It was late afternoon as Diego and Diana sat having their lunch meanwhile Diego couldn't shake the unease that had settled in his stomach, feeling the weight of the news he needed to share with her.
He took a sip from his juice, Diana's gaze suddenly fell on his right hand, which was wrapped in a bandage. "Your hand, what happened to it?" she asked, her voice concerned as she pointed at the improvised dressing.
Diego let out a small, dismissive laugh, attempting to brush it off. "I had a little cut. It's nothing," he replied, casually dropping his hand on his thigh.
"Are your parents making preparations for the engagement ceremony?" Diana continued, her eyes bright with anticipation. "Don't forget, I'm coming over tomorrow with my parents."
Diego's heart dropped into his stomach at the mention of the engagement almost choking on his juice, a surge of panic hitting him at once, He quickly grabbed the napkin Diana extended to him.
"Thanks," he mumbled, wiping his mouth as he struggled to maintain his composure. He didn't know how to go about explaining about his parents crazy demand from him.
"What is it? Are you alright?" Diana pressed, her voice pulling him back from the depths of his thoughts.
"Uhh, yeah, I'm good." He quickly lied, looking away.
Diana studied him for a moment, her gaze unwavering. "So,why did you skip work today ?" she pressed
"It's complicated, Diana. I mean, it's hard. I don't know what to do" Diego uttered blankly
"What is it?" Diana insisted, leaning nearer, her eyes searching his face for answers.
"Promise you'll be calm," Diego said softly, aware of the inevitable emotions that would erupt as soon as he uncovered the truth.
"Diana, I really don't feel like saying this, not after sorting things out with you lately…" he hesitated, searching for the right words.
"Ughh, my goodness, just spew it out!" Diana exclaimed impatiently, her frustration evident as she tapped her fingers on the table.
"I'm getting married in two weeks," Diego finally broke the news, each word feeling like a weight that hollowed him out.
"What?!" Diana exclaimed, her voice rising with disbelief. She leaned back in her chair, her expression transformed from concern to shock. "Hey, but you have to trust me. I rejected it right away, but I'm still in a mess, Diana. We have no other option than getting married," he explained, closing his eyes as if preparing himself for the fallout.
"Marriage?" Diana echoed, her voice trembling with a mix of emotions. The light in her eyes flickered as reality began to sink in. "Baby, we can fix this!" Diego reached out to hold her hand, trying to close the widening gap that had suddenly formed between them. "Don't touch me!" Diana flared up, pushing his hand away as hurt surged through her expression.
"Diana, please—" he started, feeling desperation clawing at the edges of his composure.
" How could you just spring this on me like it's nothing? We've discussed about this, and you promised to only proceed with the engagement !" Diana's voice shook, the intensity of her anger piercing through Diego like arrows.
"It's not nothing, Diana!" he insisted, his voice rising defensively. "You don't understand—this wasn't my choice! My parents are forcing me into this! And I… I didn't want to hurt you!"
Diana's face paled as she absorbed his words, her expression morphing from anger to a heart-wrenching sadness. "You let them control your life like this? Diego, I thought we were building something together. How could you let this happen?"
"I thought I could handle it," he confessed, the weight of defeat settling on his shoulders. "I thought I could talk to my parents, maybe come up with some solution, but they're relentless. They don't care about what I want!"
"And you're just going to accept this?" Diana countered, disbelief etched into her features. "You're just going to throw everything we have away?"
"I'm trying to do what's expected of me! I was raised to uphold the family name, to meet obligations," Diego shouted, frustration boiling over. "But I hate it! I don't want to marry Lucia. I want you!"
Their conversation attracted other diners turning to them awkwardly with a Stern look.
"Then fight for us!" Diana cried, her voice raw and desperate. "Tell your parents you don't want to marry her! Stand up for what you really want!"
"They'll disown me! I can't risk losing everything!" he shouted, his voice cracking under the strain. "I'd be cut off from the family, from the company. I'd have nothing!"
"And what about me? Am I nothing? Does what we have mean so little to you?"
"Of course not, but—"
"No, Diego, stop making excuses!" she interrupted, her voice trembling with emotion. "If you love me, you need to fight for our future. You can't just let them dictate your life. You owe it to yourself to at least try!"
Diego ached to reach out to her, "What do you want me to say?" He gripped the edge of the table, fighting the despair rising in his chest. "I'm scared! I don't want to lose you, but I don't have a way out!"
Diana looked at him, her eyes searching. "You think I want to lose you too? I'm scared as well. The thought of losing you—of never having a chance with you—is terrifying!"
"But what if it doesn't work?" he whispered, vulnerability slipping through the cracks of his tough facade.
"Then at least we tried!" she shouted, her voice fierce with determination. "You deserve to fight for what makes you happy. Please, Diego, don't just give in."
His heart raced at her words, the fire igniting a sense of hope even amongst despair. "I… I don't know if I have the strength," he admitted, his voice barely above a whisper.
"You have me," she replied softly, her voice breaking slightly, 'Congressman Kenneth'" Diana called out "we have to do something about him first" Diana continued,anger rising in her chest.
With that Diana stood up from her seat storming out at once,
"Diana wait, let's talk it out" Diego said walking after her hastily.
They walked outside and Diana was almost close to her car parked outside when she felt a strong arm pulling her back
"What about him , 'Congressman' are you planning something" Diego asked with curiosity filled in his voice
"Yah, I'm about to do what you've not been able to do as a man who wants to protect his woman" Diana shouted pushing him backward.
She jumped in her car zooming off leaving Diego stunned.
______________
Congressman Kenneth's sat on a chair leaning back on it, scarcely believing that the wedding of his daughter Lucia was just two weeks away.
