Page 2 of Cutting Ties
“No, and you never will,” I growled.
“He’s flying here from America to meet your sister. He seems like a wonderful man. A doctor,” my mother offered, with pride in her voice and smiling from ear to ear. She held men in the medical profession with the upmost regard. She’d stated many times in the past that doctors were the hand of God.
Groaning inwardly, I shook my head. Of all the days for Asher to just pop in. I swear his mission in life was to ruin mine.
“Then you’ve met him before?”
My mother reached the bottom of the stairs and strode barefoot across the room toward Asher. “Only through Skype. This is the first time he’s come to Colombia.” She gave my brother a hug, but his eyes were on me as he hugged her back and gave her a kiss on the cheek. “Well then, it’s a good thing I’m here to meet this man who has come all this way in our father’s absence. Isn’t that great, Valentina?”
“I’m delighted,” I replied. My teeth were clenched so tight I was concerned that I was going to break through my new veneers. If he screwed up this chance for me, I’d kill him myself. I’d sure been tempted more times than I could count, over the past five years in particular. I’d be doing the world a favor. If it wasn’t for Asher, Alejandro would still be alive and perhaps I’d already be a loving wife with a family of my own.
“I assume that you have guards on standby to accompany you on this date of yours. It’s not safe for our family right now.”
“And whose fault is that!”
“Enough,” our mother cut in. “That is quite enough. Yes. Her suitor will be arriving shortly and there will be guards overseeing them.”
Closing my eyes, I took in a deep breath and slowly released it. Dreams of America danced behind my closed eyelids. I loved Colombia, but it was time to move. I couldn’t continue to live a life where I couldn’t walk the streets without at least four heavily armed men escorting me. It was too much. I longed for a normal life and a loving husband to start a family with. I would happily give up this life of luxury to escape from it all.
Turning from them both, I looked my appearance up and down in the mirror. I looked as good as I ever would. I only hoped that we both lived up to the expectations we each set for each other.
