Chapter 12

When someone knocked on my door, I awoke. I stood up after rubbing my eyes.

“Ana, let’s go!” exclaimed the person outside my door, and I nodded, although it couldn’t see me.

When I looked at the clock, my eyes widened when I realized it was already 8 p.m. I appeared to have slept for a long time, so I got up to get dressed because they appeared to be inebriated. TSK, I’m late for the party.

When I left the room, the maid showed me where the pool area was because they had claimed it was there. I headed straight to the pool area, and I was true in my prediction that they were already drunk.

When Arielle spotted me, she yelled, “ANA!” I smiled at them, embarrassed because I was only dressed in a robe.

Paris and Arielle approached me, both of whom appeared to have been drinking heavily. They drew me to where they were and yelled when they saw me. I looked everywhere to find Martin.

“There he is,” Paris whispered, and I followed where she was pointing, but I grimaced when I saw Martin, who seemed upset because his buddies were pestering him while he was reading.

Is he had no happiness in his life? Is he still reading at this point?

“This party is not his trip; he’d rather read business proposals than attend a party like this,” said Paris again, winced. “In short, he’s boring to be with!” she shouted, laughing, and I chuckled as well because I believed they had to go with Martin because they were aware of his behavior.

“Paris is correct! I do not know who he is, he-he… In all the time we’ve been friends, I’ve never seen him go to a bar,” Arielle, who was annoyed with Martin, said. I nodded, since that’s how Martin appears. “But he sleeps more in the hotel than Lucas!” My eyes widened at Arielle, and I smacked her on her back because Martin may hear her.

They both chuckled and drew me into their party. I stared at Martin, who had a flushed face, since it seemed like he had just calmed himself down before hurting his buddies. I giggled, but I drew my gaze to him because he was so attractive now.

He’s dressed simply in a t-shirt and shorts, and he’s wearing eyeglasses, which adds to his allure. I just stood there, staring at his entire body. How may Chloe have felt after tasting a Martin Monticello?

Because of my thoughts, I came to a halt and slapped my cheek. Oh, my gosh! I believe I will sin again! Because my face was flushed, I shook my head and avoided Martin.

“Oh, Ana! You’re here!” said Lucas, handing me a glass of wine. So, I swallowed and drank the liquor he had given me, and everyone began yelling.

Even though I grimaced at the bitterness of the liquor, I took another shot glass and raised my hand, causing everyone to shout even louder.

I grinned, since I had only just now realized how long it had been. It's astonishing to have a genuine friend…

I also never had this experience with Mateo’s friends, since they insulted me just by looking at me because they prefer Chloe over me. I can’t wait for them all to see that the person they used to mock is the one who can bring them down. Furthermore, I can’t wait for the perfect moment.

I stood up and screamed loudly to let out all my rage because I was finally free of the Villalobos’ nightmares. They laughed at me and merely handed me liquor, knowing I was already drunk. F–ck.

“Whoa!” I yelled, laughing along with them.

I’m not going to think about the plan right now, since I need to study everything before I can finally return to the Villalobos’ life.

I sat while holding my head because it appeared the booze had taken all of my strength. I shook my head as I observed Martin’s friend’s pranks, but it startled me when I felt someone put a towel on me. So, I had a look at that person… It was Martin, who was standing next to me.

“Are you okay?” asked Martin, turning to face me. I just smiled as I gripped onto the towel he handed me. “Are you thinking about the plan?” he asked.

I looked up, as if thinking about, and then at him, but I laughed when I realized how serious he was about the question. But I just sighed and shook my head.

“I won’t think about that first because the important thing is that I’m still alive and will return to exact my revenge,” I leaned back in my chair. “I can’t wait for them all to be surprised when I come back,” I smirked. He nodded and took a seat next to me.

“I’m curious about the outcome of what we’ll do,” he said, surprising me. “Because I don’t want you to get hurt, Ana, and I would rather not see you unconscious in front of me because I don’t know what I’ll do if what happened 5 years ago happens again,” he stated, gazing into the pool. “If that happens, I will not be sanctified,” he said as he turned to face me. I just smiled and patted him on the shoulder.

“I know,” I said as I stretched and stood up, “but don’t worry about me; I'm not young anymore.” and I looked at him. “Thank you for saving my life. Martin, I owe you a lot, and I promise I won’t let you down,” I added, smiling when I saw how glad he was because I knew he was worried about me.

I smirked and grabbed a drink as approached Martin. I poured the wine I had brought to surprise him. His friends yelled because of what I did.

“For now, join the party first!” I yelled at Martin, laughing at his irritation. His companions dragged him into the pool, which angered him even more.

Because of their pranks, I just laughed and shook my head. I raised my lips and backed away, but I stared at them.

I’m sorry, Martin. But I’ll do whatever I want. Have trust in my abilities. Ana, the weak and cowardly woman, is no longer me. Because I am Ana Mystica, and I shall whip them with my revenge.

