By the end of the lunch Valerio and Carla were in serious and deep conversation about the restaurant idea he told Lucrecia about just that morning. She was watching them in silence and admiring how far both of them got. Yes, Valerio still loved to party and she was sure he partied hard, but he finally got that clever, business oriented side out to play too. Carla was not stupid. She did have money, but she also was very careful with it and how she invests it. During the time she was out of Spain, Valerio took care of her bodegas, he made her incredible amount of money and every house in Spain had at least one of her winery products.
''I love the idea, but I think you should do it under the name of your agency… I will help in any way you need, but I think it's time for me to taka back my company and let you develop yours. I know there is so much more in you Valerio and I don't want my bodegas to hold you back. We can still work together, but I think you could do so much better on your own getting more clients and doing your marketing and business magic.''
Lucrecia watched Valerio's face. She was ready to tear Carla down if she saw any trace of negative feelings on his face… Valerio was silent, a bit sad, but he didn't look disappointed. He looked like he was getting ready to say goodbye to something he loved.
''You think I can make it in this business by myself?''
''I think it shouldn't be your side thing, but main thing… You are good Valerio; actually, you are amazing in doing this job. I don't mind you in my bodegas. If I am being honest, I feel better with you there, but I think you need to grow and accomplish more. I think you are bored doing this job and few side jobs you do from time to time are like fuel you need to kill the boredom of working for me.''
''I guess you are right… I love my side job…''
''And all the things you did for my company and events you created… That is hell of a calling card Valerio. And if you want, annual wine ball will always be your event to create.''
''I love the idea. This year we could do masquerade ball. Costumes could be just in three colors… gold, red and white, that are the colors of your winery…''
Carla nodded.
''I love the idea. It will be my pleasure to work with you on this Valerio…and then we say good bye so you would finally realize your full potential…''
''Thank you Carla for giving me a boost again.''
''That's what friends are for… You saved me Valerio and you had no idea what you did.''
''What do you mean?''
''With you taking over my position in the company, you saved me from staying with my parents and becoming even more disappointed and toxic person. I spent years away from here and I did some unexpected growing up. I had time to think about what I did living here… To think about all the lies, all the wrongs…and even Polo and Marina.''
Mentioning Polo did something to Lucrecia. She felt like she was kicked in the gut.
''His death… His death made me think hard about who was I becoming. I used to love him at some point. I was in love with him and we've spent years together…being this picture perfect couple and covering the cracks in our relationship. We were supposed to be the end game and I did what I did… First I accepted to add Christian to our relationship and I realized I love being with him more than with Polo. He was amazing in bed and his manners did need a lot of brushing up…''
That got Lucrecia to smirk. His manners needed to be worked on pretty hard and his way of speaking was getting on her nerves…
''But I realized I found that also sexy about him. Polo was too polished and sometimes very boring. He had dirty idea here or there, but bottom line is that he became interesting with Christian added to the mix and I found Christian more interesting than Polo. I stopped loving him long before any of that happened.''
She took some wine before she continued speaking.
''I helped cover Marina's murder because I felt like she betrayed me and she deserved to die. She sold us all up for a man who was not part of our circle and who was a lowlife in our eyes. I couldn't forgive that to someone I believed was my friend and part of my circle. I admit, I wanted her dead… And Polo made that happen, without me even saying it. In doing so, he got back something that could destroy my dad's business if it got to the wrong hands… He killed her for his own reason…that had to do with me… That is a lie… It had to do with me… but Marina got to his fragile ego and died because of it… He didn't do it for me…And I covered up for him because I owed him. He saved my dad and winery with that murder.''
Lucrecia took some of her water.
''Why did you cover for me?''
''We are friends Lu… And I know you would have done the same… We stick together… We are not perfect, we say to each other a lot of bad and hurtful things… But in the end, we are here for one another… You are by my side no matter what when things get bad. So, I couldn't let you take the fall for something we all wanted to do…''
Lucrecia was pretty sure Carla was right. All of them had a reason or two to want him dead…
''Being away helped me work on myself and forgive myself for the things I did in the past. I made peace with myself and choose life instead of constant questioning myself and asking myself how actually I resemble my parents… I spent summers traveling around, having fun, drinking all the good things, partying with the kids like us…''
Then she looked at Valerio and winked.
