<><><> JANUARY <><><>
A week after that party, Tadeus is interviewing a family for his news program. — Mr. Fabio, how would you describe your son Eduardo? — Tadeus asks the father — What was his childhood like?
— He was always a child who loved playing with his friends in the neighborhood, very studious, but when he graduated from high school, he didn't want to continue studying. His mother and I thought it was just his rebellious phase because he had always been very diligent.
— How did you handle that situation?
— His mother and I sat him down one day and told him: "Either you study or you work." And he chose to work. Oh! That backfired on us, because we thought he'd want to keep studying, but he said no, no, he wanted to work, and that's what happened.
— Did he start his restaurant at that time?
— Yes, that's how it began — Fabio says — At first, he sold tamales with his mother on weekends until he got a grill and some chairs to serve people right there in front of the house. He was a very hardworking, very dedicated man — Fabio continues — He really liked having his savings to take his wife and daughters on vacation. When the girls finished school, he'd leave the business to his sister, and they'd travel because his wife would stay at home with the kids — Fabio explains. The interview continues for several minutes. Tadeus takes a break and continues the interview with the other family members to gather as much information as possible.
After a few hours, he says goodbye and finds himself in the news channel's offices preparing the script for the program — Have you made any progress with the video? — Tadeus asks.
— Yes, I'll send it to you on Tuesday and you can tell me what you think — his colleague replies. — Hey, it's already six o'clock. How about we go for some drinks? — Tadeus decides to leave work for later and accepts the invitation.
Like her brother, the twenty-something decides to take a break from her responsibilities and drown her thoughts about all the changes her life has taken in alcohol. Amid the music and shouts of the people around her, Yenedith loses sight of her friend. After not finding her in the restrooms, she decides to step outside for some fresh air while trying unsuccessfully to call her. She sees her bodyguard's car still a few meters from the club entrance and decides to call Gem one more time before asking Charles for help. To her surprise, a musical tone draws her attention to an alley. — Your phone's ringing — she hears Charles say from a distance. He's standing near a girl who's slouching. — Do you want me to check? — he asks, to which Gem nods, still with her head down. — It's Wilmer. Do you want me to answer it for you?
— No, that's my boyfriend — She says and grabs the phone.
— It's best if you drink some water and eat something. Come with me — he commands.
— I'm fine — she replies, taking a step back.
— I won't leave you alone.
— I'll go with you — Yenedith says to Gem, and then directs her gaze to Charles to say — Thank you.
— Come to the car, both of you. It's not safe for you to stay here — Charles says.
At that moment, Gem starts to cry. Yenedith notices the trail of vomit on the floor and goes over to her friend, taking her arm and carefully avoiding getting any on her heels. — It's best if we go home now — Yenedith says, glancing at Charles.
After a few minutes, the two friends have already showered and are getting ready for bed — Your dad is not here? — Gem asks.
— Sometimes he stays at the office late or goes out to dinner with Elena — Yenedith says.
— It's strange coming to your house after so long; you live in a more luxurious place now — Gem remarks.
— A lot has changed.
— And why the bodyguard? Are you seriously not going to tell me?
— I already told you, it's just that my brother feels more comfortable knowing where I am at all times. Since, he can't put a GPS tracker on my head…
— Who were you with those days you disappeared? — Gem asks — Do you have a boyfriend and you haven't told me?
Yenedith's mind drifts back to the day of the kidnapping. She remembers getting off the bus, the sudden darkness, the jostling, the dizziness she felt. — But you haven't told me why you were wailing. Don't change the subject — Yenedith says ironically
— Wilmer cheated on me. Can you believe it? — Gem says — He was talking to a woman on a dating app. After everything we've gone through.
— I'm sorry — Yenedith says, approaching with open arms — We have to think of a plan to cut off his penis — she says, to which Gem just laughs. They separate slightly to look at each other without having to break the hug — You can count on me for anything — Yennedith says. Gem smiles slightly and lowers her gaze.
<><><>
Gustaph opens the door for Tadeus, who falls to the floor the moment he steps across the door threshold. The senator drags him to the bedroom and helps him lie down on the bed. After a few hours, Tadeus gets up and eats something while trying to keep his eyes open. In the shower, the memories of the previous night begin to make sense "Ah… how stupid! I promised myself I wouldn't get involved with anyone from work" he says to himself, remembering how he was thrusting into someone else's body with such force, his palms pressed against that sweat-drenched back. He checks his phone for messages but finds none from his coworker; instead, there are several missed calls to Pine during the night and more recent ones he didn't answer.
"Gustaph, what could I have said to him?" Tadeus wonders. Just then, his phone starts ringing, and he answers immediately — Hey, do you remember what I told you last night? I'm having trouble remembering — he says, a little nervous.
— Who do you think you're talking to? — a familiar voice says on the other end of the line.
— Sorry, I was… I mistook you for someone else — Tadeus replies.
— Did you spend the night with someone? — he asks.
— I…
—Just leave it at that, don't answer — he says — I need your advice. I hope to see you at five at the Teatro del Pilar. — The man hangs up before Tadeus can reply. Around four o'clock, a package arrives at the apartment. It's a black tailored suit with matching leather shoes. Gustaph sent it, so he decided to wear it.