Mr. Cruz's Revenge

One wrong swift, Vengeance awaits.

Alexander pope

Not many people could hear the loud voice of Maria's mistress, down the street on a rainy night in a mansion. The woman of the house was acting violent and her servant, Maria received the results of the violence with cries and pleads. Maria thought it was a dream when she was dragged out to the sitting room by her mistress and received heavy slaps with intensity. She couldn't endure the slaps, so she cried out and pleaded with the woman to forgive her for any wrong she might have done.

"No...no, please! Have mercy." Maria cried as she felt the impact of the slaps on her bare cheeks.

"You ungrateful bitch! You tried to steal my husband away from me, after all, I have done for you and your son!" Her mistress yelled. She tossed Maria's bag outside while her husband and the servants watched the drama. The Mistress's baby was carried by a nanny who was disappointed at the scene.

"Por favor ten compasion!" Maria pleaded. She didn't know where else to go if she was sent out of the house.

"Push her out of my house now!" Her mistress ordered it loud and clear and it was carried out with immediate effect.

The guards pushed Maria and her son out of the house with their bags. Then the door slammed shut. Maria knelt down and cried out aloud but no one could hear her except her five-year-old son who was standing behind her. They were both under the rain, soaking wet. It would have been a sin for her to curse the rain for pouring all over her little son's body. He was white and pale, mostly because he hadn't eaten since the day started. She could tell that he was weak yet, he pretended to be strong for her.

"Mommy, it's okay...please stop crying." The little boy said, consoling his mother.

Maria cleaned her tears and hugged her son with love, "We will survive this okay?"

Philip nodded, he was getting really cold but he endured it because of his mother. As a young boy of five years, he had learnt that endure the hardship and insults that came their way. He never wanted his mother to worry about him.

"Do you love mommy?" Maria asked.

"Yes."

"I love you too. Let's get going...we might find help." She said as she took up the bags and walked away from the premises of the house. Before she moved on, she looked back at the house and swore within her to deal with that household, if she survived in the rain. The only thing that made the night memorable was the pouring rain. How ruthless her mistress was to allow her son to suffer with her. She wasn't going to let go of this memory and she would preserve it with all she had in order to get back at them when the time was right.

"Let's go." She said, holding her son's hands as they walked into the night with the drops of rain splashing on the ground. Their clothes dripped with water and the cool of the night gripped their skins. The world wasn't fair to them at all but Maria knew they had to survive no matter what.

Twenty-one years later,

Manuel Cruz organized a party for the celebration of his birthday. His wife, Maria Cruz was part of the people who helped in organizing the whole event. She was very satisfied to see her husband celebrating his sixtieth birthday.

Friends, well-wishers, and family members attended the occasion including his two sons, Philip Cruz and Henry Cruz. She hugged Philip with a smile and kissed him on the cheek.

"Cómo has estado?" Manuel asked with a smile.

"I am fine, no need to worry about me...I hope you are enjoying the party?" Philip asked with a sweet smile.

"I am enjoying the party. Thanks to your mother. Mujer hermosa! My love for her has increased."

"I see. She hasn't forgotten to call me for the last two weeks, all because her husband is turning sixty today."

Manuel laughed and hugged Philip again. "Enjoy the party." He said and walked over to his second son, Henry.

Philip looked around the party and saw his mother talking with some guests, he was happy to see her smiling. He didn't want to disturb her, so he took a glass of wine from one of the waiters and walked toward his friend, Sammy.

"Oh! Philip Cruz! You are looking handsome today, what's the extra secret?" Sammy said with a smile.

"I would have shared it with you but I need to think thrice before I finally do it." Philip replied. He guessed Sammy knew that he wouldn't answer the question no matter how many times she asked. Sammy had a way of being too obsessive, especially with knowing secrets.

"Mmm, now I see why your father chose you as the next CEO." Sammy said.

