The sunbeam peeked through the window, casting a warm glow on her face. She shifted on the bed before her eyes fluttered open.
The room where she awoke felt unfamiliar, unlike Mr. Rodriguez's. The bed was softer than her own, and the scent in the air wasn't her husband's.
"Shit," she recalled what happened last night. How she followed the stranger to this room.
Isabella sprang from bed and sat up. There was no one on the bed. At first, she thought it was all a dream, but her dress was lying on the couch. It was true that she spent the night with the masked man.
"What have I done?" Isabella Rodriguez placed a palm on her forehead as she came down from the bed. Her head hurt from the alcohol she took last night.
What happened in the club was a bit fresh in her memory, but the bedroom…she could only remember the kissing and how he took off her dress or did she take it off?
The way he nipped at her neck made Isabella run her fingers over it to make sure he hadn't bitten her.
Maybe vampires exist. She went to the mirror to check. No marks were there, except for the kisses he showered on her. Obviously, she could feel them.
The stranger was not in bed when she woke. Isabella also checked the bathroom to be sure, but she couldn't find him. It seemed he vanished after last night.
Her heart skipped when she recalled the stories she heard from women at the factory where she worked. The one-night stand and how they never knew who the father of their children was.
She was sure of not getting pregnant because her husband once told her she was barren and the reason why they couldn't have children.
However, Isabella wanted to know the man she spent the night with.
A knock came on the door. She urged the person to come in. It opened and Manuela walked into the room.
"Hello dear," Manuela greeted her friend. She looked around the room and found out that the stranger was not in. "I'm sorry, I drank too much as well. I looked around for you, but they told me you were with the boss. I managed to get to the door and you guys refused to open up. I almost call the police this morning."
"It's not your fault, dear" Isabella told her. The stranger swept her off her feet last night. She was ashamed of sleeping with a man immediately after her divorce. "Do you know where he went to?"
"No, but some of the guests are in the lounge. If you dress up, we can go and check if he is there," Manuela sat on the bed. The room was different from the one she slept in. Only a wealthy man could afford such a luxury room in the most expensive hotel in the city.
"I don't remember his face, Manuela," Isabella picked up her dress. She just discovered that she did not see his face. The mask never left his face. He was all of her last night with a mask…did he play her?
"Try to…those green eyes will have a beautiful face, trust me," Manuela took out her phone from the bag. She normally takes pictures of events she goes to and the people around her. Maybe his friend might recall his face.
When she noticed the sad expression on her friend's face, it dawned on her that none of them ever saw the guy's face. "Wait, we don't know what he looked like? No, he was wearing a suit. We will ask around. The bartender or receptionist should know who he is."
Isabella held the tears in her eyes. She wanted to remain calm until the situation was resolved.
After dressing up, the friends went out together. The receptionist insisted that it was a lady who had booked the room, and she could not give her personal information.
As for the bartender, he had no idea who it was. He was giving the masked guy special treatment because he tipped him better than anyone last night.
Isabella went back to the room to look for a clue, but there was none. It was obvious that the guy played with her head and left.
She found a Rolex watch in the drawer, and she took it with the hope that he would come back for it.
The receptionist was told to inform him if he came around.
"He will come looking for you because this is one of the most expensive Rolex watches," Manuela assured her.
Weeks passed by and no news came. No one knew who the guy was, and it seemed he disappeared on the face of the earth. Isabella contacted the people who catered for the anniversary party, but they told her that it was the governor's wife that paid for everything. They did not know the couple, neither did they recognize any green-eyed guy with a mask.
It was strange. However, she did not blame them because almost all the guests at the party were wearing masks.
**
A month later…
Isabella looked at the pregnancy kits once more. This was the last time she was going to take a test.
She took seven tests earlier today and they were all positive.
"Stop this and let's go for a check-up at the hospital," Manuela advised. "Only then, we will find out how many weeks and who is the father of the child."
"You should stop being sweet. Scold me for being irresponsible and ending up with a bad guy again," Isabella cried. She knew who the father of her child was. Mr. Rodriguez had not touched her for two months before their divorce. The child belonged to the stranger…a man. She had no idea who he was…or what he looked like?
"We should go to the hospital and if we find out that it's the masked guy's baby, we will live in the city immediately," Manuela told her. Mr. Rodriguez did not want to sign the divorce papers at first. The jerk wanted to keep two women at his side. "With our money, we can raise this child together. I don't want you crying for months over spilled milk."
Isabella knew her mother was their last chance. She was best when it came to taking care of f*ucked up situations. "Fine, we will live in Santa Marta."
