Ian sighs, sitting down at the kitchen table while his mother cooks. He is going over the monthly bills and paperwork for the handful of rental properties they own, balancing the accounts and checking for emails with requests and updates from their tenants. He sighs with a soft frown, reading one update with concern.
“Sweetheart… What is it? What is wrong?” His mother comes over and smooths a crease from his forehead. “You have that look, again.”
“Nothing, M``ama, nothing… Or at least nothing too serious, it’s just. One of our tenants wants to know if I plan to hike up prices, now that I am publicly outing myself as a Del Bosque. And I… I can not do that to others. I refuse to charge more than we do, we charge enough to cover the fees and pay our own bills, what more could we possibly really need, you know?” He sighs and leans against her and she kisses his forehead and pats his shoulder.
“Agreed, besides, I am the land lady, you, my sweet boy, just run the books. I will reply to it and send everyone an email adressing it all, okay?” She reassures him, and Ian nods, kissing her cheek and stretching. “Now, we eat, Go put all of that nonsense back in the office and I better not see it out here again, understood?”
“Ma’am, yes ma’am.” Ian grins cheekily, and packs it all up and puts it away. He sits back down right as his mom sets down his plate. “Y’know… Sometimes i think about what i used to hear in school. Whispers about the Du Bois having plans and wanting to change things. How it would be better. That my donor doesn’t do anything useful and that the whole family needs to fall back to earth a bit… I don’t completely agree, per se, but… I get it. I do. They have so much power and influence but they are so inconsistent on how and when they use that influence at all, let alone for good…” he picks at his food, taking a bite and humming as the flavors dance, sweet and spicy on his tongue, the taste of home.
M``ama Hale chuckles and smiles. “As good as you remember?” she eats her own food. “And well… Yes. The Du Bois and many of the people who are upset with the Del Bosques and even the Shibata have a point to their anger, sweetheart. I can only hope you getting involved goes well, or at least doesnt get you hurt.” She says with a pointed look.
“I know, I know… I will be safe, as much as I can be. I promise. I will do anything if it means keeping you safe, and happy. You have always done that for me, let me return the favor.” Ian smiles softly. “And, it is! It’s been so long since you made this.” he grins a little wider.
“Well, its been a long week and I figured you deserved a treat, I know this was one of your favorites.” she smiles and they finish eating dinner.
Ian clears their plates, and brings out little servings of sweet custard from the fridge. “Here is your dessert.” Ian smiles, setting hers in front of her. “I.. I have a plan, I think. Against Rafael and the Del Bosque family.”
She looks up to meet his eyes. “Tell me everything love.”
He details all of his next moves and his hopes and plans for Coronado and how he wants the best for the people, all of them. How he doesnt really want to totally destroy the Del Bosque family but how he will do whatever he needs to to protects and provide. How the people deserve stability and an equal say in what happens in their home.
When he is finally done, his mother is in front of him, and cups his face. She presses a soft kiss to his forehead. “I am so proud of you. You have grown so fierce, so strong…” she gives him a hug, and then holds his hands, standing back. “I am so proud to be your mother. You have always been so caring and generous… I know you will do right by our people.” she smiles at him softly. “That said… What do you think we should expect? Do you have any idea who did it?”
Ian shakes his head. “No, m`ama, not a clue. As for what to expect… I don’t know. It’s hard.” he sighs. “But… I do know the family is now floundering, and its time for it to sink or swim.”
