Another new chapter. Thank you Betty the Bonita, Agentcaroline, readingfrenzy, and ptime for your multiple reviews, and all those who have reviewed my earlier chapters.
Chapter XI
The setting sun served as a picturesque setting for a longed looked for day. The invitees and hosts alike counted down the minutes until they would meet up for the anticipated Suarez-Meade dinner, a meeting between the families for once without coincidence, subterfuge, or secrecy.
Subtle and amused glances were thrown every which way. Alexis and Justin thought no one knew of their basketball practices but Hilda, as the younger boy's mother, knew each and every one of his doings, good and bad. Most mothers would have been wary of Alexis, formerly known as Alex, but she knew how well the pretty blonde had listened to her son, when he was too embarrassed reveal his thoughts to his own mother. Ignacio, in humor, had given Daniel a friendly lecture on Hilda's curfew, much to the grown woman's chagrin the night of the charity fundraiser. They all knew it was only a friendly invitation; nothing would come of it but a good night of beautiful faces and fun entertainment. Claire had personally helped Hilda find a dress and a hair stylist, and conveyed her hope in using the dinner invitation to thank Ignacio for his nightly phone calls with Daniel.
Now enclosed within the happy home, the various Meades and Suarezes scattered to every corner of the comfortable house in Queens. A lone figure wandered the living room as the fading light scattered golden reflections across the room, transforming the aged house into a resemblance of what was commonly found within the wealthy elite mansions.
No, not gold. It was copper, or at least a cheap enough substance to masquerade itself as copper. An award for first place in the tri-borough literature analysis contest was proudly displayed upon the living room wall. There were various trophies and paper certificates filled with similar praise. Sharp blue colored eyes raked over the surface. It wasn't only Ignacio's youngest daughter's accolades resting in the place of honor. There were a few with Hilda and even Justin Suarez's name. Betty was the dominant name however.
"We just called Betty, she and Daniel should be here soon." Bright red lipstick outlined an ecstatic smile. An equally beautiful one was returned with complete reassurance. They all knew what today meant.
The most looked for guest and host had been nowhere to be found. There had been a problem at the magazine, something about The Book, spilled margaritas, an overexcited dog, and a severely contrite Marc and Amanda. This left Daniel and Betty to clean up the mess. Luckily, they had a backup and would only end up being a few minutes late to the event.
This gave plenty of time for the remaining Meades and Suarezes to talk about when the two would realize their feelings.
"Do you think that tonight's the night?" a low voice asked. Calm eyes continued to survey the tributes lined in haphazard order.
The lone Latina nodded knowingly. It appeared that Daniel was taking action. Betty had come to her one day, in a frazzled manner, exclaiming at how attentive the youngest Meade was acting towards her.
UBUBUBUBUB
"I mean, he brings me coffee in the morning and asks how my night was. It used to be that I was the one to bring a cup to him, after he finally dragged himself out of the nearest model's bed. Speaking of which, he hasn't had a "date" in almost six months!"
"That's so weird that you know that Betty. Ay! But why are you shocked? There's something that's been between you two for ages. Just go for it!"
UBUBUBUBUB
"Daniel seemed to have an epiphany on Father's Day," Hilda Suarez chatted excitedly. She always was a sucker for romances and not even the most dramatic telenovellas portrayed the emotional link that was sizzling between Daniel and his "ordinary" personal assistant.
That revelation had been personally guaranteed by Ignacio's own eyes. When the youngest Suarez and Meade sons greeted him with a fantastic Father's Day lunch, the elder man hadn't asked what had occurred between the youths. All he knew was that was when Daniel seemed to decide what his goal was in life, and it certainly didn't involve running a magazine.
Said goal was bewildered with the newfound attention.
"She thinks Daniel's hopped up on pills again."
Hilda's companion frowned with that comment. It had been a painful time when those horrid drugs surfaced, back when vengeance and blood ruled all. No one ever expected that his would be spilt. Forgiveness had taken long in coming.
The Latina spoke again, "Well I'm glad someone's finally making a move. I'd thought we'd have to lock them in a closet or something."
Her cohort gave a musical laugh, picturing Betty and Daniel hollering themselves hoarse after being trapped until they finally admitted their feelings for each other.
"You would think..." Hilda's voice faltered for a moment, all humor trailing off.
Long, dexterous hands laid a comforting touch against a tanned arm. "You would think they'd be free to confess to each other," the other voice concluded.
Hilda nodded slowly. She touched trembling fingertips against her ruby red lips. "But they can't, because they're too busy being responsible, working a demanding job, and supporting their family."
"A burden that should have never been placed on their shoulders in the first place."
Hilda breathed a sigh of relief. She had been carrying this thought around with her for a long time. As the eldest child, she was supposed to carry the hopes and dreams of the family along with its burdens. The eldest Suarez daughter was supposed to be the first to go to college, the first to escape a dull borough neighborhood, the first to make something of their life. She had failed in all three.
"I've disappointed everyone while Betty always succeeded."
The younger Suarez daughter managed to eke out a college degree, and obtain a prestigious position in one of New York's most trendy fashion magazines. Even the most well connected applicants had never made it as far as the strange poncho wearing woman did! It may have been luck but still, with Betty's help, a failing magazine flourished into popularity, winning even more accolades to add to her numerous collection, along with the heart of the editor himself.
Cinderella, eat your heart out. That girl didn't need a fairy godmother.
So what happens to the ugly stepsister? Would she always be doomed to failure?
"I graduated from one of the most elite colleges, got handed the editorial position of the trendiest magazine in New York, and had the choice of any girl who was within winking distance."
Hilda's nose crinkled in concentration, "And yet, you weren't happy."
"Did faking my death tip you off, or was it trying to hire a hitman to cut the brakes on my Father's towncar?"
This time it was Hilda's turn to comfort Alexis Meade. "When I wanted to rebel, I stayed out all night with Santos. I guess being a Meade, you had to take more drastic actions."
"Well now Daniel's the one with all of the burden of handling MODE Magazine. It wasn't his responsibility in the first place. It was mine!" The beautiful blonde turned an exasperated face away in despair.
"And look how it turned out. He successfully turned MODE around to one of the highest rated businesses, he actually likes coming into work to contribute ideas, he's stopped sleeping around, and..." Hilda gave a moment's pause, "and he and Betty are going to live happily ever after."
Alexis gave a wry grin. "They really are, aren't they?" She turned her now serene eyes towards Hilda's dark ones. She spoke slowly, reasoning through her tumultuous thoughts. "I may have left him all of the problems of the magazine, and our family, but he's made the best of it. He made them better, and as a result he even made himself into a better man."
The older Suarez daughter struggled to accept the realization, "We screwed up, but it turned out for the best. Think of what would have happened without us." A feeling of revulsion passed through her, "Betty staying home to take care of Papi, and she would have ended up married to Walter or something."
"And Daniel would be trying to occupy every model's bed in New York City. They picked up the slack for us and all we can do is support them as much as we can, even if it means locking them in a closet."
Both women laughed with delight and a newfound relief. In the past, they were not reliable to their families, but with the future looming bright and beautiful, each one could ensure that their respective little sibling would be happy and loved.
Especially with each other.
Two more chapters to go. I enjoy writing these as much as I hope you all enjoy reading them.
Grignard