《Hernan and Gabriela》


 Chapter 1

    Rebecca Lopez Montes De Alba is married to Gabriel Montes De Alba, the sole heir to the Montes De Alba fortune. She gives birth to their twin children, Hernan and Gabriela Montes De Alba. She then dies a few days after due to complications because the pregnancy was difficult and she couldn''t handle giving birth to twins.


    When the twins are 1 year, Carlos Diaz, an executive at the company introduces Helena Alvarez, who unknown to all, is his secret lover, to seduce and marry their father Gabriel Montes De Alba. Helena and Carlos have long term plans to take over Montes De Alba Inc.


    Helena and Carlos are skillful hunters. They are very patient, and stalk their prey, in this case Gabriel. They know a death so soon, after marriage, is likely to look fishy, and raise a lot of suspicion, so they decide to do it in four years. When the twins are 3, Rosa Isela, one of Carlos exes sends their 3 year old son Antonio to him because, she is dying of cancer and does not know where else to leave him. Meanwhile, Helena gets news that her brother, Adrian and his wife, Paulina died in a car accident that left their 2 year old daughter, Adrianna, with mild injuries. Gabriel agrees for Helena''s niece to come and live with them.


    The year the twins turn 6, Helena and Carlos start planning to kill Gabriel. Helena however decides she must secure her future first, by getting pregnant, and convinces Carlos to delay their plans by a few months. Helena falls pregnant three months after the twins turn 6 years. Gabriel is overjoyed when he learns she is pregnant, while Carlos is furious. They have a row, as she insists, to secure her legacy at Montes De Alba Inc., she needed a child. When Helena is four months pregnant, she and Carlos use a rare poisonous plant to poison Gabriel.


    Helena and Carlos plan for the tampering of the ambulances at the nearby hospital, working with their team of hired goons. The poison works slowly. As the symptoms begin to manifest, an ambulance is called. As it crosses a bridge (after picking up Gabriel), the driver swerves, and rolls, down a steep slope, and rolls over. It is a freak accident and he was trying to avoid hitting a group of children.The ambulance misses landing in the nearby river by a short margin. Some twenty minutes later, it bursts into a ball of fire, sending parts of it into the water.


    The police come to the scene, and find three bodies burnt beyond recognition. None of the bodies is Gabriel''s. Carlos and Helena threaten the head of the morgue into declaring that one of the dead is Gabriel. The Story that goes out to the public is that of the missing EMT (emergency medical technician''s) and people talk about it ,turning it into a local mystery. However there is no sign of Gabriel anywhere. Helena and Carlos play their mourning roles in public but celebrate in private. Helena milks the role of the mourning pregnant widow well, to attract public sympathy. They use their corrupt hired goons to monitor hospitals and morgues in the city, for several months after, but Gabriel does not turn up.


    Five months later, Helena gives birth to a daughter whom she names Aranza.


    Carlos is irritated because it''s another heir, to the Montes de Alba fortune. To avoid making things suspicious, they wait for a little under 2 years before making an attempt on the twins. When Herman and Gabriela turn 8 years (Antonio is also 8, while Adrianna is 7 and Aranza is 1 year), the whole group goes on a trip to a famous resort, located deep in the forest. The group goes to the nearby forest for family activities. Carlos, and Helena, take Hernan and Gabriela to the forest to play and tell them that they will come back for them, which they do. On the second day, they fail to go for the kids. Scared and hungry Hernan and Gabriela try to find their way back to the resort, but end up getting even more lost. When Adrianna and Antonio ask where the twins are, Carlos and Helena lie and say they went to live with an aunt, abroad.


    They stay there for another 2 days before leaving, to make sure the twins are really lost.They go back to the city, sans the twins. Meanwhile a local couple Armando and Luisa Ortiz find Hernan and Gabriela, scared, hungry, cold, tired, and feverish from Malaria. They like most of the state have heard of the tragic disappearance of the Montes de Alba twins, and are surprised to find the children. There is widespread media coverage of the story.