"And I see why he chose you as his public relations officer." It was clear that Sammy was a destined public relations officer.

"That's so kind of you to say but you know what they say, I am who I am."

"I've never heard anyone say that before."

"That's the point, you don't need to hear it before you believe it."

Philip smiled and drank his wine, he was getting bored of Sammy's jokes and he needed to get some break. "I'll see you later."

"Enjoy!" Sammy said.

Philip walked out of the party with his glass of wine. As he looked around, he commended himself for his hard work and persistence. His biological father had died when he was two years old, but ever since Manuel came into their lives, everything changed. He married Maria because he loved her even though he wasn't wealthy at that time. Through the years, Manuel and Maria's unity and hard work paid off for them. Philip was still in junior school when he started learning the principles of business from both of them, they began training him and teaching him all he had to know about being successful at business. He graduated high school and took up a business course while developing his art skills which were beneficial to the company. His sketches and drawings were sold by their company to other businesses and that caused the lifting of the Cruz company.

His brother, Henry, was still in high school when Philip was in college. Maria gave birth to Henry when she married Manuel. Philip was six years at that time. Henry had received the love, care, and attention that any family could give but he wasn't always on good terms with Philip. The issue was a major concern to Maria and Manuel but they didn't stress the matter.

Philip loved his brother since he was a baby, but seeing Henry grow up to despise him was so discouraging. Nevertheless, he continued being his older brother to Henry and would sacrifice anything for Henry's happiness.

As he walked, there was this sense of peace that he felt. He hoped that it would last long enough because, he wasn't used to the feeling of peace, his life had been full of trauma, difficulties, and suffering. He rarely felt peace because he knew, it was not permanent.

Philip sipped his wine and watched a man come out of a car with a young lady. Philip recognized the man, but not the lady, and he was surprised when the man saw him and approached him with the beautiful young lady.

"Maestro felipe!" The man said with a smile as he shook hands with Philip.

"It's nice to see you again, Dr. Mathew." Philip said with a smile. Dr. Mathew was a big man with medicated eyeglasses and white hair, he was definitely in his sixties perhaps a little older than his father, who was turning sixty. Dr. Mathew was a very intelligent man with a friendly personality and he occupied an important position in the CRUZ company.

"Nice to see you too. How have you been? Your mother told me that you traveled for a short holiday." Dr. Mathew said.

"I did. As you said, it was short."

"I know you to be the type of guy that takes short naps." He had known Philip for years.

"That's very funny, Dr. Mathew but I don't sleep most times."

"So how do you still look young and handsome?" It was an awkward question for an elderly man to ask but Dr. Mathew didn't care anyway.

"My secret." Philip said with a smile and they both laughed.

"Anyway, this is Clara Hamilton, and Clara, this is Philip Cruz." Dr. Mathew said.

"Nice to meet you," Clara said shaking hands with Philip.

"And you too." Philip replied.

"Ella es hermosa ¿no?" Dr. Matthew asked in Spanish because he knew that Clara couldn't understand it. In translation, he was asking Philip, if Clara was beautiful and Philip smiled.

"You have a very good sense of humor, Dr. Mathew." Philip replied, determined not to let the old man's question get into his head. He didn't like cheating people so her had to answer in English so as avoid the question.

"She is a good artist and very soon, she will be working in the Cruz company, so watch out."

"I will be waiting... it's nice to meet you again, Clara." Philip said.

"And you too." Clara replied.

"Thank you." Philip said.

"Let's get going for the party, see you around Philip." Dr. Mathew said and walked away with Clara.

"He's humble." Clara said to Dr. Mathew.

"It's part of him, he respects everyone and they love him for that...but he can be very mean and harsh when he gets worked up and frustrated." It was nonetheless, true. Dr. Mathew had seen Philip get really angry and bitter for a long time.

"How does he cope with his life and the company?"

"It's not easy, sometimes he gets depressed and angry and most times, he stays calm. You will know him better when you start working for them."

