Melanie.
Valencia, Spain. October, eight years earlier…
"Rita! Rita! Your father is calling you!" Mamma's voice calls in the distance, as I stroll in the fields, plucking and eating ripe grapes.
Their juicy flesh, tasting like honey.
Papa's grapes are regarded the best in these regions of Spain. His wines, sorted out by the richest clienteles of the world. He supplies thousands of restaurants and wholesalers; all of them always praising his wines. Even tourists come here.
Today, tourists are present for wine tasting. It's the grape harvest festival tonight and we're preparing. I like watching the fields as tourists tour the lands.
"Rita, your mother calls you." Paolo, one of dad's field supervisors, teases. He's showing new hands how to pluck the grapes.
"I'd answer her, Paolo, but I want to eat some more grapes." I smile, my eyes on Mario, Paolo's son.
He's 18 years old and very handsome. I've been crushing on him since I can remember. He's also teaching new hands.
"Rita!" Mum's voice comes again.
I growl in protest. Sometimes I come to the fields, to watch Mario. Other times, I come to just escape home and the pressures of being Camilla's last daughter.
"Isn't your sister's suitor's family visiting." Paolo chuckles lightly.
His tone a familiar rumble in my ears.
I gasp, picking my feet and running in the direction of the house. Am late. Mother asked me to ensure I get ready for today. In addition to the festival tonight, my sister's engagement to Emmanuel Cortez is tonight.
I sneak into the house through the servants' quarters, so my parents won't know I came in late. When I enter my room, I fall on the bed, resting my beating heart. A knock comes on the door and whoever it is doesn't wait to be invited in.
"Rita, mum is furious. Maya's suitors are already here. Dad has been waiting to introduce you to them." Ramona, my immediate elder sister scolds me.
Maya, Pilar, Victoria, Sofia, Ramona and me; Giacomo and Camilla's only children. A spacing of two years between each of us. No sons, but my father has never treated us any less. One of the many reasons we love him.
I pout at my sister. Maya's marrying her longtime lover and betrothed. Betrothed long before they grew up, to strengthen alliances in my father's circle of friends.
Ramona rushes to the bathroom, pulling a wash cloth and some water. She begins cleaning the mud from my hair and face. Combing my hair, when she's done. She has a dress ready for me.
"Ramona." I call quietly, as she plaits my hair into a Grecian.
Thoughts of Mario make my heart flutter and I suddenly feel restless, wondering if dad already has a betrothed for me. Just like he does for all my sisters. He only waits for each one to finish her education, before she goes off in marriage.
"Who does dad have in mind for me to marry, when am of age?" I ask her, as she helps me with my dress zipper.
She turns quiet, regarding me from the mirror.
"Why are you bothering about that now, Rita. You still have your whole life ahead of you. Enjoy it, like I am." She smiles, continuing with the zip.
I frown. I know she already knows her betrothed, because she's already 18 and I wonder if she likes him. They talk often, only on our parents' permission.
"Do you like Carlos?" I ask her.
She gasps, lifting her eyes sharply. A blush climbs her beautiful face and we both giggle.
"I do, Rita. But engagements break, just like Victoria's did. But that doesn't mean you shouldn't enjoy the fun, while it lasts." She grows thoughtful and asks, her eyes furrowed in a frown.
"Wait, don't tell me this is because of that young man, Mario. He's a worker, Rita. Father and mother wouldn't even allow it, even though you weren't yet betrothed." Ramona chides.
My eyes open in mischief. "That means you already know who it is?" I gasp, amazed.
I turn to her and she puts her hands on her waist.
"Turn around, Rita, we've got things to do for the festival." She chuckles at my mischief.
"Oh tell me, I promise I wouldn't tell anyone." I plead, my lips pouting.
She shakes her head. The door opens and mum walks in briskly, disrupting our conversation.
"You two quit playing. Your father has asked for you both."
***
It's 9pm and my legs feel like lead from all the dancing.
The music is still playing outside, as I climb the stairs to my room. I reach the hallway and I hear a voice talking in low tones. I recognize it dad's. I draw closer to the voice, eavesdropping. He's speaking on his phone by the window.
"Yes, Sir. I'm sorry things got delayed. I will ensure the drops are made in time. Yes, I'll be putting them there. They will be found inside when they check. Yes, she's fine. It would be wonderful. Good night, Sir."
I shift out of sight, as he approaches. I wonder who he was speaking to. He sounded very serious. Perhaps it's a client he failed to deliver to in time. I feel sad for him. He's got so much on his mind.
I walk the remaining distance to my room, locking my door. It's dark, as I kick off my shoes and lay in bed. The music reverberating through my windows. My limbs, exhausted from all the dancing. My belly full from eating and drinking too much.
A soft thud sounds inside my room and I raise my head, wondering. I switch on my lamp, following the direction of the sound. A ball of paper on the floor. I reach for it. A rock and paper. I read it.
Rita,
Your eyes are like the sun. I liked watching you dance tonight, but you're forbidden. My employer's daughter. Good night.
Love,
Mario.
I squeal excitedly.