    Armando and Luisa have a 2 year old son, Aurelio, their pride and joy, a son they got after years of trying.They suspect foul play on the part of Carlos and Helena, and decide to take in the children. Anna Patricia, Armando''s sister, helps them. Armando and Luisa, tell the children that there are bad people who want to kill them, and so they have to pretend to be other people, to save their lives. It is the school holidays, so they have time to get used to their new roles. As part of the plans, Hernan becomes Hector Ortiz while Gabriela becomes Gina Ortiz. They also become cousins, instead of siblings. The children also have to change their hair colors.


    Meanwhile Carlos and Helena bring out their relationship in public. There is widespread interest, but with the help of expert image consultants, they weather the public scrutiny on when their relationship started and Helena comes out looking like the widow whose husband will forever have a special part in her heart but she has to move on living.


    To ward off nosy neighbors, Armando and Luisa come up with an excuse to explain the twins'' presence. Armando, Luisa and Anna Patricia go to Armando and Anna''s parents, Ramon and Clara''s Ortiz and tell them the truth. The old couple is of course, shocked and afraid at what the three have done, but love the twins anyway and work to help them. The story, they all agree on is that the two are the orphaned grandchildren of an old friend of Ramon. It is told, to avoid creating suspicion among nosy neighbors, and during the following days they coach the twins on it. Anna Patricia has a son Martin, who is also eight years. Martin is told the same story but he is told the truth, when he is older.


    16 years pass, and the twins, Martin, and Antonio are 24, Adrianna is 23, Aurelio is 18 and Aranza is 17 years. It was decided not to tell Aurelio the twins'' sad life story. Martin, had gone to the city, and started as an intern and was working his way up in Montes de Alba Inc. Both Gina and Hector knew they would eventually have to reveal themselves and to take up their real identities even though they did not want to go to the city. The Ortiz''s had spent the last year looking for a scholarship for Aurelio in universities in their home town without success. Just as they were beginning to despair, they got a positive reply, but there was a problem.


    The university was in Hernan and Gaby''s home city, the city where they had suffered so much, at such a young age, and nearly died. As afraid as they were, they wanted to give Aurelio the best education they could.


    Armando and Luisa give the children their blessings as they move to the city, and tell Hector and Gina to be careful because Carlos and Helena are dangerous and crafty. They also tell them to treat Aranza well as despite everything, she is still their younger sister. Gina and Hector plan to do so. Armando, Anna Patricia, Luisa, Clara and Ramon, were there to say their goodbyes, as the three leave for the city. Hector, Gina and Aurelio move to the city, and Aurelio is enrolled at a nearby university. Aranza enrolls there too. Aranza enrolls for a degree in journalism, with a specialization in online, print, media and graphic design. Aurelio meanwhile went to study software engineering.


    Hector and Gina get paid internships at the Montes De Alba Company. Gina catches the attention of Antonio, who now is a tech wiz and works in the company''s IT department. He is a genius, handsome and a heart-breaker. She runs into him on her third day, when he comes with some colleagues to install some new software. He is immediately, struck by her unassuming beauty. She is a stunner but does not know it. He does not recognize his childhood friend. Gina is torn between temptation to throttle him for being arrogant and full of himself, and missing her childhood friend. She is relieved he cannot recognize her even one bit. Antonio decides she will be his next target. Meanwhile Hector runs into Adrianna. His childhood friend has grown into a beautiful woman. Montes de Alba Inc. has grown into one of the top food production companies in the region. Their brands are among the most consumed in the country. They are household names.


    The twins plan on actualizing their plans for revenge, and to take back their father''s company but first they have to stabilize themselves and learn how Montes de Alba Inc. runs. Carlos aide, Alejandro Cortes, dated Adrianna for a while, for about a year before she broke things off, because he was too controlling, and wanted a trophy girlfriend/ wife. He however never got over it. He still would get territorial over her despite the fact that she had made it clear she did not want him back.


    He would act jealous, and felt like the reason Adriana was still single was because she secretly still loved him.


