Chapter L

Secundina climbs the sea of steps with Elian behind her discussing her new condition.

• I'm going to prove to you that I'm not pregnant.
• I don't understand your refusal Secundina — Both looking at themselves in the mirror, he touches her belly, she closes her eyes— Shh! Calm down, you shouldn't feel ashamed, I'm your partner and to me you're beautiful.
• It still gives me…yes, thank you – she opens her eyes, but focuses on looking at him – Maybe I'm changing because of menopause, don't you think?
• No, believe me, I know you're pregnant. – he kneels before her, still caressing her belly – my wild side tells me so.
• Don't tell me you're going to tell me the sex of the baby.
• Despite my long life, I don't have that power. I didn't think so; not even one of my children would be born out of wedlock. So we got married after a few days.
• What do we what? – She has to hold on to him in surprise – Me!

get married?

• Yes, why the question?

—I lost that illusion, hope, or whatever you want to call it a long time ago.

• How does “reality” sound to you, your reality – he kisses her on the lips – your new reality.
• Oh my God! – she sighs – let's do this: I'll take a blood pregnancy test, if it's positive we'll go look at wedding dresses.

deal?

• Sounds fair, deal. Now go to sleep, you must regain your strength.
• And you? Aren't you staying with me?
• I have to go to the company, I am the owner, "in the eye of the master the horse gets fat" not one of my children will suffer shortages.
• Go take a bath while I get your trousseau ready.
• Please let him see me as the owner – he smiles.
• Ha! — Everyone does what they say, she prepares the clothes, as well as the agenda.
• I'm not going to have any breakfast, I still taste the sheep.
• Okay, whatever the boss says.
• Don't tell me, boss, you hear something, I don't know, sarcastic.
• It's affection. – he fixes his tie – what a gentleman.
• Where did you learn? — looking in the mirror.
• Fernando taught me. – he looks at her ugly.
• Calm down – he holds her gaze – it was many years ago, we are thousands of miles apart and I am with you for life
• I can't help but feel that way when you mention it.
• He’s my friend – she stands on her toes to kiss him.
• A friend doesn't kiss you on the lips.
• Werewolves don't even exist, and here we are. —he growls— I'll see you in the afternoon.

He kneels down and kisses the belly.

• Don't wreak havoc on your mother, be a good puppy.

Elian's passion

• "ELIÀN! GET DOWN! WE'RE LATE!" Ciro yells at him.

—See you in the afternoon —she runs out of the room, jumps over the railing.

• "Don't do that! You'll tear your clothes! The floor!" Secundina and Estrella shout simultaneously, one in Greek and the other in Spanish.
• "Is it always like this?" the Mexican woman asks upon arriving with the Greek woman. "Good morning."
• Good morning, madam.
• Only Secundina or Secu.
• I like Secu. Let's go to the kitchen so I can order lunch and dinner.
• Better say what they normally prepare.
• There are about five hundred of us here, including family and workers, doing something that's profitable.
• I see – he’s typing on his cell phone, yawning.
• You're new, go to sleep.
• I'll do it as soon as I see what's going on here. If I'm going to be the new lady, I have to learn the ropes.

Agora Building

Dressed in an elegant gray suit, an imposing dark-haired man gets out of a metallic blue Mercedes GLE-class SUV, behind him, equally elegant and no less imposing, Ciro, they are discussing the matter of the crop fields. In their discussion, they pass by the lobby to go directly to the elevator.

—This year everything is on the line, the pandemic with its ups and downs, the war in Ukraine.

• Have we lost everything in Ukraine?
• Everything, only the land remains.
• It's a real shame.

• The supermarket chain in Australia had to close.
• The big ones or the small ones?

The doors open, the two leave, greet one or another employee, and arrive at the main office where two women were waiting for them.

• Good morning, girls. —Elian greets.
• Sir – says the youngest, sees him calling her, takes the folders and enters behind him – the Reaniellis are waiting for an answer about the trade agreement.
• Let Ciro see that.
• Yes sir.
• Angela – brunette, 1.60 – stops her pacing – I need to organize a wedding for ten days from now.

The woman, who is already over thirty-five, sat down and, without permission, began typing on her tablet.

—Day or night?

• Night, since the Lilin will be guests.
• Very well. At home or in the living room?
• Living room, I don't want anyone in the house to miss the party.
• I highly doubt we'll be able to find a wedding dress in that amount of time. Sir, who's wedding is this for?
• For me. – see how the color drains.

—S.. Yes sir, we can talk to the Amavizca house.

• Try it – he gives her a number – it's my fiancée's, with her everything and with Estrella.
• Their first online meeting is in fifteen minutes, with the Atohi from the United States.
• Perfect! By the way, call the commercial lawyers. I want to see how we can do business with the Buitimeas.

Elian's passion