She always feared no one would be enough for his little sister because of her temperament. But unexpectedly, she found someone, but her father's crude remark could put a wedge in their relationship.
" Probably because your father doesn't know what romance is; he has been like that since I met him." Liliana's mother, Mariana, came in with a tray full of dishes. She was struggling, but Raul was helping her, which was a surprise.
Their relationship was not good these past few years, mainly because of his involvement in the rival gang and his dealing with Felipe, who was hell-bent on chasing Liliana. But after Samuel displayed unprecedented power and influence, his hunger for power greatly diminished.
And after his father and grandmother's reprimands, he started to fit in with his family. Even though he had resented his father for marrying again, he seemed to understand why he did it and how much everyone around him cared about him.
" Come on, honey, don't you think that's a bit harsh? When did I ever stop being a romantic?" Enrique said, defending himself.
" I hate to say it, Father, but Mother is right," Liliana said, supporting her mother.
" That's why I didn't want you to marry my daughter Mari; she was always too good for you." Enrique's mother, Regina, popped from behind and proclaimed without batting an eye.
"Ma, you are disowning your son so casually. Must you always embarrass me like this in front of the guests?" Enrique sighed while everyone chuckled, looking at their peculiar banter.
" Enough, stop standing around and help Mariana set the table. The food is getting cold." Regina waved her hand, making her son more depressed because she did not care about his feelings.
Everyone started moving, and within minutes, they were having warm meals while discussing pointless topics. Isabella was impressed and attentively listened to Samuel's monologues, it was their first time talking like this, and she never could have guessed him to be so mature.
Not many people his age had such mature charm about them, incredibly this good-looking. She always went for older guys in her life, but younger guys didn't seem so bad after meeting Samuel. She might give some of them a chance in the future.
Samuel, too, noticed her staring at him; he had to say she was gorgeous. Unlike Liliana, she had lighter skin, and she was a little shorter than her, but her playfulness and teasing was a trait that he liked a lot. Liliana and her would occasionally exchange blows, but no hidden malice was behind it.
" Isabel? Isabel?" Raul called for her, which seemed to wake her from her daydreaming.
" Yes?"
" Liliana asked you something. Are you even listening?" Everyone looked at her. What's gotten into her?
" I was thinking about something. A thing at work?" She made up an excuse.
" That's what I am asking about; how is work? Are you ready for your upcoming exams?" Liliana asked again.
" Yeah, it's going well, but why are you guys not taking off that scarf? Aren't you feeling hot?" She leaned toward her, trying to grab it.
" It's f-fine, the AC is on, so..." Liliana hurriedly leaned back and avoided it with her catlike movement.
" Yeah, leave it on; she had a sore throat in the morning." Samuel tried to cover for her; it would be wrong if her parents saw the state of her neck.
" Nonsense, I can see she is sweating. I have a heating pad which will help. It increases the blood flow, which in turn will give some relief from the pain." She tried it again. Liliana was already at the edge of her seat trying to escape, but she wished she would just run away!
She was thinking of some excuse, but Isabella had already caught her. She saw the first few love bites when she tried to unwrap them, which stopped her immediately. What the hell was this? She looked at her sister, who was avoiding eye contact with her.
" Liliana! Seriously?" She yelled, making everyone stop eating.
" What happened? Is something wrong?" Enrique asked.
Liliana was pleading with her sister giving her puppy eyes; if her father saw it, she would never hear the end of it. She knew it was wrong but was glad her mother couldn't see her like this!
" No! I am taking her inside; she needs immediate care!" She dragged her upstairs.
" Wait! But what about the food?" Mateo asked while tearing into the chicken leg. Everyone gave him a suspicious eye; why are you even asking her that without even caring for her health first?
" Are you serious right now? Isabella, should I call someone?" Enrique gave him a stern look and asked at her daughter.
" No! I just need my health pad. She will be fine." She yelled back.
" Big sister? Can't we take some food upstairs? I am starving?" Liliana hesitantly asked.
" I bet you are, seeing as you are doing so much 'workout.'" She replied sarcastically, which made Liliana shut up immediately.
Trying to avoid a similar fate, Samuel changed the subject and broke the news to them.
" Mr. Reyes, have you thought about my proposal?"
" You mean about Marianna? Yes, it was one of the reasons that I wanted to meet you today." Enrique said seriously. It was not a secret, as he had discussed it with almost everyone at the dinner table.
" What's your answer?"
" Are they reliable? As you know, we have gone through too many experts in this field." He asked again, trying to confirm.
" They are. If you agree, I could have to fly here in a few days for the procedure." There were no experts; Samuel would heal her eyes with his own hands, but he would need appropriate cover, which was not a big deal.
Enrique looked toward his wife, holding her hand. She reciprocated by squeezing them and giving him a nod. They already went over it at length, and their answer was clear.
" Yes, if you could do something about it. I will be happy if she gets to see me again." He said while smiling softly at his wife.
" I don't think you will be if she finally saw how old you have gotten and how much she still shines standing beside you!" Regina said, which made everyone chuckle. They ate the dinner fleshing out the details, and Samuel promised to take care of it personally.
Marianna didn't show it, but she was a little excited, thinking that she would finally be able to let go of this darkness and look at her children with her own eyes.
Over the years, she had forgotten many things, even what she looked like; it was like a vague memory that she could replace if everything went well with her operation.
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