This is just another trial... Hope you like it!
Santana Marie Lopez, I am the person behind that famous name. Yes, and by famous I mean well known, popular, to die for, and all similar words you can think of. Well, being a Lopez isn't a joke because our family owns The Tower, one of the top business company worldwide. As everybody sees me I am this hot, sexy, fabulous and stunning Latina that men and women drool over.
"Stop daydreaming will you?" Quinn, my best friend brought me out of my thoughts.
"I'm not." I said and glared at her.
We are sitting in the balcony attached to my room. There are black and white couches facing the garden and pool downstairs. There's a hammock on the left side adjacent to where we are sitting. The cold breeze from last night still lingers this morning.
"Who is that chick in your bed the other night? Is she different from the girl last night?" She asked.
"Duh?!" I shrugged.
"Jeez! When will you ever change, Santana?"
"Stop shouting! It's too early Fabray! Besides, who cares? I'm just enjoying the last days of my life." I stated.
"You said it like you were about to die." She shrugged.
"Because I am." I sighed.
"What?" She looked at me with a worried look.
"Dad is pushing the wedding in six months. Hell! I don't even know who I'm gonna marry. All I know is that it's a 'she'. She's the daughter of one of his business-brothers, as he calls it. I'm just gonna make her life miserable as she'll do with mine."
Quinn is completely stunned with the information I told her.
"So... Uncle Rick is really serious with his plans huh? I thought he's just joking because you're so stubborn. You are so dead. Is this okay with your mom?" She asked.
"Well, at first she opposed to his idea together with abuela but then I screwed some things up... That convinced them." I took a sip of the coffee.
"Hm, misery loves company. You have to face this consequence, Santana. This will also do good in your family." She said as if things are too simple.
"How do you know? You don't even know the feeling of getting married to a complete stranger. Lucky you who gets to choose who you want to be with." I rolled my eyes at her.
"Well, if you listened to me and work harder to do better in school and in life... Maybe you end up like me."
"Excuse you!" I cut her off. "First of, I don't want to be like you. I have my own styles. And second of all, I don't want to live my life according to other people." I sighed exasperatingly.
"Whatevs! Maybe there's some other ways to convince your parents."
"You know them so well, Quinn. Do you think they'll change their minds?"
She nodded. "I think if you showed them that you are mature enough to make decisions they'll listen to you. Do you know what your problem is?"
"What?"
"You're too confident and dependent."
"I am not!" I said sternly.
"Yeah, you are. See? You don't even know yourself." She shrugged.
I thought about it for a second.
"Do you even work? You always refuse to work in your company. You are being offered with the highest rank possible. Not all people have the opportunity you have." I was about to say something but she cut me off. "Anyways, before I forget what I'm here for I need to tell you something." I scrunched my face in confusion. "I'm going to be away for a couple of months. Dad's law firm is expanding and they're opening new establishments in some countries so I offered to fly there to see for myself. I'm going to Jamaica, London, some parts in Asia then New York."
"Whoa! Are you kidding me?"
She shook her head.
"See? This is what I'm talking about. I don't want to be stuck in the dreamland forever. I have to grow up, Santana and so do you. Think about it." She smiled warmly at me.
I hate it when she's right.
"Great! You're leaving me. Yeah, yeah, yeah! I'll miss you though. How am I supposed to deal with all the craps of life?"
"Aww. I'm not leaving you. We'll FaceTime often. If we're not busy, okay? I'll be back before you know it." She side-hugged me.
"Fine!" I whined. But deep inside me, I'm scared since this is the first time we'll be living in different areas. Quinn is more like a sister to me. She's been here all my life. She's really close not just to me but to my whole family. "You'll be a great lawyer Quinn. I just know it. And oh, while you're there make sure to plan my divorce case, okay?"
She just laughed at me. How can she just laugh when I'm so serious about this matter.
"When I come back I'm expecting to see a matured Santana Marie Lopez."
"You bet!" I said.
2 Days Later
"Yo, Puckerman! Where you at?" I asked Puck over the phone. It's my first time to wake up this early for my morning jog this week.
