First person's point of view
The sun had just risen, casting a warm glow over the dining table. Mr Tomas sat with a cup of coffee in front of him, his eyes fixed on his daughter Mia as she walked out of her room.
" Mia, my dear, why didn't you come out of your room since yesterday?" He asked with concern. Mia's eyes felt tearful, her voice laced with anger. "Why did you give Monica and Gael your blessings? Dad, I met him first. I should be the one getting married to him, not Monica", Mr Tomas said, his expression calm "Mia, how is that my fault? Why didn't you make him love you first? He was head in heels because you saw him saying he would marry her. It's like his craziness about her."
Mia's face twisted in frustration. "Dad, you don't understand, you are always taking Monica's side".
Just then Emily walked out of her room, a evil smile on her face. "Marriage is not just about children, Mia. I heard Gael's family weren't pleased at all. They have no intention of agreeing to this marriage at all. They are just humoring him".
Mia's eyes lifted with hope, a small smile playing on her lips "really, mom"
Just then Monica walked in and she greeted her father.
" Can we trust Gael, Monica" he asked, "Hope he's not going to use you and dump you later on".
Monica's eyes widened in surprise. "What do you mean, dad?"
Mr Tomas' expression turned serious. "I mean can we trust him to love you for who you are? Is he going to take proper good care of you?"
Monica's smile was confident, "Don't worry dad and I will also get Gael's family approval. We'll have a big wedding and everyone will celebrate with us". She turned to Mia, "Mia, you will ghetto catch my bouquet, won't you?".
Mia's face darkened, her eyes flashing with anger "who says I will get to carch your bonquet? You think I am just going to sit around and wait for your scraps?"
The room fell silent, the tension was palpable. Mr Tomas' face turned red with anger. " Mia, that is enough to show some respect to your sister", he said with his voice low and menacing.
Mia's voice dipped with vein. " I don't have to respect anyone". She stood up. "I am out of here".
With that, she stormed out of the room, leaving the rest of the family in uncomfortable silence.
Finally, Emily found her voice, her voice bright and cheerful. "Well, at least we need to introduce our families before the wedding, right honey?"
Mr Tomas's face softened, he turned to Monica "Yes dear, that is a great idea. Monica, why don't you ask Gael about it".
Monica's smile was radiant. "Of course, dad. I'll take care of it."
With that she stood up, her eyes shinning with happiness, "Dad, I will take my leave. I'll see you later Dad".
And with that she walked out of the house, leaving her family to wonder what the future held for them.
Mia lay in her bed, tears rolling down her face, as her mother Emily entered. Emily's face was etched with concern. " Mia, you need to eat something, you are breaking your mother's heart". Mia's face reddening with anger, her voice laced with pain "what about my broken heart mom? What are you going to do? Did you decide to be on Monica's side just like dad?".
Emily's face softened, her eyes filling with tears "Mia, when you want something desperately, do you know what you need to hold onto? Your ability to create an opportunity for it and wait for it", She looked into her daughter's eyes. "Don't worry my daughter,I will take care of it. This marriage is not going to happen".
Meanwhile, Monica arrived at Gael's house, surprised to find him cooking in the kitchen. "Wow, you can cook" she asked, her face widening with amazement.
Gael smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. " Yes I can. And am very good at it".
After they finished eating, they sat down to talk. Monica's Sara said she saw the article about our relationship online. You posted that article, didn't you?"
Gael's face was unrepentant, his voice was calm. "It is because I am scared, Monica. I didn't want you to get cold feet. I didn't want you to back out of our agreement".
Monica smiled and said" I won't back out unless you back out first. And why are you scared? You have nothing to be scared of."
Gael's smile was charming, his eyes glamming with amazement. "Okay fine. As for the length of our marriage, we can negotiate it."
Monica, let's make it one year.
Gael's face was thoughtful, his voice was considering "Okay fine. Once we get married, we'll both leave here, and how is your cooking class going and my mother?"
Monica's was distant, her voice sounded distracted " my cooking class is going on well, thanks for asking. But I haven't been close to your mother but, I will get there soon."
Gael's face was understanding, "i know you will, Monica.
The next day, Monica walked into the cooking class, her heart racing with anticipation. She had been thinking about her conversation with Gael's mother, Mrs Stephen. She was ready to make a good impression. She made her way to Mrs Stephen's table, her hands trembling silently as a greeted her.