    Adrianna loves her job. As much as she knows she could run into Alejandro, she loves it anyway. Adrianna has a degree in public relations, and specialized in media relations. She intends to use her skills and work, whether at the company or in another. She is smart and does not intend to waste her brains. She is one of the junior staff in the company''s corporate communications department. Gina has a Bachelor''s degree Journalism specializing in graphic design, online and print media. She is part of the interns in the company''s advertising department. Hector (Hernan) is one of the new marketing interns.


    It is one month since Aurelio, Hector and Gina arrived in the capital.


    There is a routine interdepartmental meeting. Adrianna is among the first to arrive with her colleagues. Groups of staff are chatting in informal groups. As he often does, Hector (Hernan) began to wonder if Adrianna and Antonio could have learnt anything about Helena and Carlos crimes in the years that have passed since. Still he cannot help but appreciate what a stunner Adrianna is. Adrianna''s phone beeps. Looking at it she is annoyed to see it is Alejandro sending messages. What a creep. When will he ever get the memo? He is her history. More interns and junior staff from different departments come. Gina glares at Antonio, when he and some of the other IT guys wink at her.


    Helena, Carlos, Alejandro and the rest of the board members arrive. Hector feels his blood boil. It is supposed to be his father chairing these meetings, and him and his sisters at their father''s side, learning the ropes. This should be their company.


    Alejandro looks over at Adrianna, who is busy in conversation with a colleague from the same department. The man is young, handsome and Adrianna seemed to be happy.


    Alejandro decided to monitor the situation in case it got serious. The meeting soon started.


    Friday reaches and Aranza goes to a club with friends. Hector is there too with a friend. Everyone in Aranza''s group has too much to drink. A creep in the club goes and tries to Assault Aranza, and a scuffle ensues among the parties involved.


    The man uses the fact that the 2 teens are drunk to lie that Aranza is his girlfriend and, the 2 teens stole her, when he went to the gents. The two teens begin getting disorderly and are kicked out leaving Aranza defenseless and alone. The creep smiles knowing he has a free easy lay for the night.


    Hector wakes up to go to the gents, and out of curiosity decides to peak in, to see the crazy girl, thankful Gina was not as reckless as a teen. When he sees it is Aranza, he decides to help her. She could be his sister. Hector knows the creep will put up a fight but the thought that he planned to make Aranza just another call girl or rape her angered him. He goes in and as expected the creep puts up a fight.


    Hernan says the girl is his boss''s, Mrs. Helena Alvarez, daughter, and that the creep does not know her, he is simply taking advantage of her being drunk. The creep gets angry and wants to put up a fight. Hector adds that Aranza is underage. On hearing this, the owner ignores the creep''s threats and protests, telling Hector to leave with Aranza. He is afraid of the legal trouble, especially since the girl is Madame Helena''s daughter. Hector decides to take her to his house. In the state Aranza is in, she could not face, her mother. Gina is shocked to see her brother with a drunken girl, but is even more shocked when he says it is Aranza. They take her to Gina''s room. Hector seats on a chair in the living room. Gina asks him what happened.


    Meanwhile Carlos asks Helena if she is worried about Aranza''s safety, and she says no. Helena says the girl has probably overslept at a friend''s house. Helena notices Carlos is quiet and asks him what he is thinking about. He asks her what she thinks happened to Gabriel. Helena shakes her head, and says that even if Gabriel survived, the injuries would have killed him soon after.


    Back at Hector''s and Gina''s house,


    Hector tells her. Aurelio is away with friends, so they can talk freely. Gina asks Hector if he believes Aranza is their sister. He admits he is unsure, because Helena and Carlos had known each other for some time, and had probably been lovers for a long time. Gina says that either way they should help her where they can and he agrees. Hector''s phone rings. It is Luisa, calling to check up on them. Both she and Armando talk to each of their kids separately. Gina and Hector are advised to be careful, and not victimize Aranza, Adrianna and Antonio. Luisa reminds them how cunning Helena and Carlos can be.They also call Martin, who also talks to his mother, Anna Patricia.


