Please remember that timeline might be a little different than the actual show like with certain events/dialogue so don't come at me!

꒰ A TRUE MASTERPIECE ꒱

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

❝ 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐈𝐒 𝐌𝐘 𝐇𝐎𝐓𝐄𝐋 ❞

Estella had gone along with Miguel Ángel to see his hotel called "Hotel Americas". Although she had been here before on the night of the wedding she hadn't seen it during the day when people were actively working and talking.

"It's nice. The interior is amazing." Estella adored the way his hotel looked and this was all distracting her from her argument she had with Ana the day before. Miguel Ángel stared at her with his hands in his pockets admiring the way she politely greeted the others passing by.

"Yes, it is. Come on let me show you my office." Miguel Ángel smiled allowing her first inside the empty elevator. It was nerve-wracking to be alone with Miguel Ángel but was delighted she had decided to accompany him to his elegant hotel. She didn't know if there was any business implicated with her being here but thought it was compassionate of him to try and get the situation with Ana out of her head.

"Y aquí está mi oficina." He leads her inside and once she's in the office sees how remarkable it was. She was a sucker for paintings, and one seemed to catch her eye the instant she saw it. It was strange but breathtaking. The painting was of a man who appeared to be in discomfort but Estella couldn't interpret what it meant so she turned to face Miguel Ángel who had now sat on his chair.

"Veo que te gustan las pinturas. No?" Estella stepped closer to his large desk. Miguel Ángel nodded his head smoking his cigarette.

"Yes, I do. They have a lot of significance. I see you like them as well." He handed Estella the cigarette which she accepted. It was true that she loved paintings. There was something about them she couldn't take her eyes off of and liked how Miguel Ángel seemed to think the same.

"Of course I had a lot back at home. But this one is a true masterpiece." She pointed at the painting and chuckled. Miguel Ángel was glad to see her genuinely smile. Her art appreciation was one other reason he wanted to know more about her. Before Estella could say anything else the telephone rang on his desk. Inside her head, she was annoyed at however was calling since she wanted to converse some more with him. He was interesting and Estella wished to spend more time with him but knew that call had to do with the business.

"What happened?" Miguel Ángel ran to the telephone. It seemed to Estella that he had already been expecting a phone call. She stepped closer to him and oddly enough Miguel Ángel let her listen in. He usually didn't allow this but seeing Estella so eager to listen made him choose to do so.

"We got a problem, brother. A big fucking problem." A man with an awful accent spoke. He was American which was easy to determine by his Spanish and that instantly reminded Estella of Jackson which she tried her best to ignore. Miguel Ángel noticed her unease and wanted to ask what was wrong, but she gave him a reassuring smile which made him proceed with the discussion.

"I'm a little busy. What's up?" Miguel Ángel curiously eyed Estella. She was a bit excited to see what was going on and wondered why this American man was calling. Obviously, the man was well familiar with Miguel and perhaps involved with all of this as well.

"One of your pilots, Raul...Raul Espinosa. Familiar with this asshole?" The man asked. Miguel Ángel shrugged and answered.

"I don't know. I have a lot of pilots. What happened?"

"He's in American custody. It landed in a fucking grain field with a $6 million cargo last night. Are you trying to make things easier for them?" This rapidly got Miguel Ángel's attention including Estella's. She wasn't familiar with everything yet but was getting close to knowing how this all ran. But with this, she knew that something felt completely off but couldn't figure it out.

"The police took the money?" Miguel Ángel questioned.

"Fuck the money. Félix your accounts, they're vulnerable. All of them." The guy continued with the shocking news. Estella knew this wasn't promising for Miguel Ángel but still, the weird feeling of something being off from the news to even the American man on the phone made her feel like someone was not being completely honest here.

"Vulnerable how? What does the plane have to do with my fucking accounts?" Miguel Ángel was confused not understanding what this signified. Estella could see how impatient he was getting, and she was not prepared to see him get mad.

