I turn quickly to find out who called me by my nickname. I can not believe it! It's Luis! He is the one who called me at the top of his voice, making everyone who arrives notice me. What is he doing here? Will he be following me? Vivian must have told him and he chased me, I think. I straighten up to face him. He approaches me smiling, but I can see his hateful look. "Blessed are the eyes that see you!" He says in a familiar tone, as if we were best friends. "I did not expect this surprise. When Vivian told me, I couldn't believe it!" He keeps talking and even makes a gesture of coming to kiss me as a greeting. I take two steps back, avoiding him. "Good morning, Luis," I responded to his greeting, trying to appear as confident as possible. "How are you?" "How do you think I am, after everything you did to me?" he asks quietly, getting closer to my ear. I instinctively move away. "What did I do to you? I do not know what you are t
I take note of everything he explains to me, I am grateful that he will stop questioning me and concentrate on work."Then, go down to the human resources department, which is on the third floor, to sign the contract. As I told you yesterday, it will be the first trial month, so you will only have the basic salary, without any other extra benefits." He indicates to me, still looking at me in that way that makes me nervous."Okay, sir, no problems." And I turn to go stand in my office, but his voice holds me back. "Look Bella... I mean Isabella, sorry. You are already informed of the projects we will be working on in these six months. For yesterday's presentation," he stops and turns to look at me intently. "Which, by the way, I repeat again, you were excellent. Without any preparation, you managed to present the second part very well. Congratulations, you are a good professional."
I can't believe this is happening to me! Of all the jobs in the world, it just had to end up where Luis was! I fix my blouse as best I can and tuck it into my skirt. The elevator door opened, and there I was, face to face with my boss, who was looking at me with wide eyes, evidently surprised by my appearance. I tried to hide my discomfort and annoyance at the situation. Without warning, my boss grabs my hand and pulls me out of the elevator, whisking me to his office. My heart was pounding, wondering what he would think of me seeing me in this state. "What happened to you, Isabella? Who did that to your face?" my boss asks, visibly worried. I tried to hide my discomfort and nervousness, responding with feigned indifference. "Eh? What do you mean? It's just a small accident, no big deal." But I knew I couldn't fool him. Shame filled me, and I felt vulnerable and exposed before his scrutinizing gaze. I didn't want him to
It can't be that my grandfather ruined it, I think. I know he is capable of that and much more. Was that what Luis was referring to when he said that grandfather had done this to him? "Since when have you not heard from him?" I hear Christian ask me and I get out of my thoughts. "Well..., sir, I think about five years or so. I was not in the country." I sincerely contest. "I see, I tell you that his parents left him with nothing after the divorce. His dad's company also went bankrupt. He graduated in accounting, and my mom asked me to employ him here. He's not bad at his job, so far. He has a child with his wife." He tells me in the same way without taking his eyes off my face. "With Vivian? Did he marry her? Luis, have a son?" I was really surprised. Christian looks at me and responds very seriously. "I don't know what his wife's name is. But that's what my mother told me. I can't assure you that it's all true. I will talk to him,
My boss insists that we leave in the same car. But I don't know why I'm nervous about this closeness. I prefer to go alone in mine, no offense. "No need, Mr. Christian, I will follow you closely. We have both already made this presentation and we know it very well. You'll see that it will turn out very well as always. You shouldn't get nervous." "It's okay, it's okay if you don't want to." He finally agrees to let me go in my car and he is in his, but he asks me. "Where is your car?" "There at the end, sir." it was the only free parking I found, the last one in the row. "You should have taken the editor's car next to mine, we will always ride together, so it's better if we leave the cars together as well." It says as we move forward "I don't know which one it is, sir." I answer and look to him for directions. "It's next to my car, the second one at the entrance. I'll tell you, and tomor
I remained silent, as I felt that he was right in what he said. That shouldn't have happened in a closed place where they ask for so many IDs to enter; I'm not going to argue with him about that. Better to leave it like this and let my boss fix it. We reached our destination."I don't know if I'll be able to make the presentation, miss. I'm so angry and unfocused that I won't be able to." Christian tells me, visibly angry."Calm down, sir. If you allow me, I can do it and you can help me." I offer myself determined that because of me the work will be affected."Do you? Do you believe you can?" he asks concerned and I understand. After all, I have just started working."Yes, sir. I already explained to you that this was my job in France. Give me all the papers and c