** Chapter 5 Years later... A cold breeze swept through the open window, marking the season. Isabella stood by the bed, folding clothes and absorbing the stories shared by her best friend. "Did you hear the latest gist?" Manuela asked, as she sipped her juice. She could not wait to tell her friend everything that went on yesterday in the town. "No, that's if you don't tell," Isabella said as she picked up the last shirt. It was small and belonged to her five-year-old son. A lovely boy that the Lord blessed her with. "The Reyes family moved back to Santa Marta," Manuela told her best friend. She was expecting her friend to scream and ask her questions like, did you see them? Did they throw a party etc. But there was no reaction. "It seemed you did not understand what I just said." "You said the Reyes family is back in town" Isabella repeated what her friend said. "What other reaction were you expecting? People move in and out of Santa Marta every day, Manuela. You don't expect m
The last few years had been tough for her. She moved to her hometown with the hope that she could start afresh. But it was not possible. Isabella never told her mother who the real father of her child was. The news of their divorce devastated Mrs. Jimenez'. She had a stroke and Isabella could not bring herself to tell the truth about her pregnancy. "The truth about what, mother?" Isabella asked, as though she did not understand what her mother meant. "About your son," Mrs. Jimenez replied. "That-I will do when the time is right, mother," Isabella shifted her gaze to the wall. She knew where the conversation was heading to. Things were going well when she was pregnant. Her mother was calm and never asked after Rodriguez. When Juan, her son, was born, people began to gossip and asked why her ex-husband never showed up. Isabella ignored them all these years, but she knew a time would come when Juan would ask who his father was. "I know what Rodriguez did to you was unacceptable"
Chapter 7 Luciano David Reyes sat on one of the sofas in his grandfather's office. This morning, he woke up with a headache due to last night's event. The welcome party finished late. Not only that, his grandmother introduced him to the whole town and it exhausted him. The old woman is proud of him, there is no doubt. Just like his father, he had achieved a lot in life. Luciano became a CEO at the age of 20, and he built his own company, adding it to his family's empire. "Hello, big brother," a teen girl walked into the room. She was still in her pink pajamas. It was very clear that the message of the meeting just got to her. She came downstairs with her face unwashed. "Good morning, Rosa," Luciano-David smiled as his sister slumped onto the sofa beside him. "How was your night?" "Are you asking?" Rosa rolled her eyes. She looked exactly like their father. Tall and slim with two striking gray eyes. "We spent the night partying and just this morning, my phone rang, and Aunt Caro
**Chapter 8.He drove at a normal speed to the market. His beautiful mother kept on directing him which road to follow.Luciano was not conversant with the town. He left a long time ago when he was just seven years old. His parents grew up here, which he admired so much.Life in Santa Manta was cool. The town was quiet yet had many tourist sites and a good way to entertain its guests."Mother, will you tell me about the Jimenez family?" he asked as they neared the parking lot. No one in the family wanted to tell the truth. His mother was good at telling him secrets. Maybe she might open up now that no one was with them.Luciano turned and saw his cousin on the owner's seat. The little girl was busy with her tablet. The sound of the game stopped her from listening to their conversation."Don't start, amor," Mrs. Julio rolled her eyes. She was not going to tell him because of the oath she swore years ago."Please, mother" he tried to persuade her."Point a gun at me, I won't tell if I
Chapter 9.Isabella could not concentrate on the bicycle her son wanted. Each second, she looked towards the shop where don Julio’s son was. There was something about him that she could not put together. Why did she feel like she had seen him before?“Is something wrong?” Manuela asked, with her hands on Juan's shoulders. She noticed the anxiousness on her face.“No, I think we should buy this and go home,” Isabella answered. Beads of sweat started forming on her face. She dipped her fingers into her purse and took out a white handkerchief.“Are we not getting the uniforms again?”“No, Manuela.” She then asked the bicycle seller to deliver it to the house. Since her family was very popular, she did not have to mention it to him. He knew the address.Coming to the market and seeing don Julio’s son brought back the past. She could not stop thinking about her son’s unknown father and Rodriguez. Both men were fools. The first one left her with a huge responsibility, without caring to loo
