Chapter 3 3

Josefina

A few weeks have passed since the Gonzalez clan decided to poach me as their new daughter-in-law. Constantly reminding myself of the goal, I played along. A part of it included keeping Carmen happy. She found happiness in shopping.

Wedding shopping, to be more specific.

Carmen had called Dad a couple of times over the past week, enquiring about my likes and dislikes. She must be reluctant to talk to me after her son pulled an untouchability stunt at our first 'unofficial ceremony'.

Hijo de puta.

Carmen seemed very excited. At least Dad presumed it to be. My focus was on the plan, so the less I mingled with the Gonzalezes, the more beneficial it was for me. Yet, a shopping treat from the future mother-in-law wasn't a thing to be passed over either.

Trying on one dress after another, I landed on the one I'd wear to the gown fitting. Tiny sunflower design-laden, white summer dress was perfect for the stifling weather.

Dad waited at the bottom of the stairs, watching my descent. As a kid, he used to swing me up when I'd hop off the stairs and launch into his arms. I still remember his laughter resonating through our mansion, jovial as ever. There was never a day when the Lopez mansion didn't liven up with the sounds of life thriving inside.

It all went sideways after Mama's demise. Dad lost direction in life and his business.

One good thing emerged from all the pain he suffered. I took over and learnt the workings of our cartel. Although women didn't get involved, Dad's unstable mental state paved the way for me to handle our business. Devastated after losing the love of his life, he didn't bother with any rules, much less caring about what his daughter did.

We did well. We thrived. We were the largest exporter of ammunition around the world, yet we stayed independent. That was till the greedy Gonzalezes' eyes fell upon us. Their kingdom wanted ours. As always, they got their way.

They coerced Dad into giving up everything. His business and allies were let go a long time ago. I was the latest sweetener to the deal to ensure we had a say in the Syndicate.

A black SUV screeched outside, breaking my reverie. The driver opened the door for me, awaiting my entry. I sensed it was one of the Gonzalez customs, escorting the bride everywhere before her wedding.

Dad walked beside me, his eyebrows bridging together. "They are showering you with gifts," he gestured towards the car. "Trying to please you."

"They are getting in the habit of treating their future boss."

Boastful? Maybe, but who cared? These precious moments were all I had left. A few days of freedom before my wings would be clipped.

The drive to the bridal store was short and passed in silence.

Outside the shop's window, I peeked at the beautiful dresses that hung on every white corner of the place. It felt like a little piece of heaven. White heaven, if that was in fact its color.

A soft voice turned me on my feet. "I hope you found no trouble with the drive," Carmen smoothed my rogue hair strands. "You look beautiful, as always."

All I could do was smile. Carmen took my hand and walked us inside.

The shop looked posh, filled with expensive veils and tiaras. Looking around the crowd less place, I felt a knot of uneasiness pressing on my gut. Everything looked expensive. I couldn't even afford to breathe the air in the room. The boutique staff smiled at me, bringing us flutes of champagne.

"Do we have an appointment for the day?" I asked, trying to breathe deeply while Carmen answered.

Carmen walked with me, nodding sidewise. She placed a veil over my head and turned me to one of the full-view mirrors. "We booked this place for the whole day. So you have nothing to rush about. I want you to take all the time to decide what you would want to wear."

The room started spinning at her words. That must have caused them a few zeros. Oh! Who was I kidding? These were the Gonzalezes. The filthy rich Mexican cartel family. A few zeros weren't even worth a thought for them.

I ran my fingers over the gowns hanging on the rack. Soft, satin laces and works caught my eye. This was too hard. Nobody told me I'd have to pick one from a million. Carmen must have noticed my apprehension. She walked over to my side, waving her hand over to the staff, who scrambled.

I had half consumed my cuticles in the process of selecting a gown while trying to ensure I didn't blurt out anything wrong to the Lady Head. Carmen placed a hand over my shoulder, jerking my body into attention. Every time I was close to a Gonzalez, I felt a sudden urge to bolt.

I guess it was my body's way of telling me to run and survive. But surviJojo for us, Lopez meant the destruction of every Gonzalez.

Pulling out a gown I had previously gazed over, Carmen tilted her head. "You like this one?"

I nodded violently, but words refused to emerge. Bloody cat got my tongue. I looked at the price tag and my head snapped up. She tipped my fallen jaw up, shut it.

"Pick whichever you want. How about you pick five and we can choose from them..."

My feet fired at her words. My lungs churned air faster than before, and the previous state of delirium faded with the blood rush. Within an hour, I'd managed to assemble five variations. Placing them over the rack, I turned to Carmen.

"Please help." My voice emerged whinier than I intended. Her laughter filled the room with soft echoes, rumbling the air and rippling it with happiness. It reminded me of my mom's smiles that used to fill my chest with an indescribable flutter.

Placing a black credit card over the counter, Carmen slowly blinked at the staff who worked like mechanical toys, tossing tags and covers and neatly folding dresses in bags.

"Wait... I want only one..." I stuttered, watching the quick reflexes of the staff's packing handiwork.

They would probably close the shop for a whole year with the business they roped in with us. Carmen held my hands, walking me outside. Sun's warmth unknotted my spine, relieved me from the air-conditioned prick over my skin. Yet, it didn't have the power to dissolve the memory of her buying spree.

"When you are a Gonzalez, you don't have to choose. Never," she stated with such confidence, I shuddered under the wordily impact for minutes. "We get what we want."

I wondered how she could state it so casually.

This family had proven it time and again, the part about taking what they want. Our business was a heartbreaking example of it. Nonetheless, I nodded again, faking a complete understanding of whom I had to transform into to fit in. There was no place for weakness. Ruthlessness was the need of the hour.