I won the battle, but the war...
Despite Carlos agreeing to date me, deep down I knew it was just because he didn't want to be alone after being in a relationship with someone else for so long. Despite him saying that he loves my company and I always put him in a good mood. We would have lunch together almost every day, I would leave school and wait for him at his house. But as the chapter title says, I had only won the battle.
His ex-mother-in-law was very attached, and even though she knew he was dating, she had the audacity to go clean his house and change the sheets. I thought over time she would stop, but...
We had been dating for two months when one day we were making out on the couch after lunch dared to when I heard someone open the door. Carlos practically jumped off the couch and headed towards the door. I heard the voice of a woman talking to Carlos, and I got up and headed toward the kitchen.
"Carlito, I hope you like the snacks, I made them, especially for you," said the woman who was old enough to be my Carlos's mother. And what was with calling him Carlito? "Now I'm going to clean your house, it's a mess, my young man."
"Thank you for the snacks, Dona Mercedes, but it won't be necessary today," Carlos said quietly, definitely so I wouldn't hear.
"Don't be so humble... The house needs cleaning," Mercedes said, moving away.
That conversation made my blood boil... I, who have been his girlfriend for two months, don't have the key to his house, but his ex-mother-in-law does has. And he acted as if he were alone! They really don't know who Dalia Penedo is. I adjust my breasts in my bra and appear in just my panties and bra, leaning my arm against the door, looking very sensual, while the two of them stare at me in astonishment.
"Love, are you going to take long?" I ask provocatively. Carlos almost has a heart attack, while Mercedes stares at me, blushing. I look her up and down and say, "Since I'm the new girlfriend, when you leave, leave the key because next time I might be completely naked."
Mercedes didn't know where to hide her face, although I have a good idea of a great place, as well as Carlos.
"Sorry for the inconvenience," Mercedes apologizes, handing the key to Carlos and leaving.
I watched her leave with a smile on my lips when I turned around and faced Carlos's fury, with his hands on his hips.
"What's wrong?" I ask, pretending to be innocent.
"You didn't have to be so vulgar," Carlos accuses.
"Maybe if you had introduced me as your girlfriend, I wouldn't have had to do that," I retort, irritated. "And since we're still on the subject: why does she still have your key if we've been together for two months? Why does she have it and I don't?"
"So you did all this because of a key?" Carlos asks, angry.
"No. I did this because I'm tired of seeing her wandering around here freely while I have to wait for you. Can't you see that she only treats you well because you're a doormat for her, or rather, for them?" I accuse, angry. I point at him and continue, "I'm tired of being your girlfriend only within these walls while outside I don't exist."
"Dalia..." Carlos says, indicating that I'm reaching my limit.
"It's true! It's too convenient for you to date me here, make out, but that's all. And I don't want just that! I want more, and I deserve more! I've already told you that I'm going to marry you, Carlos! So you better start thinking about taking the next step if you want to touch my body next time."
"Please, Dalia, you better leave. You've crossed all the limits if you think I'm that kind of guy," Carlos retorts, upset.
"You don't have to tell me to leave because I was actually thinking about it," I reply, heading towards the living room. I put on my school uniform and turn to him, saying, "If you're not that man, prove it."
"What do you mean?" Carlos asks, not understanding.
"Marry me," I answer, looking intensely at him. I don't wait for an immediate response as I see Carlos's shocked look. I walk towards the door and leave, irritated.
As I walk towards my house, I keep thinking if this is really how my relationship with Carlos would end. After everything I've done, a stupid fight ruined everything.
I enter the house and thank that my parents are not in the living room. But I'm not as lucky when I enter my room and find Valeria playing The Sims. I lie down on my bed, still thinking about the argument I had with Carlos.
"Are you okay?" Valeria asks, lying down next to me. She hugs me, and I let a few stubborn tears fall. "You guys fought, didn't you?"
"Carlos is a fool," I exclaim, irritated. I look at my sister and smile, trying to reassure her. "Don't worry, I'll still marry him."
