CHAPTER 161

 

Aranza is stunned. Claudia's house, may not be as big as her family's house but it was still very impressive, majestic, and spacious. Aranza asks her about her living situation. Claudia smiles and says the house will always have a special place in her heart but, she would rather live in another house, but definitely still in the city. Aranza tells herself that Claudia is definitely up to much more than she is revealing.

Claudia says that a lot of mistakes were made in the past and they can't be undone but all they can do is move forward. She adds that it would also be a nice place to raise a family. Claudia pauses and glares at both Aurelio and Aranza. She then says that children should come when they are a bit older and not at the moment. Aurelio smiles. He says to himself that she is just like his grandmother. Aranza asks her if she is really sure about what she is saying. Claudia says that she is.

Back at Antonio and Gabriela's house,

Adrianna asks Gabriela what her suggestion is, on how they should go from there. Gabriela says that they should speak to Marianna, as soon as possible to get the full picture and then the three of them can move forward from there. Adrianna says that given the sensitivity of everything, she thinks that they should do it maybe the next day or the day after. Gabriela says that's okay and adds that they should keep it between them and tell no one, not even Marianna or Martin that they are going. They hear Antonio's voice and quickly change the topic. He is talking to the kids.

Antonio is surprised to see Gisela there. He is even more surprised when the children tell him that Gabriela and Adrianna are in the kitchen. He heads there, greets them, and asks them what they were gossiping about. Adrianna shakes her head. Gabriela says that they were just talking about girl things. Antonio says that he is sure they were and Adrianna playfully punches him. Gabriela asks him if he wants anything. Antonio says that juice and a sandwich would be fine.

The next day, on Thursday,

At Montes De Alba Inc.,

Aranza goes to one of the empty boardrooms. She looks at her father and brother who are both sitting. She says that it feels like she has been summoned. Aranza, while frowning says that she is not a little girl. She then sits down. She then looks at Gabriel and folds her hands, and calling him daddy, asks him why she is there. She then glares at Hernan and asks him what lies he is spreading about her. Hernan says he doesn't need to do anything because she and Gabby are the mischievous children in the family. Aranza rolls her eyes and starts to tell Hernan how bossy he is but Gabriel cuts her off. He looks sternly at both Hernan and Aranza (especially Hernan) and tells them to stop fighting.

He then turns to Aranza and says that Gabriela told them that Claudia had asked to speak to her and Aurelio and the three of them wanted to know what it was about. Aranza frowns and says that they are treating her like a little girl and she doesn't like it. Hernan says it is not about treating her like a little girl but about worrying and caring for her. He adds that given how capable Claudia has proved she is of pulling off anything she sets her mind to, they were a little concerned she wanted her (Aranza) and Aurelio's help with something potentially dangerous. Aranza tells them to relax.

She adds that Claudia didn't want her or Aurelio to help her with any kind of reveal. Gabriel asks her what she wanted. Aranza says that Claudia wanted to give her and Aurelio the house she had been living in. Both Gabriel and Hernan are stunned. Hernan asks Aranza what else Claudia said. Aranza says that she was nice and basically talked about how the past cannot be changed but people can only move on. She adds that she also said that Aurelio was also Juan Patricio's grandson and he could consider the house as part of his inheritance. Hernan asks her where Claudia will live after that. Aranza says Claudia wasn't too specific on that but she said that she will be okay.

Elsewhere,

Claudia and Santiago are in the park. Claudia thanks him for inviting her to join him at the park. She says being in hiding alone was lonely and boring and with everything that's going on, a break from reality is always welcome. Santiago smiles and says that he is alive because of her and it's the least he can do. He says that they have things in common. Claudia asks him what he means. Santiago says that though their life circumstances were different, they are alone at that stage in their lives. He says that their children and grandchildren are all doing their own things, whether it is right or wrong and they are well just there. Claudia agrees.

Some hours later,

It is around 3:00 pm,

At Martin's house,

Marianna is in the dining room reading a book when she hears a knock on the door. She sighs but wakes up. She goes to the door and asks who it is. With Alejandro, Isabella, and Horacio on the loose, she has to be very careful. Gabriela says that it's her and Adrianna. Marianna is surprised. She asks herself why Gabriela and Adrianna would want to talk to her. Adrianna asks her if she is still there. Marianna says that she is. She silently breathes in then moves to open the door. Adrianna and Gabriela greet her and enter.

Meanwhile,

Antonio is still in the office. He is scrolling through his phone when he sees something that shocks him. He stares at the picture for a few seconds and then asks himself just what his grandmother is upto. He says first she calls Aurelio and Aranza and gives them her main house, then that. Antonio shakes his head and says that he doesn't understand his grandmother.

He then looks at the picture of his grandmother and Marianna's grandfather at the park again. They were happily talking. Antonio asks himself if something is going on between them. He says that his grandmother is his responsibility and he will always look out for her. He says that he is going to have to talk to her about the picture whether she wants to or not.

Back at Martin's house,

Adrianna, Gabriela, and Marianna are in the sitting room. There is a box of juice and three half-full glasses. Adrianna takes a sip of her glass of juice then looks at Gabriela. Marianna looks at both of them and asks them if something is going on. Gabriela says that she came with Adrianna because the two of them wanted to talk to her about something sensitive in private. Marianna asks them what they mean. Adrianna asks Marianna if she is pregnant. Marianna is shocked. She asks them how they knew.

Gabriela says that they ran into Martin the previous day at work, during lunch and he seemed to be stressed about something.

