The millionaire was ruined until the delivery woman arrived and did what no programmer could. Before we begin, please write in the comments where you are joining us from. Enjoy the story. Lucía Andrade entered the enormous building with a pizza box in her hands, thinking it would be another quick delivery to collect the tip and leave.
But from the first step he noticed that something was wrong. The office was in total chaos. Men and women in suits were running in all directions. Telephones were ringing nonstop. Giant screens on the walls flashed red codes and error messages, as if the entire system was exploding from the inside. The atmosphere was so tense that anyone could feel it on their skin.
In the midst of the disaster, a tall man in a black suit shouted desperate orders that no one seemed able to follow. That was Rodrigo Beltrán, CEO of Innovatech México, one of the most important technology companies in the country. Her hands were shaking as she screamed that they were losing everything.
“If we don’t fix this in minutes, billions are going to go down the drain,” he exclaimed, his voice on the verge of breaking. Lucia, confused, picked up the pizza box as if nothing was wrong and said in her normal tone, “Hello, I have your order.” No one turned around, no one heard her. She walked through the employees until she was standing in front of Rodrigo, who was so agitated he could barely breathe. She spoke louder.
“ Sir, your pizza is here.” Rodrigo looked at her, his face red, sweat beading on his forehead, his eyes filled with despair. “Do n’t you see what’s happening? I’m about to lose my entire company, and you come here to talk to me about pizza?” Lucia raised an eyebrow. “Well, explain to me what’s going on.” “An attack.
” He slammed his fist on the table so hard that a cup fell to the floor. “ We’re being hacked. They’re destroying our systems, and no one can stop them.” Lucia took a deep breath and answered without hesitation. I can help. The whole office burst into laughter instantly. One of the programmers commented mockingly. Oh, yeah, sure.
The pizza delivery girl is going to save Inovate. Perfect. Another added, laughing. Bring dessert too, maybe that’ll fix our servers. But Lucia didn’t back down. She stood in front of Rodrigo and said, “Give me a chance.” Rodrigo was desperate. His computer typed away, but each screen showed more errors, more corrupted files, more instructions.
Defeat was etched in his eyes. He stared at Lucia for what seemed like an eternity, and then it finally happened. “If you can fix this, I’ll give you $200,000.” Lucia smiled, placed the pizza box on an empty table, and said, “That would change my life, sir.” Without another word, she dragged over a chair, gently pushed a programmer aside to take his place, and began typing without wasting a second.
The office, which just minutes before had been mocking From her, now she stared at it in complete silence. Her fingers flew across the keyboard with an agility none of them had ever seen before. “I need another computer,” she ordered. An employee rushed to get it. Lucía began working on both at the same time, jumping between windows, copying lines, blocking access, creating filters.
Sweat trickled down her forehead as the alarms continued to blare. “Close that window!” she yelled at one of the programmers. ” Not this one, but the other one, quickly.” But when she closed it, the screen turned red again. Rodrigo clutched his head in both hands. That’s it. We’ve lost. Shut up and let me work.
Lucía snapped without taking her eyes off the screens. Things got worse. Reports indicated frozen accounts, private data being copied, forced access to key servers. Some employees were already on the verge of tears. Suddenly, one of the screens returned to normal. Then Another and another. Someone murmured.
She’s doing it , but the calm was short-lived. A new attack came in with even more force, as if the hackers had been waiting for this moment. Lucía’s eyes widened. It ca n’t be. The office lights flickered. The main server began emitting a loud, steady beep. Rodrigo slumped into a chair, defeated. This is the end. Lucía didn’t stop.
Her fingers moved so fast it seemed as if she were playing an instrument in the middle of a war. She killed processes, closed access, restarted defenses, raised barriers, and attacked again. All at the same time. Suddenly, a screen turned green. Then another and another until the entire system showed full recovery. Lucía dropped the keyboard, exhausted, her hands trembling.
“Done,” she whispered. The office erupted in applause and shouts of relief. Many approached, impressed. Rodrigo… She looked as if she had witnessed a miracle. He took out a leather folder, opened it, and wrote out a check. $200,000. You just saved billions. Lucía took the check and smiled wearily. Mr.
Beltrán, that ‘s definitely the most expensive tip I’ve ever received. She adjusted her backpack, turned around, and started walking toward the exit. No one said a word. Rodrigo watched her , stunned, unable to believe that this young woman in jeans and a sweatshirt had just done something his entire company couldn’t.
What neither of them knew was that this night wouldn’t be the end. It was going to be the beginning of something much bigger. Three weeks after the incident, Lucía stood in front of a small storefront in Mexico City. It was old, with peeling paint and dusty windows, but for her, it was perfect. She had saved some of the money from the check to open her dream: a coffee shop and bakery.
With hard work, she renovated everything, painting the walls. In light colors, she placed rustic wooden tables, installed warm lamps, and filled the display case with cakes and breads that looked incredible. In the window, in simple gold letters , it read Café Dulce Lucía. That day she opened at 8 o’clock sharp.
The first customers came in, drawn by the aroma of vanilla and freshly brewed coffee. An elderly lady was the first to speak. “What a lovely place, dear.” Lucía smiled. “Thank you. Would you like to try the carrot cake? It’s our specialty.” The woman tasted it and her eyes widened in surprise. ” It’s delicious.
I have n’t had anything like this in years.” The news spread quickly. In just a few days, Café Dulce Lucía became the neighborhood favorite. Families, students, couples. Everyone wanted to try what she made, but the peace would be short-lived because the man she had saved weeks before was about to return to her life and her Heart.
Days at Café Dulce Lucía became a beautiful routine for Lucía. She would get up before dawn, prepare dough, bake cakes, pastries, cookies, and decorate cupcakes while the coffee maker filled the place with an aroma that seemed to embrace everyone who entered. People began to come more frequently, and the business flourished.
Until one Thursday afternoon, the little bell on the door rang. Welcome. Lucía looked up and froze. In the doorway, wearing a perfectly pressed black suit and with an expression of genuine surprise, stood Rodrigo Beltrán. He also seemed surprised, as if he hadn’t expected to see her there, as if the image of her baking cupcakes and wiping her hands on an apron was completely new to him.
“So this is what you did with the money,” he said with a gentle smile. Lucía tried to sound casual. “I invested in sugar and flour, much safer than bailing out desperate companies again.” Rodrigo let out a deep laugh that made some customers turn around. I ca n’t argue with that, he replied, scanning the place.
It looks incredible. Lucía crossed her arms, trying to appear calm. And what’s the great CEO of Innovat doing here? Don’t tell me he’s running from another attack. No, today I just want a coffee and a piece of that chocolate cake that keeps staring at me from the display case. Lucía raised an eyebrow.
He traveled all the way from his office just for a cake. Maybe, Rodrigo admitted. But I also wanted to thank you in person, I really did. She wanted to say something, but at that moment more people came in and the conversation was interrupted. Rodrigo sat down at a table in the corner by the window. Lucía served him, but she kept a discreet eye on him.
He ate slowly as if savoring not only the cake, but the entire atmosphere. Before leaving, he left a 50-peso bill on the counter. The cake “It cost 30, sir,” Lucía said with a disbelieving smile. ” Consider the extra 20 pesos as compensation for the stress I caused you that night.
” She shook her head, amused. Rodrigo left, and although Lucía wouldn’t admit it, a part of her hoped he would come back, and he did. During the following week, he appeared three times, always at the same time, around 3 p.m., when the café was quieter. He ordered a black coffee and a different pastry. Each time, he sat at the same table.
He observed his surroundings. Sometimes he worked on his laptop. Other times, he simply stared out the window as if watching the neighborhood life gave him a respite his own world lacked. The first time, Lucía thought, “Coincidence.” The second, “Curious.” The third time, enough was enough. The following Thursday, when he came in, she crossed her arms and said loudly enough for everyone to hear, ” Let me guess.
