𝐀𝐥𝐜𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐳 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬: The Broken Vows

Chapter 5: Homeward Bound

A silver bullet sliced through the blue sky as the private plane buzzed perfectly. As Spain approached, Victoria reclined in her luxurious leather seat, feeling as though the world was getting smaller beneath her. Her heart was a fluttering mixture of excitement as well as anxiety as she looked out the window. It was this. It was the moment she had been both dreading and looking forward to. Thiago was being brought home by her.

Her lover, Thiago, was sitting next to her, his hand firmly holding hers. His blue eyes, which reflected the sun's golden rays, were a picture of peace. Throughout her fears, he had been nothing but encouraging, his unfailing love a continual source of solace. He was aware of the weight of the situation, the implicit expectations, and the threat of her family's displeasure.

“Nervous?” he asked, his voice a low tone that shook her.

With a slight smile on her lips, Victoria squeezed his hand. “A little,” she said in a voice that was almost heard. “But mostly excited. I want them to see you, to understand why I'm so happy.”

Thiago had a kind and sincere smile. “They will,” he stated with assurance in his voice. “They can't help but see the love we share. It's impossible to ignore.”

She thought he was right. The force that had swept them both off their feet was their unquestionable love. Their gazes locked across the crowded room when they met at Thiago's luxurious eating establishment. The connection was immediate and went beyond words. Since then, their love story had developed like a fairy tale, and they had been inseparable.

However, her family, they were an entirely different matter. Her father was a well-known Spanish businessman who had always had high standards for his eldest child. He had imagined that she would marry into a well-known Spanish family and carry on the tradition he had established. The Welsh businessman Thiago was a complete opposite of his ideal. Although he was wealthy, his background was regarded by her family as nouveau riche, and he wasn't Spanish.

A knot of tension tightened in Victoria's stomach as the plane descended. She was settled to battle for her love even though she knew the welcome would not be simple. It was worth it for Thiago. He was everything to her.

Her family's enormous estate was a welcome sight as the jet touched down softly at the private airstrip. She felt a rush of nostalgia as they exited. It seemed different now, even though she was home. She had changed from the innocent young woman who had gone off to college years before. She was ready to take on the trials that awaited her, a woman in love.

Victoria took a deep breath, her heart thumping in her chest, and clasped Thiago's hand. This was the start of a brand-new chapter that was full of love, optimism, and the promise of a future they would create together despite all the challenges. She was prepared. They were prepared.

The elegant black Rolls-Royce, which had been dispatched to pick them up from the airport, sailed through the expansive property, past well-kept lawns and aromatic flowers. Victoria couldn't help but feel familiar, her heart hammering against her chest. This was home, a place that was both cozy and slightly uneasy.

She felt a feeling of relief as they arrived at the outstanding entrance. There was nobody waiting outside. Only her younger siblings, Nicolas and Azahara, were smiling with excitement. Beside them, a solemn figure in his immaculate suit, was Jaume, the butler.

Azahara shouted, “Victoria! Thiago!” and hurried to give her sister a hug. Always the one to play, Nicolas put Thiago in a playful headlock. “Bienvenida, hermana! Cuánto tiempo!” (Welcome back, sis! It's been ages)

“You've grown,” Victoria laughed, returning Azahara's hug. “And you, Nicolas, you're practically a giant now.”

“I'm still shorter than you,” Nicolas retorted, his grin wide.

Jaume, with a polite nod, led them towards the house. “La familia la espera en el comedor, Srta. Victoria” (The family is waiting for you in the dining room, Miss Victoria.)

The dining room was a lavish to be seen. The room was dominated by a huge mahogany table that had been polished to a brilliant sheen. The windows provided stunning views of the surrounding landscape, and the walls were decorated with elaborate tapestries.

Ignacio, Victoria's father, sat at the head of the table, his demeanor stern. Even at fifty-five, he was a man of presence and force, his piercing dark brown eyes and silvering hair exuding authority. Ignacio's eldest son Eduardo sat next to him, his expression perpetually frowning. Victoria's sister Diana, the third child, sat across from them, her eyes cold and scornful.

The silence was heavy with unsaid expectations, and the room seemed tense. Victoria inhaled deeply as her hand automatically reached for Thiago's. With his eyes sending a nonverbal message of support, he gave it a comforting squeeze.

And at the far end of the table, radiating a warmth that seemed to soften the room's tension, sat Lucia, Victoria's mother.

Lucia was a calming presence in the room, with her sweet smile and lovely brown eyes. She was dressed in a stunning silk gown, and her elegant manner stood in sharp contrast to the others' rigid formality. Lucia got up from her chair as Victoria and Thiago walked up, her smile growing as she gave her daughter a hug.

“Mi querida Victoria,” (My darling Victoria) she spoke in a kind, gentle voice. “Es muy bueno tenerte en casa.” (It's so good to have you home.)

She turned to Thiago, extending her hand.  “Welcome, Thiago. It's a pleasure to finally meet you.”

With his hand in Victoria's, Thiago looked at Lucia with the same warmth she did. “Thank you, Mrs. Alcaraz. It's an honor.”

“Welcome home, Victoria,” Ignacio said, his voice a low rumble. “And this must be Thiago.”

Thiago stepped forward, extending his hand. “It's a pleasure to finally meet you, Mr. Alcaraz.”

Ignacio's gaze was sharp, his expression unreadable.  He shook Thiago's hand, his grip firm. “The pleasure is all ours.”

Eduardo and Diana said nothing, their faces displaying their disgust. Victoria was a little disappointed. She had hoped for a more warm welcome, for Thiago to have a positive first impression. However, it appeared that her family had already made up their minds.

“Come, sit,” Ignacio gestured towards the empty seat. “We've been waiting for you.”

Victoria had a surge of nervousness as they took their seats. This was only the start. If she wanted to be accepted by her family, she had a lot of work ahead of her. She was adamant, though. She would do whatever it took to keep Thiago and herself happy since she loved him. She also had a glimmer of optimism that perhaps, just possibly, things wouldn't be as tough as she had anticipated because of Lucia's silent support.