Betrayals

Mayara was busy organizing all the maps, files, and anonymous notes in a folder when her phone vibrated with the notification of a call. It was Arthur. She hesitated for a moment before answering, feeling the growing tension.

\- Hi, Arthur - she said, trying to stay calm.

Arthur, visibly irritated, began to speak with a venomous tone.

\- So, you’re really willing to get involved in the jewel hunt for Santiago? Is that really what you want?

Mayara felt anger rising inside her but tried to maintain her composure.

\- Of course I do. Santiago is a threat to all of us. I need to do this.

Arthur laughed bitterly.

\- Look, I just wanted to remind you that if I decided to join the jewel hunt, I would hand them over to Anna. You’re so focused on being the -good obedient girl- that you don’t see how you’re being manipulated. Santiago is playing a cruel game, and you’re just feeding into it.

Mayara felt the sarcasm and frustration in his words.

\- Do you really think I’m doing this because of a rivalry with Anna? That’s not it. It’s a matter of survival. And if you’re so worried about Anna, maybe you should be more concerned about what’s happening around us.

Arthur paused, clearly affected by her words.

\- I don’t know if I can trust you now, Mayara. It seems like you’re playing into Santiago’s game without thinking about the consequences. I feel completely lost in this situation.

Mayara took a deep breath, trying to control herself.

\- I’m trying to protect everyone, Arthur. Even if you don’t trust me, I can’t just stand by while Santiago continues with his plans.

Arthur seemed disarmed but still skeptical.

\- Alright. But know that I’m still here and I’ll try to do what I can. I just hope you know what you’re doing.

He hung up before Mayara could respond. She felt a mix of relief and frustration. She knew she needed to focus on her mission, despite the growing doubts and distrust around her.

Mayara picked up the folder with her documents and began to study the information, determined to find a way to confront Santiago and protect those she loved, even if it meant dealing with the resistance and intrigues that arose with each step.

Still irritated, Mayara decided to send a message to Arthur, unable to contain her frustration.

**Message from Mayara:**

"If you think I’m a good girl for Santiago, then why the hell are you reprimanding me and not just sticking with Anna, the favorite girl chosen as your father's fiancée? It seems like you’re more interested in criticizing than helping. Goodbye!"

A few minutes later, Mayara's phone vibrated with a new call. It was Arthur, visibly furious.

\- What is it, Mayara? - he asked, his voice laden with anger.

\- Do you really want to know? - she replied, her tone equally irritated. - I’m trying to deal with a desperate situation, and all you do is criticize me and throw your lack of trust in my face. And now you’re defending Anna? What a joke!

Arthur, frustrated, raised his voice.

\- I’m not defending Anna! I’m just trying to understand what’s happening and what you’re planning. If you think you can do this alone and come out fine, good luck. But don’t come blaming me later for not warning you!

Mayara felt her anger building even more.

\- I’m not here to argue with you about Anna or anything else. I’m trying to handle a situation that you clearly don’t understand. And if you want to be with her, then go ahead. I don’t need more reproaches or criticism right now.

Arthur tried to calm down, but his frustration was evident.

\- You don’t understand. I’m trying to help, but you seem so determined to follow your own path that you’re not listening to anyone. I just hope you know what you’re doing because if you don’t, we’re all going to pay the price.

The argument became increasingly heated, but Mayara was determined to move forward with her own plans. Hanging up the call with a frustrated sigh, she returned to focusing on her mission, knowing she needed to be strong and determined to face Santiago and his threats.

Arthur ran his hand through his hair, trying to calm the whirlwind of thoughts that haunted him. The bad feeling only grew, especially with the news that his father, Rafael, had disappeared. He felt as if a shadow was closing in, and the uncertainty only intensified his anguish.

**Arthur, to himself:**

\- I can’t believe this is happening. First, Mayara and all this confusion with Santiago... and now, my father... where could he be?

He knew he needed to act quickly. Rafael was an important figure, and his disappearance could mean that something much more sinister was at play. Arthur decided that he could not afford to be paralyzed by fear or frustration. He needed answers and, more importantly, he needed action.

Arthur began calling contacts and asking questions. His concern for Rafael drove him to investigate more thoroughly, sifting through information and trying to uncover any clues that could lead to his father's whereabouts. The weight of responsibility was immense, and he found himself confronted with the reality that the problem was much larger than he had initially imagined.

**Arthur, on a call:**

\- I need all the information you have about my father’s disappearance. This can't be a coincidence. Something big is happening, and I need to know what it is.

As he awaited responses, Arthur prepared for what was to come, aware that the situation was becoming increasingly complex and dangerous. The search for Rafael would be yet another challenge to face, and he knew he could not let anything stop him from finding his father and resolving the crisis unfolding.