"What?" He grunted.
"I thought you'd like to join me! Hell, I've been wide awake since four in the morning and there you are still sleeping!"
"Lopez, it's too early. You in a hurry or something?" He said with a yawn.
"I am. I'm gonna be meeting with my 'fiancée' later."
"Oh." He said. "I'll get ready. Wait for me outside your house."
"Good. Faster!" I ended the call. My mind went back to the conversation yesterday.
"Santana, your papi wishes to talk to you..." My mom came to my balcony and found me sleeping in the hammock. "It's cold out here. Are you tired?"
"No mami..." I said and smiled sweetly at her. My mom is the kindest woman I know. She's my best friend, she secures me and understand me. She never gets in the way of my life though whenever I'm in trouble she's the one who stands up for me. When I came out to be a lesbian, my whole family accepted it because of her. I love her so much and one day I want to be like her but I don't know if it's even possible.
"Your papi wishes to talk to you." She repeated.
"Oh, he's home?" My dad is seldom home because of his business trips. We're so close before but as time passed things changed. Because of his busyness we never got the chance to sit and talk like we used to.
"Yes, mija. He's waiting for you in his office. I'll prepare something to eat. Your abuela is there too." She said.
"Am I in trouble?" I asked shakily.
"I don't think so. You've been staying in here lately so I don't think there's any problem." She stated and helped me got up. She fixed my hair and kissed me on the forehead. "We'll wait for you downstairs. Fix yourself." With that my mom left.
After half an hour, I came downstairs to my dad's office.
"Mija," my dad stood up and walked towards me. He's about to hug me but I offered my hand instead. Something I do with other businessmen. I can see that he's taken aback but he still shook my hand. I went to sit beside my abuela in the couch adjacent my dad's desk. I kissed her on the cheek and hugged her.
"I missed you, dear." She said as we parted.
"Yeah, me too abuela. How are you? When did you arrived? You could've told me you were coming so I picked you up."
"There's no need for that Santanita."
"Abuela, don't you think I'm getting too old for that nickname?" I got a little embarrassed.
"Oh, you will never get old for that, love." She tucked my loose her behind my ears.
"Mother, don't treat her that way. She's too old for that." My dad shook his head. "You should teach her to grow up and take charge of our business."
"Oh, Ricardo... Loosen up a little. Your always focus on that. Family comes first." My abuela stated and I smirked at my dad. He sighed.
"Okay... Here comes your favorite. Chocolate chip cookies fresh from the oven." My mom announced as she settled the tray of four cups hot choco and chocolate chip cookies in the coffee table in front of us.
"Hm, this will never get old. Thank you, love." My dad kissed my mom and hugged her from behind.
"Ew, that's so gross." I commented.
"Hey, hey, hey. When old people act like this it's never gross. It's just a sign of thankfulness and adoration." My dad scolded me.
"Yeah, yeah." I shrugged.
"Enough you two." My mom said. "Come on, let's sit and get this over with."
My dad sit on the other couch opposite us. My mom sit beside her and he took hold of her hand. He kissed it and smiled sweetly at her. He took a deep breath and looked at me straight into my eyes.
"I thought you wanted to talk to me." I emphasized.
"Indeed..." He said.
"Then why are abuela and mami here?"
"Hm, we'll be having a family talk, mija." He said and looked at abuela who is nodding beside me.
He sighed, "Well, the thing is... Santana, how old are you?"
"I'm your daughter, you should know that." I frowned at him.
"Trust me, I know... But I want to hear it from you."
"Why?"
"How old are you?"
"Why?" I glared at him and he did the same.
"I'm not going to ask you again..." He said sternly.
He's really intimidating sometimes.
"Twenty-four." I said.
"Are you working?" I shook my head. "Do you plan to work?" He asked but I just shrugged my shoulders.
"Where are we getting on with this, pap- I mean sir." I said. Yes, I call him that. I used to work for him during my college days. I never called him papi again ever since I graduated.
He sighed and shut his eyes for a few seconds to think.
