The Forbidden Promise

by Helena Rose

  She roused herself quickly from her thoughts. She had to hurry if she wanted to get to the church on time. I’ve a duty to preform ... I have to do it for my baby.

  Aurora woke up early, went to the kitchen to get something to eat then quickly returned to her room, she wanted to avoid meeting Lucas until the time of the ceremony. She put on a light dress of turquoise blue and gathered her hair into an elaborate hairstyle. Then, sighing, she went downstairs.

  Lucas was waiting for her in the living room, still and silent. When she raised her eyes to look at Lucas’ face, she saw a cold and hostile look that froze her heart. She immediately averted her gaze, unable to bear seeing so much bitterness in those beautiful green eyes that she loved but that had also made her suffer so much.

  They went out into the street and Aurora saw Santos already in the driving seat of the carriage, ready to take them to church.

  Aurora hesitated a moment, then forced herself to speak in a firm and cold voice.

  "I'd rather walk. I'm going to the church on foot."

  Without waiting for an answer, she turned and walked down the street, when suddenly she felt someone pulling her by the arm.

  " Where do you think you are going alone?" Lucas asked, his voice vibrating with anger. "I’ll not let you make a fool of me in front of the whole of Tampico. I came here just because you convinced me that it was time I took up my position in society. I don’t intend to look like an idiot because of you! If you want to walk to the church, you’ll go there on my arm!"

  Aurora chewed her lips annoyed.

  "Let me go," she said articulating every word well. "You're hurting me."

  In response, Lucas let go of her arm, but he took her hand and put it in the crook of his arm.

  "I said we're going to church together, like a perfect couple. We’re in front of the whole world, right? Is this not what your damn pact envisaged?"

  Aurora chose not to answer. She preferred not to fight before meeting her parents, in fact she must try to cheer up as much as possible as otherwise they would suspect something.

  They walked in this way along the road towards the church, while Aurora tried to think about something else, so as to leave no room for the disturbance that Lucas’ proximity was causing her.

  As they maintained a rather fast walking pace, they were among the first people to arrive at the church. They stood waiting for the other guests and fortunately Aurora’s parents arrived not long after.

  When Doña Viviana saw them in front of the main door, she hurried to meet them followed by her husband Don Costantino.

  "My dear, it’s lovely to see you, Did you have a good trip? You look very tired," she said worried.

  "Good morning, mother, father. The trip went well thank you." Replied Aurora.

  As usual Doña Viviana avoided talking to Lucas. Don Costantino remedied this after giving his wife a reproachful glance.

  " Lucas, good morning, I trust you are well. Tell me, how’s the work at the hacienda proceeding?"

  " It couldn’t be better," Lucas said, trying to mask his feelings. "The mine has been reopened and the extraction of silver is in full swing. Even the fields under cultivation promise a good harvest if the weather remains favorable."

  "I'm glad, a determined young man like you deserves all the success possible." Replied Don Costantino. In the short time he had known Lucas, he had seen his value and was sincerely convinced that the boy who had been so unlucky, would find the place he deserved in the world. Of course he had never said a word of this to Viviana who continued to oppose all members of the Navarra y Reyes family, but he was confident in his heart that Aurora could not have married a better man.

  Shortly after, they decided to enter the church together with the other guests. They took places about halfway down the aisle and waited for the arrival of the bride and groom. For a moment Aurora relived the time of her marriage, when naive and trusting, she had advanced down to the same aisle, dressed in white, to join Lucas.

  Aurora felt her mother next to her stiffen and shook herself. She saw a woman enter the church elegant, pale-skinned, dressed in an elegant black dress decorated with silver lace with long black hair that was braided around her head and dark eyes that stared straight at the altar.

  She walked majestically down the aisle and sat in the front row. Here she is, the infamous Doña Raquel Navarra y Reyes.

  Aurora could not help raising her eyes to see Lucas’ expression, but he looked impassively straight in front of him and Aurora could not decipher his emotions.