    The next morning, Aranza is surprised, to find herself in a strange bed. Her head is aching, and she feels horrible. She wakes up, and not finding a bathroom in the bedroom like she did in her room, she leaves the room to look for one. She finds one and vomits. She flushes and leaves. Gina heard her and leaves Aurelio''s room, where she was sleeping. Aranza is afraid when she sees Gina but Gina reassures her that she means no harm. Aranza asks what she is doing here, and Gina tells her. Aranza asks where Hector is, and Gina says he is still sleeping.Gina gets her painkillers and makes her tea. An hour after, Hector wakes up. Aranza is afraid when he tells her that they have to call her mother. Hector says that he knows that she is afraid but it is the right thing to do, because her family must be afraid. Aranza relents but asks him to call Adrianna instead.


    Hector calls Adrianna. Adrianna decides to go and pick up her cousin. To avoid causing suspicion at the house or arouse interest in the hood, she decides to take public transport. Adrianna had just left the house and was checking for something in her bag, when she felt someone put their hands around her. She looks up and sees Alejandro. Adrianna wiggles and glares at him. Today more than ever, she has no time for his nonsense. Alejandro asks her where she is going in a hurry. She says a friend needs help because of post hangover complications.Stolen from its rightful place, this narrative is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    He offers to take her and she refuses. Adriana tells him to leave her alone and that he is a closet psycho. She adds that she is never going back to him. She then leaves. Alejandro looks at her. She is a wildflower that he will tame. Adrianna follows the instructions Hector gave her. People in the block of flats where the Ortiz''s live are surprised to see such an elegant lady, there and stare at her. They are even more surprised when she says she is looking for Hector. She is shown, and goes up the stairs.


    Adrianna takes a deep breath and knocks. Hector opens the door. He is wearing light shorts and a vest, and has a towel on his shoulders. Adrianna stares at him, for a few seconds then introduces herself. He says he knows her and introduces himself as Hector Ortiz. He asks her in. Adrianna looks around. It is small but cozy, and clean.


    Hector wonders what Adrianna is thinking. He lets Gina introduce herself. Adrianna asks them where Aranza is, and Gina says she is bathing. Adrianna asks them if they live alone, and Gina says they also live with Aurelio, their younger cousin who is at a Friend''s place.


    Adrianna asks them if they are brother and sister. They momentarily are caught off guard but catch their breath in time, and Gina says that they are cousins, who were adopted by the Ortiz''s when they were eight, after their guardian died. Adrianna asks about their parents and Hector says that they remained in their hometown.


    Gina is relieved when Adrianna stops asking questions and secretly studies her to see how she is as a person, to get a sense of how she had become. She gets the feeling her brother is smitten with her and will not be objective. Aranza comes out wearing some of Gina''s old clothes, and is temporarily petrified to see Adrianna.


    Adrianna wakes up and scolds Aranza, saying that if Hector had not found her she could have been raped or killed. Aranza asks her if she will tell her mother. Adrianna says no. Gina makes breakfast and later Adrianna leaves with Aranza. Luckily neither Helena nor Carlos are around. Adrianna remembers Hector. He was definitely attractive. Luckily Helena does not find out about the incident at the club.


    A few days later, in the evening, Antonio is driving through the hood in his car, and accidentally knocks down a child. Gina who was inside a store hears the commotion and comes out to see. Antonio leaves the car to assess the situation. He knows he can''t flee. Gina pushes through the crowd, and tells him to take the child to hospital. Antonio insists it was not his fault, because the child was part of a group recklessly playing along the road. Gina says either way, the child is injured and needs medical attention. She stands near the door of Antonio''s Car and stares him down like he was the devil incarnate. She tells him that if the police don''t arrest him, she will ensure he pays.


    People watch the unfolding scene. Antonio relents, grumbling, but insists she comes along. Gina tells someone, probably a neighbor to tell the child''s mother, and helps Antonio carry him into the car. She sits in the back with the child and they leave.