” “Black coffee and apple pie.” Rodrigo took off his sunglasses with an amused smile. “Today I want carrot cake.” And she knows she could order it through an app, right? She doesn’t have to cross half the city every time she wants something sweet. Rodrigo leaned slightly toward her, as if confiding a secret. But if I order it through an app, I miss your sarcastic comments.
Oh, what an honor. I’m the millionaire’s personal comedian. Several people laughed near the register. A woman whispered to her friend, “That man comes in every day. He must like the girl.” And her friend replied without hesitation, “Who wouldn’t? She’s beautiful, friendly, and makes desserts that brighten your day.
” Lucía pretended not to hear, but she blushed. When he served the cake, Rodrigo gave her a twenty-dollar bill. “Keep it,” he said before she could protest. “I don’t need handouts, Mr. Beltrán,” Lucía replied. “If you want to help, recommend the café to your rich friends.” That would be useful. “I’ll consider the proposal,” he replied, taking his usual seat.
The days continued like this. Rodrigo would come in, make some witty comment. Lucía would respond sarcastically, and the customers saw their exchange as part of the daily entertainment. Some even arrived early just to see when he would appear. One Friday afternoon, while Rodrigo was enjoying a chocolate cupcake, he commented without looking up.
I can’t stop thinking about that night. Lucía, cleaning the counter, stopped. What night? The night of the attack. What you did was amazing. She shrugged. I just did what I had to do. You don’t understand, Rodrigo said, looking at her with profound seriousness. It meant everything to me. Lucía quickly changed the subject, uncomfortable with the praise.
And how is your company? Have you got everything under control yet? Rodrigo hesitated. More or Less. More or less. Lucía frowned. Messages have arrived, small instructions, tests. Nothing serious, but something’s not right. Lucía felt a chill. And what do you want me to do? I’m not in that world anymore.
I make cupcakes now. I know, but you’re the only one who understood the code that time. My team is good, but you think differently. Lucía crossed her arms, annoyed. I’m not going back to that. I have a normal life and I like it. Rodrigo nodded sadly. Okay, I’m sorry I asked. He got up, left money on the table, and before leaving said, “If you change your mind, you know where to find me.
” That night the café was packed. Lucía barely had time to breathe between orders. Everything was going perfectly until suddenly the lights went out. Murmurs filled the place. What happened? The power went out. Lucía took out her cell phone to She turned on the lights, walked to the window, and as she looked outside, she felt a blow to her chest.
All the shops on the street were lit, except hers. And worse, a man in a dark suit was standing in front of the café, watching her. As soon as she noticed him, he turned halfway around and left quickly. Lucía swallowed hard. Something was terribly wrong. She ran to the fuse box. They were all tripped, as if someone had moved them on purpose.
She turned everything back on, and the café glowed again. People applauded, unaware of what had happened. Lucía smiled, but inside she had a knot in her stomach. As she closed the shop, her cell phone vibrated with a message from an unknown number. You shouldn’t have gotten involved. Stay away, or next time will be worse.
Lucía felt fear creep down her spine. She looked at the entire café one last time that night, her dream, and understood something. This wasn’t over, and she had no idea of the danger that was yet to come. to her life. Lucía stared at the message on her phone screen for a long time. Her breathing was rapid, uncontrolled, as if she couldn’t breathe in the quiet room of the café.
She felt her heart pounding in her chest. Something told her this wasn’t just another warning lost among the many empty threats circulating online. This was real, this was direct, this was for her. The image of the man in a suit outside the café replayed in her mind over and over. It had n’t been a coincidence. Neither had the power outage.
Everything was connected. With trembling fingers, she dialed the number on the card Rodrigo had left her weeks ago. The call connected on the second ring. Lucía answered, worried. ” We need to talk now.” Twenty minutes later, Rodrigo arrived at the café. He practically ran in, his usual calm demeanor gone. He was wearing a shirt without a jacket and had a serious expression.
“What happened?” he asked, sitting down across from her. Lucía put She placed her cell phone on the table and showed him the message. Rodrigo read it, and his face changed immediately. When did you get this? Half an hour after the blackout. It was someone from outside. They saw I’d noticed them and left. Rodrigo frowned.
This, this is worse than I imagined. They know you helped me. They know who you are. I know, Lucía said, her tone laced with barely contained frustration. That’s why I called you. Rodrigo sighed and ran a hand through his hair, a gesture he always made when something worried him too much. “I’m sorry I got you involved in this,” he said.
“I had no idea they were going to go this far.” “It doesn’t matter anymore who was to blame,” Lucía replied. “What matters is that this isn’t going to stop.” Rodrigo nodded slowly. They were both silent for a few seconds, as if each were mentally processing everything that message implied. Finally, Rodrigo spoke.
“I need your help. Officially this time, your intuition, your way of working. My team doesn’t understand code like you do. They’re playing with us.” Lucía closed her eyes for a second. She knew that if she took that step, there would be no going back , that it would mean delving once again into the darkest part of the digital world, but she also knew that they had already made her a target and standing idly by would only make things worse.
“Okay,” said. “I’ll help you, but on one condition, whatever you want.” Stop coming here every day like you ‘re a lost puppy. You distract me, you make the customers gossip, and on top of that, you disrupt my routine. Rodrigo let out a small laugh of relief. Deal done.
During the following days , Lucia returned to a world she had escaped from years ago. Every night after closing the cafe he would go into his small back room where he had improvised a workspace with two laptops and a desk that creaked when he rested his elbows on it. There he spent hours reviewing code, analyzing patterns, comparing the reports that Rodrigo sent him every day from Innovatch.
The attacks were small, subtle, like constant tests to measure weaknesses. And there was something very clear . Whoever made them knew exactly how Rodrigo’s company worked from the inside. One afternoon, while Lucia was arranging a lemon cake in the display case, she felt a presence beside her.
Rodrigo was there again, looking worried. “I told you not to come so often,” Lucia said without turning to look at him. ” It’s important,” he replied. She turned and looked at him with a strange expression, as if he wasn’t sure what to say. “What happened now?” Lucia asked. “No, it’s not an attack. “I just wanted to talk to you.
” Fine. In person. Lucia raised an eyebrow, a sign that she was already suspecting the worst. Let’s see, what did Rodrigo do now? He sat down at the nearest table . Nothing bad. I just wanted to tell you that I enjoy spending time here with you. Lucia blinked. She had n’t expected something like that.
She immediately tried to make light of it. He says that because my cupcakes taste better than those at any expensive restaurant. I say it because it’s been a long time since I’ve talked to someone without feeling like they expect something from me. Lucia crossed her arms. Uncomfortable with sincerity. Oh, don’t start with the speeches.
I ‘m just now getting used to the fact that they don’t see me as the pizza girl anymore. Rodrigo smiled, but at that moment his cell phone vibrated. He picked it up and his expression changed abruptly. This ca n’t be happening. What? Lucia asked, moving closer. We’re being attacked again. Right now . Lucia straightened up.
You have Your laptop’s in the car. Go get it . Rodrigo ran outside and came back in seconds. Lucía grabbed her two laptops, turned them on, and set up an impromptu music station on a café table. Several customers stopped eating to watch what was happening. “What’s going on, dear?” asked the usual older lady.
” Nothing much, just some technical stuff,” Lucía replied without taking her eyes off the screens. The red lines of code came in at full speed. The hackers were going through the secondary firewall. It was a very specific entry, the kind of access that only someone with inside knowledge would have been able to detect.
Lucía began typing nonstop, connecting the three computers, executing simultaneous commands. “Can you stop them?” Rodrigo asked. Shut up, you’re distracting me! Rodrigo immediately fell silent. The customers watched, fascinated. One child even asked, “Is it a movie?” “Better than a movie,” his mother replied.
