Chapter 7 Like Perfect Family

• Emma squeezed Raquel’s arm reassuringly. “All the guests have arrived,” she said gently. “Let’s go out there and show them how happy we are.”
• Raquel took a deep breath and tried to smile. She knew that Emma was right. She couldn’t let her sadness ruin her business wedding day.
• As Marvin entered the room, his breath caught in his throat. His daughter, in her wedding gown, looked like a radiant angel.
• “You look absolutely breathtaking in your white dress, my dear. Time has flown by - it feels like only yesterday I was holding you, a tiny bundle in my arms. Now here you are, walking towards your future husband on our joined arms. I’m filled with love and pride watching you start this new chapter of your life. You’ve become a strong, caring woman and I know you will find happiness together.”Marvin’s eyes welled up with tears as he shuffled towards Raquel, his shoulders hunched and his head bowed.
• Gently, Emma placed the lacy white veil on Raquel’s platinum blond locks, smoothing out any wrinkles with a maternal touch. “We must stand now, my dear - the ceremony awaits!”
• The wedding ceremony was a whisper in a cathedral, a secret shared between two hearts and their closest loved ones. Gavin and Raquel had agreed on a simple and intimate affair, with only immediate family and a few close friends present. Pablo, Gavin’s dad, found this strange. He wanted a big, boisterous wedding, with all the bells and whistles. But Emma, Raquel’s aunt and lawyer, gently reminded him that a widespread announcement of their marriage could potentially affect Raquel’s thesis grade in the future.
• Emma argued that she didn’t want her niece to fail in her thesis because everyone knew that Raquel was the daughter-in-law of a notorious and ruthless Mafia CEO.
• Raquel’s heart pounded like a drum in her chest as she walked down the aisle, her hand tightly clasped in Marvin’s. Her breath caught in her throat as she saw the sea of smiling faces turned towards her, all eager to witness her union with Gavin.
• Raquel and Gavin stood at the front of the altar, their hands clasped together. The priest began his prayer, and Raquel felt her tears welling up in her eyes. She was filled with a mixture of emotions.
• Nina, a bridesmaid in a flowing dress the color of the summer sky, dabbed her eyes with a tissue as she watched Raquel weep tears that sparkled like diamonds in the morning sun. After the blessing ceremony, a tiny flower girl with rosy cheeks like blushing roses and a mischievous grin approached, her delicate fingers clutching the sparkling wedding rings, which gleamed like stars in the night sky.
• Pablo and Jacquelin’s joy shone brighter than the setting sun as Gavin and Raquel’s love blossomed in the twilight. But Raquel’s heart fluttered like a nervous bird in her chest, her nails drumming a restless rhythm against her lap.
• Raquel’s head lolled to the side, her eyes drooping like wilted flowers.
• “Do you want some water?” Nina asked softly.
• “Girl, you know I got you,” Nina said, gripping Raquel’s hand tight. “Ain’t nobody gonna find out the truth about you and Gavin, you feel me? I ain’t tryna see you catch no trouble with these fools on the block.”
• Raquel’s body slumped in Nina’s arms like a wilted flower, her eyes closed and her face pale. Nina let out a piercing scream, and Emily rushed over, her heart pounding in her chest.
• “What happened to Raquel?” Emily worriedly asked about her daughter’s condition.
• “I’m not sure, Aunt,” Nina said with a worried frown. “She seemed exhausted all day. Do you think we should call an ambulance?”
• Before the aunt could reply, a whoosh of air announced a new presence. Gavin had slipped into the room like a shadow, as quiet as his name implied.
• “I’ve got her,” he said in a low voice, already sweeping Raquel into his sturdy arms. Her small form looked frail against his broad chest. “You ladies stay here. I’ll carry her to the car, we don’t have time to wait.”
• With that, he exited as swiftly as he’d come, cradling the unconscious Raquel.
• He carried her to the car and drove off, with Nina following closely behind, filled with worry. Emma and Emily also trailed behind them, concerned for Raquel’s well-being. Meanwhile, Pablo and Marvin continued their discussion about their business matters with Jacquelin.
• ***
• “Doctor, please, how is my daughter?” Emily cried, clutching Raquel’s hand like a lifeline as tears streamed down her cheeks.
• “She seems physically drained,” the doctor observed, examining her vitals. “Is she getting enough rest with her busy schedule? Nutrition is also important - has she been eating regularly?”
• Emma nodded. “She does take on a lot.”
• “That’s likely taking its toll then,” the doctor replied. “When the body becomes run down, even minor stressors can trigger situations like fainting. The good news is with some rest and balancing her workload, she should start to feel better soon. But I’d recommend taking it easy for a few days just to be safe.”
