Sweetness

by S Gonzalez

  “You don’t see yourself settling down any time soon?”

  “I do, just…I don’t know. My family and-“

  “Wanda, I love your family but this is your choice not theirs. What do you want?”

  Wanda stops dead in her tracks and a small smile pulls up on the corners of her lips. I glance over to where she is looking and see Luke leaning against my fathers Bentley with his arms crossed over his chest, watching us approach. His eyes soften as they meet hers. For the second time in the span of five minutes, Wanda blushes.

  “Oh yea, that is the look of someone who is undecided,” I tease.

  Wanda breaks from her Luke stupor like a kid who just got her hand caught in the cookie jar. “What?”

  “What? Come on Wanda, I have seen you guys together for like ten seconds and I can tell you are in love him. Have you told him?”

  “Love him?” she pauses then hangs her head when I give her a look that tells her I know her secret. “No. I haven’t told him. I don’t want to give him false hope.”

  “You chicks done bullshittin’? I’m hungry,” Max yells from the car after putting the bags in the trunk.

  Luke greets me with a hug before opening the car door. Wanda attempts to climb in behind me, but Luke pulls her back by her elbow and whispers something in her ear. I watch her expression change from startled to excited; her eyes grow wide and…another blush.

  Wow. I thought I had it bad.

  Wanda settles in the seat next to me and watches Luke cross the front of the car and slide into the driver seat. Her eyes never leave him. Adjusting the rearview mirror so he can look back at her, Wanda gives him a shy wink before he starts the car. I am happy for Wanda, but them loving it up in front of me makes me miss Dominic all the more.

  “So, you guys are hungry, huh? Good thing because, Mrs. Maria Lopez, herself is at our apartment, as we speak, cooking us all more food then we will eat in a week,” Wanda announces proudly.

  “Really?” I ask.

  “Yup, talked to her yesterday and she insisted that since you were on the road for weeks you needed some good food in you. Her words not mine,” she tells me, holding up her hands in a gesture of frustration. “I let her and my father in before I left.”

  “Shit yeah! You can cook Wanda but nobody makes arroz y gandules like mami,” Max says while licking his lips.

  “She didn’t have to go through all that trouble.”

  “Hell, don’t tell her that. Besides I think she is more interested in your engagement, then feeding you,” Wanda teases, raising her brow in curiosity. I told her the basics but wanted to wait until I got home to tell her everything that happened while I was on tour with the band.

  When I look over to Max I can see his face has tensed while he pretends to take in the scenery out the window. Luke readjusts the rearview mirror so he can look at me and for some reason the excitement in this car takes a nosedive.

  “Spit it out, Luke,” I demand.

  “Spit what out? I didn’t say anything,” he responds in a cool monotone voice.

  “You hear everything, Luke. What has my father been saying about my engagement?”

  “That is between you and him, Emma. I am not getting involved in your family drama.”

  “But he is pissed. Right?”

  “Well let’s just say he is not booking the Ritz just yet.”

  “I don’t care,” I say like a petulant child. Even I can hear the rebellion in my voice.

  “This is my life and I will do what I want. If my father doesn’t like it he doesn’t have to come to my wedding. In fact that goes for anyone who feels they know what’s best for me better than I do. I love Dominic. I am going to marry him. End of story.” I cross my arms over my chest and pout. I know this is going to be a tough sell but no one is going to change my mind.

  “I am not your enemy, Emma. If you’re happy then that’s all that matters to me, but you know damn well taking a stand like that can have repercussions. You may want to get that temper of yours under control, girl, before you deal with your father. Spouting off like that will get you no where and you know it,” Luke reasons. And he is right. I have to play this cool with my father. He has the power to make or break my career. I don’t want to push him too far, too fast.

  The rest of the car ride is silent as I figure out how to broach the subject gently. As we pull up in front of my apartment building I see Wanda tense up when Luke opens the car door.

  “I will bring up your luggage Emma, after I park the car,” Luke says to me but looks at Wanda.

  Wanda fidgets from side to side. “Maxcandoit,” Wanda says so quickly I barely hear what she says.

