“That’s kinda creepy,” Silas remarks through a mouth full of carne asada.
“Really?” Thalia glares at him before her eyes lower to his all black clothing that matches hers.
“You copied me, Diablita,” he says before lowering to whisper something in her ear.
I’ve never in a million years thought I’d see Thalia Consuelo blush, but there it is. Patricio looks down the table again, and there’s that same hateful look in his eyes. Efren stares back at him, and the whole table can feel the tension.
“Alma, have you seen the new episode ofMaria de Cacahuates?” Mireya asks when the silence stretches too long.
Mireya hates confrontation, and tension is its ugly stepchild. Bringing up our favorite TikTok novela is a little strange, but showing up for your homegirl means you jump in feet first.
“Ya. I’m on the episode where Martha de Cacahuates drops the vase, and I’m pretty sure El Señor de Valeria is Maria’s biological father,” I reply.
“Shut the fuck up! SoMaria de CacahuatesandIsabella La Velaare sisters?” Ricky gasps, joining the conversation.
Adrian looks at Efren with an arched brow, and Efren shrugs.
“It’s this series on TikTok that started out making fun of novelas, but now everyone is addicted to the drama,” Mireya explains to Adrian.
“It’s this one guy who plays most of the characters,” Ricky adds.
“And he’s fucking hilarious. He even makes his mom anddad act out different roles. It’s probably too much personality for you, Frankenstein,” Thalia adds in, teasing her brother.
They have a close relationship, even if most times they’re looking for ways to annoy each other.
“What’s it about?” Raquel asks, looking at me for an answer.
I swallow a bite and look at her nervously. The woman is intimidating.
“Well, it’s centered around a mother and daughter who work as housekeepers for this rich family,La Familia Valeria. El Señor Valeria is nice, but his wife and daughter can be pretty cruel,” I explain.
“Ya, because they knowMaria de Cachuatesis actually the biological daughter of El Senor de Valeria,” Ricky says, shaking his head at the new revelation.
“It sounds like this family.” Efren chuckles.
Silas lets out a laugh, joining in, and even Adrian bites back a smile.
“This family?” Patricio asks, inserting himself into the conversation.
Efren stares him down. I grab his hand under the table, a silent plea not to start anything here. Silas looks from Efren to Patricio, then back to Efren, whose eyes are cold and focused on Patricio.
“Quieto, Pa,” Silas warns, but the two men don’t stop glaring at each other.
My eyes bounce between them, and Sandra’s calm voice sounds from the side. “Patricio.”
It’s more of a warning than anything. Patricio grabs the tequila bottle and pours more into his glass. Thalia is next to me, giving Silas the same “don’t start shit” look I’ve seen her give him at so many of these family functions. Silas looks at me briefly, then back to Efren. I squeeze Efren’s hand slightly, and slowly he unclenches his jaw.
“¿Sabes qué? Maybe you and Silas should enlighten me on what you think is so fucking funny?” Patricio swirls the brown liquor in the glass. “You both seem to be benefiting from ourdramaticfamily.”
Efren sits up straight, dropping my hand, and Silas clenches the knife in his.
“¡Ya basta!” Thalia says, shooting Patricio a stern look.
I’ve never seen family drama live before. Other than novelas likeMaria de Cacahuates, so while part of me is invested in the chisme, another part of me is scared. Patricio is always very kind to me as an employer and the uncle of my friend. But I don’t like the way he’s looking at Efren.
“No pues.” Patricio laughs. “Efren doesn’t seem to have a problem living in a hotel that we own, working for a restaurant we run, or even taking part in the protection deal I set up for Adrian while he was locked up.”
“Aye,” Adrian says, warning Patricio, but it’s too late.