    Antonio keeps on glancing towards her. She is so far the most irritating, annoying and stubborn woman he knows. She is also however, the most attractive as well.


    They reach the hospital and the boy is wheeled in. Gina and Antonio sit in a chair waiting. Her phone rings. It is Hector; he has probably heard the news from the neighborhood gossip mills. Gina says she is fine, and that they are waiting for news. She insists she will be fine, and she will get home okay.


    Antonio listens to her, and wonders, if it is a boyfriend calling. It should not but the thought makes him irritated, probably even jealous. He wants to ask but decides not to. Gina walks up and Antonio asks her where she is going, she says she is going to the cafeteria. Antonio says he will go with her and the meal is on him. Gina says she wants nothing from him, and can pay for herself. Antonio says he is not trying to patronize her, but is just being nice. She looks at him, like she does not believe a word he says.


    Antonio smiles. Gina Ortiz infuriates, and attracts him at the same time. He apologizes for the accident and his initial reaction and asks Gina to go with him to the cafeteria. Gina agrees, saying it was only because they are in the hospital and it was inappropriate to argue there. Antonio smiles and they walk together towards the cafeteria. They sit and order. Gina''s phone rings again. This time it is Aurelio. She also assures him she is fine, and promises to update him, on the child''s condition. The child leaves nearby and they know his mother and grandfather.


    Antonio is slightly irritated. This time he has to ask, to know if it is a boyfriend. He asks if he should be afraid, a jealous boyfriend, will barge in here to throw a fit. Gina says those were her cousins, and were calling just to check on her. Just then Martin calls. After he makes sure she is okay, he says he told her so. He reminds her of when they were 18, and he told her that she would fall in love with Antonio and Hector with Adrianna. Gina smiles, and tells him, he is so annoying, and says she will see him at work the next day.


    Antonio asks her if it is Martin from procurement. Gina toys with the idea of telling him it is none of his business, but decides it is too rude. She says it is. Antonio asks if they are close. Gina says they have known each other since they were 8 years old, and his aunt and uncle adopted her and Hector. Antonio decides to let it go for now, but he does intend to investigate the matter. He tells her that her cousins love her. Gina says that she knows they do but some times they are overprotective because she is the only girl. Antonio asks her if she has a boyfriend, to which Gina tells him its none of his business.After coffee and muffins they head back to the waiting room.


    A little while later, the doctor comes out and says the child will be fine, but will need bed rest for a week. Shortly after, she calls Hector and updates him. By the time they leave it is nearly 9pm. They drop the child and Antonio says he will drop Gina home. She refuses, saying she can get herself home, and does not want to be seen with him anywhere out of work. Gina moves to open the door and leaves. Antonio follows her out. He holds her, and makes her face him. Gina looks, at Antonio''s eyes. She has looked at him severally before but she has never seen him. The moment is becoming very bizarre, and uncomfortable, so Gina pulls away. Antonio leans onto his car and faces her. He asks her why she insists on contradicting him every time, even, when his idea is much more practical.


    It is cold and Gina had no sweater. She begins to shiver. Seeing that, Antonio, removes his jacket and wraps it around her. Gina turns ready to insist she does not need him to do so, when their faces meet, and they kiss, for a few minutes.


    Gina then pulls away and turns. She decides, it will be easier to just get into the car. Antonio, gets in, and wants to talk about the kiss. Gina insists it was a mistake, which would not happen again. Antonio takes her until her house and even greets Hector and Aurelio. Much to Gina''s horror, the two tease her mercilessly about Antonio. She rolls her eyes at them.


    The next day, Gina dreads going into work, remembering the kiss with Antonio. She hopes not to run into him. Luck is however not on her side. Some of the computers have problems, and Antonio is assisting the technicians repairing them. Antonio watches Gina working with two colleagues, in the next room (the walls are transparent and sound proof). He likes her, stubbornness and all. He will seduce Gina Ortiz. He can get any girl he wants and Gina will be no different.


