Forbidden to Love

CHAPTER 3:Delusion

Sofia is dressed in a pink sleeveless dress and hair packed in a bun,looking exquisite as usual. She is seated alone in the dining room having breakfast. Is there anything you need again ma’am? asked Katia in a soft tone that came off as a whisper. Have you called Adela down for breakfast?asked Sofia engrossed with the newspaper. Lady Adela is not in her room.I saw her drive out early this morning,replied Katia.But where did she go,Sofia inquired raising her head. Katia shrugged.

Hours later,Sofia is in the garden relaxing with an orange juice on the table,a big smile spreads across her face. She is engrossed looking at pictures from Patricias wedding.Adela walked in with such poise,smiling. She bent to give her a kiss.Where were you this morning?asked Sofia. I went to the Cemetery to give my Dad some fresh flowers.Look at these pictures,don't they look beautiful,asked Sofia,showing her the pictures she took with Antonio. How lovely,replied Adela casually.By the way,i just bumped into him,she said smiling. Really,what did he say?Sofia asked nervously. Calm down Sofia,you are so nosy,Adela said chuckling.He asked of you,she said suddenly. Sofia seems really interested,then thinks to herself that Adela is just making fun of her. He wanted to know more about the hunter that was lurking around him all night.I told him you are an expert hunter and when you set your eyes on your prey,you don't stop until you make your prey bleed to death,Adela said squeezing her face,taking a sip from the teacup.Sofia is bewildered by the way her daughter is speaking to her. Dont play with me Adela,you will get hurt,Sofia said smiling slightly. I am not Patricia, Mama,you won't sell me for a check,Adela said challengingly looking her in the eyes not blinking.You don't know me,that's why you are judging me the way your father did,Sofia said trembling,tears in her eyes.Because you enjoy it,because you are controlled by greed,Adela replied with a smirk,not moved.Sofia shook her head and walked away.Sofia went into her room,picked up her phone and called Antonio. She somehow managed to have him invite her to his home for dinner,which he did to make her happy.After her conversation with him,her cheeks her deeply red and she is throwing her hands up in the air.Adela is looking at her with annoyance from a distance and can't wait for her mood to be spoilt,she is smirking enjoying what she thought to be stupidity by her mother Sofia.

Derek is taking Lola on a boat cruise in order to encourage her and get her out of a foul mood. Cousin dont look so sad,you have to get rid of this anger.You have to understand that Aunt Isabella isn't with us anymore,But Uncle Antonio is. Let him be happy,don't be unfair to him.Let him love,we all need to be happy,he said calmly,brushing Lola's hair with his hand in a relaxing way.Lola keeps staring blankly at the water,her face to the otherside.Derek thought to himself that the only reason why Lola is not understanding,is because she is a teenager who doesn't understand the nature of love.

At the Santilan mansion,Sofia is talking about the debt they are in with the accountant.Adela walked in and sat down.Sofia was staring at her and Adela retorted,aren't i a partner. Sofia continued talking and claimed to have found a source of income that will get them out of debt.She is self assured that Antonio will marry her. The only thing Adela is thinking is how pathetic Sofia is,she thought to herself that she can't wait for her mother to be shocked,she grinned,looking at her with disdain. The only thing your father left us is debt and ruins,maybe you will stop judging me soon.We are about to go bankrupt ,Sofia said worriedly,using her palm to massage her forehead.Thats why things have to work out with Mr Antonio. You better behave and don't ruin it.Dont make me look bad before him,Sofia said pleadingly.Adela replied assuredly with sincerity in her voice that she won't and she will be all smiles tonight and behave herself. So you approve of my relationship with Mr Antonio,Sofia asked in a tone seeking her daughter's support.Of course mom,i appreciate all the effort you are making,she said smiling,trying not to choke with laughter. Adela got up immediately to put a cup of water on her lips to stop her from talking.Sofia went to her room to get ready for the dinner with Antonio.She tried on different dresses and eventually picked one.This one will leave him speechless. She exclaimed happily. Adela wore a white silk dress,with stiletto heels looking gorgeous,her makeup on flick.You look lovely,said Sofia. Thank you mother,you look good as well,can we leave,she said.They left their home to the Rodriguez mansion.On getting there,Patricia and her husband Nicholas have already arrived looking lovely as well. They all proceeded to the dining room. Let's make a toast to the newlyweds,you won't make a mistake marrying her,Derek said sarcastically. Everyone on the table laughed.Sofia managed to get the seat beside Antonio,smiling sheepishly. Antonio thought it was weird but shrugged the feeling off.Adela will you join us in making a toast,Derek asked smiling. Sure ,Adela replied, rolling her eyes,slightly irritated.Teresa brought the desert to the table and they all continued eating happily. Adela and Antonio are exchanging glances at each other flirtingly. Teresa went to the kitchen exasperated explaining her disgust on how Mrs Sofia cant stop flirting with Mr Antonio. They all can't stand her.

Patricia went to the restroom to smooth her dress because it had a little crease and because Derek couldn't stop staring at her,wine spilled a little on her dress.Shortly after,Derek followed her. Derek,Patricia exclaimed nervously. I couldn't say it during the toast you look stunning,Derek said in an attempt to flirt with her. Thanks, she replied,out of breath due to the proximity between them.Enough with the flirting,I am a married woman,she said sternly. That makes you more attractive,he replied grabbing a hold of her hands.If you continue with your nonsense Nicholas will figure us out,she said, ringling her hands. What is there to figure out?That we have chemistry.Patricia quickly left because she noticed her husband coming.Derek couldn't help but chuckle. At the dining table,Antonio stepson Santiago,a boy of ten years of age spoke on how beautiful Adela is. Adela and everyone were laughing at the compliment. Thank you Santi,it means a lot. Since you are single you can marry my cousin Derek. He is hot as well,he said, chuckling. Everyone went silent.I don't think that's possible Santi,Adela doesn't seem to like me very much he said smiling.The night went well and everyone went home as expected.

The next morning,Derek went to the studio to talk to Mr Antonio who was having his morning coffee. Uncle,I think I am well and ready to work in the company now. I am 25,a grown man and I am ready. Antonio was happy with the news,he shook his hands and nodded in agreement.I also have something important to discuss with you,Antonio said with his voice trembling. Time has passed since my wife died. I met a beautiful woman and I was smitten by her.I even asked her to marry me,Antonio said with his voice shaking.Derek was smiling at this point,oh Uncle,you deserve all the happiness in the world,he said encouragingly. And yes i saw you at the party,obviously smitten by her,Derek said teasingly,using his shoulder to brush Antonio’s shoulder.I have never felt this way before,Adela makes me feel like a child,Antonio said nervously.This left Derek too stunned to speak,how can is Uncle be with a woman twice his age.All this while,he thought the woman his Uncle was speaking of was Adela’s mother Sofia.