33: The Website

Marta held her breath and picked up one of the bottles. She was mildly irritated by Mario's categorical statement.
"You say it as though it's specifically about her — and she's still my daughter."
"I won't sugarcoat it, Marta. Melisa behaved like one of those women who trample over others to get what they want."
"She's my daughter." She pulled free of his grip.
"And she dismissed what I feel for you in a violent and offensive way. I didn't like her tone at all — calling you insecure without even knowing it was you."
"She's still my daughter." Marta headed for the kitchen door.
The atmosphere had soured, and Mario felt frustrated.
"Does it bother you that I'm saying you're the only one I want? I don't understand."
"As her mother, it bothers me that you think that of Melisa. It's only natural."
"No, Marta. Melisa may be a good person — and I know she's good at negotiating — but trying to arrange a date with me while mocking the woman I'm in love with is something I won't let go."
"That's cruel."
"As she was cruel to you."
Marta didn't reply. It was contradictory to defend her rival simply because she was her daughter. She stayed silent as they left the flat, Mario locked up and they waited for the lift.
"I genuinely don't understand it, Marta. Would you rather it hadn't hurt me — what she said about you?"
"No — not that."
"Then how do you want me to react?"
"I don't know. I honestly don't know." Marta answered.
Mario exhaled and lifted one finger from his lowered hand, reaching to brush the back of hers.
"I only defended my heart without giving you away." He whispered.
She closed her eyes, breathed in deeply — and at that very moment the lift arrived at the ground floor. She stepped out first.
"I can't blame you for anything, because your father has been manoeuvring the whole time waiting to catch me off guard." She was walking backwards as she said it. "Though of course — I'm an older woman, and Manuel doesn't think he has any competition."
Mario stopped dead, eyes wide.
"Don't be so sure of that — the clause came to me because of what he said about your glow."
"My glow?" Marta also stopped. "Felisa already told me on Monday — even Julián was pleased for me!" She looked up at the ceiling in exasperation. "Because my children think it was with your father — blimey!"
He gave a small smile.
"Let them think what they want — but I have no idea how to hold my father back when it comes to his interest in you."
"Oh, very noble — you defending me on both fronts! Do you think I'm some damsel in distress?"
Mario answered with a touch on her shoulder, stroking it.
They stepped out onto the street like any two people — though the connection between them was truly luminous, even to anyone who happened to notice.
"I don't think these bottles have a particularly attractive cork, do they?" Mario remarked as he held the door open for her.
"Are you planning to collect them, by any chance?" She teased.
"You'd be surprised what you can do with flat corks, mate."
Marta and Mario both turned towards Hugo, who had caught up with them.
"Oh — that interests me!" He clearly wanted to hear more. "You were Hugo, weren't you?"
"Felisa's son — that's right." He introduced himself.
The three of them went up together to the floor where the company was. Marta listened, trying to follow the exchange between Mario and Hugo about woodwork and cork figures.
When they reached the boardroom, Felisa was surprised to see her son.
"We ran into him at the door." Mario said.
"I had to ask Julián if you were with Auntie — he sent me your location as an answer."
"Sorry — I went with Mario to his place to get the bottles." Marta explained.
Hugo raised his eyebrows and smiled. He glanced between them, then turned to his mother.
"You could have told me you were coming to Auntie's company. I went to her flat and it's not exactly nearby."
"You're my son, Hugo — not my father."
Manuel came over and took his son and his wife by the hand, positioning himself between them.
"I've been thinking that the annexe idea might actually be a good one, after all."
"Of course — see?" Marta thought he had finally understood.
Then Manuel leaned towards Marta in an attempt to kiss her — she turned her head just in time for it to land on her cheek, while a furious Mario squeezed his father's hand and pulled it away.
"She doesn't want that, Dad — leave her alone." He radiated controlled fury.
"There's no understanding you, son!" Manuel complained. "You didn't used to think that way!"
"I'm allowed to change my mind!"
Everyone turned to look after Mario's outburst. Marta felt the tension and slipped her wrist out of Manuel's hand.
"Partner—" she addressed the father with a pleasant smile, holding up the bottle "—weren't we going to celebrate GODANE's launch onto the market?"
The uncertainty dissolved entirely. Manuel let go of his son and snatched the bottle.
Mario smiled naturally — that gesture from his father was something he had long since accepted — and moved aside, joining Eva and Ana, who were looking somewhat lost in the conversation Mateo, Marcos and Lucas were having.
Hugo went over to his aunt and her business partner, glancing at Felisa as if asking permission, and broke the tension in his own favour.
"My mother took the trouble of asking me for a quote on a possible redesign of your websites."
"You actually made him get involved?" Marta's tone was sharp with her friend.
"I don't mind at all!" Manuel said with enthusiasm. "It needs doing — and besides, he's your nephew. Shall we hear him out?"
"You need a website that matches the expectations that come with a merger of this scale."
Marta pointed to the table and the four of them sat down. Felisa, who had felt somewhat put on the spot, was finally able to relax, exhaling quietly.
"Go on then." The boss said, her expression expectant.
"I've tried testing two or three models that could be maintained with basic knowledge — and even the most affordable one requires twice-daily updates." Hugo pressed his lips together.
His mother, who hadn't been expecting that, sat back in silence. Marta tried to take in the scale of what her nephew was proposing.
But Manuel — seeing Felisa worried and his business partner calculating — kept his head and broke the ice with a question.
"Are you suggesting you'd like to work with us?"
"I'm self-employed — but yes. It's the best option."