Chapter 3 - THE MORNING OF THE MASK
The sun rose over Mexico City,
casting long,
golden fingers across the Colonia Del Valle.
It looked like a beautiful day,
the kind Renata loved to post about on her social media.
I found her in the breakfast nook,
sipping a green juice,
wearing a dress that cost more than my mother's first house.
"You look tired, Alejandro,"
she said,
not looking up from her tablet.
"I hope you didn't stay up all night crying to your mother."
I sat across from her,
pouring a cup of black coffee.
"I was thinking about the company,"
I said,
my voice flat.
"Good,"
she replied,
finally meeting my eyes.
"It’s time you admitted you can’t handle the pressure."
"Under my name,
the Ellis group will triple in value."
"We will be the elite,
Alejandro."
"No more of your mother's 'traditional' values slowing us down."
I took a sip of the bitter liquid.
"Tradition is what built the company, Renata."
She rolled her eyes,
a gesture of pure contempt.
"Luck built the company."
"And I am the one who will keep it from falling apart."
The doorbell rang at exactly nine-thirty.
It was the notary,
a man named Licenciado Valdes,
who Renata had chosen because she thought he was easily bribed.
She stood up,
straightening her skirt,
the mask of the perfect wife snapping into place.
"Behave yourself,"
she whispered,
leaning close to my ear.
"One wrong word,
and the doctors come for your mother by noon."
I followed her to the living room.
Licenciado Valdes was waiting,
looking nervous.
Beside him stood two men I didn't recognize at first.
They were dressed in dark suits,
holding briefcases.
Renata didn't notice the subtle tension in the room.
She was too busy admiring the documents spread out on the mahogany table.
"Everything is in order, Licenciado?"
she asked,
her voice sweet as honey.
"Yes, señora,"
he replied,
his eyes darting to me.
My mother walked into the room,
dressed in her best black dress,
the one she wore to church.
Renata glared at her.
"I told you to stay in your room, Carmen."
"This is a business meeting for those with a future."
My mother didn't move.
She looked at me,
and I gave her a tiny nod.
"Actually,"
I said,
stepping forward,
"I invited her."
Renata turned to me,
her eyes flashing with a warning.
"Alejandro,
don't be a fool."
"The documents,
now."
I picked up the fountain pen,
feeling its weight in my hand.
I looked at the signature line.
"I'm not signing these, Renata."
The room went silent,
the air thickening with the coming storm.
Renata laughed,
but it was a sharp,
ugly sound.
"Then you've made your choice."
"Licenciado,
call the medical team."
"We are proceeding with the incompetence hearing."
I smiled,
the coldness of it stopping her mid-breath.
"I don't think they'll be coming for my mother, Renata."
"But I think these gentlemen might be here for you."
I pointed to the two men in the back.
They stepped forward,
opening their briefcases.
They weren't business partners.
They were investigators from the Prosecutor's Office.
May you like
Renata’s mask didn't just crack.
It shattered.
