CHAPTER 2

A girl is running in a field of lilies, laughing as her parents run after her calling her name. She giggles as her father grabs her and they share a family hug.

Ivy snaps out of her thoughts as she feels a pat on her shoulder. Looking up, she sees a beautiful woman with an innocent smile looking at her. She smiles back genuinely and invites the woman to sit which she did.

Ivy: How may I help you?

Lady: Actually, I just felt like talking to you seeing you all lost. I'm Romina Mondragon by the way, wife of Robert Mondragon.

Ivy: I'm Ivy, Daughter of Romina Aguas.

Romina:How delightful, I share a name with your mother.

Ivy: And a face too. To be honest, you have the same innocence radiating from your eyes.

Romina: Wow, I'll really love to see your mother.

Ivy turns to look at the other side while murmuring.

Romina: Sorry I didn't get you.

Ivy: oh I was just irritated by how loud the music is.

Romina: Sorry, I can't hear the music. I'm deaf.

Ivy looks at her shocked but composes herself.

Ivy: Sorry, I didn't know. What actually happened?

Romina: I was involved in an accident twelve years ago.

Ivy:Oh okay.

The two talked all night long and exchanged numbers when Ivy decided to leave.

Emelia smashes a vase on hearing Romina Mondragon and Ivy Aguas spent the whole night together. Arnaldo and Rahul just look at her with a what is wrong with you look.

Emelia: We need to gain Ivy's attention. We can't allow the Mondragons to snatch her.

Arnaldo: But you wanted us to collaborate with the Mondragons.

Emelia: Ivy is a bigger catch. Arnaldo, I want both you and Diego to try your luck with her. We need to get her on our side.

Emelia dismisses them but Diego stays behind.

Diego: Why are you doing this mom? We can leave all these behind and start our lives afresh without worrying about the police.

Emelia: Diego, I promised my father to continue his journey and I don't want to break that promise.

Diego: Oh mom, I hope you don't loose yourself more than you've already have in this game.

Diego leaves as Emelia huffs and sits on her chair. Taking her phone out, she makes a call.

Ivy was having her breakfast when a guard walks to the table.

Guard:Miss, Mrs Mondragon is here to see you.

Ivy: Let her in.

The guard leaves and Romina enters moments later. Ivy hugs Romina on seeing her.

Ivy:Join me for breakfast.

Romina: Sure, I'm starving.

Romina sits opposite Ivy and they eat while talking happily. After breakfast, Romina decides to show Ivy around.

As they took a stroll in Ivy's car, Ivy couldn't help but notice Diego standing with a lady with a baby bump.

Romina:I like spending time with you.

Ivy:How so?

Romina:At home, I'm always watched and I'm not allowed to do things on my own. With you, you treat me like a normal person.

Ivy: There's so much emotion in you Romina, and I just wanna get it all out. I want to be able to connect with you more and know you more.

Romina:Me too.

Ivy drops Romina home and escorts her inside. Politely greeting Robert, she leaves for her house.

On reaching her house, she looked around confused as the house was in total darkness. Before she could wonder more, the lights come back on and in front of her stood her mother and sister.

Ivy: What the fuck are you guys doing here.

Ava: You don't seem happy to see us.

Ivy: Don't divert the topic Aviana Aguas.

Ava: Ouch, the long name speech.

Before Ivy could blow up, their mom interferes.

Romina: Ava is on a break because part of her school was burnt down. Luckily no one was hurt but the authorities are investigating.

Ivy: Okay. I'm gonna go sleep, I have an early morning meeting.

Ava:Our rooms?

Ivy: LISA!!!!!!

A maid rushes inside as Ava and Romina close their ears.

Ivy: Give them separate rooms and arrange their things perfectly. Goodnight Mom, Ava.

Kissing them on the cheeks, she leaves to her room.

The Ardientes were having dinner when they heard commotions outside. Rushing to the hall, they saw a lady standing there. Before anyone could ask anything, Diego spoke.

Diego: What are you doing here Aiya?

Emelia looked at her son shocked and that's when she saw Aiya's baby bump.

Emelia: Whose child is he carrying?

Aiya: Hi ma'am, I'm carrying Diego's child.

Ava: I don't think it was a good idea to come here and I think sis, will find out we lied very soon.

Romina: Don't forget Aviana that I'm Ivy's mother and I know whatever she's gonna do. I've already instructed our men to say likes to her. She won't know anything.

Ava: But mom, she is very smart and she knows when someone is lying.

Romina: She's not going to know since we have good intentions. We both want to protect your sister.

Ava sighs as her mom is just as stubborn as her sister.

"Mom..... Please come back,... I'm cold."

Ivy wakes up with a jerk and gulps down one full glass of water.

" Why this dream?"

She goes about her morning duties and slips into jeans with a white tee shirt and heels. Joining her family on the breakfast table she greets them.

Ivy: After work, I'm gonna bring someone home.

Ava: Is he your boyfriend?

Ivy: It's a girl.

Romina: You are lesbian.

Ivy sighs as she saw this coming.

Ivy: Just a kind woman I want you to meet. And what's wrong in being a lesbian?

Romina: Nothing, I don't have anything against lesbians but I just don't share the same ideas as them.

Ivy nods and completing her food leaves in her black Jeep.

Emelia joins her family on the breakfast table with a gloomy face.

Emelia: I've made a decision.

Everyone turns to her especially Aiya, already jumping in joy.

Emelia: She's gonna leave in the hut opposite the house. As soon as she gives birth, she's gonna hand the baby over and leave from here.

Aiya looks at her shocked.

Aiya: Ma'am, I'm pregnant.

Emelia: Yeah so? A nurse is gonna be assigned to you and I don't want you anywhere near Diego.

Diego breathes a sigh of relief not really knowing why.