Chapter 142 - Schemes

Since the night of the book club time has been speeding down. Which for once in my life I was extremely grateful for. It was now mid November and here I was, about to board a plane headed towards Spain for Thanksgiving. 

Work had picked up like crazy but the excitement of the trip to France was keeping me going. I planned out a few surprises which surprisingly has been going smoothly. I thought I would struggle more but I have managed well. I suppose that France being considered a city of love means that there are many activities for lovers to do.

I was partially excited as well as nervous for the trip to Spain. For starters, while I am fluent in Spanish I am sure my accent is horrible considering how long it has been since I needed to speak that language in a casual setting.

Most of my Spanish if any, was done mainly for professional use. So it did not really matter if my accent was off as these people were just strangers. I would maybe only see them once or twice a year for contract purposes. But this was family. People who have a close relationship to me and who would not hesitate to make fun of me. Which was whatever since I could not care less but, I know my father in particular has a gripe with that. Both my mothers and fathers side of the family live there. My mothers side of the family are relaxed and not as intimidating as my fathers side of the family. They were stoic people, just like my dad. They held such a deep seriousness I often asked myself how my mother handled them.

Their personalities could not be anymore different. I questioned how my grandparents accepted my mother and even more so how they tolerated me. I knew I was a handful for my parents but very few things could be hidden in my family so I knew in the back of my mind that they have to have heard about my misgivings. 

My father would never publicly condemn me but he makes sure I get an earful in the privacy of my own house. When I was younger I used to hate that, mainly because I was under the impression of him protecting his own image. However, now that I am older, I get where he is coming from. He wanted to protect me, or at least ensure that the only people who could discipline me was them.

So maybe that was why I have not heard from them personally regarding my behavior. But to not be foolish, I have to go under the assumption that some form of information has made it way to them. 

"Dean honey try to get some rest, it will be a long flight." My mother fretted over me as I got into my cot for the flight. I usually took the largest bed available in the jet since it is the mots comfortable considering my height.

"So what is the itinerary again for the trip?

"So we will be going to my family home first once we get off the flight, our driver will be waiting to take us directly from the tarmat." My mother spoke up from her seat. She had a book in her hand and was reading some chapters intently. The book seemed familiar but I could not place how I knew it.

"Then after a few days we will be going to my familys home. But your maternal grandmother will be joining us." My abuelita has lived alone since my grandfather passed many years ago. I do not remember anything about the man as he died a few years after I was born. She temporarily lived with us during that time while his estate was finalized as well as she had time to grieve but still be taken care of. 

She ended up moving back after staying with us for a year. She felt ready to be home again and wanted to refocus on her work and school. She joked of living the life of a spinster. She never remarried despite having many offers supposedly.

Her family had come from a long line of shipbuilders and supposedly they were extremely wealthy from their ownerships of the ports as well as the craftsman of their ships which had ties to the royal family. They still make ships but she passed the business to my mother who managed it for some time before asking my dad to help manage some aspects of that fortune. 

Usually around the holidays we would go to my fathers side first and then spend the actual holiday with my mothers side of the family. She said it was easiest as at least on my dads side they have more members to keep one another company. But in times where we go see her first, she usually tags along.

"Oh thats good. Can't wait to see what that old house has to bring this time." The last year we visited was a shitshow. To be fair I had gotten very drunk and got into a verbal argument with my grandfather. But he was also drunk. Neither one of us remember what it was about but his office did get trashed. None of the others heard what was said but rather we all saw the aftermath.

So I was not super thrilled of going back. 

"I do not want to spoil this mood but I want to bring this up now since I want you prepared Dean. Your grandfather is concerned about your relationship status. I have been asking my other sister if any concrete plans have been made but she and I suspect that they may bring it up when we visit."

This is what finally caused my mom to stop reading her book. "Why was I not informed of this?" For my mom to also not know was shocking. My dad basically was an open book to my mom, he told her everything.

He already held up his hands in defense. "Before we start riling up lets take a second. I just found out myself but I want you to know that we have your back. So whatever they bring up we will dismiss it. But I cannot guarantee what schemes they have in mind."