The Beast

The investor

After a three-hour ride, Mr Christian Santos finally arrived at his family home. He was sure to have cut all ties with the Montoyas. He had been planning for several days how to tell them about his new business offer and the bombing came as the right excuse. With the white gates widely open, he could sense danger. He walked out of the car with his guards right into the main house. The sight of his dead wife and mother made him faint.

‘’Both Christian and I quit being investors to the Montoyas. We had nothing to lose with our departure.’’ Eli stated confidently to his wife.

‘’So what happens now that you’re no longer their investor?’’ his wife, Ana Guerrero asked.

‘’We’d already received a job overseas where our money would be put into the company as shares. We wanted to find an excuse to leave and the owner of that business told us that he’ll give us a tangible reason to come to him.’’

‘’If I understand what you’re saying, Eli, your soon-to-be boss had something to do with the bombings?’’ Ana asked quite astonished.

‘’Whoever he or she might be. I’ll prefer to work for that greater source.’’

Victoria stood and opened her safe. She took out a photograph and handed it over to Ivan.

‘’That was what I called family until she ruined it all and to your question, you should believe me because not anyone is willing to take in an unstable child who had lost his parents and bring him in as theirs and even much more, give them their name. Not everyone is willing to cater for a child for eleven years knowing very well that that child isn’t theirs.’’ a tear dropped from beneath Victoria’s eyes and Ivan stood to his feet.

‘’I’m ready.’’

‘’An investor?’’ Santiago began not believing a word Rhian had said.

‘’Who is willing to invest in this collapsing business?’’ Diego followed with a question.

‘’It’s a lady.’’

‘’Huh, minor investor and for some time you rose my hopes high.’’ Eduardo sat in the closest seat.

‘’That’s what I also thought. She’s been wanting to invest in the Montoya industries for three months now but due to what you think about women I didn’t bother to inform you.’’ Rhian continued.

‘’I’m glad you thought wise, Rhian. I don’t deal with female workers. They belong to the kitchen. You and I know why you have been appointed my secretary.’’ Santiago grinned.

‘’That’s the problem with you, Sir.’’

‘’What?’’

‘’After the bombings and the need to secure a new investor, I looked through the list of the investors you have either disapproved or didn’t know about and then I found this woman. She was amidst the four people who were still willing to invest but unlike the rest, she wasn’t a minor investor.’’ Rhian continued.

‘’That sounds interesting. She might be the only daughter trying to take up her father’s business.’’ Damien suggested.

‘’Businesses of that sort usually go along the drain,’’ Blanca admitted.

‘’It depends on the woman taking over that business. For example me.’’ Ivy smiled.

‘’You’re right, Miss Marino, you’re a typical example of a lady who lives her work for love. How does business boom if you always leave it for love or something much more called marriage? This is one main reason I don’t like female investors.’’ Santiago confessed.

‘’Looks like this lady is the first of it’s kind. She’s the owner of the Barcelo school complex. Owner of four five-star hotels in the country. She’s also the owner of a food processing company and many more. She’s worth a billion dollars.’’

‘’Wow! One-eighth of that money can solve all of our problems. How can all that money be in the hands of a woman? Was it passed unto her by her parents?’’ Diego asked. Ivy was too stunned to speak.

‘’My research shows that she’s a financially independent woman. At age sixteen she lost her mother who left her one-fourth of her inheritance now. With hard work and perseverance, she used her mother’s links and connections and also businesses to get herself to where she currently is. She’s a twenty-year-old lady that’s a billion-dollar rich.’’ everyone was quiet listening to Rhian.

‘’What’s her name?’’ Damien asked after being delighted by the little explanation.

‘’She goes by the name Valentina Barcelo.’’

‘’Since you sat in there all day and refused to eat breakfast, I made lunch. It’s your favourite, Victoria.’’ Nanny Claire smiled at the two who were already seated at the table.

‘’Don’t blame me, Nanny Claire. She kept me in the room all day showing me things I’d already known.’’ Ivan replied.

‘’You speak as if you already knew how my husband looked like.’’ Ivan laughed like never before.

‘’I’ve spent so many years in this house and you actually thought I didn’t know the pin to your safe. It’s 4970. I’d seen that photograph if not a hundred times a thousand.’’ Victoria looked angry after Ivan’s comment.

‘’I’ve warned you not to get around my stuff, young man. Don’t make me change my mind. I trained you to spy on others not to spy on me.’’ Ivan stood and raced to Victoria.

‘’That’s why I love you. Thank you for being my mum throughout all these years.’’

‘’What?!’’

‘’This family is the most ironic of all. One second you’re arguing and the next you’re talking about love.’’ Nanny Claire walked into the kitchen having had enough of the Ardiente’s.

‘’That’s a nice name. I hope she’s as beautiful as her name. I want you to schedule a meeting with her as soon as possible. Although it’s hard to admit, I’ll need the help of a woman.’’ Santiago said and Mariana looked surprised.

‘’Is that my husband speaking?’’ she teased.

‘’Rhian, I know you’re very smart. There’s one thing I want you to do for me. I want to know if this investor truly exists. I don’t need a fraudster in my company. Give me every detail I need to know about Valentina Barcelo.’’ Santiago looked into the eyes of his son, Diego and although they hadn’t said a word to each other, they shared mutual feelings connecting to this investor. Who is she?