Mr. Lorenzo de la Madrid

Today I'm ready to go back to my family's Hacienda. It's been 6 months since I visited my parents. My mother is anxious that I take care of the Hacienda matters. The truth is I'm not ready to settle down. Life in Guadalajara is much more interesting. It's full of beautiful women. Life in the Hacienda is full of work. My dear mother will not be glad to know I'm still enjoying my youth in the city. For those who don't know The New Spain. The City of Guadalajara is situated just in the center of the country

It will take me a week to get to my Family Hacienda. I'm taking gifts for my mother and sister. Yes, I have a sister. Even though I am the heir of the De la Madrid Hacienda. My mother wanted a girl, she wanted to have a doll for dressing up. My sister was born after 15 years. She was so glad to have her, we almost lost her but she is the apple of the eye of the family. I'm already 25 years old, which makes my sister 10 years old. I bought her beautiful dresses and a new style of shoes. I really love her a lot. I also got some jewelry for my Mother and I got imported Tobacco for my Father. Not to mention some Tequila bottles to celebrate with the guys. I also brought some ribbons to give to the girls in the Hacienda, they know I love to flirt with them, and they're fine with that. Any girl loves my attention. I inherit good genes. I just hope my mother stops trying to pair me up with her friend's daughter. She is crazy about expecting her grandchildren. I heard from the maids that she is already making baby clouding for my children. One day mother, one day.

This journey is a bit long but the scenery is unpriced. Hope it stays this way for long.

There is some robbery on the way. But no one would mess up with us. They know not to get on our way. On the way to the Hacienda are a few towns where we can rest and refresh our horses. I've been talking a lot. But what can I say I love my life.

We are almost at the first stop. We better get ready to rest, there's still a long way home.

Miss Maria de Lourdes Quintero

Today is no different from the other. We are a wealthy Family. My Father settles in the town. We are well known for our Merchant store. My mother came from a wealthy family. She left a store, a house in the town, and a seamstress shop. My stepmother doesn't like working. She stays at home to take care of the family's needs. I was 5 when I started going to the shop. My father always has said it was left after my Mother for me. If she was hired I'm sure she would spoil me lots. One of the old seamstresses took me in and showed me all there is to know about this beautiful ...... I love creating new dresses and repairing them as well.

This morning Mrs. Lucrecia de Quintero announced we will be expecting a guest. He is the heir of De La Madrid. He's been gone for 6 months, and since he will have to travel another 2 days to get to the Hacienda, he will stay for a full day and night. Therefore I will have to use the back door and leave early and come back late. I know how this works, so it is no big deal.

I just turned 20 this year. I'm all set to get married. My dad doesn't want to lose me, so he accepted Mrs. Lucrecias de Quinteros's ways. I know there is more to that, but I'm glad to not be the other way around. I live my own way at the shop. Lately, I have had lots of work. The girls in town are getting ready for the festival. It's only 2 weeks from now.

I'm also doing a new dress for my sister Sara. I know, even though people think she is not a real sister, the thing is, she is very nice to me. My brother is also nice to me. He just keeps the details for himself. The last time he went out with Father, He brought me back perfume. He told me to hide it from his mother. When Mrs. Lucrecia de Quintero would discipline me and left me with no supper. My brothers would hide some food and bring it to me. They actually had a hole in the wall to feed me. They never got caught. I'm too old for that but if I don't behave she could keep me from going to the shop. Which would be very painful. Being in the shop brings me close to Mother.

The name of the town where we live in Talpa de Allende. Beautiful town. On the side of the town is a river. Women love to take their clothes to wash and afterward take a good swim. Mrs. Lorensa doesn't allow us to bathe there. Sometimes I go with the girls from the shop to wash the fabric and we don't spare the time to swim a little. We have to wash the fabric before we use it because the fabric will shrink after washing. That way the fabric can be worked after.

My Dad just came back. It's great. When he is not around I have to be extra careful so I don't upset Mrs. Lorensa de Quintero. He is going to leave sometime next week.

Due to the guest, Mrs. Lorensa de Quintero is really losing it now. She has been healing and harassing the maids. Everything has to be perfect. If I don't know her I would think she is expecting her boyfriend. But how would I not know, she must be thinking of getting a fiance for Sara. Poor sister, I don't envy her. On the list, I don't have to be presented.

I have to go, the shop needs to be opened...

I just got back from working in the shop. I'm told that Father wants to talk to me. I hope it isn't something bad.

"Yes Father, how was your day?"

My Father seems a bit preoccupied. "Not much dear"

Mrs. Lorensa had to take this into account as always. "Listen, there have been some new arrangements. The De La Madrid Women are coming to stay a few days and as you know the rooms will not be enough. We talked and their daughter can stay with Sara but Mrs. De La Madrid needs the best room in the house. I know this is unfair but it's for the family's best. Your Brother will also share his room. Due to this, your room was emptied and your belongings will be taken to the shop. You should stay there for the time being. This will be better for you dear. No one will have to sneak in and out of the house"

I don't know if I should laugh or cry. Yes, I Love the shop, but this is my home too. I know Father has taken good care of my mother's inheritance, but literally, I will be kicked out for the gest. What can I say, this is how it is. "It's fine Father, anything for the family welfare"

"Is this fine with you, my dear, I know this is your house more than ours but I really need to step forward with family matters. Who knows, we could end up growing the family" said Mr. Fernando Quintero.

"Yes, Father, may I take Asusena with me so I don't stay alone?"

"That is not possible, I will need all of the hands that I can have. There are going to be guests, you understand dear..."

" In that case, I will ask Norita from the shop to stay with me so I don't stay alone. If that is fine with you."

"Yea that will work. One more thing before you live. Dear could you excuse us" What more could Mrs. Lorensa de Quintanilla want?

"Yes dear, take care of everything" Mrs. Lorensa took Miss Maria de Lourdes to the back chambers for privacy. She hated to have to explain her ways to Mr. Fernando Quintero.

" Maria de Lourdes, I will be taking the De La Madrid women to the shop at noon, you know the protocol. They better not know that you are a daughter of the Quintero household. It would be too harsh to explain since they know nothing about you. Remember to attend us as your employers. Don't mess up with me. You know the consequences"

"Yes, Mrs. Lorensa de Quintero" I answer with my head down. She has always treated me like this. Even though she came a year after my mother passed away.

"Is there anything else?" I better ask.

"Not for the moment, tonight you can sleep with Asusena, I don't want the bedroom to get dirty. Everything has to be perfect. One last thing, you don't need to come for dinner tonight. Eat-in the kitchen with the maids. Get used to it. You better know your place"Miss Maria de Lourdes Quintero