Chapter 377 - I'm getting married - mdfour
Patricia
"Because you know I love you, because I have shown it to you, because I have been there for all your achievements for the past two years, because even if you don't recognize it yet, I have been in your heart for a long time, and only now you are seeing it.
"You don't love me, but you care about me a lot, and I will always keep that flame alive. Just promise me you won't be unfaithful to me. I accept that we might break up, whatever happens in the future, but don't make a fool out of me. Let's always be honest with each other."
"I hate infidelity, I saw my mother suffer so much because of it."
"Then I'm safe with you," he kissed me again, and we left the apartment.
Even though my feelings and my family will be a shock because they are used to relationships filled with love, and mine won't be. That's why I must pretend very well, especially when he is around. It shouldn't look fake.
……
Gladis
Patricia called us this morning to tell us she had important news to share. It's been two weeks since we officially learned about her breakup with Alfredo.
Then, two days later, she informed us of her decision to move in with Máximo; that young man was very kind. They have been friends for a long time, at the event where they celebrated their partnership, which we attended, and from there, Gus and I realized things were not going well between Alfredo and my sister-in-law.
I don't think it was a good idea for her to move in with him; he was a single, attractive young man, with great potential to be a catch for any woman... It was too much temptation for a sad, withered soul longing to be treated with love.
I know because I lived for years with someone who didn't love me, who psychologically abused me, and when he hit me, it was the moment I gathered the courage to leave him.
That's why I became bitter, distrustful to the point where I almost lost the true love of my life. Gustavo had to fight against my complexes caused by the rejection of the man I loved.
I can't judge Pato; she longs for a home, a husband, a house, children. She is already a professional, and in my sister-in-law's ideology, being complete means having all of the above. Alfredo didn't give her that.
I witnessed how her gaze dimmed; she was just a shadow beside Alfredo. During Christmas, while all of us received jewelry, she only got a trip to some place in the world.
Gustavo is furious, and I must be grateful for how busy he is with the new project, which has kept him away from the topic. It's not about justifying her; we women are beings who need to be cared for, treated well, made to feel valued, loved, and important.
If they go somewhere, they should show us they remembered us. In other words, we are beings of details. On the other hand, Alfredo has not shown any interest in getting her back, and I can't speak on the matter because I haven't talked to him.
I don't know what happened. If we all agreed on something, it was that we would wait for her to tell us, and it seems she will do so today. Gustavo arrived home, kissed the kids, while Mrs. Josefina and I finished preparing dinner for tonight. My mother-in-law, after the episode she had, has been clinging to her rosary. A few days ago, I asked her:
"May I ask why you have increased your rosary prayers? You always do it in the morning, now you do it three times a day."
"Dear, when Gustavo got involved with the mafia, killing, and getting rich illegally, there was nothing I could do. So, as a mother, I could only pray to protect his soul. Over the years, without missing a single day of commitment, God rewarded me with everything I wished for him. Look at the works they do now. I understood that he had to train in hell, as Roland once said during a Christmas. It was the only way to face evil. Now they work with legal entities, they don't kill for the sake of killing, they put them to sleep," I smiled at her comment.
"Now I must pray for my daughter Patricia, my motherly heart tells me she needs it."
"Mrs. Josefina, everyone has experienced heartbreak, life doesn't end because of it."
"Heartbreak, yes, but a lie is a sin. Only those who fear God know what they will face on their final day, when they die."
"Do you think something is wrong?"
"We just need to wait for her version, but you are a mother, you know when one of your children is hurting, and my girl’s soul has been bruised."
Who argues against her life philosophy, every day I admire my mother-in-law more; a woman who only went to elementary school, raised four children, with unshakable faith, without being fanatical, has more wisdom than any studied psychologist. She calls herself a graduate of the university of life with an emphasis on analyzing human behavior. Her words are quite refined.
"Reina, is dinner elegant?"
"No Gus, I left your clothes on the bed." I smiled at my husband.
"Did Pato tell you why he’s coming with his 'now inseparable friend'?"
"No," I said, finishing taking out the pork leg we had been roasting for three hours.
"We'll find out soon!" my mother-in-law said. "I just hope it's not what I'm thinking."
"I hope the same, mom, and that smells delicious, Reina. At least this visit served to have a delicious dinner."
"You always have delicious dinners!"
I complained, she winked at me. She went upstairs to take a shower, the kids were already ready, as were my mother-in-law and I.
They arrived on time, at seven we saw the lights of Máximo Turner's car, they greeted us, and I noticed they entered holding hands. They've been separated for three weeks, now it seems there's another one... Holy Virgin! My kids greeted her and it was Eloísa who was indiscreet.
"And my uncle Fredo?" There was a silence.
"I don't know, princess, he won't be with me anymore."
My daughter crossed her arms. We had dinner, trivial conversation, and after eating Enrique understood the atmosphere.
"Let's go play video games, kid."
"Super!" Jacobo's expression made us laugh.
"Come on, doll, you can play with us. Mom, grandma, it was very tasty."
"She doesn't know how to play!"
The older one whispered something in his brother's ear, he smiled. The truth is they disappeared from the table. I took the plates to the kitchen and our helper started washing them. When I returned, they were waiting for me in the living room.
"Your ranch is very nice, Mr. Gustavo."
"Thanks, it's much better during the day. I've always invited you, and you finally come."
My husband commented, I sat next to him, as soon as I did, his big rough hand rested on my leg, as if marking "my property." It's silly on my part, but he doesn't know, the truth is I love his possessiveness.
"Patricia?"
It was Mrs. Josefina who asked. She was standing looking out the window, when she turned, she sat next to Máximo and he put his hand on her shoulder.
"I'm getting married on Monday civilly and in a week in church."
What they say in books and see in movies is very real when it happens in real life. Time slowed down, Gustavo and I looked at each other, then we did the same with Mrs. Josefina, who was staring at the couple in front of her, and finally, we focused on the young people.
"I don't want to be rude, boy, but are you aware that she doesn't love you?" Máximo turned red. Then he nodded.
"I know, this relationship didn't start as it should. That won't stop me from fulfilling my duty."
"What duty?" Gustavo asked.
"Oh my God! I'm twenty-eight years old, mistake or not, it happened! I didn't come to ask for permission, just to notify you that I'm getting married."
"Watch how you talk to me, young lady!" I was just a spectator.
"I'm sorry, mom. You may think I've been an idiot, but for ten years I was. Since I met Alfredo, for five years we played cat and mouse, then over time we ended up living together.
"He never asked me, I gradually moved into his apartment... he got tired, maybe I wasn't the woman for him, and it doesn't even matter anymore. As I told him that morning when I found him with another woman in bed." That was new, Gustavo squeezed my leg. The situation was becoming different. "I understood that I had nothing left to do there."
"And that's why you went to another man's arms?" Gustavo said in a high tone. "I don't want to offend you, Máximo, you're a decent man, I knew that since I met you. But things need to be called by their name."
"Relax, I know perfectly well that I was Patricia's refuge in her anger, spite, and rage against her ex. But it happened."
"What happened?" I dared to ask, at that moment I remembered the conversation I had with Pato. "Did you do it?" She looked at me.
"Yes, I dared not to protect myself, harboring the foolish illusion of having a child to unite us, but even before the breakup, we weren't intimate. And yes, anger led me to Máximo's arms, and today we found out that I'm two weeks pregnant." No one said a single word, everything was silent for I don't know how long.
"The marriage..."