Valentina

I look at my husband as he reads today's newspaper. He has been awfully quiet on the whole subject of Lorenzo and Valeria, which is driving me crazy.

Don't get me wrong, I am not against this relationship. In fact, I am devising a plan or a prank to catch them doing something so they would be embarrassed. I know, what the fuck, but really...imagine Valeria blushing red while hiding behind a shocked Lorenzo.

"So?"

"Oh my god, woman. How are you even sure that they are together?" Gabriel, my husband, asks as he put down the newspaper on his lap.

"It is obvious, Gabi. How can you not see it?" I get mad at him.

"Because there is nothing going on, Lina, trust me. Do you remember how insane I was when we dated? I couldn't hide it. Lorenzo is like his papa, he sucks at acting."

"Oh, no, Lorenzo is like his mama, good at acting."

"When did you even act?"

"I always act like I am enjoying everything you do," I lie.

"You are lying."

"I am not!" I act defensively.

"Okay, so you act when I give you an org-"

"Oh my god! Shut up! Someone will hear you."

I look around the empty living room and thank god that no one heard him.

"Thank god..." I sigh in relief. "Anyways, what should I do?"

"I don't know, you could ask Valeria to pick some oranges from the garden and then tell Lorenzo to help her. You would be on standby in case you see something and then attack."

"Mhmm...not bad for someone who is not listening to me."

"Don't say that, I am." He scolds, making me smile.

"Okay, sorry, baby." I nudge him and this time, he smiles.

The next day, I wait in the kitchen for Valeria to come down. I arrive a little bit early because I want to start my plan early. After a few minutes of waiting, Valeria strolls into the kitchen.

"Mrs. Gonzalez, good morning," Valeria says, surprised to see me.

"Good morning, Valeria, how are you?" I smile warmly at her.

"I am good, thank you, and you?"

"I am well," I reply. "Is Lorenzo up?" I ask, trying to get a reaction out of her and I do.

She blinks fast before replying, "I-I don't know. Do you want me to go and check?"

Mhm...I think that is a better plan.

"Yes, please."

She leaves and goes upstairs. I follow her after a few seconds without her noticing. I see her entering his room and I quickly stand close to the door.

"Enzo, wake up."

1 - She is calling him Enzo.

"Mmm, what?" Lorenzo mumbles enough for me to hear.

"Wake up, your mom told me to wake you up."

"Why don't you close the door and stay here?" he suggests.

2 - He is flirting and god, how many more reasons do you need to believe me? They. Are. Dating.

"This is not the time, come on, wake up."

"Please, just lie down with me for a bit-"

"Well, good morning, Enzo," I say, showing myself.

The look on their faces make me regret I didn't bring my phone and record. They look shocked and Valeria is sitting on the bed, close to Lorenzo and she doesn't know what to do anymore.

I cross my arms above my chest and look at them with the angriest look I could muster. What is a better way than to scare the shit out of them?

How could they not tell me?

"Mom?"

"So, when were you two going to tell me?" I ask, walking into the room, trying to look intimidating.

I look at Valeria's panicked eyes and regret doing this. I wanted to have fun but now I feel like shit.

"Mrs. Gonzalez, I-I can explain-"

"Valeria, breathe, relax," I try to calm her down.

Thankfully, Lorenzo grabs her hand and tells her soothing words.

I walk to her and grab her other hand. "Valeria, I am not mad...I just wanted to tease you, I am sorry."

She shakes her head and says, "No, no, it is okay. I just..."

"Don't worry about it, honey. I didn't even know about you two now, I have known since the first day you dated."

"B-But how?" she asks in confusion.

I look at my son and say, "He shows it too much. This boy can't take his eyes off you. I am surprised he controlled himself till now."

Valeria and I laugh at what I said, and Lorenzo's face flushes.

"Anyways, I'll leave you two together," I say, standing up. "Oh and Valeria, don't work from now on, I will get someone new."

"What? No, Mrs. Gonza- Valentina, please, I don't want to lose my job."

"Valeria, I can't let you work here while you are dating Lorenzo. You are part of my family now and you are one of us. How about you continue your education like you have always wanted?" I suggest, making her eyes light up.

"As in university?"

"Yes, Valeria."

"Mom, I will take care of it, don't worry. Thank you," Lorenzo cuts in and smiles.

"Okay, honey. Now, I will excuse myself because I have a bone to pick with Samuel."

"Yeah, me too," Lorenzo mutters, making me smile at his protectiveness of Sophia.

I am not mad at Samuel, but I would have liked for him to tell me and Gabi that he is dating my daughter. He is part of our family and Gabi is so mad that Samuel and Sophia didn't tell him and me. I would say it is a little bit different than Lorenzo's case, just because one, Valeria has no parents, and two, I know my son will make Valeria happy.

But we don't know Samuel that much when it comes to relationships.

I leave the room and close the door behind me. I am glad this happened because I have wanted Valeria to stop working for a long time, but the only reason I didn't tell her was that her parents were alive and I knew they needed the money. Also, I didn't want to just give her money without working because I knew that she would feel sad about it and embarrassed. Even now, I have made her feel this way, but it is up to no discussion.

I can't let Valeria work now while dating Lorenzo. She deserves the world and I want her to continue her education. I will just get a new maid to help with the house, preferably an older woman because younger ones tend to make a lot of problems and I don't need that.

I walk downstairs and make my way to the living room. Gabriel, Sophia, Samuel, and the new couple are sitting together, waiting for the breakfast that is not going to be cooked any time soon. I will just order from the restaurant.

"Johnny, can you and Cassie order breakfast from any restaurant close to here?" I ask, intending to add Cassie's name so they would understand to leave us alone.

They understood the assignment.

After they left, Gabriel puts down the newspaper and looks at the newest couple.

Well, there are many new couples but...

"Samuel," Gabi starts, getting both Sophia's and Samuel's attention.

"Yes, uncle?" Samuel replies casually, not knowing what is about to hit him.

"I heard you are dating my daughter," Gabi says, going straight into the matter, shocking the couple.

Sam starts getting nervous as a nervous chuckle made its way out. He scratches the back of his neck as he looks between Sophia and Gabi.

"Y-yes..."

"Didn't you think that you should have come to me and told me?"

Samuel is about to reply when Sophia cuts him off. "Dad, I told him not to say anything...I just wanted a private relationship."

"You didn't exactly make it private when you kept on holding hands," I speak this time.

Gabi and I are not mad at them. It is just that Sophia went through a bad breakup in the past and I know Samuel is not like that man, but still, we are so protective of Sophia and Sarah.

"Uncle, I am sorry for not telling you. I just wanted to respect her wishes."

Good answer, one that will make Gabi approve of him.

"If you hurt her, I will kill you," Gabi casually says.

"Dad!" Sophia exclaims worriedly.

"It is okay, Sophie," Samuel says. "I understand, uncle. Don't worry, I will take care of her. Never doubt that."

"Good." Gabi nods and looks at me. "Are they still asleep?" he asks, referring to Lorenzo and Valeria.

I look at my watch and then at him. "Well, it has been fifteen minutes since I came down, and Lorenzo wouldn't get out of bed, so I am certain he tired her and they both fell asleep, again."

"Mom!" Sophia makes a disgusted sound.

"What?" I shrug, not caring that I made it more awkward for them.

"We will be sitting in the backyard till the food arrives," Sophia announces, grabbing her boyfriend's hand, and walking out.

I look at my husband and say, "Well, this morning has been eventful so far."

"Well, whenever you are included, everything is eventful."

"What does that suppose to mean?" I furrow my eyebrows.

"It means I love you, mi flor."

I am blushing.