Chapter 16
THIRD POV
Ana traveled overseas for several months for her plan. She gained international recognition through her company, and plenty offered to invest, but she only chose a few partners.
“Ms. President.”
Ana lifted her sleeping mask, but when the sun’s rays struck her face, she closed her eyes.
“We are now in the Philippines, Ms. President.”
Before her secretary assisted her off the plane, she smiled and stretched her arms. But it surprised her that so many reporters were waiting for her.
“If I was still an ordinary person, there wouldn’t be cameras or reporters waiting for me like this,” she joked as she grabbed her suitcase.
“How will they react when they see me?” she wondered as she raised her gaze to the sky. “Perhaps it’s like seeing a ghost… Oh, it’s not like that because I am a ghost to them. Exciting, isn’t it, Cullen?” she asked her secretary, who nodded and just grinned at her before bowing and assisting her inside the airport.
They even came to a halt because a group of media hailed them. She also put on her sunglasses in case they recognized her.
“Ms. Mystica!”
“Ms. Mystica!”
“Ms. Mystica, what do you have to say about the return of the Philippines?”
Ana raised her lips and turned to face the media.
“It’s good to be back…” she stated to the press, smiling. Her voice astounded the reporters because they had only heard her speak once.
“Your life is good in another country; why did you return to the Philippines? Did you return something?”
Ana bit her lip as she heard the reporter's queries, so she focused on the cameras in front of her.
“I may have returned to someone, and those are the people who were a part of my past.”
Ana smiled at the camera and walked away, saying nothing, although the media was still after them. Their staff were all blocking her so that she didn't get hurt because there were so many reporters who wanted to speak with her.
Alexis, Martin’s right hand, greeted them and opened the car door for her.
“Lady Ana, Don Martin is waiting for you at the Hacienda de Monticello.”
She nodded to Alexis, and they assisted her in getting into the car, where Martin’s men picked her up and drove her back to the hacienda. Even though she was inside the car, there was still a lot of media blocking her path, so they took their time returning to San Alfonso.
“Do you want to go somewhere, young lady?”
She blinked and smiled as she looked at her driver.
She just leaned back and said, “In the cemetery.” Because she only needs someone to pay her a visit before making all of her preparations.
***
ANA’s POV
I was gone for a year. Since then, nothing has changed. And now I return.
This place brought back many memories for me. I assumed that my life with Mateo would be glad, but I was mistaken because that caused my death.
They are right; repentance comes last. If I had left Mateo right then, my fate might not have turned out this way, but that’s good since I met the people I should have trusted.
People who support me in whatever I do and will continue to do so in my second life in impeaching those in power who are greedy. They will fall apart and I will be the reason. I’ll never forget what it was like to live with the people who murdered me.
I returned to the Villalobos, and I shall likewise return to them what I experienced, and I will not let them forget the past.
“We’re here, Ms. President.”
I looked outside the cemetery and adjusted my sunglasses. But before I went down, I asked Alexis, “Did you make sure that no one else was visiting the cemetery except me?”
He gave a nod. “I’ve already told the guard that they won’t let anyone in.”
I nodded to him, and he assisted me in getting out of the car, but as I felt the breeze, I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.
Since marrying Mateo, I haven't been able to visit them for a while, but it's not because I'm too busy planning. I believed the wrong person because they tricked me into believing lies.
Clenching my fists, I made my way to my parents' grave to express gratitude for the wonderful life they gave me. I placed the flowers I had purchased on their tombstone and lit the candle. I’ve prayed for them, hoping they’ll forgive me for what I’ve done.
“Thank you for everything, mom, and dad; I love you,” I said as I stood up and fixed my clothes before returning to the car. “Let’s go back home to San Alfonso.”
Alexis nodded and began driving. Before leaving my parents’ grave, I took one last look.
We had a few hours to drive until we arrived at the San Alfonso.
“Welcome back, Ana,” I said as I gazed out the window.
Finally, I can carry out the plan I’ve been working on for a long time.
When we got to town, many people were preparing the bandits, and they all seemed to enjoy themselves.
“Fiesta of San Alfonso,”
I nodded and just stared out the window at people who were looking at my car, almost confused by the luxury car moving through their town. We also saw Villalobos supporters who appeared to be waiting in the municipality.
“TSK. Poor people who believe in cruel people in power.” I shook my head and said to myself as I watched them spend time in the sun while waiting for their mayor.
“All those people support the Villalobos. But the others disagree with Don Levy because they prefer the Monticello to rule their town,” Alexis explained. “It’s just sad because the former Don has died, where some farmers are living under Don Martinez.” he sighed.
“Don Martinez provided support, but when he passed away, Don Levy took his place and Monticello supporters had no power left.”
Because the Villalobos were greedy with other people’s funds, my fist clenched.
“They were only relief when Don Martin returned to continue his father’s desire and reclaimed the land from the government. As an heir, fought for the rights of their people.”
I agreed, and it impressed me because he battled for his hometown to fulfill his father’s wishes.
“Why didn’t Martin run for mayor?” I asked. Alexis glanced at me.
