Completely wrapped around her fingers

6:45am, Olivia barged into the house, startling Diego. She was panting and gasping for air.

"Have you been running?" Diego asked with a surprised look on his face.

She fell on the couch, trying to compose herself. "you said I should hurry up. My car broke down on the way and I had to run here."

"You should change your car. it has been...

"Are you going to tell me what it is or you're just going to start your lecture on why I need a new car."

Diego shook his head. "Do you remember Amelia?"

"Amelia? Amelia...Ame...wait! That little girl? The one we saved from those goons? The daughter of uuummm...What's his name? ¿Cómo se llama?"

"Alexander...

"Alexander Chavez. Sí, What happened to her?"

He handed her the note. A shocked gasped escaped her already agaped mouth. "Is she really the one?"

"It says so in the note." He pushed the box towards her. "She also added those."

"Oooh! That is a lot of money. Whatever became of her?"

"I have no idea. She cut all ties when she left. I don't know where she is, what she's doing or even how she's faring. She never contacted for once and all my efforts to reach her was futile."

* * * * * *

"Amelia dear, Papa has to do this. It is the only way I can protect the company and also Cater for the employees. And this is the only way to do it else they won't survive. You understand me. Right love?"

She had looked at the face of her mother and saw the fear and dread In them. she knew she was more afraid of what he was going to do than shewas of it.

"Amelia. I'm so very sorry, baby. I wish I could take it all back."

"But papa, you can't!"

"I'm afraid I have to. It's the only way."

"Mi rey! I don't think I can support this. She's just a child, how do you expect her to handle this. is giving her the shares really the best option?"

"Corazon! You know how these people are. If something were to happen to me, they will also get their their hands on your shares too. Their mind won't think that I'd hand it all to her because she is a minor, so this will throw Maria Cruz off for a while and it will buy is time to act. Pedro, the managing director will help you handle things."

After the death of Alexander Chavez, Diego had gone.to see the family. The man had been like a father to him and he felt it was his duty to help them get back the company. He had called for a meeting between those involved. Present were Pedro, the managing director, Olivia, Amelia and her mother.

"I swear Diego, we know nothing of any hidden money. it only came to light after he was arrested but for the last few months, I noticed my husband had been feeling nervous and antsy. I knew something was wrong but he wouldn't tell me what it was."

"Was your husband under any form of pressure?"

"He wouldn't say, even when I asked."

"But I did notice that Maria Cruz's people visited the company often. They kept pressuring him to sign a merger with Las Güeros properties."

When they had raided the house looking for her father's seal, Pedro had led the group. Why wouldn't she be bitter and heartless when the very same people she had trusted to help her were the ones who three her away, who betrayed her, who helped destroy her life?

Why wouldn't she be angry?

Why wouldn't she be bitter?

Why would she seem so … normal?

That's right.

They all told her she was being silly, that she was just a child and she wouldn't be a le to do anything.

After her father's death, they had gotten the news channels to spread false rumors about her family.

They tried to turn the public against her father, saying that he was an Industrial spy and that his trade war with companies around the world was the only thing that had brought him to the crossroads that night.

She'd watched as they slandered her father and her mother, calling them 'Criminals' and 'Terrorists' and a whole host of other things.

They'd said he killed himself because he was caught.

As she recalled the memories, her anger rose up in her again and she didn't know when the knife she was using to slice her veggies was going to go through her hand.

"Ouch," she breathed as she put her hand down and stepped back. Her eyes fell on the television. They were reporting a news on Diego.

"The people's voice party had announced the joining of anew member, Diego Gomez. This was done during his book launch where he gave his opinion and his experiences he's had in politics as well as world affairs.

A very unorthodox choice to many people, however the man has proven his worth time and again as he reached out to the youth and public and those that want change, not more of the same.

This is a day that will be remembered in Mexico history, as the beginning of a new era. He was the party's most wanted addition and they are elated to have him."

She shrugged and looked and Lia who was playing with Samantha. She was practicing a few of the dance moves she had been teaching her.

"Abuela, did you see? I can do it well now!" She said excited. "Mamà, I can do the relevé. Look! I didn't stumble!"

Her grandmother clapped proudly and smiled at her. Li-lah smiled too. "That isn't right Lia. You shouldn't be leaning when you're doing it but look, you're leaning on grandma"

Lia giggled, burying her face on Samantha's shoulder. Li-lah laughed and looked at the news again.

The doorbell rang, getting their attention.

"Were you expecting someone?" Sam asked.

Li-lah gave her a knowing look. 'He's here! He's here!' the words echoed at the back of her mind.

Sam understood what that look meant. "Okay! I'll go get the door."

"Ay, Dios mío! Daniel!" Li-lah feigned surprise. She knew he was coming.

"Li-lah. It's good to see you." He said, smiling at her.

She couldn't help the blush that crawled up her face.

"It's good to see you too Daniel. What brings you here?" She managed to sound flirtatious.

Daniel gave her an appraising look. "You ask like you don't know." He said turning around to greet Samantha. "you must be her mother. I've heard a lot of good things about you. I see where she gets her beauty from."

Sam smiled brightly. "I've heard about you too. Thank you for being there for my daughter."

"I'd do it over again." He turned to Lia. "And who is this adorable little girl? She looks like your mother."

Li-lah smiled. "This is my youngest daughter, Lia."

"I remember that name," he said with a raised eyebrow. "Hey sweetie, how are you?"

Lia ran to him, snuggling into his side. He smiled down at her and said "you're a cutie" and she grinned up at him.

This drew a laugh from everyone present.

Lia stopped bouncing and hugged her mother.

"You came at the right time. I'm almost done making breakfast ." Li-lah said.

* * * * *

"Thank you so much for the meal. I really enjoyed it."

"You're welcome." Li-lah said. "Let me tuck Lia in, I'll come see you off."

"Don't worry about that. I'll put her to bed. you can go.' Sam said.

"I did not know you meant what you said. You really moved here? Wasn't it too hard? How do you plan on managing? You really shouldn't have gone through all the trouble."

Her concern made his heart warm. if she was this concerned about him that means she really cared for him. He had a good shot at winning her heart. if only he knew this was all an act. If only he knew that plans she had for him.

He turned to face her, staring lovingly into her eyes. "You are worth all this and more. I would go any length to be with you. You are my everything Li-lah and I can't imagine my life without you in it.....

"Daniel, I told you already...

"You're not ready and I understand you. I'm willing to wait till you are. no matter how long it takes."

'What a fool! I have him completely wrapped around my fingers. When the time is right, I'll cut of the rope and let him fall to his doom'

She smiled and patted him. "let me leave you to go rest. you must have had a long day. we'll see later?"

"Definitely! once I get myself settled in, I'll take and Lia out to lunch."

"I look forward to it "

They said their farewell and Li-lah went back inside, with a satisfied grin on her face.