Chapter 27 - You're in charge Beautiful - meters
Veronica
I couldn't stop thanking God every day for the family we were building. For us, mornings were the perfect time with the kids; we would bathe them, put them in the sun, dress them, and when the hunger concert began, someone would come in to lend a hand.
That's why we needed to hire a nanny, because my mother-in-law helps me in the morning, and in the afternoons, she goes to Luisa's house until my father picks her up. They look so excited, and she's organizing her wedding, which is in two weeks.
While my children slept, I recharged a bit. Four women were supposed to come, so let's wait and see. They should start arriving in half an hour. Lupe, due to her discomfort, couldn't go on the first day of university. She started on Tuesday and only went today, Thursday. Last night, Arnold called Roland just to check if Lupe was still here or if she had moved somewhere else.
I don't even want to think about how those two will end up, either loving each other or killing each other. Today, I felt Lupe's absence. Besides, as soon as Ines found out about Anibal's sister, she insisted until all four children living in Blanco let her return to Colombia with a thousand recommendations and warnings for the three remaining children in Colombia.
She insisted that she had been with everyone during crucial moments, and now it was her twin's turn. She had been in Colombia for a week and was returning this weekend. I also missed her; my children missed her. Every other day, she visited Clarisa since she got out of the clinic.
She did the same with Diana, who is on bed rest due to a threatened miscarriage. One of these days, I'll gather my kids and go visit them. Cereza had gradually started leaving her alone; she needed to work and did so from her office. Sometimes, she had days when her spirits were down.
Then some gesture from Daniel would come, and it would lift her spirits. It couldn't be easy. It's true that I didn't have a uterus, a womb, fallopian tubes, or ovaries, but that wasn't visible, it was internal, while hers was visual. Sometimes Luisa would come, but she didn't stay long due to Diana's bed rest order.
That's why everything concerning the triple wedding and the baptisms fell on her. We had already arranged and coordinated my part. The weddings needed more work, so Mrs. Consuelo went in the afternoons to help her.
I left the office; the first women for the nanny position would arrive soon. I wasn't wrong; there was one, and she was mesmerized, staring at my husband who was starting to tame Zeus. I didn't like how she looked at him; you won't be working here.
"Good afternoon."
"Sure, it's a very good view," the idiot said.
"What do you need?"
"I'm here for the nanny position. Nice to meet you, I'm Mia."
"Hello, Mia. Do you have experience in childcare?" she affirmed.
"Yes, I'm here to speak with Mrs. Veronica Sandoval."
"That's my name." She blushed a bit.
"Sorry for staring at your foreman, but he's very attractive."
"Mia, he's my husband, the owner of the ranch, and the father of my children. I'll be very honest, and I hope, as a woman, you understand."
"Ma'am..."
"I will never accept you working to take care of my children. And I'm saving you from a bad moment, you've shown a look of 'I don't care if he's married, I'll take him to bed,' and sorry, but I defend what's mine. You can leave."
The young woman was red. I smiled at her. At that moment, my husband was coming up the stairs. He ignored the girl, which was very normal for him. He kissed me.
"Have you chosen someone?"
"The first one who came almost ate you with her eyes. She won't be working here for anything in the world," I said in Spanish, and Roland burst out laughing.
"Jealous? You call the shots, Beautiful."
I looked at the girl, shook her hand, and asked her to leave. Two more were arriving; this time, I'll meet them in the office. My husband went to the room; Liam shouldn't take long to wake up for his bottle, and sure enough.
"I'll take care of my boy!" he shouted.
Carmela brought me a girl; I didn't like her either. I told her I would call her. I don't know, I won't hand my children over to just anyone. The second candidate I liked a bit more, but not entirely. I dismissed her. As I left the office, Roland was carrying Dante.
"Has anyone else arrived?" he shook his head.
"How did it go with the interviewees?" I also shook my head.
"Love, maybe among the workers' wives or daughters who want to earn some extra money to help us out, don't you think? The rush is when they all decide to order food at the same time. Other than that, we can manage."
"Sweetheart, you never rest, you do it with all your heart, but I don't want you to wear yourself out."
He came closer and kissed me. "Well, now that you've cleared the office, Dante and I are going to work. In an hour, Beautiful, bring Enrique down to me." Who would have thought? He turned out to be a great father.
"At four, I'm going to the Oasis. Diana is desperate to get out of bed."
"I'll take you," I smiled.
No one else came, so I got my kids ready. I wanted to chat with Diana. It was quite a feat to go out with four chubby babies. My husband, who never left me alone, drove while the babies sat in a special car seat designed for four.
"You look beautiful."
"How gallant!" He kissed my hand.
"I love you, Verónica." Something's up with Roland. "And I love my little intruders more than I ever thought I could."
"I know you love us, but you rarely say it. Is something wrong?"
"The ones who tried to kidnap Cereza's kids are the ones trying to mess with the mobsters. They realized they wanted to contact my people. We still don't know if they know whether I'm alive or dead. They got scared and just wanted something to blackmail us with. That's why the meeting with Any will be during one of the various parties we'll have in two weeks. It will determine if we get involved or stay away."
"Can I give my opinion?"
"If I'm talking to you, it's because I want to hear you. I need you with me in everything."
"Don't get involved unless it's absolutely necessary. We know we need to stay alert, but I don't want to lose you. I don't want you to feel forced to kill."
"All of you have given us the same advice. My mother talked to me this morning, said the same thing, and I didn't say anything. It was Simón and Luisa. Anyway, we'll talk to Any to keep her informed. Our organization's guys are making their moves in each country. I guess we have to wait."
"Roland, promise me only if it's necessary." He nodded. "Thank you for keeping me informed."
"With your background, I have no other choice."
"I'm not going to try to take my life again!"
"I hope not, but you might come up with something else."
I stuck my tongue out at him, and he stopped the car, unbuckled his seatbelt, and kissed me passionately.
"There are kids on board," I said.
"I know, I know." He got back to the wheel. "Never change, Verónica. I love you, Beautiful."
……
Roland
I finished checking the new batch of cattle we bought among the four ranches. We were doing the paperwork for the cattle directed to El Renacer. Jacinto was handling the cattle on one side. Each foreman did the same for the cattle from El Oasis, La Apuesta, and Las Alondras. My father-in-law was happy; in a week, he was getting married to my mother, and my friends were having their church wedding.
Father Gabriel was supposed to arrive next Thursday. I continued my work. After counting, each one transferred the cattle to their respective ranch. I had created a loading and unloading area for our negotiations in the middle of the four farms, away from our families. From here, I would make the entry for the headquarters. Arnold was right; there needed to be more income and quickly.
There were four huge corrals, a place where trucks could enter to deliver or load the sales. Definitely, dear God, this was what my heart always wanted.
Daniel was considering staying here for the kids. He asked me to build a three-story building with apartments where his house in Bogotá used to be. On that land, I could build two three-story buildings because no larger ones are allowed. He would have six apartments that would provide a good income.
Yesterday, we talked with the owners of the lands adjacent to ours. Talking with Verónica, I have a lot of land and could sell him a few hectares, plus whatever he can acquire. I was happy that another one of my friends was joining. For now, while the construction lasts, they will stay in their apartment in Blanco. Clari was still recovering. And we were waiting to see if we would enter the silent battle between mafias or not.