Chapter 6
1373 Words
Vicente
Enrique and Mary laughed as I played with them.
Both babies had gotten big and plump since I had lost saw them and they were extremely cute.
They had Enrique’s dark black hair but Rachel’s blue eyes.
The twins were going to grow up to be beautiful. Spain was not ready for them.
“I do believe you are going to be their favorite as they grow up,” Rachel said as she picked up Mary in her arms.
“Well, just don’t tell Celeste. “I joked. “She’d erase me from the face of this planet.”
Rachel grimaced; knowing that wasn’t a complete lie. “Oh absolutely not.”
“Where is Enrique?”
“He’s washing up. He arrived a couple hours ago from a meeting.”
“And he got dirty?”
“Unsurprisingly yes. It seemed that a man in the meeting had made a comment about women being only s****l objects and beings to be dominated, even though the meeting was about marketing; my husband didn’t take that very well.”
“Ah, yes. The infamous Cortez temper strikes again.”
Rachel shrugged. “I’m married to him and best friends with Celeste. I’m used to people fighting for what’s right.”
“Literally.”
She smiled. “Yes, literally.”
In a split second the grand Viscount himself stepped into the tea room.
He looked ever powerful and imposing but I could see the softness in his eyes.
“Vicente! What a surprise, I didn’t know you were coming!”
I hugged him and patted him on the back, “it was a last minute decision. But I heard you were playing hero today.”
He laughed. “I’m always the hero.”
Rachel rolled her eyes.
“What can I help you with friend?” He asked as he helped Rachel fix the cushion under her leg and took Mary in his arms.
I sat across from them both and handed baby Enrique a toy that had strayed far away from him.
“I’m going to Portugal in a couple of days. I wanted to see if you needed or wanted anything.”
Rachel’s eyes lit up. “Could you be a dear and bring us some plums? Last time you brought them they were so good!”
Enrique smiled and nodded. “She adored them. Please bring us a large basket.”
“Just one?!” Rachel shrieked.
“Fine, five.”
They both grinned at each other.
It was beautiful to see them so happy. At first, I had felt disappointed and disheartened when Rachel chose Enrique. But the love between them both was undeniable; how could I have stood between them?
“So Vicente, how’s your family?” Enrique asked.
“They’re just fine. The trading is doing well, our client list here in the city has doubled and we’ve made some partners across Spain, Italy and in Portugal.”
“That’s amazing!” Rachel beamed. “All that hard work you’ve been doing is paying off.”
Enrique nodded. “You should be very proud my friend. Your family business is thriving, your name is recognized and your family I’m sure is extremely honored; you’re getting everything you’ve ever wanted.”
You didn’t know how to respond to his words. He was right; for years you had focused on helping your family business thrive.
You had become a successful merchant; you were taken seriously by the wealthy families, you were respected by the people back home and men in other countries urged to meet with you. It was what you had dreamed of; it’s what you had set out to do.
You didn’t notice but Enrique and Rachel eyed eachother curiously. Rachel mouthed something to her husband who nodded and stood.
“Well, I must excuse myself for a moment. The children are in need of their nap.” Enrique said as he picked up Mary in one arm and baby Enrique in the other.
The children yawned and leaned on their father’s shoulders as if already knowing what was happening.
Rachel stood to kiss their cheeks and whisper something to Enrique.
“I’ll be back down shortly,” he said to us and we both nodded.
It was silent for a moment but then Rachel spoke up.
“So who is she?”
You blinked in confusion. “Who is who?”
“Who’s the woman that’s gotten your head scrambled? Please don’t tell me it’s Dolores. I can’t stand her, please don’t tell me you went back to her.”
I laughed. “No. Dolores and I are through, trust me.”
“Then.. who is it?”
I took a deep breath in through my nose. “It’s a young lady from home.”
Rachel’s eyes lit up. “Why haven’t I heard about this before? Are you courting her?”
You raise your hands up and shake your head. “No! No, that’s not what this is. She’s younger than me; I basically saw her grow up.”
Rachel rolled her eyes. “Enrique is older than I, so is Arthur with Celeste.”
“That’s not my point.”
“Then what is?”
I looked at Rachel, her blue eyes were wide with interest and hope. Since she has gotten married she had hoped for me to do the same. She had tried introducing other women to me but they didn’t catch my attention; not enough to see anything serious with them.
“She said something the other day that got me thinking.” I admitted, knowing she was not going to let it go.
“What’s her name?”
“Ines Diaz.”
“Oh! I think I remember you mentioning her family before. Didn’t her father kill someone in a bar?”
I laughed, “no he didn’t, he was close to doing so though.”
Rachel’s nose scrunched up. “I wouldn’t blame him; after what you said the other man said about his family. Arrogant fools.”
You nodded and continued to speak.
“My father and I were taking her family and her back home and on the way there, Ines mentioned something about seeing her future.”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, she looked lost in thought and after I asked her several times, she said she was day dreaming of her life and what it would look like.”
Rachel furrowed her eyebrows. “What’s wrong with that?”
“Nothing! But I was taken off guard because she spoke of it as if she could already see it. But she didn’t have specific faces in mind; but she said she saw everything else.”
“And why did that surprise you?”
“Because I’ve never seen my future like that.”
Rachel gave me a knowing smile. “Do you know what you want for your future?”
“I’m not sure…”
“Well, what do you see for yourself 20 years from now? Or 10?”
“I don’t know..”
“Vicente! You must know something! What do you want? What do you see yourself having or not being able to live without? Something you feel you must have-that your life would be incomplete if you didn’t obtain it?”
At her words, small images flashed in my mind. Years ago, when I was young and hopeful, and I wasn’t completely dedicated to the family business, I had imagined a life with a family. I had imagined falling in love with a beautiful woman who desired to build a life. I saw myself with kids, a beautiful home and family gatherings.
For a moment I saw myself growing old next to someone who I loved, and loved me back.
The feeling of the images were a bit overwhelming, sprouting from somewhere deep within me.
So I rubbed my eyes and looked into Rachel’s blue ones that were observing me.
“I don’t know..” I lied.
I half expected Rachel to try and bring the truth out of me, but instead, she just gave me a small nod and smile.
“It’ll come to you. Don’t worry.”
- Writer