  "Here’s the bride and groom, the bride and groom are here!" an excited murmur swept through the waiting crowd.

  Federico walked down the aisle with haughty and bold steps, his black suit enhanced his complexion and his glacial eyes. His eyes rested now on one guest now on another, eyeing everyone. Then he saw Lucas, for a moment the two brothers faced each other in a silent battle, hatred, malice, revenge were the feelings that pervaded Lucas’ soul, while scorn and a sense of superiority could be read in Federico’s expression.

  Exclamations of awe and wonder rang out along the aisles. Marisol had arrived. She was wearing in a beautiful white dress the like of which had never been seen before in all Tampico. The precious gown, rich in fine lace, had arrived a few days before sent especially to her by one of the best fashion houses in Paris.

  She proceeded forward safe on her father’s arm, Don Miguel Vargas de Coronado, Count of Rivera, but her face was strangely not beaming as would be expected of a bride in love. Instead, a veil of concern and regret darkened her beautiful features.

  The church was decorated with a profusion of fragrant flowers, and the choir sang the hymns flawlessly, everything was perfect, appropriate to the marriage of the young scions of the two most important families in the city.

  At the end of the ceremony, Marisol and Federico, now married, left the church to celebrate the union of two families rather than the closeness of their hearts.

  In the meantime, outside the church all the residents of Tampico had gathered curious to watch the extravagant event.

  Alma tired and out of breath, reached the main square already crowded with people, at exactly the same time as Federico and Doña Raquel’s carriage stopped in front of the church.

  On seeing her beloved, Alma almost fainted from agitation. She tried to make her way through the people, not minding the confusion that reigned.

  Her eyes were fixed on Federico’s handsome, cold face, while she tried to attract his attention by shouting his name. People would definitely think she was crazy, but nothing mattered to her. She thought only of reaching her coveted goal, when suddenly she felt someone grab her arm and drag her to one side of the square.

  Alma turned terrified. She saw two fiery eyes looking angrily at her with lips tight in a grimace of anger. The hand gripping her arm increased its grasp on her, so much so that she gave a cry of pain.

  Penelope stared at her furiously.

  "What the hell are you doing here? "She asked angrily, "Why aren’t you locked up in that damn brothel?"

  Alma did not answer, but the grip on her arm increased. She felt Penelope’s nails digging into her flesh and she groaned again.

  "Answer me," ordered Penelope.

  "I've escaped," whispered Alma, trying to free herself from Penelope’s grip. In response she was griped tighter.

  " And what did you think you were going to do? Poor fool, you weren’t really thinking of creating a scandal?"

  "It's that Federico ... he ... he can’t marry someone else. I’m expecting his child and I have to stop him from making a mistake."

  Penelope slapped her viciously.

  "Quiet, you idiot," Penelope shouted, pulling her away from the square and stopping in a side street, away from prying ears.

  " You’ll do nothing, do you understand?" She ordered firmly.

  " But he can’t do this to me ... to our child ..." Alma began to sob in despair, leaning against the wall of a house.

/>   Penelope released her grip on Alma's arm and looked at her with a mixed expression of pity and disgust.

  "Fine, now let me explain." She said, her voice quieter. "The cards assured me that you’ll be happy with him one day, you know that. Today’s marriage isn’t important, he’s getting married only to please his mother, don’t worry. It’s you he will truly love. But how do you think he will do so if you create a scandal today? He’ll never forgive you if he’s made a fool of in front of all Tampico!"

  Alma cried desperately.

  "But then what must I do?" She asked through tears.

  "You have to be patient, only in this way will you finally win him." repeated Penelope almost bored with saying the same old lie. I must try to be more convincing ...

  " Now go back to Gonzalo’s." Ordered Penelope.

  "No," replied Alma vehemently, "I’ll never return there again."

  Penelope gave her another slap.