“Here, we don’t know if there will be popcorn or fires at the end .” Lucía kept typing as if she had fire in her fingers. He was breathing fast. Sweat dripped down his forehead. Ready, almost there, he whispered. Suddenly, the screens went blank. Then they reappeared with restored codes. Everything had returned to normal.
“There it is!” exclaimed Lucia, dropping the mouse. “That’s it!” The whole cafeteria applauded. Some recorded. Others cheered. Lucía just raised her hands, tired but victorious. “It ‘s not a show, huh? Go back and eat cake,” she said, though she sounded amused. Rodrigo put a hand on her shoulder. “You’re amazing.
” Lucía snorted with a faint smile. “I know,” but the victory was short-lived. A pop-up window appeared on one of their screens with a new message. ” You shouldn’t have come back. Now it’s personal.” Rodrigo read it beside her. “Lucía, this includes you now.” “I know,” she said, shutting down the computers.
” And I’m not going to stand idly by.” Rodrigo looked at her with concern. ” If you want, I can ask my team to handle it.” Lucía let out a bitter laugh. “Your team already tried that and almost lost the company. No, if they want war, now they’re going to get it. But What none of them knew was that this war was just beginning.
The enemy was getting closer and closer. Let’s play a game for those who read the comments. Write the word “tortilla” in the comments section. Only those who’ve made it this far will understand. Don’t forget to check the video description where I’ve listed some ideal products to improve your rest and well-being.
Let’s continue with the story. The news spread faster than Lucía imagined. The next morning, as she was opening the shop, a customer arrived with a newspaper in her hand. “Did you see this, Lucía?” Lucía frowned. No, she hadn’t seen anything. The woman handed her the folded newspaper, and there it was, halfway down the page.
“Baker or undercover hacker, the young woman who saved Inovate.” Not only did they mention her name, but there was also a photo of the café’s facade . Lucía felt her stomach clench. “Oh, no,” she murmured. ” Is all that true?” the woman asked. She tempted her with curiosity. “Did you help that famous director?” Lucía smiled uncomfortably.
“I just fixed a few things. Nothing out of the ordinary.” But it wasn’t anything out of the ordinary. The article was detailed. It talked about his supposed unusual skill. It implied that no one who delivers pizzas should know that much about computer systems, and even speculated that the whole thing might be a setup.
When the other customers started arriving, several were carrying the same newspaper. There were whispers, awkward questions, comments that made her feel like she was naked in front of everyone. By the afternoon, new people arrived, not to buy cakes, but to take pictures of her, record videos, and ask her questions as if she were a celebrity or a criminal.
Lucía was on the verge of losing her patience when her cell phone rang. “ Rodrigo, Lucía, we need to talk. If it’s about the newspaper, I already saw it. My team saw it too, and some of them started to suspect you.” Lucía felt a knot form in her Throat. Suspect me. Why? Rodrigo hesitated for a few seconds.
He did n’t want to hurt her, but he had to say it. They think you might be behind the attacks, that you gained our trust to get into our system. The silence that followed was so heavy Rodrigo could almost feel it. Do you think so too? Lucía asked softly. I… Rodrigo closed his eyes. Everything is happening so fast. I don’t know what to think.
Lucía hung up before he could say anything else. She put her phone on the counter, took a deep breath, and forced herself not to cry in front of everyone. She had helped twice, twice, and they still doubted her. She didn’t know if she was more angry or disappointed. The next days were a silent hell. The regular customers kept coming, but they didn’t look at her the same way anymore.
Some whispered when she walked by, others paid quickly and left without saying hello. And the older gentleman, who always wanted credit, now paid exactly, without looking at her. Lucía tried to work as usual, but inside she felt that every comment, every glance, every silence was slowly breaking her down.
And then it happened. A man who had never been there before came in one afternoon, tall, in a gray suit, with a dark hat that covered his face. He ordered a black coffee and sat in a corner. He didn’t speak to anyone. He didn’t do anything strange, except stand there motionless for almost an hour. When he finally got up, he left something on the table, a small folded piece of paper.
Lucía watched him from behind the counter, frightened. She waited until he left the café before approaching him. She unfolded the note with trembling fingers. ” You’re next.” She felt a dizziness that almost made her fall. She put the paper in her pocket and closed the café early without telling anyone. She spent the rest of the day in a strange state, between fear and anger, and for the first time since she opened her café, she didn’t know what to do.
At nightfall, without thinking twice, Rodrigo appeared in the doorway. Lucía saw him through the window. A mixture of anger and pain rose in her chest. When he entered, she didn’t even look up . “Go away,” she said, her voice breaking. “Lucía, please.” “I didn’t come here to fight.” Char replied, wiping the counter without looking at him.
“You already fought enough when you doubted me.” Rodrigo took a step towards her. I swear I didn’t mean to hurt you. It was a difficult day. Everyone was on top of me. And ? Was it easier to blame me? Lucia finally looked at him with eyes full of rage. I risked everything to help you twice.
And the first thing you do when something gets complicated is to see me as a suspect. Rodrigo was speechless. ” You’re right,” he finally said in a low voice. “What I said was cowardly and I’m here to ask for your forgiveness.” Lucía closed her eyes. Her chest rose and fell rapidly. “An apology doesn’t fix anything.” “Maybe not,” Rodrigo conceded.
“But I’m not leaving until you listen to me.” “I’m not going to leave you alone in this.” Lucía was about to reply, but a noise interrupted her. Shattering glass. They both turned toward the front window. The glass exploded inward. Lucía screamed and ducked as shards of glass flew through the air. Rodrigo shielded her with his body.
A large brick fell to the floor among the broken glass. It had a piece of paper tied to it. Rodrigo carefully picked it up as Lucía trembled. The note read, “Last warning.” Lucia put her hands to her mouth. Her eyes were filled with tears. “Rodrigo, I’m scared,” she whispered.
He hugged her tightly, pressing her against his chest. “I know, but I won’t let anything happen to you. I promise.” “You can’t promise that,” she said, her voice breaking. “Not when have my name, my address, and now my entire life in their hands.” Rodrigo took her by the arms, looking directly into her eyes. So, we’re leaving here.
Tonight you won’t be alone. Lucia hesitated. Seeing the destroyed cafe made her feel an immense emptiness. That place was his dream, and they were turning it into a nightmare. And where do you want me to go? he asked nervously. Rodrigo took a deep breath. To my penthouse is protected. They ca n’t find you there.
Lucia swallowed. I wanted to say no, that I could stay with a friend or look for a hotel. But when he saw the huge hole in the window, the video everywhere, and the threatening note, he understood that he no longer had a choice. ” Okay,” she whispered. “Just for today, Rodrigo carefully escorted her outside .
” Lucia looked at her coffee shop one last time before getting into the car. She had never felt so vulnerable or so angry in her life. I didn’t know that night was going to change everything. For better and for worse.” The drive to Rodrigo’s penthouse was silent. Lucía stared out the car window, not really seeing anything. The city passed by like a blur of light and shadow.
Her hands were clasped in her lap, tense. Her jaw was clenched, and although she tried to appear calm, inside she felt a mixture of fear, anger, and exhaustion. Rodrigo drove seriously, focused, his eyes glued to the road. Every now and then he glanced at her, as if wanting to make sure she was still there, that she was okay, but he didn’t press the issue.
He knew she needed that silence. Forty minutes later they arrived at the building. It was one of those luxury complexes with a glass facade, cameras everywhere, and a layout more like a five-star hotel than a place to live. Lucía got out slowly, looking around cautiously. Her nerves were still there, a knot that wouldn’t loosen.
As she entered the penthouse, The first thing she noticed was how enormous it was. Floor-to-ceiling windows, an immense view of the city, modern furniture, and lighting that turned on by itself as soon as they crossed the threshold. Welcome, said the apartment’s automated system in a soft female voice.
