Page 50 of Entangled With You
“I’ve been married to Sofi for four years, and I’m still not used to the level of luxury and privacy that comes with her every time we’re with her parents.”
I heave a deep breath, happy to know I’m not alone in the way I’m feeling right now. “Yeah, I know we grew up with everything we could ever want but this is next level, man.”
Franco nods at me and smiles as Claudia, Cattleya’s mom, makes her way to where we’re standing.
“Mijo, long time no see. Please tell me your parents are joining us for Christmas this year. My main wish is to have all my family under the same roof,” Claudia tells Franco as he bends to hug her. She’s a wisp of a woman, and it’s even more noticeable when she’s being hugged by a six-foot-four guy. Franco doesn’t reply, but smiles big at her, so Claudia releases him and gives him a pat on his cheek. Then she turns to face me, and I stop breathing.
“Matías, so good to see you again. I’d love to learn more about you,” she says as she hugs me and takes me with her to the table that’s been prepared for us.
“Claudia, mi amor, I know you want to grill Cata’s love interest as much as I do, but you’re going to have to wait. I have prepared a set of questions for him.” I blanch as Samuel comes to shake my hand. “No need to get all worked up, Matías. I just want to talk.”
I know he’s right. I want to get to know him too, but this man does possess loads and loads of authority and power.
“Daddy, please stop. Mati and I have only been dating for a couple of months, no need to make him run for the hills with the inquisition.”
Samuel bellows with laughter as he pats my back. I laugh, nervously too.
“See, mija? He’s fine. I mean, he must know what he’s getting into dating the youngest daughter of one of the most influential families in Colombia,” Samuel explains, no trace of humor left in his voice.
I swallow hard, but I agree with him. If Cattleya was my daughter, I would be roasting the asshole who was dating her.
“Ay, Samuel. Leave the toxic masculinity for the bedroom, right now we need to catch up with our daughters and their partners, and see how we can help Matías with the scam his boss is trying to get him into.”
The table falls eerily quiet; you could hear the flap of butterfly wings in this room. Then, unable to hold it in any longer, Sofi jerks her head back and howls in laughter, prompting us all to join in.
Wiping tears from her eyes, Sofi gently smacks her mom’s shoulder. “Ay, Ma. I’m so happy you and Dad have a healthy sex life, but we definitely didn’t need to hear about it.” Claudia smiles against her napkin, and Samuel’s eyes tell us just how healthy their life is. Cattleya clears her throat after taking a sip of water and looks at me, asking me without words if I’m okay. I smile at her as I give her a quick squeeze on her thigh. Dinner goes smoothly, Claudia clearly managing to get Samuel to cool off a little bit.
I tell them everything they want to know about me, from who my parents are to where I work, and how I discovered my boss was trying to steal money.
“Let me get this straight, you guys won the biggest contract the company you work for has ever had, and now your boss wants to take money from of the project? How does that even make sense? If he gets caught, this could end the company,” Sofi says, flabbergasted.
“I’m going to pay him a visit tomorrow, and we’ll talk business with him,” Samuel interjects, and my eyes grow wide as my eyebrows rise to the sky. “Don’t worry, mijo. He won’t know your connection to me. I’m a well-known businessman.”
A smile forms on my lips at the term of endearment
“Thank you, Mr. Cardona. I really appreciate you coming all the way here to help me out.”
Cattleya reaches for my hand under the table, that sense of belonging to her spreading through my veins, making me feel whole. Complete.
“Well, as long as you’re part of my daughter’s life, we got your back. Just treat her right, and you can always count on us,” Samuel says, in earnest.
I take our interlaced hands out from under the table and kiss her knuckles one by one. “That’s what I intend to do, Mr. and Mrs. Cardona,” I say, even though my eyes never leave Cattleya’s.
“Ohhhhh, look at my bro, a goner. He has finally joined the club,” Franco says, amusement in his tone. I don’t even bother to correct him, he’s right. I’m far gone and all in with mi ángel.
Chapter 24
Cattleya Cardona
The last game in the playoffs, and it’s a total nail-biter. I was restless the entire fucking game like someone was watching me, which is ridiculous since the stadium had at least 10,000 people—of course, there are lots of people watching me.
The game ends without either team scoring, which means we have to go to penalty kicks. I was expecting this type of outcome in the final, but not in the playoffs. Coach calls us for a quick pep talk, and we all form a circle around him.
“We’ve made it this far thanks to your sweat and tears. You deserve a spot in the final, and you’re going to get it. Focus on the ball. Don’t let their goalie or anyone else distract you. The win is yours for the taking.” We clap and holler, getting pumped up for the penalties. “Noelia, you’ll be the first one to shoot. Stefa, Emma, Sabrina, Cata: you're in charge of taking this team into the final. We believe in you.”
I release a breath through my teeth; nothing like feeling the pressure to get laser focus on my objective. I know Mati is in the bleachers with my parents, Sofi, Franco, Dani, and Marco, but right now, I can’t look at them. All my energy is focused on that ball.
The penalty kicks start, and Noelia scores. I want to scream and jump, but it’s only the first one, so I restrain myself. I simply clap as hard as I can as I pace back and forth in the middle of the field, where I stand with the girls, waiting for my turn to shoot. Both teams keep scoring as they kick the penalties, and I’m growing anxious. It’s Rosario’s turn to kick, and the girl’s shot is so powerful that the ball gains height and doesn’t come back down; it ends up in the bleachers. I go on my knees, saying a silent thank you to the universe. It’s my turn to kick the ball. I don’t look at anyone, don’t hear any screams. I’m locked in.