Echoes of yesterday.
Ximena woke up; Margaret and Valerie lay beside her, so she quietly tiptoed out of bed. She checked her phone. No calls, no messages, but she was all over the media.

"Crazy cup!"

"You think money is everything? He’s got taste. Black salt is like honey to you."

"Cheap..."

Each comment felt like a nail hammered into her mind. Her phone dropped onto the couch, and she rubbed her forehead.


Rex was pushed through the crowd toward the podium. He waited for his turn to speak when a tomato landed on him, and another hit his head.

Soon, he smelled worse than a pig. The rain of insults followed. "Cock!"

"Human label."

Their words crushed his spirit. His men hurried him off the stage, but his mind was elsewhere, staring blankly at her contact.

"The strategy is to impress potential buyers while achieving the firm’s goals," Ximena said, addressing the board.

Her elegance was striking, and her confidence unwavering. Theo McDonald’s eyes never left her as she spoke with precision and charm.

The meeting ended in handshakes, but Ximena’s day was far from over. Rex grew grumpier by the day, while Ximena kept herself busy with clubs, food, travel, movies, and work. The brief hours of distraction were enough to keep painful thoughts away.

But the gossip at the company persisted. Her cheeks burned with embarrassment as her assistant followed behind. She stumbled over a rock, catching the attention of Theo McDonald, who immediately grabbed her hand. She froze.

"You look pale," he said softly. "I know a place..."

Her assistant took the files as Theo led her out.

The silence of the amusement park was heavy, and every time Theo’s eyes wandered to her, a smirk played on his lips.

"Wait here, I’ll get us something refreshing," Theo said before walking away. An unknown camera snapped photos from a distance.

Ximena's thoughts twirled, intertwined memories and emotions, until a jolt brought her back to reality, and she stumbled. The date was halfway through, and her smile faded as Theo returned, holding two glasses.

Her phone buzzed: Breaking! Families in tears as Flight Zero Zero Nine crashes into the Atlantic Ocean...

She looked up as Theo placed a drink before her. She stood up and left. He pulled out a diamond bracelet from his pocket, gritting his teeth.

Rex was standing in his office when his assistant rushed in. Her heels clicked loudly with each step.

"Sir, you need to see this," she said, showing him a tablet.
...