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 tomorI 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
I know that right now my friend's imagination is running wild imagining a thousand scenarios. I'm not going to deny it, I'm also very impressed with my boss's story."Yes, he says he saved a child who ran into the street and got hit by a car. He was in a coma for a year! When he woke up, he couldn't remember anyone. Not even his family! He recognises them from photos but has no recollection of his life with them before the accident," I reveal, still shocked by this terrifying revelation."Terrible!" She exclaims. "I can't imagine living without any memories!""That's why I can't abandon him. Even though I have to face Luis every day. But I don't want Grandpa to find out. Because I suspect the bankruptcy my boss mentioned relates to the transport company Luis's parents' business. It is my grandfather's work" It's true, I believe it. I remember how furious he was when he saw my face all bruised from the blows Luis had given me.Although I didn't a
I can see that Marta is really happy about her achievement. She immediately informs me that the job is with a French company. The same one we were looking at yesterday and she asked me to help her translate the ad into French."Of course. What happened? Is that the one? What role is it for?" I fill her with questions, happy for her, and at the same time worried that she's been cheated. I should have gone with her, I think."An Illustrator! Can you believe it?" she exclaims, brimming with excitement. "This company specialises in marketing. They are expanding to France and needed a native French speaker. And who is a native of France? Me! Ha, ha, ha... I called them, and they immediately invited me for an interview. Grandpa drove me there, and they accepted me on the spot when they learned about my work experience and qualifications."I can't believe she was so lucky. We hugged each other jumping up and down and laughing happily that she was accepted into a
I walked away, glancing at Isabella in the rearview mirror as she watched me depart. That girl is perceptive, opening up to me like that. So, a wild night? She doesn't strike me as the type to have a fling with a stranger. She mentioned she's not married; what led her to make such a decision? "A night of recklessness and madness." Those were her words.I continued towards my house on the outskirts. As I passed the doorman, he informed me of a visitor. Who could it be? Two cars were parked in my driveway; one I recognised as my parents'. The other remained a mystery. Resigned, I anticipated another challenging encounter with them.Unlocking the door with my keys, I headed towards the voices coming from the terrace adjacent to the dining room. My tension spiked when I identified the guests. It was my parents, accompanied by Adele, who approached me eagerly, attempting a kiss as a greeting. I sidestepped her advance, avoiding her attempt to cling to my arm.
I look around the room at the faces of my family. They all look so worried and concerned. I know they want to help me, but I don't think they can. This is something I have to figure out on my own."Don't behave like that, Rafael," My father interjected and spoke to Adele's father. "Let's give it a bit more time, as they agreed. We can continue working together as before. You need to understand.""I won't let my daughter linger without hope any longer. If Christian don't make a decision within a year, I'll consider the engagement terminated. Come, Adele." He says firmly.I smiled openly, it's just what I wanted to hear. I am determined to end this farce and the persecution they have with me to force me to declare Adele my fiancée, so hearing her father say that I immediately added."The engagement is over; there's no need to wait a year, Mr. Rafael," I asserted firmly and assuredly to dispel any doubts. "Adele is free to pursue any relationship
"Alright, let's put an end to this," Dad interjected, gesturing for Mum to cease speaking. "But son, you're excelling in your company, which suggests you could return to ours and even assume control alongside your sister.""Dad, that's not on the cards for now." I rush to stop him in his attempt to get me to return to work for him."Son, you need to come back to your family, to your life." He insists, I know he's saying it because he thinks it's best for me, but I refuse."I'll only do so when I feel the time is right, not now, alright?” I answer and change the subject immediately. “ How long do you plan to stay here?""One week. Don't fret, we won't encroach on your space; we'll lodge in a hotel in the city centre. This place is too far. Have you considered purchasing a flat closer to your workplace?" My father again wants to interfere as usual in my decisions."I like it here. The commute doesn't bother me. It feels familiar, and I enjoy the drive each day." I explain, trying to mak
Afterwards, she followed Susan abroad. She made her suffer as much as she wanted, taking revenge for Santiago's rejection. She managed to hide her well throughout the pregnancy. She claimed to be a surrogate mother, then staged the whole suicide spectacle, and the rest was easy. The hospital where she had Susan confined, apart from not knowing her real name and origin, was full of heartless people. When she returned, she was carrying Isabella in her arms.She had made her friend believe that the child was stillborn. Susan suffered a nervous breakdown, but she made sure it worsened by swapping her pills for ones that caused hallucinations. Susan was admitted to a psychiatric hospital. Eva ensured, by paying a doctor, that she would never be released and would remain ill. She visited annually to pay the doctor and make certain they wouldn't let her out.Old man Sardino never liked her from the first time he saw her. He accepted her after the paternity test proved Isabe
She took another long sip from the wine glass in her hand, emptying it, and refilled it as she reclined, inexplicably recalling her life. Was it because she had managed to acquire her parents' house when they first came to her for help? It was the only thing left of their entire fortune.At fifteen, her parents went bankrupt as the debts she had caused them to incur were too much for mere merchants. They weren't millionaires, but they had a good life. She had everything she wanted, everything! If they didn't buy it willingly, she'd get it herself, pawning or selling anything she could behind their backs. All that mattered was maintaining her status among the high society crowd.Her best friend, silly Susan, as she called her. After Eva put on quite a performance about her parents abandoning her on the street and disappearing with all their wealth. She played the part well, even saying she'd decided to end her life.She knew Susan would immediately take pit