***

The party is over, and now comes the hard part… The training.

“Oh, no, not that!” exclaimed Lucas. I closed my eyes out of fear and made multiple mistakes. “You can’t be nervous when you’re holding a gun!”

I nodded and attempted to grasp the gun, but I was shaking because something flashed across my mind. But my vision is becoming blurred. I shook my head again and tried to focus on the target, but someone grabbed my shoulder and I fired the gun some place.

“Whoa! Easy!” yelled Lucas, but he just chuckled at my reaction. “Can you still do it? Would you like a 30-minute break?” he asked, now that he was my coach.

I just shook my head, suggesting that I will continue training. I wiped the sweat from my face and repeated what he had told me. And I will fight for it because I will not be a coward.

Lucas was just staring at me while I did what he instructed me, but I was still making mistakes and couldn’t hit the mark. When I heard him sigh, Lucas approached me. It startled me when he took my hand and pointed to the target.

“From the start, look at the target, like this…" he whispered, and my hair rose as his breath touched my skin.

I just swallowed and asked Lucas to show me how to hit the target again. He gripped my hand and my fingers tightly before pulling the gun…

When I saw the bullet hit the center, my eyes widened. Martin chose him as my coach because I didn't think he was very skilled. He stepped away from me and stood next to me.

“You can’t hit if you’re scared,” he stated solemnly. I gulped hard and just stared at him, since he seemed cool to me.

He took a revolver and performed what he had done before. I just stood there staring at him. Wow, I’m hoping… That is something I can learn as well.

“Am I handsome?” he asked, smirking. “Your gaze is strange,” he added.

Because I was staring at him, my eyes widened, and I blushed, but not because I have a crush on him, but because he’s so cool. Is it a terrible thing to be impressed? He’s not really my type.

I rolled my eyes and grabbed my gun to test the target, but we were both taken aback when someone hurled a water bottle at Lucas’ head.

“What the f-ck?!” said Lucas, looking annoyed to see who threw the bottle at him, but we both came to a halt as we noticed Martin approaching towards us with a blank expression.

Lucas shook his head and stepped back a few meters. What happened to him?

“Oh! Master!” said Lucas, surprised to see Martin. I laughed because he appeared to be teasing Martin.

Martin was about to throw the bottle at him again when he raised his hand. “Easy! I’m just teaching her!” Lucas yelled, although I knew he was joking.

Martin lifted his brows and looked at me, then he returned his gaze to Lucas, who was calmly smiling in front of the man.

“You don’t have to hold your student while you're teaching her,”

When Martin arrived in our direction, Lucas and I both lost our smiles, and we swallow every time he walks. Because Martin didn’t seem to be in the mood, Lucas almost choked on his saliva.

Lucas looked at me and said, ‘He’s only teaching me.’ I shook my head and walked away because I didn’t want Martin to chastise me again.

“Oh, damn,” Lucas whispered, but we could hear him. “He-he… I have something else to do! I’m leaving! See you tomorrow, Ana!” Lucas exclaimed as he prepared to leave, when Martin pulled his clothes back on.

I shook my head because they are causing me more stress than my training. I sighed, but when Martin looked at me, I stood up.

“Teaching… No need to be held,” he continued, glancing at me. I swallowed and averted my gaze from him.

Why is he staring at me like that? I’m not making any mistakes! He is the one who selected Lucas as my coach! Err! I do not know what Martin was thinking! TSK!

He let go of Lucas, so he could put on gloves. His bodyguard handed him a gun. My eyes widened when I noticed him clutching a strange rifle… As if he could just hold it.

He turned to face the target, and I almost blushed since his posture was unusual. Shit, I just turned away, but when Martin spoke again, it surprised me.

“Don’t look away, or you’ll miss the target,” said Martin. I bit my lower lip and just stared at what he was about to do.

My jaw hung open at the gunfire, and everything was on point.

Because he was so outstanding, I screamed. He did it better than Lucas. He’s even sexy while clutching a gun. Damn. Ana, what are you thinking? F–ck.

I turned to face Lucas, who was no longer at the firing range. Wait! He abandoned me here with Martin?!

“You!” Martin yelled, making me jump and turn to face him.

When I saw his terrifying expression, I swallowed. “Yes!” I replied, saluting him. I don’t feel at ease around Martin.

I’m afraid what he’s preparing will injure my body. And I really wanted to hurt Lucas since he left me here with a man who is always mad, so I snorted and turned to face Martin, who motioned for me to approach him as he loaded the rifle. I took a deep breath and approached him, scratching my cheek.

“Why?” I asked. He looked at me before signaling his staff, and I looked at the targets because he switched targets.

The target took aback me. What is Martin up to? Why does he need to show me these things? What exactly do you want me to do? Please… Don’t be this way…