Chapter 19

THIRD POV

Their honored guest arrived. Everyone was silent, staring at her as she walked… The only sound you could hear was her heels.

Her allure captivated all men, young and old. Even the event’s host hesitated to speak. Their visitor couldn’t help but giggle at the reactions of those she passed.

She hesitated as she walked past familiar faces from her past. The sight of those who had caused immense damage to her life reignited her anger.

“Ms. Mystica,” Martin called out, catching Ana off guard. She continued walking, pretending not to hear.

“Please, give a warm welcome to Ms. Mystica!”

Ana’s arrival caused the crowd to extend their applause for a few additional minutes. Gracefully, Ana curtsied like a princess while Martin guided her towards the stage.

“Oh wow! I recognize her!”

“Yes, she’s the one!”

“She’s the sole purchaser of the million-dollar necklace!”

“Oh my goodness! Is she truly that affluent?”

The investors in San Alfonso whispered among themselves, unable to fathom that the woman they were conversing about was actually present in their town.

Ana’s eyes darted around the crowd at the San Alfonso festival, a mischievous smile playing on her lips. Her gaze landed on the Villalobos, their silent stares only fueling her excitement.

A smirk tugged at the corners of her mouth as she licked her lips, eagerly anticipating the desired reaction.

“Um… Ms. Mystica, we are delighted to have you here at San Alfonso. Thank you for gracing us with your presence on this joyous occasion.”

Ana approached the host, adjusting her mask before confidently taking hold of the microphone.

“I'm excited to see San Alfonso and meet the people in charge,” Ana replied in a hushed tone, ensuring the Villalobos wouldn’t overhear.

The emcee flashed a wide grin, applauding enthusiastically as they introduced Levy and Caridad. Ana was taken aback, her fists clenching tightly in surprise.

“Ms. Mystica, this is Mayor Levy Villalobos and his first lady, Mrs. Caridad Villalba,” the host smiled, and Levy extended his hand in front of Ana, while Ana just stared at Levy's hand. “And this is Ms. Mystica...”

Ana was stunned as her fists shook, not from fear but from anger. She didn’t know what to do because what she wanted was to embarrass them here, but she also knew that all her plans would be ruined.

She also noticed tears streaming down her face as she gazed at her former mother-in-law.

“Ms. Mystica, allow me to introduce Mr. Mateo Villalobos, the mayor’s sole heir, and his wife, Mrs. Chloe Villalobos,” the host announced.

Ana turned her attention to Mateo and Chloe, and her tears intensified upon catching sight of her ex-husband. She clenched her teeth tightly, struggling to contain her anger. Martin glanced at Ana’s trembling hands and approached her.

He gently took hold of her waist and softly murmured, “Ana.”

Ana blinked, turning to face Martin, who was fixated on her. Inhaling deeply, she shook her head, realizing she was becoming overwhelmed tonight.

“Ms. Mystica?”

Ana smiled and held on to Martin’s arm.

“Remember everything we’ve taught you,” Martin whispered to her. She nodded, gripping onto his arm tightly.

Exactly! She shouldn’t dwell on the past. She has become a courageous woman and is no longer weak.

“Nice to meet you, Don Levy, Mrs. Caridad, and the same to you, Mr. Mateo and Ms. Chloe,” she said, but her appetite vanished as she grew more irritated upon seeing the people who had wronged her.

She glanced at Chloe, who was grimacing at her, perhaps wondering why she was wearing a mask.

“Why are you wearing a mask?” Ana grinned, anticipating his question. She raised her eyebrows and let out a small laugh.

“Why do you ask? Is there something wrong with wearing a mask?” She inquired, even though they couldn’t see her gaze fixed on Chloe.

Chloe’s eyes widened in panic, aware that others could overhear their conversation. She nervously chuckled and shook her head.

“N-no. I mean—” Chloe didn’t finish her sentence as Caridad signaled her to stop. Despite feeling extremely annoyed by Ana’s response, Chloe obediently bowed.

“I apologize for my daughter-in-law’s behavior, Ms. Mystica,” Caridad said, bowing down to express her respect. Chloe’s actions had been embarrassing.

Ana raised her eyebrows and smirked.

“Daughter-in-law, huh?”

All eyes shifted towards Ana, intrigued by her comment, causing her to flash an even wider grin.

“Oh, my apologies, that was a slip of the tongue,” Ana admitted, her smile still intact. The host chuckled, attempting to diffuse any awkwardness.

“Thank you, Ms. Mystica! Please take a seat!” the host exclaimed. Ana nodded, stealing a final glance at the Villalobos before gracefully exiting the stage and settling into Martin’s vacant spot.

The party carried on as if there were no trace of tension. It featured lively dances that brought joy to the people of San Alfonso. There were entertaining games that added to the fun, while the guests of honor observed the merriment from the sidelines.

“Your plan nearly fell apart, Ana!” Paris whispered, expressing her earlier anxiety over Ana’s silence in the presence of people from her past.

“I’m feeling nervous as well.” Arielle whispered.

“But she succeeded, didn’t she?”

Ana grinned and confidently crossed her arms, observing the people in front of her.

“Apologies. It has been quite some time since I last laid eyes on them, hence my initial reaction. However, rest assured, I am capable of handling myself. I refuse to succumb to fear any longer, as I am no longer a weakling,” Ana declared. Her friends nodded in agreement, offering comforting pats on her shoulder. “All I feel now is pure anger,” she added, directing her gaze towards the Villalobos, who were also fixated on her.

“Hmm…”

Ana glanced at Martin, who sat beside her with a serious expression. Sensing his unhappiness, she gently rubbed his arm, knowing that he had been upset earlier.

“This won’t be our final encounter. I haven’t even begun executing the plan. There are still surprises for them,” she assured him. Martin simply gazed at her, remaining silent.