''Having sex with whomever I wanted wherever I wanted….''
''Lucrecia looked between two of them and the look she gave them made Valerio turn very serious.
''No, never happened… I just told her to let loose… I was not participant in that… I promise.''
''Good…''
Carla smiled at them.
''No, I've never slept with him, but he often had to listen about some life dilemmas I had. We are friends…and I thrust him… You know I don't say that for anyone. But I trust Valerio. He had my back when it was messy and I don't forget that. So, there might be some phone calls at strange times or long conversations in private…''
''I am ok with that. As long as you keep your hands to yourself… I don't mind you being friends.''
''Thank you Lu… We were in desperate need for your blessing.''
''Don't push it Carla.''
Valerio's phone rung and he got up from the table and went outside. Lucrecia was wondering what was that about since he didn't answer in front of them. Out of the corner of her eye, she saw him talking to a beautiful brunette that gave him something red. They both looked very happy and smiley and Lucrecia wanted to strangle them….especially him…There were few very dark thoughts in her head about him being with someone else, but she shut them down. He showed up with a huge smile and gift box.
''What is that Val?''
''You will see after lunch…''
She just gave him a look warning him to behave and he smiled at her.
''Don't worry Lu. She is just someone who helped with your gift. I promise…''
She didn't really believe him, but she choose not to make any more comments.
''Lovebirds… I have few more things to say… On Saturday Polo's mothers are making that anniversary thing and they wished for all of us to show up. There are some things you should know… I guess Valerio knows if he was paying attention to what I was texting… So, Cayetana works at our school and she is in charge of the cleaning stuff. She is married to a man who works at school as… I don't know what. He is in charge of all the repairs, and technical things… Samuel and Rebeca are engaged to be married. She is pregnant so I guess her mom wants them to marry.
''Samuel and Rebeca? Getting married?''
''Yes, Lucrecia, they are together for few years now.''
''I know Omar told me… But marriage?''
''What is wrong with it?''
''I don't know… I just never saw them heading that way.''
''Well, people can surprise you.''
Lucrecia noticed that Carla was not too happy about the news she gave them.
''Are you ok with it?''
''Why wouldn't I be? I choose to end that relationship. He betrayed me and I don't forgive easily Lucrecia.''
'' I know, but last time we all saw each other, you had feelings for him.''
''Yes, I HAD.''
''Ok… Whatever you say Ice Queen.''
Valerio touched Lucrecia's leg under the table to get her to stop talking. That also meant that she will grill him for whatever he knows when they get alone.
''As you know, Nadia dumped Guzman and got married in the states, and that makes him very hard drunk. He is still recovering from that, so my wild guess is that he will try something with you Lu… Some habits die hard.''
Valerio got nervous and Lu saw it.
''He can only try. I am no that stupid anymore… And I am where I want to be in life now. I will not let Guzman drama to drag me down anymore… I have Val and that's all I ever really wanted.''
''Good to know.''
Valerio smiled at her and they shared a moment of holding hands under the table and smiling at one another like two idiots.
''One more thing… My dad wants to make some big cocktail in our house… You are invited… BUT…''
Before Carla could finish, Valerio just nodded and spoke.
''Daddy will be there…''
''Yes, your parents are coming Lucrecia… I am telling you this so you two would not be surprised or feel ambushed. Your parents are coming and they are still friends with my dad.''
''Ok… We will survive facing them.''
''Ok. It's up to you to decide if you want to come or not.''
Lucrecia looked at Valerio and back at Carla.
''Oh, we will be there.''
''Ok, now we covered everything…''
After lunch, he walked Lucrecia to the car and opened the door.
''I promise, I have nothing to do with Irene… She was just executing something I asked her for…and that is your present Lu. I promise… You know I would have told you if anything happened between us.''
''I know.''
