Chapter Fourteen~ Threats

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Marc POV

I watched as my mother escorted Melanie through the crowd translating and introducing her to everyone. People seem to gravitate towards them as they hugged and kissed her. I watched the interaction and on occasion my mother would look my way with a smile and a wink.

I was standing next to the side of the house watching everyone. I took a sip of my drink and I could feel someone coming up behind me.

"I was wondering when you were going to make your way to me," I said looking straight ahead watching my Cousin Krissy fix Melanie a plate of her empanadas.

"Así é que a súa nova muller?, so she's the new woman?"

"Her name is Melanie and yes she is with me."

"Ela é unha beleza. She's a beauty. Aunt AnneMarie is showing her off as if she is the newest member of the family."

"Yes she is. Do you have an issue with that Antonio?"

I stood there waiting on where this conversation was going. He should have been thanking me that he was out of jail.

"Of course not cousin. Marcelin Hernandez always gets what he wants including the ladies."

I ignored that last part. He was trying to get me riled up but I wasn't going to let him. I tried focusing on Melanie as she sampled the food from the table.

"I hope you have been staying out of trouble Toni. Aunt Jeanette is really sick and I know she needs you to help out."

He chuckled. "Oh that's right, I should be saying thank you for helping me get out of jail although you were the one that put me there, Cousin. Thanks to you I have become a simple man barely making ends meat to support my family. Thank you for that."

Awe here we go.

"You deserved to be in there. I would have never done what you did. You tried to ruin me Toni. I tried to help everyone but you and the others tried to take advantage and I don't like to be used."

"You always thought you were better than everyone else. You could share the wealth. You go to America and then you forgot where you come from."

"You're mistaken Antonio. You had the same opportunities I had. You chose to steal I chose to work for what I have."

"I bet if Sophia was still alive you would be out in the fields. After she died you changed into an arrogant pompous man."

"Call me what you want but I know how to handle business the right way. I've worked hard for what I have. Maybe one day you will see that."

"You don't know what hard work is. Your parents sheltered you while I was in the field working and sweating. You went to school while I delivered bread into town to help the family eat. You should be thanking me for helping to provide food for us."

"Thank you Antonio," I said sarcastically.

"Now you are trying to mock me! You ungrateful porco!"

I laughed. He called me a pig, hell I had been called worse. He was absolutely having a fit. He was getting angrier which made me laugh even more.

"Laugh all you want. I remember when Anton and AnnaMarie had nothing when my parents took their ungrateful asses in when her father disowned her. They could have at least helped my mother out for her generosity for helping them in the past. But no they are too good to help the poor out."

"Antonio I suggest you leave." I was so close to decking him. How dare he talk about my parents? They help when they can and so do I. Sometimes I felt like I was supporting the whole Hernandez clan. He probably didn't even know I flew in the best doctors to help his mother and now she was doing better.

"We are just having a friendly discussion. Are you afraid to hear about the truth? Sophia was too good for you. I have no idea what she ever saw in you. She could still be alive if it wasn't for you. She and I could have been happy together. I saw her first and you came in and took her away."

"Leave Sophia out of this. You are just mad because she chose me over you. Let it go, she's gone and never coming back. Neither one of us will ever have her now."

"Thanks to you."

I took a step getting up in his face.

"How dare you! I had nothing to do with her death."

"Sophia was constantly worrying if she was good enough for you. You treated her like shit. You thought that everything you wanted should be given to you. She would cry all the time as you flirted and cheated on her with other girls. She was special and you treated her like trash."

"Look Antonio, I suggest you leave this property before I throw you out! Your jealous insecurities don't faze me. You are still a little boy in a grown man's body, grow the hell up."

He laughed. "You have taken away everything I ever wanted. Let's see how it feels for you to want something so bad but never get it."

"Don't you dare threaten me Antonio! I was nice the last time, I won't be next time. Threaten anyone I love and Aunt Jeannette will be picking out your casket. I am the wrong one to mess with."

"Then let the games began," he said laughing and I grabbed him by the throat lifting him against the wall. He tried to break free but I tighten my grip. I looked him dead in the eyes.

"I'm not kidding with you, this is the only warning I'm giving you."

"Marcelin," I heard my mother's voice say from behind me. I let him go.

"Deixe-o ir, está facendo unha escena. You two are making a scene!"

"Thank you Auntie. Your son has seem to have lost his manners. America has changed him."

"Tony, your mother would like a drink. Why don't you go get her one," my mother said. She knew something wasn't right. He walked away heading towards his mother.

"You can't let him get to you. He wants to make you seem like the bad guy but you can't fall for it son."

"Where is Melanie?"

