The Young and the Beautiful

Chapter 18

I arrived that night about 8pm after everyone had dinner, I saw my wife Camila doing paper works for her new job in her desk. She was busy studying about the artworks that the museum recently acquired. She said it was purchased from an auction from a broke former aristocratic family somewhere from the north. The new artworks got several inquiries on how they can get their hands on it.

I kissed her head while she was busy with her typewriter and reading information about a portrait of a beautiful woman. I wonder who she was. Her hair smelled like her unique scent and floral shampoo. She looked stressed and tired so even though I was tired myself, I made her a cup of chamomile tea to help her relax.

Camila's career was really good, her bosses loved her, and she started to make a name in the art scene as one of Madrid's finest art dealers and curators. Rumors spread out like wild fire that she got her job because she's an ambassador's wife. But no, it was all her. Her knowledge, her wit, her charm brought her where she was today. But what's a worse rumor? People say that it seemed like Camila's the one who wear the pants in our family. She makes big money in her work and is way more popular than I am. It is true, but those were just rumors and cigar talks that these men and women do. If there's one thing that the Madrid people love to do it would be gossiping.

"Thank you Pancho. I was feeling a little tired tonight. I've had a client who wanted to learn something about his new collection so I wrote him the complete history of his artworks and the life story of those people who made them." She said as she took a sip of her warm chamomile tea.

"That's good, my love. I'm sure he wants to. How was your day?" I asked her as I sat by the chair beside her.

"It was fine. Pancho, I was feeling a bit dizzy the whole day I was in office, and I haven't had my period for a week now. Is it what we think is it Pancho?" She said then smiled at me. I was hoping that she's right. We've been waiting for this moment for a long time.

I smiled and went to her side and looked at her excitedly.

"Am I going to be a father soon?" I replied.

"I honestly don't know it yet. But tomorrow I will be going to the doctor and have it checked." She said.

"I'll go with you of course. You don't have to deal with it alone Camila." I replied.

"Besides I finished all of my tasks in the office and can get in late tomorrow." I added.

I went out to take a walk again the next morning and saw the same man following me. I lost him when he noticed that I took my time staying in the park. This time he seemed like he meant business. He was wearing a hat and looked aggressive when he was walking fast towards my direction.

The scary man took the vacant spot on the bench I was sitting in and lit a cigarette. He introduced himself as Richard's friend, and told me that he knew what I did and asked me if I wanted to do the same job again. I was on the verge of saying yes when I realized that Camila might be expecting soon and I cannot live a life of a father and a life like this. I told him that I will contact him if I make up my mind.

That day, Camila and I went to the doctor to have her check-up and it turned out that we were right. She's expecting and will give birth by Autumn 1951. I told Camila to take a rest and have less workload but she said that she can still work like before.

"Pancho, I'm so happy that our family is now growing." She said. As we were walking in our car going home.

"I am excited too." I replied. I kissed her hand and squeezed it tight.

By December 1950 we were invited by the British Embassy in Madrid for a Christmas get together. The men I've worked with, were all there but we pretended not to know each other. Richard intentionally bumped in to us and introduced himself.