"Lucia, darling, come in!" Kenneth called out, motioning toward the door with an eager smile.
His wife, Celine was also there sitting across the table,her eyes sharp yet softening at her husband's excitement. "She'll be thrilled to hear all the final arrangements are in place," she said glancing at him
The door swung open, and Lucia entered, a bright blush adorning her cheeks. Her long hair falling down her shoulder, framing her youthful face in a way that made Kenneth's heart swell with pride.
"I can't wait to meet Diego!" Lucia gushed, the excitement of their upcoming engagement bubbling over in her voice. The name slipped from her lips like a soft melody.
Kenneth chuckled, warmed by his daughter's enthusiasm. "Of course, you'll definitely love him at first sight," Celine chimed in, the smile on her face contagious causing Lucia to blush hard.
"Have you thought about what you'll wear?" Celine asked, glancing at Lucia with a glimmer of motherly pride. "This is a monumental occasion, and you'll want to look your best."
Lucia twirled a strand of her hair nervously, her cheeks flushing deeper. "I have a few dresses in mind! Something elegant, but also fun…" She trailed off, her eyes sparkling with excitement.
"I think elegance suits you perfectly, my dear," Kenneth added, feeling a swell of warmth at the sight of his daughter's glee. "This marriage is about more than just the ceremony. It symbolizes a new partnership and collaboration with the Alejandro family
"I know…" Lucia said, her voice softening. "It's just… It feels like everything is happening so fast."
Celine nodded, her expression shifting to one of understanding. "It's normal to feel that way, sweetheart. Marriage is a big step, but it's also an incredible journey if both partners are willing to invest in it."
Kenneth leaned forward, resting his elbows on the desk, his expression earnest. "Diego comes from a good family. His father's business ethics align with mine, and he has a promising future ahead of him. Consider this partnership a foundation for what's to come."
"I know, Dad. I appreciate that you've brought us together," Lucia replied with a tender smile, "I just hope we can get to know each other beyond this engagement."
"That's the goal, my love," Her mom encouraged. "Engagement is a time for both of you to explore your connection, learn about one another's lives, values, and aspirations. Don't put too much pressure on yourself though"
Lucia nodded slowly, biting her lower lip as she contemplated her mother's advice. "I want to be a good partner and make you both proud. I just hope it all works out."
"It will! Just focus on being yourself, and the rest will follow," Kenneth assured her, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder.
"Plus," Celine added, a playful glint in her eyes, "if he doesn't sweep you off your feet, I'll make sure to give him a talking-to."
The room erupted in laughter again,
"Who knows? He might even impress you with his charm!" Kenneth teased. "I heard he has quite the reputation for charisma. Everyone seems to have high hopes for this union."
"And lastly, don't mess this up Lucia, remember everyone is looking up to me, do as you're told" Kenneth uttered this time with serious expression
"Yes dad, I'll never fail you" Lucia replied quickly with a reassuring tone.
"Good girl" Kenneth said tapping her shoulders lightly.
"Dad, Mom, I'll be stepping out if that's all" Lucia leaned forward giving her mom and dad,a kiss on the cheek and with that she walked out with guards flanking around her, as they head to the car ,The air felt thick, charged with an unspoken tension as nobody dared to make eye contact with the congress daughter.
"Miss Lucia, right this way," one of the guards instructed, guiding her through the throng of people milling about the parking lot.
It was a routine she had grown accustomed to, yet it did little to ease her sense of isolation.
Suddenly, she felt a surge of warmth splash across her blouse. Startled, she turned to find a man frantically apologizing, a coffee cup slipping from his hands and crashing to the ground, leaving a messy puddle on the asphalt. His face flushed with embarrassment as the scent of brewed coffee wafted through their nostrils.
"I'm so sorry! I didn't see you there! I—"
Before he could finish, Lucia lashed on him, her temper flaring like a fire igniting. "You didn't see me? Do you have any idea of what you just did? Look at this!" she yelled, fists clenching as she glanced down at her stained blouse.
In a moment of sheer impulse, fueled by frustration from the day, she raised her hand and slapped him across the cheek. The sound echoed through the parking lot, and gasps rippled from the nearby guards and onlookers. The man staggered back slightly, caught entirely off-guard.
"Consider yourself dead because you're fired right this instant!" Lucia roared, her voice sharp as a whip, sounding with authority.
The young man stood stunned, coffee dripping off his clothes as he faltered, words failing him. "I…I'm so sorry. It was an accident!" He tried to reason, raising his hands defensively, but the pleading in his eyes only fueled Lucia's ire.
"An accident? You think that's an excuse?" she shot back, her voice rising with indignation. "This isn't just about spilling coffee. This is about respect! You treat me with decorum and dignity or you'll find out just how quickly a swift hand can lead to a career-ending mistake!"
The guards shifted uncomfortably, exchanging glances. Some instinctively stepped forward, sensing a need to intervene, while others remained frozen, caught up in the whirlwind of Lucia's fury.
"Just go!" she snapped, hurling her words like daggers. "I want you out of my sight! You're pathetic!"
With her heart racing, she turned on her heel, storming toward. The guards moved to flank her closely, offering an extra layer of protection .
As she reached her car,the urge to scream and break something loomed within her. She threw open the door and sat at the back
"Miss Lucia," one of the guards said tentatively, trying to gauge her mood. "Are you alright?"
"Just drive," she snapped, her fist clenched tightly . "Get me out of here."
"Two weeks until my engagement," she murmured to herself, her heart racing hard"
And I won't let a spilled cup of coffee or some pathetic losers ruin my mood"