His father humi:liated him and made him sit with the chauffeurs for being “a failure,” but he was stunned when the most powerful man in the country walked into the wedding just to greet him.

Don Arnulfo’s face lit up like a Christmas tree. The Secretary at his son’s wedding! He must have heard about the event and come to pay his respects. His ego swelled to the point of bursting. This was the definitive confirmation of his status.

He quickly grabbed the microphone, breaking the stunned silence of the room.

“Ladies and gentlemen!” he announced, his voice trembling with emotion. “What an immense honor! We have the surprise visit of our esteemed Secretary of Defense. Please, a round of applause!”

Don Arnulfo practically ran down from the platform, pushing his own wife aside, to be the first to shake the General’s hand. He was already imagining the government contracts, the concessions, the photos in the society magazines the next day.

“General!” exclaimed Arnulfo, extending both hands with an exaggerated, servile smile. “What a wonderful surprise! Welcome to my son’s wedding. Please, come in and sit at my table. It is an honor that…”

But General Valdez did not stop.