Leila returned to her company that afternoon feeling a sense of accomplishment. Partnering with Vanessa's company was going to be a very big step in her business career. And she was just a few steps away from having her revenge.She was going to show the ROYALS that they are not the only big company that she could partner with, especially not after all they had done to her and her family.She made her way towards Hayley's office to tell her how the meeting went. Standing in front of Hayley's office, she knocked on the door and without waiting for her to respond, she pushed the door open and walked in.She met Hayley seated in front of her table, staring at her computer. Hayley raised her head when she heard her door open."Leila, you're back already. Tell me, did everything go well?" Hayley asked, rising from her chair to go meet Leila."Yes, that's why I'm here. Ms Rodriguez is willing to partner with us." Leila informed happily."Really? That's great." Hayley smiled."Yes, it is." L
Leila and Hayley shared a glance, the surprise on their face was clearly written."Ms. Rodriguez, you're... you're Hayley's cousin?" Leila stammered.Vanessa smiled warmly as she settled down. "Yes, I am."Deep down, Vanessa was glad that she got Damien to give her a heads up, if not she'd have been surprised as hell. She could remember that she once met Hayley with Leila in the unveiling ceremony. Not in her wildest dreams would she have thought that she'll turn out to be her little cousin.Hayley's face turned pale, her eyes darting between Vanessa and Damien."Damien, why didn't you tell me?" Hayley asked, her voice laced with confusion.Damien shrugged. "I wanted it to be a surprise."Vanessa sat beside Hayley, her presence alone was commanding and Hayley almost felt intimidated, but at the same time, happy."I see you're doing well, Hayley," Vanessa said, her eyes scanning Hayley's face.Hayley nodded, still trying to process the unexpected surprise.Vanessa smiled warmly at Hayl
NEXT MORNING: RICCARDO'S PENTHOUSERiccardo dressed in a black tuexudo suit walked out of his house, shutting the door behind him. He made his way towards the parking lot where his driver was already waiting for him with his SUV.As he approached, his driver opened the car door for him with a small bow."Good morning, sir." He greeted.Riccardo responded with a small nod as he settled inside the plush seats of his car. His driver shit the door and made his way towards the drivers seat. After settling in, he drove of immediately.The ride to Riccardo's company was quite as usual as Riccardo seemed to be lost in his own thoughts."We're here, sir." The voice of his driver brought him out of his reverie."Oh. Thanks." Riccardo muttered, opening the cars door by himself.He alighted and walked into his company. He only met a few workers around, who were mostly the cleaners. He was aware that he came very early today and it was not yet time for office work. But he didn't mind. He had a lot
VANESSA'S APARTMENTVanessa was done getting her kids dressed up for school and they waved goodbye to her as they went out with Emily and a guard. Diego and Lily had already arrived, so Vanessa quickly went up to her room to get dressed. In a few minutes, she was done and went to the living room to meet them.Together, they ventured outside and into their Car. Once they all settled inside the car, Vanessa decided to ask the question that had been on her mind. She turned to Lily who was seating beside her and scrolling through her phone."Hey, Lily." She called, her focus solely on her."Yes." Lily glanced up."How did your blind date go?" Vanessa asked her curiosity piqued."It went well." Lily replied, keeping her phone aside."Really? Would you two get to meet each other again?" "Yes, yeah. After working hours." Lily smiled."Oh my gosh. That's great." Vanessa gasped with a wide smile."See!!! Going on a blind date wasn't such a bad idea." She added."But be careful, alright.""Ye
Vanessa wrapped up with the work she was doing on her laptop. Rising up from her swivel chair, she picked up her phone and bag and walked out of her office, shutting her door right behind her. She approached Lily's office that wasn't so far from hers. "Lily, it's time to go." She called out from outside, accompanying her voice with a knock on the door. "Oh, right. I'll be outside in a minute." Lily replied from inside her office. Vanessa could hear the shuffling of files from where she stood, and then footsteps approaching her and Lily swung the door open. "Let's go." Vanessa muttered. Turning around, she walked towards the elevator. Soon, the elevator doors open and they both walked inside with Vanessa glancing at her phone on her wrist. She had a potential client to meet with today, so she couldn't afford to be late. Few minutes later when the elevator dinged and swung open, Vanessa walked out with hurried steps and Lily beside her as she met up with her pace. Vanessa glanced
Just as Vanessa finished reading the message, her phone buzzed again. Another message popped up on the screen. She glanced down at it, her eyes scanning the text quickly. Her heart raced as she saw the new words."And your kids."Her breath caught in her throat, and she gasped, the full meaning of the messages hitting her like a wave. Slowly, she pieced them together."I'm coming for you and your kids."She dropped her phone onto the table, threading her fingers through her hair in frustration. Panic gripped her chest as she stared at the screen, trying to make sense of it. Who would send her such a message? Her mind raced with questions, but none of them led to any clear answers.Vanessa had always been careful. She went to great lengths to keep her kids out of the public eye. No one outside of her close circle even knew she had children. She had worked hard to protect them from the spotlight. So, who could possibly know? And why now?Her thoughts turned to Riccardo for a brief momen
"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
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
Vanessa adjusted her coat as she walked out of the hotel room. Emily followed closely, her steps quick to match Vanessa's pace, while Lily and Diego trailed behind. The morning air was crisp, and the sound of their shoes echoed in the quiet hallway.Emily had been staying with them ever since her school closed for the year. Her parents were constantly traveling, leaving her alone in their large house. So, when Vanessa suggested Emily come along to her company, she jumped at the chance.Outside, Diego opened the door to a sleek black van parked in front of the hotel. Vanessa helped Emily climb in before settling into her seat. Lily slid in beside her, while Diego took the driver’s seat. The van purred to life as Diego drove out of the parking lot, blending into the light traffic of the morning.Emily turned to Vanessa, her voice hesitant. “Ms. Rodriguez, are you sure this is a good idea?”Vanessa glanced at her and smiled softly. “Trust me, it won’t be bad at all,” she said reassuringl
Vanessa pushed her chair back slightly and turned to her kids. “Emma, Ethan, how’s the food?”Ethan, with his mouth full of bread, gave her a thumbs up, while Emma nodded enthusiastically. “Grandma’s food is the best!” she declared, grinning at their grandmother, who beamed with pride.Vanessa chuckled softly, shaking her head. The warmth in the room was almost enough to make her forget her troubles. Almost.Her mother sat down, smoothing her apron as she did. “Vanessa, are you staying long this time?”Vanessa hesitated, her fork hovering over her plate. “No. I have a lot things to take care of." She replied with a small sigh.Her mother studied her for a moment, her sharp eyes catching the tension in her daughter’s posture. “If there’s anything you need to talk about, you know I’m here,” she said gently.Vanessa forced a smile, nodding. “I know, Mom Thank you for being here."Ethan piped up, breaking the somber moment. “Can we go to the beach tomorrow, Mommy? Please?”Vanessa ruffled