Chapter 17

CHLOE’s POV

“Sir Mateo! You’re back!”

“Sir Mateo, how is life in Manila?”

“Are you going to run for mayor, Sir Mateo?”

When I arrived at the Villalobos mansion, I instantly winced at the sight of people holding and hugging my husband.

Have they properly cleansed their hands? They still smell strongly of sweat. Disgusting! I just gripped my child’s hand tighter because they had germs.

“Welcome back, Mrs. Chloe!”

When they neared, I winced.

“She has such a beautiful skin!”

“What else would you expect from a rich girl who may inject her skin?”

I came to a halt because they were making fun of my skin tone. I approached the hacienda’s two staff members.

“What did you say?” I asked, raising an eyebrow at them. They were in a panic because they appeared to be terrified of me and bowed down in front of me.

“I-I’m so sorry, Mrs. Chloe.”

I only winced and rolled my eyes at them before clinging to Mateo and entering the mansion. When we walked inside, I grabbed some alcohol, since they might have germs.

When I think about their sweat, what comes to mind? Gosh! I’m tempted to puke! What gives them the right to touch me? Don’t they realize I’m allergic to impoverished people? Gosh! We recently returned from San Alfonso, but they are bothering me, TSK!

“Ahh! That’s really disgusting! Ya! Get ready for my bath!” I shouted as I sat down on the sofa.

“Yes, Mrs. Chloe!”

I came to a halt because she refused to leave, so I became enraged and looked at her.

“What else are you fooling around here? Hurry because I smell like the sun!” I yelled at their maid. Her eyes widened, and she ran to Mateo’s room to start my bath.

They took our belongings while the other maid was nervous, so I grinned.

That is as it should be because people like them are nothing more than servants.

“Chloe!”

When I saw Mateo standing in front of me, I sat up. When I saw his frigid eyes, I gulped as if it were my fault.

“I don’t like what you did to our staff earlier!” he shouted irritably. My eyes widened, and I arose up from my seat since it appeared I was to blame.

“So I’m willing to be told that I’m injecting my skin?!”

He just stared at me blankly and pointed to my forehead.

“Why not? What a shame you did!” he shouted, staring at me. But I will not let him shame me here.

“Shame? They’re even more embarrassing! What right do they have to touch and hug their bosses? They’re just slaves here at the hacienda!” I yelled at him, letting him know I wasn’t happy with what he was doing to me.

When I saw his frown, I stopped protesting. Because of his lethal stare, I swallowed.

“They are not just slaves because they work to make this hacienda exquisite,” Mateo said, clenching his fist and looking at me again. “You are unfit to be my first lady if you treat our constituents like that; if you don’t like it, go back to Manila and be proud of your family’s wealth,” he stated. “It’s better for me that you’re not here because I only hear complaints from you.”

He gave me one more ruthless glance before leaving the mansion, but I still pursued him.

“M-Mateo.” I shouted, but he didn’t respond, so I stomped on the floor.

I tightened my fists and stared at them as I heard their maid whispering about me.

“What are you looking at? Go back to work!” I shouted. They were frightened and returned to work.

“M-Mrs. Chloe, y-your bath is ready—”

“Ugh!” I grumbled as I walked up to my husband's room, bumping into the maid in displeasure.

Annoying! He prefers those in need over his wife. Damn it!

“M-Mom…”

I took a deep breath and just smiled at our son, who was terrified to approach me. “Come here,” I said, motioning for him to approach me, and I hugged him because he was the only one who could soothe my feelings and relieve my anger. “Son, remember not to play with those dirty kids out there because you are their boss, okay?” I told him, and he nodded.

A slave is a slave. The boss is in command.

We are the boss, and they must act according to their current situation. TSK.

***

The night has arrived for the fiesta to be held here in San Alfonso. Business leaders, politicians, and VIPs are attending tonight.

When I saw myself in the mirror, I grinned because I knew I was going to shine tonight. They will look up to me because I am the queen.

