Episode 3

Zulema took the glass, and with it in hand, she raised her face and ascended with the elegance that characterized her. Mathias' bodyguards let her pass, and she sat across from her ex's uncle, drawing a smile. Another would have ended up fleeing; she didn't, she told herself.

"While I was dating Javier, he seemed to ignore me, and now he invites me for a drink in public. He'll also rub in my face the shame I caused his family, like his sister did. That didn't seem to matter to him that night; I think we're both adult enough for this," Zulema expressed.

"I always thought that relationship between you was very disproportionate; one part had great value, and the other was just a graceless ornament," Mathias said.

Zulema threw the contents of the glass at him with fury and turned on her heel, surprising those present; no one dared to treat Mathias Belmonte like that.

"Clarifying that the graceless ornament is my nephew," Mathias said, taking out his handkerchief to dry himself.

Zulema stopped instantly; she was surprised by the words of her ex-fiance's uncle. Mathias approached and gave her a card.

"I always separate the personal from the professional. I loved your portfolio; if you're interested in working at Bella & Moda, I'll expect you at my office tomorrow at eleven, be punctual. Good night, Miss Zulema de la Puente," Mathias stated, withdrawing.

Zulema shook her head when she realized she could have damaged an important opportunity; no one in the industry wanted to hire her, and the CEO of the most important beauty product company was making her an interesting proposal. Even though it came from her ex-fiance's uncle, she couldn't waste the opportunity that was appearing before her eyes.

She was about to leave the pub when a man approached her; she could recognize the shield of the clothing on the uniform; it was someone who worked for the Belmonte family, but she had never seen him before.

"Miss Zulema, Mr. Belmonte has asked me to take you to your home, please follow me," the driver said.

"Excuse me, but I don't know you," Zulema expressed, stepping back.

Just then, her phone rings; she doesn't recognize the number, but she still answers; "Miss Zulema, please accept that my driver takes you to your home, as an apology for the bad time that the idiot of my nephew's girlfriend gave you; if you don't, I'll have to come in person for you," Mathias said and then hung up. Zulema was very surprised, but she saw Grecia Lujan approaching with her flatterers, followed by the pub administrator. Zulema didn't want any more problems.

"Of course, I'll follow you," Zulema told the driver.

"This way, Miss," the driver expressed.

Zulema hurried to follow the driver, disappearing from the sight of Grecia and the others. She got into the vehicle that was waiting for her, quite luxurious for the area she was going to, but she was quite exhausted and didn't want to think about anything else. She gave the address to the driver and put her head back; tomorrow will be another day, she told herself, maybe luck is about to change for me.

From a vehicle, Mathias Belmonte watches her leave, he always believed that Zulema was not truly appreciated by Javier.

"I never saw you interested in anyone," said Lucio, Mathias' best friend; they were in his vehicle; Mathias had offered his own car for Zulema.

"There's always a first time, don't you think," Mathias stated.

"She's quite young," Lucio stated.

"She's not a child; today she turned twenty-five; and I'm not a decrepit old man," Mathias replied.

"I'm not saying it for that reason; it's always better someone who helps you grow the empire," Lucio commented.

"There's something more important than wealth to grow an empire: talent, intelligence, and character; you should already know that," Mathias stated.

"And she has all that?" Lucio asked.

"I'm sure of it, let's go now, what I came to do is already done," Mathias replied.

Lucio accelerates and drives away from the place; Mathias still doesn't recognize the feelings for her; he only knows that he likes her a lot and that he must be careful. That woman seems fragile and defenseless, but she is a tornado of emotions.