Love is like the wind, you can't see it but you can feel it.- Nicholas Sparks,

There was a light buzz in the car of the Jaramillos as they headed towards the Davenports' house. It was a journey towards the city. A part of Steelfort they had frequented in the last few months.

While the rest of the family chatted amicably with each other, Paloma sat stiffly by the window with various thoughts drifting through her mind. She was eager to reach their destination so she could unload everything burdening her mind.

"Sis, we are here!" Alexa announced from beside her.

"Okay." She picked up the box of cupcakes on her lap and followed Alexa out of the car. Her eyes scanned the area and her brows wrinkled as her eyes landed on the Davenport house.

"Gross. Who paints their house black?" Iris said as she came to stand beside her.

"Unfortunately, the government chooses the color of the houses in every neighborhood in the city," Timothy replied and tsked.

"That's preposterous!" Iris exclaimed.

"After seeing this and hearing that, I am quite glad we live on the outskirts," Juan remarked.

"Yeah, I agree. I would have lost it if I lived in such an awful-looking house," Iris said and scrunched her nose.

"I agree with all of you. But I believe we should head in. I am sure the interior is much more pleasing," Elena smiled.

"Yeah, let's go," Alexa muttered. "Although it would be terrible if the government has a say on how the interior should be."

"I know, right? I don't even want to think about it," Iris huffed.

The family went silent and headed to the front door. Paloma's hands became clammy and her heart pounded. Timothy did the honors of ringing the doorbell and a few moments later the door swung open. Lolita's grinning face welcomed them.

"Please, come in." She stepped to the side and the Jaramillos filed in.

"I am so glad you could make it." She beamed and exchanged a hug with everyone.

Surprise filled Paloma as Lolita hugged her the longest and squeezed her before letting go. She sent the older woman a smile and handed her the box of cupcakes.

"Ahh, there was no need for this. We have more than enough dessert."

"Psst," Elena waved her hand, "we have to return the favor you did us. You brought something when you came over to our place so please, don't stop us from showing our appreciation."

Lolita nodded and smiled. She handed the box to Ramona who had slipped in while Lolita and Elena were conversing. Paloma's eyes flickered around the house and her forehead creased.

"Ahh, you are looking for Gael, right?" Lolita's voice drew her attention.

Paloma blushed and shyly nodded.

Elena sent her a bright smile. "I'll get him," she said and slipped out of the room.

Confusion welled in Paloma as she pondered on the look Lolita sent her before leaving the room. It was a knowing look. But what did she know? Paloma wondered. The longer she thought about it, the more her nervousness increased.

"Good evening, everyone!" Gael greeted and entered the room. He smiled and shook hands with Timothy, Juan, and Salvador.

Paloma's breath hitched as he turned to face her with a warm smile.

"Evening, partner. How are you?"

She managed to reply with a shaky smile while struggling to keep eye contact.

What is wrong with you, Paloma? Control yourself, chided a small voice.

Her eyes briefly closed and she took steady breaths to calm her racing heart. She was grateful that everyone was too busy chatting to notice her turmoil.

"Since everyone is here, I believe we should settle down and fill our bellies," Lolita smiled and looked around. "Right, guys?"

"Yes, I agree," Timothy said. "We don't want the appropriate dinner time to pass. Let's go."

The two families headed towards the dining space with Lolita leading the way. Paloma lagged behind as she struggled to curtail her fraying emotions. Her throat clogged up and her stomach squeezed. She wondered how she could eat and digest the food in such a state.

Was it a coincidence or was it the planning of someone that made Paloma and Gael sit together?

Like a gentleman, Gael pulled out the chair for Paloma. Paloma slid in and whispered thank you. Her heart lurched as he took the empty seat beside her. The musky scent of his Cologne filled her senses.

"Let's say grace," Lolita's voice rang across the table. "Please, Timothy, do the honors."

Timothy cleared his throat. "Let's bow our heads. Dear Lord..."

Paloma found herself draining out the words of her father. Something she hardly ever did. However, her mouth still uttered words of prayer. Not for the meal but something else.

Lord, you know the new feeling that I have developed. You know the plans you have for me. Take control of everything.

Everyone had chorused an amen when she raised her head. Huge bowls sat in the middle of the table.

"Uh...I didn't know what to prepare so I just made some chicken and vegetable stir fry. I hope that would be okay."

"Of course, you made the right choice. I mean, who doesn't like chicken and vegetables." Elena grinned.

"True. So let's dig in!"

The bowls of food were passed around in a clockwise direction. When it got to Paloma she made sure to take very little before passing the bowl to Gael. She noticed that he took very little as well. After the bowl went round, everyone finally dug into their food. The clanking of cutleries against plates filled the silence.

Paloma took a spoonful of food and the different tantalizing spices brought her tastebuds to life. However, her ever-present anxiety prevented her from fully enjoying the food. After a few more bites, her appetite dwindled and she found herself twiddling with her fork. She spied a look at Gael and found him playing around with his food. His food looked untouched.

Her eyes traveled to his face and she watched a slight frown mar his face. His lips were in a thin line and his brows were drawn together.

She was about to ask him what was wrong but Ramona's voice stopped her.

"I never said what happened at work today, did I?"

"No, you didn't. What happened?" Lolita's curiosity was visible in her voice.

"I got an email from Mrs. Aleric informing me to meet Mr. Ortega to try and convince him to drop the lawsuit against Mr. Newt."

