Karen Rodríguez was an 18-year-old Latina girl who had lived in Los Angeles for 15 years, when her mother, Carolina, divorced her father and arrived illegally to the United States to pursue her dream of becoming a fashion interiors designer. She couldn't remember almost anything about her childhood before coming to the States, she had no memories of her father, it was as if that part of her had never existed. Her mother was determined to ensure that this would continue to be the case, she kept no memories of their previous life, no photos, no videos, no letters, Karen  did not even know her father's name.

Karen had just enrolled at Los Angeles Community College to study culinary art. She would describe herself as a happy, energetic and authentic girl. Her dream was to become a chef at a world-renowned restaurant. Since she was little, Karen spent every free second she had with her mother. They were both very close, or at least that was the case until last year, when Carolina met her current boyfriend, Mr. Thiessen, a businessman in the hotel industry, who spent his days traveling between England and the United States.

Karen hardly knew him, but she considered him to be a good person, and most importantly, he made her mother happy.

Karen's recent independence from her mother had given her the opportunity to hang out more with her best friend Corinne, who lived near Karen's house and with whom she spent every free second they had. She had recently ended her high school relationship with Anthony Haymay, a sporty boy who was the perfect example of all the red flags someone could have. Her relationship with him, in addition to being toxic, was extremely volatile, one day they were together and the next they weren't.

- Wouldn't you love it if your mom married the millionaire? - Corinne asked while they were watching a movie in her room.

- I haven't thought about that -Karen lied, she had been thinking about it since the day she found out her mother had a rich boyfriend.- Imagine, a life of luxury, sports cars, expensive clothes. It's a dream.- I think so- If that happens, promise that they will adopt me, I know how to cook and I can walk your dogs.- We don't have dogs- The expensive dogs that you will have when you are a millionaire.

Corinne and Karen occasionally fantasized about suddenly becoming millionaires, about meeting a boy who would take them to the best places, who would give them the best flowers, who would turn them into housewives, the kind that are dedicated to being at home and being cute all the time.

Corinne had left, and while Karen was picking up all the things that had been scattered in her room, her mother knocked on the door.

- Hi ma, how was your date?- Good as usual - she said smiling. Karen thought her mom had the most beautiful smile in the whole world.- I want you to come with me and Mark on a date - Carolina said, Karen looked confused.- A date with you two? - Karen said while frowning.- Yes, Mark is very important in my life and of course you are even more so, and it would mean the world if you came with us.- Anything special you want to tell me? - Karen asked as she looked at Carolina with an intense look.- Come to dinner and you'll know - said Carolina walking towards the living room to avoid more questions - wear something nice by the way - she shouted from the other room of the house.- As if I didn't always do it - she shouted back.

The night  of the date Karen had to find the perfect dress since she had a suspicion that that would be the night her mother would get engaged to him. The dress she chose was a long beige silk dress with a beautiful neckline, and a matching pair of emerald jewelry that her mother had given her when she turned fifteen at her "quinceañera" party.

At eight o'clock a vehicle picked both of the good looking ladies. Neither of them mentioned anything about the date during the ride. They chatted about other topics, although from their body language, Karen knew that her mother was dying of nerves.

- Stop biting your nails, you're going to ruin your manicure - Karen said, giving her mother a little smack.

Upon arriving at the restaurant, the receptionist helped them get out of the vehicle to escort them inside the luxurious place. Neither of them had been there before, although Carolina generated enough income for both of them to live comfortably, they were not even close to being part of the upper class society.

- Welcome to Belvedere, do you have reservation?- Yes, someone is waiting for us...- Carolina, Karen, you both look gorgeous - Mr. Thiessen greeted with his fantastic English accent while kissing Carolina on the cheek - they come with me, Melissa dear - he addressed the receptionist.- Welcome - she smiled - Let me take you to your table- I'll do it this time - said Mr. Thiessen with a huge smile on his face - it's a special night- I understand sir, have a great time

They both followed Mr. Thiessen, as they did so, Karen's heart was beating strongly with excitement, the idea of ​​having a complete family was something that excited her too much. Distracted by the beauty of the place and her thoughts, Karen didn't notice someone else was already at their table until Mr. Thiessen introduced them.

- Ladies, I want to introduce you to my son, Bryan.

Bryan was a handsome guy with light skin, very light brown hair, and bright blue eyes like his father's. Bryan stood up as soon as they both arrived and greeted them with a rather charming smile.

- Finally I have the opportunity to meet you - Carolina said very excitedly as she approached Bryan to hug him - you are just as handsome as your father.

Bryan took a step back and extended his hand. Carolina gave up the hug and extended her hand to him. Bryan approached her and gave her two kisses, one on each cheek.

- Social differences - Carolina said laughing - in Mexico hugs are the most natural thing when it comes to meet someone.

- We'll get used to it, right, Bryan? - said Mr. Thiessen, taking Bryan's left shoulder firmly.- We will certainly do it - Bryan responded with a very deep voice and a very strong english accent.- This is my baby - Carolina said, making Karen blush for that comment.- Mom! - she said as she extended her hand towards Bryan.- Nice to meet you - Bryan said again while repeating the kisses on both of Karen's cheeks.

Although Bryan had a smile on his face, he looked uncomfortable with the situation, which immediately made Karen uncomfortable as well.  

- Before eating we want to give you some news - Mr. Thiessen mentioned looking at both Bryan and Karen while motioning for everyone to take their seats.

"Are they going to get married or are they going to have a baby? Everyone is going to think it's mine," Karen thought.

- Carolina has gotten a very special job in London - she took Carolina's hand on the table while the two teenagers looked on - so starting next week you will both move to our beautiful city until the contract is concluded and well, we will see how everything turns out - said Mr. Thiessen looking mainly at Karen.- London? - Bryan asked surprised -now you will be able to spend more time together.- You bet - said Mr. Thiessen - they will move with us.- To our house? - Bryan asked again with a serious tone. Any trace of kindness was gone.- What about my school? - Karen asked annoyed.- You'll go to university with Bryan, honey - Carolina said calmly - Mark has done us a favor by getting you a space.

Bryan glanced at Karen in amazement, although he understood that she knew the same or less information than he did.

- Bryan will help you with everything you need - Mr. Thiessen said happily - he has studied at Millington since preschool, he could already run the school if he wanted to - he said laughing while taking a sip of his drink, ignoring his son's clear annoyance. - We have an apartment on campus, you will live there during the week and on weekends you can visit your mother and me in the city.- Let me see if I understand correctly - Karen began, noticeably upset at the lack of information she had previously received from her mother - not only do I have to move to another country, but I will also be in a boarding school.- Millington is one of the best schools in the world, darling - Carolina said sweetly - it is a true fortune that you can be part of it. Isn't the best school, Bryan?- You're going to love it - he said in a sarcastic tone and a challenging look.

Despite Bryan's response, Karen perceived that as an omen that she wasn't going to love it at all. Furthermore, the idea of ​​sharing a room with Bryan, whom she had not met for more than just a couple of minutes, seemed not only uncomfortable, but risky.

With her mind filled with all the things she had to get ready and how she would have to say goodbye to her friends, Karen's nervous gastritis was getting worse by the minute, so much so that she couldn't even enjoy the rest of dinner. She occasionally glanced at Bryan, who had a serious facial expression, very different from the smiling boy who received them minutes before.