"You left me with no choice, mija. You show no sign of appreciation with what we're doing for you. You disrespect this house by bringing various women and sometimes men to your room without your mami's permission. I grounded you for a week but you just kept on doing what you want. I gave you a job that you refused to take, you refuse to work. You never learn your lessons. You graduated top of your class yet you are here doing nothing. What hurts even more is that you kept on ignoring me. I am your father. What happened to you, Santana? You are not like that before. What happened?" My dad finishes off as my mom rubbed his back.
We are all looking down now. No one dared to speak. My dad cleared his throat.
"We already talked about this before... You are going to get married within six months." He stated. My eyes went up to meet his gaze.
"Ricardo..." Abuela said.
"Mom, it's okay." My mom said to abuela. She just nodded in understanding. I looked at my abuela for help but she just stared with pity on me.
"Sir, you can't do this to me." I said with pleading eyes. I don't want to be in this situation. I'm not used to beg and plea for myself.
"I'm so sorry, Santana. This is arranged a long time ago, we can no longer back out." My mom explained.
"What? What are you saying mami?"
"It's true, mija. I thought it was just a stupid agreement before but I didn't know that they'll take it seriously. And now, they are expecting us to respond." My dad said.
"If we didn't... We'd be losing half of our properties including the tower that your grandfather built." My abuela said sadly.
"Where will they go?" I asked.
"Various clients and beneficiaries according to their choices. My business-brothers will be the one to choose." My dad answered.
My mind went blank. I can feel a lot of emotions happening around my system. I just need a break from all these drama.
"Santana, it's up to you now to make the decision. I hope you make the right one... The mature one." He said. "We don't have enough time."
"If we said yes now we can still prepare for the wedding you wanted. You can meet and get to know her. But if we said no you know what will happen, mija. Though it will be for the good cause... We can help a lot of people but that's a lot of money to lose as well." My abuela said.
Now I understand why they can't back me up against my dad. This is a really serious shit we are in.
"I-I don't know. I honestly don't know... But I don't want to lose The Tower. You all spent your whole life trying to make it on top." I said.
"Think about it, mija. We are not forcing you." Dad stated.
"You are not forcing me?" I shouted at his face. "But you left me with no other choice!"
"Calm down, Santanita." My abuela hold me in place.
I leaned back on the couch and looked up at the ceiling. Quinn's right. I have to grow up. No! I need to grow up.
"I want to meet her as soon as possible." I mumbled.
"O-of course... You'll get to meet her tomorrow." My dad stuttered with pride.
We all breathe in relief. I saw all of their faces plastered with smiles.
"Yo, Lopez!" Puck jogged towards me.
"Took you so long. You only live a couple of houses away idiot!" I shrugged.
"Are we doing this or what?" he asked.
"Shut up. Come on." I started to jog and he followed afterwards.
"So what are you planning to do, Lopez?" Puck asked me after our jogging session. We went to this small cafe that we never visited before to eat some breakfast.
"Put yourself in my shoes..." I said and I took a sip of my latte.
"No thanks. My feet won't fit in your shoes." He shrugged. I sighed.
"What I meant is place yourself in my situation. What will you do, dumbass?"
"Oh." He looked at me. I frowned at him. "Well, it depends if the chick I'm going to marry is hot."
"Well, we all know that the only chick you want to marry is my best friend Quinn." I stated the obvious.
"What the hell are you saying?" Puck sounded aggressive.
"Don't deny it Puckerman. We've known each other since birth. We have the same blood dear cousin and I can read you inside and out." I said with a smirk.
"Don't remind me again that you're my cousin." He rolled his eyes.
"But unfortunately I am, Noah. Man up!" I said.
"Yeah, right. Quinn's mine so why should I still man up?" He asked.
"Well, obviously Quinn is out there trying to make a living for a better future. While you are stuck in here like me doing nothing." I said.
"Well, at least I have my own business." He shrugged. Oh, yeah... I totally forget about it.
"But you still have to provide more income for Quinn. She's supposed to be your queen Quinn, Puck. Treat her as one."
