Episode 9

CURRENT AFFAIRS.

Santiago remained immersed in his thoughts when Priscila interrupted him.

" Did you see the news? " He simply nodded.

" I hope that stupid woman becomes very unhappy, " Priscila spoke again.

" You should be worried, Santiago said.

" Why would I be worried? On the contrary, I'm happy that she will suffer in the arms of your enemy, " she smiled maliciously.

" You don't understand anything, Santiago replied.

" What should I understand? Priscila asked.

" Luisa cannot get married because if that happens, we'll be out on the street.

" Are you joking? Santiago shook his head. But how is that possible?

" My parents played their parts before they died, he said, clenching his jaw.

" What are we going to do, Santiago? We can't end up on the street, Priscila started pacing back and forth.

" I've already talked to the lawyer, he said there's not much we can do. I just hope Luisa isn't so resentful.

" You always settle for anything, you're useless, she said and slammed the door behind her.

Santiago went up to Karen's room. She was listening to music with her headphones on and couldn't hear him, so he had to throw a pillow at her to get her attention.

" What's the matter now, Mom? Karen asked.

" We have problems and I need to know how you're doing with Agustin, Santiago said. Karen looked surprised, it must be a big problem for her mother to be interested in her private life.

" Everything is the same, no progress, Karen replied.

" Did you take him to bed?

" MOM!" Karen exclaimed.

" Answer," Santiago demanded. Karen sighed.

" Only twice when he was still dating boring Luisa."

" Seduce him and make him fall into your trap."

" Mom, now that Luisa is gone, Agustín doesn't even give me the time of day. Why would I approach him when it's clear that my presence bothers him?"

" Now is the time to allure him with your charm. With Luisa's marriage, he'll be hurt and that's where you come in."

" Why do you insist so much, Mom?"

" Just obey, Karen, without contradicting me."

" Give me a reason and I'll do it without complaint."

" If you don't, you'll say goodbye to all this," her mother pointed to all the luxuries. Decide, daughter, it's now or never, she left the room satisfied, knowing that her daughter would do it because she was just like her.

A new day began in Italy. The morning was fresh, but the sun would not take long to rise. In Thomas' house, there was a commotion, despite it being a private ceremony, a few reporters had been invited to witness everything that would happen that day.

In Luisa's room, the atmosphere was the complete opposite, she was sad. She had always wanted to get married for love, with Agustín, but life had played a trick on her, and now she would be bound to a man she didn't love for three years.

Someone knocked on the door, interrupting her tears that had involuntarily escaped as she stared at her reflection in the mirror.

" Come in," Luisa said.

" Sweetie, why aren't you ready yet?" Lucía spoke tenderly.

" I was in the middle of getting ready," Luisa replied, standing up from the chair and starting to fix herself.

The dress was white and long, simple but beautiful. It had a slit that showcased her slender, toned legs. Her makeup was natural as she didn't like to wear too much. Once she was ready, she stepped down.

Raúl took her to the table where the judge who was going to marry them was sitting. When Thomas saw her, he couldn't help but admire her completely. He admitted that she looked beautiful in that dress. Raúl handed her over and the ceremony began.

Both immersed themselves in their thoughts. They knew that once they said "I do," there would be no turning back. They had no choice but to accept this charade, but they understood that it was a sacrifice they had to make to free themselves from so much pain.

"Luisa Brown accepts Thomas Moretti as her husband," said the judge.

"I do," she said emotionlessly.

"Thomas Moretti accepts Luisa Brown as his wife."

"I do."

The judge made them sign the marriage certificate and then allowed the witnesses, Lucía and Raúl, to step forward. After they finished signing, the judge concluded, saying, "You may now kiss."

Thomas kissed her on the forehead, causing murmurs among the few guests. No one knew that he felt nothing for her and that he had only married her as an act of revenge.

The flashes of the reporters' cameras didn't take long to follow, but this time Thomas was more affectionate with Luisa. He hugged her from behind and pressed her against his chest. This frightened Luisa.

"Smile, Luisa. Remember, you have to act happy, even if it's quite the opposite," he whispered in her ear while posing for the cameras.

"Oh, nephew, congratulations. Your wife is beautiful," a blonde woman in her fifties said.

"Thank you very much, ma'am," Luisa said timidly.

"Oh, silly me. Let me introduce myself. I'm Lorena Moretti, this handsome gentleman's aunt."

"Pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Lorena. I'm Luisa Brown."

When Luisa mentioned her last name, Lorena wiped away her smile and became serious.

"Oh, so you're the daughter of that killer," Lorena looked at her with disdain.

"I apologize, I don't understand," Luisa didn't know what that woman was referring to.

"You have disappointed me, Thomas. I never thought you would let yourself be influenced by Raúl and marry this murderer."

"Listen here, ma'am, I won't allow you to disrespect me. You may know things I don't, but that doesn't give you the right to treat me this way."

"Hahaha, you demand respect? Your father showed none to..."

"Enough, aunt!" Thomas interrupted her, irritated.

"Alright, nephew, I won't bother you anymore. I hope you both have a lifetime of happiness," Lorena said sarcastically before leaving.

"Thank you," Luisa said.

"I didn't do it for you. I just don't want any scandals in my house, and I don't want everyone to discover that this is all a charade," he left Luisa stunned and walked away.

"He's quite the character, don't you think?" a man snapped her out of her trance. "Hi, my name is Hector, and I'm Thomas's cousin."

"Nice to meet you, Hector. I'm Luisa," she began to say her last name, but he interrupted her.

"Don't mention your last name. It's not favored in this family."

Luisa lowered her head. She felt so out of place. Everyone despised her, and she didn't know why.

"I'm sorry, Luisa. I didn't mean to make you feel this way. I'm an idiot."

"Don't worry, I'm used to it."

"Call me Luisa. Remember, we are family now," he said with a charming smile.

Luisa returned the smile. Since she had arrived, only two people had treated her well, and she appreciated that he was one of them.

"You have a beautiful smile, Luisa. Thomas will surely envy anyone who sees it."

"It's not that big of a deal. I'm just an ordinary woman grateful for the talents life has given me," she said confidently.

"I love your confidence. That's admirable."

Luisa smiled, and they continued talking as if they had known each other forever. Not far away, Thomas watched them with a furrowed brow and clenched fists.

"What's wrong, son? Why so serious?"

"Nothing's wrong."

"Sure, I thought you were jealous of seeing your wife with Hector."

"I have no reason to be. That girl doesn't interest me at all." He didn't sound very convinced by his own words.

"If you say so," Raúl mocked him.

"Indeed."

"I think nobody had made her laugh like that since she arrived," Raúl provoked Thomas. "Hector has a way of charming women."

"Believe what you want, father. He can charm any woman except my wife." He went straight to where the couple was laughing.

"No, I'm not jealous," Raúl said, smiling.

I'm sorry, but "LORENA MORETTI" seems to be a name or a heading rather than a paragraph or a sentence. Could you please provide me with the specific paragraph you would like me to rewrite?

Héctor Moretti, son of Lorena.

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