Chapter 16
Dead Giveaway
I slide the envelope open and pull out its
contents. The pages are thick, expensive. Each one is meticulously printed,
annotated in a familiar, slanted script. At first glance, it looks like some
intelligence briefing.
No. Worse.
A collection of dating profiles, each one
underlined, highlighted, dissected like it’s mission-critical.
I recognize the handwriting immediately.
Of course.
Abuela’s always been sharp, intuitive. But this?
This is next-level.
I let the papers drift onto the coffee table,
exhaling slowly. The scent of fresh coffee lingers, mingling with the old vinyl
must. A scratchy jazz tune leaks from the jukebox, curling around the low hum
of conversation. This place is my retreat. Neutral ground.
Abuela doesn’t believe in neutral ground.
“Ah,” I say, lifting an eyebrow. “So, Marisol and
Margarita sugarcoated you into this, huh?”
“No…” The guilty lilt in her voice carries about
as much weight as a paper napkin.
She twiddles her thumbs, her gaze dropping to her
toes. She wiggles them against the floor.
A dead giveaway.
“Abuela.”
She lifts her chin. “Pues… sí, they helped.” Her
posture straightens—too deliberate. Another tell. She’s about to lie, one of
those half-truths coated in just enough sincerity to be plausible.
I drag a hand down my face and sink deeper into
the couch.
Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author's consent. Report any sightings.
Abuela leans forward, elbows on her knees, hands
clasped like she’s laying out a battle plan. Her floral dress—bright,
defiant—cuts through the dim lighting like a sunrise fighting through storm
clouds.
“Think of it like an RPG quest,” she says, voice
rich with mischief. “You, mijo, are the hero. These dates? They’re side quests.
Each one helps you build your team.”
I blink. Hard. “What?”
The sheer absurdity of it smacks me in the face.
“So what, I’m supposed to grind XP by making
small talk and splitting appetizers?”
She claps once, delighted. “Exactly! Level up,
Carlos. It’s time to grow into your potential.”
A sharp, incredulous laugh escapes me. “You know
this isn’t how it works, right? I’m not gonna score a rare drop or unlock a
legendary weapon by... having dinner.”
Her smirk sharpens. “Maybe not. But you might
find an ally to boost your stats. Besides, your gear could use an upgrade.”
I groan. “Thanks, Abuela,” I mutter. “I’ll keep
that in mind next time I’m raiding.”
Even my sarcasm doesn’t faze her.
“And who knows…” she continues, eyes twinkling.
“Maybe… you can, you know… pop some kids out. Maybe five, hopefully at the same
time.”
“Jesus…”
Smack. A swift slap to the back of my head.
“Deja a Jesusito out of this.”
Across the room, the receptionist—red lips, retro
waves, Old Hollywood glam wrapped in effortless boredom—hides her grin behind a
nail file. But I see it.
By the entrance, two mothers are cackling, their
laughter sharp and bright, like exotic parrots chiming in on the spectacle.
I sigh, long and suffering. “Fine. I’ll take on
these side quests. But if I hit ‘Game Over,’ it’s on you.”
Abuela beams. “Good. I knew you’d come around.”
I glance around, searching for an escape,
something to ground me in anything but this conversation. From the back room, a
half-finished track drifts through the open doorway—soft, familiar, pulling at
something deep in my chest. Music has always been my world, my anchor. Not…
this.
Abuela’s gaze doesn’t waver.
I exhale, resigned. “You’re not letting me back
out, are you?”
“No, mijo.” Her voice gentles, slipping past my
defenses. “I’m doing this because I love you. And because you deserve someone
who builds you up, not someone who tears you down.”
The words settle deep, heavier than I expect. I
can’t argue. Not really. Beneath the ridiculous RPG metaphor, she’s right. It’s
not about awkward first meetings or shared appetizers. It’s about something
bigger. Something worth finding.
I shift my gaze to the receptionist, who’s been
watching the exchange with thinly veiled amusement.
“What about you?” I ask, lifting an eyebrow.
“Think you’re ready for a quest?”
She pauses, tilts her head, considering. Then
grins.
“I’m good for now. But if you need a party
member, I’ll consider it.”