I don't know what to think, everything is so confusing and at the same time so familiar between us. It's as if we were old friends or acquaintances. But as far as I remember, apart from Marta, I never had another friend."Oh, how sad! But you can find another woman, sir!" I respond, trying to concentrate on the conversation."At the moment, I prefer not to think about it. And you, did you remarry after Luis?" And I see that my questions opened the door for you to ask me about my life."No, sir, but I have two children." I answer as honestly as he did."From Luis? Didn't you say your marriage was a lie?" I see that my boss does not forget what I tell him. Despite his illness."No, they are not Luis's!” God forbid, I think. “ A night of spite and madness, sir!"I don't know why I'm telling my boss this right now. It must be because I feel that I must sincerely correspond to his story. He stares at me as if he can't believe what I
I almost laugh when I see how furious she is. I'm sure that if she had Luis in front of her right now, he would have a worse time than he did with me. That's why I hurry to tell her everything, or she is capable of going to look for him to settle accounts."No, it wasn't that. I just didn't have the chance to respond. Because my boss appeared at that moment and whisked me away." I tell her, without ceasing to move forward. "I was fine until later, when I went down to sign the contract at human resources. When I came out, he was waiting for me in the elevator hallway. He cornered me against the wall and squeezed my face so hard; look at the marks on my face."She looks at me with a mix of pity and fury. During my stay in Paris she forced me to learn self-defense, so that I could defend myself when something like what happened to me today."And what did you do, Bella? Didn't you defend yourself? Why didn't you ask for help if you were afraid of him?""I
Christian lay on his bed after emerging from the bathroom, where he had indulged in fantasies about Isabella. He was seriously considering visiting his psychologist, as he believed his current state wasn't normal. Could he truly not live without her? It had all seemed so real-her body in his hands, how he had plunged into her repeatedly. Was Isabella actually visiting him, remaining silent so he wouldn't realise it was her? Did she know he was blind and accept him as he was?At that moment, the bedroom lights switched on as his mother entered. He sat up abruptly."Mum, I think... I think I saw the light when you turned it on. You did turn it on, didn't you?""Yes, son, I just did. Are you regaining your sight as the doctor said? David... David... come and see Chris, David!""What is it, Mother-in-law? I'm here," David said, rushing into Christian's room, followed by his wife Christie and Mr Thomson, who had come in response to Mrs Thomps
After all the commotion surrounding Marta and Rodrigo's relationship, everyone in the house is delighted that they are a couple. They hold the young man in high regard and know he is very responsible. They are particularly pleased that he respected her throughout and that, had Marta not essentially won his heart, he wouldn't have pursued the relationship.The following day, Mrs Tania invited Augusto, her lifelong bodyguard, and his wife Leila for lunch. She wanted to quickly formalise Rodrigo and Marta's relationship, as the couple couldn't stop gazing at each other happily. Since Marta's arrival with Isabella, she had initially remained very quiet, and although everyone loved her and made her feel like family, they could sense that she felt inhibited in many ways.Now she is brimming with happiness, constantly smiling and allowing others to embrace her, something she didn't commonly do before. This is especially true after managing to have Rodrigo assigned as her bo
Santiago and his father stared intently at the girls, who were at a loss for what to do or say. Despite her earlier words, Marta had quickly released Rodrigo's hand, and he too seemed unable to react. Isabella looked at her father and, seeing his reproachful head shake, hugged her grandmother, hiding behind her."Seriously, Bella? Are you going to pass your sister off as Rodrigo's girlfriend?" Santiago asked, trying to coax Isabella out from behind her grandmother."Dad, it's not what you think!" Marta stepped forward, attempting to defend Isabella, who was silently pleading for help. "Dad, it's not Bella who's with Rodrigo... it's me!""This is the limit, Isabella," he said, to the astonishment of all three women. "Now you want to pass Marta off as your lover's girlfriend to deceive me?""Dad!" Isabella exclaimed, emerging from behind her grandmother, who was chuckling at the mess unfolding before her. "Dad, I swear on everything sacred that I have nothing to do
