Okay just… WOW! Thank you all so much for the amazingly constructive feedback so far! Now just to really quickly respond to one of my long time reviewers "JustaFriend", there's nothing bad/weird about anything you have said, dear. We all have our head canons of things and I always love to healthily exchange views on how others view pairings in their respective head canons! The key is to not make it seem like you're putting others down for it! After all, myself and BluProductions have different views on how we picture an adult Alejandro for example, but both ideas have their own interesting spins to them that make them fun! :D So, let's all just enjoy and love our beloved characters from this show. :) Anyway, I have still been taking down ideas and if you see in the reviews an idea that hasn't been mentioned yet, just send me a review or a PM letting me know what you would like to see and I will happily jot it down for future! This chapter will focus on Elena reaching out to Heather after finding out about the engagement. What will ensue between these two strong willed women? You'll just have to read on to find out. ;) Hope you all enjoy it!
({No POV})
Elena just walked into the building in downtown Ottawa where her Canadian based headquarters were for her company, until she stopped.
Right inside the main lobby was a post office box.
She stood there for several moments before opening her purse and pulling the letter she wrote the night before out from within.
It looked like she was almost pondering the letter for a few moments, still grimacing slightly at Heather's name as the addressee of the letter on the envelope.
She kept up her current state until it appeared her brain was trying to give her a reminder via Gemma from their video call in the very early hours of this past Christmas a little over a week ago.
You cannot control him or me or anyone into doing everything 'your way'. And just because someone decides to do something 'their way' does not mean they are against you or trying to disrespect you. So the sooner you understand that, the sooner you'll be able to move on.
At that moment, Elena gave the letter one more hard look before sighing in defeat and inserting the envelope into the mail slot without any further hesitation.
After that she shook her head, almost like she was trying to wash her hands (as well as her mind) of the situation before going into the elevator.
Since she was alone in the elevator, she just blankly looked down before saying quietly through a sigh, clearly referring to her recent 'talking to's' from both Gerardo and Gemma, "Dammit… why must they both always be right?"
3 days later
(Heather's POV)
I am so sick of looking at boxes and suitcases… and it's only been 3 days.
But, it'll be worth it.
Now that everything's out there with us and I saw the apartment, honestly… I can work with this. Besides, I know that if I just keep staying here, he's just going to keep being annoyingly persistent with me until I moved in with him.
Then again… it's not all bad.
I smirked as I looked down at the ring again.
On some level and definitely 'past me' would probably question my sanity, but… whatever? Point is I am done with reality TV forever and after what happened in the basement between us and he didn't even seem to care about what I was and I would never say any of this out loud to anyone, especially Alejandro.
But I do have to hand it to him and always have to give him credit for, he really does always know what to do and say at just the right time.
That and he does have great taste, considering it's also my taste.
Ugh, who am I kidding?
Sure he's still insufferably perfect at everything, a complete show off, and is totally full of himself, but… I love him.
I could feel the corners of my mouth tugging more and more as I kept looking at the ring and just the entire situation in nothing short of satisfaction.
Well, until I heard a voice that immediately made my stomach converge on itself and made me immediately shoot a hard glare toward the source.
Damien.
"Wow, you really are serious about moving out. You're actually taking down the 'shrine' to yourself?" He jabbed, knowing he was trying to take his last digs into me.
And yet another reason why moving in with Alejandro seems like a better idea the more I keep thinking about it.
I continued to glare at him before I scoffed and retorted, "Yeah, like I'm going to leave anything I care about behind so you can mess with it with your grody, disgusting hands? Ha! Not a chance. Or need I remind you of when I left on that grade 8 class trip for just a weekend and you left that little 'surprise' in my bed?"
His face contorted until he just smirked and got a slight 'far off' look in his eyes as he recalled, "Oh yeah, the itching powder was one of my better ideas. How long did it take you to stop chronically itching your butt again by the way?"
He started laughing before I finally got right in his face and practically demanded, "Look, what do you want? Or do I need to 'do something' that would make you have to tell Jaime about why the hell you have first or second degree burns on your crotch?"
I felt a slight wave of satisfaction as I saw his eyes go wide for a second.
Oh yeah, this is definitely the best blackmail I could've ended up with for him.
Eventually he rolled his eyes and said, "Okay, fine, whatever. Mom just wanted me to tell you that you got a letter or something in the mail and to give it to you. So, here. Belated Merry Christmas, your majesty."
