Chapter 9
Teresa woke up extra early the next morning. She wanted to have enough time to say goodbye to everyone. After a quick breakfast and shower she made her way in the living room where everyone was waiting for her. Even Beth and Whitney had come by. As she skipped down the stairs, Pilar couldn't help noticing that her child was growing up too fast.
"Luis," Pilar said in a whisper, "Theresita is already growing up to be a woman. I never really spent any quality time with her. How I wish Martin and Antonio were here."
"Oh Mama. Teresa has grown up into a beautiful young lady. You helped make her into the woman she is. You may think that you didn't have a big impact on her life, but you did. You are a wonderful mother." He told her honestly.
"Oh thank you, Mijo!" Pilar said beginning to cry.
Teresa approached Miguel first.
"Hey bro! I'll make sure I bring you something back for Charity." She told him.
A hurt look appeared on his face just then and Teresa noticed it.
"Hey, what's wrong?" She asked being the concerned sister that she always was.
"I broke up with Charity."
"Oh! I'm sorry. I didn't know." She apologized.
"It's alright, but you can bring me back something for Kay."
"Kay?"
"Yeah, well I'm trying to get Kay to go out with me."
"Oh! Okay then. Leave it to me." She gave her brother a hug.
"Thanks." He smiled and kissed her.
Then she went to Beth.
"You didn't have to come." She laughed.
"I know, but I wanted to. You're already like my younger sister."
"Awww. That's so sweet of you, Beth."
"It's the truth."
"I'm gonna have to bring you back something that Luis will like." Teresa winked.
"Teresa!" Beth said in a shocked tone.
"Oh please! Like I don't know that you two are um..."
"Shh!" Beth said in a whisper.
"Nobody's suppose to know."
"Okay. I promise I won't tell anyone."
"Thanks. It will be quiet without you."
"Yeah, but when I get back I'll have so much to tell you."
"You're right."
"I'll see you soon."
"Bye." Beth said as she hugged Teresa.
Next was Whitney.
"Hey why are you looking so sad?"
"Well...it's just that you're gonna be gone for a week. Who will I tell all the latest gossip to?"
"I'll make sure to call you every night. How's that?"
"Good! Be careful, I have a feeling something bad is gonna happen."
"You're just excited that I'm gonna bring you back a dress."
"Maybe, but remember to be careful." Whitney said seriously.
"Okay. I'll call you tonight."
"Bye."
Now Luis.
"You be careful you hear?"
"I will, Luis."
"I don't like you going with that Crane boy, God only knows what he's capable of."
"Luis, he's a perfect gentleman."
"Teresa, I know what is going through every 23 year old's mind. I was 23 once myself."
"How could I forget?" Teresa laughed.
"Hey!"
"Take care of Mama, Miguel, Beth, and yourself."
"I will. Just watch out for those French guys, I hear that their trouble."
"I think you and Whitney should spend some time together."
"Why?" He asked.
"Because you both worry too much."
"Oh! Give me a hug before you leave." He said pulling her closer to him.
"Thanks, Luis, for always being here."
"No problem. It was fun."
Finally there was Pilar.
"Oh Mama don't cry! You'll get me started." Teresa said with tears forming in her eyes.
"I'm sorry, Mija. You've never been so far from me before. I just don't want anything happening to you."
"Don't worry! I'll be fine. I love you so much, Mama." She hugged her mother and said, "Thank you for giving me the chance to fly. I need this."
"Oh Mija! I want you to be happy."
"And my family and friends make me happy. But I won't be gone forever, so be expecting me back in a week or so."
"Honk, honk!"
"Sis," Miguel said, "their here."
"Oh Look at me! I must be a mess. I bet my eyes are blood shot."
"You look beautiful!" Miguel told her as he carried her things out to the limo.
"Thank you, guys! I love you all and I'll be back." She gave a weak little smile and then got into the limo.
Ethan and Ivy starred at Teresa. They knew that she was crying because she looked like a mess. Her mascara was running.
"Hi," She said smiling.
"Hi, honey. Here you might want to fix your face." Ivy handed her a mirror and some tissues.
"Oh!" Teresa said in horror after looking at herself in the mirror. "I look so bad!"
"It's alright. It's hard leaving your family and friends the first time. You're going to be so far away." Ivy told her.
Teresa smiled. While she was fixing her face she could see that Ethan was starring at her. In fact ever since she got into the limo he had been starring.
"When we arrive in Paris I have a meeting, so Ethan is going to take you out for dinner." Ivy informed Teresa.
"Oh! Okay."
After a 6 hour plane ride, they arrived in Paris. They got into another limo and they were taken to Ivy's meeting.
