LATIFA, HIS EX-WIFE'S GHOST

Episode 13 (THE EMPRESS)

LATIFA'S POV

Flipping through the documents I'd snatched from Zack's desk without him noticing, my blood seethed.

Lady Joan had been bleeding the society dry.

And Zack; he was covering for her. Shielding her.

I scorn, eyes combing the page's obscene figures. Millions siphoned into ghost charities. My charities. Ones I'd set up.

"She's using them as her personal bank", I scoffed. Heart beating. "Embezzling donations, stealing from the people?"

My grip tightened. These were the tears and sweats of innocent families. Amenities bound for orphans. Medicines for the sick. Now fueling her shopping trips and spa vacations.

Her comfortable days were numbered.

"You'll learn the hard way, dear mother-in-law," I said under my breath. A smile tugged at my lips; cold and resolute.

Then something outside caught my notice.

The black Ferrari. Again.

It had been tailing us since I left Zack's office. Not Zack's for certain. My driver noticed too; he met my gaze in the mirror, an eyebrow raised.

He took a sudden left turn. The Ferrari did likewise.

So, it is not a coincidence.

"Pull over," I said softly.

He pulled over beside the curb. The Ferrari glided to a halt right behind us. My heart started racing.

Someone stepped out.

My eyes narrowed.

Engineer Dona?

I checked the time. 9:30 PM. Odd hour for a social call. I stepped out, face neutral, brain thinking.

"What a maniac”, I muttered.

Any opportunity to get information on Lady Joan; I'd grab it. I'd squeeze him dry if I could.

"Engineer Dona!" I exclaimed with a broad smile. He had a reputation for being a ladies' man. I was going to make good use of that.

He chuckled. "Forgive the dramatic entrance. I had to get your attention.".

"Well, you've got it," I replied steadily.

"May I have the pleasure of buying you a drink?"

I nodded. "Somewhere nice, please."

He smiled. "Or. we could go to your place?"

I faked a laugh. "Let's just say my house isn't very peaceful tonight. How about yours?"

His eyes gleamed with interest. "Ladies first," he said, opening his car.

I walked in front, swaying my hips just enough to keep his eyes on me. It did the trick. I could feel his gaze like warmth on my back.

I slid into the Ferrari as my driver trailed behind.

The game was on.

Dona's mansion.

Not bad. Better than I'd hoped for. Sleek and modern, all sharp lines and shining lights.

My blood bubbled as I climbed each stairs, hands on every artwork, gazing at the tacky show of affluence.

This; is built on stolen dreams. On the sweat of people.

He came out onto the sit-out, barefoot, in a silk robe that was damp from the shower. Hair slicked back. He cradled a second glass of wine like a trophy.

"Welcome, Latifa," he purred, flashing that rehearsed smile. "I took the liberty of pouring you something smooth.".

I smiled politely, eyes scanning the house with pretended admiration. I know what you're thinking, Dona. So predictable. So pathetic.

"You have a nice house, Engineer," I said smoothly, accepting the glass.

He chuckled. "It's just a little something I indulge myself in after long contracts. You know how we toil hard."

Hard? The charities you helped Joan fleece could've built ten houses for widows.

I circled around him, pretending to be interested in the artwork on the wall. "You must have excellent clients to be able to afford all this."

He scoffed. "Some very generous connections. Powerful ones."

Bingo. My attention piqued.

"Oh?" I gently brought the glass to my lips. Seductively, hiding my interest. "Quite impressive"

He chuckled. Low. Smooth as he swirls his wine glass. "Well, you can say I've a skyrater for….. discretion. Wealthy people pay a great deal for silence."

I raised an eyebrow, pretending to be impressed. "Must be nice. Loyalty is such a rare commodity."

His eyes glinted. "Exactly. That's why Lady Joan keeps me close."

I held my face still, though the name lit a spark of fury within me. So he was more than just a contractor; he was a pawn in her game. Or worse, a willing accomplice.