“Are you done?” Mateo questioned impatiently, and I put on lipstick again to make myself appear better than the rest of them.

I smiled and turned to face my husband, who looked handsome in his suit. “Yes, I’m done!”

He arched an eyebrow and gave me a cruel look, which took away my smile because he didn’t even appreciate my clothes. He didn’t even notice how I looked today.

“TSK, hurry! This isn’t Manila, so fix yourself,” he said as he exited our room. I tightened my fists and gazed at myself in the mirror.

Didn’t he tell me I was wearing a glorious dress? Mateo, you’re a jerk! How long can I rely on you?

I took a long breath and relaxed myself, not wanting to ruin my night.

I whispered, “Calm down, Chloe. Just let it go because it might ruin the night.”

I fixed myself up again and ignored Mateo’s impatient look. After I left the room, I heard Mateo yell..

“Damn it, Chloe! You fixed it in an hour! I told you this wasn’t Manila!”

I tightened my hands and bit my lip. We cannot argue with in front of our son because he might learn about our complicated relationship with his father.

A helper who had come to a halt in front of us.

“Sir Mateo, someone has left a flower in front of the gate.”

I looked at a floral bouquet. Who would leave flowers? I wondered?

The strong fragrance of the flower almost made me puke as she handed it to Mateo. F-ck!

“What is that?!” I yelled, covering my nose since the fragrance was so awful, it smelled like the flower was rotting. “Keep that away from me! Gosh!” I yelled at the stench.

The card took aback Mateo in the flower, so my brow furrowed even more. What is going on with him?

“Mateo!” I yelled. He turned to face her, but his face became blank, and he handed the flower back to the servant.

“Please throw off the flower,” he said as he exited the house. Mateo caught my eye, since he appeared to have seen a ghost when he read the contents of the card.

I took the card from the helper and began reading it. “What’s going on with Mateo? TSK.” I mumbled as I read the contents, then my eyes widened, and I dropped the card because of the message.

I can’t be mistaken… Ana’s handwriting was on the card. In surprise, I saw my hands shaking.

Ana is gone… How could that possibly be her handwriting? This cannot be.

“I’m back from the pit. Congratulations on cheating on me, so here’s a pungent flower for you. Mateo and Chloe, did you miss me?”

I turned to the maid who was reading what was written on the card and grabbed it from her, tore the card, and confronted the assistant angrily.

“Don’t accept it unless you know who gave it! Is that clear?”

She nodded, so I bumped into her before getting into Mateo’s car. It’s a fake. Someone is just scaring us with Ana’s handwriting. I just want to know who that person is because I’m not sure what I can do with him.

Ana, you’re gone. Why are you still messing around?

***

ANA’s POV

“The Villalobos have returned to their hacienda to attend the fiesta.”

Before I motioned Paris to come inside, I halted my stylist and let her out of my room.

“Are you sure you want to face them now? You’ll just be wasting your time,” she added as she grabbed my shoulder and led me to the mirror. “Let Martin go to the fiesta first; he hasn’t been here in a long time,” she continued. I smiled and leaned back in my chair.

“I will not waste any more time, Paris; I want to see their reaction when they see the woman who has been dead for a long time,” I said as I turned to face her. “But first, I’d like to send Mateo and Chloe a flower bouquet.”

She grimaced and took a seat at my table. “Flowers for what? They’re not special guests, TSK.”

I chuckled and shook my head. “I’ll hand them a rotten and pungent flower, and I’ll write on the card, so they’ll go baffling wondering who gave it to them,” I continued, holding my lips since Chloe may be furious if she saw my handwriting.

“That’s a good idea! I’m sure that Chloe will be furious! I can’t wait to see her!” she said, tapping me on the shoulder. “I’ll prepare it right now; good luck,” she said as she kissed my cheek before leaving my room.

I looked in the mirror again and crossed my legs, as I, too, was excited by their reaction.

“Mateo and Chloe, you were my very first prey.”