Chapter 10

                                    

                                          
Natalia's mood had only gotten worse since the night of the event. Sheila didn't say anything to Freddie and he seemed to be happy for the first time in a while. Probably because Julián left without even saying hello so he had Natalia all to himself. 
He had been getting her little gifts every day. Cupcakes one day, her favourite wine the next, tickets for a movie so they could go on the weekend, ...he was trying so hard and Natalia just wanted him to stop. It was breaking her heart to know she'd have to break his. 
Julián didn't even send a message after the show and she had tried to start a conversation but didn't know what to say. Did he understand what she meant by singing that song? Did he understand she was confessing her love for him? 
And if he did, what did it mean he stopped talking to her? That he didn't love her back, of course. And she had destroyed their friendship and her relationship with Freddie. All in one go. But that's what she deserved.
9 years ago
"You are going to Javier's with us tomorrow, Natalia. No complaints".
"Mum, I don't want to see him. I've told you so many times".
"And I've told you to stop being a brat. That kid is the best option for your future. I let you play your stupid game last year when that other kid was here but enough is enough. Javier won't wait for you forever, you know?"
"Natalia, are we having the same argument again?", asked her dad, who had just gotten home.
"And we will have it again because you don't listen to me. God, I hate you so much!"
Her screams echoed around the whole house but soon were replaced by the sound of her face being slapped by her dad. 
"Ramón!", said Natalia's mum, shocked by the actions of his husband. He had never done anything like that. 
"Do you hate us?", he said, venom in his voice. "Imagine how much I hate having you as my daughter".
"Ramón, that is enough!"
"No, it's not. She needs to hear this. She needs to realize that all she has is because of us. You live like a fucking princess, Natalia. But still think you can talk to us like that? If your mother tells you you're going to Javier's tomorrow, you ask her what time you should be ready. Nothing else. We've allowed you to think your opinion matters for way too long. It's time you do as you're told".
With that, he left the room and Natalia's mum run to her to touch her face.
"Don't touch me", she said, moving away from her mother.
"Natalia, I will talk to him. He should have never done that, but you have to listen to us. We are doing what's best for you".
"No, you're doing what's best for you".
**
The next day, Natalia covered the mark on her face with makeup and put on the dress her mum had picked for her. She hadn't spoken a word since their argument the previous day and didn't plan on speaking more while at Javier's. They could tell him how perfect he was while she stared at the wall. 
Her mum excused her, saying she wasn't feeling too well because of girl stuff, which only made Javier make faces. Of course he would react like that to the idea of periods. Such a perfect gentleman. 
"Darlings", said Javier's mum, "why don't you go to the garden and get some fresh air?"
Natalia didn't speak a word and just moved to the garden. She was going to follow their orders until she could finally go. But if they expected her to smile and look pretty while doing it, they were going to get tired of waiting.