DISCLAIMER: In no way do I own any of the characters in JK Rowling's Wizarding World. I am but a fan who has run away with her imagination.
***Short chapter ahead***
Chapter 18
The sun was high, the breeze was cool and her heart was content. Dara looked at the blonde seated beside her casually cruising on the freeway; his hair whipping against his forehead, his mouth quirked up in a smirk, his hold on the wheel casual and relaxed, his gray eyes twinkling. The ever handsome Draco Malfoy had become - only hours ago - the love struck Draco Malfoy. She was reduced to a sobbing mess by the time Draco had finished confessing and professing his love for Dara, rendering her speechless for a few minutes. It took a while before she was able to answer those three words she never thought she'd be able to tell him.
He loves me. Draco Malfoy loves me. She felt a swell in her chest and a comforting warmth creep through her veins as she admired his profile. She still couldn't believe her luck. It seemed absurd now thinking of how timid she was about telling Draco how she felt. Now that he had admitted it and was now out in the open, she felt like a weight had been lifted off of her shoulders. Nothing was more important than being able to feel the same way about the other and being able to tell him.
So utterly content with how the morning turned out, Dara had inadvertently agreed to attend his mother's birthday weekend. When she had argued about the consequences and possible outcome, Draco only swallowed her qualms with wet sloppy kisses. How was she to argue further, right? She calmed her nerves remembering what Draco had told her: "I will be there with you. I am not going to let anyone hurt you or get in your way. They're on my property, They'll know better than to disobey me." He sounded cocky but his voice was strong and definitive. And history did prove that messing with Draco Malfoy was something no one should do.
They'd deal with it when they needed to. For now, they were happily within each other's reach, cruising down the freeway to town. Draco had agreed to abandon his initial plan of staying at home the whole day and go see Mama Rosa instead. Dara also promised a small tour through the market where they'd be able to get lunch. He reluctantly agreed only if he was allowed to drive the jeep. Surprised that Draco could drive such a beat up old thing, Dara didn't refuse. And boy was she glad she didn't.
He had perfect command of the rusty old girl. Much to her surprise, Draco actually looked like he was having fun.
"I didn't know you could…"
"Drive?" He finished for her. She only nodded. "I like driving. It's one muggle activity I actually enjoy. Maybe because it reminds me of flying." He explained swerving the jeep to the right.
"Yes but my old jeep? I'm sure you're an Aston kind of guy."
"Something like that." He smirked. "But this thing isn't so bad. It's manageable." He smiled at her before placing his gaze back on the road.
The ride to Mama Rosa's resort was an hour and a half from the beach house. They were in a denser part of town where the quaint little resort stood amidst a row of other resorts and hostels catering to the budget traveller. It wasn't big nor was it cramped. With a light and airy ambiance, a beachfront view and Rosa's signature warm hospitality, Mama Rosa's has always been a crowd favorite.
"Mama Rosa!" Dara called from the entrance pulling Draco inside the brightly colored receiving area. "Donde esta Mama?" Draco allowed his eyes to adjust to the bright color surrounding him. Yellows, reds and orange paint, furniture and knick knacks adorned the place. Homey and quirky was how he would describe it. From the far end of the first floor a plump lively woman approached then.
"Por fin estas aqui!" she limped her way to them, her hair up in a turban and a smile plastered on her face. "Mija!" she enclosed Dara in a hug before placing her attention to the standing blonde behind her.
"And you must be Draco?" Mama Rosa greeted, her accent heavy but her smile warm. She approached the wary wizard and hugged him with as much vigor as she did with Dara. "It's good to finally meet you. Dara has told me much about you." she waved a finger toward him, his expression unreadable.
"It's a pleasure to meet you Ms. Rosa." Draco smiled bowing a little. Mama Rosa chuckled slapping her belly.
"Please call me Mama Rosa. Everybody does." The bangles on her arm jiggled as she stretched her hands out on either side. "Come in. Come in." They followed her into the dining area at the far end of the floor where guests could get a perfect view of the beach.
"Ramon is almost done with lunch."
"Oh no. We're having lunch in the market. I promised Draco a tour around the stalls." She and Dara exchanged a few sentences in Spanish before they settled on a table.
"Why don't you go do your rounds mija? Give Draco and I a little chance to talk." Draco and Dara exchanged awkward glances before Dara did as she was told.