"Yeah, I'm working on it Lopez." He said.
"You do?" I asked in a surprised tone.
"Yes, I talked to my dad and I'll start working for our company full time. VP for finance..."
"Whoa! Not bad, man. Why didn't I know this? Since when are you planning about it?" I asked.
"Well, you are too busy banging chicks at home 'couz." He stated. "But why did the conversation directed to me instead of you? We are talking about you and your fiancée."
"Hm, well... I'm quite nervous Puck."
"THE Santana Lopez? Nervous? Unbelievable!"
"Shut it, Noah!" I hissed at him.
"Sorry, I know it's hard to be in your situation, Santana. What help can I do?" He asked me in a serious manner.
"You have no idea... I don't have a plan yet." I looked out the window and saw a blond girl walking outside. Her blue orbs captivated me.
"Yo, Lopez! I know that look... Don't even think about it. You're getting married soon... No time to play." He said and I looked at him. He's right. I should be focus more on the matter at hand. I can no longer play. It's time to grow up. It seems that I'm the only one who doesn't even plan for my future. Quinn and Puck turned out to be a matured couple in a short time. I sighed. "What time is it?" Puck asked me.
"A little after seven. Why?" It's unusual for him to ask about the time.
"Shoot! I need to be home. Mom's expecting me to run a few errands for her."
"Oh, go ahead. I'll be fine here. Tell your mom I said hi." I smiled and motioned for him to go.
"You sure?" He asked.
"Positive." I smiled weakly at him.
"Okay. I'll talk to you soon." He stood up and kissed me on the forehead.
I looked outside the window again. I'm so busy organizing my thoughts and planning out to enjoy my day since I'll be having my worst night later. It's like my family gave my own death sentence. I don't even have a serious relationship in the past to start with. How can I even make a marriage work out? I closed my eyes trying to calm myself down. Someone cleared her throat that made me open up my eyes.
"Hi..." She said and smiled sweetly at me.
"Do I know you?" I frowned at her only to realize that she's the blond girl with blue orbs I saw outside.
"I'm afraid not." She's still smiling. I wanted to get annoyed but something inside me stops me. "Do you mind if I take a sit?" She motioned to the chair Puck went to sit on.
I looked around and saw that the other seats are already occupied.
"I guess so..." I said with a shrugged and looked outside again.
A few seconds later, I heard a shutter sound. I looked in front of me and saw the blond girl taking a picture of me.
"Hey, what do you think you're doing?" I asked angrily.
"Capturing a delicate image." She said in a serious manner.
"You're not allowed. Go away." I said and let it pass since I'm not in the mood to argue.
"Do you want to look at it?" She asked.
"No."
"Here, take a look." She handed me her phone and I hesitate to looked at it. "Isn't it beautiful?" She leaned back on her chair and looked at me.
I looked at her and I was mesmerized by her eyes, "yeah, beautiful..." I murmured. I looked at the picture once again but it started to present a slideshow. I saw numerous pictures. Most of it were nature. "You're really good at taking pictures." I'm really impressed with her photos.
"Yeah, well... It's sort of my passion. I'm Brittany." She said. I returned her phone which she gladly take.
"Santana..." I said and smiled shyly. Why am I acting like a puppy with this woman in front of me? Bitch face on again! "Well, are you a photographer? I mean do you work as one? Maybe you can be my photographer in my upcoming wedding, it'll be a blast." I said sarcastically.
"You're bitter." She said and tilt her head to the right.
"Of course not!" I denied.
"Well, I'm not a photographer. But thank you for the offer..." We became silent for a short while. "You know, I only take candid shots."
"Huh? But why?" I asked out of curiosity.
"Because candid shots show the genuine beauty of a person or thing. They express certain feelings in a natural way. Like your photo... This one shows a lot of emotions... Like confusion, fear, uncertainty, longing. It's like there's a lot of questions going on inside that pretty head of yours."
"Hm, impressive." I said. I'm really puzzled with this woman. She's a bit interesting.
