The Power of Fate

Chapter 2: Parents

Two: Parents

W.O.W: "It seems that I have been held in some dreaming state. A tourist in the waking world, never quite awake. No kiss, no gentle word could wake me from this slumber. Until I realised that it was you who held me under." — Unknown

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Valeria's P.O.V.

"Hello Ava" I greeted the sale associate as I set my blouse on the front checkout.

"Hello Mrs. Balderas. How are you this evening?" She asked as she rang up my designer blouse.

"I am doing well, Ava. What about yourself?" I asked as I gave her my debt card and she politely took it.

"Good, thank you for asking. How about your husband? How is he doing?" She asked, making my heart drop. How was my husband? I didn't even know the answer to that question.

"He's doing well." I lied with a smile.

"That's good. Let him know I said hi." She kindly smiled at me as she handed me back my card and purchase bag.

"Yes, of course." I faked another smile and made my way out of the boutique.

I walked over to the black SUV where I knew my driver, Thomas was waiting for me. And right on time he got out of the drivers seat and opened the door to the backseats where I quickly got in the car. He closed the door behind me and quickly made his way back to the drivers seat.

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"Good evening Ms. Valeria. How did your shopping go?" Brice asked me as he greeted me by the front door and took my bags.

"It went very well, Brice. Thank you. How are things here?" I said as I walk further into my house.

"Well, your husband is in his office with his parents. They have asked me to tell you to join them once you arrived." Brice informed me.

"Oh." I signed. "Okay, take my husbands bags to his room and leave mines in my room. I will go see my husband and his family now." I ordered as I slightly fixed my posture. I started making my way to Esteban's office as I heard my heels click with every step I took on the tile floor.

Here's the thing with our parents—they think that my marriage with Esteban was a total success. They believe that we fell in love and live as a normal happy couple. So when they come to visit, Esteban and I have to act like the loving husband and wife the public thinks we are. We have fooled our parents and the entire world. We act in love but we are just two strangers living together.

You see, Esteban and I made this silent agreement for the simple pleasure of our fathers. Our fathers wanted this marriage to work so for their pleasure, Esteban and I act like everything is fine. We make them believe that we are happy with the life decision they made for us.

"May I?" I knocked on the open door as I watched Esteban and his parents turn their attention to me.

"Val, you're here! We have missed you so much!" Esteban's mom smiled at me as I entered the room.

"Good evening Lucas and Nancy." I greeted them with a heartwarming smile and hug."I've missed you too, Nancy."

"It's been so long since you guys don't come visit us anymore." She said sliding a strap of my hair behind my ear.

"Yeah, I apologize for that. I've been really busy with work and when I come home, I'm just really tired." I heard Esteban speak up from behind me.

"Well, you shouldn't work yourself out too much. It doesn't matter so much that you don't visit us much anymore, but don't forget you also have a wife at home. Wouldn't want work getting in the way of your marriage." Nancy said cupping my face in her hands.

"Of course not, Mom." I heard Esteban sigh.

"Esteban, why haven't you greeted your wife since she walk in?" I could see from the corner of my eyes how Esteban's father gave him a confused face.

"My wife is with me all the time. I wouldn't want to be greedy and take her away from you guys, especially when you haven't seen her in a while." Esteban's tone was suddenly harsh.

"It's fine, Mr. Lucas. Esteban is right. We both agreed that maybe it shouldn't be so much about us anymore. I mean, we don't get to see you guys often now and we would rather focus on you guys. We have plenty of time for us." I ended my lie with a smile at Esteban.

"We have forever actually." Esteban smiled in return but his eyes were dark and said something else. I knew that his words were just a act for his parents, but deep down inside me I was actually afraid. Because I didn't want to spend my forever—faking to be happy in a unfair marriage.

"It's nice to see you guys so in love." Nancy smiled at us in amuse. "Anyways, we are actually here to invite you guys over for a family dinner. Valeria's parents will also be attending." Esteban's mom said cheerfully.

"Oh, when is the dinner?" I asked.

"Tomorrow." Nancy smiled at me.

"I have to work, Mom." Esteban sighed.

"Nonsense Esteban." Nancy waved her son off as he tried to bailout. "You will attend this dinner tomorrow with Valeria. I don't care if you have to work a half day, but I want the both of you there tomorrow." Nancy's voice was more demanding this time.

"To make it easy on you, Val will meet you at your office and you two can leave from the office together." Lucas suggest, but the tone in his voice indicated that things were to be done that way tomorrow.

"I guess." I heard Esteban sigh for the third time today.

"Great, we'll see you and Val tomorrow for dinner." Lucas clapped his hands together in victory.

"Alright kids, it's time for us to head home. We'll see you kids tomorrow." Nancy gave me one more last hug.

We bid Esteban's parents goodbye as I accompanied them to the door. I thanked them for coming and I also apologized for missing our weekly visits to them. After I bid farewell to Esteban's parents I headed back to our living room, where Brice and Esteban were talking with their back towards me.

"If he calls again, you are to transfer the call to me. I do not want anyone else to speak to him, understood Brice?" Esteban told Brice with an irritated tone.

"If who calls?" I intervened on their conversations, making Brice turn around in my direction—while Esteban kept his back towards me.

"I'm heading off to bed, Brice. Call me if anything." Esteban said completely ignoring me like always.

"Yes, sir. Have a good night." Brice nodded as Esteban headed up the stairs.

And just like always I was left alone and ignored. Only each time it was harder not to be angry with him for being so rude. Honestly, I was getting sick of Esteban's treatment with me. My level of patients was running out with him.

"I am sorry, Ms. Valeria." Brice apologized as he lowered his head and faced the floor. I smelled his guilt the minute he turned his back around when I interrupted him and Esteban.

"No, don't worry. It wasn't you who was being rude." I sighed. "I will also be heading off to bed. Make sure to lock everything up, please. Have a goodnight Brice." I smiled at him and started to make my way up the stairs.

"As you say, ma'am. You have a good night as well." I heard Brice say behind.

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End Note: I thought maybe I would share one more chapter with you guys! Who do you think was calling? 🤔🤔 Thank you guys for everything!