With My Heart Wide Open

Chapter 25

Sergio's eyes popped open. He had been dreaming that his mother was yelling his name. Audrey lay at his side, sound asleep. They had enjoyed the day prior, walking the grounds of the farm and spending time with the many horses that called it home. After a low key dinner, they had stayed up until almost 2AM just talking and then had retired to bed. He had never found somebody that could hold his attention for hours at a time and he looked forward to many more hours spent with Audrey. Looking at Audrey, recalling the feeling of satisfaction that she harbored the same feelings for him, he smiled. He would do whatever he needed to do to make her feel treasured. She was a treasure after all, and should be treated as such.

Covering her naked body with the duvet, he stood from the bed and reached for his sweats laying on the floor. Then he heard it again.

"SERGIO! WHERE ARE YOU? I KNOW THAT YOU ARE HERE!"

"Shit...you have got to be kidding me." he mumbled.

Scrambling to leave the room before Audrey woke, he made his way to the door. Swinging the door open and leaving the room, he came face to face with his mother. His very angry mother.

"There you are! How come I have to hear that you are in town from your brother? Am I not important enough to know that you are in town? Do I not deserve so much as quick visit?" she seethed.

Taking her hand and leading her away from the bedroom, she continued.

"She is here with you...isn't she?! Rene said that there was a new girl...?"

"Mother, please....keep your voice down."

"You will not tell me what to do, Sergio Ramos Garcia. I am your mother."

Sergio sighed. This was not how he imagined waking up this morning.

"Yes, I am aware that you are my mother." he said sarcastically, rolling his eyes.

"Do not give me that attitude, mister. You were just going to come here with HER, have your fun, and then go back to Madrid and not even tell me."

They had made it to the kitchen and Sergio was making coffee. He stopped what he was doing and turned to face his mother, Paqui.

"It was a quickly planned trip. I would have made it up to you the next time we made it back this way." He said, giving her a small smile. She was angry and he knew it.

"We?! We?! You act like this one will be around for some time, unlike the others."

"She will be. Audrey is different."

"Oh she may be different alright. I can't recall any of the others causing bar fights, but that is the only difference. She is after your money and fame like all of the others."

Paqui didn't even try to hide the venom from her words. She had never approved of any of Sergio's past girlfriends and it appeared that this time would be no different.

"No, mother she isn't. She is very independent. She has a job and doesn't really care who I am or what I do."

"Yes, I am sure that she is quite the little actress. She has you fooled. You will see."

Sergio held his hand up.

"Stop! You don't know anything about her! You cannot jump to assumptions just because of past experiences. I am thirty years old, mother. I can make my own decisions." He was beginning to become impatient with her. She always did this. In her eyes, nobody was ever good enough for him. Unfortunately, in the past, she had been right.

"I realize that, Sergio, but in the past, your decisions haven't been very wise."

"Ok, Mom. This conversation is over. I would ask you to stay for breakfast, but you have overstayed your welcome at the moment. I will call you when I get back to Madrid." He said, kissing her cheek and leading her toward the door.

"Fine. I love you, Sergio. I am just looking out for you. God only knows that somebody has to."

Sergio closed the door, after watching his mother drive away.

****

Audrey stood in the hallway, trying to comprehend all that she had just heard. His mother's rant had made it sound like there had been many women before her. Was Sergio some kind of man whore? Did it really matter if he was? What Sergio had done in the past didn't really concern her, she thought. What did matter was that he was loyal to her now, though. So far, she hadn't really had a reason to question his loyalty, seeing as how everything with him was still so new to her. It was clear though, that she had her work cut out for her if she was going to prove to his mother that she wasn't with him for money or fame. Sergio didn't seem to question her intentions for being with him. After all, she had moved here for a job and Sergio was just a bonus. 

Turning to make her way back to the bedroom before Sergio came back from saying goodbye to his mother, she had a thought. Maybe she should take Macy's advice and do a little internet stalking. Then maybe, she would be able to understand why his mother seemed so protective, even if she did border on overbearing and controlling.

Walking back into the room, she heard the front door close. Immediately, she ran into the bathroom and started the shower. She didn't want to admit to Sergio that she had heard any of his conversation with his mother. It would lead to an awkward conversation and she didn't care for awkward conversations. Stepping into the shower, she couldn't help but think that maybe she didn't want to know anything about Sergio's past or the women that had been a part of it. She should focus on the future. Yes, she should focus on the future she was hoping to build with this amazing man that she loved.

Glancing over, she saw Sergio enter the bathroom. Her heart began beating faster. Was she excited to see him or was she afraid of what she might find out about the man she had grown to love in such a short time?