He stood up, fetched her a glass of water, and made sure she drank it all. Then, he sat beside her and embraced her tightly, still without saying a word. Only when he felt her relax did he speak."Isa, you're not to blame for any of this. It was they who did this and killed your parents. As Rodrigo told you, how could you have known they were planning to plant a bomb on your parents' yacht to murder them and take everything?" Santiago tried to make her understand and stop crying and feeling guilty. "It's true that you should have told me from the beginning so I'd know what to expect, but I still understand your situation."Santiago paused, seeing that Marta was crying more, and embraced her affectionately again. Then, wiping away her tears, he told her that regarding taking advantage of Isabella, he didn't believe that was the case. She was the sister that Bella needed to move forward in Paris. Despite being with her grandparents, they were often absent due to Tania's illn
At this moment, Santiago didn't know what to think. He trusted Humberto implicitly and knew that what he was saying was true. Humberto had lost his daughter to enemies and had since lived solely for Isabella. But how had Isabella become pregnant if she hadn't been assaulted?"Were you, by any chance, in the operating theatre or the recovery room?" Santiago asked hopefully."No," Humberto answered thoughtfully.Santiago sighed, feeling a great pain in his chest. "Do you think it could have happened there?""That would be the only place where they could have done it to her, but she was in a terrible state at that time. I don't think they would have been capable of doing it with so many people around," Humberto said, visibly affected. "But I'll find out, I assure you, sir. If anyone touched young Isabella, I'll kill them, no matter who they are.""Are you certain no one could have done it later in her room?" Santiago repeated the question.Humberto s
Santiago stood for a moment looking at his security guard in whom he trusted more than himself in the care of his daughter. That was why he measured the way he spoke to Humberto, because he knew he had done an excellent job."Humberto, ever since Eva appeared with my daughter, I entrusted you with her care. I asked you to look after her as if she were your own," Santiago began, his tone uncharacteristically serious. "Before you even consider deceiving me or lying about what I'm about to ask, I warn you that I know my daughter's entire story. That's why I need you to be honest and tell me the truth. I know you're loyal to her and her alone, and I'm grateful for that. But something has happened to Isabella, and I need you to be truthful with me.""What's happened to young Isabella?" Humberto asked, concern evident in his voice."First, you'll answer my questions before I answer yours," Santiago interjected. "Did you know that Luis had beaten her?""Yes," Humb
Eva leant forward and took the floor, proceeding to explain that Mrs Thompson was the sole heiress of a very powerful family involved in the alcoholic beverage industry. After marrying Thompson and inheriting everything, all the factories and businesses of that family ceased to exist. Some were dismantled or repurposed, and most were sold off."Many rumours suggested that Mr Thompson forced his wife to sell her entire inheritance to advance his own company," Eva continued, "but no one knows for certain what happened to the enormous sum of money she possessed and the proceeds from the sale of all her assets. You might find something there."Néstor remained pensive until he finally decided to investigate the matter. He also agreed that Eva and Oswaldo should leave for another country, as his father was already protesting about keeping them there."Very well," Néstor said, nodding thoughtfully. "I'll look into this. As for you two, make arrangements t
Eva glared at him with murderous intent, but Oswaldo had long since stopped minding what he said to her. He continued, unfazed by Eva's furious gaze."That drug you were giving him was truly potent. Your plan worked out well, but you failed to make the most of it. You devoted yourself to living the high life—well, to be honest, we both lived the high life on your husband's money—instead of squirrelling away funds in an account for when he'd leave you penniless, as he has now. Because I'm certain you knew your relationship with him had an expiration date."Eva remained silent for a moment after Oswaldo finished. Then she took the bottle, poured herself a glass, and topped up Oswaldo's. They both sat down again, with Oswaldo watching her contentedly."You know what? I'll give you that," Eva agreed, to Oswaldo's surprise as he peered at her through the smoke of his cigar. "Though I must confess, I thought I had a few more years before he'd wake up. When
The employee hesitated for a moment, gathering his thoughts before continuing with his report. He knew that every detail could be crucial in his boss's schemes."After he and his sister returned from studying abroad, Christian devoted himself to travelling between his city and the one where they now live, always pursuing his current wife. He would stay at the same hotel, Le Méridien, have one or two drinks, and then disappear. He was always accompanied by his bodyguards.""Blast it! There must be something we can use to trick him," Néstor exclaimed. "Call Eva; she's bound to know some weakness in that family. As for Susan, no one has paid much attention to that, since she herself went on television saying those rumours were false, that she was never kidnapped by the Thompsons and the Sardinos, and that she would soon marry Santiago. She looked happy with her grandchildren."While they were discussing in the office, Eva, in her room with Oswaldo, couldn
Santiago looked at Christian with a mixture of confusion and disbelief, waiting for an explanation."Because in trying to deceive my parents, I deceived myself," Christian answered honestly."What do you mean?" Santiago continued to question him, unable to believe what he was hearing."The paternity tests I had done were with hair from my sister and me. She helped me to avoid marrying Adele, and we managed to fool my parents," Christian explained, smiling as he realised he only needed to do tests with Lucas and Lucia."This is unheard of, absolutely unheard of!" Santiago exclaimed, and then immediately asked, "Are you telling me that all this time you've believed your children weren't yours, and Isabella still thinks that?""Not just her, her parents too," Christian revealed, causing his father-in-law to look at him uncomprehendingly."My parents? What do you mean?" Santiago asked, though he suspected the answer."Grandfather came up with the idea