**Inside the store, Luciano paid no attention to his mother’s friend, who kept introducing him to her daughter. A tall and thick girl named Dora. She was beautiful, no doubt, but not his spec. He promised his mother he was going to behave but if he failed to, it would be because of the lady he saw outside.She charmed him from the beginning like a moon in the middle of the night. Her stares made him feel like they were thinking alike.Luciano leaned against the door and watched her go from door to door. There was a boy beside her, but he couldn’t see his face properly. Another woman walked beside the boy as they entered a bicycle shop.“Who is that woman?” his mother broke the silence. She was asking her friend, mama Dora.Mama knew exactly who they were referring to. Everyone asked after that woman if there was something special about her. Dora was finer than the witch “Isabella, daughter of Roberto Jimenez.”Jimenez? Luciano was surprised. What a nice way of meeting that one person
Isabella was shocked. All of a sudden, her body became too heavy for her legs to carry. Her joints felt like noodles, soon to be cut off.Never in her imagination, did she think this would ever happen to her.Her poor son stood still with tears in his eyes and there was nothing she could do.She didn’t do anything…. What kind of mother behaves this way? A mother who could not protect her son?Everything that happened was her fault! From the beginning till now…she gave him no father and now…because of her cravings for don Julio’s son, she lost her reasoning and endangered her dear son’s life.The theft ran towards the direction that led to the other side of town. Julio’s son chased after him like a lightening. Isabella wanted to move, yet her legs betrayed her. They refused to obey her commands. She wanted to hold her dear son and tell him everything was going to be fine.But she couldn’t…Don Julio’s wife got to where Juan was. She took him in her arms while she walked to Isabella.F
Thirty minutes later…Isabella stood outside the local station. Beside her was the young man who saved her son's life. He spoke to the police and her purse was given to her.She was asked to check if anything was missing. She did and everything seemed to be the way it was before the attack.“Mademoiselle” the police man was talking to her. He smiled at her and continued “this gentleman will take you home. It’s for your safety.”Isabella hesitated. She did not want more favors from Don Julio’s son. What will she do if he comes back requesting a payment?“It’s better that way,” the police man assured.The black Jeep pulled up a few minutes later. Another police officer got down from the jeep. He handed the keys to Don Julio’s son, who took Juan in his arms. He helped him sit in the back seat.Closing the door gently, he asked “Should I help you get into the car or can you do that by yourself?”Isabella shook her head. Of course, her legs were still active. She could walk a thousand mile
Chapter 75.“Mother, you tricked my son” Isabella reminded her mom when she got downstairs. By now, Juan had already finished two slices of pizza. His grandmother poured juice into a glass and gave it to him.“I didn’t, your son fell for my pizza,” Mrs. Jimenez told her. She ran her hand through his hair and kissed him. “You will always be my favorite.”'Not after you find out he is a Marquez', Isabella muttered to herself. She was already dressed. Manulita had a few calls to make upstairs. As for Juan, he gave her the double work. She had to change his outfit.“Juan, come here,” Isabella called and when he came, she whispered “your daddy is waiting. Can we go and change your clothes?”“Yeah,” Juan jumped. However, he did not drop the piece of pizza in his hand. He bit it and rushed to where his grandma was and handed it over to her. He ran back to his mom and they went upstairs.Quickly, she changed his clothes and they headed out.The driver was asked to stay behind. Isabella did no
Chapter 64.She still wore her night dress. Her eyes barely opened as she asked the question. Her face looked more like it had received several slaps while asleep. “Who is Juan's father? She asked again.Isabella froze. Her lips parted, but no word came out. For a second, she thought her heart would come out through her mouth. It was beating faster than a drum. She felt her pulse quicken. If it dared to stop, it would be the end of her.Over the years, she managed to hide the truth from Mrs. Jimenez and everyone in Santa Marta. It was going to be hell for her and Juan if the truth came out. How will she face her mom? Will the poor woman be able to bear the news? What if she gets another heart attack after knowing the truth?“Eh… We were talking about Rodriguez, aunt” Manuela lied. Beads of sweat appeared on her forehead. Her palms were also sweaty. She shivered at the thought of Mrs. Jimenez found out the truth. The old woman may never forgive her daughter for it.“Rodriguez?” Mrs Ji
After dinner, Isabella took Juan to his room. It was a small room filled with the wallpaper of captain man. He also drew his dreamed family. He always wanted a dad to be presented in his life, and she knew the boy was right. He deserves a father.“Mom, where you scared today?” Juan asked as they sat on the bed beside each other. His mom looked at him with tears in her eyes. She had no idea what to say to him.“I-I was scared at some point. But your mom is strong. Do you know that?” Isabella said, fighting the tears.“Well… I got scared too, mom” he told her. “Grandma said it’s okay. Everyone gets scared at some point in life, and it doesn’t matter. We are all fine now.”Isabella was speechless. She didn’t know when the hot tears rolled down her cheeks. Her boy has grown so big with a good sense as well. She knew exactly what he was trying to do. He wanted to make her feel better just the way his godmother, Manuela, would do.Juan saw the tears rolling down his mom’s cheeks. He wondere
