For several days, a frequent topic of conversation in the Pérez Esnaola household was the crying of the creature that had pursued them on Sunday night. The peon who drove the cart had called it a puma and described it as a large feline. However, in Diego's most intimate nightmares, that beast transformed into the devil himself, feeding on newborn babies before his eyes.
Tired of his children's and nieces' gossip about the creature, Óscar had forbidden them to mention it again inside the house. Additionally, he informed them that he had arranged for Diego and Sebastián to run some errands for Señor Juan Bustamante. The elder brother, who almost always resisted obeying his father, strangely seemed delighted with the idea. Diego attributed this to the fact that Pablo Ferreira was also involved in those dealings. His brother saw in the Creole the adventure companion he himself could never be.A summer storm had confined the entire family inside the house. Leaning on the table, Diego watched Sofía humming a melody while working on her embroidery. If his memory served him correctly, the song had been played by the pianist at the Bustamante's gathering.He felt a pang of guilt recalling Sofía dancing in Pablo's arms. Almost certainly, if he had been more attentive to her needs, that wouldn't have happened. But upon discovering his talent for games and the pleasure of winning repeatedly, he had distanced himself from the one who truly mattered to him.He tried to convince himself that the dance meant nothing and that he would soon have the chance to dance for hours with Sofía. However, a part of him knew the truth, and something had changed in the young woman's blue eyes. She, who lived in love with the very idea of love, had found someone to invest all those feelings in, and undoubtedly, it was not the right person."When are we going to talk to Señor Bustamante, Father?" Sebastián asked, pulling Diego from his thoughts."On Saturday morning, he will send a cart to fetch you and that boy... Ferreira," Óscar explained with some difficulty recalling the Creole's name."Are we going to his house?" Sebastián asked with suspicious interest."He didn't give me many details, but the payment will be very generous if everything goes well. You are no longer children, and it is important that you learn to operate like businessmen, my boys. Remember to keep this completely discreet."Although Óscar's businesses often bordered on the illegal, all family members respected him greatly and never questioned his methods. Thanks to him, the family's savings and lands had grown considerably. Besides, they all loved luxuries too much.The man briefly explained to his sons what their mission would entail. He approached them and spoke in a low voice. Yet, both Antonio and the women managed to hear every detail of the conversation. Catalina even brought them a tray of buns and stood a few feet away until her brother-in-law finished speaking.The plan was simple. They would be guided by Pablo Ferreira, who already knew the way and there was no reason they should have any problems. They would take some goods to a port via an unconventional route. There, they would meet Antony Van Ewen, a renowned English merchant, who would give them a large sum of money for Bustamante. A generous percentage of that amount would be divided among the three young men.Sebastián seemed excited, while Diego couldn't help but worry about what fate had in store for them. In moments like these, he wished he were as brave as his older brother. God had been unfair in bestowing their qualities, as Sebastián was more handsome, stronger, and braver than his younger brother. Diego was cautious and obedient. He was also the apple of María Esther's eye, who tended to overprotect him. This made it almost impossible for him to get close to any woman, not counting his cousins, of course.Diego avoided his mother's worried gaze. Deep down, both knew that Óscar wouldn't put his own sons in danger, but smuggling raw materials was not what they had envisioned for their future.When the intensity of the rain lessened, Diego was the first to go outside. He looked at the sky, enjoying the refreshing drops of water falling on his face."Are you afraid to make the delivery?" Sofía asked, startling him, as he hadn't heard her approach."No," he lied, averting his gaze from her captivating blue-violet eyes."I am afraid. If something were to happen to you, I think I would die," the young woman admitted.Diego approached her and gently placed a hand on Sofía's arm. The moments when they could be completely alone were scarce and precious to him. She had always been the person he cared about the most in the world, and that's why he didn't feel comfortable lying to her."Well, I must admit that it scares me a little. But I swear nothing bad will happen to us."She wrapped her arms around his waist, and he returned the magical embrace. He closed his eyes and rested his head on her shoulder. They stayed like that for a few seconds, which Diego wished would last forever. Then Sofía pulled away, looked at him seriously, and said:"Please, take care of yourself and make sure nothing happens to Pablo. Promise me, okay?"Her words were full of tenderness and naivety. There was no malice in them, but even so, they broke Diego's heart into a thousand pieces. He just nodded, as a lump had formed in his throat and words refused to come out."Thank you. You're the best! I love you so much," Sofía said, unaware of the damage she had caused, kissed him on the cheek, and returned to the house.Diego allowed a solitary tear to run down his face. That day, he discovered that love could be painful, especially if it is unrequited. He didn't doubt that his cousin loved him, but it was in a different way than he loved her. Deep down, he knew that Sofía's feelings for Pablo were fleeting. When the Creole left, he would still be there for her, and although he wouldn't demand or reproach anything, a part of him would always desire something more.