Mrs. Lopez and Alex went to her room to check for some clothes she could wear for tonight's event. Alex couldn't understand how her parents believed Carlos easily. She has been with her parents all her life and she realized that they don't know her that well. How can she changed her identity that easily just because of a guy whom she just met. She's not even sure if Carlos has a girlfriend at the moment. All she knows is he is a playboy.
"How come your cabinet doesn't have any dress or blouses? I remember you granny always bringing some for you whenever she visits." Alex's reverie was stopped by her mom said. "Where did you put all those clothes?"
"I sent them away, Mom. You know I'm allergic to girly stuff. Do you really believe to that guy downstairs?" She asked.
"He seems nice to me, and he is very romantic. I really like him." Mrs. Lopez said with a smile.
"Why don't you just adopt him so he can stay with you forever?" Alex said sarcastically.
"Why should I adopt him? He will be my son-in-law soon. That is unnecessary. Anyway, we need to have dressed. Let's go to my closet. Maybe there is something in there we can use for you." Mrs. Lopez
"Just give up, Mom. I can wear this one outside. And I'm already hungry. Let's just go."
Mrs. Lopez ignored what Alex said. Grabbing her hand with her, they went straight to the master's bedroom. Alex sat on the bed while Mrs. Lopez went straight to her wardrobe to look for something she can give Alex. Mrs. Lopez figure is still slim despite her age and she is a very classy and elegant woman. She still wears casual dresses which are common for younger women and they all look good on her. Alex is much thinner than her but she is pretty sure she can find something that will showcase Alex's feminine side until she found a white summer dress.
Meanwhile, downstairs, Mr. Lopez and Carlos were busy chatting about different things. Mr. Lopez has always wanted to have a son but they were not blessed with one. Having Carlos to talk to now makes him realized how different a daughter and a son is.
"I have always wanted to play gold with Alex but she said she only likes basketball. I have seen her play once but that experience almost gave me a heart attack. I wonder how she became so into that sport. I asked her many times to choose another one and I will support her whatever she chooses, except basketball but she is so stubborn, like her mom." Mr. Lopez ended his story with a whisper. They were laughing when the two ladies from the Lopez family went down from the stairs.
Carlos and Mr. Lopez couldn't believe what they are looking at. The two ladies on the stairs are ended from the same blood line. The resemblance is unquestionable. What makes them in awe is that the younger lady looks really pretty. Mr. Lopez shed a tear upon seeing his daughter wearing a dress. The last time he saw her like this was maybe when she was 7 years old, a decade ago. He can't believe that this time would come. All thanks to Carlos.
The look on Carlos' face is quite different from that of Mr. Lopez. While the older man looks so touched with the scene, Carlos looks surprise with how Alex looks like. He wanted to laugh.
"Isn't she pretty? What do you think Carlos?" Mrs. Lopez asked. Her husband looked at him immediately expecting for a compliment for his daughter.
"You look good. You look very pretty." Carlos said.
Alex gave him a sharp look. "You can laugh. I can see you're trying your best not to."
Alex is wearing a plain thin white dress which is above-the-knee in length. She has a wristwatch and a silver bracelet which is embedded with stars and moon. She is wearing pearl earrings and applied a natural make up. Her sandals are slip on that shows her toenails. In fairness, she has clean toes.
Carlos cannot stop staring at Alex, not because of admiration, but because of curiosity. He can't stop thinking how Mrs. Lopez was able to convince her to look like this. He has to admit that she looks really pretty and different from the usual Alex he has met but something inside him says the real Alex is still more attractive.
He finally let out a soft laughter when Alex started walking. He was lucky that Mr. and Mrs. Lopez didn't hear him. He can imagine a duck walking when he sees Alex so he tried to divert his attention to other things. Alex was quiet the whole time and was frowning. She feels humiliated by her own parents and the worse thing is it happens it front of this man. She was giving him killer looks the whole time but Carlos doesn't seem affected which makes her more pissed.
Mr. Lopez decided to drive his car with his wife and asked the driver to drive Alex and Carlos to the restaurant. He wanted the two to have more private time together. He is such in a good mood that he never noticed Alex's disagreement with the situation.
When they were finally away certain they can't be seen by the married couple, Carlos finally laughed out loudly.
"Hahahaha! Why do you look like a duck when you walk? Have you seen yourself in the mirror?" Carlos started.
"Don't talk to me, I'm not in the mood," says Alex.
"Oh... Do you have your period? I thought you are strong enough. You even kissed me last night. Should we kiss again? Maybe it will make you feel better."
"Shut up!"
"Are you mad? You should be mad at your mom, she was the one who wore that, not me. I like you better when you are boyish."
Alex didn't say anything. She pretended to be sleeping so Carlos would stop talking to her.
"You should now wear that again. Do you know why? I remember the old women going to church on Thursday with a white cloth on their heads. Hahahaha! That's the first thing I noticed when I saw you from the stairs. And you know, you were going down like a gangster wearing a dress. Hahahaha! That was very funny."
"Stop it! Do you think I like to wear this one? Do you think I like to be humiliated by you? Do you think it's funny? The reason why I chose to be a lesbian is because of men like you. You're such a jerk!" Alex is now crying. She can't also believe she is crying. How can she cry in front of other people especially in front of this man. She look outside the window and tried to hide her face from Carlos. She can never show her weakness to anyone, not even to her family.
Carlos looked surprise with her reaction. They were quiet the whole time until they reach the restaurant.
"Tell my parents I got sick. I don't want to go out. I don't want other people to laugh at me thinking I look like a duck." Alex broke the silence.
Carlos went out from the car and open the car door next to Alex. "Come on! No one has the right to laugh at you except me. You can grab my arm while you are walking. When I see someone laughing at you, or even staring at you, I will punch that person immediately. You can trust me, I will always protect you."
"Cut the crap! After you made fun of me, how could I still trust you. I can endure what other people say about me, but I can't endure your insults." Alex said.
"Always remember this. No one can insult you nor laugh at you except me. You are now mine." Carlos said smiling.
Alex's heart started pounding. Why does she feel happy with what he said. She started feeling hot and she can feel her face burning. She looked on the other side to hide her face from Carlos.
Carlos then grabbed Alex by the hand and pulled her out of the car. She didn't stop him, she didn't even protest. While holding hands, Carlos look at her and whispered. "Let's go inside, my beautiful duck."