“Oh, you two know each other?” she asked, eyes sparkling as though she had found a missing piece to a puzzle.
Sylus shrugged casually. “We have only met once. In the hospital cafeteria.”
Mrs. Fuentez’s gaze darted between the two of us, something mischievous twinkling in her eyes.
“Well, what do you think of my son, Doctor Lily?” she asked, a smile pulling at her lips.
“He is handsome, isn't he? I keep telling him he needs a good woman in his life, but he is as stubborn as ever. I can’t even get him to react to beautiful women like you. Is there something wrong with him?”
Her teasing left me speechless, and I felt the heat rising to my cheeks. It was entirely too personal for me to comment on.
Flustered, I tried to keep things light. “I think… I’m just not his style.”
Before I could say more, Sylus interrupted with a sharp, “Who said that?”
His words stunned me. I had not expected him to say anything.
At that moment, I could not help but wonder, had he deliberately called me ‘Lotty’ back then to find out my real name? Could it be that Sylus had taken an interest in me all along?
I dismissed the thought quickly, not wanting to overthink it. “It was just my opinion,” I said, keeping my tone neutral.
Mrs. Fuentez chuckled, enjoying the exchange.
“So, Sylus, do you like her?” she asked playfully, but before he could respond, she continued, “Because I like her. It would be wonderful to have a daughter-in-law as reliable and kind as Doctor Lily.”
I was left speechless, unsure of how to respond.
The conversation twisted and turned in ways I had not anticipated, and soon after, I found myself entangled with the Fuentez family more deeply than I ever thought possible.
As time passed, the Fuentez family began inviting me into their lives more often.
I was hesitant at first, aware of their reputation, but Mrs. Fuentez’s kindness made it difficult to refuse.
I found myself accepting their invitations, spending more time with Sylus.
At first, it felt like a dream. Sylus showered me with attention, picking me up for dates, buying me gifts, and giving me anything I want.
The love and affection he showed seemed genuine, and I started to open my heart to him. It felt like he was healing the wounds of my past, compensating for the loneliness I had carried for so long.
After all, his family treated me so well. They had accepted me, and his mother spoke of our future as if it was set in stone.