Chapter 17 The Garcia family

“Mom, I don't know what you want?” Lia said, as she paced around, not sure why her mom called her back from school. She frequently came home knowing she hated it here. Antonia scanned her youngest daughter from head to toe and wondered where she went wrong. Seeing her wearing nothing but bad rags despite the reputation her family held.

“Young lady, mind the tone you use when talking to me…go to your room and freshen up,” Antonia said in a warning tone. Her cat-like eyes shifted the wine glass placed on the side table by the servants, and her daughter wasn't happy.

“Mom, I didn't come here to sit or listen to your family drama… I have things to do if you can excuse me” Lia said, rolling her eyes and preparing to leave, but stopped when Antonia slammed her hand on the table angrily. She hated coming here more than anything.

“Don't be rebellious… I asked all your siblings to come here now, go and shower and make sure you don't wear such ridiculous clothes in my presence!” Antonia yelled, shooting angry daggers at her daughter. She was beginning to hear the pain in her neck and saw her wearing clothes like she wanted to rob a bank. Antonia knew what she had to do. Lia had no choice but to obey her mother. The queen of the Garcia family, who made the rules and had the final say.

“Fine” saying that, Lia left the living and met Alfredo on the way out.

“I thought you wouldn't come here…it's indeed a surprise, “Antonia said once her son walked in. Alfredo was different from his brother Luciano; he was more rebellious than Lia and hated following rules. He just arrived in the country and is the city's well-known architect. He was formidable and had many deals which made him the best even in the country. She couldn't be any prouder of Alfredo, knowing she was putting the Garcia name on the map of the richest family.

“What's this about… I have work pending,” Alfredo said more calmly as he sat down gracefully and crossed his legs. Antonia smiled as she sipped her wine elegantly, then shifted her eyes back to her son. Unlike Luciano, who was ambitious. Alfredo was calm like the serene waters. Even his voice was as pleasant as that of a woman. He never acted quickly nor did he talk much. He did things with ease, which she didn't like at all.

“At least spare some time for your family…that wouldn't hurt ''Antonia remarked with a frown. She just wanted her family to be united. Her family came first more than anything, and knowing the Garcia family remained on top and the best. She had no worries.

“It's no use mother…stop pretending like we are a perfect family, “Alfredo said sarcastically and waved off the servant girl who brought a glass of water for him “I'm not staying long…take that back” he ordered when he was being forced. The girl glanced over at Antonia waiting for her orders and when she nodded for her to leave. The girl bowed and left from there.

“At least you can find a woman and get married,”

“Wait…are you going to force one on me?” Alfredo asked sarcastically, shifting his eyes from his phone to his mother. Antonia was rendered speechless as he placed her wine glass back on the table.

“That wouldn't be a bad idea… I'm glad that you know me son,” she said with a prideful look, smiling at how she managed to get rid of the thorns in her life and made her son marry a woman who added to her power. Alfredo wasn't happy, as he did everything to conceal his anger.

“Mom quit wasting your time…we all know he won't ever marry,” another one walked in and this time Antonia's smile doubled as she nodded, feeling proud. Her daughter Bianca just walked in, looking elegant as always. Both mother and daughter hugged with a few kisses involved when Bianca took a seat on a single-seater couch and crossed her legs elegantly and smirked at her younger brother.

“You know, Alfredo…it wouldn't hurt to join our company…” Bianca said while putting her purse on the table and tying her hair in a loose bun. Antonia nodded in agreement. If her children came together and worked as a team. She was certain everyone would bow before her and her family.

“Aren't you too old to be wearing that?” Alfredo asked, seeing his sister act like some whore. She went around parading herself like a queen. She wondered if his mom knew her daughter was busy trapping rich married men.

“Mind your tongue, little brother,” Bianca warned with a sly smirk, shooting angry daggers at him to keep his mouth shut.

“Don't you have a conscience as a woman…would you like the same thing to happen to you, sis?” Alfredo asked mockingly, shifting a little in his seat for a comfortable position. By now, Bianca was seeing red from rage. Her brother was running his mouth more than he should.

“Keep quiet…at least I didn't sleep with the enemy” Bianca shot back bitterly.

“That's enough for both of you! Need “Antonia shouted angrily, having had enough of arguments in her presence. She called them here for a family dinner where they could talk and bond, not argue like dogs.

“Instead of sitting in that chair, why don't you monitor her and see what she's been doing!” Alfredo fired at his mom, only for Bianca to get angry.

“Nothing you say matters okay…it's not your life” Bianca spat out bitterly, ogling at her brother who thought he had everything under control. Alfredo was too angry to say anything to his older sister, but sat quietly while Antonia massaged her temples to calm her nerves.

“And where is Luciano?” Antonia asked something more important, ignoring glares between Bianca and Alfredo. She already sent Solange home after a long conversation and called Luciano to attend dinner, unfortunately she didn't get any reply from her son.

“Mom relax…he's busy with work” Bianca shrugged and took a glass of wine offered by the servants. Alfredo wasn't interested in such. He had just come back and was yet to have enough rest, knowing he had to work the previous day. He hated coming to this house more than anything, especially the city. So many bad things happened here which harmed his dreams.

“Even this time…what kind of work?” It was strange how Luciano was tending to work late, like Solange was complaining about earlier. Bianca shrugged and drank her liquid.

"He's doing this for us, mom…let him as it is… Pedro Ramirez can be a great help… I'm excited to meet him” Bianca said while smiling to herself. She cared less about what Luciano did with his life, even if he had side chicks to warm his bed, he could do that. He was married to a boring woman; hence, her brother shouldn't suffer. What interested her more was meeting the man with power. She heard Pedro was wealthy and mysterious, handsome, and had power. All that she liked in men; therefore her target was set and that was meeting him, making him hers just like every man out there.