• She gave a reassuring smile. “Women are strong, but we all have our limits. A little self-care goes a long way. Try not to worry too much - she’s in good hands and I expect a full recovery.”
• “Doctor, please tell me she’s going to be okay. Is there anything we can do to help her recover?” Nina asked, the panic clear in her voice as she feared for Raquel’s health and future.
• The doctor turned, shrugging slightly. “She just fainted because she didn’t eat all day,” he explained to the others present. “As long as she eats properly after waking up, she shouldn’t experience any serious issues.”
• “But what if she has a fever or gets sick?” Nina pressed.
• “She’ll be alright, miss,” the doctor reassured Nina. “As long as she gets some nutrition after waking, there’s no cause for concern about fever or other illness developing from the fainting episode alone.”
• “Alright. Maybe she didn’t eat because she was so nervous. This is the most important day for her,” Jacquelin suggested thoughtfully.
• Just then, Jacquelin entered Raquel’s room to check on her condition. “I hope she doesn’t experience any other complications,” Jacquelin said worriedly to the doctor.
• “She’ll be alright, Ma. No need to fret,” Gavin said calmly. He’d been quietly listening to their talk, watching Mom pace back and forth wringing her hands. Finally he spoke up, hoping to ease her worries.
• “But Gavin, she’s so—” Mom began twisting her tissue in her hands, brows furrowed with concern.
• Gavin gently took her arm, stilling her anxious movements. “I know you’re scared. But she’s tough, and the doc said she’ll pull through. Why don’t you sit for a spell, try to relax. She’s restin’ now, so you should too.”
• “Her skin is white as death, Gavin. She looks barely alive, like a corpse waiting to rise. What will you tell everyone when we leave her here alone and she begins seizing?”
• Nina snapped, worry weighing heavy in her tone.
• Gavin sighed impatiently. “Don’t be dramatic. A few minutes rest is all she needs.”
• “You know nothing about her.” Nina folded her arm before her chest.
• Gavin’s eyes roamed the room like a bored cat, his expression dismissive. “What’s all the fuss about? She’s just fainted from hunger and exhaustion.”
• Emma glanced worriedly at Nina. “My dear, shall I call your driver to take you home?” she asked gently.
• Nina shook her head slowly. “Thank you aunt, but I intend to accompanying Raquel safely.”
• “Accompany her? Why bother?” Gavin interrupted, his voice rising in anger. “She already has a husband, young lady!”
• “You don’t understand anything about Raquel,” Nina snapped.
• Emma tenderly held Nina’s icy hands in her own, the chill reminding her of the late hour.
• “Come dear, let’s head home before night falls,” she urged gently yet firmly. Nina, exhausted from the day’s stresses, nodded gratefully.
• Across the mansion’s ostentatious foyer, Emily bid farewell to the family doctor with polite smiles and curtsies. Jacquelin followed, escorting the man to the ornate mahogany doors.
• “Please send our regards to your wife. Safe travels to you!” Jacquelin called as he departed down the ivory steps.
• Meanwhile, in the west library where Gavin reviewed letters by the fire, a shadow stirred in the moonlit archway.
• “Daddy,” came a familiar voice, smooth as silk. He looked up to see Damian emerging from the gloom, opening his arms wide in welcome. Gavin rose with a smile, slipping into the warm embrace of his dear son, finding solace at long last.
• “Dad, may we travel across the sea to the dazzling City of Light for Yuletide merriment?” Damian inquired with a gleam of hope in his eye, having spent hours pouring over photographs of the romantic streets and towering architecture of Paris in his textbooks.
• Gavin knelt down in front of his 5-year-old son, who was staring sadly. Gavin remembered the past two Christmases, where work commitments had pulled him away from family celebrations at the last minute. He saw the disappointment in Damian’s eyes both times, and now recognized the same hollow look as his son hoped that they’ll go in a perfect christmas, likely worried history would repeat.
• “Darling, Damian,” Gavin said, his voice soft and soothing. “I’m trying my best so that we can go to Paris, two days before Christmas. Can you calm down a little?”
• Damian looked at Gavin, his eyes sparkling like stars. “I’m so excited, Daddy! I can’t believe we’re going to Paris! I’ve always dreamed of visiting the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre Museum. We’re going on christmas vacation like perfect family!”
• Gavin smiled and gently stroked Damian’s hair. “I know, sweetheart. I’m excited too. But we still have a few weeks to wait, so why don’t you try to relax a little? You don’t want to burn yourself out before we even get there.”