  “The hell with that. If Luke wants to do it, then he can carry them. They’re heavy,” Max mutters as he walks into the apartment building.

  Luke’s jaw clenches and he slams the door, more forcefully than necessary, before returning to the driver’s side and speeding away.

  “What the hell was that about?”

  “My parents are up there,” Wanda yells exasperated. “He asked to meet them and I told him it wasn’t a good idea. I don’t want them interrogating him.”

  I laugh because Wanda has never been more out of her element in her life. She is pale and sweating and I can tell her nerves are getting the best of her.

  “Wanda it will be fine. Just introduce him as your boyfriend. You guys are dating, so what’s the harm?”

  “WHAT’S THE HARM? Did you just say that to me? You know damn well once I tell them Luke and I are dating, my mother will be picking out china patterns and calling Father Rodriguez to see what dates are available. And my brothers…no way.” She shakes her head violently.

  “I’ll help. It will be fine. I think Luke feels the same way about you, that you do about him.”

  “Why do you say that? He has been dropping hints but he hasn’t said anything,” her voice is strained with anxiety. “He’s driving me crazy.”

  “He probably hasn’t told you yet because he doesn’t think you’re ready. Just go with it, Wanda. A hot, older, hot, guy loves you. Enjoy it.”

  “You said hot twice,” she states with a smirk on her face.

  “Because he is twice and hot as most guys,” I joke.

  Wanda scrunches up her face in irritation and lifts her head to the sky. “Holy hell, this is going to be terrible. But you’re right, you’re right. I have to tell them“

  “And him.”

  “-and him. But if this ends badly I am taking something expensive out of your closet.

  “Done.”

  When I enter my apartment I am nearly tackled by Maria and Juan Lopez as they hug and kiss my cheeks. Wanda’s parents are the sweetest people I have ever met. Wanda’s mother stands tall at five foot nothing and weighs probably about a buck fifty. Her round face and warm complexion complements her large round, brown eyes. Wanda’s father Juan, who hugs me like I am in a vise, is a bit of a man at five foot five inches tall. His short brown hair is lightened slightly by excessive sun exposure and his dark tan skin is hard and rough from years of working outdoors as a landscaper. Wanda’s parents always treat people like they are family. They have an open door policy for anyone who needs a warm bed to sleep in and a hot meal. They were Maxs saving grace when he was a kid. If it weren’t for them, there is no saying where he would be today.

  “Emma! Mamita, look at how beautiful you are. Now, let me see that ring.” Maria grabs my hand to get a good look at my ring. Her hand slaps against her ample chest gasping at the same time. “Dios mio, es grande. Juan, mira.”

  Juan whistles through his teeth. “If he calls off the wedding, don’t give the ring back. My cousin, Pito, will give you a good deal at the pawn shop”

  “Idiota,” Maria retorts, smacking him across the back of the head. “A man who gives a woman a rock that big doesn’t plan on leaving.”

  Just then Wanda and Luke enter the apartment, hand in hand. Juan stiffens next to me and Maria’s eyes get glassy. Wanda and Luke are
smiling like love struck teenagers. I am guessing the “L” word was used. From their disheveled appearance I can wager it was sealed with a kiss and maybe an impromptu rub out in the elevator from the flush in her cheeks.

  I know it well.

  “Mami. Papi. This is Luke-my boyfriend.” Wanda looks up at Luke, who stares down at her like he wants to haul her off to her bedroom and fuck her silly.

  Luke releases Wanda’s hand to shake Juan’s hand first. Juan must make up in strength what he lacks in height because Luke flinches when their hands clasp together. Maria refuses his hand when it is offered, and hauls him in for a hug. Luke has more then a foot on this woman but she is throwing him around like a rag doll before hauling him off to the dining room, asking him question after question and shoving food in front of him.

  For the next few hours we eat and drink while catching up on my life on the road. Juan interrogates Luke about his job and family at every pause in the conversation. Maria wants to hear all the details about when and where they met and what their future looks like.

  Yup! Father Rodriguez will be getting a call soon.

