Chapter 114 A New Year Among Friends!

Chapter 114 A New Year Among Friends!

Chapter 114: A New Year Among Friends!

To celebrate the start of a new year, we decided to gather together. The hotel was hosting a grand, very formal party, with suits and everything, and Dubois left it up to me to decide. Mom and Cristina told us they would stay in a room with Alejandro, as the noise wasn't for them, but that I could go and enjoy it since I was young and had a handsome husband.

...

I receive a visit from Ebony, and I feel so much joy. She and Margaret are two of my favorite people in the world.

"Hello, friend, I came to meet that handsome little gentleman everyone's been talking about, the one who took my future kids' grandma," she says.

"Hello, friend! I'm so glad you're here!" I give her a big hug. She's such a simple and good friend, very supportive, just like Margaret. "Come on, let's go meet him, they're in the kitchen."

"Ah, the favorite spot of everyone in this house. I want cookies!"

We head to the kitchen, and it's true. Dubois says that given how much time we spend there, he's going to install a sofa. It's not that we eat all day, it's just the family's gathering spot.

Ebony greets Mom, Cristina, and Sofía, and we sit down to talk about the wedding, the dress, and all the preparations. She's in charge of all the dresses.

She has the dresses planned out and is very excited. She explains everything in detail and happily tells me I'm her favorite client and that wedding designs are her friend's specialty. With this design, her friend will become famous.

"We're very excited. Making the dress for Michael Dubois's future wife will elevate our social status like crazy."

"Ebony, I think you already know, but I'll say it anyway, my wedding won't be that talked about. We've tried to keep it as low-key as possible. I know we'll get some recognition because of Dubois, but even he wants to keep a low profile."

"That might not be possible. Everything leaks, and Dubois has always wanted a low profile but never achieved it, and he won't with his wedding either. Just imagine, he's the Midas of technology. Everything he designs becomes popular, everyone wants his designs. I find it hard to believe his wedding will go unnoticed. Somehow, it will be known that you're wearing a dress from our fashion house, and that will make us famous."

"I'm glad you're so excited."

"Mom is happy, she says she was your matchmaker."

"Actually, yes. When I met her, everything started to change between Dubois and me, and I feel like she's been pulling the strings."

"Mom is a matchmaker at heart. That's how it was with me. She created the opportunities. When she knew I liked my husband, she planned outings and invited him. Sometimes it embarrassed me, but in the end, he told me he liked me, and we started dating."

"Margaret is very special, Ebony. We love her a lot."

"And she loves you, Valeria. She has a very special affection for Alejandro. She only talks about Alejandro this, Alejandro that. If you heard her, it would make you feel very jealous."

"We love her very much. We wouldn't know what to do without her."

"And I thank you for that. When I moved to another country, Mom felt lost. She was used to us going out, talking at home, sharing a lot, Valeria."

"I can imagine."

"You're lucky to have your mom with you. I miss mine a lot, but my husband had to leave and I had to go with him."

"I understand perfectly."

"Thank God she found good friends here and has adapted well. Dad too, although Dubois and his friends are younger, he gets along with them and Hana's husband. They've formed a great group here."

"Yes, we appreciate them a lot, and Margaret is very special to all of us."

"You know… I know Mom felt very lonely and sad, she used to cry. Now she's very happy and I'm grateful to you all. I commend Dad for the idea of coming to this country, because Mom is active again."

I place my hand on hers. "We'll take care of Margaret, don't worry."

"We'll all take care of her. Margaret is a blessing to us," says Mom.

"I know, I know you love her. Enough with the emotions, let's talk about the New Year's Eve dresses. I brought several models for the four of you. You're my best clients and my designs for you are made with much love."

"Thanks, Ebony, let's see them."

We spent the afternoon looking at the different dresses Ebony brought. They were all beautiful and in our sizes. Some things she could adjust right there, so we went to Mom's room and modeled each dress. It was an interesting afternoon.

…

Mom, Sofi, Cristina, and I went to the hotel to celebrate New Year's Eve and got ready in Margaret's room, although my mom and Cristina would stay with the baby. Dubois would come home from the office and join us. I had his suit and everything he needed ready.

Since we planned to spend the night at the hotel, we brought everything necessary. According to Margaret, we would continue the party at the hotel on January 1st. We had our rooms reserved: one for Mom, Cristina, and Sofi, and another for Dubois, Alejandro, and me. I'm excited!

And really, everything felt like a dream. We dressed in Margaret's room, did our hair, and when I looked in the mirror, I didn't recognize myself. I looked like a princess. Sofi, Mom, and Cristina also looked amazing.

The dresses were dreamy. Ebony knew what suited us, and Margaret and the others looked beautiful.

At one point, there was a knock at the door, and it was Dubois. He looked at me with admiration in his eyes, walked over, and said, "My love, you look truly stunning."

"You too, love, look handsome. Tonight, I'll have to fight off those women who'll be looking at you."

"You won't have to because I'll only be looking at you. Let me greet my prince for a moment." He went over to Alejandro, who was in Cristina's arms, kissed him, and said, "You all look beautiful, like a bouquet of exquisite flowers. Are you having your own party here?" Dubois said this because there were all kinds of sweets and food. Margaret had arranged a table with many delicious dishes; she thinks of everything.

"Margaret thinks of everything," Mom said. Dubois smiled, and I looked at my husband. He's truly handsome and all mine. Women may look at him, but he'll leave the party with me.

"And Sofi?" Dubois asked.

"She's already at the party with Margaret."

"She's already gone? Well, let's go, my love. I want to see all those men envy me for the woman on my arm."

