CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
MARCUS
The limo brought Marcus to the steps of the New York Metropolitan Opera. An usher opened his door, and Marcus emerged to applause. Five million dollars in Christmas charities was a big deal, he supposed. He couldn’t care less if they gave ten or twenty million. It was just money.
He waved his hand and walked down the red carpet between the crowds under a clear, cloudless night.
There would not be a White Christmas this year. Just like in Guatemala.
Cold fingers wrapped around his heart and squeezed it mercilessly. He’d gotten used to Christmas being bleak, long, and empty. What was another one?
He checked his coat at the cloakroom and made the rounds among the glitterati of New York: the governor, legislators, moneyed folks, artists, actors, actresses. The who’s who of charitable giving. He endured the endless parade of people who had come to bid on the silent auction valued at millions of dollars.
Latrell deserved a raise for pulling this off.
The dinner was fantastic, catered by Chef Todd of Colorado. A band played Big Band dance music. Marcus sat it out and conversed with a member of his board instead. Then it was time to announce the recipients.
He knew Katy wasn’t going to be there but he looked around nonetheless. Hoping against hope. One more nail in the coffin of that relationship.
“May we call up Marcus James?” the announcer said.
Taking the steps to the stage, Marcus turned on his smile and his charm.
“A year ago, our company’s board of directors wanted to host a Christmas contest. This has been the culmination of that germ of an idea and the efforts of my talented assistant, Latrell Adams.”
He motioned for Latrell to stand, and she did to applause.
“I wish to announce the winners of this year’s Christmas contest, which will not be our last, let me assure you. They are: The Birdwatchers Society of America to help the endangered species of Walen Island, Society of Letters Performing Arts, The Benedictine Historic Preservation Board, Redevelopment of Pinley Township, and, last but not the least, the village of Conchilla, Guatemala.”
The applause was deafening.
After a brief presentation on the first four recipients, Conchilla’s video played.
Marcus steeled his heart to the images of the country he had briefly visited but had made such an impression on him. Alessandra and her cameraman had done an excellent job.
Too bad he had to botch it up and gave in to her suggestion for her and her cameraman to join him in the Jacuzzi.
Katy appeared in the video, smiling. In the background, but compelling nonetheless, giving out presents to the children of Conchilla. His chest ached, wishing he could see her again.
Katy’s mother accepted the award on Katy’s behalf. It was strange to watch this older lady who strongly resembled Katy come up the stage to accept the award.
Marcus didn’t want to force himself on the family, but he decided it wouldn’t hurt to talk to her afterward. He went over to her table.
“Congratulations,” Marcus said.
“Thank you.” Mrs. Stevens beamed. “Katy is delighted.”
Marcus’s jaw tightened at the mention of her name. “As I can see by her enthusiasm in being here. But I understand she’s spending Christmas in Europe.”
“It was a special invitation she could hardly turn down, from the royal family of Mondragón.”
“Pardon me?” he said. “Did you say Mondragón?”
A crazy thought formed in his head.
“Why, yes.”
“Funny,” he murmured. “I was invited there too, but I didn’t want to go. Now, however…”
He shook her hand. “It’s so good to meet you,” he said. “I’’m glad we talked.”
“Nice to meet you too.” Her brow furrowed in confusion.
Marcus went to find Latrell. He had to pack, and fast.
***
KATY
One more short flight, and she would be in Mondragón among friends.
Airborne, Katy watched the gala on her tablet, tapped into the onboard wi-fi, her heart filled with gratitude.
Conchilla would get their million dollars. She planned to return on Three Kings Day, January 6, to deliver their prize.
She paused the transmission and stared long and hard at Marcus, her heart throbbing with pain.
She shook her head and settled into her coach seat to sleep. After a full day of travel, sleeping came easily. By the time they landed in Spain, it was morning due to the time change, and she actually felt refreshed.
***
December 23
Katy followed the other passengers out of the small plane at the Mondragón Airport. She could see her breath, but it wasn’t too cold. There wouldn’t be snow except for a little bit in the foothills and on the mountains.
She’d been to Mondragón once before, in the summer, when her friend Talia got married to their monarch, Prince Jay Assante. She still marveled at its lush beauty, the cleanliness of the air, and the well-paved, narrow roadways that hugged the lovely island coast.
A limo pulled up near the tarmac. The door opened, and a laughing Talia got out and embraced her friend.
Katy’s eyes pricked with tears. It was so good to see her. Other than wearing more expensive-looking clothes and riding boots, Talia still had the same sporty-like demeanor. Dirt, probably from riding her horses, streaked her nose.
Talia peered at Katy. “Why so sad around the eyes, my friend?”
Katy tried valiantly to smile, but her heart betrayed her. She burst into tears.
“There, there,” Talia said, patting her hand. “Tell Talia all about it.”
Katy simply said, “Someone just broke my heart.”
“Oh no!” Talia hugged her. “What is his name?”
“You wouldn’t know him,” Katy said. “Some billionaire from New York.”
“Those billionaires.” Talia rolled her eyes.
“Yes,” Katy echoed dully. “Those billionaires.”
“What happened?”
“I…” Katy’s face crumpled. “I don’’t want to talk about it right now.”
Talia nodded and smiled. “Well, don’t you worry your pretty head. You will have a lovely Christmas Eve tomorrow, and we’ll make sure you have a grand time the next week.”
“That sounds wonderful. Thanks so much.”
Talia’s brown eyes danced. “But of course. Jay and I owe so much to you. If you hadn’t intervened, I would have gone on being pig-headed, and we wouldn’t have ended up together.”
“You and he would have found a way, even without me,” Katy said, thinking how beautiful inside and out her friend was. No wonder Prince Jay fell hard for her.
“Maybe, but it would’ve taken much longer.”
The Assante castle loomed ahead, taking Katy’s breath. It had two main towers and a long expanse of battlements, an actual moat with swans in the summer, and a bridge festooned with colorful flags.
“I cannot get over the fact that this is all yours,” Katy said.
“Remember, after all the in-laws take over the apartments, it’s really not as private and romantic as you think it is.”
Talia’s face lit up, and Katy was not surprised to see Talia’s Prince Jay standing just inside the glass walls, waiting for them.
Katy smiled to herself at the memory that at one time, Katy’s mother and Jay’s mother conspired to marry Jay and Katy to each other. Jay fell in love with Talia, and Katy couldn’t be happier for her friend.
“Katy, so good to see you.” Jay greeted her with a kiss and hug. He turned to Talia. “I’ll let you two catch up and see you at lunch.” He kissed her and left.
Talia led Katy to a comfortable couch overlooking the countryside, and before they realized it, two hours had passed, and Jay had returned. “Darling, sorry to interrupt, but one of my clients arrived. I’d like to say hello to him properly. You’’re welcome to rest in your room, Katy, if you’d rather…”
“Oh, that can wait,” Katy said. “I’d rather stay up with you and get adjusted to the time change.”
Arm in arm, they walked down a hall floored with marble. They passed large ancestral portraits, giant porcelain jars, and guards in white-and-blue uniforms. When they came to a set of gilded double doors, Jay opened them.
Katy’s heart stilled.
By the fireplace, a man with a posture familiar to Katy stood facing the fire.
Marcus James turned his head with a crooked smile. “Hello, Katy.”