  "Listen child, I’ve no time to lose, is that clear? You're coming with me now to Don Gonzalo’s or I’ll put a death spell on you. You already know that I’ve made a doll with your hair, don’t you? I only need to stick in a couple of my pins and for you and your baby it will be over ... "

  " No, I beg you, no! "Alma pleaded.

  "Then obey me, walk!" Penelope grabbed her again and led her back to the venta. Alma, terrified by Penelope’s words and the beatings that she would surely receive gave only feeble resistance.

  Tears fell down her cheeks as she let herself be dragged back to her prison.

  Don Gonzalo was awaiting furious. When he saw Alma come back accompanied by Penelope he began to rage at Alma.

  "Where have you been you stupid slut?" He yelled, attacking her. "Do you want me to get into trouble with Don Federico by any chance? Don’t you dare run away again!"

  Alma gave him a look full of hatred. Feeling challenged for the first time, Gonzalo became even angrier, raised his hand and violently slapped Alma who due to the blow, slammed into one of the red velvet chairs that furnished the room.

  Alma tasted the tang of blood in her mouth, but what made her more terrified was the strong pain she felt in her stomach. Then she realized that hot liquid was wetting her thighs.

  " My God," cried Alma crying. "My baby, damn you!"

  Penelope immediately leaned over her.

  " Your waters have broken... you’re giving birth!"

  " My baby! I want my baby to be saved!" sobbed Alma.

  Penelope turned to talk to Gonzalo.

  " Take her up to her room, I'll see what I can do." She gave him a warning look. "See that you treat her well, her child could be useful to us. Remember who its father is."

  Gonzalo grunted an affirmative answer, he took Alma, who was crying uncontrollably, in his arms.

  Don Hector also attended the wedding unnoticed. The news of the wedding had reached him and he could not resist the temptation to attend. Just before the ceremony he slipped inside the church. He mingled among the crowd of onlookers who thronged near the doors. He watched Doña Raquel’s haughty behavior and recognized Lucas among the guests. It had not been difficult, Lucas looked so much like his father Don Eduardo as to leave no doubt. A great sadness came over him as he looked at Lucas, his cowardly act had sentenced Lucas to a life far more miserable and difficult than his birth had destined for him. Hector was astonished to see Lucas talk to the Vargas De Coronados. He would have to investigate what relationship existed between Lucas and Vivian’s family.

  When his eyes fell on Federico, he was struck by the similarity between them. This is my son, without doubt. He has my features, my eyes, my guilt is therefore so obvious ... My God, if only I had had more courage.

  Chapter 12

  The wedding reception was held at the Navarra y Reyes hacienda. In the garden, in the shade of climbing plants whose flowers filled the air with heady scents, long tables had been set up sumptuously laden with food.

  Doña Raquel had spared no expense to ensure that the party would be an event talked about all over Tampico for a long time to come. The servants diligently ran to fill glasses and plates and guests were able to enjoy all sorts of delicacies and exquisite food while being entertained by music and dancing.

  Federico and Marisol sat at the table of honor, from where they could observe all the guests. Federico sat erect and after a few glasses of wine, began to laugh uproariously. Marisol, trying to maintain an air of haughtiness, looked at him shocked and embarrassed.

  Aurora and Lucas, after formally congratulating the bride and groom sat down next to Viviana and Costantino. The places assigned to them were a long way from those occupied by the other Navarra y Reyes and emphasized in everyone’s eyes that as Federico’s stepbrother Lucas was only tolerated in virtue of his kinship with the Vargas De Coronados. The fact that Lucas had become a cousin by marriage to the bride gave him access to the hacienda that he had been kicked out of a long time ago. This is yet another humiliation that I have to suffer as a result of Doña Raquel and her son. I did it only out of love for my Aurora, but now I no longer see this as a reason ...

  Suddenly a doubt flashed into his mind. And what if Aurora wants to enforce the pact? No ... what nonsense, not now that things between us have reached this point ... she would never dare to do it.