Lucía’s eyes widened in surprise. Does the house talk to you? Rodrigo smiled slightly. It’s the smart system. It controls the lights, temperature, security, everything. Lucía began to walk slowly through the living room. She touched the furniture as if it were fragile. She approached the kitchen, opened the refrigerator, and stared at the contents: bottles of water, green juices, sealed packages , and frozen items that looked like they came from a restaurant.
Do you really live like this? she asked. “You don’t even have the guts.” As usual, Rodrigo replied, a little embarrassed. “Yeah, rich people don’t cook,” she muttered, closing the refrigerator. She went to the bathroom and returned with an expression of astonishment. “You have a bathtub with LED lights, speakers and jets all around .
” My shower barely has lukewarm water.” Rodrigo laughed. “You can use it if you want.” Lucía shook her head, though she smiled slightly. “Relax, I’m not that close yet .” Rodrigo became serious again. He went to get a folder full of papers and a USB drive. ” I brought everything I’ve gathered.
Transactions, records, reports from my team. There are things that don’t add up.” Lucía stopped joking, sat down on the couch, and began reviewing everything with him. Rodrigo connected the drive to the laptop and opened several files. For two hours they worked together in silence. Lucía underlined, compared dates, analyzed money movements, and connected dots that no one else had noticed. Suddenly she stopped.
” Rodrigo, come here.” He approached quickly. “Look at this,” she said, pointing to a series of transfers. They were small, repeated deposits, directed to an offshore account, nothing that would raise any eyebrows. At first glance, but constant, very constant. This isn’t normal, Lucía said, and even less when they’re authorized by someone on the inside.
Rodrigo read the names, his face paling. No, this can’t be. Lucía switched windows, traced where those transfers had been approved from, and there appeared the name of the person responsible, Esteban Rivas, vice president of operations. Rodrigo’s right-hand man. Lucía said it softly. It’s him. Rodrigo slumped into the armchair completely devastated.
Esteban is my friend. He’s been with me for years. I helped him when he was unemployed. I confided everything in him. Lucía put a hand on his shoulder. Rodrigo, the numbers don’t lie. He closed his eyes, trying to process it. And why would do this? Lucía continued investigating. Because he has someone on his tail.
Someone who recruited him. Who? She typed faster, searched for matches, checked Old logs, spam, old code, and finally he found a name, a photo, a profile, a face that seemed dark even in the image. Rodrigo whispered. It’s her. He leaned over the screen. Irina Volcova is the head of cybersecurity at Innovatech Mexico.
“We fired her three years ago,” Rodrigo said, even more shocked. Esteban was the one who presented the evidence to get her fired. “Yes, but look at this,” Lucía said. That evidence never existed . Nobody verified anything. They fired her based on what Esteban said. Rodrigo’s eyes widened in horror. So, he betrayed her. Lucía nodded.
Irina must have lost everything because of that accusation— her career, her reputation. Now she’s seeking revenge, and she found Esteban, who started it all. Rodrigo paced the room, pressing his hands to his head. This is insane. Before Lucía could reply, the department shook slightly. The lights flickered. The system He spoke, but his voice wasn’t the same. System compromised.
The light turned red. Lucía jumped up . “Rodrigo, something’s wrong.” A high-pitched beep echoed throughout the penthouse, followed by the sound of metal locks engaging. Rodrigo ran to the front door and tried to open it. Nothing, it wouldn’t even budge. ” No, it can’t be.” “Yes, it can,” Lucía said.
” They’re hacking your house.” And then the system voice returned, distorted. ” Exit blocked. System compromised. We’re trapped here,” Rodrigo exclaimed. Lucia ran towards the computer. The screen was filled with lines of red code advancing like fire. “They’re taking total control,” she said, trying to type.
“I need to access your home’s central server.” Where is? Rodrigo pointed to a door in the hallway. She tried to open it, but was also blocked. Lucia picked up a kitchen knife. What are you doing? Rodrigo asked. Open it my way. He inserted the blade into the lock slot and began to manipulate it forcefully. It took several minutes, but finally the door opened.
They entered the dark room where there was a server tower with lights blinking as if it were possessed. “Everything is here,” Rodrigo said. “Can you fix it?” Lucía connected her laptop directly. “No, but I can manually turn it off and restart it to regain control.” Her fingers flew, she switched cables, altered commands, forced a reboot.
For a second, everything went silent and then the light returned to a normal tone. The front door unlocked. The system spoke again with its friendly voice. Welcome back, Mr. Beltrán. Rodrigo exhaled deeply. You did it . Lucia leaned back on the desk sweating. They were just seconds away from taking total control .
Rodrigo approached her. I’ve never been so scared in my life. Lucia looked up, exhausted. You need to understand something, Rodrigo. This is no longer about money, , or companies, or common attacks. This is personal. Irina is coming for you, and now for me too. Rodrigo looked at her and for the first time not as CEO, nor as a client, nor as someone he admired.
He looked at her like someone who was afraid of losing her. “I will never doubt you again,” he said in a firm voice. I promise you. And Lucia knew it . From that moment on, they were in this together . Let’s play another joke on those who only check the comments section. Write the word cheese.
Those who have made it this far will understand the joke. Let’s continue with the story. Lucía woke up the next day with a start. For a moment he forgot where he was until he saw the enormous window overlooking the city. Rodrigo’s penthouse felt too elegant, too comfortable, too quiet for someone who came from a small apartment and a run-down cafe.
He remembered what happened last night. The house is locked, the system is hacked, the door is closed, the red lights. It had all been real. It wasn’t a nightmare . She and Rodrigo had been seconds away from being trapped inside completely. He got up slowly and went out into the hallway.
The aroma of freshly brewed coffee filled the place. Rodrigo was in the kitchen with his hair a little messy and a cup in his hand. Good morning, he said smiling. ” Hello,” replied Lucia, stretching as if she had slept on a cloud. If you can make coffee or the house asked for it on its own.
“I think I made it,” he replied, looking at the machine doubtfully. Lucía took the cup he offered her and sipped. She wrinkled her nose slightly. “It tastes weird.” Rodrigo rolled his eyes . “It’s premium organic coffee.” “Ah, no wonder it tastes like grass.” Rodrigo laughed . “I have pancakes, but I warn you, they didn’t turn out very well.
” She tried a piece, chewed it twice, and put it back on the plate. “Rodrigo, this tastes like burnt rubber.” “Hey, I tried. And you failed miserably.” They looked at each other for a second and both started laughing. It was Lucía’s first genuine laugh in days. Something in her chest eased, a little. Rodrigo watched her as she walked toward the terrace to get some fresh air.
“Lucía,” he said, approaching cautiously. “ I know you’re tired, scared, angry, and that all of this hit you really fast, but I want you to know that you don’t have to face anything alone.” She She leaned on the railing. “I ‘m not used to people looking after me,” she admitted. “Well, you’d better get used to it,” Rodrigo replied, moving a few inches closer.
Lucía felt a strange warmth in her chest, something between nerves and something else . But before he could say anything, Rodrigo’s cell phone vibrated nonstop. He took it out of his pocket and his expression changed immediately. “Do we have news, good or bad?” Lucia asked. Both. He took control of the television’s music and projected an incoming call from a private investigator he had hired weeks earlier.
Lucía was surprised to see a photo of a bearded man with glasses on the screen. “Mr. Beltrán,” said the investigator. I found what I was looking for. Lucia approached. What did he find? Information about the other suspect, the one who resigned months ago. Emilio Casmarek. Lucia felt a chill.
What’s wrong with him? We discovered that he transferred money to accounts similar to Esteban’s. And not only that, we have evidence that he was in direct communication with Irina Volcova before disappearing from the country. Rodrigo frowned. So, did I work with her? At first, yes, but when he saw that things were escalating too much, he tried to get out.
