Mexico City.
The city of the old and new. From the tall buildings like the close Torre Mayor, Torre Reforma, and Torre BBVA Bancomer to the exquisite buildings in architectural designs; the likes of Torre Arcos Bosques. For a valid trip of a tourist, one would opt for a visit to the old landmark building— the Cathedral Metropolitana or perhaps be amazed by the signature Bellas Artes with its shimmering orange and yellow-hued roof which was a beautiful sight to a stranger when viewed from above. January was the coldest month of the year down here too, though it wasn't as that cold as it were back home. People moved around the city free going about their different Ps and Qs. Dressed in warm clothes and closed shoes, the city seemed like no more a stranger to the ones they had passed through their way down here from Utah. Banners and posters were all in Spanish and every once in a while, they could pick up some English posters and even shops that were advertising their merchandise in the foreign language. The traffic was a bloom like it had been out from winter to a spring season.
Elena and Lance's car came to stop before a tall building. She knew it from its special design. The Torre Arcos Bosques. It seemed like a tall letter H that stretched into the skies with a bridge that was located at the top. So unique in its design. They got out of the car, and Lance went for the trunk once again and removed the two suitcases from it. Without a hustle, they walked into the building and began some clearance duties and opening formalities with these strangers. Hope they had a translator nearby because none of them knew Spanish. Well, Elena knew, not that much though.
Ding. The elevator door chimed and swiveled open. Elena strolled out first, dragging out her suitcase behind her. When they got to a room, they stopped in their tracks and Lance opened the door to the room. Elena got in first as a courtesy paved the way for her and Lance followed her. The hotel room was exquisite. The ceiling was white with a nice marble floor that sparkled in the slightest specular touch from the light. Lavender fragrance hit their noses from the very first moment they set foot in the room. A large King sized bed sat on its far front with white beddings, with pillows arranged neatly on top. There was a large table close to it, with books neatly arranged on it. By the far end was a mini room, probably acting as the entertainment area for the guest as it had a huge seventy-five-inch television and a comfortable black couch among some other entertainment clichés. On its right was a corridor that led to another mini room, that they quickly deciphered was the bathroom. The State of Washington surely had a large paycheck for Lance's visit.
"Wow… this's the life," Elena said, mesmerized. Her eyes picked up the different eye-grabbing wonders inside the large room. "Damn… Lance Harper… you're just one lucky man."
"Forget about the room, Elena. This is nothing but a pure distraction. Fine, it's fancy all right, but who cares?" Lance asked her.
"You are so rich that you don't even feel this change," Elena commented. "Wish you knew where I came from."
"It doesn't matter whether you live in a shanty house, a bungalow, or a mansion. What matters is the people you have with you all along. That's all that matters." Lance told her softly.
"Well, now here you are… it's quite fine." Elena said as she threw herself on the bed. She was sucked in it peacefully. "It's okay."
"So, would you allow me to unpack for a while before I take you to your aunt?"
"You really want to come?" Elena asked. "It's not that beautiful as this place."
"Elena…" Lance mockingly raised a brow. "Stop with that. I don't care about that. It's you I want and it doesn't matter if you are afraid for me to see her."
"Hmm… I warned you." She laughed out loud. Lance shook his head in silent laughter.
"You can rest over there while I refresh myself," Lance said as he pointed to the table filled with books.
"Fine…" She said as she got up from the bed. Lance went over to his large suitcase and opened it up. He removed some clothes, some books, some envelopes, and shoes. He grabbed his towel and darted to the bathroom as Elena flopped herself on the chair next to the table.
She took some books and perused them lightly, seeing their pictures and nice drawings inside them. A Song Of Ice and Fire by George. R. R. Martin: A Feast For Crows. The thick book looked interesting from the nice pictures on its first pages. She was sucked into the first paragraph for a minute before she heard her phone ringing. She dug into the front pocket of her jeans and pulled them out. When she saw the caller ID, her face dropped. Clenching her teeth together in desperation, she answered the call.
"Hello, Mrs. Layla."
"Hello, Elena," Layla replied from the other end, a hint of worry behind her voice. "How are you?" She continued. "It's been a long time since we last spoke."
"I know… and you know why so I guess it's pretty obvious." Elena cohered.
"Elena, I'm sorry for what happened to you. I really am. But I didn't call for that."
She sighed. "What do you want Mrs. Layla?"
"I went over to visit my son yesterday Elena. And he told me that… you, you're pregnant with his baby."
Silence filled up the conversation. Elena closed her eyes as a frown formed on her beautiful face.
"Elena are you there?"
"Oh… give a minute." She said as she looked at the door to the bathroom. Lance was still taking a shower as she heard the water hit his body rhythmically with his whistling. She quickly walked out of the room and got to the elevator. She went down the floors and outside the tall skyscraper. She then called back.
"So he told you?" She asked.
"Yes. He did. Elena, are you telling the truth?"
"Of course I am." She said, facepalming herself mentally. "What is wrong with you Purcells? You think that we go around telling lies everywhere as you did in court."
"Watch your tongue, Elena, watch it," Layla warned her. "I know we are on the wrong but you have no right to tell me that."
"What do you want Layla? Yes… I'm pregnant with his baby."
"He told me that you wanted to leave the country. I'm sorry but you can't."
Elena's eyebrows furrowed in confusion. "I can't?" She squeaked. "Why?"
"That baby is much of a Purcell as it is more of a Stenfield. And as the grandparents Elena you are not taking that baby away from us."