Clara smiled at that thought as they stepped into the party. Eyes were on her and Dr. Mathew, the fact that was beautiful and so attractive, sometimes made her so ashamed but she had no choice but to endure those feelings and concentrate on making things better for herself and her love life.

Clara shook hands with Manuel and Henry. She could feel Henry's eyes on her as Manuel and Dr. Mathew conversed in Spanish. Her heart beat faster when Philip came in and walked toward his father. Philip whispered something in Manuel's ears and Manuel nodded.

"It's time for me to make my speech, I will talk to you later on." Manuel said and walked to the stage.

"He is so full of energy." Dr. Mathew said to Philip.

"Mmm...He is trying his best to be strong." Philip said.

"I would like to thank you all for attending my sixtieth birthday party! I would like to thank my beautiful wife for her support and I would like to thank my son, Philip Cruz for his hard work, and also, my sweet handsome son, Henry. They have been there for me, so please appreciate them for me and enjoy yourselves!" Manuel said and everyone applauded cheerfully.

"You guys should talk together, I have to talk to your father." Dr. Mathew said as he walked toward Manuel.

Philip noticed the way Henry stared at Clara, so he smiled and turned to Clara. "I have to see my mom, so please enjoy the party."

"I will, thank you." Clara replied.

Philip nodded with a smile and walked away while Henry approached Clara.

"He's always busy, I hope you don't mind," Henry said with a smile.

"I can see it." Clara said, with a soft laugh.

"So...are you like...Dr. Mathew's nephew or...."

"No...I am not...I am his friend's daughter...he and my father are good friends."

"Okay, that's good. I was actually surprised to see you with him."

"Yeah. Your father looks very healthy at his age?"

"He is trying to be healthy...but it's not working properly for him."

"Oh...I think I agree with you. My father boasted about his health many times, but little did we know that he hides in his room to take sugary things." She said and they both laughed.

"Sounds exactly like fathers."

"Yeah, it does."

"Are you going to be working with the Cruz company?"

"Yeah... but not now. I have to settle some things first."

"So you are an artist?"

"I am...but there is nobody that does it better than your brother. His drawings and designs give me inspiration and the desire to do more than I have done before."

"Wow...I never knew that my brother was a role model."

"He is my role model, I don't know about anyone else."

"You should tell him."

"Oh no, I can't. It would be too much for me to take in. I need every courage and breath that I can muster."

"I hope you aren't scared of him, he is a nice person."

"I know, but I can't just walk up to him and tell him, that he is my role model. He would probably wave it off."

"He would...but he won't. Maybe, when you find the courage, you can tell him. He won't bite."

Clara laughed and nodded. "Thanks for your advice." She said.

The couple's dance started and Henry asked Clara for a dance which she agreed to.

"Who is Henry dancing with?" Maria asked Philip.

"Dr. Mathew's guest...she will be working for us." Philip replied.

"Oh...wow. That's nice, I trust Mathew to bring in the best people."

"Yeah."

"Henry is allowed to date whoever he wants to but I and your father want you to stay the way you are and give this company your best."

"You've said that before."

"It's my responsibility to remind you again so that you won't lose focus on your goal and fall in love with a girl. Any girl that comes to you now, would want to marry you for your money and Fame. So be careful." Maria said, holding her son's hands gently.

"I know."

"Felipe, you know I love you, right?"

"I know, you don't have to worry about me."

"Te veo luego. I will see you later." She said and kissed him on the cheeks before walking away.

Philip sighed and tucked his hands into his pocket. He was twenty-six years old, not probably interested in marriage or a relative because he always had work to do, but his mother's words about concentrating on work always made him remember that he wasn't capable of love.

He loved his mother and respected her more than anyone else, that was why he never thought of disobeying her or upsetting her because of all she had gone through for him. She made sure that he always had enough, even when she had nothing, she wouldn't eat in a day, but she would make sure that Philip ate twice a day even in the most difficult times.

