Valeria

Lorenzo has been acting weird. This morning, he told me that he will stay for the rest of the day at the warehouse. He didn't even tell me goodbye. I also felt that he was mad at me for no reason. I didn't do anything, hell I didn't have time to do anything to make him mad.

I sulk in my bed, not wanting to get up. I am so sad and frustrated. I wish I know what I did, so I could fix it.

I pick up my phone from the side table and send him a message.

Me: Enzo, are you mad at me?

I wait for him to reply but after waiting for thirty minutes with no response, I doubt he is going to reply any time soon.

I put my phone back on the table and step out of the covers. If I stay any longer in this bed, I will drive myself crazy.

What if something happened to him?

I suddenly panic at the thought of something bad happening to him. I quickly wash my face, brush my teeth, and then wear something decent enough to go downstairs.

Stepping into the living room, I see everyone sitting, including Lorenzo, who was holding a cake in his hand, and they yell "Happy Birthday."

My eyes widen in shock for two reasons, one, I forgot that today is my birthday, and two, Lorenzo has been here the whole time while I was sulking in my room.

"Happy birthday, mi amor," Lorenzo says with a smile. He walks my way and stands in front of me. "We wanted to surprise you in the evening, but with the message you sent me, I was sure that you were going to be sad the whole day until then, and I didn't want that."

I blush at what he said and my heart flutters at how much he cares. I absolutely had no idea that today is my birthday and I thought that I had done something to make him push my way like that even if it was for a few minutes.

"I thought you were mad at me. You have been acting weird since yesterday," I say.

"I am sorry, my love. I just wanted to surprise you with your birthday and was afraid that if I stayed with you then I would tell you and ruin it," he explains.

"Thank you so much, Enzo. I love you," I say, shocking myself and him. His eyes light up and he smiles. "I love you too, Val."

And we kiss.

"Happy birthday, honey," Valentina says, hugging me.

"Thank you, Valentina."

"You can call me mama, now."

"I...thank you, mama."

I feel overwhelmed that she told me to call her mom. I have been dreaming for years to have a mother like her. I remember how much I loved talking to Valentina and wanted to stay at her house and work. I didn't want to go back home to my own mother.

"And you can call me, papa. Happy birthday, mi hija," Mr. Gonzalez says. I am shocked a little bit honestly because he is a man of few words. I am even scared to call him by his first name.

I smile warmly at him and say, "Thank you, papa."

The rest wish me a happy birthday and I thank them all. I cut the cake and Lorenzo took a few pictures of me, as well as, Sophia and Sarah.

Lorenzo stood beside me and told Sarah to capture a picture of us together. He wraps his arm around my waist and poses for the picture. I couldn't take my eyes off him, so that was my pose as Sarah took the picture.

We eat and cake and they give me the gifts they got me. Lorenzo got me flowers to plant in the backyard and a butterfly necklace because according to him, butterflies remind him of me. Sarah and Sophia got me a basket full of goodies, from skincare to body and face care.

Valentina stands in front of me and hands me an envelope. I take it hesitantly, not knowing what is inside and hoping it is not money.

I carefully open the envelope and inside is a piece of paper. I take it out and open it. It is an acceptance letter from the university here in Seville. I look up at Valentina with wide teary eyes.

"Y-You...you—"

"Valeria, you are going to continue your education as you have always wanted."

"B-But I can't-"

"Yes, you can and you will," she sternly says, knowing that I was going to refuse this gift just because she will have to pay for four years of my education, which makes me feel like a hypocrite of some sort.

"Thank you so much," I say, hugging her. "I won't forget this."

"You are welcome, mi hija. I am so excited for you to embark on this new journey."

I hug her for a few more seconds before papa clears his throat, gaining my attention. I break out of Valeria's embrace and look at her husband.

"I bet my gift is better," he says with a smirk. He pulls something out of his pocket and hands it to me. I take it in my hands and my heart stops for a second.

"This is for you. You will need it to go to university."

He gifted me a car. A car.

A CAR.

I look at him dumbfounded because I have never thought that one day I'd have a car. I don't even know how to drive.

I pull him for a hug without saying anything, yet. I feel so overwhelmed because no one has ever done something like this for me besides Charlotte.

"Thank you so much," I murmur, hugging him tighter.

"You are welcome. Lorenzo can start teaching you how to drive in the meantime."

At the mention of Lorenzo, I glance to my right only to find him wearing a scowl. I furrow my eyebrows in confusion at his sudden mood change.

"Are you okay?" I ask.

"You just had to get better gifts than me...I was supposed to be the star, not you," he grumbles at his parents, making us all laugh.

I walk to him and hug him. "You will always be my star, Enzo. Little star."

"You know I am not little."

"Lorenzo!" We all scold, making him smirk.

"By the way kids, your uncles and unties and their kids are coming tomorrow to visit. I expect every one of you to be here and no excuses," Gabriel announces. His voice is strong and firm, leaving no room for discussion.

All of us nod, knowing damn sure that there is nothing we could say to avoid this. Honestly, I am very excited to meet his family, but I hope that they accept me with no judgments. I understand that some rich people tend to look down on the lower class just because they don't have much money. But I am sure that Gabriel's brothers and sisters do not think like that.

I remember meeting one of his sisters last year when she came to visit. His siblings do not live in Seville, so it is hard for them to visit a lot.

"Also, any new news about Kilian Ramirez?" Gabriel asks Lorenzo.

"Well, we got his brother. Now, we are waiting for him to come to us."

"How do you know he will come?"

"We sent him pictures of his brother and he threatened us. I am sure he will stop by."

"Does he know that his brother is a hostage in our mafia?"

"No, but he will soon when he contacts us again to meet."

"Okay, good. Make sure that he is not left unpunished."

Valentina huffs and looks at her husband with annoyance. "Didn't you say that no more work talk because Lorenzo will handle everything? Why are you interfering?"

"I can't help it, mi amor. I need time to adjust," Gabriel replies.

Lorenzo laughs and says, "It is okay, mom, I will always learn from him."

She glares at her son and shuts him up as if telling him that she is not doing it for him, but for her. She wants her husband's mind, body, and soul to be with her 24/7. I don't blame her, I want Lorenzo too.

"Fine, honey, I will be better," Gabriel says, earning a "good" from Valentina.

I shut everyone out and look at the letter again. I read that the semester will start in two months. Good. I have whole two months to get ready for it. I know it is a long time, but still, I am very excited and I can't wait to start this new journey.

I smile as my eyes remain on the letter when Lorenzo nudges me. I look up at him and shake my head, asking what is wrong.

"I want to put the necklace on you."

"Okay." I smile and pull up my hair.

He sneaks the necklace and claps it. I turn around to face him and he nods his head in agreement.

"It looks beautiful on you."

"Thank you, Enzo...for everything."