    A company that Montes de Alba corp. was to come and negotiate a partnership with comes in for a series of meetings. After they are done, they are treated to some refreshments. Gina hears someone call her name. She turns around. It is Horacio Saenz, her ex-boyfriend. She goes to greet him. He asks her to join them. Not wanting to be rude, she does. Antonio watches them. The scene bothers him, and he wants nothing more than to pull Gina away and kiss her senseless, and put a stop to that madness. He however holds, it in. Gina works here, he will win her over. It is only a matter of time.


    Montes de Alba corp was to launch a new product, in one month and so everyone was busy. They are launching new flavors of crisps and yogurts. Press releases have to be prepared, posters designed, social media marketing and advertising done, among others.


    At the end of the working day, Adrianna goes to the marketing department, to get a friend she was to ask something. Hector is sitting around with a group of friends. She asks if they have seen the said friend. Hector tells her the friend has stepped out a little.


    Soon, Aurelio enters, with Gina. Aranza also comes. She sometimes passes by and goes home with either Antonio or Adrianna. Hector introduces Aranza to Aurelio. He is captivated. People say Aranza Montes de Alba is beautiful, but the girl was a stunner in person. She had that unassuming serene beauty. The calmness of someone who was unaware of or self-assured in her beauty and was not trying too hard to impress anyone.


    Gina watches Aurelio staring at Aranza and shares a knowing look with Hector. Adrianna smiles as well. Aurelio and Hector turn to leave. Hector asks Aranza if she is not busy, she can join them for a little while. Aranza eagerly agrees.


    Gina says Adrianna can come if she wants. Adrianna agrees and they all leave together. Aranza sees Antonio and calls him. Antonio looks at Gina; still thinking about the Kiss . Aranza asks if Antonio can join them too. Hector has no problem. Aranza looks at Gina. She says it''s okay but inside, she wants to yell no way. She still cannot forget the kiss Antonio gave her yesterday. He was annoying, bossy and he thought he was all that, but Antonio Diaz was a damn good kisser.


    They all leave together, in Antonio''s car. Aranza sits in the front as usual.


    Alejandro asks about Adrianna''s whereabouts, to a colleague, who tells him that she left with Antonio, Aranza, Gina, Hector and Hector and Gina''s cousin Aurelio. Why was Adrianna getting so friendly with the Ortiz''s? Could there be something with Hector? If so Hector had better watch out, Adrianna Alvarez was his and no one else''s.


    Gina is trying hard to hide how uncomfortable she is around Antonio.


    They reach, and Aranza says she wants to make fruit cocktail. Hector looks at Adrianna who jokingly says the cocktail is edible enough. Aranza makes a face and Antonio says that they should taste it because it is good and Aranza is a brat who usually gets her way. Aranza glares at him, and asks Gina what fruits they have, and she says grapes, bananas, mangoes and strawberries. Using those and honey and milk, Aranza makes some, and let''s it set in the fridge. Aurelio helps her clean up. Gina and Adrianna make some snacks. Everyone agrees Aranza''s milkshake is delicious.


    Later on Aranza, Adrianna and Antonio leave for home. Carlos and Helena are at home. Helena asks them where they were. The sight before her is uncommon. All three of the children coming from the same place, and together. Adrianna says from a coworker''s house, for tea.


    The next day at work, during lunch, Horacio Saenz, comes to see Gina. They go to the cafeteria. Gina wonders why he is here. What does he want? Gina asks him what he wants. He says he still loves her. Gina tells him he needs to stop being ridiculous. She says that they have nothing in common, and that a relationship between them would not work. She says that the spark is just not there.


    Antonio comes over and sees the unfolding scene. He passes them, and Gina watches him. She cannot explain, her attraction to Antonio. Gina remembers their early childhood, before her and Hector''s childhood took such a tragic turn. Antonio had not changed.


