Page 1 of XOXO

Prologue - Violeta

Parental expectations and their guilt should be an Olympic sport.

The rehearsal dinner was beautiful, planned by my mother, all the way down to the meticulously designed drinks and monogrammed towels in the bathroom. It was definitely not what I had pictured when I planned my wedding, but it was beautiful none the less. This was way out of my budget, but this wedding was about more than just getting married, but specifically about my union with Lorenzo Villalobos. My father’s future business partner, who owned more than half of the telecommunication industry in Latin America, was already making headway in America too.

Our marriage would solidify our fathers’ working relationship as they had plans to dominate the world. That might sound extreme, but they were trying to take over several industries and the more money my father made, the more he wanted. It was scary how much he had changed since I was little. Even five years ago to today, there was a big difference in him.

“Violeta.” My mother pulled me to the side. “Where is Lorenzo?”

“I don’t know, he probably left,” I said, looking around, not interested in finding him.

“Are you going to stay at the house tonight?” she asked, fixing my hair.

“No mamá,” I said, trying not to sigh. “I’m staying at my apartment.”

“Mija, that's nonsense,” she said, waving to someone who passed by. “The make-up artist and hairstylist will be there at eight-thirty. It makes more sense if you are already there. We can’t afford to run late.”

“We marry at four in the afternoon mamá,” I said, wishing I could have another glass of wine.

“You're lucky I said eight and not six in the morning like I had wanted,” she chuckled, waving at some of the guests who were still hanging around.

I sighed. “Mamá…”

“Could you just be happy for once, Violeta Jazmín?” she snapped. “This week your attitude has been horrible. You’re getting married. Deberías darle gracias a Dios.”

You should thank God.

I don’t think he was the one who pushed for this union.

“Yes, give thanks to god that I’m in an arranged marriage,” I said, rolling my eyes.

She glared at me using the look that used to send fear through me the moment I saw it. It always sent me into a panic hurrying to make something better so I didn’t have to suffer the look. Now, I was so overwhelmed that I welcomed her anger because two could play that game.

“You’ve known Lorenzo your entire life and you should be glad he wanted to marry you.” She grabbed my upper arm tightly. “You’re getting old, and we don’t know how much longer you have to make babies. No seas una pendeja.”

Don’t be a stupid girl.

“Babies?” I ignored her calling me dumb. “We agreed, I will not be popping out babies like it's my only use. I have a career that I worked hard for and⁠—”

“Oh please, Violeta. All you do is play on that computer,” she said dismissively.

I took a deep breath, ready to let her have it because I did not just play with computers. I was fluent in six languages and I wrote programs in those languages. Not to mention, I had created an app that taught people languages based on how they learned.

“Violeta, are you getting a ride home with your mother?” Lorenzo asked, looking at the server who had waited on us, like I wasn’t even here, as he took a sip from his fourth Chivas.

“I’m going home,” I said, walking away because I could not stand another moment with them.

The urge to call off this wedding had been getting more intense as each day passed.

“Home?” he snapped. “I thought we agreed⁠—”

“You asked and I said no. I am going to spend one more night in my home,” I said, continuing to walk towards the exit.

If I didn’t leave now, I was going to lose it. Walking out eased my annoyance, each step away from the venue released the tension I didn’t realize I had been holding onto.

“Violeta!” Lorenzo’s voice brought all the tension back.

“Yeah?” I turned around realizing I was alone with him.