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Or do I allow myself to let go and be me? To enjoy meeting the women in his life.
“She’s beautiful, Mijo! Look at that face,” his mother gushes and stands, taking the choice from me while making her way over and pulling me in for a hug. And it’s not just any hug. No. This one’s loving and full of acceptance, not cold or full of pretenses.
It’s the kind that leaves you warm and makes you feel welcomed.
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Lucas,” I say after she steps back and I regain a bit of composure. Her easy acceptance has caught me off-guard and so have the smiling faces watching the exchange. Even my mother, who’s been a worrying ball of nerves, seems at ease and happiness.
And yet, it’s her son’s I notice and linger on.
Yes, meeting his family makes me feel special, but nothing compares to the love showing in his eyes.
To the outside world, he might seem serious and unaffected, but the small crinkles at the corner of his eyes tell me otherwise. They smile at me. Show me his true emotions.
“Call me Sara, Solimar. We’re family, and formalities don’t exist in this nucleus.”
“Gracias.” I blush and duck my head a bit, feeling a little overwhelmed by how easily she adds me to the list of people she calls hers. “That means a lot.”
“No need to blush, sweetheart.”
“She’s been doing so all her life,” my mother interjects, giggling into her cup of coffee. “No matter what we did or she tried, it’s uncontrollable.”
What we did means my father hated it and berated me every chance he got. That he paid a lot of money to “experts” to rid me of this habit, and when they all failed, I got punished for being an insolent child.
This is the same man that hasn’t called since we left. Not Mom. Not Carlos. Not me.
“I wouldn’t want her to change a single hair on her head.” At Alejandro’s voice, another breakfast companion giggles, and my eyes turn toward the other young woman in his life: his baby sister. Lourdes Lucas is beautiful, bruised up, and safe where she belongs.
I’m happy to see her.
I also don’t overthink my next move and go with what feels natural, walking over and pulling her into a hug that rivals the one her mother gave me. She trembles a bit in my hold, pulling me in just as hard, and when we pull back silently, there are tears in our eyes.
“I’m so happy to see you,” I whisper low so only she hears. “We’ve all been praying for your safe return.”
“Thank you. It means a lot, and I hope you don’t think badly of…” Lourdes trails off as a sob catches in her chest, and just like I would be in her position, embarrassment floods her posture and she stiffens.
Chairs scrape on the terracotta flooring but I pay them no mind and pull us toward the inside of the home. The only person I take a moment to let know all is okay is Alejandro, and with a simple shake of my head, he holds a hand for everyone else to stand down.
Once inside, I make a beeline for Alejandro’s office and close the door behind us. For a few minutes we stand awkwardly, but I make the first move and take one of the two seats across from where my love sits. “When you’re ready, I’ll listen without judgment.”
“I’m fine.” She doesn’t look me in the eye but fidgets where she stands, wringing her hands and shifting her weight from foot to foot.
“You’re a terrible liar, and that’s not a compliment. As a president’s daughter, I can spot bullshit a mile away.” I keep my expression neutral; she doesn’t need someone to hover or push, but wait. Listen. Do what no one did for me, and that’s allow me to live my life.
Until her brother showed up.
He gave me my identity back, and I’m returning the favor. Lourdes needs someone in her corner, someone to be there, and even though we’re strangers, I’ll step up to fill that void.
“Is that why you’re engaged to Signio Cortez? Same guy your cousin is screwing?”
“Not by choice. Not anymore.”
There’s a bite to my tone, and immediately her eyes become glazed and lips tremble. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t apologize. I don’t need you to.”
“Why are you being nice to me? Is it because of Alejandro? You can’t buy—”
“You’re in a tough situation, Lourdes...” I point to the seat beside me “…taken advantage of. Those are two things I’m pretty familiar with, and as someone who’s had her life changed to fit someone else's narrative until your brother showed up, I understand. It’s why I’m not going to judge you. Why I’ll listen and wait and help where I can.”