His mother was a very dedicated and loving woman when it came to family and close friends. She could sacrifice anything to make sure that those she loved, had a good life. Even Manuel attested to that fact and he could never stop singing praises about her in public. She always treated people well, no matter who they were.

However, she was a domineering woman. She always loved to dominate and control events. The one person she knew that he couldn't control, was Philip. She could only advise him and explain the reason for her choice of life to him. Most times, he disagreed, but sometimes, he accepted her reasons.

As he looked around, he saw Clara and Henry discussing after their dance and Philip smiled. He was happy that Henry found someone to relate with. He looked at the time on his worst watch and walked out of the party. There was a piece of artwork waiting for him at home to be completed.

Clara watched as Philip walked out of the hall. For some reason, she could feel a little attraction toward him. When she first saw him outside, her heart suddenly beat faster, even though she knew that he could not hear it. She didn't expect him to be so nice and warm to her, it surprised her to see that he was that type of person.

"He's leaving, do you want to talk to him?" Henry asked looking at Philip.

"I don't think so..."

"Try and talk to him now. He's probably going home to finish his work. "

"Okay...I will try." She said with her hands on her chest as she walked out of the hall.

Philip checked his phone for any missed calls before he opened the door of his car. "I thought I told Freddie to call me soon." He said to himself.

"Hi... Philip." Clara said, approaching him.

Philip looked up and saw Clara, then he smiled. "Clara... I thought..."

"Oh...yes. He told me to try and talk to you...so..."

"Okay, my brother has the habit of trying." He said with a smile.

"It's quite true...uh..are you on your way home?"

"Yes, I have work to do...well, it's my personal project."

"Okay. I just wanted to say that I love your work...and designs and paintings. They all inspire me."

"I never knew that my work inspired anyone...usually, I don't even dwell so much on my designs."

"I can bet you that there are so many people out there, who have been encouraged to pursue their talents because of your works."

"Thank you so much...I am actually heading back home now, but I will head to my studio first to meet someone. So if you would like to see more of my paintings..."

"I would love to come to your studio."

"Oh...okay. Please get in the car." Philip said as he opened the door for her and she entered. He closed the door and got into the car.

"You drive your car?" She asked.

"I do...not every time but, most of the time I drive."

"That's great." She replied with a smile.

Philip started the car and drove out of the premises.

Philip didn't ask too many questions as he drove but Clara was not used to the quietness.

"What can I call you? I confess that it's a little uncomfortable to call you by your name." She said.

"It's okay to call me by my name, I'm not your uncle." He replied with a smile.

"Oh...but it's strange for me to call my boss by his name."

"Just take it, that we are friends. No formality...well, except at work."

"That's fine by me...so we are friends?"

"Yes, we are."

"I can't wait to see your paintings." She said.

Within some minutes, he arrived at the studio.

"Here we are." He said as they got out of the car.

They went inside and entered a room where Clara saw Philip's paintings. She moved closer to one and touched it gently.

"I'll see you within some minutes, I need to talk to my manager." He said and left the room.

Clara looked at his works, they were all special and exclusive, but he hadn't shown them to the world yet. She looked behind and saw an unfinished sketch, which she guessed that he was still working on. It was an unfinished sketch of a female, it wasn't clear who the person was. She sat down on a chair and viewed it carefully, it was impressive but full of confusion. He must have been confused while working on it.

She figured out that Philip's paintings and designs showed his mood at that time. She was still fifteen when she started seeing and studying his paintings. She would examine, describe and think of the painting before telling people about the mood of the painting. Now, she was twenty-one years old and she hadn't stopped studying his paintings. She loved his works because of how they made her feel each time she looked at them.

"It's not my best," Philip said, looking at the sketch with his hands tucked into his pocket.

"You wouldn't know that unless you finish." She replied looking at him.

