Carmella quietly walked inside Fernandez's room. She saw him at his study table and continued to him.

"Good afternoon, Fernandez?" She calmly started in Spanish, her tone soft and velvet-like.

Fernandez turned to see her, not knowing someone had entered the room, "Oh, Carmella, good afternoon." He said in Spanish as well.

The blond Spaniard took a step to Fernandez, her tone quizzical, "I heard about the girl... you are studying with... that you are interested in her?"

"The boys told you?" Fernandez smiled.

But the smile crushed Carmella from within, "Yes, and I also saw you two together."

"She is a great person and a lovely woman that I have come to deeply adore." Fernandez spoke in fervid enthusiasm.

Carmella's heart now felt pained, "Fernandez, I don't want to sound indifferent," She suppressed her pain, but vaguely, "She is black! Don't you think that will cause inconvenience to the family?"

Fernandez stared at her with a true perturbed look, his mood changing, "Nothing of the sort has ever occurred to me and never will it occur!"

"Even if you will upset the family?"

"Carmella, a family should be happy for another member's happiness. Each and everyone deserves happiness in their lives. That is what is important."

"Family is more important, Fernandez! It is what makes the foundation we live in. We must at least respect and please them."

Fernandez got up from his seat. What has come over her today! "Carmella, and it is family who should also appreciate, respect and support any of the member's happiness. If they fail to do that, then they miss the most fundamental aspect of a family; which is LOVE!"

"Fernandez you are way over yourself!" Carmella's tone got critical, "At least you should be able to know that our culture values family the most among other things."

An incredulous laugh escaped Fernandez, "And what culture is this? Marrying someone of your kind? Or being chosen for who to marry? Tell me if this is not garbage of a culture that should even be disposed off."

"No, it is not, Fernandez!" Carmella said with a strong demonstrated conviction, "It in fact gives one honour, respect, admiration and a special place in the community."

Fernandez was now openly surprised, "Even if it is marrying a man you don't know?"

"That is honour, Fernandez." Carmella said indomitably, "So long as I do what I am expected of."

Fernandez stared at her while shaking his head piteously, "I thought I knew you, Carmella... I thought you were a modern woman with modern principles. I..." He sighed, lacking words.

"Fernandez, I am a woman who will at all cost respect the family's wish and honour its ways of life. A woman who is respectful and has knowledge of her culture should be able to know her place. I am trained with our culture and traditions, Fernandez, and as expected, it is obligatory to practice and follow them."

Fernandez simply stared at her. In one and a half years or so they had known each other, he thought he had completely known her. He had even started predicting her because he was sure he knew and understood her. But now the tale was evidently different. He never knew she was a cultural woman. He didn't even expect nor could have guessed or predicted such a personality in her. Indeed a hidden part in her! The modern stylish clothes she always wore and the make-up she put on could tell anyone that she was a modern-day lady and no culture existed in her. It is no lie that looks can be deceiving.

"Carmella, I..." He once again sighed, trying to figure out what to say, "... It has just come to my realization that we are... actually different. You are a wonderful person, really, but I don't think if we can ever be on the same page or have the same views concerning this topic. I will never find a forced marriage an honour. I would rather find my happiness the honour."

Carmella stared without a word, and immediately, a quick thought occurred in her on what to do. She would never let Fernandez be with another woman, much less a woman who was not even from her kind. She knew and understood why she came to the Arciniegaz family. She was told, but Fernandez wasn't. They wanted him to complete his studies before anything could be said to him.

And since Carmella was a respectful young woman who was shaped by her traditions and honored her culture and way of life, she openly and willingly accepted her destiny. She was told what to do and she was still in training on what to perform when the time came. She, therefore, wanted to be optimistic that the gentleman would only see one woman special in his life, and it had to be her.