Meant to Be
      Chapter 7
 

Bam!

The door misses my nose by a centimeter as it slams in my face. My body frozen in shock after seeing Michelle naked. Somewhere in the distance I hear screaming and I imagine it to be Maureen, but I can't hear the words. Visions of Michelle's beautiful body have invaded my mind and everything else around me is a blur. It took my brain all of about one second to snap a thousand photographic images that will forever be etched in my memory. Her breasts were full and round with nipples the color of coral and her stomach flat and well toned. Her legs were tan, smooth and shapely - legs that I could die a happy man while wrapped in. And sweet mother of pearl……those golden silky curls concealing the most intimate part of her femininity. I close my eyes and inhale the sweet scent of her that still lingers on the gust of wind that came with the slamming of the door.

"Daniel Santos!!!!!! Are you listening to me??? Daniel!!

I'm brought back to reality by Maureen's high pitched screaming. She is like a lioness defending its cub and I realize I am in deep shit! I release the breath I’ve been holding and turn around. I’m prepared to face my executioner.

Dragging my hands through my hair I desperately try to defend myself. "God Maureen, I'm sorry. I don't know what I was thinking. You said she was descent and I needed to talk to her, so I just………."

"You just what Daniel? Hmm? What? Perhaps you wanted to see my daughter naked, is that it?"

“Yes.” Dear God – what am I saying? I back up against the wall as she prepares to belt me one across the face. “No! God No Maureen! I mean I just………..."

"Don't you just me Daniel Santos!” Her finger is touching the tip of my nose. “Now you listen here young man. As much as I enjoy your company and appreciate the way you've treated me, I will NOT tolerate your lack of respect for my daughter! Do you understand me? DO YOU!” She backs off, turns her back to me and just like that, she’s back in my face again. “For Godssake Daniel! You are an engaged man! What are you thinking?”

"Yes ma'am, I know, I know. But I'm not in love with her Maureen. I'm not. This impending marriage is a complete farce - nothing more than a business arrangement to join two powerful families."

"I don’t care Daniel! In love or not, I don't think your fiance would appreciate your chasing after my daughter and I WILL NOT have you putting her in danger. Do you understand me?"

"Yes ma'am, I do and I'm very sorry. I would never dream of putting Michelle in danger, but…."

"No "but's" Daniel. I simply will not tolerate it!"

I collapse into the chair and bury my face in my hands. "Your right Maureen. I'm very sorry. I didn't mean to cause any problems. It's just that…….. Dammit! I don't know anymore Maureen. I don't know what my life is supposed to be anymore. Ever since birth, I've been groomed to take over as head of this family. Things have been expected of me. Choices about my life have been made for me and it's MY LIFE DAMMIT! MY LIFE! And up until this morning I thought I could live with those choices, but then….."

She sits down on the bed and whispers. "You met my Michelle."

"Yes.” I say, my voice choking. “I met your
Michelle. And in a matter of 12 hours, my life has been turned completely upside down. I don’t understand it Maureen. I don’t. I barely know her, but she has consumed every second of every minute of every hour of my thoughts since this morning and I can't stop thinking about her Maureen. I can't.” A smile creeps across my face as I speak of her. “She’s the most hard headed, exasperating, beautiful woman I’ve ever met, and I know it's wrong, but at the same time, I also know that I've never felt anything so right."

"Daniel, you're scaring me. My daughter is my most precious treasure. She's all I have left in this world and I cannot stand by and watch her be destroyed by your family. They would destroy her and any chance she has at a descent future. Do you know what they would do to her? Do you? Michelle is in her first year of medical school Danny. Did you know that? Did you?"

I’m stunned. I realize how very little I know about her. “No. I didn’t know.”

“Well she is Daniel. She has a very bright future ahead of her and I have not been working my fingers to the bone for this family for you to come along and destroy it for her.”

"I know Maureen, but it doesn't matter anyway. Ever since I met Michelle this morning, I've done nothing but make a complete ass of myself. She's made it perfectly clear to me that she was raised with morals and values that would never allow her to associate, let alone be with someone like me and I can't blame her.” I stand and walk to the door. The life drained from my body. “So you see Maureen, you have nothing to worry about. I'll leave her alone and I'll continue going through the motions with Theresa for the sake of the family.”

“I’m so sorry Daniel.”

“Me too Maureen, me too. Could you do me a favor?”

“Yes.”

“When and if she ever comes out of that bathroom, could you tell her I'm sorry?"

"Yes Daniel, I'll tell her."

"Thank you Maureen. Thank you."

I close the door and don't look back. My heart forever broken.