"Now you two have fun! I'll be at the hotel in about 3 hours." Ivy told them.
"Have a nice meeting." Teresa said as Ivy closed the door.
Now Ethan and Teresa were the only ones left. Teresa sat on the opposite seat of where Ethan was.
"I see you have a camera." He spoke softly.
"Yes." She said nervously.
"You plan on taking pictures."
Teresa thought, "What a stupid question!" She said, "Yes, I do."
"Would you like to take one now?"
"Maybe." She said hesitantly.
"Here." He sat up straight and pressed a button that opened the sunroof. "Stand up and stick yourself out. You can get some nice shots."
"Really?" she asked suspiciously.
"Yes. I've done it so many times. Come on, I'll stand up with you."
"I don't know." She said shyly.
"Oh come on!" He looked at her then made a gesture with his eyes toward the sunroof.
"Alright. For a minute."
"That's all I ask." He said innocently.
They stood up together. Teresa took in the fresh air that hit her face.
"Wow! This is so beautiful."
Ethan was quiet. He stood there watching the wind blow between her long, gorgeous hair.
"Ethan?"
"Huh?" He said waking up from her trance.
"Um...did you want to say something to me?"
"Oh no! I'm going back in, but you're welcome to stay up there."
"No I think I'll go in. My hair is getting all messed up." She tried holding her hair together.
"No it's not." He said quietly to himself.
"Did you say something?" She lifted her left eyebrow up and asked.
"No, Sorry I was talking to myself."
"Oh! Okay, I think."
Ethan laughed, "You sure know how to make a guy laugh."
"What did I say?" She wanted to know because she never could make anyone laugh.
"Oh nothing."
"Okay." She said a little freaked out.
They went straight to dinner instead of going to the hotel.
"So where are we going to dinner?" Teresa asked excitedly.
"Well, I thought we could drive around until you saw a place that you'd like to go to."
"I'd like that."
In 5 minutes Teresa found the perfect place.
"Stop!" She screamed.
"What?" Ethan asked becoming alarmed.
"There!" She pointed to a small restaurant. There were tables set outside with flowers and roses on them.
"You sure?"
"Positive."
"Alright."
They took an outside table.
"This is so pretty!" Teresa said smiling, but then crying.
"What's wrong?"
"I wish....I wish that I was here with somebody who loved me."
"Teresa, but I do."
"No you don't. You're still with Gwen."
"But I'm going to break it off with her. It's you that I love."
"Hold me close, Ethan. Just hold me."
Ethan held her in his arms until their dinner came. After dinner Ethan took Teresa to a jewelry shop.
"What are we doing here?" She asked.
"Teresa, which ring do you like?"
"That one, but why?"
"I'll take it."
Ethan paid for it and didn't give it to Teresa.
"Driver, take us to the spot."
"Yes, sir!"
"What spot?"
"You'll see."
They arrived at what appeared to be a park.
"This is so lovely!"
"I know." He said looking into her eyes. "Follow me!"
Teresa ran after Ethan. Finally she caught up to him by the pond. Ethan was inside a little row boat.
"You expect me to go onto that thing?"
"Yes. And you'll come with me if you like surprises."
"Alright. You win."
Ethan took them all the way to the middle of the pond.
"Now close your eyes." He whispered in her ear.
She could feel him.
"Now open them."
She opened her eyes and was amazed.
"Ethan, did you do this?"
He nodded his head.
There were red roses in the water that said, "Teresa, you are the woman for me! Please marry me!"
"Oh my! Yes, Ethan! I will!" She jumped on Ethan to give him a hug, but knocked in into the water.
She giggled.
"Mind helping me up?" He asked while ringing his clothes.
"Of I'm sorry. I forgot. Of course I'll help you."
As she handed him her hand he yanked her into the water with him.
"Ethan!" She said laughing hysterically.
"What?" He asked playing an innocent pawn in her game.
"Shut up and kiss me!"
He leaned in and kissed her passionately. He swam back to land carrying her on his back. He lifted her in his arms back to the limo. They walked into the hotel soaked. Everyone looked at them in horror. He walked her to her room which was jointed with his.
"Can I see you tonight?" He asked kissing her softly.
"After your mother falls asleep."
"How shall we know when that is?"
"I'll slip a note under your door when the coast is clear."
"Alright."
"I'll see you later."
"Wait! One more kiss for the road. Who knows what time I'll be able to hold you in my arms."
"One kiss and then that's it."
They kissed softly and as Teresa pulled away Ethan pulled her closer. Finally he left go of her for some breath.
"Goodnight, Ethan."
"Night, dear."