"Not much of a talker are you?" She asked and took a sip of her milkshake. I just shrugged my shoulders for her to leave me alone.
"Don't you have some better place to be? Like work or something?" I asked.
She shook her head, "I'd rather stay here... With you." She whispered the last part.
"Look, Brittany, if you're trying to flirt with me it's obviously working but I can't. I'm getting married. As much as I wanted to get to know you I can't because one of us will end up crying and it's not gonna be me so stop it." I leaned further in my seat. Her gaze never leaving mine.
"Confident... I like it." She said. Then, I lost it.
We chatted and flirted for what seems like forever. And for the first time no sex involved. We just talked, can you believe it? We went to different restaurants and bars and shared different stories of our exes. It seems that time flew so fast and I didn't realize that it's getting late.
"I should go now..." I said while staring at her blue orbs.
"Yeah, me too." She smiled.
"I had a nice time with you. You turned my horrible day into a marvelous one. I just hope that I met you a little early you know?"
"Well, this is not a goodbye, Santana." She said. "Give me your phone." I gave her and she quickly typed her number. "Well, keep in touch okay?" She said. "Call me if you have time. But don't let your fiancé catch you." She joked.
"Fiancée," I corrected her.
"Oh." She seems to understand. "Anyways, do you mind if I walk you home?"
"There's no need for that... I'm in a bit in a hurry so I'll just grab a cab. But, I promise to call."
"Pinky promise?" She held her pinky in my face. I looked around and took it.
"Your unbelievable! But, pinky promise." I said. I hugged her for the first and probably the last time. We said our farewell and we went our separate ways.
I went home to find them sitting on the living room, very relax. My dad took notice of me first.
"Ah, mija... Where have you been? We've been trying to call you." He stated.
I greeted my mom and abuela with a hug.
"Sorry. Am I in trouble sir?" I asked him.
"No, no. Of course not, dear. We'd like to inform you that your fiancée can't make it tonight. She rescheduled the engagement. I hope it's okay with you." My mom explained.
"Yes, I'm so sorry Santana." My father said.
I just shrugged off my shoulders, "It's fine. We don't have a choice right? I'll be up in my room."
I started to make my way upstairs. I used the elevator since my room is at the third floor of the house.
"Are you hungry? I could get you some food..." My mom shouted.
"No, I already ate but thanks mami." I shouted back before the elevator door closed.
I can still see them talking since the elevator has a transparent glass surrounding it. I waited for a few more seconds and then I went straight to the bathroom to wash off the tiredness in me. I'm not really disappointed. I'm offended! No one says no to this! I mean, has she ever seen me? Maybe not, that's why she canceled. She pisses me off, good thing I met Brittany today. I finished getting dressed with tank top and pj's on. I got a bottle of water from my mini fridge and took it outside the balcony. My mind started to drift to the memories of earlier this day. I was brought out of my reverie when I heard a familiar ringing. I walked in and pulled my phone out of my purse.
"Santana!" She called me on FaceTime.
"Hey, Quinn... How are you?" I asked with a goofy smile on my face.
"Whoa! What's that smile all about?" She dropped her smile as if she smells trouble.
"What are you talking about?"
"I know you, San... So everything went well with the meeting I suppose. Puck told me that you'll be meeting your princess charming tonight. How was it? Come on, spill!" She said excitedly.
"Okay, will you stop talking for a minute. I'm fine, thanks for asking by the way."
"Oh, sorry." She said and zipped her lip.
I rolled my eyes at her, "She didn't come." Once again Quinn dropped her smile.
"Oh, so that's why your happy?" She raised her brows at me.
"Of course not! I'm pissed! No one says no to me, you know that. She's playing hard to get. Hm, let's see about that when I finally meet her." I said with a smirk.
"Oh, too bad. But why so happy?"
"I'm not!" I denied trying to harden my demeanor.
"Yes you are. Liar!" Quinn chuckled.
"How come you know me so well?" I laughed.
"Duh?! I'm your best friend. I can read you so easily." She said.
"Yeah, right. So listen..."
"Okay, here comes the girly talk. Spill." She said.