"The document on board. Account numbers, deposit history, fucking bank addresses. The kind of shit these DEA assholes look into." The man explained and suddenly Estella recalled her encounter with the DEA agent and realized that she hadn't told Miguel Ángel about her run-in with Kiki. She couldn't tell him he would lose all her trust but she knew that she had to even though it would likely go bad. "Miguel...all these accounts are linked, the DEA gets a warrant into-" The man was cut off by an aggravated Miguel.

"Then move it! All of it, you have my authorization."

"I can't. I need your signature. I need you to come up here. Today." The man sighed, and Miguel Ángel did not approve of this plan. Estella knew the man was located in the United States which meant crossing the border, and that would take long and something about it didn't seem 100% true. Estella had a gut-wrenching feeling that the DEA agent she had met outside of the restaurant was in on this. But it wasn't like she was psychic and either way why would Miguel Ángel believe this? It's not like he wasn't going to go solely because Estella had a bad feeling about it.

"No. It's not possible." Miguel Ángel was incredibly bothered by this. A trip across the border was something he was not planning to do today at all for a quick signature.

"If you don't get your ass on a plane this afternoon, the FEDS will be knocking on my door next. And every law enforcement agent in this US is gonna know your name." Abruptly Miguel Ángel hung up to think and remained quiet seeming to forget that Estella was still in his office. She was waiting for him to get angry or throw something at the wall but instead stayed calm not wanting to show that side to her.

"So are you going?" Estella sighed crossing her arms. She was a little uncomfortable asking this not knowing if he might get offended. He trusted her so far, but that didn't mean that she could just do whatever now. She still had to be careful and be civil with her words so others wouldn't take any offense.

"I don't know. It doesn't seem possible but the fucking DEA agents can look into this which wouldn't help me at all." He calmly answered. He didn't mind that she asked questions it made him feel less stressed about the entire situation. Estella closed her eyes hearing the word "DEA" and couldn't help but confess everything. If she didn't, it would always make her feel guilty and she hated the feeling of guilt more than anything else.

"I haven't been completely honest with you Miguel Ángel. And I know this isn't the best moment to tell you but I need to get it off my chest." Estella opened her eyes to reveal that her vision was blurry. She felt like crying and although it might seem pathetic when you were involved with a cartel and standing in front of a drug lord saying you had lied to them was something very chilling. Even though he had never been violent with her, she didn't know how he would react especially when he was so worked up.

"What do you mean? Have you been lying to me, Estella? Eh? Come here." He got up from his chair concerned on why she was tearing up. Estella stepped closer to him and swallowed the gulp in her throat.

"Uhm a few weeks ago with the cocaine meeting with Matta something happened. It involves a DEA agent. And before you get angry I didn't tell him anything I was too alarmed to do so. Outside of the restaurant, he told me he was trying to find ways to help me return home. A-And I didn't tell you because at the time I didn't trust you and you didn't trust me and hopefully now this won't affect your trust you have for me. I swear I didn't say anything and certainly there hasn't been any progress with them finding me or something like that." Estella's words were jumbled up, and she could not make any sort of eye contact with Miguel not knowing how he would react.

Miguel Ángel was startled and wanted nothing more but to shout at her. She had lied for weeks on end swearing nothing happened for him to lose any trust in her. But he didn't shout and saw how guilty she was by all of this and instead sighed.

"Thanks for telling me this even though it was a little later than I would have wanted to know. We have to make it seem like you're completely involved with us so those motherfuckers don't continue looking in on you. You want that right to be more involved in the business?" Miguel Ángel lifted her chin to look at her. She wiped away her tears and thought more about his question. Was she ready for all of this mess? She thought about Sofia and Ana even her parents and wondered if she would be worthy enough to do this.

