CHAPTER 15 - Lunna Rivera

***A magical weekend with the family.***

When I woke up, it was already quite late. The house is quite big, and the girls stayed with me in my room, Adam stayed with Natasha, and Romolo in another room. I finish getting ready and go down the stairs to the kitchen, where I find grandma in the kitchen.

“Good morning, Abuela!” I give her a kiss on the cheek, and she smiles.

“Buenos días, mi amor.”

“How are you?”

“I'm fine, and did you sleep well?”

“Yes, it seems like I haven't slept in decades,” she smiles. “Where's Mama?”

“She went out with the girls, they went to buy things to cheer themselves up.”

“That was Jully who said that, right?”

“She herself! Now take a piece of cake, I'll make some tea for you.”

“Thank you, grandma!”

“Your boyfriend is on the veranda, it seems like he loved the place.”

“And Adam?” I don't even know why I asked.

“He hasn't come down yet, and it seems like the night was long.”

“Grandma!” I say perplexed.

“What? You're young and full of… lust for life, what do you want?” I nod in agreement, not believing what she said.

I took the piece of cake and some coffee, even though I'm not a fan, but after what I heard, it's what I needed.

“I better go have my coffee and find my boyfriend because this 'lust for life' left me shaken.” I take everything and leave the kitchen, hearing her laugh.

I walk to the veranda, and before I get there, I see him through the double doors, sitting in a rocking chair, playing with his phone. I approach, leaving the cake and coffee on the small table next to him. When he realizes I'm there, he puts away his phone and smiles. He stands up, and I hug him, giving him a kiss.

“Good morning!”

“Good morning, did you sleep well?”

“I did, and you?”

“I think there was some kind of sleeping pill because I passed out.”

“My mom always does that,” I say, and the smile disappears from his face. “I'm kidding, Romolo.”

“I thought my mother-in-law didn't like me.”

“They loved you, did you see how they fussed over you yesterday?” Before he can answer, grandma approaches with a tray in her hands, with fruit salad, cake, tea, coffee, juice, and other things.

“Here, children, have a decent breakfast because lunch will be late today.” Romolo releases me, and we walk to the table on the veranda and sit down.

“I made something special for you, son, I hope you like it. I'll be right back,” she leaves before he can say anything.

“I told you they loved you!”

“Now this is a breakfast, there's even bread.”

“This bread is different, and you'll understand when you eat it. I'm sure she'll bring you an espresso. Although you've been to Cuba and know what the food is like,” as soon as I speak, grandma approaches and hands him a cup.

“Thank you, ma'am.”

“You can call me grandma if you prefer, I'll love it,” she says, and he smiles.

“I'll go back to the kitchen.”

“I'll help you later, grandma,” I say, and she caresses my face and goes into the house.

“Try it!” I say to him, and he takes the espresso and looks at me with wide eyes.

“This is delicious!”

“Yes, very different from what we're used to,” I say, and he takes another sip, closing his eyes.

“This is really delicious.”

“Cubans are passionate about coffee. In the morning, a cup is essential. They drink the famous Cuban espresso, which differs from the traditional Italian one by adding sugar during the infusion, not after. Those who try it say that the result is a sweeter and more delicious drink than they've ever tried. What am I saying, you already know that, and I'll be quiet, so you can enjoy your coffee.”

“I can't disagree with that. But keep talking, I like to hear you talk about your background,” I smile.

“Another popular mix consumed by the Cuban people is coffee with milk. And to go with it, there's Cuban bread with toasted butter, the one grandma brought. There's also the habit of dipping it in the drink and eating it. It's delicious!”

“Really?”

“Yes, try it,” I pick up a piece and hand it to him. He takes it and when he puts it in his mouth, he lets out a rough moan of satisfaction with his eyes closed.

“And?”

“Wow! This is really delicious. I've never done this in my life,” I smile knowing we're making incredible memories.

“You know, I think about the children we'll have someday,” I look at him in disbelief at what he's saying.

“Really?”

“Yes, why? I want to have a family with you and grow old together, but before that, I want a place like this to live in,” he strokes my face. “You know something, Lunna, I would really live that moment again. I would be on that street and in that rain several times, let you bump into me again as many times as you wanted, just to be with you. I'm really falling in love with you every day, and I can't imagine my life without you anymore,” I smile and lean in to kiss him.

We move away when we hear a clearing of the throat, and I look to the side, seeing Adam holding hands with Natasha. They approach and sit down, and Adam takes some things from the tray and starts eating. Romolo looks at him and knows that some of Adam's actions are making him angry. He's behaving like a spoiled child who lost his toy, seeing his friend with it and not being able to take it.

Our lunch was a lot of fun, filled with laughter, lively conversations, and my mother telling stories about my childhood antics. Romolo asked me to be his girlfriend again, and now with their blessing, since they already knew he had asked me and found his consideration for them cute. Later that night, we all went out to a club, and it was super fun teaching the girls to dance to Cuban music. Natasha and Adam seemed to be almost swallowing each other on the dance floor, Romolo, as always, a gentleman, danced very well. I tried to enjoy every second, as he would be leaving in the morning.

•••••••∞•••••••

We had a nice weekend with my mother and grandmother. They were charmed by Romolo, and it was really nice! Mom even said she wanted grandchildren, and I was very embarrassed, but Romolo said that in a few years, she would have grandchildren to spoil. Mrs. Salinas showed up and met everyone except Adam, who had left with Natasha. It was amazing to spend a few days with Romolo, and I needed more than ever to talk to him and tell him about my fears and traumas, but I didn't know how to do that, and it was becoming more and more distressing.