Chapter 12 ~ A Figure from the Past
1113 Words
"Ana, I'm going out for lunch and will be late returning to the office. If anything comes up, just call me," Ivana said as she stepped out of her office.
"Oh, are you coming back to the office, Ma'am?" Ana asked.
Ivana paused for a moment. "I don't think I’ll be coming back. If there's nothing else to do, you can go home early," she replied.
"Understood, Ma’am."
With that, Ivana left the office. She was certain Ana would immediately report this to Arsenio.
Ivana carefully scanned the office lobby before stepping outside. Her heart pounded, and her breath felt heavy.
As the taxi she had ordered slowly approached, she quickly got in and shut the door.
"To Bertrand Restaurant," she instructed the driver, trying to keep her voice calm.
"Yes, Ma’am."
Once she was sure nothing seemed suspicious, Ivana reached into her bag, pulled out her phone, and swiftly turned off the GPS and all internet connections.
She didn't want Arsenio—or any of his men who might be watching her—to know her location or where she was going.
Every step Ivana took had to be flawless; there could be no mistakes that might jeopardize her plan.
As the taxi moved forward, Ivana kept checking the road through the rearview mirror, making sure no suspicious cars were following them. At every turn and every red light, she remained vigilant.
Her tension stemmed not only from the fear of being pursued but also from the fear that Arsenio would find a way to stop her again. Ivana hoped this plan would deceive Arsen and that she wouldn't be followed.
"I have to talk seriously with Uncle," she thought.
Upon arriving at the restaurant, Ivana walked toward the private dining room that Freddy had reserved.
"Uncle," she called out as she entered the room.
"You’re here, Ivana. Have a seat," Freddy said.
Ivana stepped forward, took a seat across from her uncle, and settled in.
"Order whatever you like, Ivana. The food here is excellent," Freddy said.
Ivana opened the menu, browsed through it, and placed her order, as did Freddy. Once the waiter had taken their orders, he left the room.
"It’s been a long time since we last had lunch together, hasn't it?" Freddy asked.
"Yes, Uncle, it has been quite a while," Ivana replied.
"So, how is your married life with that man?" Freddy asked bluntly.
"He has a name," Ivana said, making Freddy chuckle.
"You’re still crazy about him, aren’t you? Even though he married you with an agenda," Freddy remarked.
"In that case, what do you know about Arsen? What agenda are you referring to?" Ivana asked, trying to dig for information.
"What do you think? You’ve been living with him for two years now, haven’t you?" Freddy responded cryptically, making Ivana impatient for answers about Arsenio.
‘Who exactly is the man I’ve been married to for two years?’ Ivana wondered.
"I don't know what you're trying to say, Uncle. So far, there hasn’t been anything suspicious or anything that has harmed my family," Ivana said. "Uncle, if you really know something, don't keep it to yourself. Tell me what’s really going on and why you seem to despise him so much," she pressed.
Their orders arrived, and they paused their conversation, allowing the waiter to arrange the dishes on the table. They then began their meal in silence.
Ivana decided to take a walk in a city park, feeling unsettled. Earlier, she had listened to Freddy’s perspective on Arsenio.
"Ivana, Arsenio is not the good man you think he is. He has his own agenda, and you are merely a stepping stone for him to achieve his real goal," Freddy had told her.
"In truth, I haven’t been able to investigate him thoroughly. I don’t know much about him because the information I’ve gathered is limited. But one thing I do know—he only pretends to be good in front of you because he has a purpose," Freddy had said seriously.
"Ivana, if you truly want to fight back, you can't do it alone. You need someone to support you. So let me and my associates be your shield for now," Freddy had explained, making Ivana exhale deeply.
"So even Uncle doesn't know Arsenio’s true identity in detail. Who is he really, and what is his true purpose in getting close to me?" Ivana murmured.
She walked toward the bridge railing and gazed at the wide river below, its surface shimmering under the setting sun.
She looked exhausted and stiff, as if every step felt heavy, and the whirlwind of thoughts in her mind only added to her fatigue.
She took several deep breaths, trying to clear the doubts and anxieties crowding her head. How could she fight Arsenio—a man known for being formidable and unpredictable?
Her emotions were conflicted. On the one hand, it seemed hopeless to face him. But on the other, a flicker of determination burned within her, pushing her not to give up so easily.
She recalled Uncle Freddy’s words. To take on Arsenio, she needed strong allies.
"Who could possibly help me defeat Arsen and break free from him?" she pondered.
Ivana stood by the bridge, gripping the railing with a hint of nostalgia. It had been a long time since she had moments like this—where the noise and chaos of life faded away, replaced by a peaceful silence.
That evening, the sun was setting on the horizon, casting golden hues across the sky, painting it in shades of orange and pink, as if creating a masterpiece to close the day.
Below the bridge, the river flowed calmly, its gentle ripples singing a soft melody, offering a rare sense of tranquility in her otherwise chaotic life.
She observed the people passing by—a couple strolling hand in hand, children laughing as they played soccer in the park, and cyclists riding past with smiles on their faces.
Every moment felt precious, and Ivana didn’t want to miss this chance to pause and take in the surrounding beauty. The peaceful evening revitalized her, giving her the strength she desperately needed after being trapped in her monotonous daily struggles.
Then, just as Ivana was about to walk further into the park, she unexpectedly collided with someone passing by.
"I'm sorry," Ivana said quickly, stepping back from the man she had bumped into, breaking the brief embrace.
"It's alright, Miss. Are you okay?" the man asked, making Ivana lift her gaze to see his face.
Thump!
Ivana’s eyes widened in shock as she stared at the man, who looked just as surprised to see her.
"Ivana?"
"Alex?"
- Writer
