Divorce Agreement.

One month later, on December 27th, 2022, the Christmas holidays had come and gone in the blink of an eye. And now the work had to begin. Lola, on the other hand, never stopped working, even on Christmas Day; she was like a dog, never letting go of a task she set her mind to.

"How was your holiday, madam?"Marco asked, as he walked into Lola's office with a hand full of files while Lola was busy signing some documents.

"Oh, the usual, work, work, and never-ending work," Lola replied.

"Oh, okay," Marco replied with an awkward smile as he placed the documents on her desk.

'She worked on Christmas? Madam is strange.'

"Have you checked everything?" She inquired.

"Yes, madam, all that is required is your signature," Marco replied.

Maria stormed in, beaming from ear to ear.

"I want you to go shopping with me, Lola!" she yelled.

"No, I'm not coming with you," Lola stated emphatically. "I will pay for everything, just come with me please!!" Maria said, her smile fading.

"No," Lola responded.

"When did you return from the United States?" Marco questioned, and Maria replied, "This morning."

"You're coming here straight from the airport?" Marco inquired with widened eyes.

"Aren't you tired?" Marco inquired again, checking her out .

Lola looked at the two and said, "Mr. Fernandez, you can go with Maria in my place."

Maria and Marco looked at her with puzzled but surprised expressions.

"But, madam, there's still a lot of work to be done," Marco grumbled.

"It's an order," She said quickly, before Marco could object.

"Hmm, Marco, wait outside for me, I need to speak with your boss," Maria said as she pushed Marco out of the office.

After closing the door, She returned to Lola's desk and inquired,

"Did you finally get to speak with your attorney?"

Lola hummed and replied, "Yes, the divorce papers are ready."

Maria was about to say something else when Lola interrupted her and said, "Stop worrying about me Maria, now leave, I have work to do."

Maria nodded and left.

***

In front of a fancy restaurant called Eldon's Dishes, two expensive cars were parked side by side.

Almost simultaneously, the two men emerged from each car, both looking stunning and professional. They turned to face each other, one of them stunned, the other simply smiling.

"I wasn't expecting you to arrive here at the same time as I," Santiago said to Luis, who was still smiling.

"Well, Since we're already here, let's eat. Shall we go in?" Santiago motioned for Luis to enter first. Luis was the first to enter, followed by Santiago.

Luis looked around and noticed the place was empty; Santiago noticed him and said, "Ah, I reserved the entire restaurant for us to talk privately."

'Showoff, why a fancy restaurant when we can talk at your office,' Luis thought.

The waiter approached Santiago and Luis, bowing and saying, "Good evening sirs, follow me I will show you to your table," and led them to their seats.

Once they were settled, the waiter asked, "Can I get your orders sirs?"

"Nothing, I'm fine," Luis said.

"No way, Mr Borbón, I want you to enjoy yourself, plus it's on me, so order anything, bring us your finest champagne," Santiago said to the waiter, who nodded and was about to leave when Luis stopped him and said sternly, "You can bring him champagne, but I don't want anything because I don't intend to stay here long."

The waiter nodded and dashed away.

"Well, suit yourself," Santiago suggested.

"How come you invited me to dinner?" Luis inquired.

"Well, to be honest, I don't like it when you're always around my wife." Santiago explained.

"I understand you were close in high school, and whatever happened between you two needs to be left in the past," Santiago continued.

'This bastard did some research,' Luis thought as he leaned back in his chair, staring boredly at Santiago.

"So I want us to put our differences aside and work together to build a prosperous business relationship," Santiago added.

"OK, I'll work with your company; isn't that what you want?" Luis responded with a bored tone.

"Of course, then that settles it," Santiago said, his face brightening.

The waiter returned with Santiago's order, which he placed on his table.

Santiago poured champagne into his glass after opening the bottle.

"I'm inviting you as a special guest to my parents' New Year's Eve gala." Santiago said, chuckling as he sipped his champagne.

"I'll be there," Luis said, standing up.

Santiago turned to face him and inquired, "Where are you going? Let us celebrate..."

Luis cut him off and said, "I have work to do," before exiting the restaurant.

***

The next morning, Lola emerged from her bathroom wearing a black silk robe and a towel to dry her wet hair. She walked past her bed and into her wardrobe before opening it and returning her gaze to her bed.