"She's over there at the table with your aunts." She pointed to a table in the back. Mel was sitting in between my Aunt Sarafina and Lorita.

A sense of relief came over me. I was ready to shut this party down. I felt my phone buzzing in my pocket. I quickly got it out and saw it was my contact in Singapore.

"I have to take this." I kissed my mother and walked into the house. I answered my phone that was now vibrating in my hand and walked away.

Melanie POV

"So what is this?" I asked Aunt Sarafina.

"Polbo á feira."

I turned and looked at AnnaMarie.

"Just try it honey."

The dish looked pretty good. It looked like ham that was curled up and covered with red sauce and seasoning along with baby potatoes and bread. Aunt Sarafina put some olive oil and paprika on top and placed it in front of me. I took a bite and it was crunchy on the outside and a little chewy in the inside. It wasn't at all what I thought.

"How is it?" AnnaMarie asked.

"Different. I have a feeling it's not ham."

"It's not ham, honey."

"I don't want to know." I quickly swallowed and moved on to the vegetables. I taste tested just about everything on the table. Between the food and the wine I was stuffed and getting tipsy all at the same time. Good thing I had a dress on because I would be like Al Bundy in this place.

"Hey you," Yanica said coming up behind me. I hadn't really seen her since we had been inside.

"Hey. Have you seen Marc?"

"Taking a call. He told me to come and check on you. How is the food? Did you try everything?" She bent down close to my chair.

"Yes." As soon as the word came out I burped up that ham looking dish which sounded like a bullhorn.

"I'm so sorry." I covered my mouth. God I was so embarrassed again.

She laughed. "Octopus and red wine. It happens to me too," she said giggling.

"Wait a minute, did you say octopus?"

"Did you eat the polbo á feira? The red dish right there?"

I looked over where she was pointing. I was about to be sick. I quickly stepped away from the table and ran behind a giant tree that completely covered me.

I couldn't help it as the contents of my stomach came hurling out. I knew it wasn't ham but at least I thought it was close to it. I finally got myself together but when I turned a dark figured appeared.

"Are you okay?" I heard someone say.

"I'm fine."

I looked up to see a guy who looked like Enrique Iglesias. He was wearing black dress slacks with a long white button down shirt. His five o'clock shadow that was neatly trimmed and dark eyes would have a young girl speechless.

"Here you go," he said handing me a handkerchief. I took it and wiped my mouth and hands.

"Thank you."

"You are welcome. I'm Tony and you must be the guest of honor Melanie." He reached out his hand and I shook it.

"That would be me. Nice to meet you Toni."

"It seems you ate something that didn't agree with you."

"I think I ate too much." I moved over trying to cover up my mess.

"Come, there is a well with fresh water over there."

He led the way and I followed close behind. The moon was starting to shine brightly as her rays lit the cobblestone pathway. As we got closer I could see a small lake. I didn't realize how much property Marc's parents had.

"Here you go. It's fresh water." He held up a ladle and I took a sip. The cool water felt good going down my throat.

"So how do you like Galicia?"

"I haven't seen much of it as we just got here today."

"You must make Marcelin take you around. We are not only known for our food, but good shopping too."

"I'm sure we will get out more tomorrow."

"Or will he have you locked up in the barn again," he said with a chuckle.

"Haha very funny. I was waiting for someone to mention that."

"So you work for Marcelin too? That should be convenient."

"Yes. He's a good boss."

"Is that it?"

"Excuse me?"

"You're his girlfriend, he must at least be a decent boyfriend."

"He's a great boyfriend."

"Really? I know Marcelin has always had a lot of woman. He normally doesn't stay with one too long. Although I must admit you're the first one..."

"First one of what?"

"Of your exotic beauty."

"You mean black."

"I was trying to be polite. You Americans can be very blunt unlike us."

"You don't have to sugarcoat your words. I'm a no nonsense kind of woman."

"I like that in a woman." He came closer and I stepped back.

"Marcelin has always been a lucky man. He dated the most beautiful girl in Galicia. He was good in academics and sports. Marcelin Hernandez is the Savior of Galicia."

"You sound jealous," I asked taking another step back.

"No, no, no you see you have it all wrong. The man you are dating is a fraud. He's a devil in disguise."

"Look whatever beef you have with Marc, you need to take it up with him."

I was getting a funny vibe from this guy. He might have been cute but he was getting all up in my business and I wasn't going to let him disrespect Marc in my presence.

"Look, thank you for the handkerchief and the drink of water but I must be going."

"We haven't finished talking."

"I have nothing else to say and I am sure Marc is looking for me."

"Are you scared of the Big Bad Wolf?"

I turned around and looked at him. "When you find him let me know."

