Desserts & Dramas

Chapter 1

 "Attention, please, one minute of your attention." Alan MacLean tapped a glass of sparkling wine to draw the guests' attention to himself.

It was the engagement party of his eldest daughter Alice. They were in a traditional restaurant in town, with classic decor and crystal chandeliers in gold and copper. The walls were painted in a pale green with thin white frames, and were filled with ornated mirrors on which there were already stains that revealed their age. On the tables, casual arrangements of foliage in various shades of green contrasted with the white tablecloths and dishes, bringing modernity to the young couple's party.

"Thank you. Before we begin the dinner, I would like to thank you all for your presence. You are all important to us and in some way have been part of Alice and Tomás' journey." His gaze turned to the bride and groom next to him. "So enjoy the engagement dinner and congrats to the bride and groom!"

"Hooray!" They all replied.

Of course Barbara Hurst, the groom's mother and the one responsible for all the pomp and circumstance that made up the party, needed to make her own speech of thanks.

"Good evening dear guests" Barbara approached Alan and raised her voice. She was glowing in a short dress of navy blue lace and a silver bottom, with white gold and sapphire jewelry. "First of all, thank you for the sweet words, Alan," she looked at him, who just nodded, standing next to his wife Marta. Marta was not dressed very flashily, but, as the bride's mother, she had also dressed to shine in her peacock blue dress with small dark blue beads on the corsage and diaphanous sleeves.

"Tonight is indeed a unique evening when my eldest son makes such an important commitment to this beautiful young lady. We are very happy to welcome her into our family and, I believe I speak for everyone here, we wish the couple all the best and warmest blessings." Barbara concluded with a theatrical bow in the direction of Alice and Tomás, and her husband Levi Hurst decided to interrupt her. After so many years of marriage, he was used to his wife's exaggerated manners, but he thought it was better to put a stop to it before the speech became the spectacle she had probably planned. He raised his glass and exclaimed:

"Health and happiness to the bride and groom." To which everyone again responded and raised their glasses.

When they returned to their seats beside the bride and groom, Tomás thanked his father in a whisper. The closest family and friends knew that Alice had not been as well received as Barbara had made it seem. At first, Tomás' parents were a bit snobbish and did not agree with the directions of Tomás' life. They owned one of the largest real estate companies in the region and expected their son to take over the family business instead of pursuing a law career. However, as time went by, they understood that children must choose their own path, and company, and accepted the future that their son chose.

On the road to independence, Tomás became a criminal lawyer specialized in medical law, working with his own firm and as a post"graduate and master's professor to supplement his income. Anything he could do without needing the influence or financial help of his family. And it was in one of his advanced legal practice classes that he met and fell in love with the annoying and controlling doctor Alice, who was his student.

After her graduation from medical school, Alice had decided to specialize in genetics, complementing her career with a master's degree in law to better understand the limits of ethics in the medical field. After a turbulent start on their relationship, they finally found their way together and were there to celebrate the love with family and friends.

While the bride and groom were circulating among the guests, Marta was chatting with Alice's future in-laws about amenities. They were still finding it a little difficult to keep Barbara interested in a subject that did not involve her or her children. Alan held his wife's hand, smiling. Patience was something they both developed very well during their careers. Both were doctors and worked for a long time in large hospitals in Azevedo, one of Portugal's largest cities, located in the center of the country. However, in recent years they have chosen to move to a house further away from the downtown area and open a clinic to care for the elderly. Their daughters, Alice and Sofia, were already on their own paths. With less financial dependence, they were happy to slow down and enjoy the moments together that they could not find between the hospital shifts.

Marta was even more thrilled that her youngest daughter Sofia was back home. It had been three years living abroad, working in various restaurants until late at night, and dealing with not so polite or reasonable chefs. This certainly contributed to Sofia's technique, but she had pure talent. It was not just a mother recognizing this in her own children, it was not an empty compliment. Now she had her own company, Siùcar Fines Sweets, and with luck, all those friends of Tomas' parents that made up the elite could recommend her and help her promote her work. The name of the shop was sugar in Scottish Gaelic, a simple tribute in honor to Alan's family's Scottish origins, which filled him with pride.

In fact, Marta couldn't be happier about her daughters' future. And her husband felt the same way, as he didn't stop smiling for a minute at the party, and he didn't really like to socialize. Everyone was enjoying the party.

Watching Sofia for the third time going around the desserts table, Marta asked permission from those nearby and decided to intervene.

"Honey, it doesn't get any more perfect than this."

"Mom, Alice is giving me a great chance to advertise with Tomás' family, no detail can fail."

"And what detail is wrong with the dessert table?"