Page 4 of Malverde 5
Chapter Three
Andreia turned herhead to study Felix for a moment then she sighed hard.“I’d heard a lot about each and every faction in that city.Just rumors and snippets you understand.I don’t gossip and I won’t listen much to it but you still hear things.”She shrugged.“As I didn’t know you gentlemen in person, I never thought about it much.This meal...”She motioned at her table.“Was cooked with care because I didn’t want to insult you.I know that you men are hard when you need to be the same as my men are.But when I married Hondo, I told him to leave his business outside our door.I knew his work was with dangerous men but I didn't want it brought into my house.He gave me that much respect and I appreciated it.But now that very same business has followed us here and while I cannot hold him to that promise in this instance, I pray it won’t spill over my doorstep.I know I can’t stop it but I just hope it isn’t too bad.I pray that you all, my husband and sons will all have protection from the violence that others will try to bring.”
Sergi nodded his head at her.“Da, my wife says those same prayers each and every night, Mrs.Meran.And I thank you for taking the time to explain things to us.I hope you and your family will not suffer from our being here as well.”
Andreia smiled then chuckled.“No, Mr.Constantine, I am not worried about you and yours but there are others who wouldn’t be worried about bringing their danger to our door.You are good people...others?Not so much.”
Sergi smiled and then looked over at Hondo.“You have a very wise woman, they are far and very in between.You are a lucky man indeed, Mr.Meran.”
Hondo turned to gaze lovingly at his wife as he replied, “I do know that, Senor.In fact, I loved her literally from the first moment I set eyes on her.And Idomean in sixty seconds my future was written.And she has been by my side ever since for many years and I hope many more.”
Sergi looked curious.“Can you explain this further?This sixty second ideal?If it is not too personal?”
His sons all chuckled and snickered.
Sergi paused to look around at them.
“Pardon them Sergi,” Hondo told him.“They have heard that story many times, I am afraid.”
Andreia laughed.“Maybe the boys do not realize that it is THE story.None of them would be here if it hadn’t happened just the way it did.”
Hondo nodded as he grinned at her and started his story, “I had been walking down the street one fine day when I saw her in a florist shop.She was behind the counter laughing at something her coworker was telling her.When I saw her, I literally stopped in my tracks.Standing there in broad daylight, I could do nothing but stare at the vision of her.”
Andreia smiled as she took it up, “The woman I worked with had made a joke.I think it was about why men send flowers.They messed up.Or they well...messed up.”
The men at the table all shook their heads and chuckled.Including Sergi, Misha and Felix.
“When I looked up, I saw him and I stopped laughing.I think I stopped breathing too.I never saw any man like him.Sooo...”She shook her head.
Hondo nodded and said, “The moment our eyes met even through the glass window and the distance separating us, we both felt the pull.”
Andriea spoke again, “I grabbed one of the roses on the counter and without taking my eyes off of him, I walked outside then right up to him.I gave the rose to him without saying a word.”
“I knew I loved her already.And no other woman had given me a flower before.”He laughed.”She then stepped away from me, but I couldn't allow that because I had to know everything about her.And I promise I had no idea that I would grab her up and kiss her right there on that sidewalk.But next thing I knew she was in my arms.And the best part of it was that—she kissed me back!”
Nodding, Andreia said, “You will never guess what he said when he broke that kiss.”
Hondo chuckled as he looked proud of this fact.“Will you marry me?”he repeated what he had asked back then.
Andreia laughed.“And I said, ‘Yes I will marry you but first tell me your name.”
Then they both acted out that moment for everyone at the table to hear.
“I am Hondo Meran.Now tell me your name.”
“Well Hondo Meran, my name is Andreia Sumter.So what are your plans for our upcoming marriage, Hondo?”
