The next day, Dylan still had not connected with Vanessa.
No calls, let alone messages.
Vanessa had learned to regulate her emotions, to stop looking at her phone and to stop rambling when she was working. Only when she was idle could she not help but think about Dylan, what he was doing and whether he was with that woman.
This went on for a week and Vanessa thought less and less of Dylan at the end of the day.
“This is good. With a new love interest by his side, surely he wouldn’t come back for me and peace could finally be restored to my life, couldn’t it?”
It was just what she had hoped for.
Mercedes was glad that her daughter had returned this week to spend time with her. But every now and then, when she saw Vanessa’s absent-mindedness and the sadness on her face, Mercedes couldn’t help but worry.
-Vanessa, you haven’t been busy at the office lately, have you?
-Well, I’m not busy.
Vanessa smiled and replied.
Mercedes took her hand and looked at her lovingly:
-Our Vanessa is now on her own and I am very proud of her. I have always felt sorry for not being well and not knowing anything about running a company and not being able to help you much.
-Mum, don’t say that. It’s better for you to be healthy and happy than anything else. I have the company, I will manage it well.
-What hard work, my sweet.
Mercedes hugged Vanessa and patted her back.
There was concern hidden under his eyes.
-Vanessa, are you still in contact with… with Dylan these days?
Vanessa didn’t expect Mercedes to ask that question out of the blue, and for a moment there was a flash of unnaturalness in her eyes.
-No.
-So… he’s given up and won’t bother you anymore?
Mercedes asked cautiously, worried both that Dylan was still bothering Vanessa and that her daughter was falling in love with him.
-It won’t be.
Thinking of the woman who called Dylan her brother, Vanessa answered.
Mercedes was delighted with the news.
-Great.
Seeing Mercedes’ relieved expression, Vanessa realised how worried her mother had been about her all along. Her heart filled with guilt.
-Don’t worry, Mum, Dylan won’t come back to haunt me.
“If this is the case, it couldn’t be better.”
Mercedes thought that she really hoped that Dylan would stop bothering Vanessa in the future; maybe she could use this time to find a suitable partner for Vanessa, so that her daughter would have a boyfriend and Dylan would stop bothering her….
-Vanessa, let me help you find some nice, nice men, Dylan will stop bothering you and you’ll make more friends along the way. I can’t be there forever, you have a long way to go.
-Mum, you don’t have to say that.
I had long since lost the ability to love anyone, so how could I ever love anyone again.
-Vanessa, I want to see you happy and content, surrounded by a good man who loves you.
The anticipation and concern in Mercedes’ eyes meant that Vanessa could not refuse, knowing that she had upset her mother.
-You fix it.
-Don’t worry, I will definitely choose the best man for you. My daughter is so good that any man that good is worth it,” said Mercedes with a smile, her heart reassured.
“When Vanessa has a boyfriend, why not avoid Dylan’s harassment and let her daughter start a new relationship.”
Once the decision was made, Mercedes quickly set about mobilising her sisters and soon found several suitable candidates.
-Vanessa, what do you think of this? This is Jorge’s nephew, a final year student at a famous finance university abroad. He took over his own company, with excellent ability and good character.
Mercedes showed Vanessa a photo and went on and on about how nice the other person was.
Without waiting for Vanessa to respond, he pulled out a second one.
-This is Amela’s nephew. Isn’t he handsome? This young man is a soldier, and I’m told he has quite a high rank. His family is also in politics.
The photograph is of a handsome, particularly solid-looking man in a straight military uniform.
Mercedes introduced a third and a fourth ….. These were, of course, all elitist, with good family and good looks.
Probably because Mercedes thought her daughter was good at everything, she chose all of them without a marital background.
-Mum, you forget that I am a divorced woman. These women you have chosen, though they are all wonderful, have never been married.
-What’s wrong with being divorced? My daughter is the best even if she’s divorced, there’s nothing to worry about at all. Those friends of mine know your situation too, and yet they don’t mind recommending me a lot of good resources,” said Mercedes incredulously.
-But…
-What’s the problem? If you like it, I’ll fix it right away. You see, this soldier is quite good. He’s two years older than yours and has a quiet personality. He’s been in the army, so he must be a good man.
Mercedes was more attracted to the boy who was still in the army.
-Vanessa, what do you think? I told Amela to let you meet while her nephew is on holiday these days. Of course, let’s meet first. If you really don’t have feelings for him, I’ll give you another option.
With Mercedes’ words out of her mouth, Vanessa could no longer refuse and nodded her head.
-I’m going to call Amela right now.
The two men chatted on the phone and agreed on a time and place to meet, and Mercedes cheerfully hung up.
-Amela’s nephew is called Benjamin Tassis, so you may remember him.
Mercedes was excited to be educated and was looking forward to the blind date.
In the blink of an eye, it was time for the appointment and Mercedes called Vanessa three times in a row, telling her to look nice, not to be late, to know Benjamin well and not to worry about anything.
Vanessa said yes to all of them, and when she saw that it was time, she left the office to go to her appointment.
The two met in an elegant restaurant in Pacifica City.
The other side was already there when Vanessa arrived.
-Miss Vanessa? I am Benjamin.
Benjamin smiled as he stood up and pulled out the chair for Vanessa. He is even more serene and charismatic than he looks in the photograph.
It’s easy to get attached to a man like that.
-Hi, I’m Vanessa. Sorry to keep you waiting.
-It’s not the appointed time yet, I’m the one who’s used to being early. I just had a look around and the food here is good, what do you like to eat?
Benjamin was a gentleman and handed her the menu, making an effort to tell Vanessa which items he knew in advance.