"Lady Joan," I said, taking a step closer. "Now that's a woman who knows how to get what she wants."

Dona laughed, clearly amused. "Oh, she does. Brilliant, cunning. A bit terrifying, if I'm being honest. But I respect power."

I let my fingers graze the edge of the marble table, just enough to catch his eye. "Power can be. intoxicating," I purred.

He leaned in, emboldened. "You and I, we could do great things together, Latifa. You're not like the others."

Good. He's biting.

I chuckled softly, hardly flirtatious. "I know whose sides to get on at the right time. So tell me. is loyalty the only thing that keeps you tied to her?"

He hesitated, glancing around as if the walls might have ears. Then, in a lower voice: "Let's just say I've seen things. Signed things. Things that would ruin her if they were to get out."

My pulse quickened. Jackpot.

"Sounds dangerous," I said, holding his eyes.

"It is." He sipped his wine. "But I do make records. Just in case."

I nodded slowly. "Smart man. Little insurance policy, huh?"

He smiled. "Exactly."

I leaned in closer, my hand coming to rest lightly on his arm. "And where would a man like you keep such valuable insurance?"

He blinked, caught between flattery and paranoia. "Now that would be telling."

I smiled, sweet and mysterious. "I adore secrets. Particularly the kind that can turn everything upside down."

He eyed me up and down, then laughed again, disregarding his own suspicion. "Maybe I'll show you one sometime. If you play your cards right."

Oh, I will. But not in the way you imagine.

As we sipped more wine, the topic of the Dutchman's empire arose.

I asked, "What do you think of Lady Joan's grip on the decision-making of the empire?"

Engineer Dona skillfully dodged the question, shrugging his shoulders. I would not relent. I pushed him further, touching his arm briefly to keep him talking. My tone was soft, questioning; just a woman making conversation.

"Tell me, Engineer Dona," I cooed, "what do you know about the history of the empire?"

Curiosity. Hunt. How much does he know of my death?

He chuckled, not realizing how easily he was unraveling. "Ah. the past. Filthy, dangerous. But Lady Joan? She knew how to clean it up."

I tilted my head to one side. "Meaning?"

He lowered his voice to a whisper, as if sharing a delectable secret. "Dr. Dutchman's first wife….Miriam. She was a problem. Lady Joan had her locked away." His voice was gruff, trying to be heard well enough. "And then there's Joyce, her daughter-in-law. So calculative, courageous, intelligent, and loyal…… she did the same to her. After that, nobody got in her way. The empire practically fell into her lap."

My blood sparkled at the satisfied and relaxed look on his face. I covered my anger with a surprised smile.

"Locked away. in prison?"

"No. Somewhere she left her late daughter-in-law. A secret place where she tortured her."

I smiled.

"Does her son Zack know?" My curiosity came back.

He shrugged. "The kid is innocent. His wife was imprisoned, he wouldn't take that lying down. Joan did a neat job," he sipped more wine, "he doesn't even know Miriam is his real mother, not Joan."

My breath caught.

The world stopped.

My breath caught but only briefly. My face didn't change, but my head spun.

Miriam.

The name cut like a knife. I was unaware Miriam was the fabled Empress of the Dutchmans.

And now this.

Why had she kept it a secret from me all these years?

My heart raced like a battle drum.

Unbeknownst to Engineer Dona, each word pouring out of his mouth was being recorded. Cozily nestled under my coat collar, the gadget flashed silently, taking down the truth.

My eyes went back to Dona, now sipping wine like he didn't have a care in the world. A pawn who spilled royal blood secrets for the price of a touch and flattery.

I allowed a slow smile to build on my lips. "I would love to take my leave now, Dona."

"Ooh, yes. Let's do this again, Latifa dear." His hands grazed lightly on my arms.

Oh yes. We will.

"Sure. I'll call you then."

Safe inside my car, I let out the deep breath I had been holding. I gripped my reeling head.

Miriam is Zack's actual mother? The Empress?