    As a child, he would play pranks, on her and was always just as cheeky, while her brother would pick on Adrianna, almost like the boys had made a pact. She remembers waking up when she was about 7, and Adrianna, who was the first person to see her, asking why her hair was blue. Gina then looks into her mirror and screams. Antonio and Hector (then under his real name Hernan) come and laugh. Helena as usual scolds the children for making a fuss. As she often did, Gina wondered how everyone''s lives would have been like had circumstances been different.


    Would she still be attracted to Antonio, or Hernan to Adrianna?


    Horacio says something, and it passes Gina. She apologizes and says she just remembered something from her childhood. Antonio just can''t quite figure it out. Yes he did find Gina attractive, but it was something more than that. There was something about her and Hector that was familiar. What was it?


    Antonio often thought to that tragic event 16 years ago. How Helena and his father told him and Adrianna, that Hernan and Gabriela went abroad to live with relatives, the long search for the twins, and the declaration, that presumed them dead, after a year, of no proof of them being alive or dead. Where could the twins be? Did they die in the forest, or since? If they were alive, were they plotting, revenge, would they unleash it on everyone including him, Adrianna and Aranza? Antonio looks again at Gina. Would she give in to Horacio''s pursuits? Antonio could tell there was a history. Where there once was something, couldn''t it develop again? He has a feeling Ice princess isn''t as uncaring as she seems, and feels something for him. The thought of Horacio having anything to do with Gina made his blood boil.


    Meanwhile at the university:


    Aranza has been trying to avoid her friends from the club. It still scared her how close she came to being assaulted. The friends had tried to reach out to her again but she had refused to reconnect. She ran into Aurelio again, and they walked together to the cafeteria. Aurelio asked her for her number. She gives it to him. He asked her if they could be friends. Aranza agrees. Aurelio tells her, if she ever needs anything, she could rely on him, Gina and Hector. Aranza thanks him again. He says it is okay, because they are friends.


    Some days pass, and Aurelio and Aranza, are walking together, when they run into some friends of the two guys who were with her in the club. They give Aurelio funny looks, and ignore him, focusing on Aranza. They ask her if she wants to go with them to the club. Aranza says she is okay and has plans.


    The guys go on. Aurelio looks at Aranza. She asks him what the problem is, and he asks whether she is embarrassed to be seen with him. She says no. Aranza asks him what they are doing during the weekend, and Aurelio looks at her. She is one of a kind, and very insistent, spontaneous and stubborn. The only other person he knows who is like that was Gina. In fact, come to think of it, they had a lot in common.


    Aranza tells him not to mind those jerks.


    At the office, Hector runs into Adrianna, and asks if she is not busy, maybe she could accompany him to the nearby mall. Adrianna agrees. Adrianna goes back to working on the media campaign for the launch, with her colleagues. At the end of the working day, Adrianna leaves with Hector. She asks him, what they are going to do. He smiles and say that its a surprise. Alejandro watches them, Adrianna has gone on a few dates since they broke up, but it was only with Hector, that he had seen her in that manner. A relaxed, easy calmness. Hector was also the first guy in a long time she had agreed to go out with alone.


    They walk and board a bus to the mall. Hector takes her to a bowling alley. Adrianna asks him if the balls will break her fingers. He smiles and says no. He says that there are balls to suit different strengths. Adrianna looks skeptical but agrees anyway. She is surprised at how much fun she has. They later play some video games before Hector takes her to get a cab. He removes money to give her Cab fare but she insists she will pay since, he took care of the evenings costs. Adrianna greets him, and He smiles at her. In the Cab, she thinks about the past. She could not remember the last time she had had so much fun.


    Adrianna goes back to the past. She misses the twins. Would all their lives be different if the twins had not disappeared? Despite what her Aunt Helena and Carlos said, she was sure the twins were alive, somewhere in the country. There was something about Hector that reminded her of Hernan. She remembered how he would tease her, and play tricks on her before the tragic events of 16 years ago. He would always do something like put toy rats, in her things or toothpaste in her hair and on her face. She asks herself if he was still alive.