"I have tried finishing it, but it's difficult for me."

"Because you've never fallen in love?"

Philip turned his gray eyes to her, surprised by her words. Though, it wasn't obvious on his face.

"I have never fallen in love, yes."

"Why? At least you should try dating a girl."

"That's easy for you to say."

Clara stood up and approached him, looking up at him with her lively brown eyes. "I wouldn't have said it if it was hard."

"I don't always have time to date...not always."

"I see. Don't worry, I will help you with that problem. I will be your personal life helper."

"It's not going to be so easy. I will rarely have time for all that."

"Master Philip Cruz, I am an expert in date matching...even though it has succeeded only once...that was with my male dog and my aunty's female dog...but I am still good at what I do."

"Dog match-making?" Philip said with a soft laugh. It had been a long time since he laughed sincerely because of someone funny.

"That's not a joke... little things matter."

"I am not going to be used as your second experiment."

"I am charming enough to persuade you to be my second experiment, so don't worry." Clara said as she looked at the other paintings. "Why haven't you sold these ones?"

"I haven't accepted them yet. So I don't think that others will."

"I love them."

Philip looked at her with a smile. For some reason that he didn't know, he was very glad to have Clara here with him.

"I know you do, but I won't present them until I have accepted them."

Clara walked to one of the paintings and felt it with her hands, the texture was sweet and smooth but the color was dim and the tone, was light. It was a painting about an eagle soaring. It was simple but meaningful.

"Can you give me this one? I really love it."

"You can have it...my gift to you."

"Thank you so much!"

Philip asked a guard to take it and package it properly so that it would be delivered to Clara at her house. His phone rang and when he picked it up, it was Dr. Mathew.

"Maestro felipe, are you with Clara?" Mathew asked.

"Yes, I am with her. She will be on her way back soon."

"Okay, please make sure that she is safe."

"I will." Philip said and hung up.

"Is it Dr. Mathew?" Clara asked.

"Yes, he asked of you. I will call my driver to pick you up now, I have to get home."

"I want you to take me back to the party." Clara said with a cute face.

Philip smiled and nodded, he couldn't resist her beauty. That was one thing, she was right about. "Okay, let's go." He said and gave way for her to walk away first then he followed behind.

Philip drove her back to the party venue and they waved goodbye to each other before Philip drove off. Dr. Mathew approached her with a smile, he had seen the smile on her beautiful face which was always there, but he considered this one to be more sincere.

"Tell me the truth." He said winking at her.

"Stop it, uncle Mathew. He's five years older than me." She replied.

"That doesn't stop true love."

"Philip won't be interested in me...in fact, he isn't."

"How would you know that? You are not in his head."

"I don't need to be in his head before I know the type of girl he would want to date."

"Philip has a soft heart, he won't chase you away from him if he knows that you are trying to get closer to him. I've known him for as long as I have known you."

"Forget it. We are fine as friends."

"My advice is this, if you want Philip then pursue him. It might be hard because he has a lot going on around him, but he will eventually realize how much you love him..."

"I am not in love with him."

"Love at first sight is what you experienced, I am not stupid to have noticed that you were restless until he came in. You didn't take your eyes off him when you were dancing with his brother. So what will it be?"

"I can't believe you noticed all of that."

"I have very good eyes. Even with my glasses, I can see into your heart."

Clara sighed and nodded with a smile.

"Fine. I indeed have feelings at first for him."

"That's a good start. Then you have to make Philip realize it. I brought you here because I needed someone who could love Philip. His mother is very serious about making him work for the company for the rest of his life. She doesn't want to see any lady near her precious son."

"She's overprotective of him."

"She is domineering... let's get going now. It's already getting late."

They entered their car and the driver, drove the car out of the venue. On their way home, Clara could not take her mind off Philip. Dr. Mathew was right about her feelings for him. She only wished that there was a way to get closer to Philip without clashing with his mother.