  However, the thought that Aurora would leave him permanently continued to plague him. No ... I can’t allow it, I’ll prevent it at all costs ...

  Don Cristobal sat next to them. The shrewd lawyer that had just arrived from Europe had already carved out a prestigious place in the city of Tampico.

  Don Cristobal, had just noticed the presence of Don Costantino and began to chat amiably with him.

  Don Costantino presented him to Lucas and Aurora. " You haven’t met my daughter Aurora and my son in law Lucas Navarra y Reyes."

  "In fact I haven’t yet had the honor." Said Cristobal as he looked at Lucas from head to foot. So this is Federico’s much talked about stepbrother. "Very pleased to meet you."

  "The pleasure is all mine." Lucas said sharply. The return to the hacienda that had belonged to his father and the closeness to the people who had done him so much harm affected him deeply and made him grumpier than he would have liked.

  Then Cristobal’s eyes fell on Aurora. For the first time after the death of his beloved wife, a woman’s face struck him for its grace and beauty. For a moment, the dull ache in his chest that constantly accompanied him disappeared to make room for a sweet and poignant feeling he had not felt for a long time. Instinctively he put his hand on his heart, where he kept his wife’s picture in an inside pocket of his jacket.

  "Enchanted ma’am" Cristobal managed to say after a moment's hesitation.

  "A pleasure to meet you," replied Aurora

  "If you'll excuse me I have to leave for a moment." Said Cristobal as he walked away quickly looking for an isolated place where he could be alone. With trembling hands he drew out his wife’s picture from his pocket and looked at it. My dear, what's happening to me?

  Aurora looked puzzled her father.

  " What a strange expression that young man had."

  "Your loveliness will have dazzled him, I haven’t had a chance to tell you, but you're looking really beautiful today," joked Don Costantino.

  Neither of them had seen Lucas’ irritated look. The way in which Cristobal had looked at Aurora had alarmed him, Aurora was really beautiful, but no one would come between them. He already had too many problems as it was, he could not also worry about a rival. He suddenly felt pangs of jealousy grip his chest. Aurora is only mine ... the thought made him feel even worse. Aurora was no longer his, maybe she had never been, the dream of a happy life together was proving to be a mere illusion.

  He was distracted from his thoughts as the orchestra began to play the opening song, auspicious for the bride and groom, a cheerful melody sung by the mariachi choir.

  The guests moved to the area reserved for the musicians to admire the newlyweds open the dancing.
Many couples followed suit and started to dance, while other guests walked in the park.

  Doña Viviana moved away from her family. She hated to show her weaknesses in public, therefore she felt the need to be alone, to overcome the anxiety and melancholy caused by the visit to the hacienda where her love for Hector had blossomed.

  She walked along the park’s tree-lined avenues admiring the beauty of the well-tended hedges filled with flowers with heady scents. Engrossed in her memories she did not realize that she had walked such a long way from the area of the festivities until she saw one of the side gates. She turned to retrace her steps when she heard a squeaking of metal and saw a man sneaking into the hacienda. He was smartly dressed and had his face partially hidden by a wide-brimmed hat. The man looked around warily, and when he saw her, he stopped uncertain. Sighing, he walked slowly towards Viviana.

  Viviana, frightened, addressed him.

  " What are you doing? You can’t enter here." The man did not answer. Viviana stepped back frightened, he could be an attacker, sneaking stealthily into the park. "I'll call the guards if you don’t leave immediately! "

  "Don’t, please Viviana."

  Viviana was startled to hear his voice. She had never forgotten the deep, warm timbre of the voice of the man that she had once loved.

  " Hector." She said in a whisper. The man took off his hat and looked at her with his ice-colored eyes. The years had left a deep mark on him. His hair was still thick though graying and wrinkles emphasized the bitter twist of his mouth. What surprised Viviana more, however, was his gaze, his eyes were clouded and his gaze once vibrant and crystal appeared dull.

  "You're back?" She exclaimed.