Chapter Fifteen #2
“I started stealing money from other kids, my foster mom, and stuff from stores. I just wanted to have something that was mine for once. It felt great. Like I finally owned something. I bought my first pair of shoes with money I stole. It wasn’t until my foster mom found out that she sat down with me and explained that I was lying to myself.
I didn’t own those shoes. I stole someone else’s hard-earned money to buy them.
From that moment on, I stopped stealing.
I didn’t want to own things that weren’t mine.
I wanted to earn them. Then I met my parents. ”
“Luc, I had no idea. That sounds rough. It’s amazing you persevered.”
“I did.” He nods. “Thanks to my parents. I was lucky to find parents who wanted me and were also so successful. They did grow up with money. They lived in a gorgeous house with six bedrooms. I finally had my own bedroom and bed. My parents would buy me whatever I wanted and needed.”
“Wow, that sounds amazing.”
“You’d think, but it made me super uncomfortable.
I felt like I didn’t earn any of it. It was all luck.
I was just in the right place at the right time when they came looking for a kid to adopt.
Now I have this nice house, I go to a private school with a fancy uniform, and I know my college tuition is set.
I went from not knowing when my next meal would be to being able to ask for whatever food I wanted and practically have it appear in front of me in mere seconds.
Once I got into my parent’s investment business, I started to feel the nepotism. ”
I watch a few people get up and dance to the soft sounds of Alessandro playing the guitar across the campfire.
“So, what did you do to combat those feelings?” I ask.
“Well, I decided I wanted to branch out on my own and start my own investing. Granted, I still needed a start-up fund from them, but this is my only opportunity to feel like I have a choice in investing in something I believe in and grow my own business. Would I be self-made? No. Am I ashamed I’m not self-made?
Sometimes. But my parents worked incredibly hard for me to have the things I do, so I try to remember that I’m just honoring their hard work by expanding on it. ”
“That makes sense.” I nod slowly, taking it all in.
“That’s why I’m so excited about your restaurant, Isa.
They expect me to find something that’ll be a surefire success.
Something that doesn’t require a ton of work on my end.
But I want to find something that I truly believe in.
And your story, I believe in that. I believe in your food.
I believe in your relationship with your father before and after he passed away.
I believe in your ideas to expand the restaurant and make it even more successful.
But most importantly, I believe you. You are special, Isa.
Your story. Your life. I just feel like I can relate to it so much. ”
“Wow, Luc. That means a lot to me that you believe so much in the business.” I’m touched, but the guilt twists in my stomach like a knot.
Part of me wants to confess everything right now, to tell him that the restaurant isn’t the thriving empire I’ve painted it to be.
But I can’t bring myself to do it. Even though he says he believes in the story, what if that belief crumbles once he finds out I’ve been lying?
I’ve gone this far—backing out now might just ruin everything.
“So, when you finish the business plan, send it my way.”
“Right. I’m almost done. I’ll have it ready for you tomorrow.” I force a smile, but I’m already dreading how long I’ll have to keep up the facade.
“Hey, there’s no rush. You can wait until Sofia and I get back from our honeymoon. We’ll be back in New Jersey in about three weeks. I know it’s a long trip, but since I’ll be busy with my new investment, I wanted to make sure we had a nice break before the craziness begins.”
Three weeks. I can’t wait three weeks. I’ll receive an eviction notice before they even get back from Greece or Italy or wherever the hell they decided to vacation to.
“I’ll have it for you tomorrow. I’d like a definitive answer about the investment before you leave, if that’s all right.”
I immediately feel guilty. Who am I to tell him what to do at his own wedding? He should be focusing on being in love, not work. But if I don’t find out soon, I won’t know what to tell Gabriel.
“That’s fine with me. Just send it whenever it’s ready, and I’ll take a look.”
“Thanks, Luc. Seriously. For taking a chance on someone like me. I’m sure you could invest in literally anyone.”
“Probably.” He laughs. “But I wouldn’t want to. This just feels right.”
I should be feeling ecstatic right now. I practically have the investment locked in.
But it’s based on a lie. Does that mean the investment isn’t mine?
Did I actually earn it? Would he still invest if he knew the restaurant was currently months behind on rent and slowly failing, and in no position to expand?