In a tender gesture, he caressed her cheek, eliciting a smile from her.

“So, how was your reunion?” asked Paris.

As she leaned back in the chair and crossed her arms, her smile faded. Her gaze shifted towards the Villalobos, who were joyfully mingling with the crowd.

As memories flooded her mind, she couldn’t help but recall the countless instances of belittlement, financial manipulation, and betrayal she had endured at their hands. The near-death experience still haunted her.

“I will never forget the pain they caused me,” she muttered, her eyes fixed on the Villalobos. Determination etched across her face, she added, “It’s time for me to make them suffer.” With a sinister grin, she rose from her seat.

Martin was taken aback and looked up at Ana because he hadn’t been able to decipher her every action in the preceding days, as if Ana was about to do something unexpected.

“Where are you going?” he asked.

Ana simply smiled at them before walking over to Chloe. She didn’t think Mateo would replace her with someone who was already used.

“They’re right. You’re quite attractive,” Ana said with a mischievous smile, observing the evident surprise on its face upon seeing her. She discreetly glanced at the food Chloe was choosing.

A smirk formed on her lips as she noticed the dishes that Chloe, being from Manila and the daughter of a wealthy man, never dared to try.

Chloe glanced back at her. “Ms. Mystica.”

Ana’s grin widened as she playfully added five chicken intestines to Chloe’s plate, leaving her utterly astonished by her audacious act.

“A princess doesn’t eat dirty food. Is that what you’re thinking?” asked Ana.

Chloe was taken aback, but she bit her lip and chuckled as Ana served food onto her plate. “What are you talking about? Why do you assume that I don’t eat this food?” she shook her head. “No, I’m not that type of woman.”

Ana smirked and nodded at Chloe, aware that she was trying to provoke her. She scoffed. “Oh, I thought people from Manila were sociable?”

Chloe shook her head, Laughing nervously, she tried to hide her unease. “No, of course not!”

Ana’s smile grew even wider as she observed Chloe's irritation. She leaned in closer to Chloe and asked, “So, how’s the flower?”

Chloe’s eyes widened, and she found herself unable to respond.

“Why are you haunted by the past?”

Chloe’s eyes widened, and she glanced at Ana, who fixed her gaze on the plate. Ana raised an eyebrow as she caught Chloe staring at her.

“What?” she asked. Chloe shook her head and took a few steps back, accidentally crashing into the table and dropping the plate she was holding.

Ana couldn’t help but smirk when she saw Chloe’s reaction, knowing that everyone had already noticed.

Ana approached her. “Chloe?” she asked, attempting to pat Chloe on the shoulder, but Chloe slapped her hand away, causing Ana to back away.

“Who are you? How did you know about the flower? You gave it to me?” asked Chloe. Ana raised her eyebrows and laughed.

“Why should I waste my time giving you flower?” Ana asked with a smile as she lowered her face to be at the same level as Chloe’s face. “Are you afraid of the past catching up with you, Chloe?” Ana grinned when she saw Chloe’s reaction.

“Y-you…! She’s… gone!” Chloe exclaimed, causing heads to turn in their direction. Ana’s smile vanished, and she rose from her place to face Chloe.

“Who’s gone?”

Chloe gasped, her hand flying to cover her mouth, and she shook her head.

“Is it Ana Bernardino?”

Chloe’s eyes widened, and she glanced up at Ana, but her eyes grew even wider, as if she were seeing Ana right before her.

“N-no…! Don’t play with me!” Chloe shouted, rising to her feet, intending to attacking Ana. However, Ana evaded her. “You!” Chloe continued to charge at her, but Ana chuckled, knowing that Chloe couldn’t lay a finger on her. “Ana is gone!”

With a sly grin, Ana approached Chloe from behind and whispered, “Chloe, she isn’t dead. She has returned.”

Chloe’s eyes widened once more than she turned towards Ana, ready to launch another attack. However, Ana evaded her again.

"Shut up—"

Mateo suddenly stepped in between them, taking Chloe aback.. “M-Mateo…”

“What do you think you’re doing? Your behavior is disgraceful!” Mateo exclaimed, his anger evident as he pulled Chloe away from Ana. Chloe struggled against Mateo’s firm grip.

“No! Let me go! I’m going to slap her face!” Chloe yelled, fighting against Mateo’s hold.

“Chloe!”

Ignoring his plea, Chloe persisted in trying to reach Ana, who stood there with a smug smile, observing the two individuals who had betrayed her.

“Let me go, Mateo! What is wrong with you? Let me go!”

“I told you to stop! What on earth do you think you’re doing? You’re making a fool of yourself!”

“Let me go! I’m going to teach that woman a lesson.”

Ana burst out laughing because Mateo and Chloe were fighting in front of her. They stopped arguing and looked at Ana.

“Why are you laughing?!?” Chloe asked angrily and rushed forward, but Mateo pulled her away.

Ana smirked as she scoffed, and a server passed in front of her, so she took the two wines and poured them. Mateo and Chloe stopped and looked at their clothes with shocked expressions on their faces.

“It’s amusing to see you in such a state,” she scoffs. “Her name is just a tool to drive you insane, Chloe.” Ana chuckled and shook her head slightly. “Are you losing your mind, or are you feeling insane?”

Chloe turned to Ana, her voice trembling. “Y-you…!”

Ana grinned and let out a sigh, her appetite diminishing even further.

“Well, allow me to introduce myself,” Ana said, extending her hand towards them and gently removing the mask that concealed her face. “I am Ana Mystica, and I’ve returned.”

Mateo's and Chloe's eyes widened in disbelief as they stared at the figure standing before them. It was the person they believed to be long gone, the person they thought was dead.

“N-no way… I-It can’t be…”

“A-Ana…”