For good ideas and true innovation, you need human interaction, conflict, argument, debate. — Margaret Heffernan

 The atmosphere in the room was tense as everyone digested Iris's words. 

"Well…that's quite a brilliant idea, Iris dear!" Lolita remarked with a smile. 

"I agree!" Timothy chimed in. "But there's a slight problem?" 

"What is that, Papà?" 

"How are we going to convince Mr. Ortega to partner with us?" 

"Hmmm, that's true," Paloma muttered and her brows wrinkled. 

"I am sure we can think of something," Elena encouraged. 

A hush fell over the table as everyone juggled their minds for a solution.  

"I got it!" Paloma exclaimed and leaned forward. 

"Great! Let's hear it!" Gael beamed. 

"Well…Ramona can do some talking to—" 

"No!" Gael cut her off with a loud voice. 

Paloma jerked and swung to face him with wide eyes. 

A sheepish look flashed in his eyes. "My apologies! But I would like for Ramona to stay away from him as much as possible." 

"Yes, I agree as well," Lolita said with scrunched brows. "That man can't be trusted; I don't want Ramona to fall into harm's way again."

Paloma sent the mother and son a compassionate smile. "I understand where you are coming from but that's the only solution we have."

Gael shook his head "We will think of something else." 

Paloma opened her mouth to speak but no words came out. Her eyes raced to her father for help but he shook his head and sent her a sympathetic smile. 

He cleared his throat and said to everyone, "Let's focus on our meal for now and deliberate afterward." 

Everyone complied and silence reigned for minutes while the families silently ate. The clanking of cutleries against plates occasionally broke the silence.  

Several minutes later, all the plates were cleared from the table and the two families relocated to the living room. The two couches and two armchairs couldn't contain everyone so Paloma and Alexa had to drag in two dining chairs for themselves.  

"So…I suppose we should get the ball rolling?" Timothy broke the awkward silence after everyone had settled down. "Has anyone thought of another solution?" His eyes darted around.  

Everyone uttered a 'no' and shook their heads. 

Timothy heaved a sigh. "I guess we need to unstuck ourselves again."

Iris released a groan. "I believe we should just go with Paloma's idea. It's most likely to work." 

Happiness swelled within Paloma but the frown on Gael's face stopped her from showing her gladness. 

"I still disagree." Gael shook his head. "The possibility of it backfiring is still there." 

"But it is worth a try," Iris replied with an undertone of frustration. 

"I don't want to take chances." 

Iris huffed. "You are just being a typical overprotective brother." 

"I agree.  And I am sure your brother is the same thing. Right, Juan?" Gael's eyes shifted to the person next to Iris. 

"You got that right. I wouldn't like any of my sisters to be endangered in any way. So I feel you."

"Thanks." Gael sent him a grateful smile. 

Iris scoffed. "So I guess we are back at square one. Wow!" 

"I am sure we'll figure something out, dear. Don't lose hope." Lolita said. 

Paloma scanned the grim faces of her family and friends and her heart churned.  

Oh Lord, do something! Paloma inwardly prayed.  Her mother's voice drew her attention. 

"You all are right in your own way. But I believe you all are missing something." 

The eyes of everyone landed on Elena and she smiled. 

"You all are forgetting to ask Ramona whether she is ready to do it or not." 

"That's true. Thanks, Mamà!" Paloma smiled. She turned to Ramona who was sitting in between her mother and brother. "What are your thoughts, Ramona? Do you think you can talk and convince Mr. Ortega to partner with us?" 

Ramona bit her lips. "Well…I can try. But there is no guarantee he will listen to me anyway." 

Paloma nodded. "You have a point. He seems quite shrewd. But what I want to know is if you are comfortable speaking to him?" 

Ramona's eyes darkened with terror. "I’m not so sure," she whispered. "I don't like the way he looks at me." 

Gael's jaw hardened.  "In that case, you are not going to meet him or speak with him." 

"Agreed!" Lolita added in finality and wrapped a protective arm around Ramona.

Paloma's breath caught and her stomach churned. Words eluded her. 

An uncomfortable silence descended on the group as everyone was too befuddled to speak. However, the silence didn't last long as a whisper broke through. 

"What if she doesn't go alone to meet him?" 

Paloma whirled to face her youngest sister. "What did you say, Alexa?"

"I said what if Ramona doesn't have to meet Mr. Ortega alone?" Alexa's voice came out stronger. 

Understanding dawned on Paloma and an idea formed in her head.

Oh Lord, put the right words in my mouth. 

She turned to face everyone. "Alexa has a point." 

"What?" Gael's brows rose in questioning. 

"Let me explain." Her lips raised in a half smile. She swallowed saliva to moisten her dry throat. "Your fears as a mother and brother are valid. I consider Ramona a sister and I never want her to get hurt. However, we can't deny that Mr. Ortega has a likeness towards Ramona and we need to use it against him." 

"So are you saying my sister should be the scapegoat?" Gael scowled. 

Paloma shook her head. "Not at all. That's not what I mean." 

"So what do you mean?"

Gael's hard tone caused her stomach to roil. "What I mean is that your fear is mostly that you don't want Mr. Ortega to harm Ramona in any way. But that won't happen if we go with Ramona to meet him."

Lolita hummed. "You are onto something, dear." She sent Paloma a smile which Paloma reciprocated. 

"I agree your idea is bright." Iris chimed in. "However, it would be foolish for all of us to tag along."

"You are right. All of us don't need to go. A few of us can."  Paloma sent her a smile and turned to Gael.  "Are you comfortable with the idea?"

A thoughtful look crossed his face. "Hmm, I like the sound of it. I will be reassured of her safety. However, going as a group might intimidate him."

"I agree," Timothy remarked. "It might even prevent him from helping us." 

"True." Paloma nodded. "Because of the sensitivity of the case, only a few of us should go."

"So we should decide which of us is going?" Timothy said. 

"I'm definitely going," Gael announced. 

"And so am I!" Paloma declared.  

"I will also tag along," Lolita said 

"No, mom! You should stay back; I will be more worried if you come along."

Lolita shook her head. "I won't be at peace knowing you two are in the lion's den." 

"Don't worry, aunt! I will take care of both of them." 

Lolita looked at Paloma and sent her an appreciative smile. "Thank you, dearie, but I would be worried about you too."

Paloma opened her mouth to respond but her father beat her to it. 

"That's why I would be going along to take care of all of them." 

"Papà!" Paloma exclaimed and turned to face him. "There's no need for that."

"There is definitely a need, cupcakes. You may not be able to handle things if they get out of hand."

Paloma shook her head. "I'm sure nothing will go wrong. And besides, if anything untoward happens, God will protect us."

"Exactly! God will be our refuge in times of trouble," Gael chimed in an upbeat voice. "Don't worry, sir, I will take care of your daughter." A smile grazed his lips. 

A twinkle gleamed in Timothy's eyes and a smile played on his mouth. "I am entrusting you with my daughter's responsibility; don't let me down." 

"I won't." 

Paloma watched the two men and she couldn't help but feel a new bond was forming. A relationship that may last long after the two families had ended their partnership. 

"So I guess it's being decided." Timothy beamed. "Paloma, Ramona, and Gael shall head to Newhill tomorrow." 

                                 ★★★★

Ahh, do you think their plan will work?

Will Bolivar Ortega support them?

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I look forward to them. XD

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Until next time, keep shining ❤