Once back at Coyote's mansion, it seems the microphones aren't working because they haven't been able to gather any information.
— You must return home. We'll limit contact to prevent the Animal from finding out you're my son — Edwin says — Everything will work if you can get him to take you to his house or a business meeting room so we can plant microphones. Acquiring any physical documents would also be very helpful.
— Damn it! — Tadeus grumbles — Just when I thought I was finally free from this shit!
— You're a charismatic man with a charming face — Edwin says — You'll manage.
— It's humiliating! — Tadeus argues. At that moment, there's a knock at the door to announce that the detective of the police department has arrived with his team. Edwin sends for Yenedith. As soon as she enters the office, the two siblings greet each other with a hug and take a seat.
— Thank you so much for coming, Mr. Agudelo — Edwin greets — The reason for my call is to request that the case of my children's disappearance be closed.
— Despite all these years, you have insisted for the case to remain open. Why are you requesting for it to be closed? — the detective asks, analyzing the situation around him.
— I'm amused to say that I have found my children — Edwin declares — They recently returned from abroad, and I was able to contact them through a relative who helped me find them.
— That's to say that after all this time they weren't missing ? — the man asks.
— I don't understand why you'd think something like that — Edwin says with a serious expression reflected all over his face — Their mother kidnapped them and raised them in another foreign country! I didn't even know my daughter existed until recently!
— It wasn't my intention to offend anyone — the detective says — We will take care of questioning you and conducting the necessary tests to close the case.
— Please keep this matter private — Edwin asks.
— I assure you that. I would like to begin the questioning as soon as possible. You should come to the police department — the detective replies.
After that short meeting, Tadeo approaches Yenedith to talk about the past few weeks. — How was your trip? — she asks — Did you achieve your goal?
— Looks like I'll have to keep trying. How have you been feeling?
— I miss Mom, more than I thought I would.
— Me too — Tadeus says — You remind me so much of her, especially when you smile. You even have her gray eyes.
— Well, you have a decent face — she says with a smile — Grandma's eyes totally saved you.
— How is she? Have you gone to see her?
— You should see her for yourself. She's been asking about you every day, and I don't know what to tell her — Yenedith replies. She leans closer to him, lowering her voice. — She says Edwin's up to no good, Tadeus. She was really worried when I told her you started working for him.
— I'll go see her — he says.
— Tadeus, you have to tell me if he ever asks you to do anything shady — his sister says, gently squeezing his arm in a supportive gesture.
— I'll be gone for a few weeks, but I need you to stay positive and remember our agreement — Tadeus affirms.
Yenedith nods and they hug before going their separate ways through the hallways of that house.
<><><> DECEMBER <><><>
Next morning, Elena is coming back from the gardens when she sees Yenedith coming down the stairs — I thought you'd go to the office this morning — the woman says.
— I don't want to do anything today.
— Yeah, who cares? It's holiday season — Elena says with a smile — How about you join me for Christmas shopping?
— Okay.
They are both taken to the mall, escorted by Charles and Demetrio, and stroll around the shops. They pass a jewelry store and stop to take a look — This reminds me of Edith — Elena says, pointing to a silver choker with a vintage niche — People don't like to wear these kinds of jewelry anymore.
— Did you know my mother?
— Did I know her? We were friends — Elena says — I remember her wearing one of these with her wedding photo on it. She treasured that memory.
— Her actions prove otherwise — Yenedith remarks — She never said anything to you?
— No, she was too private to tell me about her problems — Elena says, looking at the necklace — You should have it.
As they leave the store, they decide to pause their shopping spree for a moment to have lunch. — So, how did you meet? — Yenedith asks — We were classmates. She was a very fun-loving girl, and she remained so into adulthood — Elena says — I think that's why she charmed your father.
— And how did you end up marrying Edwin?
— I became very close to your father after Edith disappeared. She vanished overnight, and I offered to help look for her, but as the years passed, we simply fell in love — Elena replies.
— Did you always like him?
— Of course not! — the woman assures with a nervous laugh — It wasn't until ten years after your mother left that your father and I saw each other as something, and we got married about six years ago.
They both return to the mansion after dinner.
After leaving the mansion, Tadeus returns to a life as close as possible to what he considered normal, but in an apartment complex, without memories. All of this in order to follow Edwin's advice, avoiding being constantly at home and spending much of the day in public places for safety.
Being out of work, Tadeus does nothing but fulfill his task for the day. Meeting Pine for lunch or on other occasions going to dinner.
— What's with the long face? — Asks the senator.
— I should be working right now — Tadeus responds.
— I can get you an interview.
— The last thing I want is to be more involucrated or owe you something.
— Nonsense! — Pine says — You have a great curriculum and just take it as if I'm paying a favor to your father.
— Even worse — Tadeus sighs.
Pine looks around and asks - Do you think the food will take long?
— Thank you for paying, though — Tadeus comments, resting his back on the seat and letting his head fall back to look at the ceiling.
— Of course, my boy — Says Gustaph putting his hand on Tadeus'
He sits up in his seat and says — Are you actually homosexual? If you are, you shouldn't have your eyes on the younger.
Gustaph laughs for some seconds and takes the glass with the hand he just touched Tadeus' to drink some water. At that moment, the waiter brings the food and serves the wine — If I wanted to enjoy sex, it wouldn't be a young boy like you — Says Pine — I like to drink but it's depressing to do it alone.
— No one of your age is worthy?
— I've been a widower for three years and I decided to not look for someone else.
– Well… — Tadeus comment — Three years?
Pine nods and takes a photograph from his wallet. The photo of a man in front of a waterfall flexing his biceps — He was stunning — The young man says.
— Yes, he was — Answers Pine with a nostalgic smile.
Both continue eating and chatting about their travelling experiences until the bottle of wine is empty — Join me, let's drink some Whisky at my place — Says Pine.
— Are you an alcoholic? I'm afraid to stand up — Tadeus says and both laugh hysterically. Clear sign of their actual state of mind.
Pine stands up first and helps Tadeus - My driver will take you home - Says the senator once he notices how difficult it is for Tadeus' to walk properly.
— No, let me take a taxi. I don't want to bother my grandma — He answers and then rests his forehead over Pine's chest. The senator takes some cash from his wallet and leaves it in the inner pocket of Tadeus's jacket while the young man pulls his head backwards, almost falling.
— At least let me take you to the door — Pine insists while holding him by the waist to prevent him from falling. Tadeus nods and both leave the restaurant.
Pine makes sure a taxi stops by for Tadeus and kisses each of his cheeks to say goodbye before making him enter the car and give the directions to the driver.
In the upper part of the restaurant, Alexander Strauss is dining with the same woman from the island. He prefers the terrace to smoke freely and look at the surroundings from a higher perspective — They eat three times a week together and go out for dinner every Friday — He comments and exhales smoke from his nostrils.
— They don't look that in love — Clarisa says.
Alexander stays silent observing how the senator kisses the gigolo's cheeks. The intrigue grows in his mind day by day and doesn't reconcile with the excuses Tadeus gave to reject him — They kiss and hug, what do you think that means?
— Do you really like him that much? — She asks grining joyfully — You and I smooch and meet a lot, but we never fuck.
– We do.
— Not that much anymore.
— You're right — He says looking back at her, and kisses her lips.