The blue dress on her bed was the first thing she noticed, its deep navy blue fabric contrasting with the biege of the bed. She grabbed the hanger and drew the dress from her bed.

"Do you like it?" Santiago asked as he leaned on the door. Lola looked at Santiago with pale eyes and then at the dress.

"Did you get this for me?" She inquired.

Santiago entered and said, "Yes, my father wanted you to look spectacular for the upcoming New Year's Eve gala. You know, since you are my wife."

"Then I won't need this dress," Lola said, almost immediately handing it back to him.

Santiago clung to the gown, a puzzled expression on his face, and asked,

"What are you on about?"

Lola walked to her nightstand, clasped the handle of the upper drawer, pulled it open and brought out a document with the words 'Divorce Agreement' written on it.

"Mr. Santiago Rodriguez, let's get a divorce," She said solemnly to Santiago.

Santiago's eyes widened as he looked at her, half surprised and angered; she handed it to him and said, "You know what to do. Please leave, I need to get dressed."

Santiago stormed out of Lola's room, clutching the divorce papers and the dress. Livia, who had been eavesdropping and had left before Santiago, was grinning to herself.

'Yes, Lola, thank you so much for taking the first step and making it so simple for me,' She thought as she entered her room.

***

When Lola was done with dressing up, she left her room and walked down the stairs.

Her eyes met with Santiago's intense light blue eyes, which were filled with hatred.

"You're right, let's divorce; you weren't a good wife to me anyway," Santiago said.

Lola's brow furrowed as she shook her head and inquired, "Excuse me?"

"We've been married for five years and have yet to have a child. I'd like to have an heir!! she is the only person pregnant with my child, "He yelled at her while clutching to Livia .

She could see how Livia smiled mischievously at her from the corner of her eyes, and she couldn't hold back her rage any longer; she'd had enough of this nonsense, Her head hung down and her right fist clenched tightly. She raised her head sharply and glared at him with daggers.

"Oh, Please stop looking at him like that and just leave, Santi has chosen me, and I am now Santi's wife, "Livia said, smiling slyly, shamelessly clinging to his arm.

"Isn't that correct? Santi, "She purred seductively while tightly clutching Santiago's right arm.

"You have the audacity to say such a thing, you better watch what you say and stay out of my way, this is between me and my husband..." Lola said to Livia, reminding herself that she has to be calm. Livia shivered, averted her gaze, and burrowed her face into Santiago's chest.

" I warned you, Santi. She's threatening me again," mumbled Livia.

"What happened to you, Lola? What are you thinking? How dare you speak to my wife in that manner? And who are you addressing your husband to? There's no reason for us to keep this marriage going, Lola; you said you wanted a divorce; I have signed these papers , now get the hell out... !!" Santiago screamed as he hurled the divorce papers at Lola's feet.

Lola bent down, picked it up and said, "You can't throw me out until the divorce has been finalised, see you in court. "

She turned and walked out of the house, thinking, ' Having to act like I don't know anything is frustrating but it's profitable at the end... when I finally expose them. '

Santiago ruffled his hair, groaned angrily, and sagged onto the couch.

"She irritates me greatly. I went out of my way to buy her a dress yesterday, and now she returns it and asks for a divorce." Santiago expressed his displeasure.

"It's okay Santi, I can wear the dress and go to the gala with you. It's mask themed and since Lola isn't attending, nobody will notice," Livia said as she sat beside him and caressed his back.

"I guess that's okay," Santiago said, looking at her. Then he looked away and caressed his chin,

' I must find a way to change Lola's mind. '

***

Marco storms into Lola's office, slamming the door shut behind him.

"Why did you barge in like that?" Lola asked, looking at him.

Marco tried to catch his breath as he leaned on her desk.

"Madam... Mr Pérez is here in Mexico and he sent a message that he's coming to see you, " he stuttered.

Lola's brow furrowed; if there's one person she despises the most, it's her father.

'Why, of all people, him?' Lola pondered.

She exhaled deeply and said, "Tell him I'm very busy and won't be able to speak to him."

"Is that so?"

A deep grouchy voice echoed from the entrance of her office.

On hearing the question, Lola lifted her head up and her eyes met with grey orbs like hers . The man stood tall, glaring coldly at her, and she reciprocated trying to hide fact that she was taken aback by his sudden appearance in her office.