"Good afternoon, Mrs Stephen", Monica said, her voice with respect. Mrs Stephen's eyes narrowed as she raised her head up from her cooking, her eyes narrowing slightly as she took in Monica's appearance "Ah, aren't you the lady I saw from the article? The one rumored to be dating my son? She asked, her voice dipping with skepticism.
Monica took a deep breath, her heart racing in her chest. " Yes ma, that's me", she replied, her voice steady.
Mrs Stephen's eyes seemed to bore into her soul as if she was searching for any form of deception. " So you and my son are getting married?" She asked,
Monica nodded, her eyes locked on Mrs Stephen." Yes, ma. We are, but not without your permission". She replied,
Mrs Stephen's expression was unreliable, her eyes seeming to cloud with her emotions. "If you really want me to accept you for my son, make him come back to the family" she said, her voice cracking "my son has left home for years now, he doesn't come home nor allow us to visit him. If you can do that, then I will accept you".
Monica's eyes went out to Mrs Stephen, her heart feeling compassion. She knew that Gael's family was important to him, and she was willing to do whatever it took to make things right. " Okay ma". She said "I will".
Mrs Stephen seemed to search hers, but Monica's gaze was steady, her eyes looked into hers. Finally, Mrs Stephen nodded, a small smile playing on her lips " I believe you, she said, her voice softening, "Welcome to the family, Monica". Monica was overwhelmed as she hugged Mrs Stephen tightly, feeling a sense of acceptance and belonging. Meanwhile, Miguel made his way to Mia's house, eager to see her. But as soon as she saw him, Mia dragged him into her car, avoiding anyone seeing him.
" What are you doing here?" Mia asked him.
Miguel's eyes filled with longing. " I missed you Mia, I couldn't stay away. I really missed you". Mia's smile was mocking, "you are useless Miguel, you divorced Monica, and now she's getting married to Gael".
Miguel's eyes were filled with regret. " I did it for you Mia, I wanted to be with you".
Mia's laughter was cold. " Do you think I want to be with you? I am just using you to have fun, nothing else. Don't ever show up in front of me again".
Miguel's anger boiled as he stormed out of the car and made his way to Gael's office. He burst into the room, his eyes blazing with accusations.
" You snatched my wife from me" he spat, his voice vemous.
Gael's expression was calm, his eyes understanding " Miguel, you don't know the worth of Monica. You didn't appreciate her. I'm happy you divorced her. It gave me the chance to be with her."
Miguel's face twisted with rage. You think you're better than I? You think you can just take what belongs to me?".
Gael's smile was gentle. " I don't want what's yours, I want what's mine. And Monica is mine now."
The words of Gael cut deep into Miguel's heart. He knew he had lost Monica forever. He stormed out of the office, his anger and regret consuming him.
Miguel stormed out of the office as he made his way towards the nearest bar. He collapsed onto a stool, ordering a whiskey as he buried his face in his hands. The bar tender, a sympathetic look on his face, handed Miguel a glass. " Rough day, Buddy?".
Miguel nodded his head, downing the drink in one gulp. " You have no idea" he muttered, ordering another round.
As he sat down, wallowing in his misery, Miguel's mind raced with the thought of revenge. He couldn't believe Monica could move on so quickly and with his boss, Gael. The thought of them together made his anger boil.
Meanwhile, at an upscale restaurant across town, a well-dressed man in his thirties sat enjoying a meal with his friend, Mark. Fredo, Gael's brother, was a successful business executive who took over his family's company. He had a disability of one leg, so he walked with a supporting stick and his sharp jawline and piercing eyes made him look every bit like it.
Mark, a curious expression on his face, asked Fredo "Hey, have you heard about your brother's marriage?".
Fredo's gaze never wavered from his plate. "I don't care about that", he said dismissively," and besides, he never brings the lady home. Father hasn't given him his support."
Mark raised an eyebrow. "That's harsh, don't you think? I mean, Gael seems like a nice guy."
As they finished their meal, and prepared to part ways, Mark placed his hand on Fredo's shoulder. "You know maybe you should give Gael a chance, he might surprise you."
Fredo's smile was cold. "I doubt it."