The secret ingredient.

When Sally checked her cell phone she knew something wasn't right. She had thirty missed calls and a few Whatsapp messages from her ex-boyfriend Santiago, he had always been a bit anxious, that was one of the reasons why they had broken up, but this time she understood him well. Sally was an important influencer, her number of followers hovered around one million. In the last few hours Sally had unveiled her new working relationship with a powerful coffee franchise, plus they were celebrating their union with the launch of a new product, an innovative coffee cocktail, whose secret formula was over a century old and belonged to Sally's family.

Well, all this was a lie, the formula belonged to Santiago and was not more than a hundred years old, he had devised it about four years ago in the garage of his house, as he was a dedicated chef. At that time Santiago and Sally were sweethearts, and he dedicated the formula to her, because he considered her the love of his life. Now she was using it to enrich herself even though she had broken up with Santiago a couple of months ago, leaving him heartbroken and his emotional stability in decline. That's what the boy's insistent calls were about.

She picked up the phone to return Santiago's call, she was calm, because she knew that the formula belonged to him, so she had already arranged for Santiago to receive 10% of the profits of the product. It was not much in percentage, but in money it was thousands of dollars, so this income would be very good for Santiago since he had had a bad patch economically since the break up with her.

When Santiago answered the call his voice was less bright than usual. Sally was surprised, she quickly wanted to explain to him what her plan was so that he would also receive a financial benefit, but Santiago didn't want to listen to her. He just insisted that there was something wrong with the formula and that he needed to meet with her to talk about that detail. Sally was not comfortable with the idea, because after the breakup Santiago had become quite violent with her, sometimes she had had to call the police because she felt harassed. He suggested that they talk on the phone, but Santiago insisted, as money was involved Sally had no choice but to agree.

They met the next day at Santiago's house, Sally was uncomfortable. The house was a mess, a foul smell perfumed the atmosphere and it was difficult to see because there was very little light. She saw Santiago in the shadows, he approached her and greeted her affectionately, Sally began to regret the decision of having gone alone.

-You will see my dear Sally - Santiago began to speak with an arrogant tone, while he sat on the armchair and with a hand gesture he invited Sally to do it too - the truth is that when I gave you the formula, I transcribed it incomplete. It wasn't a bad intention, I just never imagined that you would need it, much less that you would be separated from me. Rather, I did it that way in case you lost it or it was stolen. But now I see that you need the whole thing and that if I don't give you the secret ingredient, your big business may be a failure.

Sally looked at him a little scared, Santiago had a dirty look, the hairs on his face showed that he hadn't shaved in months. His skin and hair were greasy, his eyes were red and some foam was accumulating on the corner of his lips.

-I understand Santiago," replied Sally trying to sound confident, "so what do we need for you to give us the remaining ingredient? Do you want to negotiate your percentage? Because I am open to any proposal, as long as it is reasonable.

Santiago was furious that Sally was talking to him in business terms. He tried to contain the anger that was bursting inside him and continued.

-You're not understanding me love - he stared at Sally with a disjointed gesture - I'm not interested in money, I can give you the secret ingredient right now. What I want is for you to come back to me and for everything to be as it was before.

-How dare you? - Sally asked indignantly, as she stood up - I am leaving Santiago, I should never have come, the product will be launched without the secret ingredient. You cannot negotiate with people's feelings.

Santiago asked her to sit down, as he quickly apologized.

-I'm sorry Sally, I was very affected by your departure. I know my proposal was very unpleasant, I will give you the secret ingredient and you won't have to give me anything, the formula has always belonged to you - Santiago sounded sorry.

Sally sat down again, she wanted to leave but at the same time she wanted the ingredient, ambition was holding her back. Santiago stood up and went to the kitchen, it didn't take him long, when he came back he brought in his hands two cups and a small sheet of paper, he handed one of the cups to Sally together with the sheet. The aroma of the cup was delicious, Sally knew that it was the complete formula, she began to drink while she read the note, the only ingredient that was missing was the cardamom, Sally smiled, it seemed silly to her.

What Sally did not know was that Santiago had added cyanide to both cups during his brief stay in the kitchen. In a few hours the two bodies would be lying on the floor, now Sally had the complete formula and Santiago her perfect revenge.