He then proceeded to do a 'mock bow' to me before just throwing an envelope at me and flipping me off.
Yeah, now that I really think about it, I won't miss any of this crap when I move out.
After I took a moment to flip him off in return, I was reminded of what this was actually about.
A letter? Who the hell even sends letters anymore? And just… why?
Eventually I rolled my eyes and turned the envelope over until my eyes widened before they quickly relaxed in intrigue when I saw the name on the address label.
The Burromuerto's.
"What the?..." I started, assuming it was a letter from Alejandro's dad since it wouldn't seem that off kilter coming from him. Considering he hand delivered a card to me at my house after confusing the ever living hell out of my parents, especially my mom.
But, after opening the letter, I felt myself slowly contorting more and more in confusion.
To Miss Heather Wilson,
In light of recent news, I really want us to be able to meet and talk to each other face to face. I know a letter may seem a bit passé in this day and age, but I wanted to do this in the most discreet way I could think of in asking you without either my husband or Alejandro knowing. At the bottom of this letter is an address to a bistro I found where we can meet halfway with each other between Ottawa and Toronto on the 6th at 12 PM. Please don't be late or tell my son of our meeting. This is something I wish to keep just between us.
Sincerely,
Elena Ledvora Ortiz de Burromuerto
After reading and rereading the letter several times as well as looking at the address printed in the lower corner… it's like I was still processing.
Wait, she actually wants to talk to me?
I was trying to figure out if this was some kind of a trick or something that was laughable at a bare minimum.
Considering the first time she even met me, all she did was give me the stink eye and basically told me to call her 'ma'am'.
She let me know how she felt about me right away… and honestly on some weirdly bizarre level, I respect that.
But, why would she even want to talk to me anyway? She's hardly said anything to me since the moment I met her. I think aside from wanting me to call her ma'am, it's just been passive aggressively saying 'good morning' to me when we'd run into each other near the dining room or a curt nod.
So why the hell would she want to talk to me now?
Yeah, no duh, Alejandro probably told both of his parents we're engaged by now, but why should that give her any incentive to the extent of practically inviting me out to talk to her over lunch?
There has to be some kind of ulterior motive if the way she worded the letter had anything to show for it.
Either way… whatever. Like any of that'll put me off.
Between growing up with the siblings I had, being humiliated on reality for several years, and having my head shaved on TV… I'd like to see her even try anything to mess with me.
2 days later
I got out of my car and looked at the address one more time before looking at the bistro.
It was definitely the right place and truth… It actually looked really nice. Nothing over the top but definitely a very classy establishment. I started to make my way to the front only to see I wasn't the only one walking in the same direction.
The clicking of her black winter fashion boots clicking on the pavers of the walkway as the still falling snow collected on the shoulders of her dark blue chesterfield style coat and a tasteful beret.
Elena.
Despite everything, I do have to give credit where it's due.
For a woman nearing 60 like my mom, Alejandro's mom is probably the most fashionable woman of her age I've probably ever met personally.
And that's saying a lot since even my mom has always tried to say with the current fashions as far back as I could remember.
But, somehow, Alejandro's mom seems to somehow keep herself current yet age appropriate without seeming like she's trying too hard or losing any edge.
Strange as it is… I respect it.
She finally made eye contact with me after several moments of totally awkward and weirdass silence said, clearing her throat a little, "Well.. Thank you for meeting me on such short notice."
Despite her response, I could still see that look in her eyes that she was continuing to give me and I was continuing to hold my look right back at her. I haven't given her an inch to walk all over since we met and I don't plan to start now.
I gave her a curt nod as I responded, just as to the point, "Sure."
We stood in a standoff for a few moments before we both eventually just quietly walked into the bistro and took a seat at a nearby table since the sign up front just said to seat yourself.
The whole time we were taking off our coats and putting them over the backs of our chairs, it's like we both kept on almost silently 'reading each other'.
Eventually we both sat down as a server came up to both of us almost immediately as they started, "Hello, can I get you ladies something to drink?"
Well, whatever, might as well?
"Iced tea with a lemon, unsweetened." We both said almost in unison
What the?...
We both exchanged wide eyed looks before I recovered, trying to maintain my composure, "On second thought, I'll have a glass of Moscato."
No way am I committing any faux pas like ordering the same drink as her.
And apparently I wasn't the only one on that same train of thought as she responded, "And I'll take a Pinot Noir instead, if you don't mind?"
