A little family problem.
"Eva,get up!"I faintly heard my nanny shake me from my sleep.She sounded upset with me.
I lazily lifted my head from the bed and stole a glance at the clock right beside me."Oh God!It's 6:00 am nanny!"I put across in my hoarse voice which was so, due to my heavy sleeping.
"What is this?"She asked as she held a white little tin right next to my face.Colour drained from my face and all the sleep I had was suddenly gone.
A tin full of Opiods.My opiods!
She looked so hurt and I didn't know what to say to her."Tell me it's not what I'm thinking!"She raised her voice.I've never felt so tongue tied in my life.I sat up in bed and a tear dropped from my left eye.Guilty!She then proceeded to asked the next question since my tear had already betrayed me.
"How long?" "Three days,"went my response."I'm sorry,"I added. "No you're not.You told me you quit!"She was about to yell at me.
See the cost of loving me?Just pain and chaos.I was the chaos. That lady right there was like my second mother.Or rather,she was more of a mum to me than my real mother ever was.She was my confidant.She had been with me from the moment I was born.I was her family and she was mine.
She knew about all my drug issues for the past one year but never sold me out to my parents.This time,she was going to sell me out,I knew it.Without saying another word she left my room with the drugs in her hand.
I sprang out of bed as quickly as I could and dashed for the dressing table.I took the remaining opiods and flashed them down the toilet.
I took a shower and went downstairs prepared for the scolding of a lifetime.
"Dad,mum,good morning,"I greeted my parents as I joined them for breakfast.
"Good morning sweetheart,"dad responded and went back to eating his pasta.Mum said nothing and I suspected she was in a foul mood.I knew my nanny had told them about me and the drugs.
I just embarked on my food and hoped for the best while awaiting the worst.Maybe they were just going to send me to rehab. The rest of the meal was eaten in silence,save for the clinging of glasses and cutlery.
"Sweetheart would you like to escort me to the winery today?I wanted to discuss something with you,"dad said to me as soon as his plate was empty. "Sure,I'll be out in a minute,"I said with a smile because it reminded me of the days I would always ride with him in his car and I would escort him to the office,sit on his lap all day.That changed when I realized I wanted something of my own and nothing to do with the family business.And by family business I mean The Gonzales Winery.It was a multimillion dollar company started by my grandparents when my dad was still a kid.My dad took over after his parents died and had been CEO ever since.It was one of the best wineries in Mexico City.
My mum Ines Gonzales worked there too.She was the Accounts Editor for the firm and of course,one of the share holders.I wondered how she and dad got along at the office because at home,all they did was fight.For instance,it had been two weeks since dad moved out of their master bedroom.As much as I hated to think about it,that marriage was not going to last.
José,dad's driver,drove us to the winery.
I always liked to inhale the air in there.It was that of fermented grapes.
"Having second thoughts about not wanting to work with me here?"Dad asked me,all smiles once he noticed how happy and relaxed the air made me feel.I was relieved that he brought me there to talk about the company and not my drug ordeal with my nanny.She did not rat me out,yet. "No,I'd rather stick to beauty and modeling,"I laughed about.
He lead the way to his office.There was a large glass mounted on top of his desk that beared his name and title.
Xavi Gonzales:Chief Executive Officer
I took a seat across the huge and comfortable seat ,of CEO status on which my dad sat.Exactly three years had passed since I sat at the very spot.Everytime I sat there,there was always bad news to be delivered or a heartbreaking point to be addressed in a less heartbreaking way.
Only that the last time,three years ago,my dad and I were both heartbroken.We cried together.
We had just found out he wasn't my biological father,during his argument with my mother.She obviously told him her well kept secret in a moment of anger.That's what anger does.It destroys relationships,it inflicts pain.Dad and I were obviously hurt but we promised each other that it wouldn't change anything between us.Blood or no blood,he was my father.I was his daughter.
I wish promises were easy to keep just as they were easy to make.Our relationship was never the same.I felt like a stranger in my own home and I didn't even want to use the surname Gonzales anymore.It just felt illegal.Since that awful day I lived life wondering who my real dad was,what he looked like,smelled like and whether he had grey eyes like mine.
"Bad memories?"Dad interrupted my thoughts with his heavy voice.
"Hell yeah!"I said and shifted unevenly in the seat.
"You wanted to talk?"I changed the subject. "I have something to tell you but before I do,I want you to know that my offer still stands.You can work here anytime you want,just say the word,"he said as he fished out something from his pocket and gave to me.
"Open it,"he said.
"Wow!"I exclaimed as I took the car keys out of the pouch.I found something else.A tiny piece of metal with small writings.
'Welcome to business partner'.It read.
"What does this mean?"I asked in apparent confusion.
"I bought you 8% of the company's shares.When you change your mind about working with me,I'll give you your voting rightsrights which I'll be holding for now,"he made me understand. "Thanks dad,I appreciate this so much,"I said as I rolled my eyes gently to prevent tears of joy from rolling down my face.He extended his hand and I placed mine in his.He gave it a little fatherly squeeze and whispered,"You will always be my babygirl."
"About the other thing,I don't know how else to put it so I'll just go straight to the point,"he began. "I have a son,"he dropped the bombshell. "How old is he?"I didn't know why that was my first question but it was.I was trying to be as calm as I could. "24,"he said. "And why are you telling me this just now?"I asked.I was definitely doing a terrible job at remaining calm."Does mum know?"Another question. "She has known for a while now.And I'm telling you right now because I didn't know he existed until seven years ago.And he was always so angry at me for not being there for him.I'm sorry if I'm causing you pain right now,"he said. "Let me guess, you offered him a job like you did with me,"I spoke as I rose from my seat. "You are not wrong.He is coming to Mexico tomorrow.The new projects manager,"he said. "I know you'll get along with him.Your brother,"he added.
"You do realize we are not an inch close to related.He has a different mother and I have a different mother as well.You are his father and on the other hand,I don't know who mine is!Do we sound related to you?"I almost yelled.
"I'm sorry,I need time to process all these,"I said and I rushed out of his office. See,my life was total chaos!
I asked José to drive me back home.As usual I went to look for my nanny in the garden where she was busy supervising the gardeners.She was still pissed at me,as I could read from her face.
"Have you been crying?"She asked as she laid eyes on me."No,"I responded,trying to fight more tears from falling. "Quit trying to lie.I can read you like an open book,"she said and I sat down beside her. "Did you know that dad had a son?"I went straight to the point.
"Yes,"came her short reply. "Why didn't you tell me?"I questioned. "It wasn't in my place Eva.What difference does it make anyway?"She asked. "I don't know,I just feel like this family is breaking and there's nothing that can be done to save it".I said.
"Xavi loves you.That won't change,"she consoled me.
"Thanks for not ratting me out by the way,the drug thing,"I changed the subject. "I tried to stop,I tried,"I went on tearfully. "I know,I know.Not hard enough though.I won't rat you out.I want you to tell Xavi yourself,he deserves to know,"she said and my heart dropped. "Don't make me do that.He'll hate me,"I said. "There's nothing that a child can do that a parent won't forgive.Tell him,or I will,"she said and stood up from the bench.