From the gate down to the main door of the mansion was magnificent, there was an ornate wrought iron fence, with carved stone tops.They passed by several statues, and statues lined the main path as far as the eye could see.The personals on these lawns were amazingly in order, many of them adorned with exotic flowers and trees, and flowers with no specific design to them.Most were surrounded by gardens, and birdbaths, and ponds.It was beautiful, amazing, and just a touch overwhelming.Li-lah couldn't help but gasp in awe once they entered the living room.It had a high ceiling, tall windows, marble floors, and a sweeping staircase that went to the second floor.But it was the furniture that grabbed her attention.It was all top quality, and was in a slightly lighter color to complement the walls.There were also pictures of what Li-lah assumed were the older Greencloaks on some of the walls, and all sorts of other information that she couldn't make out.She was surprised, and almos
Mateo sat in his study, his mind occupied by just one woman.Not his mother, not his daughter, not even his wife but a total stranger. A woman he knew very little about and had only met a few times had found a way into his mind, into his heart, into his soul. She was kind, caring, gentle and beautiful.She was odd in the best possible way, eccentric, and unusual.He could still remember her blue eyes as if they were still holding his gaze. He tried! Oh he tried so hard to stop himself from thinking about her, from her thoughts invading his every waking moment. He could not get her from his mind.It seemed she was everywhere.There was something about her that made him think she was watching him.And when he would close his eyes he could see her face as if he were looking through a window.This time his hand had slipped from his forehead and was resting by his lips.He kept touching them unconsciously, not knowing why.An image of her followed, his mind creating a world where she woul
Mateo awoke with a start, panting and hard.He'd had the dream where Maria and caught him together in bed with Li-lah and she had shot him in the head with a stolen gun.Mateo rolled over onto his back, sweating, and sucked in breath, trying to slow down his heartbeat.This was a warning.This was something Maria was capable of doing. He had to kill whatever feeling he was having for Li-lah.* * * *The trio were enjoying their time in the spa as they stood together in the centre of the bathroom while they enjoyed the blue berry cleanse.Seemingly engrossed in conversation, the group spent some time taking selfies in the natural light of the room before settling back in for a well-earned lunch."a contest for bachata dancing? Qué va. How come I would want to do that? That doesn't interest me." Added Natalia."Nor I." Julia echoed this."Oh! Maria, however, declares that she will participate."They were naturally interested when Maria's name was brought up."Maria? Why? Is she really s
Diego closed his eyes and inhaled heavily as he stood in front of the door. His whole body screamed for him to go back but this is for Amelia, this was for Alexander, this was for Roberta.He felt a light tap on his shoulder. He turned to face Olivia. "Are you sure you want to do this?" She asked.He nodded. He'd been preparing for this. "Yes, let's go in."Olivia knocked and the door to the meeting room was opened. They had agreed to meet at fuego's elementary.He saw Li-lah, Maria and the school principal present."I'm sorry for coming late, I had to settle other affairs" he said The principal smiled. The excitement of having a top government official, a presidential candidate at that, In her school was apparent to all. "You don't have to apologise sir." She said smiling. "We know how politics can take up your time. Please sit.""Mr Diego Gomez, it's a very big honor to finally meet you." Maria said."The honor is mine" Diego said giving a forced smile. He turned to look at Li-la
The giggles of Julia and Natalia filled the room as they enjoyed dancing with their partners.It was another day of rehearsal and Li-lah had brought the men that would assist the ladies in learning the bachata dance.Maria from where she sat, looked at Natalia and Julia with disdain and disgust. "Look at them. How vulgar." She said distracting Lilah from her phone."What do you mean?" She asked."I mean Julia and Natalia. Look how happy they are to be dancing with other men. Isn't that quite unsophisticated and vulgar?""Wait," Lilah said, noticing Maria's subtle tone. "They are having fun. Maybe you should too?""Huh? No way!" She laughed."I am serious." Li-lah said. She sat thoughtfully for a minute before she continued. "Do you know that dance is a form of rebellion? Of taking back control of their own bodies?"Maria took another sip of her drink before answering. "I don't follow what you're saying.""It is said that those who obey and adhere to order can't dance." Li-lah said as
Mateo had been stressed from attending one meeting after the other. He finally had some time to himself and decided to watch the TV; anything to keep his mind from tiring out.The moment the television turned on, she was the first person he saw or thought he saw. An advert for a lingerie company was showing and Li-lah was the model for the lingerie. She was wearing a tight-fitting white one-piece and he could see the tops of her stockings, her shapely legs and the slight dimple on her butt. When he saw her, he felt as if his own body was warm.He tried to change the channel but it seems his eyes and hands were working together to stop him from doing so. His hands would not press on the button, nor would his eyes leave her, while his mind was no longer listening to his brain.All he could do was watch as the beautiful woman in skimpy underwear walked around, seductively posing, with her chest puffed out, her asse wiggling.He began to recall those close and intimate moments they had