I went to turn around to walk away when he grabbed me from behind and I felt something prick my skin.

"Ouch!" I wiggled out his embrace and my vision became blurry. My muscles started to tighten and my legs got weak.

"What's...wrong with me?"

"Don't try to fight it. The more you fight it the worst it will become."

I dropped to my knees. My head was pounding. I tried to scream but my words got caught in my throat. My heart started to beat slowly as I could hear the change of rhythm inside my head.

"Melanie! Are you out here?" I heard Marc's voice.

My eyes became heavy. I could no longer keep my balance as I felt myself being drugged through the grass by my arms.

"Melanie!"

If I could just scream. Come on Melanie! With everything I had I yelled.

"You son of a bitch!" I heard Marc called out before my eyes closed.

Marc POV

"You son of a bitch!" I had Antonio on the ground straddling him and punching him. I had been looking for Melanie for over fifteen minutes. When I noticed she was gone I started to get worried. Yanica told me she had gotten sick and had ran through the grove. I retraced her steps and found Antonio's handkerchief on the ground. I remembered what he said and I knew something was wrong.

"I should kill you!" I called out as I punched him again. He managed to roll us over and he was now on top. He punched me hard knocking the wind out of me. He got up taking off running but I managed to grab his foot. He stumbled and regained his balance.

"You will lose again Marcelin. Everything you touch I will destroy."

I got up and lounged at him and he fell back to the ground. We continued to tousle back and forth. Neither one of us was ready to give up. I head butted him and he wobbled. I took control again and punched him. Once my fist hit the side of his mouth he went down. I turned trying to get my barrens when I saw Melanie on the ground.

I felt my eye closing up and my lip must have been busted. I was almost to Melanie when something hit me across the back. I turned to see Antonio with a wooden boat paddle in his hand. I narrowed my eyes and something flashed before his eyes as he took off running.

I chased him and when I got close he swung and I grabbed the paddle knocking him in the water. My foot slipped and I also fell in the lake.

I tried coming back up to the top but he grabbed my foot. I went straight back down but not before I kicked him in the neck. He had a tight hold and he wasn't letting up. I struggled put finally was able to pull myself up grabbing on to the edge of the pier. As soon as my head was above water I took a deep breath but was pulled down again.

Antonio came up behind me pushing me down below trying to drown me. I wiggled until I was able to elbow him in the ribs. I raised up out the water gasping for breath. He was trying to get away.

"Pare con iso agora!" I heard someone say. As soon as Antonio turned around I put him in a choke hold as he kicked wildly in the water.

"Pare con iso agora! Stop it right now!"

I heard footsteps coming and I felt myself being pulled out the water.

"I am going to kill you!" I yelled out.

My cousin Francisco was dragging Antonio out the water. My other cousin Roberto was the one pulling me out the water.

"Where is she? Where's Melanie?"

He pointed to her lying on the ground. I ran as fast as I could. I kneeled down and checked her pulse. I could barely feel her breath and her pulse was erratic.

"Go get help! Go get Uncle Diez!" I called out to Roberto. I bent down and lifted Melanie in my arms carrying her back to the house.

"Come on baby wake up. Please wake up!"

She didn't move. I wondered what Antonio had done to her. I looked back and saw Francisco giving Antonio mouth to mouth. I swear if anything happened to Mel, Toni would pay.

"Lay her down and roll her on her side," my uncle said pulling out his black bag.

"The ambulance should be here in a minute. What happened? You're wet?"

"I found her on the ground. Antonio did something to her." I could hear the sirens getting closer.

He checked her pulse. "Hold her head up so she can get some air."

"Will she be okay?"

"Do you know what he gave her or why she passed out?"

"No. I heard her call my name faintly and when I got to her she was already on the ground."

"Melanie can you hear us?" My uncle asked but she didn't respond. He checked her pulse again.

"It's getting weaker. We have to get her to the hospital quickly."

The sirens were almost to the house. I hadn't notice the music had stopped and the crowd had started to gather around us.

"Melanie? Marcelin?" I heard my mother say through the crowd.

"Oh meu Deus, o que pasou?," she said looking so sad with her hand over her heart.

"Antonio did something to her."

"Where is he?" she asked with concern.

"By the lake. Can you stay with her?"

"Hurry they are almost here."

I ran off back towards the lake but by the time I got there Francisco was on the ground holding his midsection. I ran over to him. The paddle that Antonio had hit me with was now lying next to Francisco.

"Ten ... distancia. Sinto moito, primo. Sorry he got away, cousin."

I looked around and it was no way I would be able to find him in the darkness. He might have thought he would get away with this but best believe he was a dead man.

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