  The next morning I drag my tired ass out of bed in order to start my first day back at HMA. All night long I tossed and turned in anticipation of seeing my father today. I have no idea what he is going to say to me, but the thought of him not supporting me in my decision is tearing me apart. I have visions of what my wedding day would be like. What girl doesn’t? I envision my father walking me down a long isle to where Dominic is standing, waiting for me. I want that dream. I want it all. And I want my father to be on board with this.

  Without even realizing it I find myself in the elevator at work. My nerves and brooding about family must have put me on autopilot this morning. When I exit the elevator door to the executive floor I am halted by, Gabe Hernandez, himself. Gabe is leaning against the reception desk with his hands in his pockets and his eyes locked onto the floor. At first sight it looks as though, while I have been out living on the road, Gabe has been hitting the gym. His dark blue suit and crisp white shirt either shrunk a bit, or he has gotten bigger since the last time I saw him.

  When I take a step forward, his head shoots up and his eyes rake my body up and down before a slow smile creeps up on his face.

  Hell, he’s gorgeous. Whoa!? Where the hell did that come from?

  “Emma, welcome back.”

  “Thank you Ga- I mean Mr. Hernandez.”

  “Your father is waiting for us in my office,” he tells me and snaps back into CEO mode.

  “Oh? I wasn’t aware we had a meeting this morning,” I ask, perplexed. My father is rarely in the office anymore and never needs to speak with me. Rather strange.

  “Yeah well, neither was I. He just got here and asked that I wait for you. He must have known you were on your way up. He says it is urgent he speaks with the both of us, first thing.”

  “Okay,” I say cautiously as I follow Gabe back to his office.

  You would think, as a gentleman Gabe would have allowed me to walk in front of him, but I have to say, walking behind him does have its advantages. As if he can feel my eyes on him he looks over his shoulder and smirks when he catches my eyes fixated on his ass. Damn, I hate that he always catches me.

  As I step into the room I can hear my father on the phone. Gabe silently gestures for me to put my stuff down on the table near the door, then motions for me to join him on the sofa across from where my father is already seated. As my father continues his conversation Gabe pours me a cup of coffee and settles in the chair next to me. I glance down at my cell phone just as my father completes his call.

  “Sorry about that. Good morning, Sweetheart,” my father acknowledges with a sickly sweet undertone in his voice. I lift my head up slowly and catch his eyes across the span of the coffee table between us. His toothy grin snaps the hair on the back of my neck to attention.

  “Morning, Daddy.” I cock my head to the side and mirror his fakeness. My expression unwavering against his newly adapted scowl.

  “I guess we should get started,” my father declares. “After much contemplation, I have decided that as of next month I will officially retire from HMA.”

  As my father utters the words I choke on my coffee and Gabe offers me a napkin from the tray in front of me. He certainly didn’t bother beating around the bush. Retire? So soon? I am not ready to take over yet, why would he-. Understanding settles in. But before I let on that I know his game, I readjust myself in a desperate effort to not completely embarrass myself.

  “Really? Why now, Mr. Hill?” My patronizing tone doesn’t go unnoticed by either man. I flash my eyes over to Gabe who genuinely looks just as shocked as I am. At least that’s something. Knowing he wasn’t in on my father’s surprise is comforting.

  “Well, because I think it is time. I am not getting any younger. I would like to spend some time traveling and exploring other business opportunities. I am still the majority shareholder and I will stay on as chairman of the board. I am simply giving up my title as CEO and handing it over to someone who has proven they’re up to the task.” He is doing this to punish me. If this is how he wants to play it then so be it.

  “And who may I ask, will take over as CEO?” I ask my father while still looking at Gabe. His eyes narrow at me. He knows the answer and he knows I don’t like it.

  “Since Gabe has been practically running to company anyway, he is the logical choice. I hoped that one day you could both run this company together but with recent changes to your life plan Emma, I-“

  “Excuse me?” I shoot an irritated look to my father.

  From his unwavering expression I can tell this is about to get ugly.

