Chapter 42: Things Are Looking Up

Today was the day that Victoria was going to accompany Pedro to go see his parents and convince them that he had turned over a new leaf and wanted to be welcomed home once again.

She had woken up quite early, prepared a quick breakfast, with Sharon's help, of course, and ate. She was about to leave immediately for Pedro's place where he stayed with his uncle.

As she was about to open the door to leave, Sharon stopped her to have a quick chat with her.

"Victoria, wait! Can I speak with you?"

"Of course, Sharon, but I have to get going. Pedro's parents are already expecting us and I don't want to be late. It would send a bad impression," she replied in her haste to get going.

"This will only take a minute, I promise," Sharon said.

"Ok! What is it?"

"I know first-hand how hard it is to confront parental figures after you've wronged them," Sharon began after grabbing hold of Victoria's hands, "You remember I told you about how my best friend, Lily, died? I was never able to bring myself to go to her parents and tell them what really happened, to apologize to them, and to beg for their forgiveness because it was my fault that

she died. 

"They probably still wonder why their daughter had to die and they'll never know the answer unless I bring myself to tell them someday. What I'm trying to say is that I wish I had a friend like you who would have made me go to them like you're doing for Pedro. I know it's not the same situation but Pedro has no idea how lucky he is to have someone like you in his life and I really hope that they forgive him and take him back."

Sharon's words left a gaping hole in Victoria's heart. She hugged her, telling her that maybe someday, she would be able to return to America and give Lily's parents the closure they need to get over the death of their daughter.

"Good luck, Vic!"

"Thank you, Sharon."

.

.

An hour later, Victoria and Pedro stood outside his parents' home. Julio and Juanita were with them and they wished their friend the best.

"Do you want us to come in with you?" Julio asked.

"No, that won't be necessary. They're expecting just me and Victoria, but thanks anyway," Pedro replied.

"You don't have to thank us, Amigo. It's what friends are for. We'll be just over there if you need us, ok?" Juanita told him while pointing at an uninhabited building opposite the house.

The twins left them to do what they came for. Pedro was even more nervous than he was the first time he had come to beg for his parent's forgiveness. He felt like if they turned him away this time, then they'd probably never forgive him and that possibility scared him.

"Are you ready?" Victoria asked him.

He took in a deep breath and nodded. She knocked on the door and Pedro's mother opened it and welcomed them inside.

They hadn't even taken their seats when Pedro's father made his feelings clear.

"The only reason we agreed to see you is because your Uncle Arthuro begged us to hear you out and to listen to what you have to say. You know how much I respect and honour my brother, unlike you, who has absolutely no honour for his own parents," Pedro's father said coldly.

Pedro was shaking and his fingers trembled. Victoria held his hands, stared at him, and gave him silent assurances that she was there for him and that he was not alone.

"So, tell us! Why are you here, Pedro?" His father asked.

"I'm here to explain why I did what I did, to get you to understand my actions and to forgive me and take me back in," he answered.

Pedro's father was in disbelief, "You really think that we'll ever let you back in this house, so you can rob us again," he said angrily.

"Sir, if I may? Pedro isn't that person anymore. He's changed and if you just gave him a chance, I'm sure you'll see that..," Victoria suddenly started to say but was cut off by Pedro.

"Victoria, stop! I have to do this myself. Papa, Mama, I know I let you down. I know I broke your hearts and disappointed you. I'm so so sorry for what I did. I was in a rough spot and I was desperate, which was why I took the money. I know it was all that we had but I had to take it either way, otherwise, I could have been killed," Pedro explained. 

He told his parents of the trouble he was in with a gang that was preying on him and how they threatened him to join their gang. He had refused and so they threatened his parents. The only way they would leave him be was by him compensating them with a large sum of money; the money he stole.

"I was scared and I didn't want anything bad to happen to either of you. They said that they would hurt you if I didn't bring the money. I figured it would be better to steal from you than from someone else," Pedro finished.

His mom finally got up and walked over to him. She put her hands on his face and brought it up to hers.

"Is this true, mi Hijo? She began asking, "Is this realy what happened?"

"Si, Mama. That's how it happened!"

"Why didn't you come to us? Why didn't you tell me what was going on? We could have figured something out together," his father asked.

"I know you, Papa. I knew that if I told you, you wouldn't want to give them the money. I knew you would try to fight them. I was scared and I didn't know what else to do," Pedro said and began weeping.

His parents got up and embraced him, finally forgiving him for what he did.

Back in his bedroom, Pedro stared at his baby pictures hanging on the wall. He touched it and was overcome with happy childhood memories. Being the only child of his parents, he was close to them. They loved him very much which was why they were so hurt when he seemed to have betrayed and dishonoured them.

"I didn't know that you were threatened and forced to steal the money. Every time l asked why you did it, you always said that you had to and that you were desperate, but you never gave me details. Why?" Victoria asked.

"I didn't tell you because I know you, Vic. I know how you get. I didn't want you to get involved in all of the chaos that would have broken out if I hadn't complied with the gang," Pedro explained.

"After you came back home the first time to return the money to your parents, why didn't you tell them what really happened?" She wondered.

"I tried to," Pedro said and sat down on his mattress, "I gave them the money and started explaining why I took it but before I could say anything, they kicked me out. They were so upset that they refused to listen to me."

Victoria sat down beside him and held his hand. She grabbed his shoulders and leaned her head on his collar, giving him a hug of comfort and reassurance.

"The past is in the past. What matters now is that they finally gave you a chance to explain. It's going to take a while to get things back to the way they were but I'm sure you'll be fine."

Her words gave him strength and they stared at each other in a heated gaze. Desire flaring from Victoria and gratitude from Pedro.