Chapter 43

I woke up because of the noise of my phone. I glanced at the person next to me and Martin still seemed asleep. Furthermore, I smiled and got out of bed to reach for my phone, but I was stopped when I saw a message from an unregistered number.

“Let’s meet at my hut, Miss Ana.”

I glanced at Martin and slowly got up from the bed to grab my robe. And I just replied to Detective agreeing to meet, in case he had further information or evidence that could further incriminate the Villalobos.

I went through my routine and got dressed, in case Martin woke up and found out where I was going. When I came out of the bathroom, I noticed that Martin was still fast asleep, so I quickly grabbed my bag and left the room. And I also noticed that Martin’s whole squad was here.

F·ck. I didn’t know how to get past them, especially since Alexis had the keys to our car.

“Oh, Ana! Good morning!” they greeted me with a smile. Paris pulled me to the dining area to eat. I sighed in relief, hoping they wouldn’t notice my departure.

“What did you and Martin do last night?”

I choked on Arielle’s question. Damn it. They didn’t hear the commotion we caused to, right? My room is soundproof.

“We slept?”

Arielle and Paris raised their eyebrows, so I just looked away and continued eating.

“We actually slept. We also talked about my plans. That’s all,” I said to them. The two women nodded as if they didn't believe what I was saying.

What do they want? Should I tell them about what we did last night from the beginning? Seriously?

“Ana, why are you dressed up so nicely? Are you going somewhere?”

I suddenly jumped from my seat and coughed slightly because of Max’s sudden appearance beside me. Here he is again, as if burying me with his looks. TSK.

“N-nothing! Is it wrong to dress nicely?!? I asked irritably.

He just grinned and didn’t say anything because I’m sure he didn’t understand what I said. TCH. He’s going to the Philippines without even bothering to learn how to speak Tagalog, TSK.

I’m so annoyed eating because I feel uncomfortable with Max’s looks, as if he’s about to make me confess that I really have somewhere to go. Damn it.

Why hasn’t he gone back to Spain yet?

I also feel like Rio is not the only reason he's here, there's a deeper reason. He’s just quiet, but I know he’s also sensing something. I probably need to be careful around him because I don’t trust him.

I just sighed heavily and stood up, causing everyone to look at me.

“Ah… I want to go to the factory,” I said with a smile. They also stood up, which puzzled me.

“We’ll accompany you—”

“NO!”

They were surprised, so I just coughed and shook my head at them. “I would like to be alone. It’s better if you stay here at the hacienda to watch over the surroundings because the Villalobos might have another plan against me and Martin,” I said seriously as I grabbed my bag to leave, but I looked back at them. “Tell him, I’ll be back.”

I just smiled at them and headed straight outside, clutching my chest because I felt like I might have a heart attack due to the nervousness that they might be noticing my actions.

They couldn’t know where I was going. It’s better if I face Detective Paul alone, I also have questions for him about Lady Stella’s diary that I haven’t been able to read it because I’ve been getting busier.

Levi is too much of an obstacle and is trying to force me to leave. TSK.

I approached Alexis who was cleaning Martin’s car.

“Alexis.”

He turned to me and his eyes widened when he saw me, so he stopped cleaning just to face me.

“Lady!”

I glanced at my car and looked at Alexis.

“My car keys? I’m going to the factory,” I said. He scratched his head and smiled.

“Ah, young master closed the factory for now, Lady Ana.”

I stopped and just stared at Alexis.

If Martin closed it for now… So… Does Paris know about that? Oh, I’m doomed.

I looked back at the Hacienda and faced Alexis again, clenching my fist. “I’m sorry…” I whispered, and I punched Alexis in the stomach, catching her off guard. I then took the syringe from my bag and injected it into her neck. “I have to do this,” I whispered again to the unconscious Alexis.

I pulled her to sit properly on the chair and grabbed the keys to my car because I knew Detective was waiting.

I glanced back at Alexis and tapped her on the shoulder before finally getting into my car. My men opened the gates for me, so I easily sped off towards my meeting place with Detective.

I took a deep breath and tightened my grip on the steering wheel before stepping on the gas.

All my questions will be answered. Everything will be revealed. But will I be able to handle it all once I hear the truth?

Fuck. I need to stand by my decision, regardless of what I find out, I will accept it. This is the only way for me to finally bring down the Villalobos. I’m not done with my revenge yet, my story is far from over.