"And does he know that?" my sister asks, apprehensive.
"Now he does," I reply enigmatically.
Several days had passed, and Carlos didn't even give a sign of life. And proud as I was, I didn't go after him either. I was already thinking of another way to win him back.
We were all sitting at the dinner table when the doorbell rang. After a few minutes, our maid came to inform us who it was:
"Mr. Ramon, sorry to interrupt, but Mr. Carlos Salazar would like to speak with you. He said it's important."
My father, Ramon Salazar, looks at me, curious. But all he finds is the surprise of hearing Carlos' name.
"Excuse me, everyone," my father says, getting up. Despite being in his fifties, he's still the type of man who instills fear just by his presence. His graying hair touches the collar of his black suit. Even at home, my father always dresses neatly, which is understandable since he's a diplomat. I get up with him, and he looks at me surprised. Then he orders, "Sit down, Dalia."
"He is my boyfriend, and I have the right to go along with you, as I'm also interested in knowing what this is about," I insist.
"Dalia," my mother scolds me for my audacity. But she knows I'm as stubborn as my father.
"Leave her be, Dulce," my father says, turning around. I almost run to catch up with him. He glances at me briefly, saying, "I hope this isn't another one of your tricks."
My heart races as I walk alongside my father, and as soon as Carlos appears, I feel like my heart has stopped, along with my breath.
"Good evening, Mr. Penedo," Carlos says, pale and nervous.
"Good evening, Carlos," my father responds, with a stern expression. "Let's go to my office."
My father goes ahead, leaving Carlos and me to follow behind. I stare at Carlos, who avoids my gaze. I approach him and whisper almost in a breath:
"What are you doing here?"
"Proving," Carlos replies, walking past me.
My father sits in his burgundy armchair and smokes his pipe. I sit on the couch next to his armchair, leaving Carlos alone on the couch in front of us. His leg is restless, as are his hands, twisting nervously. He takes a deep breath and then begins:
"Mr. Ramon Penedo, tonight I come to ask for your blessing and your daughter Dalia Penedo's hand in marriage. I know it may seem hasty, but I want you to know that my intentions are the best and most respectful possible."
"Well, young man, you are right," my father responds with the pipe on his lips. "You've been dating for two months, and I doubt you're ready for this kind of commitment."
"I am," I promptly reply, receiving my father's incredulous look. "I am ready to marry Carlos. I know enough to marry him."
"Carlos... could you leave me and my daughter alone?" my father asks, which is not really a question but an order.
"Of course, Mr. Penedo," Carlos responds, getting up.
Once my boyfriend left, my father got up from his armchair and stood in front of me. He put his hands on his hips and observed me for a while.
"Before I consider the request of that young man in love, I need to know if this is serious or just a tasteless joke," my father says, thoughtful.
"Well, he said he has the best intentions, and I believe him," I reply seriously. "I don't think he's joking."
"I know he's not, but I need to know from you: Is this serious to you, or is it just another one of your jokes? Are you taking this commitment seriously, or will you get tired and change your mind soon?" my father asks mercilessly. His words offend me. I never thought my father saw me like that. "Because that young man is willing to marry you, now I want to know if that exists inside you too."
"Carlos is the only man I can marry," I answer honestly.
Tears roll down my face, proving the truth of my words. I love Carlos, and nothing can change that.
"Very well," my father says, serious. He goes to the door and lets Carlos enter the room. This time, my boyfriend sits next to me, and his cold hands hold mine. My father stands in front of us and says, "I will only consider giving my blessing if Dalia promises me that she will finish her studies and enroll in a good college."
"Fine by me," Carlos says, smiling at me, but I'm not at all happy to hear that. I glare at my father.
"But that will take a long time," I protest, irritated. "You can't demand that of me."
"Either you promise, or there will be no wedding... the choice is yours, Dalia Penedo," my father declares, imposing his will.