Her hands shook as she drove through the street. Her heart pounded in her chest. Her her palms were slippery from sweating.She had almost been caught. She hadn't expected chairman Mateo to return back from the office so quickly.She pulled to a stop and took heavy breaths to calm herself. She listened as her blood sounded like sloshing water in a bucket. She wiped the sweat from her brow. Her face was hot and stung from the rough breeze. *Flashback""Alma dear" Li-lah called as she squat so she was the same height as the little girl."Yes?" She responded with a smile."Can you some a favor?"Alma nodded. "What is it?""You see, I haven't prepared what I'm going to reach in class tomorrow and I need a computer to do that but if I am to wit till I get to my house, it'll be too late and I'll be really tired. Since I am here, I can just make use of a computer here. Preferably a laptop. Do you have any here?""Sì. There is one in father's study but he doesn't like it when others go into
Maria was shocked when she stepped I to the house to see Mateo in the living room with their daughter, alma lying on his thighs. She had fallen asleep and he was caressing her.Marisol was relaxing on the sofa and watching a news report.When he noticed her, he merely gave her a side glance ."Honey! I wasn't expecting you to be home so early."He still didn't respond to her. He just kept on watching."I went to see my dad, that is why I am home late. He said he wanted to talk about business and..."When did your father start talking about business with you?" He asked with no expression on his face."Honey, I...it's...When the surprise had subsided, Mateo simply let out a sigh and stood up. he was extremely irritated with Maria. He took alma gently Into his arms. "I'll be sleeping in the study tonight, I have a lot of work to do. You can shower and go to bed. I'll tuck Alma in." He said and headed up the stairs without waiting for a response.After putting alma to bed, Mateo went in
The winds of change swept through the air as Amelia stepped onto the plane, her heart heavy with the weight of all that she was leaving behind. Mexico had been a place of love, betrayal, heartbreak, and redemption. It had shaped her in ways she could never fully explain. But it was time to move on. She leaned back in her seat, closing her eyes as memories of her family, of Mateo, and of everything they had endured together, flooded her mind. She thought of the quiet moments she had shared with Mateo—the stolen glances, the tender touches, the unspoken words that had once bridged the distance between them. Those moments would forever be etched in her heart, but they were not enough to keep her tethered to a past that no longer served her. Her family—her mother, her father—had been the driving forces behind her fight. Their memories were now the foundation of her resolve. She would honor them by living a life that was not shaped by the darkness that had consumed them but by the stren
The tension in the warehouse was unbearable, the air thick with fear and desperation. Maria stood at the center of the room, her gun trembling in her hand, her child clutched tightly in the other arm. The sound of her erratic breathing echoed in the otherwise silent space. Amelia could feel the weight of the moment, the gravity of everything that had led up to this point. She glanced at Mateo, standing to her left, his face a mix of anger and concern. They had cornered Maria—this was it. The endgame. “Maria,” Amelia called, her voice steady but urgent, “put the gun down. You don’t want to do this. You’ve already lost.” Maria’s eyes darted around the room, panic and defiance battling for control. “You have no idea what I’ve lost!” she hissed, her grip tightening on the weapon. “You’ve taken everything from me. My power, my family… my future.” Amelia took a slow, deliberate step forward, her heart pounding in her chest. She could see the desperation in Maria’s eyes. She could se
The day had arrived. Amelia stood at the podium, her heart racing as the cameras flashed in front of her. The press conference was set, and today, Maria would be exposed for the monster she truly was. Amelia had prepared for this moment for weeks—gathering evidence, making connections, and ensuring that nothing could be dismissed as a lie. This was the moment of reckoning. Amelia glanced down at the folder in front of her. Inside were the irrefutable documents that would bring Maria to justice—details of her illegal activities, her involvement in her father’s crimes, and the horrifying truth behind the murder of Amelia’s mother. Every piece of evidence was meticulously organized, every lie Maria had spun unraveling before her. As she looked out at the sea of reporters and cameras, Amelia felt the weight of what she was about to do. Maria had taken everything from her—her family, her love, her peace of mind—and now, it was time to take it all back. She took a deep breath before beg
