In addition to going to classes online, Berlin spent the rest of her time building her company.
Starting this business was a big step for her. It was one of the few things she had done without telling anyone, not even those close to her. She had kept her identity a secret, and no one knew she was the real owner. Karlos, too, didn't know how powerful she was becoming, so she had to be careful.
She didn't know if things would turn out good or bad in the end.
Now more than ever, she was well invested in her business. Up until now, she had refused to disclose her identity to anyone as the real owner of the business. So, she had to thread carefully for Karlos did not know the full extent of her growing power and left the work to experts.
She did not know whether the circumstances would change into a good thing or still turn out worse at the end of it.
Whether or not it did in the long run, Berlin was nonetheless glad her predictions and experiences from her previous lifetime were working for her.
Just as she had predicted, staking the lottery was a success.
The four retail companies that she had just acquired from the market, were close to bankruptcy and she needed to also spend more time managing them, the reason being that those companies were going to make money flow like a flood in a matter of time.
In close doors, she worked with these experts. They were shocked at such amazing entrepreneurship skills. The experts had thought that the woman wanted to be an investor only and didn't not bother about management. On the contrary, it was the opposite. They were completely blown away by her. Berlin didn't feel quite proud of herself, since after all, she had lived five more years than her body.
It was indeed such a wonderful blessing.
For the following three weeks after the reunion party, Berlin never saw Karlos at home.
It had been a long while.
She dropped her phone on her matrimonial bed and sighed when she decided she didn't want her mind to run wild wondering why he was avoiding her and it turned out that the thought of him was equally disturbing when he was out of sight.
'Why was he avoiding me?'
He would come back home quite late when she was sleeping only to leave first thing in the morning. Sometimes he never came back.
Even though there was nothing going on between them, they had kissed one too many times. Why did everything suddenly turn sour?
"Things were similar to this in her previous lifetime but it seemed to have gotten worse.
After the wall between the couple kept growing and going on for days, Berlin received a call from Mrs. Lydia
"Hello," Berlin's melodious voice rang out from the other end of the phone. The only mother figure she had left and she didn't want anything to happen to her now everything was running smoothly as well.
"Hello BB," Even though she was like a mother figure to her. She still liked to act more like a friend. It was how Mrs. Lydia was with her mom and she accorded Berlin that same love.
"Evening, Mom."
A small smile appeared on her face and her heart relaxed. She had been worried sick after her rebirth, afraid that the murder of her mother-in-law would happen through another person's hands. But hearing her voice had erased her aching heart and she could smile more, now.
"Glad to hear your voice. I guess you have been fine?" Mrs. Lydia asked her. She had decided to call her and check on her to see how she was doing.
"Yes, I..."
"Do not play that card with me, young lady."
"What card Mom?"
"Tsk, Stop it already, Bell. Stop feigning ignorance." Berlin was no longer smiling. She could tell something was wrong and bothering her mother-in-law. How she was speaking, she knew it was something serious but what did she Berlin do?
"Ahem!" Mrs. Lydia finally cleared her throat when she couldn't take it anymore. The secrecy was hurting and torturing her and she could not take it anymore.
"I heard you and Karlos are in a fight." Mrs. Lydia finally voiced her mind.
Berlin paused and replied, "What!! No, we are not"
"Really?"
"Mom who told you that?"
"Oh, I have my sources. And I also heard that my boy hadn't been home after the party and for days now, he has been living in a hotel when he returned from his business trip. Are you going to keep lying to me?"
Hearing the accusations
Berlin was short of words on what to say.
"Berlin" Mrs. Lydia brow furrowed as she wore a concerned look on her face. "What is wrong? Is my son ignoring you?"
"No, we are not in a fight, Mom." Berlin denied it. The last thing she wanted was sick and worried in-laws.
"Mom, there is nothing like that going on. Maybe your sources had the wrong idea. Rest assured, we are good."
"I think you are just trying to protect him. Okay then. Do you have any plans this coming week?"
"Not for the time being, Mom."
"Very good! How about a trip with me?"
Berlin was in a daze, " You want to travel?"
"Yes, I heard of a beautiful resort. I should probably see it before old age catches up with me "
Berlin did not believe for a second that Mrs. Lydia had never been to a resort. However, she had to come up with a reply.
As Berlin hesitated, Mrs. Lydia sighed, "Prisy is unavailable this week and my son is caught up with work. Indeed, no one is willing to travel with an old lady like me...even my own family find excuses to not come along "
"Mom...I didn't mean..." Berlin quickly chipped in.
"Then it's a done deal. I will get the tickets. Bye BB"
Berlin was rendered speechless. The moment the call was over, there was a knock on the door. It was the butler. "Ma'am, the food is ready."
After dinner, she went in for a nice bath and changed into something more relaxing.
By the time she was ready to retire to bed, she heard the door open and saw Karlos's silhouette step into the room.
It was like her breathing stopped and she froze in time.