AUTHOR'S P.O.V
"Val is too young to marry." Everyone's attention focused on Skye, who bit her lip nervously as they stared at her.
"Marriage?" Acio questioned, his eyes wandering from Valerie to the Lanchesters. He frowned then his eyes widened in realisation.
Abuelita sighed. "Yes. Reed and Valerie had been betrothed since childhood." Acio looked dumbfounded as he turned to look at Valerie, who averted her gaze.
"Val tell them you're not ready." Skye pleaded. Valerie's heart ached as she looked at her, torn between Skye's plea and her mother's wishes. Raquel frowned, wanting to intervene but thinking it best to leave it to them. She glanced at Reed but like always, she could read nothing from his stoic expression.
"She's mute." Regina replied sarcastically. Before anyone could react, Skye beat them to it.
"SHUT UP! I've had it with you!" She exclaimed angrily. Everyone was surprised as they stared from Skye to Regina. Regina's was the most shocked as her eyes filled with hurt.
"Don't speak to your mom like that ever again! Now, apologize." Grandma Esme demanded.
Skye ignored her as she turned her attention to Valerie. "Val please. Don't leave me." The last part was uttered so quietly that only Valerie heard her, making her heart ache.
"Skye!" Abuelita scolded as she marched towards her in quick angry strides that everyone would've found funny if the occasion had been different. She grabbed onto Skye's arm and pulled her out of the living room under bewildered gazes.
Minutes passed and no one spoke nor moved, lost in thought. "I'm not sure this is a good idea, this marriage." Bennett Kingsley, who had been silently watching the drama like.a spectator spoke, breaking the silence. "My daughters are against the idea so this alliance should be called off."
Raquel scoffed. "You are in no position to make that decision. It's Valerie's life we're discussing here so she decides."
"I'm her father!" Bennett yelled, surprising everyone by shamelessness. Valerie stared at the man, hurt. Yes, he was her father but after her mom's death he neglected her. He forgot his role, his responsibility. She was his responsibility but he abandoned her, he hated her. So yes, he was a father in name but he stopped being a father to her a long time ago.
Raquel snapped. "So now you know you're her father? All these years how have you been treating the poor girl? You're despicable! I was right about you but Angélica refused to listen. She should've left you long ago! Not only did you fail as her husband, you failed as a father! And don't you think I don't know what you're after, you shameless, two-faced bastard!"
Bennett's face darkened as he glared at Raquel, stood up and marched off angrily. Regina cast a hateful glance at Raquel and stormed off after her husband, followed by Grandma Esme and Dexy. The atmosphere was awkward and tensed as Raquel glanced at Reed to find him staring at Valerie.
"What do you say, Valerie? It's your decision." Raquel encouraged.
Valerie bit her lip nervously. She was confused. She wanted to fulfill her mother's wishes but she she didn't want to hurt the people she cared for. As much as she didn't want to disappoint Rachel, she couldn't hurt Skye. Skye was family and meant a lot to her. Acio didn't seem thrilled either so why should she agree to this alliance? And why was she contemplating marriage to Reed Lanchester when she shouldn't?
"You don't have to agree if you don't want to." Acio reminded her. He had loved Valerie since childhood but she never reciprocated his feelings. Hell, she wasn't even aware of his feelings for her.
Valerie glanced at Reed. He was already staring at her. She could read nothing from his expression. Did he not care about this alliance but was willing to go through with it anyway for the sake of their parent's friendship? Valerie didn't know why the thought hurt but it did. Maybe he didn't want to be tied to her. She looked away painfully. She wanted to say no to the marriage so why was she hesitating?
Footsteps approached as they turned to see Abuelita with Skye, whose eyes were red and puffy, which could only mean she'd been crying. Seeing this, Valerie made up her mind. Her mother meant the world to her but she was gone. Her family, the people who were here now, were the ones that mattered. Before she could do anything, Skye spoke, shocking her.
"Val, you have my blessings for this marriage. I think you should get married." She announced and went to her sister. "Val, I was wrong. It's just... I've always been selfish with you. I didn't want to share you with anyone. I only thought of me and not you. I didn't put into consideration how you feel and I'm terribly sorry. Please do get married. I want to be your bridesmaid."
Valerie stared at her, wondering what Abuelita had told her to make her change her mind so quickly. She glanced at Raquel who gave her an encouraging nod. She glanced at Acio. He avoided her eyes and withdrew from the living room.
Valerie's heart sank. She wouldn't force him to accept this but she hoped that he'll get over it. His approval meant a lot to her because he was family, he was the brother she never had.
"Do you accept this marriage, Valerie?" Raquel asked.
Valerie wanted to get married. Not because she'd fallen in love with Reed Lanchester but because of her mom. Earlier she had wanted to break off the alliance because of Skye but she'd been hesitant. She just couldn't refuse.
She glanced at Reed who stared right back and she blushed, turning to Raquel with a nod. Skye squealed excitedly. "Oh my gosh! I'm gonna be a bridesmaid!" Valerie smiled at her. Raquel smiled and gave Abuelita a grateful look. The old woman smiled in return as she turned to Reed. "Reed dear, have a seat beside Valerie."
Valerie blushed as Skye shot up from her seat beside her with a giggle. Under the expectant gazes of the others, Reed took a seat beside his fiancée. The women couldn't contain their excitement as they looked at the couple. Valerie was embarrassed as Skye clicked a photo of them. She turned to look at Reed only to have him staring at her. She blushed, noticing how long his eyelashes were. His black eyes captivated her. This was her fiancé; the man she would wed. Strangely, she found herself looking forward to a life with him.
"Your guy is so hot! It's a pity I can't snatch him away seeing as they are already enamoured with each other." Skye teased as the older women laughed.Valerie blushed, tearing her gaze from Reed.
"One more thing." Everyone stared at Skye. She looked serious as she stared at the couple. "This is important." The impatient stares made her smirk, amused.
"When's the wedding?"
