CHAPTER 2

A bold step

The following weeks were a blur for Ximena, a whirlwind of lawyers and paperwork and the dissolving of her marriage.

 Miguel, true to his nature, dismissed her threats of divorce as nothing more than an empty bluff. 

He believes Ximena cannot do it without him, hence refusing to finalize the divorce process. Miguel claims spilling now would affect the future they've dreamed of. 

Ximena eventually slows down the divorce process. She resolves that her marriage might still be worth fighting for.

Miguel, seeing she has now given up on it, decided to continue with his ways 

On a certain evening, Ximena walks in on him, speaking on a call. He talked about how he manipulates and uses her, and how she always falls into his traps. 

Ximena waves it off, but Miguel's sister shoves it at her face, calling her a weakling. 

The humiliations became unbearable, and Ximena finalizes the Divorce process. 

Still believing she was just bluffing, Miguel signs the papers and agrees to split.

He was sure she would come back running to him in a few weeks. But he was wrong.

Ximena was not a woman to be underestimated. 

After leaving Miguel, she wasted no time in seizing an opportunity to prove herself. 

She contacted her father who she hadn't been on good terms with, the owner of Antonio Enterprises, a successful business with various branches in different industries.

She asked to meet him in his office. When he agreed, she made her way there with a plan already forming in her mind.

The Antonio Enterprises building was a towering structure of glass and steel, a beacon of wealth and power in the heart of the city. 

Ximena felt a flutter of nerves as she approached the security desk, but she brushed them aside. She was here for a purpose, and she would not let anything stand in her way.

“Mr. Antonio’s daughter,” Ximena introduced herself, her voice steady and confident. “I have an appointment with him.”

The security guard nodded, impressed with her poise. “Of course, Miss Antonio. If you’ll follow me, please.”

Ximena followed the guard to the elevator, taking a moment to compose herself before the doors slid open.

Her father’s office was a sprawling space, with floor-to-ceiling windows offering a panoramic view of the city.

Ximena stepped inside, her eyes taking in the luxurious furnishings and the wall of awards and accolades.

 Her father sat behind a massive oak desk, his grey hair and sharp features instantly recognizable.

“Ximena,” he said, rising to greet her. “It’s good to see you. I can’t believe you finally came to see me after all these years.”

Ximena forced a smile. “Likewise, Father. Thank you for seeing me.”

Her father gestured to a chair, and Ximena sat, crossing her legs and clasping her hands in her lap.

“So,” her father said, leaning back in his chair. 

“What brings you here today? I hope everything is well with you and Miguel?”

Ximena’s smile faltered for a moment, but she recovered quickly. “Actually, Father, that’s what I wanted to talk to you about. Miguel and I have separated.”

Her father’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. “Separated?” he echoed. “Why? What happened?”

Ximena took a deep breath, gathering her thoughts. “It wasn’t working, Father. Miguel and I were never really... compatible. I tried to make it work, for three years I tried. But in the end, it was too much. He never loved me, never even tried to.”

Her father’s expression softened. “Ximena, I’m sorry to hear that. I know you wanted this marriage to succeed.”

Ximena nodded, fighting back a fresh wave of tears. “I did,” she said.

“But now I want something else,” Ximena continued, her voice growing stronger. 

“I want to make my own way in this world, to prove to everyone that I’m more than just a trophy wife. And I think I know how to do it.”

Her father’s interest was piqued. “Go on,” he said, his eyes sharp and calculating.

Ximena leaned forward in her seat, her hands now clasped in front of her. “I want to take over one of the company’s branches.”

“I want to take over one of the company’s branches,” Ximena repeated, her voice firm and confident. 

“I know I don’t have much experience in the business world, but I’m willing to learn. And I think I could bring a fresh perspective to the company.”

Her father nodded, considering her proposal. “Which branch were you thinking of?” he asked.

Ximena had been prepared for this question. “The fashion branch,” she said.

Her father raised an eyebrow. “The fashion branch?” he repeated.

 “That’s a bold choice. What makes you interested in that particular division?”

Ximena smiled, knowing she had him on the hook. 

“Well, I’ve always been interested in fashion,” she said, leaning back in her chair. 

“And I think there are a lot of opportunities to grow the business in that area. Plus, it’s an area that’s traditionally been dominated by men.”

Her father’s expression grew thoughtful as he considered Ximena’s proposal.

 “I have to admit,” he said, “I’m impressed with your ambition. But this is a big undertaking, and it won’t be easy. Are you sure you’re up for the challenge?”

Ximena’s smile widened.

 “I’m more than up for it,” she said, her voice steady and sure. “I’m ready to put in the work, to prove myself.”

“Very well,” her father said, his face breaking into a slow smile. “I think we can give this a try.”

Ximena’s heart leaped. She had done it. She had convinced her father to give her a chance, to let her prove herself.

“Thank you, Father,” she said, her voice catching with emotion.

Her father stood, extending his hand to her. “Welcome to the company, Ximena.

With her father’s blessing, Ximena wasted no time diving into her new role at the company. She immersed herself in the fashion division, learning everything she could about the business and the industry.

Within weeks, she was making waves, bringing fresh ideas and a new energy to the division. 

The employees who had been sceptical of her at first began to see her potential, and the media took notice of the young, ambitious woman at the helm of Antonio Enterprises’ fashion division.

Months passed and Ximena’s success at the company was rapidly growing. She was becoming a force to be reckoned with in the fashion industry, making appearances at runway shows and networking events, her name quickly becoming a brand of its own.

One afternoon, Ximena found herself at the city’s fanciest shopping mall, browsing the latest designer wear and having a well-deserved day of pampering. 

She felt confident, powerful, and ready to conquer whatever challenge came her way.

And that’s when he saw her.