ENJOY IT MANDI
Teresa woke up extra early the next morning. She wanted to have enough time to say goodbye to everyone. After a quick breakfast and shower she made her way in the living room where everyone was waiting for her. Even Beth and Whitney had come by. As she skipped down the stairs, Pilar couldn't help noticing that her child was growing up too fast.
"Luis," Pilar said in a whisper, "Theresita is already growing up to be a woman. I never really spent any quality time with her. How I wish Martin and Antonio were here."
"Oh Mama. Teresa has grown up into a beautiful young lady. You helped make her into the woman she is. You may think that you didn't have a big impact on her life, but you did. You are a wonderful mother." He told her honestly.
"Oh thank you, Mijo!" Pilar said beginning to cry.
Teresa approached Miguel first.
"Hey bro! I'll make sure I bring you something back for Charity." She told him.
A hurt look appeared on his face just then and Teresa noticed it.
"Hey, what's wrong?" She asked being the concerned sister that she always was.
"I broke up with Charity."
"Oh! I'm sorry. I didn't know." She apologized.
"It's alright, but you can bring me back something for Kay."
"Kay?"
"Yeah, well I'm trying to get Kay to go out with me."
"Oh! Okay then. Leave it to me." She gave her brother a hug.
"Thanks." He smiled and kissed her.
Then she went to Beth.
"You didn't have to come." She laughed.
"I know, but I wanted to. You're already like my younger sister."
"Awww. That's so sweet of you, Beth."
"It's the truth."
"I'm gonna have to bring you back something that Luis will like." Teresa winked.
"Teresa!" Beth said in a shocked tone.
"Oh please! Like I don't know that you two are um..."
"Shh!" Beth said in a whisper.
"Nobody's suppose to know."
"Okay. I promise I won't tell anyone."
"Thanks. It will be quiet without you."
"Yeah, but when I get back I'll have so much to tell you."
"You're right."
"I'll see you soon."
"Bye." Beth said as she hugged Teresa.
Next was Whitney.
"Hey why are you looking so sad?"
"Well...it's just that you're gonna be gone for a week. Who will I tell all the latest gossip to?"
"I'll make sure to call you every night. How's that?"
"Good! Be careful, I have a feeling something bad is gonna happen."
"You're just excited that I'm gonna bring you back a dress."
"Maybe, but remember to be careful." Whitney said seriously.
"Okay. I'll call you tonight."
"Bye."
Now Luis.
"You be careful you hear?"
"I will, Luis."
"I don't like you going with that Crane boy, God only knows what he's capable of."
"Luis, he's a perfect gentleman."
"Teresa, I know what is going through every 23 year old's mind. I was 23 once myself."
"How could I forget?" Teresa laughed.
"Hey!"
"Take care of Mama, Miguel, Beth, and yourself."
"I will. Just watch out for those French guys, I hear that their trouble."
"I think you and Whitney should spend some time together."
"Why?" He asked.
"Because you both worry too much."
"Oh! Give me a hug before you leave." He said pulling her closer to him.
"Thanks, Luis, for always being here."
"No problem. It was fun."
Finally there was Pilar.
"Oh Mama don't cry! You'll get me started." Teresa said with tears forming in her eyes.
"I'm sorry, Mija. You've never been so far from me before. I just don't want anything happening to you."
"Don't worry! I'll be fine. I love you so much, Mama." She hugged her mother and said, "Thank you for giving me the chance to fly. I need this."
"Oh Mija! I want you to be happy."
"And my family and friends make me happy. But I won't be gone forever, so be expecting me back in a week or so."
"Honk, honk!"
"Sis," Miguel said, "their here."
"Oh Look at me! I must be a mess. I bet my eyes are blood shot."
"You look beautiful!" Miguel told her as he carried her things out to the limo.
"Thank you, guys! I love you all and I'll be back." She gave a weak little smile and then got into the limo.
Ethan and Ivy starred at Teresa. They knew that she was crying because she looked like a mess. Her mascara was running.
"Hi," She said smiling.
"Hi, honey. Here you might want to fix your face." Ivy handed her a mirror and some tissues.
"Oh!" Teresa said in horror after looking at herself in the mirror. "I look so bad!"
"It's alright. It's hard leaving your family and friends the first time. You're going to be so far away." Ivy told her.
Teresa smiled. While she was fixing her face she could see that Ethan was starring at her. In fact ever since she got into the limo he had been starring.
"When we arrive in Paris I have a meeting, so Ethan is going to take you out for dinner." Ivy informed Teresa.
"Oh! Okay."
After a 6 hour plane ride, they arrived in Paris. They got into another limo and they were taken to Ivy's meeting.