She didn’t take it well. Lucia crossed her arms. And where is he now? The researcher took a breath. in Mexico. He arrived 3 months ago. Then he disappeared completely, but I found his last known location, Guadalajara. He lived there with his family. Everything indicates that Irina had it under control.
Lucia swallowed. Do you think Irina… The investigator lowered his voice. We don’t know. But he disappeared without a trace. Lucía turned towards Rodrigo. This is bigger than we thought. Rodrigo nodded. Serious. We have to find Irina before she finds us. That day, Lucia decided to abandon the idea of resting.
I couldn’t . His mind kept working, analyzing, connecting pieces. Rodrigo wanted to accompany her to work, but she sent him to make calls while she checked the Innovatex server from the Penthouse. There was something in that code that didn’t leave her alone, something that was repeated, something that seemed like a trace.
Finally, at 6 p.m., Lucia jumped out of her seat. Okay, I found something. Rodrigo ran towards where she was. What thing? One way to enter Irina’s system. A void he left unintentionally . Are you sure? Nobody leaves behind a perfect system. Not even her. Rodrigo looked at her with a mixture of admiration and fear.
Lucia, if you make a mistake, she’s going to detect us. “I know,” she said, “but if I don’t try, we’ll never know what he wants, what he’s planning, or when he’s going to attack again.” Rodrigo took a deep breath. Okay, what do you need me to do? Even to one side. This is going to be quick. Lucía opened several windows, created parallel access points, and prepared digital escape routes to prevent Irina from tracking the attack.
I was nervous, but also confident. This was his thing. Here he did trust his abilities. Okay, I’m going in, he said while typing. Once I’m inside, I’ll leave a message that only she will understand. I’m going to force her to answer. Rodrigo swallowed. Are you sure, Rodrigo? Silence. Let me work. He obeyed.
Lucía gave the last click. The screens flickered. A high-pitched sound came from the computer. The connection opened as if breaking through a digital wall on the other side of the world. And then Lucía wrote, “Hello, Irina. This is Lucía Andrade. Let’s finish this.” The answer came in less than 5 seconds.
“So you’re the famous pizza girl.” Lucia felt a chill. That woman was there watching her, waiting. He wrote, “You destroyed my coffee. You threatened me. This isn’t just against Rodrigo anymore, it ‘s against me too, and I’m not going to let you win.” The answer came like a blow. You chose the wrong side and now you’re going to pay for it.
Rodrigo leaned towards the screen. What does he mean by that? Lucía continued writing . If you’re so sure you’re going to win, why don’t you come for me? Why are you attacking from a hidden position? The screen went silent for a few seconds and then, very good, Lucia. If you want war, you’ll get it. Suddenly, all the windows on Lucia’s computer began to move on their own.
A flood of code invaded the screen. The attack was brutal. Immediate, precise. Rodrigo opened his eyes in horror. Lucia, what are you doing? It’s trying to get into my system. He wants my data. He wants everything. Can you stop her? Lucia clenched her teeth. Of course I can. Her fingers flew.
He opened defenses. It closed access points, bounced packages. He created false mirrors, he redirected attacks. It was like a digital duel. Two minds fighting at a speed that a normal person could never process. Rodrigo could only see Lucia’s hands moving so fast they almost looked like a blur. “Lucía, are you trembling?” “I don’t have time to tremble,” she replied.
Irina wrote one last sentence. “Let’s see if you’re as smart as they say.” And at that instant the attack changed. It became stronger, more aggressive, more destructive. Lucia felt she was losing ground. No, no, no. Lucía Rodrigo screamed in despair. She took a deep breath, gritted her teeth, and changed her strategy.
“Okay, I can play dirty too,” he whispered. With a series of simultaneous commands, Lucia launched 50 invasive processes, opening gaps, forcing overwrites, sending false paths. It was risky. If he failed, Irina would have his exact location, all his data and his life in her hands, but he was right.
Suddenly, the screens went black for a second, then turned back green. Rodrigo remained motionless. Lucia. She took a deep breath, almost in disbelief. I just logged into your server. That? Did you beat her? Lucia smiled with a tremor of emotion and tiredness. I beat her and I have everything.
For the first time in days, something resembling Esperanza reappeared. Lucia’s hands were trembling, but she didn’t let that stop her . Lines and lines of information appeared on the screen: locations, IP addresses, names, transfer histories, and a file with a title that chilled his blood. Operation Innovatch takedown.
Rodrigo leaned towards the computer. Incredulous. All of this is from Irina. Lucia answered everything. his plans, his contacts, the payments he received, those he made, even the members of his team. He opened a file. Ten names appeared on the list, including Esteban Rivas, Emilio Casmarek, three former engineers from Innovat, two programmers from a rival company, and a digital signature that simply said LV.
Lucía pointed to the initials. That file is protected. I ca n’t open it without setting off an alarm. Do you think LV is her? Rodrigo asked. It may be, or could be, someone else. This file is the most important. Rodrigo ran a hand through his hair. Lucia, this is enough to take everything to the authorities.
Yes, but first I need to verify the information. If Irina detects that I have it, she’s going to delete everything and leave no trace. ” Then do it,” he said decisively. Lucía began copying the data and sending it to an external server she had built herself years before. It was discreet, invisible, the kind of place where only someone like her could hide something so delicate.
But as soon as the transfer started, a pop-up window appeared. Connection detected. User LV attempting to regain control. Rodrigo’s eyes widened. I didn’t touch anything. She’s fighting to get it back. Lucía gritted her teeth. Of course she’s fighting. This data is her life, but I’m better.
She started typing nonstop, closing access points, changing passwords, cloning snippets of information. The transfer was running at full speed. 65%, 72%, 81%, 94%, 100%. Lucía pressed enter and disconnected everything abruptly. The screen went black. Rodrigo swallowed. Lucía, what happened? She smiled, breathing deeply. Relieved. I’ve got it.
Everything is safe outside. Even if I erase what’s in here, I can’t make it disappear from the world anymore. Rodrigo looked at her as if he were witnessing a miracle. You have no idea how much I admire you. Lucía shrugged. I know. He chuckled. You’re becoming unbearable. It was a compliment, she replied, winking at him .
Minutes later, Rodrigo received a call. It was the private investigator. “Mr. Beltrán, we have some news,” he said seriously. “It’s not good.” Lucía and Rodrigo exchanged glances. “Tell me, what happened?” Camera networks near Emilio Casmarec’s home detected new activity two days ago. The local police responded today. We found his house completely empty.
It appeared abandoned, but with signs of a quick exit. Lucía tensed, and he, the investigator, hesitated. He’s not here. Neither is his wife nor his children. He didn’t leave any notes. No There are no travel records, nothing. They literally vanished. Rodrigo leaned back on the table. “Do you think Irina forced him to flee? Or something worse?” the investigator replied.
“We do n’t have proof, but we know he wanted to abandon the plan, and she does n’t tolerate betrayal.” Lucía swallowed. ” So, Irina is desperate , and when someone like that is cornered, they do crazy things.” The investigator continued. ” I recommend you don’t stay alone and increase security. I’ll keep looking.
” Rodrigo hung up and remained silent for a few seconds. Lucía approached. “Rodrigo, don’t look at her like that. We’re going to find her before she does something worse. I do n’t want anything to happen to you,” he said with a sincerity that completely disarmed her. “It all started with me. I brought Irina into the company.
I trusted Esteban. I let her into your life.” Lucia took his hand so that he would look at her. Rodrigo, listen to me. I decided to help you. I chose to get involved, and I did it because I know what I ‘m capable of. This is not your fault. He watched her as if he were seeing something deeper in her eyes, a strength she didn’t know she needed.