"Sí. I want to be more involved in this business but on two huge conditions. You must fulfill your promises on paying me because I'm not going to work here as some kind of slave. I will also like to ask for visits with my family of course once you earn more trust to do so. Trust me they won't say anything to the police since they want to keep me safe and alive that's how much they love me. This is all I ask for nothing more." Estella explained her conditions shocking Miguel with her courage. She was a strong woman who was determined to get what she wanted.

"Wow what a speech. You have an intense personality that can be useful for this business also your looks which before you get insulted are not your only good qualities. I think you have a lot of capability in this, and you will have to prove you can make this okay?" Miguel Ángel grinned coming closer to Estella who shyly looked away.

"Thank you and trust me I will prove it to you Miguel Ángel." Estella answered noticing how close he was to her.

"On that note, you will have to meet the others which will be pretty soon, and occasionally have to work with them. Is that fine with you?" Miguel asked not certain if she would be okay with working with the others in the business. She had barely earned his trust and trusting the others would probably take just as long for her to do.

"Yes, I'm willing to do anything to survive in this. And some might be assholes like Benjamín for that matter but I'll live and anyways I don't really like being treated like I'm some bitch so I will always defend myself." Estella smirked hearing Miguel Ángel's admirable laugh. The room went silent and she noticed how close he was getting and felt like something was going to happen.

But before anything could go on between the pair the elevator opened to reveal somebody they were both not expecting or wanting to see right now. It was Maria and by the look on her face, she did not appear to be pleased with her husband.

"Maria. How are you?" Miguel Ángel went over to his wife, and Estella saw how Maria quickly rejected his kiss. The conversation she had with Isabella made her remember that Miguel Ángel constantly cheated on his wife with several different women and Estella couldn't help but think she had found out and was here to argue.

"Is this one of them?" Maria hastily spoke staring at Estella with distaste. Estella was a bit offended by her rudeness but understood that a wife seeing her husband so close to another woman wasn't such a good sight.

"What? She works for me now. Maria, you're being crazy I have a lot of work going on I can't sit here and argue. I'll come to visit you and the children whenever I can." Miguel Ángel laughed astonished by his wife's behavior. Estella felt awkward and thought that this was too private for her to be listening to. It wasn't her business at all. The quietness suddenly ended to Estella's relief with the sound of the telephone ringing. Miguel Ángel ran over to it, and Estella knew this was her moment to leave since his wife was now here. She wanted to say Miguel goodbye or find out if he was going to the United States after all. If anything she just wanted to talk to him some more but knew that wouldn't be adequate to do.

"Isabella will be outside to take you home." Miguel Ángel whispered as Estella began to walk out of his office onto the elevator. She nodded her head and smiled at him. He too wanted to continue talking to her but with Maria there knew that wasn't right to do. To Estella's dreadful surprise Maria felt like being petty and stepped on the elevator with her. Miguel Ángel was outraged and wanted to yell at his wife for doing something so ridiculous but knew this phone call was much more important than his wife's jealousy.

"Are you the mistress? You don't have to lie to me. You seem like his type you're brunette a bit on the taller side. Something tells me you're lying and since my husband is a cheating asshole I can't ask him. So tell me are you sleeping with my husband too?" Maria smoked her cigarette waiting for Estella to confess everything she had been doing with her husband but to her awe appeared to be bewildered.

"No, I'm not sleeping with Miguel Ángel. He's my boss now, and nothing will ever happen between us. I don't know anything about what he does in his free time and frankly, it's none of my business. But I am sorry that he's cheating on you." Estella answered and glimpsed at Maria. She was stunning and felt bad for having so much interest in her husband. It was immoral and disrespectful. Estella wanted to be respectful to Maria no matter what since she knew she would always be the mother of Félix's children. Guilt washed over her picturing all the moments she had spent with Miguel Ángel. It was not okay for her to get too close to him, despite the temptation to do so.