The night was heavy with unspoken words as Amelia walked into the private ballroom. She had agreed to meet Mateo under the pretense of settling their differences, but deep down, she knew this meeting would be anything but peaceful. This was the final chapter of their story—the last time their paths would cross before the consequences of everything they’d done came crashing down. Mateo stood by the grand windows, his back to her, staring out at the city below. His shoulders were tense, his profile etched with the weight of everything he had lost. The moment Amelia stepped into the room, he turned to face her, his eyes meeting hers with a mix of pain and longing. “I didn’t think you’d come,” he said softly, though there was a trace of relief in his voice. “I couldn’t let it end like this, Mateo,” Amelia replied, her voice steady but betraying a flicker of emotion. “We have unfinished business.” He took a few steps closer, his gaze never leaving hers. “You’ve made your choice, Am
The night air was thick with tension as Amelia made her way through the narrow alley behind the café. Her mind raced with the information she had just uncovered—the confirmation of Maria’s role in her father’s death had set her heart ablaze with fury. The weight of it all was suffocating, and yet she couldn’t allow herself to falter. The battle was only beginning, and she had to be ready for whatever came next. Suddenly, a car’s engine revved, and shadows flitted across her path. Before she could react, she was seized from behind, strong hands clamping around her arms, pinning her to the cold, unforgiving wall. A rough voice growled in her ear, “You should’ve stayed out of this, Amelia.” She struggled, but the grip was too tight, and she was dragged further into the alley, where three men emerged from the darkness, each one more menacing than the last. They weren’t just after her—they were there to silence her for good. Amelia’s heart hammered in her chest, panic rising, but her
The late afternoon sun shone brightly, creating long shadows in Mateo's study. He was there, trying to understand the confusing mess of his life. Papers were scattered everywhere as he looked through old files and ledgers that were covered in dust. He felt a heavy weight in his chest because he had so many questions that remained unanswered.While he was sifting through his father’s old things, his hand accidentally touched a worn leather journal that was hidden under a pile of papers. His curiosity grew, and he decided to open it. As he flipped through the pages, he recognized his father’s handwriting on the yellowed paper. At first, the entries appeared simple and ordinary; they talked about business deals and family stories. But as he continued to read, he started to notice a more troubling story unfolding.The journal revealed a series of shady business deals, secret payments, and alliances that helped build the family company’s wealth. Mateo's stomach started to feel uneasy as he
The grand ballroom shimmered with opulence, its crystal chandeliers casting warm light on the sea of glamorous attendees. It was the charity event of the season, a perfect facade for the elite to mask their scandals and betrayals with smiles and champagne. Amelia stood near the entrance, her fiery red gown flowing like liquid passion as her sharp eyes scanned the crowd. She was a tempest in disguise, ready to unleash her storm. Her target was clear—Mateo. He was standing near the bar, looking dashing in his tailored suit, yet there was an air of defeat around him. His usual confidence was subdued, replaced by the weight of recent revelations and his growing dependency on alcohol. Amelia took a deep breath and approached him, her heels clicking against the marble floor like a ticking clock. “Mateo,” she said, her voice cutting through the hum of the crowd. He turned, startled, and then his expression hardened. “Amelia." they stood and just stared at each other for a while, none
Amelia stood in the shadows of the estate, her heart pounding as she glanced up at the imposing structure. Maria’s father’s estate loomed over her like a fortress, its high walls and security cameras serving as a stark reminder of the danger she faced. But she couldn’t turn back now. This was her last chance to uncover the truth—a truth she had spent years trying to find. Clutching the forged access card Diego had given her, Amelia slipped through the side gate. The night was eerily silent, the faint rustle of leaves and the chirping of crickets the only sounds accompanying her. She pulled her hood tighter over her head, praying that the darkness would conceal her presence. The basement was her destination, a place she had heard whispers about but had never dared to approach until now. It was rumored to be the heart of all of Maria’s father’s secrets—a vault of information, hidden atrocities, and untold truths. ---The air grew colder as Amelia descended the stone staircase lead
Mateo sat in his dimly lit study, the room thick with the scent of whiskey. The glass in his hand was half-empty, though the bottle beside him was nearly gone. He stared into the amber liquid, his mind clouded with a whirlpool of emotions: betrayal, confusion, anger, and heartbreak. Lilah—Amelia—whatever her name was—had torn his world apart. The woman he had trusted, the woman he had loved, had deceived him. He could still see her face in his mind, the tears in her eyes as she pleaded for him to listen. A part of him wanted to believe her, to believe that what they had was real. But Maria’s words echoed in his mind, feeding his doubts. "She’s a liar, Mateo. She’s only after your money. She never loved you."He tipped the glass to his lips and downed the remaining whiskey in one go, wincing as it burned its way down his throat. The pain was almost comforting—it matched the ache in his chest. ---Maria watched from the doorway, her eyes narrowing as she observed Mateo’s deteriora