Lucia said softly. I promise I will never doubt you again. She barely smiled. That’s fine by me , because if you do it again, I’ll hack your fridge so it only gives you green juice for a month. Rodrigo let out a genuine laugh. That would be torture. That night, while Lucia was checking backups, her cell phone vibrated with an unknown message.
He opened it without thinking and felt his heart stop. It was a photograph taken that same day at the door of the destroyed cafeteria with a shadow on the broken glass, a silhouette, someone standing in front of the place. There was text under the photo. You’ve already realized that you have nowhere to go back to.
Lucia felt a mixture of fury and fear. “That woman has really gotten on my nerves,” he exclaimed. Rodrigo ran towards her. What happened? Lucía showed him the message. Rodrigo clenched his jaw. This is outright harassment. “It’s war,” Lucia corrected. “ Then we’re going to finish her,” Rodrigo said. She shook her head.
“No, I’m going to finish her. You’re going to stay alive and somewhere you’re not an easy target.” Rodrigo grabbed her shoulders. “You’re not going to leave me out of this.” Lucía gently pulled away . “I ’m not leaving you out. I’m just saying you can’t enter her battlefield. This world is mine, and she knows it.” Rodrigo was about to reply, but at that moment the penthouse doorbell rang .
They both turned toward the door, tense. Rodrigo checked the hallway camera, and his face paled. “ Lucía, it’s the police.” Ten minutes later, two officers were inside the penthouse. One was checking paperwork, the other was asking questions. “Mr. Beltrán,” the younger officer said, “ we’re here about a report that came in last night.
” Apparently there was an attempted digital intrusion into this building. Lucía and Rodrigo exchanged quick glances. “Who reported it?” Rodrigo asked, controlling his voice. “We do n’t know. It was anonymous.” Lucía felt a chill. This was a trick. Irina wanted information. She wanted to know what they knew. The senior officer continued.
“ We were also informed that Ms. Andrade may be involved in recent cyberattacks. The description matches previous reports and press releases.” Lucía felt her legs go weak. “ Are you saying I’m a suspect? We’re not making any accusations?” the officer responded. “We just need to ask questions about her relationship with Mr.
Beltrán and his systems.” Rodrigo immediately stepped forward. “ She didn’t do anything illegal. She’s my outside consultant. She works for me.” The officers looked at each other. Lucía felt something burn in her chest. This wasn’t a game anymore. Irina was trying to put her in the crosshairs of the law. The officer continued.
“We just need to know if Ms. Andrade has had access to confidential information or…” Internal servers. Rodrigo interrupted him. Officer, I think you’ve just been manipulated. Someone is attacking us and trying to use the police as a shield. The officer frowned. Someone? Who? Lucia replied, “A woman named Irina Volcova.
And if they don’t stop her soon, she’s going to keep destroying everything she touches.” The officers took notes, puzzled. They did n’t seem to know what to believe. Finally, the senior officer spoke. We’ll contact central cybersecurity. For now, there are no charges, but don’t move from here. Understood.
They left the penthouse. The door closed. Lucia’s shoulders slumped. Rodrigo. Irina is escalating too fast. I know, he said. Lucia looked up, fire in her eyes. Then it’s time for us to go after her . Rodrigo felt a knot in his stomach. How? Lucia took her laptop. There is a way, but you’re not going to like it. Rodrigo swallowed.
What way? She stared at him. I’m going to trace the active connections she attacked from and confront her in person. Rodrigo stared at Lucia as if she had said the craziest thing in the world. Do you want Confront her in person? he asked quietly, as if the mere thought could awaken a monster.
Lucía closed her laptop and took a deep breath. Rodrigo, Irina isn’t going to stop. Not while she thinks she can control everything from her hiding place. And you’ve seen what she does. She hacked your house, destroyed my coffee shop, sent people to spy on me, planted rumors, called the police. If we don’t stop her, she’s going to keep escalating.
Rodrigo ran a hand through his hair, trying to process everything. It’s dangerous. Of course it’s dangerous, Lucía replied. But staying here and doing nothing is even more so. Rodrigo pressed his lips together. Do you have any idea where she might be? Lucía opened her laptop again with determination. Let me trace the connections.
I can’t pinpoint an exact address, but I can locate the cell towers where her signal has bounced. Nobody launches attacks this powerful without leaving at least a trace. And if she did leave one, I’ll find it. Rodrigo watched her work with a mix of fear, admiration, and pride. She was incredible.
Her fingers flew as she analyzed logs, triangulated signals, and forced access that anyone else would have considered impossible. After half an hour, Lucía looked up. The last strong signal was coming from an industrial area on the outskirts of the city. Old warehouses, abandoned workshops. The kind of place where someone who didn’t want to be found would hide.
Rodrigo frowned. Do you want to go there? Lucía nodded. That same day, three hours later, already at night, a black car traveled along an almost empty road toward an area where the streets were dimly lit, the lampposts were old, and many windows were sealed. Lucía was in the passenger seat with her laptop open on her lap.
Rodrigo kept his hands firm on the steering wheel, although his breathing betrayed his nervousness. “Tell me exactly what we’re going to do,” he said, testing the waters. Lucía answered without taking her eyes off the screen. “First I’ll check if the signal is still active.” If so, we confront her.
If we don’t find physical evidence, we’ll do anything that can help the authorities, but we won’t leave empty-handed. What if Irina is there? What do we do? Lucia closed the computer. We’re not going to start a fight, Rodrigo. I just want to see her. I want to look her in the eyes and make it clear that I’m not afraid of her. Rodrigo stopped abruptly.
Lucia, for God’s sake. Irina is dangerous. He is not a video game character. He ca n’t just look her in the eyes as if he’s going to get scared. Lucia took a deep breath. It’s not to scare her, it’s to tell her that I already know who she is, what she did, and what’s going to happen to her. That will destabilize her.
People like her hate losing control. Rodrigo closed his eyes for a moment. “I do n’t want anything to happen to you,” he said sincerely. Lucia looked at him gently. And I don’t want them to keep destroying your life. They remained silent for a moment. Then Rodrigo started again.
They arrived at the industrial zone. It was a cold, silent place , barely lit by a couple of old lamps. Lucía pointed to a large, dilapidated building with graffiti and broken windows. ” There,” he said, pointing to the main warehouse. Rodrigo parked far away. Let’s go with carefully. They got out of the car. The wind was freezing.
Lucia walked with firm steps, but inside her heart was beating strongly. They approached the warehouse. The door was ajar. Rodrigo took her arm. Let me go first, Rodrigo. She started it. Please, he said, looking at her with an intensity that left no room for discussion. Lucia nodded. Rodrigo slowly pushed the door open.
The interior was dark, but there were some old machines, cables lying around, metal tables and a desk full of papers. Everything seemed abandoned, except for a laptop playing music in the background. Lucía noticed it instantly. ” It’s hers,” he whispered. That shine, that model. She uses it for remote connections.
Rodrigo looked at her cautiously. He may be here, he may be here, or he may have been here minutes ago. Lucia walked carefully towards the laptop. Rodrigo stayed nearby, attentive. When she touched the keyboard, the screen reacted by displaying lines of code and then a message appeared. They arrived late. Lucia swallowed.
Rodrigo tensed up. “He’s making fun of us,” he said. Lucia continued reading. Below the message, another one appeared. I knew they would come. Thank you for letting me see that fear no longer paralyzes you, Lucia. It will be more fun to crush you when you get cocky. The air became heavy. Lucia felt a knot in her chest.
It wasn’t just a message, it was a invitation, a provocation. Rodrigo slammed his fist on the table. That woman is sick. Lucia slammed the laptop shut. Rodrigo, we have to go. This cellar is too clean. Nothing is out of place, except this. Do you think he’s watching us? I’m sure.
