"LOOKS like Joaquin didn't deliver you today?"
That was Cynthia’s opening question to her that day when she arrived at the store.
"That young man also has a lot of work, of course," she laughed softly afterward.
She saw Cynthia just nod at her response. Meaning she agrees with her. And for some incomprehensible reason, Lara secretly enjoyed that. It's not that she doesn't want to tell stories. But in those moments, the possibilities were playing more in her mind when Joaquin introduced her to his father.
“You seemed very quiet, Lara. What happened? Tell me the truth, because you're not like that normally, eh,” a few minutes later and she remained silent, that's what she heard Cynthia ask her.
That was when Lara gasped. Honestly, she was having this feeling that that was all she was waiting to hear from her friend so that she would have a reason or enough courage to open up to her. And it’s about the concern that had been troubling her mind since this morning.
“The truth is that Joaquin called me this morning. And he told me that his father wanted to meet me right away,” said Lara who couldn't help but sigh as she said that.
"Oh, isn't that normal?" Cynthia asked her.
"Maybe. But I feel like it's too early for that. I feel like his father is in a hurry. And I have to admit that I'm not comfortable,” Lara finally chose to admit to her friend the real reason for her feelings.
At that point Cynthia stood up from the office chair she was sitting in. After that, she sat in the chair in front of her desk.
"Are you scared of his father?" she asked her.
With that question, Lara seemed to quickly feel dryness in her throat. So, she immediately reached for her water bottle and drank.
"Isn't it obvious that I'm afraid of his father?" she replied jokingly about it to somehow alleviate her feelings.
"What are you afraid of?" Cynthia asked her again.
“I'm afraid his father won't like me. That's what I'm really worried about.”
“Ah, so you're thinking maybe Joaquin's father wants to meet you so that he can judge you if you pass his standard for his son. Am I correct?" Cynthia raised her beautiful eyebrows.
"Exactly," was her short answer then raised her chest again due to nervousness.
“Oh my gosh, Lara. I honestly don’t know where the insecurity you feel comes from. But since you're so beautiful, you should be confident,” said Cynthia who stood up and then went back to what she was doing on her desk.
In the tone of Cynthia's words, it was as if her friend were saying that what she is worried about right now is not that serious. That is true. But she also did not fully understand why that was happening to her. Maybe it's because Joaquin and she just started dating.
"Not everything is about physical appearance, Cynthia," she justified after a while, while the insecurity she felt before was still in the tone of her speech.
“I know, but in reality, almost everything is already with you. Beautiful, smart, and has a good profession. What's the reason your boyfriend's father dislikes you?”
“I am a single mother. And that's what I see Joaquin and I will become a problem eventually,” she admitted to Cynthia.
Cynthia stared at her for a moment after she said that. For a moment she seemed to think of what she could say before she opened her mouth to speak.
"Have you forgotten already that Joaquin is your daughter's father, Lara?" Cynthia reminded her then she shook her head in succession.
“He is Callie's father, ye, but he doesn't know about it. Another thing I worry about is, what if he leaves me?” her worried question.
“Which is the right question? Have you fallen in love with him already? Or you fell in love with him again?” asked Cynthia.
Lara couldn't speak to her friend's question. Because after all, even she didn’t know how she was going to answer that question.
"Do you think Joaquin loves you?" when she remained silent that was what Cynthia asked her again.
Lara thought more deeply for a moment. Does Joaquin love her?
" I don't know either," she admitted.
That was when Cynthia stared at her with confusion. "What? If that is the case then why did you accept him as your boyfriend if you don't know his true feelings for you?”
Lara swallowed again at that question. “For Callie. And the truth is, I think I also have feelings for him but I'm not sure if it's love,” she said.
“Then you have to stay firm on that decision. Because just like what you have said, you are doing this for Callie. Of course, you need to think about your child all the time. And in case Joaquin proposes to you, just think that Callie will experience having a whole ang complete family,” said Cynthia in a tone full of hope.
When her friend said that Lara immediately felt so encouraged. Cynthia was right. More than anyone in this world, Callie’s welfare is what she has to put first.
“And one more thing, I think Joaquin loves you. So, guess there is no reason for you to be afraid. Because just in case his father would dislike you, I have this feeling that he will surely fight for you,” said Cynthia and then gave her a sweet smile.
Lara couldn't help but smile because of the last thing Cynthia said. At the same time, she also remembered what Joaquin had told her earlier this morning. That no matter what happens he will fight her.
*****
"WHY does it seem everything is so fast?" Patrick's wondering questions him that same day as he was talking to him on the phone.
"I also do not know. Maybe he is desperate to have me married to your girlfriend,” he teased Patrick then followed what he said with a weak laugh.
“That won't happen because I'm going to destroy their plan. Tanya and I will get married as soon as possible. Her parents have already told her about that and that's what we agreed on,” said Patrick, who slightly lowered his voice while saying that to him. But despite that, there was still a hint of great pleasure in his tone.
Joaquin smiled there. They are indeed very much in love. And who were his and Tanya’s parents to destroy such a beautiful love story? Everyone deserves to have someone to be with for life and as you grow older. And of course, his friend was included in those.
“It's good then. And at least have the courage to escape,” he said, followed what he said by a weak laugh.
“You mean, ran away together?” Patrick's clarifying question.
“Yes. After all, you are financially stable. You can give her everything she wants. I mean, you are already successful and able to raise a family. Don't procrastinate any longer. Tie Tanya to you. Get married,” he advised Patrick.
His friend on the other line was silent for a moment. Perhaps he was thinking of what he had said. Then he spoke again.
"How about you? Are you sure you're going to marry Lara?" Patrick asked him.
At that question, he smiled meaningfully. At the same time is registering the beautiful face of his girlfriend in the back of his mind.
"Yeah, I'm going to marry Lara," he replied firmly.
“Even if she is a single mother? For sure your father will not like that idea, ” Patrick said again.
“To tell you the truth, I don't feel that Callie is someone else. Especially since she bears a great resemblance to Mama. So I see no reason for Lara's single motherhood to be an obstacle to my desire to marry her,” he answered seriously while everything he said was true inside him.
"Are you in love?" Patrick's laughing question in an unbelievable tone.
"If Lara is the reason why I would fall in love for the first time, that's a better idea," he replied in a tone with dignity although the beautiful smile on his lips was still not erased.
Just a few moments and Patrick said goodbye to him as well. While he was better off pursuing the rest of the jobs scattered on his table.
He wanted to see Lara, so he wanted to finish early. He will deliver her again tonight because he wants to be with her for a long time. On top of that, he also wants to be with and play even for a while with her daughter, Callie who even if he doesn’t admit it is having a big and special space in his heart.