Chapter 8 Eight

• 8
• "I don't even work like this in my father's company," Camila frowned.
• Alejandro smirked, moving closer to her. He cupped her chin, making her look into his eyes. "This isn't your father's company, wifey. Your husband loves to work and loves hardworking women too," he pressed, walking back to his desk to get his telephone.
• "Sandra, report to my office," he ordered. Sandra walked in. Her office was opposite his, but Alejandro preferred using the telephone. Even if someone stood by the door, he would still use the phone.
• "My wife will join the architects. She called some of our work basic and cliché. I want you to keep a strict eye on her performance. Can I trust you with that?" he asked, giving Sandra a serious look.
• "Yes, Mr. Ruiz. You can trust me," Sandra smiled.
• Alejandro smiled briefly and walked to Camila again. He gripped her chin and planted a kiss on her lips, making her eyes widen. She wasn't expecting that.
• "Behave, wifey," he warned before leaving his office.
• "Let's go, Camila," Sandra said with a smirk as soon as Alejandro was out of sight.
• "Did you just call me Camila? Where is the respect?" Camila asked. Sandra turned to her with a smug look, showing her true colors.
• "Mr. Ruiz trained me to be very professional. Once it comes to professionalism, we don't mix business with pleasure. As long as you're under me, I'll call you Camila," Sandra replied.
• "Sandra, you—"
• Sandra raised her hand to stop her. "It's Miss Sandra. Are you slow, or didn't you learn about respect?" she said, rolling her eyes before entering the sketch room.
• She picked up a book and threw it at Camila.
• "Start by giving me basic buildings. If you're good, I'll let you design the mansions," she ordered.
• Camila glared at her but chose not to say anything as she picked up the sketchbook.
• "Damn you, Alejandro," she cursed silently.
• * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
• BRIARWOOD ***
• Isabella entered the female restroom and closed the door behind her. She moved to where Valeria was fixing her hair and makeup.
• "What gave you the audacity to come to my school?" she asked angrily.
• Valeria smirked, dropping her lip gloss into her tiny bag. She looked at Isabella through the mirror.
• "Your school? Your name isn't on it, is it?" she asked with a smug smile.
• "You're a bitch, Valeria. Your stupid brother took my sister away, and now you're here trying to ruin things for me," Isabella gritted her teeth.
• "I don't understand what I'm trying to ruin for you, Isa," Valeria turned to face her, arms crossed.
• "I'm the queen here, Valeria. Maybe they didn't tell you, but I don't share my crown," Isabella declared.
• "In case you don't know, I'm the queen of queens. I can snatch that little crown from you if I want to," Valeria shrugged.
• "I'd love to see you try," Isabella dared her.
• Valeria only smiled. She turned back to her bag, took a small pair of scissors, and scratched her hand, screaming.
• "What are you doing?" Isabella's eyes widened.
• "Help! My hand is bleeding! Isabella, I just wanted to be friends," Valeria cried, quickly forcing the scissors into Isabella's hand as people came in and started taking pictures.
• •••
• "This is the last thing I'd expect from you. I thought you were a girl's girl," Principal Laurel said, looking disappointed.
• "I didn't do it. She cut herself, I swear," Isabella defended herself again.
• "You had the scissors. You'll be suspended from school activities for a month," Principal Laurel announced.
• "You can't! Cheerleading practice is next week, and the school president election starts too," Isabella protested.
• "I'm sorry, but with your actions, you're unfit to be Briar's president or cheer captain. Use this month to reflect. You're on probation. Another incident, and you could be expelled. Have I made myself clear?" Principal Laurel asked strictly.
• Isabella clenched her fists tightly before nodding.
• * * * * * * * * * * * * *
• RUIZ ROYAL ESTATES ***
• Sandra smirked as she reviewed the sketchbook Camila submitted. She shook her head and threw it on the floor.
• "Again," she ordered.
• "This is the tenth time. I haven't eaten yet," Camila frowned.
• "This is Ruiz Royal Estate. Lazy people don't eat bread. If you want to leave early, start doing things right," Sandra replied coldly.
• Camila angrily picked up the sketchbook.
• "Smile," Sandra ordered. "At Ruiz Royal Estate, we love what we do. Don't look at me like I'm giving you hell; your husband asked me to," Sandra smirked.
• The door opened, and Alejandro stepped in. Sandra's smirk turned professional.
• "Good afternoon, boss," she greeted.
• "How's my wife coping?" Alejandro asked.
• Camila glared at him, her expression one of pure hatred.
• "I've been trying to correct her, but she doesn't seem open to it," Sandra replied.
• "You did this on purpose, didn't you, Alejandro? I've been working for hours, and she's never satisfied. I didn't sign up for this. I quit!" Camila threw her sketchbook on the floor and began to walk away.
• "One more step, and I'll lock you in my office and punish you," Alejandro threatened, making her pause.