Well… this isn't still weird as all get out.
But, I could tell I wasn't the only one thinking that us saying the same thing simultaneously wasn't the weirdest thing ever.
Particularly since we were both looking at each other with the same wide eyed look. Well, until both of us took the same direction out of whatever this was and just flipped up our menus.
For the next 5 minutes, both of us were just looking at the menus as I was still trying to sort out what was even happening here? I was using all my will power to concentrate on the words in front of me as a distraction and to get my composure in check.
But still… What the hell was that?
A wave of relief almost washed over me as the server came back and asked, "What would you like to order?"
I swear, if she says 'chicken piccata' I don't even…
"Chicken Piccata, por favor." She responded promptly, making my eyes go wide behind my menu.
UGH?! Are you kidding me?!
"And for you, miss?"
Easy Heather, if there's one thing that you've learned, it's that it never hurts to always have a plan B.
"Shrimp risotto." I replied as we both handed off our menus while I was still reevaluating.
Eventually I saw her look up at me again before finally saying, sounding like she was getting right to the point, "Well, I am going to assume that at this stage you are wondering why I asked you to meet me here?"
I continued to keep my wits about me as I crossed my arms and quirked up an eyebrow as I responded, guarded and skeptical as all get out with this whole situation, "You could say that."
It was dead silent between us among the subtle chit chat at other tables and soft music playing.
Eventually I saw her scrunch her eyes shut and let out a sigh before she started, reaching into her purse, "Setting my career and even my marriage aside, nothing has made me feel more personally accomplished than being a mother to my sons and the relationships I've made with them… especially Alejandro."
She pulled out what looked like a picture and looked at it for a second before continuing, "Interestingly enough, Gerardo and I were on the fence as to whether we wanted more children after José. But, with Carlos and José and adding on that I grew up in a house with just brothers and mostly male cousins, I really wanted to have a daughter. So, when Gerardo and I decided to try one more time, I didn't get what I expected… but it didn't mean that I didn't get something I ended up loving."
She set out a couple pictures on the table of her and Alejandro together.
Despite him being at different ages and having shorter hair in most of the pictures, I knew it was Alejandro without even needing to think about it.
The hair, the smile, the eyes… It was him.
She kept looking at the pictures and smiling before she kept going on, "From the moment Alejandro was born and even as a baby, all I saw was my husband. Aside from his hair color, Alejandro was my husband in miniature… and still is his father completely now, and then some."
I tilted my head, still trying to wrap my head around exactly what was happening in this situation.
She laughed slightly as she still just kept looking at the pictures, "Although I love all my sons equally, I have never felt a closeness with any of them like I have felt with Alejandro. Part of the reason I wanted a daughter when I was younger to begin with was because I thought that was the only way I could have a close bond and yet… it didn't matter. Despite everything, I always felt close with him and never felt a connection as close with him except for my husband. For entirely different reasons of course, but the strength of that connection was always the same, and still is."
She smoothed her hand over a family picture she had on the table as I quirked up an eyebrow.
Even though it wasn't something I entirely got personally, I was able to pick up very easily that Alejandro was close to his parents, and especially his mom.
I could see it obviously at his parents anniversary party while I was dancing with his dad and I saw him talking and laughing with his mom while they were dancing on the other side of the floor.
For me, I never had that at home or anywhere with my parents.
Well considering my dad only really cares about golf, work, and my mom… go figure why I've never had any kind of anything at all with him?
Then with my mom, it's... complicated.
When me or even any of my siblings were younger, I just don't think she had any idea what the hell to do with us and mostly just had a nanny look after us while she was out with her friends or doing committee meetings at the country club or women's groups in town.
Honestly, my mom didn't really know what to do with us until we were teenagers.
Then mom would take me and my sisters out for pedicures or shopping with her and that was really the only semblance of 'quality time' I ever got with either of my parents.
While I know for a fact that Alejandro grew up in the same sort of environment I did with having nannies look after him and his brothers, he at least had parents that got involved and gave a crap.
Again, while I will never admit it out loud now or ever, I'm jealous… seriously jealous.
Suddenly I think both of us got snapped back to reality when our plates were put in front of us.
It was silent between us again for several more seconds until I heard her start, "Well, needless to say and I do not wish to string this out, so I will get right to the point. I love my son very much and only want the best for him and what he wants out of his life… even if it's not what I would want."
She looked up at me and gave me that look again.
