Today Alejandra had to cover a family wedding because it's tradition for the Castello's to host the wedding of extended family.
"I never knew we cover a wedding events" Sunny said. "Chef agreed to it so we can only obey" Mariana replied. Sunny could only wonder why Alejandra agreed to do this.
They arrived at the venue. An old building greeted them but inside was as beautiful as a castle. A giant golden chandelier hung gracefully above. Chairs and tables were decorated with black and red napkins.
The cups had either skull or skeletons on them. Black and red roses danced across the tables. Everything looked like a wedding from a mafia novel. "It's called a black wedding" Alejandra said from behind.
"I see" Sunny replied without looking behind her. "It's tradition" Alejandra continued. "It's beautiful... I had no idea you covered weddings" Sunny said.
"I only do this for family members" Alejandra replied with a shrug. "Would you cover mine in the future?" Sunny admired the chandelier from above.
Alejandra glanced at Sunny for a while. She noticed how the light from the chandelier made Sunny's eyes look even more beautiful.
"It looks magical... The bride must be very excited right now. If I were the bride, I'll faint five times and wake up four times. The fifth time I'm not sure the excitement would allow me to wake up again"
Alejandra chuckled softly. That made Sunny's heart to do a back flip, then it fell down flat. "You really are talented chef... I am honored to work along side you" Sunny said. Alejandra paused. "Is that so?"
"Yes, you are talented in many aspects" Sunny said. "What do you think my talents are?"
"Um, well.... I know your cooking is divine... This hall you decorated is magical" Sunny said. "Do you know the meaning of the color combination?" Alejandra asked.
"Black signifies death, danger and misfortune while red signifies love and prosperity. But I believe it also define how love can grow in odd places. How love came to existence between two different worlds. Ahhh... I love, love" Sunny said.
"Do you know that this wedding is dangerous? You might lose your life" Alejandra said. "Hmm... I wouldn't" Sunny said simply. "Why?"
"I am certain for the fact that we are here, you wouldn't allow anything happen to us... Because we are your employees" Sunny said. Alejandra was left silent.
"I really love what you did to this place... I am speechless. I am sure your family must be proud of you" Sunny said. Alejandra laughs but it was hallow.
"No one cares about the details. Everyone just cares about the ceremony" Alejandra said.
"They don't have taste even if it hit them on the head. I mean you didn't just decorate a hall, you managed to tell a story of how two people from different worlds and how they managed to change the past and rewrite the future" Sunny said with a smile.
"I have an idea, I would love you to decorate my wedding in the future" Sunny said. Alejandra looked at Sunny who was too busy admiring the hall. She didn't know why but those words made Alejandra feel weird inside again.
"Would you really let me cover your wedding?" Alejandra asked cautiously. "Yes... I know you would do a spectacular job" Sunny said.
"You seem to see the good In people" Alejandra said. "Yes... Everyone has a good side" Sunny said. Alejandra tilts her head. "Not everyone expose their good side. They see it as a weakness" Sunny said.
"Do you see me as a good person?" Alejandra asked. "Yes. I'm not just saying it to make you feel good about yourself but I know you are a good person. You care about your family, you still gave us our jobs back. You are a kind-hearted person"
"You won't be saying this if you knew the truth" Alejandra said. "You might have a difficult past but that doesn't define who you are. People change over the years. You might not have been a good person in the past but your present says a lot about you" Sunny said.
Alejandra ran her fingers through her hair. "You really are strange" Alejandra said. Someone called Alejandra. "Excuse me" Alejandra left Sunny.
Sunny returned to work, The wedding began. "We welcome you all to the black wedding of Aurora Castello and Pedro Alonso. The joining of two powerful mafia families" A man said.
The bride and groom sat on a throne like chair. "Now the couple shall accept the gifts from friends and family" The same man said. People dropped gifts at their feet.
The bride picked a random gift, she opened it and brought out a gun. "This is from Antonio Castello" The man said. Antonio raised his wine glass and made a slow toast to the couple.