I won’t let Levi outsmart me in this fight. I won’t be defeated by them, and I have more cards to play against him.

Even if it comes to a fight to the death, I will emerge victorious.

***

“What happened to her? Doesn’t she know that Martin closed the factory?” Paris asked confused.

They all shrugged their shoulders, puzzled by Ana’s behavior earlier. It seemed like she was acting entirely different from her usual self.

“With all the things on Ana’s mind, maybe Martin didn’t tell her about it. I’m worried, I feel like something bad might happen,” Arielle expressed her concern for Ana.

“Let her be. She has her reasons. I’m not sure what you’re talking about, but your reaction tells me it’s all about her.”

They turned to Maximiliano, who seemed unfazed by what was happening to Ana. Before they could speak, they heard Martin’s voice, causing them to look up towards the stairs.

“Where is she?”

They exchanged looks, unsure of how to respond. They also noticed that Martin had just woken up, still in his robe and with messy hair.

Paris stood up to be the one to talk to Martin. “She’s going to the factory. Didn’t you close it? Didn’t you tell her?”

Martin furrowed his brow and went downstairs to call Ana, but she wasn’t answering his calls.

“Ana said she’ll be back soon,” Paris reiterated.

Martin paused and nodded, knowing Ana wouldn’t do anything to harm herself.

“Don Martin! Don Martin!”

They turned to the housekeeper at the hacienda.

“I saw Alexis unconscious!”

Martin’s brow furrowed as he followed their housekeeper, rushing back to where Alexis was sitting.

“What happened?”

The housekeeper lowered her head.

“He was just cleaning the car earlier, and I was about to bring his food, but I saw him unconscious.” The housekeeper’s voice trembled, and Martin approached Alexis to try to wake her up, but he struggled to do so.

“Ana’s car is missing!”

Martin looked towards the parking area where Ana’s car should have been, but it was gone. He sighed and ran his hand through his hair, realizing that Ana had escaped again.

“Damn. Where the hell are you?”

***

ANA’s POV

I bit my lip as I noticed Martin had been calling me earlier, but I had no intention of answering because I knew he had found out about my escape.

Sorry, I just need to go somewhere.

I was close to Detective’s hut when I noticed a car parked right in front of it.

Damn it. Levi’s men!

He still hadn’t stopped bothering Detective until they could confirm whether the old man was really crazy or just pretending.

I backed up the car to avoid being noticed. I was startled when I saw the number Detective used to contact me calling.

“Sorry, Ana. It seems Levi’s men are still watching me. Let’s change the location. Let’s meet at the largest hill in San Alfonso. You know where that is, right? I’ll wait for you.”

I hung up the call and turned off my phone, knowing Martin would keep calling and might ruin my meeting with the Detective. I sped away from the area, noticing Levi’s men might be following me, so I drove faster to try to lose them.

Damn you, Levi. You never stop, do you!

I grabbed my other phone, the one I used to

contact Tyron.

(“Yo, pretty lady.”)

“Fuck you!”

(“Ana? Sorry! I haven’t slept yet. What can I do for you?”)

Damn.

“Levi’s men are after me. Block their path.”

(“What? Wait. Where are you?”)

I sighed as Tyron seemed to be still tired.

“Just do it. I have somewhere to go. If

Martin asks you, say we’re not talking. I’ll call you when I gather more evidence against them.”

I heard him sigh.

“You need to know something too.”

I froze, but he had already hung up, so I threw my phone and hurried to escape Levi's men.

You’re really cunning, Levi. You can’t fool me. Furthermore, you’re such an idiot.

I checked if they were still following me, but I couldn’t see their cars anymore. It seemed Tyron had followed my orders quickly. It was not my intention to bother him, but I had to. Levi was too annoying in my plans.

I reached the entrance of Hacienda Montes and parked my car properly before getting out. I saw Detective waiting for me, as if he had been waiting for me for a while.

“Detective.”

He just smiled, and we both walked up the steep hill. No one spoke, so I glanced at Detective, who seemed lost in thought. I knew he had something important to tell me, and I was anxious.

“Ana, whatever you find out and whatever you decide to do after I tell you everything, I’ll support you in your choices,” he suddenly said out of nowhere…

I just closed my mouth, feeling nervous about what I would learn. I took a deep breath and sighed. I had nothing to fear about what might happen. I was ready for everything.

There’s no turning back now.