conversation she had with Ivy on the way over had lifted her spirits, and for once, she had left her pain behind at t

at, Andre, the securit

mmersed in the music. He tapped her shoulder, and she

?" she greeted, her

er upbeat mood. "I can see you're i

spirits high. Not everyone needs to wear their prob

"That's a great

r. Diego know I'm around. It's almost 8, and he'll be late for his mee

can't do that... not when he has a visitor," he said, lowering his voice slightly. "

ion faltering. "What? A visitor?"

brought them home last ni

ed to keep her composure. "Okay," she said, forcing her

dy racing with questions. Without waiting fo

he ignored him, her determination overriding any caution. She

and laughing softly. The woman looked up, her eyes sweeping over Lucia from head to toe with a sneer before letting out a di

sually, oblivious to the tension in the air

decided to check up on you, sir," Lucia replied, h

ful of you," Diego s

forgotten you have a meeting scheduled for 8:30?" Luci

at his watch. He then turned to the woman on the c

ssion twisting with anger. "Who is she?" she

"Who is who? You have the audacity to ask who I am? Who the

you out of your mind? Look at this-ri

ned calm. "At least I'm better th

ego, you're just going to stand there and w

f the situation. He turned to the woman and said, "Go upstairs and get

uldn't resist throwing another comment her way. "Typical," she muttered

o had had enough. "Emily, Emily, just shut the

said coolly, her words sharp as knives, before turning to leave. She walked out

ight to where Andre stood, her hand outstretched. Without a word, she snatche

She walked to the car, sat in the driver's seat, and stared blankly

ly unaware of the storm brewing inside. Lucia saw them in the rearview mirror, her heart sinking as Dieg

tly, slamming the door behind her. "I'm not driving th

shock. "What did you say, Emily?" he asked, t

gnation. "Sir, you paid me to drive you, not you a

ned. "Fine," he snapped,

ere's a limit to what someone c

neered. "What's this lady's problem?" she said, her voice dr

e woman. "As what? His wife? His mother?

e firm as he stepped between the

unfolding drama, chuckling quietl

on his face. "Emily, you're disappointin

ng inside her. "No, sir. But there's a limit to what someone c

nger barely contained. "Driv

self, you won't make it to the office on time. I can

uttered under her breath. "I'm out of here." She stormed off, her heels

g," Lucia reminded him, her voice

jaw, glaring at her

ide and opening the driver's door. "I'l

e. Lucia climbed into the driver's seat, starting the engine with a swift motion as Andre dutifully opened the gate. S

staring right at her, his face a mix of confusion and contemplation, as if he

ir," Lucia said, breaking the

eally learn to mind your own business, Emily,

life, sir," she responded boldly, taking a s

to the office, she smiled slightly. "You see, we're right

ent demeanor shaken. He looked back at her one last time, still try

t, victorious laugh. "Yesss, I did it," she whispered to herself, a

she pulled out her phone and dialed Ivy. Th

ing," Lucia said, launching into the story with exciteme

end of the line. "Oh my God, Lucia, tell me everyt

d. "So, remember how I told you about Diego's little 'visitor'? Well, I called him out in front

ed. "You

. "I told him I wasn't going to drive his 'toy,' and y

I'd been there to see it! W

ut I wasn't having it. Then that woman had the nerve to tell

aughter mode now.

. He was so mad, Ivy, you should've seen his face! He didn't know what to do with himself." Lucia la

swear, the way you handled that situation was legendary. Diego's prob

n't think he's ever had anyone stand up to him like that. But this is j

voice. "So, what's next? You've made i

e can't treat me or anyone else like we're disposable. He'll have to choose: respect me

here for it. Just keep me posted, okay?

n't worry, you'll b

it was just the beginning of something much bigger. Diego thought he was the one calling the shots, bu