He didn't know that I couldn't cash the check here. Although, about Eva's money, I think you're right. I remember hearing my father saying that Santiago's company is frozen, because it's going bankrupt. If the Sardino patriarch doesn't step in, he'll be left with nothing. So it's true what you're saying. Where's Eva going to get money from? Although, she might have her own stash hidden away."Now I understand why Eva is so agitated, although it seemed she didn't know. She says she has a good plan, it might suit us, what do you think?""Do you trust her, Luis? I don't like Eva one bit. When have you ever heard of a mother plotting to kidnap her own daughter's children? I don't like that woman, I don't. Let's hear what she's planned. But if we don't like it, we're leaving, agreed?""I don't trust her either, but she's still someone we can get money from, and right now I'm going to cash this cheque Santiago gave me to pay for Luisito's hospital bill, we can't get him out
After rescuing Adele, they had decided to leave the country for good, but to their surprise, upon returning to the house that belonged to Luis' maternal grandparents, they found a surprise. Upon opening the door, there was Vivian and her mother with the child."Mum! Vivian! What are you doing here?" Luis asked, genuinely surprised."We're so sorry, son, but the little one didn't take to the climate and had been unwell since we arrived. The doctor advised us to return to a warmer one. As we had no idea where to go, we came to stay here for a few days, so you could help us find another place. And by the way, as we couldn't send money, we collected them to come with us.""Mum, you shouldn't have done that. Dad found out about everything and he's fuming. You should have called me and explained, I would have sorted everything out from here.""Luis, it's just for a few days. Besides, I need to sort something out with my account, it won't let me withdraw the money Santi
Marta didn't respond immediately, savouring Rodrigo's warm embrace as he held her tighter and tighter, his heart beating rapidly. In that moment, she said,"It doesn't matter that you did that, I'll talk to Dad, alright?" she assured, pulling away slightly to look at him."I'd rather do it myself, man to man," Rodrigo said, holding her gaze."No!" Marta hurried to say, and added, "Daughters know best. I'll tell Mum to help me, you'll see, she'll convince them. And Bella must have realised by now and she'll help me, do you really want to do this?""Yes," Rodrigo responded firmly, "If you want it too.""Of course I do. And don't worry, if they fire you, I'll hire you, hee, hee, hee... I'll just have to pay you in a different way," and as she spoke, Marta couldn't stop running her hands over the man's well-formed torso. "I've always wanted to do this," she says without stopping caressing him, he takes her by the waist and pulls her close."And I've wanted
They quickly put on their diving suits and dive off the other side, which is impossible for those on the boat to see. Rodrigo has tied Marta to him, who follows him sinking as he indicates. The water in this area is murky, so they can't see very well, so they swim close to each other until they reach the shore. They emerge slowly, releasing the oxygen tanks, and that's when Marta runs and hugs Rodrigo and kisses him. At first, he doesn't respond, but then he returns the kiss. When they separate, she is very flushed and says,"Sorry about that, I was really scared," she says, looking down blushing.Rodrigo just looks at her, then takes her by the hand and they run along the shore, until they reach the road, while he calls Santiago."Yes, sir, we escaped, we're on the road, come for us," he asks without stopping running with her hand in his.They continue walking hand in hand in silence. Marta holds on tightly, not letting Rodrigo let go of her hand the times he ha
On the other hand, Marta is sitting across from Christie, in the office that used to be Christian's."Is it necessary for you to do this, Marta?" Christie asks very seriously."Yes, I'm going to work with dad, I can't stand being here anymore, where no one talks to me and they whisper when they see me pass," Marta states firmly. "Besides, it's for my safety.""Your safety?" Christie asks, intrigued."Yes, I have a madman chasing me," Marta confesses, knowing she can trust Christie as she stands up. "Thanks for everything, Christie. When I finish writing the story of my sister and your brother, I'll bring it to you to publish. Say hello to Chris for me, a kiss, if you need my help with anything, just call. You know my number."And she turns her back, leaving to meet the security guard Rodrigo, who is waiting for her with two other men."Let's go to my office, so you can help me pack my things to leave," Marta asks, and walks past them towards the l
There's a brief silence as he listens to the employee moving away into the stables, only to emerge later with a horse."Noel, have you seen my wife around the farm in the last few days?" he repeats his question."No, no, lad, it's just a figure of speech," the man hurries to clarify. "You seem like a lost soul, it must be because of her, even though the children come every day. You've got her under your skin, you should go back to her. Mrs Isabella is a good person. Think about it, she's still waiting for you, don't delay too much or when you want her back, someone else might have taken her.""You too, Noel?" he asks, disappointed."What do you mean?" the old man asks as he prepares the horse Christian requested."Elmira keeps saying that someone's going to steal her away. I hope she finds a healthy man who loves her like I do and makes her happy! You're right about what you say, Isabella is a good woman, that's why she doesn't deserve to be tied to a blind