She went about her usual routine: checking and answering emails, reviewing bookings and payments, updating expenses and bills to be paid, checking on the staff and many more. By the time she was done with her rounds some of the guests were slowly coming out of their rooms for lunch. The dining room smelled absolutely delicious. She was rounding the corner to enter the dining from the beach side when she stopped and caught the tail end of their conversation.
"Yes, I am serious about her." Draco answered smoothly. "If you knew who and how I was before the war, before I met her, you'd understand." He sighed heavily before Mama Rosa answered.
"Oh I know mijo. Adara told me a few stories here and there. But I can tell. I can see it in your eyes, in your face. I sense a great deal of reluctance and restraint but there is also strength and determination and at the same time fear. Dara thinks you're afraid which is only natural given your birth rite."
"I'm a Slytherin. We're naturally… cautious." there was a slight smirk in his tone but only Mama Rosa knew he was bluffing.
"You know mijo, I was in love once. Like you, he was an important man in our town and was sought after by many young ladies. In those days when you reach a certain age you are expected to start a family. If you don't, you are looked down on." She recounted fondly.
"I never really believed that though. So while my friends were trying to find husbands for themselves I was planning my escape. I wanted to leave my small town and make a name for myself no matter how small. So I hatched a plan and on the night of my departure he caught me walking away from me mama's house."
"I thought he was going to report me the way a respectable man like himself would. But instead he sat with me on me mama's porch. He was so wise that man. And very handsome too. I was surprised he was taking the time to talk to me. When I asked him why he only said ``everyone deserves to be listened to'."
"What happened to him?" Draco finally asked.
"We got married one month after that night and spent the rest of our lives in love with each other."
"So you were, what do they say, a match made in heaven?"
"Yes and no. It was a lot of work. Especially when both our families were against it."
"What? I thought they were supposed to be happy that you found a worthy husband." Draco clarified.
"You forgot to ask who my family was. We were better off than Mario and well, politics got in the way. Me papa was against it because Mario's father was to run against him in the upcoming town elections. But we never listened." Mama Rosa chuckled, probably remembering some fond memory she had with Mario. "We both said goodbye to everything we ever knew and chose each other. It was very difficult but we endured and we worked hard for that love. But when it was good, everything was beautiful. And when it was time for Mario to go, there were no regrets." they stayed silent for a while.
"El amor no conoce fronteras, Draco." Love knows no bounds, Dara whispered to herself "We are all asked to give up what is important to us at one point. It is those who are willing to give up these things for something greater, something more important - that sets them apart from others. It's all a choice."
"I love her. I truly do." He paused. "It's the first time I've felt it this strong, this real. And it's bollocks that I can't freely share that. I've always been torn between what I want and what is expected of me. Plus I'm not sure if she'll like my world. Her world here, seems a whole lot better than mine."
"Oh knowing Dara she'll adjust. Not because she can and she knows how, but because she loves you. Try to get out of your head Draco. I think you're thinking too much. Learn to listen to yourself and what you want."
"She was sent to you for a reason. The same way you were sent to her for another reason. If you are true to your word, that you love her, then take care of her. She has lost everything that she knew and yet here she is, living and very much dedicated to you. You and I are the only people she has left."
Dara didn't wait for Draco to answer. She had made her way back to the front of the property to catch some air and to clear her head a little. Her brain was buzzing. It was thoughtful of Mama Rosa to talk to Draco like that. But now Dara had a glimpse of his apprehensions. She knew loving Draco Malfoy would be difficult for her. But she never really realized how difficult it would be for him. Was she sure about this? Was she really going to let Draco go against the grain for her?
"There you are. I was looking for you." She didn't have time to answer herself for Draco had greeted her from behind.
"You two better get some food. It's already lunch time!" Mama Rosa said as she followed Draco out into the receiving area.
"Are you okay, love? You look a little flustered." Draco had taken Dara's face in his hands when he noticed she looked a little worked up. The cogs in Dara's brain started to work double time especially when Draco Malfoy had just called her 'love'.
"Just slightly winded from my rounds. Had to go up and down a bit." She smiled awkwardly praying he didn't notice anything. They quickly bid their goodbyes to Mama Rosa before driving off to another portion of town where everyone came together.
