To Have and To Hold (complete)

Chapter 23

The guests started arriving a little after five that afternoon. Those who would be staying overnight, like the two Montoya cousins and their wives, were led to their respective rooms in the guesthouse. From then on, several vehicles had come and gone, some to drop off their occupants, others to be parked by the two uniformed attendants waiting by the driveway. By 7 o’clock PM, there were already a few people roaming around the compound. As indicated in the invitation, the party would be starting at exactly eight in the evening, with dinner being served at half-past the said hour. Since only family and very close friends were invited, there were only half-a-dozen ten-seater round tables spread out on the lawn fronting the gazebo. The gazebo itself would serve as the dance floor where a live band, hired specifically to entertain the guests, had already been set-up.

It was to be a very private affair yet it had all the festivity and pomp of a gathering that only the elite could pull off. Everything, from the lighting and the décor, to the hors d’ouvre and five-course dinner, up to the cutlery, glassware and table napkins, exuded class, sophistication, and opulence. And why shouldn’t it? This was a momentous night for one of the richest, most powerful business dynasties in the country. For tonight, the elusive heir of the Montoya clan would be formally engaged and introduced as the new head of their business empire. Surely no one could fault them for celebrating such an event with first-class pageantry; especially if they knew how ecstatic the young heir was about this joyous occasion.

As the subject of all this revelry looked out from his bedroom window and observed the already harried uniformed waiters get even more stressed out by the torrent of last-minute orders spouted by the equally-harassed party-organizer, he could not help but be thankful at the contrast to his feelings. He felt a deep calm, a sense of serenity and ease that he never even dreamed he would ever feel again the moment he’d stepped out of that plane that brought him back home from England. Gabriel could not even believe that it had only been a month since he’d received that dreadful phone call from his mother. A month since he’d thought that his world was about to end. A month since he’d almost made the biggest mistake of his life.

Gabriel sighed as he toweled his hair dry. What a difference a day really made! Just last night, he’d been tossing and turning in his bed, unable to get over the fear that Louisa might not come to their engagement party. Then, his relief when he saw her drive up the compound that morning was turned into dismay and further grief by their brief misunderstanding. Yet, fate seemed to be on his side today since, just this afternoon, she’d given him hope for a future when she admitted that she at least had some affection for him. He smiled at that. Affection was too mild a word, actually. Her kisses proved to him that she felt more than that. But if that was as far as she was willing to concede at the moment, then he won’t be complaining. Time enough for more confessions later on. His smile widened when he started imagining how he would extract such ‘confessions’ from her.

A soft knock on the door pulled him out of his more immodest thoughts. He was quite surprised to find his father on the other side of the door. The older Montoya wheeled himself through the door then turned to face his eldest son, a slight frown crinkling his forehead.

“Gabriel, I’d like you to explain yourself. What was it that we witnessed in the kitchen?”

Gabriel’s cheeks flamed at the reminder that his father had been one of their ‘audience’ that afternoon.

“What is there to explain, Papa? I was simply kissing my fiancée. We were not aware that we had company, that’s all,” Gabriel replied, smiling self-consciously at his father.

His father sighed, exasperated by his son’s cheeky reply. “I’m aware of that. What I’d like to know is why were you kissing her?”

“Why? Well, obviously because I wanted to kiss her. And because she’s my fiancée.”

“Don’t give me such a round-about answer, young man. You know what I mean.”

Gabriel knew what his father wanted to hear from him. They’d had a lot of shouting sessions regarding his betrothal and his earlier display in the kitchen was so contrary to his usual demeanor towards his betrothed. The old man wanted him to admit that he’d already changed his stand, that he was now a willing participant to this engagement. It grated at his pride but he must admit that he’d long accepted that he would have to do it sooner or later. And he did not want anything to mar his new-found bliss so he threw up his arms and admitted defeat, with a big, bright smile on his face.

“Okay, okay! I was expecting this ‘I told you so’ from you anyway, Papa. So, I’ll come clean. I’ve changed my mind about the betrothal. I’m no longer against it.”

“That’s nothing new to me. I’ve always known you would do it, for honor and duty. What I’d like to know is what you intend to do with Louisa.”

“What do you mean? Isn’t it obvious?” Gabriel answered, his eyes twinkling with mischief. His father rolled his eyes at the not so subtle insinuation.

“I’ve been told that you plan on having a farce of a marriage, that you have no plans of becoming a real husband to Louisa.”

“Who told you that?” At his father’s silence, Gabriel immediately knew who came running to cry wolf. “It was Angelo, wasn’t it?”

“Well, he said that Miguel had let it slip that you were planning on being a ‘paper’ husband to Louisa. What I’d like to know is if it’s true. Because if it is, I don’t think I can let you do such a thing. Louisa’s like a daughter to me and I would not want her to be damned to a life of misery just because of family pride and honor.”

Gabriel sighed and sat on the nearby bed. “Papa, I admit I must’ve said something like that before - when I was raging mad about my betrothal. But that was before, and as I said, I’ve changed my mind. Isn’t what you’ve witnessed in the kitchen proof enough of that?”

