4. Unmasked Hearts

Juan lingered behind Marissa as she fed the horses. A few stood around the fence, eager for attention. Others galloped and played, tugging a smile from her forlorn features.

A gust of wind tossed her dark hair as he walked toward her. Gripping her hand, he tugged her back from the fence. "What the hell is wrong with you?"

"I am sorry about yesterday, I... my phone disappeared inside the river. I swam looking for it, but I got stuck, and then you came," she offered flatly.

"Marissa, can you tell me what is wrong with you? You know I care about you," he said, corner of his mouth lifting in a slight smile.

"But not the way I want you to care... You care more about Daniella."

"The way I care about you is different from Daniella. You are my sister; you know I care about you a lot. I love you," he replied, holding her cheek.

She squeezed her eyelids shut against tears. He wrapped her in his arms, holding her face against his broad chest. Again, the smell of leather soap and horse spurs warmed her chest.

"I hate seeing you cry, so please stop... I guess you want me to cry too." She punched him teasingly, and he yelped. "Ouch! That really hurt!" When she smiled and shook her head, he prompted, "Can I ask a favor from you?"

Marissa's brows knitted, growing concerned over the sudden seriousness of his tone. Still, she offered a slow nod.

"Can you please attend every mealtime together with the rest of the family?" he asked.

She moved away from him, considering. Mealtime with the family would mean facing Daniella. Still, if it was important to Juan, she could withstand the girlfriend. "Okay, I will."

"Go and apologize to Father later. He is very angry with you," he added.

"Juan!" They heard Daniella's voice. Juan turned as Marissa's smile faded on her face. Beaming at the siblings, she took her boyfriend's arm and purred, "Can I talk to you about something?"

He nodded, glancing at Marissa who looked at him.

"Oh yes, Marissa..." Daniella said as she handed her a necklace and ring. "Your things."

Marissa collected the necklace and ring and walked back to the fence.

* * *

Juan and Daniella walked inside his office.

Daniella looked at him, a smile forming on her lips as she held his hands. "I just got a call from my agency; they will need me in two weeks. What do you say? This is a big step toward my career."

"Okay, sweetheart, you can go anytime you want."

She wrapped him in a hug, grinning. "Thank you, my love. I know you won't refuse; that's why my love for you increases every day."

Marissa walked past the window. Juan peered at her over Daniella's shoulder, even as he returned the hug. "I will do anything for you."

* * *

"That's great, sister-in-law, you hit the jackpot," Carlos gasped.

"I told you I am an expert in Monopoly," Daniella said, grinning. "So tell me, is there something between you and that girl looking at you?"

He looked at the kitchen through the wide-open window; Danna was staring at him with her green eyes.

Daniella gestured with her hand for her to come. Danna walked out of the kitchen and stood in front of them.

"She is my childhood sweetheart," he said, crashing his lips to Danna.

"Congratulations to both of you then," Daniella grinned.

Danna smiled shyly.

"Thank you, sister-in-law," he said, bowing.

* * *

"You can't say you won't eat with us if Marissa won't. You know how stubborn she is," Rosario pleaded from the bed.

Miguel folded his arms over his chest from the window. "I'm just as stubborn as she is." Returning to the bed, he drew his wife against his shoulder. "Rosa, darling. I think it's time we tell Juan about everything, since he'll be married soon."

Rosario raised her head, widening her eyes. "Don't you think it's too soon to tell him about it?"

"Of course not. Juan is old enough to know everything," Miguel replied.

"When are you going to tell him?" she asked.

"Tonight."

* * *

The sun sank below the hacienda's horizon, bidding adieu to the day and leaving a warm, golden glow that threw slashes of orange and pink across the sky.

Juan stared at Marissa from behind, watching as she played with the horses. Feeling the lingering of his gaze, she turned and met his soft brown eyes. The smile faded, gradually as the sun sank over the horizon. "Why don't you join me, big brother?"

He walked into the horse pen, stood beside her, and stroked a white horse.

"Remember to go tonight and apologize to Father. and tell him you are going to change and make sure you never miss any meal time,"

"Don't worry I will go later tonight after dinner, I want tomorrow to be a new day for me,"

"Let's go for a ride," Juan took her hand.

"No, Juan, please, I don't want to," Marissa protested stubbornly.

"Afterward, we will return them to their stables."

She nodded.

* * *

"How is today?" Daniella asked, staring at Juan lying on the bed. He sat in front of her.

"Just like every day," he replied.

"How can it be the 'just like everyday' when that sister of yours makes the meal times so..." She fisted her hands, lips in a thin line. "I can't explain it!" She said, raising her two hands in fists, pressing her lips together.

"Daniella, don't talk like that about Marissa. I know she hasn't been good to you, but she is a very nice person," he defended Marissa, sitting up and leaning on a pillow.

"But..."

A knock came from the door.

"Come in," Juan said.

Lara entered. "Sir wants you in his room."

"Thank you," Juan replied, looking at Daniella, who was giving him a puzzled look.

Juan walked inside Miguel and Rosario's room. Miguel had his hand on his cheek, wearing a dour expression, while his wife wrung her hands on the side of the bed. They both stood as he entered, showing concern.

Miguel went up to his son. "We want to tell you something very important. We thought this would be the right time."

Marissa stood on the threshold of the room, hesitation written across her face as she observed the gravity etched on Miguel and Rosario's expressions. Sensing an air of seriousness, she retreated a step, finding support against the cool wall.

Miguel walked up to Juan and spoke with a genuineness in his voice. Placing a comforting hand on his shoulder, he implored "You have to understand, Juan. We have a deep love for you. Even if you may not share our blood, but you are undeniably cherished as if you were our own son."

Dread enveloped Juan's expression as he recoiled, shaking his head in disbelief. "I must have misunderstood. What are you saying, Father?"

"Juan, I spoke the truth. You are not a Valiente. Neither by blood nor adoption. Every action we took was to shield you," His father disclosed, unravelling a revelation that cast a shadow over Juan's understanding of his identity.

Leaning against the wall for support, Juan questioned, "Have I done something to deserve this?" On the other side, unbeknownst and concealed, Marissa couldn't help but smile through her tears, a secret revealed. Juan. All this time.

Meanwhile, Rosario sat on the bed, tears streaming down her face, overwhelmed by the emotional upheaval.

"No, Juan, you haven't done anything wrong. You're the best son anyone could ask for," Miguel's voice wavered, his emotions breaking through as tears streamed down his worn cheeks. "But you deserve to know the truth. You're my boss's son. He entrusted me to look after you just before he passed away..."

With tears in her eyes, Rosario walked up to Juan and gave him a firm hug. "We're not telling you to cause pain. Regardless of what unfolded, you'll always be our beloved son," she consoled, tears rolling down her cheeks. Juan stood there, eyes red, grappling with the weight of the truth.

Retreating to her room, Marissa wiped away tears and collapsed onto her bed, emotions overwhelming her. "I am not mad or crazy, what I have been feeling is not a sin but real, a genuine feeling ... True feelings, I love him... I do love him, I am not committing a sin or crazy, I have true feelings for Juan ..." She said, her voice cracking.

A faint knock reached her ears, prompting Marissa to gasp. In response, she extinguished the light and curled up on the bed. Closing her eyes, she hugged her pillow, feigning sleep.

The door creaked open, and Juan entered, moving cautiously towards the bed. Bending down, he placed a tender kiss on her forehead. 'Goodnight,' his whispered words gently grazed her skin in the dimness of the room.

As he quietly left the room, Marissa, left alone, slowly opened her eyes, tears tracing a delicate path down her cheeks, each drop was evidence of the intense feelings that had occurred.