Luciano arrived just in time for Paul's funeral, his heart heavy with grief but filled with determination to honor his cousin, his brother, in the best way he could.The sun was hidden behind clouds, casting a grey light over the crowd gathered at the cemetery. The entire town had come to pay their respects. Friends and family, dressed in black, stood together, whispering condolences and recalling fond memories of Paul.Even friends from abroad had flown in, further testament to how much Paul had meant to so many people.Luciano looked around at the faces of the people, some who had known Paul since childhood, others who had only crossed paths with him later in life.They all shared the same somber expression, united by the loss of a man they admired and loved. The air was thick with sorrow, but there was also a quiet reverence, a collective determination to honor Paul in the way he deserved.The ceremony was simple but heartfelt. A local priest led a brief prayer, offering words of co
The air was thick with tension as Luciano drove away from the villa, leaving the preparations for Paul’s funeral behind.The road ahead blurred in his vision, but his mind was clear. Today was the day of Paul’s funeral, a painful farewell to the cousin who had been like a brother to him.But there was one more matter that needed to be settled before he could say goodbye properly. He was heading to the prison yard, where Rodriguez was awaiting execution. The day of reckoning had arrived.Luciano gripped the steering wheel tighter as he approached the prison gates. The sun was just beginning to rise, casting long shadows across the barren landscape.He could feel the weight of what was about to happen, but there was a sense of grim satisfaction in knowing that justice would finally be served.Rodriguez’s death would never bring Paul back, but it would close a chapter that had been filled with betrayal and pain.As the guards escorted him through the sterile halls of the prison, Luciano k
*****The afternoon sun poured softly through the windows as Manuela, Isabella, and Luciano sat around the dining table, their faces marked by a quiet sadness.The house felt different since Paul’s passing, quieter, as if even the walls were mourning his absence.The weight of his death still hung heavy in the air, but today they needed to focus on something else—Paul’s upcoming funeral.“We have to make it special,” Manuela said, her voice barely above a whisper. She had been crying on and off for days, her heart still breaking at the thought of losing Paul so suddenly. “He deserves the best, after everything.”Luciano sat silently for a moment, staring down at his hands. It was still hard for him to think about Paul without feeling a sharp pain in his chest. His cousin had been more than family; he had been a brother, a friend, and a source of strength. “He does,” Luciano finally agreed, his voice thick with emotion. “I want his funeral to reflect how much he meant to all of us. He w
**Two weeks had passed since the accident, and Juan was finally ready to leave the hospital. The doctors had been impressed by his recovery, considering how serious the injuries had been.Now, the hospital room was filled with a sense of relief and anticipation. Isabella and Luciano sat by Juan’s bedside, the weight of everything that had happened slowly lifting, replaced by the joy of seeing their son healthy again.Juan, now more energetic, sat up in bed, swinging his legs back and forth as he played with a toy car Luciano had brought him the day before.His eyes darted between his parents, excitement bubbling beneath the surface. He was finally going home, and for the first time in his young life, he fully understood that Luciano was his father.The bond between them had grown stronger in the days since the truth came out. Juan, who had always been attached to Luciano, now clung to him even more.“Are we leaving soon?” Juan asked, his voice full of hope.Isabella smiled, gently str
Luciano sat in the dimly lit living room, his mind spinning as he tried to process the news.The revelation that Rodriguez had conspired to kill him, along with Dora, his so-called lover, was beyond anything he could have imagined.Manuela and Isabella sat nearby, equally shaken, as the weight of everything they had just learned hung heavily in the air.The silence between them was thick, filled with disbelief and the echo of unanswered questions.They had never once suspected Rodriguez or Dora of being capable of such malice. Rodriguez, yes—he was a volatile man, full of jealousy and bitterness—but Dora? Sweet, quiet Dora, who had always seemed so devoted to Luciano? It didn’t make sense.“I still can’t believe it,” Manuela whispered, her voice barely audible. “I never liked Rodriguez, but I didn’t think he would go this far.”Luciano’s face was tense, his brow furrowed in deep thought. He had been sitting in the same spot for hours, staring off into space, trying to make sense of eve
****The tense silence in the hospital waiting room was shattered when Rodriguez stormed in, his face twisted in anger.Dora trailed behind him, a smug look on her face as she watched the tension rise. He had just heard about the accident, and without bothering to gather all the facts, he immediately set his sights on Isabella."This is all your fault!" Rodriguez bellowed, pointing an accusing finger at her. "How could you be so careless, Isabella? You were supposed to take care of him, and now look what’s happened to my son!"Isabella's heart pounded in her chest as the words hit her. She had been struggling with guilt and worry ever since the accident, but hearing Rodriguez hurl those accusations at her in front of everyone felt like a slap in the face.Luciano, who had been sitting beside her, clenched his fists but said nothing. He knew better than to escalate the situation with Rodriguez, but his silent fury was evident.Isabella stood up, her eyes blazing with a mixture of anger