''Good, now, open the box and put the blindfold on.''
'What?''
''You heard me.''
''Blindfold? And drive around like that?''
''Yes.''
''Valerio…''
''Please… For me… I don't want to spoil the surprise…''
''Fine…''
They drove for forty minutes and Lucrecia had no idea where they were going. She could recognize by the change of the sounds that they were leaving city center and driving somewhere more quiet. Then the car stopped and she heard gate open. Valerio started the car again and drove few more seconds. She heard the gate close and Valerio open his car door. Then she heard him walk to her side of the car and open her door.
''Give me your hand Lu.''
He helped her out of the car and next thing she felt was that she was being led somewhere.
''Can I take this thing off?''
''Yes, you can.''
She removed blindfold and was faced with a beautiful house. She turned to him in awe.
''Valerio, what is this?''
''Welcome home Lu… This is your house…''
''My house?''
''Well, our but it can be yours if you want to live alone…''
''No, it's our house… ''
She repeated few more times that it was their house…their home before he offered his hand to her.
''Shall we?''
''Yes, take me home Val…''
They got to the front door and he took the key out of the box. He opened the door and picked up Lucrecia to carry her in. She held on to him, but she was laughing and screaming from the surprise.
''What are you doing?! Are you insane?!''
''You know I can't carry you over the threshold in the traditional way…So, this is all I can give you Lu. I promised to you that I will give you back all that you lost because of me… There are some things I can't give you, but this is one of the things I can. I can give you a home and I can give you a promise that I am all in…if you'll have me. ''
''And I am taking it Val…I'll take anything we can have… But I don't need this big house or anything else to be with you. I just want you… Don't ever doubt it.''
''I love you… I love you so much Lucrecia.''
''I love you to… ''
They shared a kiss and she smiled at him.
''Show me our home Val…''
He put her down and took her hand. He took her outside and she fell in love with the view. House had outside pool and in the basement it had inside pool too, but on the opposite side of the pool entrance was wine cellar that was already filled with their favorite brands. He took her to the corner and pressed the elevator button.
''Elevator in the house?''
''Yes, but you can always use the stairs if you want.''
''No, this is exciting…''
They got to the first floor and he took her to the double door. He gestured for Lucrecia to open them and when she did, she was faced with beautiful bedroom that had view to kill for. Everything was black and white and they had huge four-poster bed. On the left was big bathroom and walk-in closet that they both knew would be full in matter of months. On the right side of the bed was exit to the terrace and they had view on the garden and the city. Seeing the city, Lucrecia knew where they were. They were few blocks from the old house.
''So, living close to mom and dad?''
''This is the most exclusive part of the city. Only place we can have privacy. We can't be photographed here… Paps would have no access to the bedroom or anywhere they can catch us in the act… Indoor pull is also very hard to access… So, all the places you love to get down and dirty are safe… This house is our little fortress Lulu…''
He took her hand and kissed it.
''I know I can't give you what you deserve… If you stay by my side, you will never be a wife, you will never be a mother and there will always be that fear of being discovered hanging over our head. This is all I can give you Lu… I can give you my love, I can give you all I have and I can give you a home where you can be whatever you are or want to be…''
She unzipped her dress and let it fall on the floor. She came closer to him and kissed him. He followed her lead and started removing his clothes. They made love in their new home for the first time and there was no way to describe or express how happy she was. They made it… They had their own peace of heaven now and they would both protect it and fight for it with all they have.
''You were wrong Val all these years ago.''
''What?''
''You said that dad never gave us nothing good… I can't agree… Thanks to him being a dick he is… I've got you. You are the greatest gift he has ever given me…and I will be forever thankful for it.''
''I love you.''
''And one more thing Val… This house is amazing…but you are my home…and I will be at home wherever you are… Just so you know.''
''Me too… Me too...''
They spent the resto of the day wondering around their new home and making planes how to decorate some empty rooms. They were painfully aware that having children together was not in the cards for them, but they knew what they were getting into when they choose this life. And they were ok saying good bye to those dreams and making new ones come true.