The ceremony continued but Sunny had to serve drinks to the guests who sat outside. She served for almost an hour, she became dizzy. She bumped into someone causing the tray to fall and the glass of shatter.
"I'm sorry, I'm so sorry... I didn't see you there" Sunny apologized. "Chen Yanyan Yǐjīng yǒu yīduàn shíjiānle" {Chen Yanyan it has been a while} a man said in chinese.
Sunny paused for a second before regaining her composure. "I'll get you a new shirt to change into" Sunny said as she hurriedly packed the broken glass. The man stopped her.
"Wǒ zhīdào nǐ míngbái wǒ de yìsi. Wǒ zhīdào shì nǐ. Wǒ shīsàn duōnián de zhí nǚ" {I know you understand what I'm saying. i know it's you. my long lost niece}
"Is there a problem here?" Alejandra asked as she stood beside Sunny. "No not at all Alejandra" the man calmly said. "Pengxi I expect you to have some self-respect. You are here to represent Chen Xing not to flirt with my employee"
Sunny felt the world tilt sideways when she heard her fathers name. The man standing Infront of her is her uncle, how did he find her?. "I'm sorry for making your staff uncomfortable" Pengxi said as he raised both his hands in surrender.
"Dàn qǐng jì zhù, nǐ de fùqīn bù zhīdào nǐ zài zhèlǐ...zhǎo gè sīmì dì dìfāng hé wǒ tán tán. Wǒ bǎozhèng nǐ de mìmì huì ānquán de jiāo gěi nǐ qīn'ài de shūshu, bǎobèi."
{but remember your father isn't aware you are here.... meet me somewhere private so we can talk. i promise your secret is safe with your beloved uncle, baby}
"Wǒ bùshì nǐ de zhínǚ. Wǒ gēnběn bù zhīdào nǐ shì shéi" {i am not your niece. i have no idea who the fuck you are} Sunny said. "You understand him?" Alejandra asked.
"Yeah, he wants a new pair of shirt" Sunny replied. "I'll have Mariana prepare that for him" Alejandra said. Abuela called Alejandra causing her to leave the duo.
"It's been fifteen years since I last saw you. How time has flown" Pengxi said. "You must be mistaking me for someone else. My name is Sunny, now excuse me I have something to do inside" Sunny said.
"For fifteen years I have tracked your location.... I have known where you've been. I didn't want to disturb the peaceful life you have created" Pengxi said. "I am not your niece" Sunny said.
"You are still wearing that Middlemist's Red Camellia necklace I got you on your sixth birthday" Pengxi said. "I got this from a friend of mine"
Pengxi smirks. "You really don't need to lie. I know it's you because there is a tracking device in the necklace so there's no need to deny it"
Sunny broke free from his grip. "Wǒ yāoqǐng nǐ bàba guòlái zěnme yàng? Wǒ gǎn dǎdǔ nà kěndìng shì yīchǎng shèngdà de pàiduì."
{How about I invite your father over? I bet it would be a fabulous grand reunion}
Sunny felt her soul leave her body but she quickly left, She went to dispose the trash. Alejandra noticed Sunny's mood had changed, she noticed the tension on her shoulders and how she forced a smile.
Sunny looks at her trembling hands. "Not now... Please not now. Get a grip on yourself, nothing is going to happen. As long as I'm here, chef wouldn't let anything happen to me" Sunny said.
"What would you do if you found out that the person you cling onto for protection was actually sent by your father to look for you?" Pengxi asked. Sunny flinched hearing that.
"Chen Yanyan, I am not the enemy. I only want to help you but if Alejandra finds out the truth she would turn you over to your father without hesitation" Pengxi said.
"Wǒmen jiù bùzài zhèlǐ shuō zhègele, yǐhòu kěyǐ zhǎo gè shìhé dì dìfāng
{let's not talk about this here. we can get a suitable place later }
"Hǎo de, hěn kuài zàijiàn" {Alright, see you soon}
Sunny exhaled sharply. "This day keeps getting worse by the second" Sunny muttered.