“I’m back!” Valentina announces. “Did you burn any more marshmallows?”
“Yes, at least three,” I say with a laugh.
Valentina sits back down next to me. Shortly after, Silvana joins in and sits down across from me. She has a discernable smile on her face. It’s slightly unsettling. Chills creep down my spine, and my throat feels dry. Did she follow Valentina into our cabin? Did they—no. She wouldn’t.
“How was your trip? You were gone for a while, it seemed,” I say.
“Was I? It didn’t feel that way. It was fine. I just used the rest-room and double-checked tomorrow’s rehearsal dinner menu with my staff. It’s the second-to-last big day for us, so I want to make sure everything goes right.”
“That makes sense,” I say blandly.
“Is everything okay?”
I want so badly to ask her if she was with Silvana. Did she kiss her? Are they back together? But I can’t. It’s what Silvana wants. She wants me to doubt Val. And I refuse.
“Everything is great.” I sigh happily.
“Well, good,” Valentina says, smiling.
She cups my jaw with her soft, slender fingers and slowly brings my face to hers. Our lips meet for a tender kiss. One that I know will get Silvana riled up and other people talking. I’m surprised she did something so public, but it must be a good sign.
When she pulls away from me, I see her slightly bite her bottom lip before smiling. I turn away, suddenly feeling shy. I look up and see Maria staring at her with wide eyes. I shoo her away, hoping she’d just mind her own business, but she comes right over and sits between us.
“Oh, Jesus, Mar,” I groan.
“Hey, you two.” She looks at each of us and smiles. “How’s it going?”
Valentina grins. “It’s going great.”
“It was until you came along, pendeja.”
“Listen, I didn’t want to be the one to bring it up, but I’m sure you two will forget. But remember that I was the matchmaker here between you two. If it wasn’t for me, this wouldn’t have even happened. So I’ll take my thanks at your wedding as a heartfelt speech.”
She’s not technically wrong. If she hadn’t convinced me to come here to the wedding, I probably wouldn’t have ever seen Valentina again in my life. Or if I had, it would have been too late. So, I really do have to thank her for it. I just refuse to give her the satisfaction.
“You’re giving yourself way too much credit. It’s not like you put us in the same cabin or forced us to spend every day together. I could have ignored her and kept my grudge about my dress from our quince.”
“One day, you’ll admit it. And I’ll be here. Waiting to say, ‘I told you so.’” She laughs, reaching over my shoulder to hug me.
“All right, all right. We’ll see. I’m going to go get more marshmallows.”
“Did you eat them all while I was gone, Valdes?” Val asks in mock horror.
I stand up, stretching my lower back by twisting my body from side to side. Sitting on a log is not as comfortable as they make it seem in the movies.
“Maybe I did.” I laugh and head towards the snack station near the main hall.
I step away from the campfire and into the darkness of the campsite.
The fire was the only light source, casting flickering shadows across the trees and bushes surrounding them.
The rest of the grounds are shrouded in darkness, the only sounds being the soft rustling of leaves and the distant croaking of frogs.
I make my way toward the station where Sofia has stored the extra marshmallows, my hand outstretched in front of me as I feel for any obstacles in my path.
The darkness is absolute, and I can barely make out the shapes of the trees and bushes surrounding me.
A small light outside the main hall creates a beacon of safety.
I walk toward it, feeling more at ease. I’m not sure how Valentina walked through here without feeling creeped out.
Then again, she probably wasn’t convinced by Maria that there is some killer on the loose in the campground.
As I walk, I feel a shiver run down my spine.
The darkness is palpable, and I can’t help but feel a sense of unease.
As if someone is watching me. I quicken my pace, eager to reach the safety of the snack station.
Finally, I reach the cart and open the cabinet door on the side, feeling around for the bag of marshmallows.
I grab a handful, close the cooler, and turn back toward the campfire.
When I turn around, I see a shadowy figure lurking in the corner. I gasp and let out a half scream, clutching my chest. The figure steps forward into the light.
“Jeez, relax,” Silvana says, rolling her eyes and taking a long drag from her cigarette. “I’m not going to murder you. I was just sneaking a smoke.”
“Oh. Right.”