  “So this IS about my engagement. You are punishing me for choosing to marry Dominic,” I loudly express my displeasure. I stand to leave but throw my napkin at my father’s feet, causing his irritation to turn to anger.

  “You have displayed your inability to make proper adult choices. I am simple protecting the company I built from the ground up. I don’t want all my hard work flushed down the toilet, and my good name dragged through the mud once this…this relationship of yours goes south and the media needs a juicy story to dig into.”

  I step away from the seating area and toward the door, willing myself not to cry with every shaky step I take. “Fine. Whatever. Do what you want. It’s your company.”

  “Emma, sit down, please. Let’s talk about this,” Gabe implores as he follows me.

  I grab my purse and briefcase off the table. I can feel Gabe standing close to me. I can smell him; I can hear him breathing heavy. When I look over my shoulder I see sadness in his eyes. Whatever secret message his is silently offering me, I don’t give a damn. I need to get out of this office before I say something to my father I will regret.

  “Please,” Gabe pleads, so only I can hear him, “just stay. Let me handle this.”

  “There is nothing to handle. Congratulations, Mr. Hernandez. Guess you were right all along,” I mutter as I pull the door to his office open and storm off to my desk. Great! What a great first day back.

  It is not that I thought my father would give me the job of running the company so soon. No. I am not stupid enough to think I could handle that. But him doing it this way hurts. He is not doing it now because he is ready to retire. He is doing it to show me that he doesn’t approve of my decision. A punishment.

  I don’t care what he thinks. He doesn’t even know Dominic. I don’t understand how he can judge a man he doesn’t know. He must have some confidence in Dominic since his firm is handling the promotion of the band. Then again, that’s Gabe’s doing, not my fathers.

  As I turn on my computer I see Gabe’s office door open. My father and Gabe exit the office and head toward the elevator. Gabe’s eyes search mine from across the room and he halts in his tracks. My father turns around and when he sees Gabe staring at me, he clears his throat, breaking the spell. Like the sheep that he is, Gabe follows my father to the elevator, looking
over his shoulder in my direction every few steps. Gabe is my father’s lap dog. My father says jump and he jumps. I know what this job means to him, but have a little selfrespect.

  At five-thirty I turn off my computer and head out. Thank goodness, Gabe never came back after he left with my father this morning. I don’t think I could’ve handled dealing with him again today. At least not without a drink in my hand. Being mindful as to not run into him on my way out, I skulk out of HMA and into a cab, headed for home.

  Home. To my comfy bed, flannel PJ’s, leftovers, and mindless TV.

  When I get in the cab I call Dominic and make him aware of my fathers stunt. I was so busy today catching up on the last few weeks; I didn’t even realize I had six missed calls and four text messages from him.

  “Emma? You okay?” He must be worried because he picks up on he second ring.

  “Yes. I am sorry. I had a rough day. I was busy with work I didn’t realize you called.” I rub my hand over the back of my neck to ease some of the tension.

  “Hell, I was worried sick. I don’t like you running around that city with Glen out there. I am worried he will-“

  “Glen won’t do anything to me. And if he tries, with me in the mood I’m in, I could kill him with my bare hands.”

  “What’s wrong, Sweetness? Bad day?”

  “HA! A bad day would have been appreciated on my first day back. No, this was more of a clusterfuck of a day.”

  “That good, huh. I take it you spoke to your father.”

  “Sure did, first thing. When he announced his retirement and said he is leaving Gabe in charge. You know, I didn’t think he would leave the company to me so soon. NO! It’s not even that. It’s that he gave me some bullshit reason about my recent life choices or some shit. He is punishing me for not making the choices HE wants me to make,” I ramble.

  “And what choices are those? Marring me?” I can hear the disappointment in his voice. I don’t want him to feel bad for this. This is not his fault. It is my control freak of a father who should be ashamed of himself.

  “For one. If it was up to my father he would have me marry someone like Gabe, so we can run the company together. So don’t take it personally if he doesn’t approve. This is not about us, this is about his company.”Dominic is silent on the other end. “Don’t,” I reprimand him.