Yeah… i.e. 'me'.
It was almost like we were on the same mental track as she proceeded, letting out a sigh, "Look… I am going to be quite plain. I still do not like you or much less trust you at all. In fact it's practically to the point where I wake up nearly every morning and question everything."
I almost couldn't help it as I scoffed before replying snarkily and sarcastically, "Yeah, you could have fooled me..."
She gave me a wide eyed look before narrowing her eyes at me again.
Look, I've said it once and I'll say it again. I am not going to apologize for just telling it like it is. And if she thinks that I am going to just let her get to me… she has another thing coming.
She let out a sharp breath through her nose as she looked off to the side before getting out, "However, and as I have been so plainly reminded time and time again, this isn't about me or how I feel about you. This is about Alejandro."
She paused as she let out another frustrated sigh before continuing, "Because as much as I still do not understand, my son loves you. And as much as it pains me to even say this and in whatever way you go about it, I can see you love my son too."
I could see her eyeing the engagement ring Alejandro gave me on my finger before looking me dead in the eye, almost catching me off guard, "In spite of everything, I can see now I am beaten and my hands are tied. So… Heather, I would just like to say one thing to you right now and hope we can come to an 'understanding'. I will not stand in the way of you being with my son and I hope for his sake that we can try to be civil going forward."
My eyes widened for a split second at her for actually calling me by my name for the first time to my face as she held out her hand to me.
Eventually, after 'surveying the situation' yet again, I reached out and grabbed her hand only for her to immediately strengthen her grip as she gave me the sharpest look she's given me yet.
She kept her voice low as she started, sounding nothing short of threatening, "But, just know, if anything else happens to him that results in one more hair on his head getting harmed because of you in any way at all… Oh chica, you have no idea what I would do to you. Do I make myself clear?"
As I processed that and thought it over, I still wasn't giving her an inch as I shook her hand and responded, "Crystal… just as long as he doesn't do anything to warrant it, señora."
I gripped her hand a little tighter, still letting her know where I stood as her eyes widened at me again.
Hey, I may love Alejandro and want to marry him but that still doesn't mean everything has changed in 'all departments'. I don't care who you are. If you are intentionally trying to screw with me or make a total fool out of me… then I'm going to give you what you have coming.
Also, for real, it wasn't even my fault he got injured that bad anyway.
Yeah, I shoved him out of the way to win… but that was only because he drove me to do it. And I am done with being reminded of that crap again.
Eventually, I think she 'got the hint' and looked like she was using every bit of restraint she had as she practically gave in and just gave me another serious look and nod before giving my hand one last firmshake, practically signifying our 'agreement'.
Hey, I've had to make a lot of alliances, but this… this has to be one of the weirdest ones I've ever agreed to.
And that's seriously saying something.
Well, looks like Elena and Heather have come to some sort of a 'truce' with each other, even if it still seems like these two are still far from being friends. But, what I wanted to show off in this chapter was (though Elena would detest admitting it), a big part of the reason her and Heather clash deep down is because these two are pretty similar in more ways than they care to admit. While Elena is more sentimental and 'maternal' than Heather, these two are both strong willed, driven, and high class ladies who will work their asses off to get their ways and what they want. And usually when you have 'too many captains on the ship'... it can lead to a lot of butting heads. After all, there is a theory that I believe in very strongly and that I have brought up via Gerardo previously, Alejandro could be partially attracted to Heather because certain aspects of her remind him of his mother (namely that they are both strong women) and could explain why he fell for Heather as hard as he did. After all, at least for me, my dad is a nerdy guy who is also pretty sporty, and a lot of the guys I have dated so far in my life have been a lot like my dad in those respects. A bit weird when you think about it too much, but it is a theory that has a lot of psychological facts backing it. Plus, Alejandro does think that Heather is a 'Masterful adversary indeed'. The man loves a strong woman and we stan! Lol. ;) Also, it appears that these two ladies also have similar tastes much to both of their frustrations. XD Anyway, I hope you like how I executed the truce between Elena and Heather in this chapter as we also see Heather coming out of her bitterness after resolving things that she's been consumed with from repressing them over the course of this series. Mainly that it seems like she's finally letting herself love Alejandro after establishing trust with him after all the drama. Well, as always, thanks for reading and constructive feedback is always very much appreciated. Thank you all so much and keep the ideas for future chapters coming! :)
Stay classy and healthy everyone!
Dexter1995