Adrianna says that they started talking to him and he was worried about her because he didn't know what was going on and she wouldn't tell him. She adds from what Martin said they put two and two together and they realized she was pregnant. Marianna sighs but says nothing. Gabriela says that what she doesn't understand is why she hasn't told Martin anything. She pauses and asks Marianna if she was considering an abortion. Marianna stares at both of them shocked. She asks them why they would think that she would consider that as an option.

Adrianna says that they thought that given the uncertainty over the future, the stress of the trial, and feeling like she might burden Martin, she might be hesitant to have another child. Marianna says that she is stressed and fearful but she would never do that to Martin, not after the pain he went through after Emma was murdered or after him taking a risk by giving her a second chance at life. She says that regardless of what happens to her, she will give her child a fighting chance at life. Gabriela says that's all fine but then asks Marianna why she hasn't told Martin that she is pregnant with his child.

Marianna sighs and says that she is afraid and she needed time to come to terms with everything. She adds that she will tell Martin soon. Adrianna asks her how many months pregnant she is. Marianna says that she is a little over a month. Gabriela says that Martin will be hurt if he finds out from someone else or if he figures it out because he will feel, that she lied to him. Adrianna tells Mariana that she should tell him before the symptoms start to show. Marianna says that she will. Gabriela asks her who else knows. Marianna says that the only person she has told is her cousin, Renata.

Four days later, on Monday

The day flows on. Later in the evening,

Antonio sits patiently in his grandmother's living room. He looks at the meal prepared before him and shakes his head. He says that he should have known that his grandmother was stubborn. He adds that she definitely wasn't going to listen to him when he told her that there was no need to have a meal prepared. Just then, the door is opened and she enters. Antonio walks over to his grandmother and greets her. She frowns at him. He looks at her and asks her what he did this time. Claudia says that she is his grandmother and not a stranger or acquaintance.

She tells him to come and hug her and to stop being so formal. Antonio smiles and hugs his grandmother. His grandmother, the drama queen. Claudia says that she was surprised that he wanted to talk to her alone. She adds that he could have told her whatever it was that it seems is urgent when he and Gabriela brought Hannibal over to visit over the weekend. Antonio shrugs and says perhaps, then adds that he preferred to wait and talk to her in private. Claudia asks him what it's about. Antonio says that they should start on dinner. Claudia agrees.

Elsewhere,

Juan Patricio is in hiding. He has a newspaper in his hand. He adjusts his cape and continues perusing the newspaper. He stops as one particular image catches his attention. It is a picture in the newspaper's entertainment section. It is a picture of Claudia and Santiago, Marianna's grandfather sitting on a park bench. He frowns slightly then skims over the brief article. He says that he will never allow her to be happy because she made him lose everything.

Sometime later,

Back at Claudia's house,

Claudia and Antonio have continued with their meal for a while when Claudia asks Antonio what's it that's so urgent that he wanted to talk to her about. Antonio is nervous. His grandmother has a way of making him feel like a naughty child. Antonio stutters then says that he is there because he is worried about her and he loves her. Claudia stares at him and he smiles. Claudia asks him why he would need to be worried about her. Antonio says that it's for two reasons. The first he says it's because of a picture he saw of her and Santiago. Claudia surprised asks him what picture. Antonio says that it's a picture of her and Santiago at the park.

He adds that it was in the newspaper and on social media. Claudia frowns and huffs. She says that she doesn't think that she is famous or that her life is interesting enough for someone to want to take a random picture of her. Antonio wipes his mouth and then asks his grandmother why she is dodging the question. Claudia frowns at him. She then smiles. She says that he came to poke around to find out if she is in a relationship with Santiago. Antonio runs a hand through his hair as his grandmother looks at him. He says to himself that no one else can make him feel like a naughty child. Antonio says that he is just concerned about her because he loves her.

Claudia tells him to relax. She says that Santiago is just a good friend. Antonio adds who is single and almost her age. Claudia shakes her head. She tells Antonio that a relationship is the last thing on her mind. She adds that she has just started the process to divorce his grandfather. Antonio says that after what happened, he isn't at peace because he is worried about her. He says that the thought of her being lonely and bored fills him with fear. Claudia tells him not to worry about her. She adds that she can survive without his grandfather and she will be just fine.

Elsewhere,

At Hernan and Adrianna's house,

Adrianna has just come from taking Gisela to bed. She comes and sits beside Hernan. He is looking through some houses in a newspaper. He looks at her and folds the newspaper. He says that he was thinking about something they had discussed earlier. Adrianna asks him what he is talking about. Hernan says that he was talking about them moving to another house, a bigger one. Adrianna says that she has read the newspaper he was just reading and she saw the houses and they were beautiful. Hernan looks at her and says he can feel a but coming. Adrianna frowns at him and then takes out her phone and scrolls.

She shows him some pictures and he scrolls through them. Hernan says that it's a beautiful estate and the houses have spacious compounds. Adrianna says that she loves it and she is sure Gisela Paulina will too. She then looks at him and says that he doesn't seem convinced. Hernan says that he only has one concern about that. Adrianna asks him what his concern is. Hernan reminds her that Antonio and Gabriela live there too. Adrianna shrugs and says that she doesn't see why that should be a problem. Hernan says he doesn't want to be neighbors with his sister. 

Adrianna rolls her eyes. She adds that one would think he was talking about his enemy rather than his twin sister. Hernan says that it is precisely because Gabriela is his twin that he doesn't want to live in the same estate as her. He tells Adrianna that having a twin isn't always fun. Adrianna says that it's hard to believe considering how close he is to his sister. Hernan says that he and Gabriela have always been together, they were born minutes apart, they were in the same classes from kindergarten to high school, then the same university and then they lived together for a while. He adds that he can't agree with her wanting them to live in the same estate as his sister.