I breathe a sigh of relief, trying to act casual even though my heart is racing.
Silvana flicks some ash off her cigarette and gives me a look that could cut glass. “But I do know things, Isa. Things you probably wouldn’t want getting out. Like the truth about your so-called booming restaurant. You think you can just stroll in here and play pretend?”
“What are you talking about?” I cross my arms, trying to look unfazed, but Silvana just smirks.
“I told you to leave Val alone. I told you to stop asking questions. I know you’re dirt poor. I know you owe Gabriel three months of back rent. I know you can’t afford to pay him without Luciano’s help. I know everything.”
“How do you—”
“What’s that? You’re wondering how I know?
” Silvana flicks her cigarette into a nearby planter.
“My mother has been dating Gabriel for years. She left my real father for him. I just happened to see some paperwork on our table from La Mariposa. Oof. It is not looking good for your father’s restaurant, is it? ”
I freeze, my mind racing. That must have been the man Sofia was talking about.
Maritza’s lover was not my father but his best friend, Gabriel.
That must be why he has her number in his journal, to help the both of them stay in contact while she sneaked around.
If Maritza wasn’t the one my father was in love with, then who was it?
Silvana raises an eyebrow. “Oh, and don’t worry—I also overheard your little lakeside chat with Valentina.
Gotta say, I’m shocked you’d go along with her little sabotage plan, considering how much you have to lose.
You must really like her, huh?” She gives me a smug grin, obviously loving every second of this.
The shadows on her face caused by the dim lighting make her look distorted.
I roll my eyes and take a step back. “What do you want, Silvana?”
“Oh, Isa, relax,” she says, leaning casually against the wall.
“I’m not planning to throw Valentina under the bus.
But you?” She narrows her eyes. “Well, I really couldn’t care less.
If you keep playing around here, I might just have to mention your little deception to Sofia and Luciano.
How do you think they’ll feel when they find out the truth about your restaurant?
About the investment you so desperately need? ”
I sigh and cross my arms, forcing myself to sound braver than I feel. “Just spit it out, Silvana. What’s your endgame here?”
She gives a fake gasp, as if she’s shocked I haven’t figured it out yet. “Oh, come on. It’s simple. Stay away from Valentina. You can’t just waltz in here, swoop in on my girl, and act like you’re suddenly one of us,” Silvana hisses, a hint of desperation undercutting her usual bravado.
“This family—it’s mine. I’ve been here through everything, and you? You disappear, then show up and suddenly everyone’s fawning over you like you’re the next best thing? So, do as I say, and I won’t blow your little cover.” She steps back with a smug smile, clearly satisfied with herself.
“You can’t boss me around, Silv.” I scoff. “You’re deluded.”
“Oh, come on, Isa. Be smart about this.” Silvana sneers, stepping in close and giving a smug smile.
“You really want to risk it all? I mean, once everyone finds out about the real Valdes family—the fake designer bag, the restaurant on its last legs, the father who’s not here anymore—well, it’s not exactly the picture you’ve been trying to paint, is it? ”
“Go to hell,” I retort, pushing her away and turning to walk back. I’m done with her games.
But before I can take more than a step, she grabs my wrist and holds it, her nails digging in.
“Are you seriously going to let some silly crush ruin everything you’ve built?
Risk being exposed as a fraud?” she hisses.
“Do you really think Valentina would still want you if she knew the truth? That you’re barely holding it together? ”
I yank my arm free, but her words sting. I’ve come too far to let this all crumble now. My mother’s pride, the family’s approval, this second chance at success—it’s all on the line. And she knows it.
She steps closer. “Break it off with her, Isa,” she says in a mock whisper. “Spare yourself the humiliation. You really want to lose everything just to chase after a girl?”
I look at her, taking in the twisted glee in her eyes.
She knows exactly where to hit, and she’s right.
If I don’t end this, she could destroy everything I’ve worked for.
I close my eyes for a second and take a deep breath, knowing there’s only one choice left to make.
“Fine. If that’s what it takes, I’ll end it. ”
“Good,” she says, letting go of my wrist with a little shove. “Remember, Isa, I’m always watching.” She turns and struts away, leaving me alone under the moonlight, feeling the weight of what I’ve just agreed to.