"Now you two have fun! I'll be at the hotel in about 3 hours." Ivy told them.
"Have a nice meeting." Teresa said as Ivy closed the door.
Now Ethan and Teresa were the only ones left. Teresa sat on the opposite seat of where Ethan was.
"I see you have a camera." He spoke softly.
"Yes." She said nervously.
"You plan on taking pictures."
Teresa thought, "What a stupid question!" She said, "Yes, I do."
"Would you like to take one now?"
"Maybe." She said hesitantly.
"Here." He sat up straight and pressed a button that opened the sunroof. "Stand up and stick yourself out. You can get some nice shots."
"Really?" she asked suspiciously.
"Yes. I've done it so many times. Come on, I'll stand up with you."
"I don't know." She said shyly.
"Oh come on!" He looked at her then made a gesture with his eyes toward the sunroof.
"Alright. For a minute."
"That's all I ask." He said innocently.
They stood up together. Teresa took in the fresh air that hit her face.
"Wow! This is so beautiful."
Ethan was quiet. He stood there watching the wind blow between her long, gorgeous hair.
"Ethan?"
"Huh?" He said waking up from her trance.
"Um...did you want to say something to me?"
"Oh no! I'm going back in, but you're welcome to stay up there."
"No I think I'll go in. My hair is getting all messed up." She tried holding her hair together.
"No it's not." He said quietly to himself.
"Did you say something?" She lifted her left eyebrow up and asked.
"No, Sorry I was talking to myself."
"Oh! Okay, I think."
Ethan laughed, "You sure know how to make a guy laugh."
"What did I say?" She wanted to know because she never could make anyone laugh.
"Oh nothing."
"Okay." She said a little freaked out.
They went straight to dinner instead of going to the hotel.
"So where are we going to dinner?" Teresa asked excitedly.
"Well, I thought we could drive around until you saw a place that you'd like to go to."
"I'd like that."
In 5 minutes Teresa found the perfect place.
"Stop!" She screamed.
"What?" Ethan asked becoming alarmed.
"There!" She pointed to a small restaurant. There were tables set outside with flowers and roses on them.
"You sure?"
"Positive."
"Alright."
They took an outside table.
"This is so pretty!" Teresa said smiling, but then crying.
"What's wrong?"
"I wish....I wish that I was here with somebody who loved me."
"Teresa, but I do."
"No you don't. You're still with Gwen."
"But I'm going to break it off with her. It's you that I love."
"Hold me close, Ethan. Just hold me."
Ethan held her in his arms until their dinner came. After dinner Ethan took Teresa to a jewelry shop.
"What are we doing here?" She asked.
"Teresa, which ring do you like?"
"That one, but why?"
"I'll take it."
Ethan paid for it and didn't give it to Teresa.
"Driver, take us to the spot."
"Yes, sir!"
"What spot?"
"You'll see."
They arrived at what appeared to be a park.
"This is so lovely!"
"I know." He said looking into her eyes. "Follow me!"
Teresa ran after Ethan. Finally she caught up to him by the pond. Ethan was inside a little row boat.
"You expect me to go onto that thing?"
"Yes. And you'll come with me if you like surprises."
"Alright. You win."
Ethan took them all the way to the middle of the pond.
"Now close your eyes." He whispered in her ear.
She could feel him.
"Now open them."
She opened her eyes and was amazed.
"Ethan, did you do this?"
He nodded his head.
There were red roses in the water that said, "Teresa, you are the woman for me! Please marry me!"
"Oh my! Yes, Ethan! I will!" She jumped on Ethan to give him a hug, but knocked in into the water.
She giggled.
"Mind helping me up?" He asked while ringing his clothes.
"Of I'm sorry. I forgot. Of course I'll help you."
As she handed him her hand he yanked her into the water with him.
"Ethan!" She said laughing hysterically.
"What?" He asked playing an innocent pawn in her game.
"Shut up and kiss me!"
He leaned in and kissed her passionately. He swam back to land carrying her on his back. He lifted her in his arms back to the limo. They walked into the hotel soaked. Everyone looked at them in horror. He walked her to her room which was jointed with his.
"Can I see you tonight?" He asked kissing her softly.
"After your mother falls asleep."
"How shall we know when that is?"
"I'll slip a note under your door when the coast is clear."
"Alright."
"I'll see you later."
"Wait! One more kiss for the road. Who knows what time I'll be able to hold you in my arms."
"One kiss and then that's it."
They kissed softly and as Teresa pulled away Ethan pulled her closer. Finally he left go of her for some breath.
"Goodnight, Ethan."
"Night, dear."
ENJOY IT MANDI