Chapter 2

By Florence

We don't live isolated from the world, we're only three hours away by car from the capital, and yet I think we only went there once and I don't remember it well, since I was a child.

I only remember that my youngest brother was still a baby and that my father was angry, reprimanding my mother for not mentioning Diana.

Diana is my aunt, my father's only sister.

My grandparents kicked her out of the house and my father agreed with his parents' decision.

From what I could understand, she was pregnant and single; at that time she was 20 years old.

What I was hearing seemed crazy to me.

I think that's when I stopped being affectionate with my grandparents and my father.

I never heard from my aunt again, and I remember that I adored her, even though at home she was criticized for her free spirit.

I often wonder what became of him or her and if I have a cousin I don't know about.

I get anxious thinking about what she must have gone through, alone with her family turning their backs on her.

I think the child's father was married and didn't take responsibility for the situation; I couldn't find out who he was, because that subject wasn't discussed at home.

My mother never brought up the subject again; maybe she communicates with her secretly from my father, but I don't think so, because she is quite cowardly and, above all, is dominated by him.

Delusion

By Alejo

I finally graduated as a lawyer, I couldn't wait to do it, I hope now my family won't interfere in my life.

I adore them, that's true, but they were always against my relationship with Marina, and whether they like it or not, she's the woman I chose.

I love her, it's that simple, I would give my life for her.

I've known her forever. When I was a teenager, I used to see her walk past my house, and I swear I even got erections just from looking at her. At that time, she ignored me, until we met one night at a club, which my friends and I usually go to when I'm in my hometown.

That night we had drunk a little too much and I happened to see her.

I approached her, took her hand, led her to the middle of the dance floor, and the first thing I did was kiss her; I lost my mind in that instant.

We ended up in the darkest corner of the private room. She was wearing a short, very short white miniskirt that barely covered her buttocks. It didn't take much effort to lift her up. After a while, we were having sex. I remember she was sitting on top of me, and I was finally able to bury my mouth in her wonderful and generous breasts.

I'm really crazy about Marina's breasts.

At that time I was 19 years old and she was about to turn 22.

She's the woman of my life; it was incredibly hard to leave her to go to college, but

I knew my family wouldn't allow me to abandon my career, and that if I did, they would think it was her idea and everything would be worse.

I was always told that I would be deputy director the day I graduated.

We have several factories and we also import cosmetology products.

We manufacture small household appliances and hair dryers, hair straighteners, rollers and that kind of thing.

We cover the consumer sector for households and we also manufacture items for hairdressers and beauty salons, that is, hair dryers with a stand and a different power, and several other items, all related to women's beauty.

Small household appliances are for the home, i.e., electric fryers, microwaves, blenders, juicers, food processors, etc.

Our brand is well-known and prestigious.

On the other hand, we have a laboratory that focuses on hairdressing products, but we only supply beauty salons; that was my sister's idea, although later everything was merged into a single brand.

Monti Appliances SRL.

My grandparents started with a small factory and my father built the empire; Luciana and I followed his example and worked together.

Although I am 22 years old, I have a lot of responsibility.

I can't wait to get home and see Marina.

I didn't tell her I was coming, because she would want to see me right away and at home they were eagerly awaiting my graduation and since I suppose we're also going to talk about my management at the companies, I decided not to stir up a hornet's nest, I want to secure my new position at the company and then formalize things with my girlfriend.

I'm going to propose to her.

Walter knows my plans, although he tells me I'm crazy, that I should wait to make things official.

He also tried to talk to me about Marina several times; I think he doesn't like her very much, or maybe he's envious of me, because she's a woman that many men desire.

She's perfect, beautiful, and in bed she gives me everything I want.

My sister doesn't like her very much either; she must be jealous. Marina is really beautiful.

I know she dresses a bit flashy and that makes women very envious of her, but that's all it is, she shows off what she has.

Every month I deposit money into an account I opened for her. I'm incredibly rich and I'm not going to let my girlfriend work as a waitress and stand around all day.

I'd rather she go to the gym, or do whatever she wants, and dedicate herself to herself, rather than wait for me, until we can get married.

She doesn't like to study; perhaps if she had pursued a university degree, her family would have a different opinion of her.

That's not important to me.

They tell other stories.

She's so wonderful that she didn't even want me to open an account for her to deposit money.

I took charge of that issue.

My family doesn't know that I help her financially, because they would think badly of her and she doesn't deserve that.

I remember that after we finished having sex that first night, she thought it was all over.

Although I was quite drunk, I think that at that moment she didn't have much sexual experience, it was noticeable and she confirmed it to me later, when she told me that she had only had relations with one boyfriend she had had.

When I told Walter, he called me naive, and I was even estranged from my friend for a while.

I didn't care about anything, she was close and my skin was burning.

I'm still the same, I'm desperate for her

The others don't want to listen to reason.

I got home and the first thing I saw was the banner they dedicated to me.

My family is proud of me, I think it will be easier for them to accept Marina.

My mother came out to greet me, as did my father; they welcomed me with kisses, hugs, and applause. I can't deny that I'm excited.

My mother cries, but with joy; she has always been very affectionate and demonstrative.

Sometimes I hate her face when I talk about Marina; I think it's stronger than her and she can't hide how much she dislikes her, it seems like she despises her.

Minutes later Luciana and Edy, my brother-in-law, arrived with little Sofia, who immediately stretched out her little arms to me.

I take her in my arms, showering her with kisses, I adore her and think how beautiful my own children will be when I have them with Marina.

I played with my niece for a while until she asked to return to her mother's arms; she wanted to breastfeed.

My sister says it's the best food, although Sofia already eats solid foods, like baby food and that kind of thing. I know this because in the capital we don't live that far away from my sister and we usually see each other often, besides working together all day. But in that case, sometimes she's in one company, I'm in another. She's an accountant, just like my brother-in-law.

We are close and get along very well, as long as the Marina subject is not brought up.

They're going to have to get used to her, because I plan to get married.

We had lunch amidst laughter and joy.

I love being in harmony with my family.

In the afternoon my friend Walter passed by.

He didn't live in the town either; his family was the main importer of a very prestigious German car brand, and lately they had acquired the rights to import a brand of motorcycles, but these were cheaper. He was a customs broker and even signed some documents for my imports.

Of course we had a team that was dedicated solely to our imports, but sometimes he would sign some documents to expedite procedures.

At home they love him like a son.

We spent the whole afternoon celebrating and agreed that we would meet at the disco where we always meet.

—I'm going to call Marina to let her know I've arrived and that I'll see her there.

I'll comment in a moment.

—She's definitely going to come, you better surprise her.

—You're right.

I hesitate, but finally I tell her that I bought her a ring.

He looks at me seriously and shakes his head.

—You're crazy, brother.

He tells me.

My brother-in-law came in and we changed the subject.