"Mom, I have my cell phone nearby. Call me when the baby wants to eat or call Dubois if I don't answer."

"Don't worry, honey. Have fun."

"Let's go, princess." I leave with Dubois and we walk down the hallway, take the elevator, and once inside, he mischievously hugs me and kisses me softly.

"You look beautiful, love. If it were up to me, we'd stay here in a room together, just the two of us. I don't want other men to see you."

"I don't want other women to see you either, but I really want to go to the party. I've been cooped up, smelling like breast milk."

"Well, I'll take you and let them see my treasure, the one I have hidden at home."

"Let's go, then."

The party venue looked like a dream, tables decorated with floral arrangements, beautiful tablecloths, a display of luxury, and an orchestra setting the mood with soft music. The melodious voice of a singer sounded wonderful. I'm in a dream with my prince! That's how I feel!

We head to our table where Margaret, Sofí, and Ebony with her husband are already waiting for us. Hana and Eduardo are also there, and Sebastián has arrived with a companion. When we arrive, he introduces us. The woman is stunning, tall, and very friendly.

After a while, Ricardo arrives. The girl he's with is also beautiful but a bit serious. When they arrive, he introduces her to us and we all sit down to chat and toast with the best champagne and white wine in the place. We toast to the good things in life. Of course, I'm having water, and Sofí is having juice, no wine or anything else.

While we're enjoying a very pleasant conversation, an acquaintance of Dubois approaches. He introduces us, and they talk amiably and invite him to our table. We make room, and it turns out this gentleman is accompanied by his wife and teenage son. He introduces them to us. The young man sits next to Sofía, and they immediately start talking.

When it's time to dance, Dubois takes me to the dance floor. The music is soft, the singer almost whispering, perfect for lovers or a couple like us who are in love. I'm not that short, so I put my arms around his neck, and he places his arms around my waist. We dance like this, and I feel like I'm floating. I'm in heaven with my prince. I look up and think, this is the prince you told me about, Dad, the one meant for me.

We dance two slow songs, and I feel his warm body against mine. I can't help but lift my lips for him to kiss. I don't know if it's ethically acceptable in this world, but I need it. I want to feel him in this moment, feel his lips and embrace him. And I know it's not the effect of alcohol because I haven't had a drop, it's just the result of the love I have for this beautiful man.

After we finish dancing, we head back to the table and notice that Sofía is not there. Margaret gestures for me to look at the dance floor, and Dubois also notices and frowns. "Aren't they dancing a bit too close?"

"They're dancing normally."

"Normal for a couple, but they're just teenagers."

"Sofí is almost 16."

"And you think that's old enough? Her mom entrusted her to us."

"Calm down, Dubois. Nothing's happening."

"They're dancing like we are."

"Not quite, they're much more separated."

"Come on, Dubois. If you had a daughter, imagine how it would be. Poor thing."

"My daughter won't dance like that. I won't allow it."

"Look at him, he's a little gentleman, he hardly gets close."

"I hope so."

"Let's sit down, they're about to serve the appetizers."

Among the main dishes is a surprising ice cream that Dubois tries first to make sure it doesn't have any alcohol, and there's plenty of champagne that everyone at the table keeps sampling.

During the long dinner, we watch a music and dance show, with the master of ceremonies announcing a performance where the dance troupe shines in gold costumes.

Dubois and I step out for a moment, Mom calls us, so we go. I nurse my baby, and Mom says she'll put him to sleep. "Go on, kids, celebrate, you hardly ever go out," so we return to the party, though I really would like to be with Mom and my son.

The highlight of the evening is when the end of the year approaches. We all head to the terrace before midnight with our little bags of grapes.

There, a huge screen displays the countdown, and the ringing bells give way to beautiful fireworks. Dubois calls Sofía to join us for the New Year's countdown. As the twelve chimes ring, he whispers in my ear, "Happy New Year, my love, I love you," and he kisses me, then extends his good wishes to everyone, including Sofía.

We know the party will continue, but we say our goodbyes and go to find our son, Mom, and Cristina.

When we arrive at our room, the two women are toasting, Mom is happy and I see our son in his carrier.

"See, Valeria, I knew it, these ladies have their own party."

"Happy New Year to both of you, I love you," I hug them, and so do Sofía and Dubois. We are an incredible family group, and the coming months will be fantastic.

So we stay in our own celebration there in that room, toasting with the people we love most gathered there, and then we head to our rooms.

However, Margaret arrives just as we are leaving and proposes a toast of good wishes. We can't refuse. "To love and friendship, and to being together for many more years, cheers!" Margaret says.

"Cheers!" we all say.

"To my family and friends, the best people I know, cheers," I say.

"To my wife, the most beautiful, my mother-in-law and my other mom, the dearest, my beautiful son, and my little sister, the best sister-in-law that exists, I also want to toast to the best friends a man could have, cheers," Dubois toasts.

"To staying united in love and friendship in the coming year, cheers," says Alfred.

"To the best friends, the best daughters, and the best son-in-law anyone could have, cheers," says Mom.

"For finding such a beautiful family when I thought my destiny was to be alone, cheers," says Cristina.

"To my family, my sister and brother-in-law are the best, my mom and Cristina are amazing, and Margaret and Alfred are wonderful. For all of you, I say cheers with a glass of juice because my mom doesn't let me drink champagne, cheers to all, I love you."

"The last toast is for this couple who found each other when they needed it and have been happy and will be even happier when they get married next Valentine's Day. It hasn't been an easy task, Rosalía, but we'll make sure these kids get married, cheers!"

...