Chapter 5: Prima Donna

Laura knocked on her apartment door; Deanna wasn't expecting her. Classes had been canceled that day, and she'd taken advantage of it to organize and do some cleaning; otherwise, she wouldn't be back until late afternoon. She was supposed to finish her degree with Harry this year; now she'd have to wait a bit longer.

"Sorry to bother you today."

"Not at all, Laura, come in... It's a bit messy because I was cleaning up."

"Thanks. I'm here on a mission."

"A mission?"

"Yes, my brother-in-law gave me his credit card and today we're going shopping together."

"I guess the family meeting is already planned."

"Yes."

"Well, I'll do my best."

"Really, Deanna, I don't know how to thank you for what you're doing. I know you didn't get a good impression of Daniel the other night, and you'll have to postpone your studies for us. But you don't know what this means to me." She placed both hands on her belly.

"I'm more than happy to help, don't be silly. That little seed growing inside you will have the best parents in the world and grow up happy. That's all that matters."

"And will have a wonderful aunt."

"Who's going to spoil them rotten."

"Let's go spend Daniel's money, we need to find the perfect outfit."

"Okay, let me change first."

Deanna had never set foot in stores like these in her life. The cheapest dress was worth three months of her salary - did people really spend that much on a single piece of clothing? She felt hesitant about buying these things; according to Laura, she needed not just new clothes, but also shoes, bags, and a salon visit.

So this was how they were used to living; Laura just swiped the credit card and they'd leave one store to enter another. And not just that, but they spent so much time trying on styles and choosing colors. Her head was starting to hurt. It was a completely foreign world to her.

Her life had always been simple. Her mother and grandmother had raised her practically in the small restaurant they ran, among pots and seasonings. She'd had a normal childhood, playing with friends after school until late in the park. A typical teenage life, hanging out with friends and going to the movies. She'd worked in the restaurant since she was 16 and had her first love at 17.

Suddenly she was immersed in a completely new world and wasn't sure she could enjoy it. None of the things Laura got excited about interested her in the least. Her only passion had always been singing, and all she wanted was to perform in a prestigious theater until she couldn't speak anymore. She wasn't after fame or fortune either - when she sang, she felt an energy she couldn't describe; she was happy, she was free.

"I think this color goes really well with your hair tone."

"I have no idea what you're talking about, Laura, but you're the expert." Laura laughed.

"Well, then leave everything to me. Even Harry won't recognize you."

Her professors were surprised when she showed up for the entrance audition. No one understood how such a powerful voice that could hit the highest notes without losing warmth could come from that slim body. She was definitely destined for a bright future.

Her presence on stage changed radically; she wasn't the usual optimistic and smiling Deanna. She transformed into a presence that captured every gaze, her bearing shifted and her face expressed a passion that reached everyone watching. She put her whole soul into every performance.

"I look like my great-aunt in this... and she's dead."

"You're exaggerating, it looks magnificent on you... but maybe it's not your style."

"Are we going to take much longer?"

"We can't go back until we find the perfect outfit to impress everyone... Though I think you've already impressed Daniel."

"Your brother-in-law is the most impassive man I've ever met."

"He's a great person, just a bit..."

"Dull?"

"Formal, I'd say."

Actually, Deanna hadn't expected Daniel to be so attractive in person. She'd imagined he'd be a different kind of man, but he didn't look his 40 years, nor did he look younger. It was as if he was at just the right moment in life. He had just a touch of gray at his temples and expressed more with his eyes than with words. He had a formal appearance, as Laura said, but at the same time gave the impression of being completely approachable.

If it weren't for that abrupt way he had of saying things and his attempts to impose his will, she could understand why he was considered such a catch. Deanna sensed something more, but didn't dare mention it to Laura; maybe it was just her imagination, but Daniel seemed to carry a great sadness within him. She knew his story from Harry, that was probably why.

"Oh, yes! That's the one for you!"

"Are you sure?"

"Of course! How do you feel in it?"

"Like a Prima Donna."

"Then this is it."

"Thank heavens! Can we go now? I'm hungry."

"Sure, we'll go eat something and then look for the rest of the things."

Internally, Deanna swore she'd kill Harry when she got her hands on him.

While they were shopping, Harry had gone to visit his brother at the office. He needed to get Daniel to tone down his intensity regarding his treatment of Deanna. He knew she wouldn't back out, but he didn't want her to be the target of his brother's complicated character.

But at that moment Susan was with him trying to find out if what their mother had told her was true. Finally, Harry decided to confess everything.

"I have two siblings who escaped from an asylum... They're crazy."

"Come on, Susan, you know well we don't have any other option, all because of that family rule, and my friend was the only one who could say yes."

"She must love you very much to have agreed to this without asking for anything in return."

"She's just awesome. That's why I'm asking you, Daniel, to please try to be less strict, okay?"

"That woman is combative and has an answer for everything. Why don't you ask her to be more docile?"

"Brother, we're putting her in a difficult situation and she didn't have to accept; she just wants to help us."

"Harry's right. Treat her well, Daniel."

"You're making me feel like I'm a heartless monster."

"Of course not... you're just a bit distant sometimes and very, very, but very disdainful when you want to be."

"Of course not."

"Of course you are, Dan," Susan told him.

With Susan's support in this whole charade, they had a better chance of making it more believable. Although she still couldn't understand how Daniel had agreed so easily, she was sure her older brother would never lend himself to something like this. But if there was a niece or nephew on the way, it all made sense. Still, there had to be another factor involved. She'd know when she finally met Deanna.