"He got another woman pregnant can you believe him? Not to mention the countless jewelry, he's been spending his money on for multiple women. But I'm sorry for thinking you were involved with my husband. That was a mistake, and I'm not in the right headspace at the moment. I wish you nothing but the best while working with my husband he's quite the asshole." Maria shook her head rushing out of the elevator once it had stopped at the main lobby. Estella lifted her eyebrows seeing the woman run out the front doors assumably in tears. She felt horrible and certainly needed to think things through before meeting with Miguel Ángel again or else she would end up doing something regrettable with him.

Estella sighed feeling a headache beginning to form and quickly made her way outside seeing Isabella near her car. She wasn't excited to go back to the house but desired rest so she wouldn't have to think of the endless decisions she would have to make. Officially this was her first step into the real life of the cartel, and it would be a long difficult journey too.

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Dinner at the Conesa residence didn't feel the same anymore with the absence of Estella. They knew their daughter had joined a cartel and every day they prayed for her well-being not understanding why she had preferred a life of crime over them.

"Man I miss her. She was remarkable and deserved to come to Texas with me. I can't believe such a beautiful smart woman would give up college, a once in a lifetime opportunity to live in America, and a terrific man like me who she could have married." Jackson shook his head gazing at the picture frame that had Estella's image. Ana who had been helping the Conesa family with their chores couldn't help but roll her eyes and stare at Sofia. They both knew how narcissistic Jackson could be caring nothing more but of himself and his pleasures.

"Yes, she was very brilliant." Mrs. Conesa sniffled trying to hold back tears as she drank her wine.

"Sofia this is why you don't get involved with men in cartels in the first place it was foolish of you to plan such a horrendous kidnapping-" Jackson said, but Ana couldn't take it anymore and slammed her fist on the table.

"It wasn't her fucking fault! With all due respect Mr. and Mrs. Conesa, you failed to see how much your daughters despise their suitors. This is the 80s where we should be allowed to pick our husbands and not be forced to marry some rich assholes who only care about their dick getting hard! Did you know that Jackson has physically abused Estella and even threatened to kill her?! For this, I do not blame Estella for joining and not mad at Sofia for being with Rafa. It's their life and although it might or might not destroy their life at least they are allowed to choose how they live their life and not depend on their parents' opinion every step of the way!" Ana snapped knowing this could potentially damage her relationship with the Conesa family but she knew that she would always defend Estella . She was tired of the facade Jackson was putting up and how blind the Conesa family were by believing it.

"Sir. Mam I have no idea on what she's speaking on-"

"Ana and Jackson please get out of my house." Mrs. Conesa shut her eyes letting her fork fall onto the plate of food.

"Mrs. Conesa I would never hurt your daughter. I-I love her more than anyone else on this Earth-" Jackson protested.

"I said get the hell out! Both of you before I call the damn police!" Mrs. Conesa growled pointing at the door. Ana jumped out of the chair and ran out of the house not caring to apologize. It was sad that they didn't believe her and it made her angry.

"I'm coming with you. I'm not going to stay with them." Sofia ran out to catch Ana who had her back turned on her.

"Hey, Ana." Sofia saw how Ana was bawling and placed a comforting hand on her shoulder.

"I seem so dramatic to be crying you should be sobbing it's your sister. But at least you left on a good note. I didn't even say anything nice to her and decided to argue with her. She's my best friend and instead of hugging her I fucking yelled at her. I'm a bad friend." Ana wiped the snot off her nose embarrassed to be crying this hard in front of Sofia.

"No, it isn't dramatic. You're just looking out for her, and you had a gun pointed at your head that is something that certainly wouldn't put anybody in the mood for a reunion after. I'm not saying you should have argued with her but at the same time, it means you care. And you proved that at the police station when we spoke to Camarena. This won't be the last time we see her and you know that and she will be more than forgiving and thankful that you stood up to our parents like that. They needed to know that Jackson isn't some amazing man who truly loved Estella and instead is abusive and possessive." Sofia explained and hugged Ana who accepted it. The two girls wanted nothing more but to have Estella in their lives even though she was now