Jason Weiser

Don Pedro de Valenzuela.

Anyone but Don Pedro de Valenzuela.

Donya's mother and father looked at each other.

Oh, okay.

This was exactly what they had been afraid of.

Uh, yeah, okay, you know what?

They touched their shoulders.

This was on them.

It was a classic situation of a girl falling in love with a boy she knew really well and who reciprocated her love and respect.

They let them play together as kids, and even though Don Pedro's family was a noble one...

He wasn't as, well, rich, is the wrong word to say, but an accurate one to think, and also to use as a basis for rejecting him to marry their little girl.

I'll never love anyone but him, Doña said.

You don't know that, honey.

You're still young.

Yes, you think you love that attractive young man who would do anything for you, but who knows?

The rich, well-connected, noble guy in his 60s who's looking for his third wife might spark even deeper feelings.

The dad grimaced.

Doña fumed and left the room before she made it even worse.

Okay, good talk.

We'll table this.