame filled the doorway, his dark eyes scanning the room until they landed on Riccardo. His face, usually composed, twisted with worry and anger.“Vanessa,” Lucas said, his voice low but steady. He crossed the room in a few quick strides, his gaze fixed on Riccardo. “How bad is it?”Vanessa stood, smoothing her hands down her blazer as if it would steady her nerves. “The doctor said he’s stable,” she began, her voice quiet but firm. “The bullet missed his vital organs, but he lost a lot of blood. He hasn’t woken up yet.”Lucas nodded, his jaw tightening. He pulled a chair beside Riccardo’s bed, his hands curling into fists on his lap as he stared at his unconsci
Vanessa paced outside the operating room, her heels clicking softly against the sterile tile floor. She kept her arms crossed tightly over her chest, her fingers gripping the fabric of her blazer like it was the only thing keeping her together. Lily and Emily sat on the nearby bench, their faces pale and somber. Diego stood close by as he watched the hall for any sign of the doctor."I can’t believe this is happening," Vanessa muttered under her breath, her voice thick with emotion. She stopped pacing and turned toward the small group. "He took a bullet meant for me.""Ms. Rodriguez," Lily said gently, her voice trembling. "It’s not your fault."Vanessa shook her head, her lips pressed into a thin line. "How can it not be? If he hadn’t been there..." Her voice broke, and she quickly looked away, blinking back tears.Emily, sitting with her hands folded tightly in her lap, glanced up. "He’ll pull through," she said, though her voice lacked confidence. "He’s strong, isn’t he?"Vanessa n
The faint sound of the ambulance’s siren echoed in the distance, fading as it disappeared around the corner. Vanessa’s heart raced, a knot forming in her stomach as she turned sharply to face Diego. Her voice came out in a breathless whisper, a mixture of fear and urgency."What hospital is the ambulance heading to?"Diego hesitated for a moment, his gaze lingering on her before he quickly checked his phone. The seconds stretched painfully. He didn’t need to ask why. Vanessa’s face was pale, her eyes wide with worry, and she was already halfway to her car."The nearest hospital," Diego finally replied, his voice calm but urgent. "Saint Anthony’s.""Let’s follow them." Vanessa’s voice was steady, though the tightness in her chest made her words feel like they were being dragged from her.Before Diego could protest, she was already inside her car, the engine roaring to life as she slammed the door shut. The sleek black vehicle peeled out of the parking lot, its tires screeching against
The workday finally came to a close, and the sun hung low in the sky, casting a soft orange glow over the city. Vanessa stood in her office, the final task of the day weighing on her mind. Emily and Lily had just walked into the room, the slight shuffle of their shoes breaking the silence.Vanessa smiled as she looked at Emily. "Emily, dear. You did well today."Emily blinked in surprise, a soft smile crossing her face. "Really? Thank you, Ms. Rodriguez. I’m happy to help with whatever I can."Vanessa’s eyes softened. "I appreciate it, truly."Lily cleared her throat, her expression eager. "Are you ready? Let’s go."Vanessa nodded, the last-minute decision still fresh in her mind. "We won’t be using the same car today," she said, her voice firm but calm.Lily raised an eyebrow, and Emily’s face faltered for just a moment, but they both said nothing."I’ve already told Diego. He’s brought another car for me," Vanessa added.As they made their way to the parking lot, the evening air wra
Vanessa paced her office, the tension in her chest growing heavier with every second. She couldn’t let this drag on. The mole had to be identified before the end of the day. Picking up her phone, she called Damien.“Vanessa,” Damien’s voice was brisk.“Get to my office now,” she said without preamble. “We have a serious problem.” She added.“I’ll be there in two minutes,” he replied and hung up immediately.Few minutes later,“What’s going on?” Damien asked, shutting the door behind him. “We have a mole,” Vanessa said bluntly. “Someone leaked the designs for our new product to Grey Enterprises. They launched it ahead of us this morning.”Damien’s jaw tightened. “Do we have any leads?”“Not yet,” Vanessa admitted. “But we don’t have time to play detective. I want this person caught before the day ends.”Damien nodded. “Alright. Let’s start with the basics."He pulled out his laptop and placed it on Vanessa’s desk. “We’ll need to narrow it down. Vanessa, do you know exactly which files