“I can’t answer that because Don Martin has a deep reason for not running for mayor of San Alfonso.”
When I looked out the window, I noticed the farmers’ land where they were working.
“We’ve arrived at the Monticello estate.”
When I spotted the Monticello sign, I peeked out the window. I didn’t know Martin’s property was so vast. Because of what happened, I only got a glimpse of it now.
“All of that land you see belongs to the Monticello.”
Alexis showed me around Monticello. It surprises me because I can’t imagine Martin handling such massive acreage, especially since he is Don Martinez’s only child.
“This is the land where rice is harvested.”
I smiled because Martin’s employees are all diligent workers. Who wouldn’t want to work hard if Martin ran the hacienda well? Hmm, if I am one of his employees, I will work hard as well because my prospective boss is both kind and attractive—Gosh! Ana, what are you thinking? Shame!
“There is a coffee factory right here.”
Because they seemed to know where we were going, everyone who saw our car bowed and saluted.
“This is the place where the chocolate factory is.”
What he said surprised me. Is Don Martin a fan of sweets? I think he enjoys being bitter, since his attitude is unpleasant. TCH. I’m not sure where he got his genes from.
“He should have had a bitter gourd factory because he has a bitter attitude,” I whispered, cringed because I imagined Martin’s face looking much worse.
Alexis chuckled and shook his head. “He only built a chocolate factory five years ago because he said he was only fulfilling a promise he made when he was young.”
I came to a halt and looked at Alexis.
“Eh?” He nodded and smiled. These things were just mentioned to me… Because of what I had heard, I pressed my lips together and smiled. I didn’t think Martin was so nice. His childhood sweetheart is fortunate.
When I spotted the broad open ground that appeared to be… “Racing ground?”
It’s like if I’m only seeing this place in a movie. I don’t believe Martin has it. Hmm… I’m not certain why, but I have a crush on him… He’s cool since he owns a racetrack, he, he-he.
“Don Martin likes to race with his friends.”
I remembered them betting on who would beat Martin in racing, now making sense to me.
“And on the other side is the Monticello Falls, where you can bathe for free.”
I also spotted Martin’s people on horses.
“Because the road is too rocky for a car, you must ride a horse; the Monticello also has a stable for their horses.”
I smirked at him as my eyes widened. I felt like I was trying to ride a horse, so I stepped forward to speak with Alexis.
“Can you take me there?” I asked, smiling. He wasn’t expecting it and made a move away.
“A-Are you sure? Don Martin is waiting for you at the mansion.”
I shook my head at him and looked at my watch, saying, “There are five minutes left, so let’s take a moment.” I persisted, but his phone suddenly rang, so Alexis and I nodded at each other and I urged him to answer the call.
“Yes! I’m sorry, Don Martin, but Lady Ana still wants to see the stable-—Yes? All right. We are on our way there.” He hung off, and Alexis put a cellphone in her pocket before turning to face me.
“He said we needed to go to the hacienda because he needed to say something important,” he said as he started the engine. I leaned forward, my arms folded.
Martin is quite irritable. TSK.
When we got to the mansion, they opened a gate for us. Many of Martin’s employees are already awaiting our arrival. I just saw that the mansion has grown since my last visit, which is not a good sign.
Our car came to a stop in front of the mansion’s front entrance. Alexis was the first to come out of the car and open the door for me. Some of their employees and assistants greeted us.
“Welcome back, Lady!”
Before approaching the door, I nodded and took a big breath.
“Miss, I’m Theresa, the mansion’s butler,” the old woman introduced herself and bowed in front of me.
I sighed and grabbed her shoulder to keep her from bowing in front of me. I’m also not used to having an older person bow in front of me; it makes me feel as if they’re my mother.
“You don’t have to bow in front of me any longer; just call me Ana,” I added, smiling. Her eyes widened, and she looked at me as if she’d seen a ghost.
“A-Ana? Ana Bernardino? The one who was found dead back then?” she asked, surprised. I stroked her shoulder and smiled.
“No, my name is Ana Mystica.” I offered my hand, and she stared at it, but I just smiled, so she grabbed my hand.
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry because the person found dead had the same name as you,” she said, but I could tell it embarrassed her.
I just smiled and touched her on the shoulder before proceeding into the mansion.
“Ramil, take Lady Ana’s belongings from the car,” Alexis said to his colleague, who right away followed.
“Lady Ana is back!”
I smiled at them and looked around the mansion, since there seemed to be a slight shift, as if there were more items than before. Don Martin didn’t even seem to move an enormous picture of a woman who resembled me.
“Welcome home, Ana.”
I turned to face Martin, who was standing at the top of the stairs. Martin’s charisma drew me in, and I couldn’t take my eyes off him. We didn’t see each other for a few days because he was the one who came home first to greet my return.
“Are you ready to introduce yourself to all of San Alfonso as Ana Mystica?” I blinked and shook my head before taking a deep breath.
“I’ve been preparing everything for a long time, Don Martin, and now it’s time…” It is now time to torture them. They will feel the pain of my vengeance.
