Her Silent Protector

Chapter 1 Don Alejandro's Decree

Don Alejandro was standing on the grand, sun-drenched veranda of the de la Cerna villa, overlooking the lush expanse of the hacienda. He could clearly see Maria, riding Sakay, her favorite horse, as if she were on a horse racing track, clearly enjoying herself. Her bodyguards were struggling to keep up, riding their own horses. He shook his head, a sigh escaping his lips as he watched his daughter's reckless joy. News of her escapade reached his ears, a mixture of anger and worry etched onto his normally jovial features.

A few minutes passed, and Maria and her bodyguards returned to the villa. Don Alejandro decided to go downstairs and wait for Maria there. He wanted to give her a piece of his mind. This time, the lecture wouldn’t be about her reckless riding, but about the weight of responsibility, the expectation of maturity, the end of her carefree, easy-go-lucky days. He realized then that maybe his decision to send Maria to the city was the right one after all.

MARIA'S POV

Dust devils danced in the wake of Maria de la Cerna’s furious gallop, her beloved Sakay a blur of muscle and mane against the sprawling backdrop of Hacienda de la Cerna. The wind whipped Maria’s hair across her face, a salty spray of freedom against her skin. The air was alive with the scent of sunbaked earth and wildflowers, a stark contrast to the metallic tang of the city. Her heart pounded a wild rhythm, echoing the thunder of Sakay's hooves against the ground. This was the life she loved, the life she feared losing. Her father, a titan in the hotel and restaurant industry, had decreed it: Maria was to leave the familiar embrace of the hacienda and take the reins of his empire.

In contrast to the complex and demanding world of business, Maria finds comfort in the simplicity of life on the hacienda. She cherishes her connection to nature, her bond with Sakay, and the unhurried rhythms of rural life. The thought of exchanging this for the fast-paced, high-stakes world of her father's empire feels like a betrayal of her true self. The prospect of long hours, difficult decisions, and constant pressure feels suffocating. She sees her father's business as a confinement, a loss of the freedom and independence she values. The weight of responsibility is a burden she's not sure she's ready to bear.

The bodyguards assigned to shadow her every move were mere specks in the distance, easily outpaced by Sakay’s powerful strides.

Knowing her father's extensive security network had undoubtedly reported her actions, Maria decided to return to the villa before his frustration boiled over into anger. She was aware he knew what she'd done and wanted to preempt his inevitable displeasure.

A knot of anxiety tightened in her stomach as she reined in Sakay, the horse's breath coming in ragged gasps. Maria's heart hammered against her ribs, a frantic drumbeat echoing the rhythm of Sakay’s labored breathing. Her father, Don Alejandro, stood waiting, his face a mask of controlled fury. The familiar mix of guilt and resentment washed over her. "Papa," she started, her voice shaky, "I…"

"Maria!" His father's voice, though low, carried a sharp edge, cutting through the stillness of the afternoon. "Do you have any idea how reckless and irresponsible your behavior has been? Evading your bodyguards, treating the hacienda like your personal racetrack…"

Maria jumps down from Sakay, her movements betraying a hint of defiance, a desperate attempt to mask the tremor in her hands. "Papa, it was just a ride. I needed… to breathe," Maria said, "To feel the wind, the sun… to feel free, just for a little while longer."

"Free?" He scoffed, his eyes narrowing. "You think freedom is galloping away from your obligations? You think freedom is ignoring the weight of the legacy you are meant to carry? Managing the company is not a game, Maria. It requires discipline, dedication, and a level of maturity you have yet to demonstrate," her father continued, his voice firm.

Maria's voice softened, a flicker of uncertainty in her eyes. The bravado she'd projected moments before crumbles, revealing the fear beneath. "I know, Papa. But the city… it’s so suffocating. So different from here. The hacienda… it's in my blood, my soul. I’m not sure I can survive in that concrete jungle. I’m not sure I’m ready."

Don Alejandro sighed, his anger giving way to a weary resignation. He saw the fear in his daughter’s eyes, the conflict raging within her. "Ready or not, Maria, it’s time. The de la Cerna empire needs you. And frankly, so do I. This easy-go-lucky attitude, this… impulsiveness, needs to stop. You must learn to control it, to temper your spirit with the wisdom required of a leader."

He gestured towards the villa, his voice softening. "Come inside. We need to talk. About the business, about your future, about becoming the woman I know you can be. The woman you must be."

Left with no other choice, Maria obeyed her father. "Fine," Maria thought, the word heavy with resignation. There was no point arguing. She'd just have to do what her father wanted.

(Don Alejandro leads Maria into his study, a room dominated by towering bookshelves and the heavy scent of aged leather, mingled with the faint aroma of pipe tobacco. He gestures towards a thick stack of papers on his mahogany desk.)

"Sit down, Maria," he commanded. "Read through these. They contain everything you need to know about the inner workings of our company. I want you to familiarize yourself with the financials, the operational reports, the… everything." He continued, his voice firm. "I’ll have Miguel assist you once you’re settled in the city. He’ll be invaluable in guiding you through the day-to-day operations."

(At the mention of Miguel’s name, Maria’s eyes light up, a blush creeping up her neck. A small, involuntary smile plays on her lips.)

"Miguel? He’ll be there? Oh, that’s… that’s good," she says, her voice a little breathless. A wave of relief washes over her.

(Don Alejandro observes his daughter’s reaction with a knowing smile. He leans back in his chair, steepling his fingers.)

"Yes, Miguel. He’s the best I have. You’ll learn a great deal from him. He’s a sharp young man, utterly dependable. And… (he pauses, his eyes twinkling) ....perhaps he can teach you a thing or two about responsibility as well." he continued.

Maria’s blush deepens, but she quickly averts her gaze, pulling the stack of papers towards her. As she flips through the first few pages, filled with dense figures and complex terminology, a wave of apprehension washes over her. Balance sheets, profit margins, occupancy rates… it’s like a foreign language, she thinks, a sense of inadequacy pricking at her confidence. But then, the image of Miguel flashes in her mind, a reassuring presence amidst the sea of numbers. Maybe it won’t be so bad after all, she muses, a renewed sense of determination, however fragile, taking root.

"But Papa, about my bodyguards…" Maria started, her voice barely above a whisper. "Could I… could I have fewer? I feel… I feel like my privacy is being invaded. It’s just… so many of them!" She gestured around her, the image of a dozen or more bodyguards standing silently in the distance.

"No," Don Alejandro said firmly. "But…," his voice softened, "if you behave well, I’ll cut the number in half."

"But Papa," Maria protested.

"No more buts," Don Alejandro said, his tone firm. "We talked about this before." He paused, his gaze unwavering. "Prepare your things, we leave a day after tomorrow, I have something to fix before we leave." he added.

"What, that sudden?!" Maria exclaimed, her voice laced with surprise. But deep inside, a spark of excitement ignited. She would see Miguel again. Not only see him but work alongside him.

HAPPY READING ♥️

_TAGAILOCOSNAK