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.

"I am so sorry. Señor?" He asked.

"Fàbregas. But please. Just call me Francisco or Pancho." I replied and then extended my hand to shake his hand.

"Nice to meet you Francisco." He replied. Then he looked at Camila's direction.

"Oh. This is my wife Camila." I added. Then Camila extended her hand towards him and Richard kissed her hand.

Richard and I were talking about his horse breeding business and told me that he got a new horse to send to the middle east and was asking me if I can go and ride it with him. Richard was talking in codes and told me that he found another Nazi that needs to be sent to Israel for trial. Camila was blushing all the time when she heard how Richard spoke to us.

"That's nice. But I think I have plans for the next week with my wife. We'll be expecting our first child soon." I replied. Richard smiled and congratulated us.

He excused himself and got a drink from the bar, probably a double scotch.

"So you like British lads now? You were blushing, and giggling like a high school girl the whole time he was talking." I said to Camila in the closest accent as Richard.

Camila laughed and continued to do so as I continued to speak like Richard in his posh English accent.

Camila bumped into some friends of hers from the museum and the rich man who she buys art for. They invited her to sit with them while I make my way to the men's room.

As I went back to the party, I heard people talking about us. More particularly, about me.

"Camila's husband seemed so dull. I wonder what she saw in him? He doesn't even have money. I heard his family in Manila just made money in their construction business after the war." One brunette lady said. No it's not true. My great grandfather did a century ago.

"Yes. I know. But it seemed like this boy is rich that's why the two of them got married. The way he brought himself tells me that. Trust me amiga, I know it when someone came from new money family. All money but no personality. But I wonder why is he working here. Maybe his wife talked to someone just for him to be sent here." The other lady in a green dress replied as she sips her champagne. The two ladies giggled and laughed.

"Well honey, rumor spreads that this Camila made hundred thousand dollars in just a few months of working as an art curator. Her husband can't even afford those jewels that she's wearing tonight. Have you seen that necklace? Maybe she got those for herself. I won't let my daughter marry such a poor and boring man. He may look handsome, but I don't think he has the money to sustain her lifestyle." The brunette lady said. Over the last few months, I kept on hearing stories like that, but I don't really pay attention to them. I found them to be a waste of time and energy to impress these nosy rich people.

I walked right straight past them and pretended that I didn't hear anything and greeted the two women a pleasant evening. I winked at the brunette lady and smiled. She doesn't know what she's missing.

I asked the bartender for a scotch on the rocks and realized that some people are gossiping about us and making me the laughing stock of their chisme sessions. Then I realized, maybe it's because Camila makes more money because of her art sales commissions. 

"Camila, mi amor. How are you?" I asked. She was having a laugh with her friend, Nieves and her husband who turned out to be a Spanish duke who was suddenly interested in art.

"Oh Ramon, meet my husband, Pancho." Camila said as she introduced me to the Spanish duke's son who looked like in he's in his 40's.

"Buenas Noches Don Ramon. It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance." I said as he extended his hand to greet me.

"Your wife's taste in art is excellent! My wife loved the pieces that she suggested. She's talking about how fashion can be art too. But for me I think that a dress is just a dress. But your wife talked me out of it, now I am sponsoring some important dresses from the late 1890s to be on display in the museum." He said.

"That's good to hear Don Ramon." I replied. Don Ramon told me that he knew how much Camila's commission was for selling a lot of pieces of the collection of Gonzales' family. He invited me over cigars and brandies. I gestured to Camila that I will be with Don Ramon and she was fine with it.

If those ladies say that I'm boring, I think that they would think that these Dukes are much more boring. Those brandies and cigars after dinner were about these men's achievements and make sure that no other man can compete with them. They're all boasting about their businesses, art collection, and even their children's marriages. Then they started talking about the different brandies and the best vintages which almost made me sleep. I was only able to relate when they started talking to me about international law.

Don Ramon's wife, Nieves went to the room and excused her husband. Camila was outside and arched her head towards her right side which signaled me to go to her. I excused myself from the rest of the gentlemen inside and made my way out before they started talking about how fine and expensive their cigars are.

"Oh thank god, Camila. I almost fell asleep when they started talking about brandies." I said.

"That's what Nieves told me. Her husband bores the hell out of the younger crowd." She replied. We both laughed.

We made our exit from the party early, probably around 2230H that was starting to get boring. The men were now playing poker and the women were busy gossiping. There's no place for us here anymore.