And not from here, from somewhere else . This is a lure. Rodrigo looked around and felt that every shadow could be hiding someone. Let’s go, he said. They left quickly, but when they got to the car, Lucia felt that something was off. The car was undisturbed, there was no one around, they heard no footsteps, they saw no movement, and yet something inside her was restless.
Rodrigo opened the driver’s side door. It goes up fast. Lucia was about to go in, but she stopped. Something caught his attention. A small white piece of paper stuck to the windshield. Rodrigo saw it too. What’s that? Lucia took it carefully. Upon opening it, he recognized the letter instantly. If you keep searching, you’ll find more than you can handle, including your own end.
Rodrigo angrily snatched the paper away. Enough is enough. This is a direct threat. Lucia took a deep breath and forced herself to think clearly. Rodrigo, we mustn’t lose our heads. That’s what she wants, for us to react without thinking. And what do you propose? Lucia looked at him seriously. Irina is no longer hiding.
He’s playing with us, and that means one thing. Rodrigo stared at her without blinking. Which? Lucia squeezed the paper. She already feels that we are catching up to her. Rodrigo started the car. Then we will reach her. Lucía looked at him and felt that for the first time in all that chaos was moving in the right direction.
But before leaving, Lucia returned to her seat, opened her cell phone, and looked at him. A new message, without text, just an image taken from a high angle through a surveillance camera. She and Rodrigo inside the cellar. Just 10 minutes ago, Lucia felt a chill. He showed the screen to Rodrigo. He gripped the steering wheel tightly.
Lucia whispered, “He’s watching us, yes,” Lucia said putting away her cell phone. “But he’s also making mistakes.” Rodrigo looked at her. “What mistake?” Lucia answered in a cold, firm, confident voice. You underestimate everything I can do. Lucia couldn’t sleep a single second that night . After returning from the winery with Rodrigo, she sat on the couch in the penthouse with her laptop open, her eyes fixed on the screen, but not really reading.
His heart was pounding, his breathing was short, and he had a burning sense of urgency inside his chest. Rodrigo watched her from the kitchen. I did n’t want to interrupt her, but I also couldn’t ignore the tension in the air. Finally, he approached with a cup of hot tea. Lucia, you should rest a little.
She didn’t even look up. Can’t. She already knows we went to the winery. He sent messages to both of us. He’s watching us, and not only that, he’s also leaving a trail so we know he’s doing it. How do I trace it? Rodrigo asked. Lucia typed something quickly. See for yourself. He opened a file he had copied from the cellar.
There were repeated patterns, codes almost identical to those of the latest digital attacks, but most importantly they were deliberate. ” She wants us to know she’s there,” Lucia said. “She’s playing games, and that means she wants us to get closer.” Rodrigo frowned. Why would she do something like that? Lucia took a deep breath.
“Because people like her need to feel superior. They need to prove they have the upper hand, even when they no longer do.” Rodrigo looked at her with a mixture of concern and admiration. Lucia spoke with a certainty that he found almost intimidating. “And you think she no longer does?” he asked. Lucia closed her laptop.
“I think she’s losing control.” “And that she ‘s desperate?” Rodrigo sat down beside her. ” Lucia, I want you to listen carefully. In all of this, you’re the best thing that’s ever happened to me. I don’t want anything to happen to you. I don’t want her to touch you, to get close to you , to hurt you.” “I—” Lucia interrupted him.
” Rodrigo, , can’t you protect me from something that’s in my world?” “In yours, yes, but in mine.” No. He looked down. And yet I still want to try. Lucía didn’t answer. She did n’t know what to say. There was too much at stake, too much confusion, too dangerous to think about something so emotional in that moment.
Or at least that’s what she tried to believe, because when Rodrigo looked up, she felt the urge to hug him as if he were the only stable thing in the midst of the chaos, but she didn’t. She couldn’t . ” Let’s keep working,” she said, breaking the moment. Rodrigo nodded, although his expression showed a slight pain.
At dawn, both were still the same, tired, with dark circles under their eyes, but without giving up. Lucia had more files open than hours of sleep. Rodrigo had coffee in his hand and had been frowning for 3 hours. Suddenly, Lucia’s screen flickered. A new alert appeared. Lucia leaned forward. Rodrigo, look, this.
It was a ping from an IP address I had seen before. Rodrigo recognized the number. Yes, this one, said Lucia. Irina is active right now . He opened the connection, but what appeared was not code. It was a text message written in real time. They woke up working. Rodrigo clenched his fist. That woman. Lucia wrote a quick reply.
What do you want? Irina responded instantly. Bye, you’re already tired of it, Lucia. Although I doubt it. You have the spirit of a player. You were made for this. Lucia felt an unpleasant chill. “He ‘s studying us,” he murmured. He’s been analyzing us for days. Another message appeared. But I’ll give you a hint, Lucia. The problem was never Rodrigo, nor you.
The problem was always who moved the pieces from within . Rodrigo was frozen. Lucia frowned. What are you talking about? The response took longer this time. Do you really think Esteban made all those decisions alone? that I was the only one who betrayed them. Please, Lucia felt a pang in her stomach. No, it can’t be. Rodrigo took a deep breath.
What does it say? She wrote, who else is involved ? Irina replied, I’m not going to tell you that, darling, but it ‘s close, very close. someone you know well. Rodrigo took a step back. No, it can’t be someone else from the board. We already checked. ” No,” Lucia interrupted. He’s playing.
He wants to distract us, confuse us, make us fight amongst ourselves. Rodrigo took a deep breath, trying to calm down, but Irina wasn’t finished. Do you know what the saddest thing is? That you two really think you can beat me. Lucia typed quickly. I already beat you once. The response was not long in coming. You only won one round.
But the fight continues, and then an attachment appeared. Rodrigo opened his eyes. What’s that? Lucía hesitated for a second and opened the file. It was a video, a security recording, a dark place, a man walking quickly, a woman behind him screaming. Lucia narrowed her eyes. It’s Emilio. Rodrigo approached. Yes, that’s Emilio Casmarek.
The video played. The woman caught up with him. He put something on her neck. The man fell to the ground. Lucia felt her blood run cold. Rodrigo, it’s her. He said in a low voice. It’s Irina. The video ended with the woman dragging the body towards a car without license plates. Rodrigo paled. Irina killed Emilio. Lucia did not answer.
I could barely breathe. The video was real, it wasn’t a hoax, and that meant they were facing someone even more dangerous than they imagined. A final message appeared on the screen. Next time it could be anyone. Lucia felt a lump in her throat. Rodrigo instinctively moved closer, as if he wanted to protect her, even though it was impossible.
Lucia murmured, this has gone to another level. She took a deep, very deep breath and said, “Then we’re going to move on to the next level too.” Rodrigo looked at her in surprise. Lucía closed all the windows, turned off the laptop’s music, and stood up. “I’m done playing defense,” he said firmly. Irina wants war and now she’s going to get it. Rodrigo swallowed.
What are you planning? Lucia looked at him with a new, dangerous, determined intensity. I’m going to trace the source of the video, the exact location from where it was sent. And when I have it, I’m going to tell the authorities exactly where to find it. Rodrigo shook his head. That’s going to infuriate her. Lucia smiled for the first time in hours.
Exactly. The next hour was a whirlwind of activity. Lucía opened all the files that Irina had sent. He analyzed every byte, every fragment of metadata, every digital trace that could reveal the original location. Rodrigo paced back and forth like a caged lion. “Do you have it?” he asked every 10 minutes.
No, she replied. Not yet. Give me time. After an hour and a half, Lucia remained completely motionless. Then he started laughing very softly. Rodrigo approached, alarmed. What happened? Have you gone crazy? Lucía turned the laptop towards him. Look at this number. Rodrigo narrowed his eyes.