I sat down in the hammock and smiled. "I met someone today!"
"Oh, not again. Santana, when will you change? You're almost engaged and you still have sex with-"
"Okay, stop right there! I just said that I met someone... I didn't have sex with her." I rolled my eyes.
"Oh, well. That's... surprising. It's unusual that you don't get to bang her."
"Shut up, Fabray. Anyways, she's so different. It's like something about her is so... I don't even know how to explain it." I scrunched my face to think of the more appropriate word to say.
"Oh my gosh! You like her!"
"Whoa! What?" I was shocked with what I heard.
"You like this girl..."
"No, I don't! I don't even know her too well. I just find her odd, I guess?"
"Hm, your right. But I think you like her already because this is the first time you ever talk to me about a girl. Not your sexcapades with girls but an actual girl. Do you get my point?"
"Yeah, I think so." I'm still quite confused. Do I like her? Maybe I'm just fond of her strangeness.
"But if you do like her, you better stop it right now. This will not help you. Remember, you're engaged and soon to be married. This can't happen, Santana."
"Yeah, you're right." I sighed disappointingly. "Where are you by the way?"
"I'm in Jamaica... It's quite peaceful in here. It's new and refreshing."
"Oh, really? You look tired." I said.
"A little... I'll just take a nap or something then go back to some paper works."
"Don't work so hard, Quinn. Well, I'll let you go now. Don't worry too much about Puck." I chuckled.
"Yeah right. Well, good night, Santana."
"Same. Bye." I ended the call and stared at the blank screen of my phone.
It's been a whole month of cancelation and rejection from my fiancée. Whenever we'd invite her for dinner she's always not free or her family. Is she really that busy? I wonder. Today, I'm spending some time with Puck in a golf course. Something we do when we are so bored.
"Puck, it's getting a little late." I said.
It's almost dusk and I just watch Puck doing some foolish things.
"Come on, man. Let's go home." I called him again. I took a sip of the bottle of beer I'm holding. It's my fourth bottle now because Puck kept on missing the stupid whole so I got bored and he suggested this.
"Fine!" He whined and jogged towards me.
"Finally! Jose, we're ready." Jose is the one who cleaned up our gears and drove us back to the lockers and shower room.
I went straight to the parking lot and settled myself in. Puck came after me. He sat on the passenger side.
"Aren't we gonna take a shower first?" He asked.
"At home Puck. You know I'm not used to shower in here."
"Yeah, right!" He shrugged.
The drive to our house is short. I avoided the traffic jams. All lights in the house is on. I wonder why. I stumble a little, the beer is taking quite an effect on me.
"Yo, Lopez. You okay?"
"Huh?" I said.
"You're a little tipsy. Are you sure you want to head inside? Uncle will be not so pleased to see you like that, Santana."
"Don't care." I started to walk towards the house.
I reached the front door and opened it. Behind the heavy door is my whole family plus another set of family sitting comfortably in the living room. Puck is right behind me. We are both shocked.
"What a surprise. I'm glad you could finally join us, Santana." My dad said sarcastically.
"I told you, Lopez. We are so dead." Puck whispered to me.
"I, uh, s-sorry, sir." I said and bowed my head.
My dad walked towards me. "Such a way to embarrass our family, Santana! Go to your room and clean yourself up." He whispered sternly. Anger is evident in his voice.
"Y-yes sir." I whispered back. He turned and chuckle a little to lighten up the ambiance in the room.
I started to walk past them with Puck still right behind me.
"Santana?" A familiar voice called me. I looked up to see the familiar blue orbs.
"Brittany?" I stood frozen. I am so shocked to see her here.
"You two know each other?" Puck asked in confusion.
Before I can respond a man cleared his throat. "Well, it seems that our princesses already know each other, Ric. What can you say?" He chuckled lightly.
"Indeed, Albert. They seem to know each other." My dad said not quite believing the scene in front of them. I am once again mesmerized by those blue orbs.
Tell me about your thoughts about this trial chapter. Thanks for reading.
-xoxo