Chapter 21
Chapter 21
It was our third day in Valencia, one of the oldest cities in the Caribbean and Castillo's capital. Valencia has a long history and a rich culture. Narrow cobblestone streets, vibrant, colorful buildings, and stone columns transported me back in time. The unique infusion was a beautiful blend of the old and new worlds.
We visited the national museum, which displayed the masterpieces of Caribbean-renowned artists and sculptors. He also took me to a show at the Grand Opera Theatre and dinners at the best restaurants. He surprised me with a private viewing of the Royal Castilian Gardens, a botanical marvel and conservatory that housed rare and endangered tropical fauna from the Caribbean and South America. It had always been on my list of places to visit.
"Thalia has been adamant about meeting you. When you meet her, you will understand why I couldn't take no for an answer."
I was nervous about meeting his cousin. Hector and Roman were the only members of his elusive family I had met so far, andMeroveo never spoke of his parents.
"Meroveo!" a young woman exclaimed, rushing towards us, waving her hand in the air, grinning from ear to ear.
Thalia De Los Santos looked like she had just stepped off a runway. She was tall, with golden-tanned skin, and her dark hair fell perfectly around her shoulders. Her outfit was effortlessly chic.
"Dove," Thalia smiled, embracing me as if we were already best friends.
"Dove, my endearing cousin Thalia," Meroveo teased warmly at the young woman.
"It's so lovely to finally meet you!" she beamed, pulling me in for another hug. I smiled and hugged her back, comforted by her sweet nature,
"I wanted to take you shopping at my favorite boutique. A wedding gift. I hope you don't mind."
"It's all been arranged," Meroveo said, kissing my forehead. Thalia watched our exchange with a cat-like grin and a mischievous twinkle in her eye. I blushed at his affectionate gesture. His touch was still so new to me.
"What have you done with him?" Thalia whispered playfully over to me.
We were given a royal welcome and greeted by an older woman who introduced herself as Charis.Two women stood by her side attentively, holding trays of glass flutes filled with bubbling champagne and a colorful variety of tiny pastries.
"Welcome to Clavelle's. It's a pleasure to see you again, Miss De Los Santos."
"Thank you, Charis, but how many times do you have to tell you to call me by my name? I sound so old when you say that," Thalia frowned playfully.
Dressed in all black with platinum blonde hair, Charis' demeanor was airy and professional. She discreetly looked over my simple outfit with surprise. I could read her thoughts quickly enough. My blue sundress paled in comparison to the luxury surrounding me.
I felt out of place amongst the high mirrored ceilings and dangling chandeliers. I grabbed a glass of champagne and wanted to fill my hands with something. My family had wealth, but my mother was modest and raised me to be the same. She provided for us through her art and healing.
"Let's make him regret giving us the green light and put a pretty little dent on that black card," her brown eyes twinkled with mischief that matched her playful personality.
"I want to see everything you have, Charis." Thalia looked over encouragingly at me.
"Miss De Los Santos, let me show you the newest collections from Paris and New York I have reserved just for you." Charis clapped her hands, and the other two women went to work.
Thalia was an expert, advising me on what colors looked best against my skin and the silhouettes that accentuated my frame. She had an intuitive eye for things, and I had to admit I was having fun.
She urged me to pick and choose anything I wanted. I discreetly looked over the price tags, shocked by the amount a blouse could cost.
I tried on countless dresses, outfits, accessories, and shoes. I had enough clothes to wear something new every day for a year. I was mortified when sets of silk lingerie were presented to me. They were soft, lacey ensembles in every shade, from soft pinks to daring reds and pretty blues.
"You are a newlywed," Thalia winked, but I ignored her playful comment.
Did she know anything about exactly how I became Meroveo's bride? If she did, what would she think?What would she say to me, knowing I wasn't here willingly?
T halia insisted that we visit every store on the stretch and spend outrageous amounts of money. She was sweet and kept me laughing, spoiled in an endearing way.
No matter where we went, Meroveo's men followed. Thalia ignored their presence, never mentioning them once. After a while, it was easy to forget they were there.
"It's about fashion and the latest gossip from the Castillan elite, but my favorite part is the betting. " She winked, filling me in on what to expect on the day of the races.
"Thank you for the company, Thalia," I laughed, appreciating her honesty. It was kind of her to reach out the way she had.
"It's nice not being the only girl anymore," she joked.
It was the end of the day, and we had an early dinner at an upscale restaurant that Thalia swore served some of the best food on the island. She promised me a flan, unlike anything I'd ever tasted."My heart was set on London for my final year," she smiled sadly, the brightness in her light brown eyes dimming. Thalia told me about her classes at the University of Castillo. She was double majoring in fashion and international business.
"Why can't you go to London?" I asked, genuinely confused. Thalia was an adult, and judging by her personality, she wasn't just a pretty face.
"There are some things in this family, Dove, that I've just learned to live with. That means carrying sins that don't belong to me but that I pay for anyway."Her obscure words were a striking contrast to her sunny personality."Patronizing cousins and an overprotective mother, everyone else is in charge of my life except for me." Her voice was soft, but there was a tinge of resentment. "So, the university here will have to do." She laughed, but it didn't reach her eyes."Let's not talk about sad things anymore, Dove. I have my own form of revenge by bleeding their pockets. You should, too." She grinned, snapping back with a smile, looking down at the new diamond tennis bracelet she had bought that afternoon. She insisted I get a matching one to commemorate our first shopping spree. The bracelet alone cost more money than I had ever spent.
She winked and smiled again as she looked at her own diamonds sparkling on her hands. "We have to make them suffer in one way or another." She laughed, raised her glass for a toast, and ordered more expensive champagne.