“Well, hijo, if I were to judge by what I’ve seen earlier I would say you’re completely smitten with your fiancée,” his father replied, grinning at his eldest son.

“And I think I really am,” Gabriel admitted, smiling at his father.

“Then, would it be safe to say that we can proceed with the announcement of your engagement later on?”

“But of course! Did you think I would’ve let you go through all that whirlwind preparation if I had no plans of going through with it?”

His father nodded and smiled happily at him. Then, as if just remembering the real reason why he came here, he dug inside his jacket pocket and took out a small, red, velvet box.

“Then this should be yours, or Louisa’s, actually,” he said, handing the small box to Gabriel. “It belonged to your grandmother, a real Montoya heirloom.”

Gabriel took the box and opened it. Inside was a ring fit for a queen, fit for the future bride of a Montoya heir. The glittering emerald-cut diamond surrounded by tiny brilliant-cut topaz stones sat majestically on a pale matte-gold setting. It would go perfectly with Louisa’s hazel eyes, Gabriel thought.

“Thanks, Papa. I’m afraid that in my pursuit of the bride-to-be, I’d forgotten to get the ring that would bind her to me first,” Gabriel said, chuckling softly.

“I thought so. Anyway, that would be a good way to start your life together. Your grandmama and grandpapa had a very, good, loving marriage and that’s what I wish for you and Louisa. I’m afraid you’d have to choose your own wedding rings, though. That’s the first thing the two of you must do together before you officially become Mr. and Mrs. Gabriel Montoya.”

“I’m actually looking forward to it. It would probably take us the whole day for that. Louisa can be very exacting, you know.”

“Well, then! Now that everything’s in order, I propose that you finish dressing up and join us outside with the guests. My cheeks are getting stiff from all that smiling, you know,” his father said as he wheeled himself towards the door. Gabriel jumped to his feet and opened the door for his father. Before going out, Fernando turned back to him, his brows furrowed as if in deep thought.

“There’s one more thing. What are we going to do with Angelo? I’m afraid your brother is also besotted with your fiancée. I’ve never seen him act like this before, so I’m betting that he has genuine feelings for Louisa.”

The dark look that came over Gabriel’s face told Fernando that his eldest was already aware of this very uncomfortable situation with the youngest Montoya.

“Don’t worry, Papa. I’ll talk to him. I’m sure he would back off once he learns that Louisa and I aren’t being forced into this marriage anymore. And that we both have plans on making it work,” Gabriel replied, hoping against hope that that would really be enough to squelch his brother’s infatuation for his fiancée.

His father quietly nodded, a thoughtful frown still etched on his brows. After a few beats, his father turned away and through the open doorway.

“Hurry up, son. It’s not good form to leave your fiancée to fend for herself for long.”

“Be right with you, Papa.” Gabriel said as he watched his father leave with a parting wave of his hand.

As Gabriel slowly closed the door, he couldn’t help but worry about what his father had said about Angelo. He recalled the dreamy look that came to his brother’s eyes when he talked about the girl that made him ‘think about his future’. And somehow, Gabriel knew that Angelo felt more than infatuation for Louisa. He loved his brothers, and he’d always tried to give way to their needs and wants, had often sacrificed his own desires for their sakes. But, not this time. This time, he must make Angelo accept the fact that Louisa will be his wife and that is not subject for negotiation.

The music from the live band that filtered through the windows reminded Gabriel of the lateness of the hour. He hurriedly shrugged into his white linen shirt and black dinner jacket then faced the mirror to make sure that everything was in order. He looked the same, yet inside, he felt totally different. Different from the man who swore he would do everything to get out of this betrothal, different from the Gabriel who left England just a month ago. The Gabriel who was looking out at him now was not bitter, unhappy or stark-raving mad. The new Gabriel was at peace with himself. The new Gabriel was happy and eager for the future. And that’s all because of a wisp of a girl who captured his elusive heart.

Gabriel reached inside his pants pocket and took out the red velvet box. He opened it again and gazed at the brilliant treasure inside. He could not wait to put it on Louisa’s finger and make her officially his fiancée. And nothing, and no one could ever change that. With that thought, Gabriel pocketed the box again, left his bedroom and walked to the room next to his. His soft knock was answered straightaway by the muffled sound of running feet. The door was pulled open and the smiling face of his fiancée instantly greeted him.

“Are you ready, dearest?” he asked as he eagerly extended his hand towards Louisa.

“Of course!” Louisa replied, taking Gabriel’s proffered hand.

“Perfect! Let’s get going then, shall we?” Gabriel said as he pulled his fiancée closer.

Louisa looked so lovely in her midnight-blue evening dress that Gabriel couldn’t resist cuddling her sweet form.

“Gabriel! You’re going to ruin my dress!” Louisa laughingly protested as Gabriel started raining kisses on her eyes, her cheeks, and her neck.

He grunted in mock frustration and reluctantly pulled away, but not before kissing Louisa lightly on the lips.

“Come on now, chica. Before I forget that there are guests awaiting us.”

He tucked Louisa’s hand inside the crook of his arm and together they walked out into the night unaware of the pair of eyes that followed their every move with resentment and a few very unpleasant thoughts.