It is a network cell. Yes, Lucia replied, and it comes from a router near the border. Very close. Where exactly? At a migration point that connects Mexico with a direct exit to the north. She doesn’t say which one, but she enlarged the map. It is close to an international highway. Rodrigo opened his eyes. The border.
Yes. If Irina is out there, is she going to run away or is she going to cross? Rodrigo stared at her. Do you think we can alert the authorities to catch her? Lucia took a breath. I think we can do it right now. He picked up his cell phone. He dialed a number. Lucia answered a familiar voice.
The private investigator. “I know where he is,” she said bluntly. I’ll send you the coordinates. Rodrigo stared at her in disbelief. ” Really,” Rodrigo said, with a tired smile. I’m good at what I do. He sent the coordinates. The investigator responded, “I will mobilize federal police and border patrol units.
If he’s there, he won’t get out.” Rodrigo slumped down on the armchair, exhausted but relieved. Lucia, I don’t know how to thank you. She sat down next to him. Don’t celebrate just yet. Irina is dangerous. They won’t catch her easily, but she’s already cornered. Yes, Lucia said. And cornered animals bite harder.
Rodrigo took her hand. I’m not going to let him hurt you. She looked at him with her heart beating faster. I know. But deep down, very deep down , something told her that the story was not over yet, that the worst was about to arrive. The night in the penthouse passed with a different tension than the previous ones.
It was no longer fear, it was no longer uncertainty. It was that strange state in which one feels that everything is yet to be resolved, for better or for worse. Lucía checked her cell phone every minute in case any new information came from the investigator or the authorities. Rodrigo paced back and forth, unable to stay still.
“Do you think they’ll find her?” he asked, his voice trembling as he tried to hide it. Lucia had learned to read each of his gestures. “Yes,” she replied. “This time he won’t be able to hide.” He left too many clues. Even though he thought everything was perfect, he became overconfident.
Rodrigo sat down next to her . “I never thought I would end up living through this,” he said, looking at his own hands. I started a company to innovate, to create, not to see it used as a weapon of war. Lucia looked at him gently. Rodrigo, you didn’t cause this. You made bad decisions about who to trust.
Yes, but it’s their fault, the fault of those who used their power to hurt. You were just in the way when they wanted to destroy something big. Rodrigo looked up at her. And you were on the way to save him. Lucia smiled slightly. You only ordered a pizza. You didn’t imagine all this either. Rodrigo let out a small, tired laugh.
I never thought that the woman who came in with a pizza box would end up saving everything for me. Lucia’s heart raced. He wanted to reply, but at that moment his cell phone vibrated strongly. The two of them tensed up. Lucía replied, “Yes, it was the private investigator with the accelerated voice. Lucía Rodrigo, we have her.
” Rodrigo took a step forward without realizing it. Where? near the northern border, a point between rural roads. She was trying to cross with false documents, but federal police and border agents surrounded her. He is in custody. Lucia closed her eyes and took a deep breath. Rodrigo slumped down on the sofa as if a weight had been lifted from his shoulders.
“Did she say anything?” Lucia asked. Yes a lot. She’s furious. He’s saying this isn’t over, that he has connections, that you don’t understand who you’re messing with. Lucia clenched her jaw. That doesn’t matter . He’s out of the game now. Now it’s a matter of the law. The researcher continued. The rest of his team was also arrested.
Esteban Rivas was captured trying to flee south and incriminating evidence was found on the computers of Emilio and other accomplices. They are going to face serious charges, very serious charges. Rodrigo felt as if a ton of tension was released from his body. Thank you, really. The investigator simply replied, “You caused all this.
Without your information, we would never have caught you. Rest now. It’s over.” Lucia hung up slowly. The music remained still, as if processing everything. Rodrigo approached. Lucia. She looked up and for the first time in weeks smiled without a trace of fear. We did it. Rodrigo hugged her without thinking. She did not move away .
On the contrary, she clung to him tightly. He could feel his breathing quickening, his heart beating as hard as hers. They stayed like that for a long time, letting out the tiredness, the terror, , the adrenaline, everything. When they separated, Rodrigo held her by the waist. Lucia, I have something to tell you. She looked at him with shining eyes.
Say it. Rodrigo took a deep breath. I fell in love with you. I wanted to deny it because everything was chaos, because your life was in danger. because I didn’t know if you felt the same . But I can’t keep quiet about it any longer . Lucía felt her chest tighten with emotion, but it wasn’t fear, it was something much warmer.
Rodrigo, I fell in love with you too, and believe me, I tried to avoid it too, but it happened and now I don’t want to avoid it anymore. He smiled as if those words were the first sign of light after an endless storm. Then he said , moving a little closer, “Will you allow me to stay in your life?” Lucia giggled softly.
“Only if you promise not to burn any more pancakes.” Rodrigo feigned indignation. I didn’t burn the pancakes, they just cooked too fast. Uh-huh. “ Of course,” she joked. Rodrigo hugged her again, this time calmly, without fear. Two days passed before they could return to the café. Investigations at the border, interrogations, and official reports kept them busy.
But finally, the time came to return to Dulce Lucía. When they arrived, the place was still damaged. Broken windows, overturned chairs, dust in the corners, but it was also their space, their dream. Lucía took a deep breath , as if filled with renewed energy. “I’m going to rebuild everything,” she said firmly.
“I’m not going to let someone like Irina destroy my life.” Rodrigo stood beside her, surveying the damage. “And you won’t do it alone.” I’ll help you with whatever you need. Lucia smiled and took his hand. So, we start today. And they began. In the following days, they hired people to fix the windows, paint the walls, repair the furniture, and reinstall the kitchen.
Rodrigo showed up every day with coffee, tools, or simply to carry boxes. Although he wasn’t very good at manual tasks, his intention made him adorable. ” Rodrigo, that paintbrush is for walls, not for furniture,” Lucia said, laughing. I know, he replied, although he clearly did n’t know.
Within a week the place began to look brand new. In two, it seemed like a dream. In three, Lucía was ready for the reopening. That day more people arrived than they expected: neighbors, loyal customers, curious onlookers, and even Innovatch employees. There were balloons, soft music, and a perfect smell of freshly baked bread.
Lucia was wearing a new apron. Rodrigo had flowers in his hand. “Ready,” he asked. Lucia took a breath. “List.” He opened the doors. The audience greeted her with applause. She blushed and laughed. The elderly gentleman, the one who always forgot his wallet, arrived first. Should I get a coffee? He asked with a big smile.
Lucia crossed her arms feigning annoyance. Again. You don’t change. People laughed. Rodrigo smiled. It was beautiful to see life returning to that place. After a few hours, Lucia went out for a moment to the small terrace at the back. Rodrigo followed her. “Hey, since this has calmed down a bit,” he said.
I have an important question. Lucia raised an eyebrow. Okay, surprise me. Rodrigo took her hands. I want us to be together officially. I want a life with you. And yes, I know it sounds cheesy, but is the truth. Lucia bit her lip with a soft smile. Rodrigo, I want that too. Then he leaned forward slightly.
Can I kiss you? Lucia laughed. If you ask for permission, it doesn’t feel the same. And she kissed him. It was a calm kiss, warm, full of affection and for the first time without fear of anything. When they parted, Lucia whispered, “I think I feel happy now.” Rodrigo hugged her. Me too. The coffee shop kept filling up, and life went on.
And although they both knew that the past had been intense, dangerous and full of threats, they also knew that it had all been worth it to get to that moment. Lucia had recovered her sleep. Rodrigo had recovered his company and together they had found something that neither of them was looking for, but which was now the most important thing, a place where they could be themselves.
A place where you can feel safe . A place to start a new story with more laughter, more coffee, and fewer hackers. What did you think of this story? Leave your opinion in the comments. Tell us what your favorite part was and rate this story from 0 to 10. Don’t forget to like the video, subscribe to the channel and turn on notifications so you don’t miss our next stories.
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