"Oh? You obviously didn't do that. So how did you handle it?" Gael asked.

"Well, I waited a few hours then sent an email to Mrs. Aleric claiming that I asked Mr. Ortega's PA for an appointment but she declined stating that Mr. Ortega is too busy to attend to guests." A victorious smile grazed her lips.

A smile cracked on Paloma's lips. "That was a brilliant way to handle it. I just hope they believe you and don't try to do any form of investigation."

"Hmm, you have a point. But I don't think they will. I mean, it is very easy to believe that a mayor is too busy for some meetings."

Paloma nodded in agreement. But she couldn't shake away the feeling that something might go wrong. She wasn't allowed to ponder much on it because her father's voice snatched her attention.

"I also have an announcement." A smile played on his lips. "I would have said it at home but I believe we could all celebrate it here together."

"What's it, Tim?" Elena asked with a tint of worry.

"One second." He grinned and pulled out a white envelope from inside his inner blazer pocket. He waved it in the air and beamed. "Newt has let me go. And not only that, he fired all the other staff and is planning to close down the company." His smile widened.

An uproar of excited shrieks and surprised squeals filled the room. The reaction of everyone was similar but different. For the first time that day, Paloma felt her anxiety fade.

Elena clasped her husband's arm. "That's such good news. I know how distraught you were working there."

"Yeah, it's like a burden has been lifted from my shoulders."

Paloma replayed the words of her father in her head. "So that means the deforestation is no longer taking place." A grin split on her face.

"Yes, I believe so." Happiness twinkled in Timothy's eyes.

Paloma's grin broadened and she sent a look heavenward. Thank you, Jesus.

With jubilation in the atmosphere, the families finished their meal with happy hearts. After clearing the table, they retreated to the living room with their plates of dessert.

Yet another coincidence happened. Paloma and Gael found themselves standing against the wall in the corner of the room.

Paloma's nervousness returned. Almost every time she moved, she brushed against Gael and her heart would lurch in response.

"I am glad things have turned out in our favor," Gael remarked.

A smile graced Paloma's lips. "Yes, it feels me with joy to see my family without any worry."

"Yeah, same here. And I know I have said it before but we won against all odds."

"Yes, we did!" She looked up into his smiling face. Time seemed to stop as the duo gazed at each other with sparkling emotions they were too scared to talk about.

"Would you like to go on a drive?" Gael blurted.

Paloma's eyes widened and her stomach somersaulted. "Um...sure. Let me inform my parents. I will be right back." She sent him a smile and ambled away.

"Okay. I will be waiting here."

She whispered into the ears of her mother who in response nodded and smiled. She sauntered back to Gael and they slipped out of the house into the darkness of the night. Gael helped her into the truck and soon they were zooming down the highway.

Paloma's brows furrowed as she noticed the direction they were heading to.

A chuckle drew her attention and she turned to the side.

"I know what you are thinking." Gael sent her a quick smile. "Yes, you thought right, we are going to El bosque curativo."

Paloma nodded. "I have no problem with that." She leaned back in her seat and let herself relax. Her guts told her she would not be harmed if she was with Gael.

Their drive continued in silence. Both parties were too buried in their thoughts to make conversation. They were so lost that they didn't notice the black car tailing them.

Paloma was about to doze off when Gael shook her shoulder and declared they had arrived. She shot up in her seat and blinked away the drowsiness. Gael had clambered out and was beside her with the door open.

As usual, he assisted her out of the car. However, there was something different. He held her longer before letting go and then Paloma's skin tingled from his touch.

Grass ruffled under their feet as they approached the thick cluster of trees.

"Let's head to the lake."

Paloma nodded silently. Minutes passed with the duo stumbling over huge tree trunks and maneuvering through thorny plants. Finally, the rushing of water filled their senses and the crystal blue waters came into view.

They strolled closer to the lake and stopped a few distances from its banks. The duo turned to face each other. A new vibe sizzled in the air.

"You wanted to talk to me," they said at the same time.

Their eyes widened as they realized what happened.

Gael's lips curled into a smile. "That was weird."

"True." A grin played on Paloma's lips.

Gael heaved a sigh. "So I guess for that not to happen again, one of us should go first. Would you like to go first?"

"No!" Paloma shook her head vigorously. The thought of telling him what was in her mind caused her tension to increase and her mind went blank.

"Please go ahead," she murmured.

"Okay..." he dragged out and rubbed his neck. A habit she noticed he had when he was nervous or tense.

"I want to tell you something very important." He looked straight into her eyes.

Her heart lurched. "Go on," she said barely above a whisper.

He exhaled sharply and his eyes closed briefly. Her breath hitched at the expressions that gleamed in his eyes. Fear and nervousness mingled with an expression she couldn't decipher shone in his eyes.

He resumed rubbing his neck at a much faster pace. "Let me be honest, I don't know how it happened but I started developing feelings for you." His shoulders rose and fell and he shook his head.

Paloma gaped at him as her heart raced. His words replayed in her head.

"What do you mean?" She rasped out with wide eyes.

His eyes pierced her and he took a step forward. "I mean that I lo-"

A gunshot split across the silent night.

★★★★★

Oh my word, a gunshot!

What do you think that might be?

It could be a hunter killing a bear or it could be aimed at our lovebirds😭

What are your guts telling you? Say it in the comments section.
I will be looking forward to them.

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Until next time, be happy❤