Forced Marriage: The Tenderness of the Brutal Mafia

Episode 20

MARCELE

Miguel asked me to go horseback riding with him. I liked the idea but said I wanted to go with him since I didn’t know how to ride.

But I'm such a klutz that when he gave me a boost, instead of grabbing the reins and swinging my leg over, I didn't, and I just went straight over. It all happened so fast, and I even managed to spin in the air, landing right on my butt. Better to scrape my butt than my face.

I saw Miguel struggling not to laugh. He helped me up and carried me. Dona Rosa brought ice and ointment. I took off my pants and decided to put on a dress. It’s easier that way. I spent a long time with an ice pack on my butt. Serves me right for being such a hotshot. I should have turned down the ride; I wouldn’t be in pain now.

Miguel came back for lunch. We talked a bit, and then I stayed with Dona Rosa and Margarida in the kitchen, chatting while they worked. Dona Rosa made a delicious cake with strawberry sauce.

When they were preparing dinner, I went upstairs to shower and put some ointment on my poor bum. I forgot I was sharing the room with Miguel. He suddenly walked in. I tried to escape, but there was no way, and then we had our first kiss. It was perfect. I think he felt it too because he slowed down and led me. I tried to get away a second time, but again, there was no escape. I felt his touch on my bare skin, sending waves of heat through my body, making me shiver and igniting a fire within me.

We kissed again. I don't know how Miguel manages to be so rough and gentle at the same time.

He stopped kissing me, kissed my forehead, and went into the bathroom. If there was a hole here, I would stick my head in it. I must have looked like a fool.

I got dressed and hurried out of the room. When I got to the dining room, Margarida was setting the table. I sat down. Dona Beatriz said I should always sit to Miguel’s right.

It wasn't long before I smelled his cologne. I already know Miguel's scent. He joined me, and we ate dinner in complete silence. A thousand thoughts ran through my head. Would he avoid me now?

I shouldn't have let that happen, but it felt so good. I tried to focus on other things. After dinner, he asked if I wanted some wine and even joked that I couldn’t throw it at him like I did at Durzely’s.

We drank wine in the living room. Miguel started talking about his childhood, the times he’d spent on the farm. We had a friendly chat.

MIGUEL - When I was a kid, I used to come here a lot with my family. This farm belonged to my grandmother, my parents' mother. She passed away ten years ago.

One of my fondest childhood memories is the first time I helped my grandmother pick grapes in the orchard we have here on the farm. I actually ate more than I picked, lol.

For the first time, he allowed himself to be Miguel, not the mobster Miguel Martinez. It’s so lovely to hear him talk about his grandmother. It’s clear there was love between them. He talked a little more, then asked about my childhood. I can’t talk about my childhood without getting emotional.

MARCELE - Unlike you, I never knew my grandmother. She died before I was born, and my mother never knew her family. She grew up in a convent. When she turned 18, she chose to leave and ended up living on the streets. She eventually got a job and moved into a boarding house.

That’s where she met my dad. They fell in love and got married. But my childhood was also full of love. I'm an only child, so we traveled a lot. I went to Disney World. My dad even threw me a party in Orlando. My mom loved to ski, so we went to Bariloche a few times. Our last family trip was to Iceland to see the Northern Lights.

I closed my eyes, remembering our last trip together, contemplating the most beautiful thing I’d ever seen. I didn’t realize tears were rolling down my face until I felt Miguel's hand wiping them away while he caressed my cheek.

I kept my eyes closed and felt the warmth of his lips again. This time, they tasted of wine, making our kiss even more delicious.

Jose Luis interrupted us.

JOSE LUIS - Forgive me, sir, but one of the mares is foaling, and she’s having trouble. I came to ask your permission to go get a veterinarian to see if we can save her. The foal is breech.

MARCELE - Oh my God, poor thing! She must be in so much pain.

MIGUEL - You have my permission. You didn't even need to ask. I'll go to the stable and see how she's doing. You go and get some rest. I'll be back to the main house after the foal is born.