3. Hugs, Tears, and a Splash

"It's night already, Marissa hasn't returned home, even Ignacio's come back," Rosario whispered to herself, nervously fiddling with her fingers, walking back and forth at the mansion's entrance.

When Juan came downstairs, he noticed she was upset and went over to talk to her. "Mother, I hope all is well?"

"I am worried about Marissa, Juan. Since the incident, she hasn't returned home, and I can't reach her on her phone."

"Mother, I will ask the workers to help me go look for her. I'm sure she will be fine," Juan reassured her, giving a tight-lipped smile as he put an arm around her. "Let's go back in. I'll go out and look for her."

Rosario managed a sad smile. "I hope my princess is alright."

Miguel came down the stairs and noticed Rosario's pale face. "What's wrong?"

Rosario hugged him, her tears streaming down her cheeks and soaking his shirt. "Marissa hasn't returned home yet."

Miguel looked at Juan. "I'm going out to look for her with some of the workers," Juan said, then headed upstairs.

"Don't worry, Rosa darling, wherever she is, she will be fine," Miguel reassured Rosario.

* * *

The ranch spread out in quiet peace beneath the vast, dark sky. The countryside was silent, with only trees and rocks breaking up the grassy hills where horses grazed contentedly. Juan led a team of five laborers who were surveying the flatlands, with walkie-talkies fastened to their belts.

"Search everywhere. If you see Marissa, alert me as soon as possible," Juan ordered.

"All right, Boss," said a worker wearing black trousers and a blue shirt.

"Thank you," Juan replied earnestly, hoping to find Marissa soon.

They walked away in groups of two and three, sharing directions among themselves as they spread out across the ranch.

Juan turned back, his eyes widening when he saw Daniella before him. "I told you, Daniella, I am going alone. You shouldn't have followed me. I will be fine," he insisted, striding ahead of her.

"No, I'm going with you to find her," she insisted, tottering behind him on the stones.

He pivoted, giving her a stern look, and she averted her gaze. Then, surprisingly, he extended his hand with a smile. When she took it, he pulled her near, brushing his thumb over her cheek.

"Thank you," she murmured.

"You're welcome, sweetheart," he replied, ruffling her hair.

* * *

"I am so tired; it's been a while since we started looking for Marissa," Daniella sighed, sitting down on a rock.

As Juan's attention wandered, memories of Marissa's voice echoed in his mind. "Big brother, I really love this river because whenever I'm worried, it's the perfect place to let all my emotions out."

"Juan! Juan!" Daniella's voice broke through his reverie, drawing his absent gaze from the river ahead. "Are you even listening to me?"

Juan walked to the river's edge, with Daniella trailing behind. As they reached, Daniella noticed a ring with a heart necklace lying on the ground. Juan carried the trinket and held it up before Daniella. "This belongs to Marissa," he confirmed.

A deep sense of dread seized them both. Suddenly, previously overlooked details became clear: the damp splashes along the riverbank, the faint hint of perfume lingering in the air. Marissa was here-she is here.

"Call for help," Juan instructed, passing the ring and necklace to Daniella before diving into the water.

"Juan! Juan!" Daniella's eyes widened in shock. Shoving the trinket into her jeans pocket, she picked up the walkie-talkie. "Come to the river near the hacienda! And alert the clinic," she instructed, tears streaming down her face.

Anger flared inside her at Juan's recklessness and Marissa's potential selfishness. "How could he dive in without considering the consequences? She could already be dead. He might be risking everything for nothing. What if she's not even in the water?" She loathed this impulsive act, the worry he had inflicted upon her. How dare he? How dare they?

Seated with her head in her hands, Daniella was alerted by coming footsteps. Startled, She jumped up in shock as one of the men asked, "Where is the boss?"

"He... Juan... he's inside the river," Daniella replied, her voice cracking.

"Don't worry; the river is not deep," the man reassured.

"The ambulance is on the way," the other said, hands on his waist.

Minutes turned into hour as five men paced back and forth on the shore. Daniella stared, dazed and confused, before the river. She barely heard the sirens or saw the strobing emergency lights.

It felt like an eternity. Too long in the water. Too long to breathe. They were gone, and she had done nothing to help.

Then Juan miraculously resurfaced from the depths. He walked towards them, water raking at his broad chest and powerful arms....carrying Marissa to shore.

Daniella ran to him, pulling him into a tight hug.

"I am alright," he said with a terse smile. "Marissa needs help."

He walked to the ambulance, laying Marissa on the gurney. EMTs and paramedics attended to Marissa. One man pressed a stethoscope to her chest while a woman checked her pulse and placed oxygen on her face.

"Clear lung sounds. Good air movement," the man said, starting to check pulse ox and blood pressure. "SPO2 is 98% on 6L."

"Sir," the woman placed a hand on Juan's arm. "Please wait outside."

Daniella hugged Juan as he stepped out of the ambulance, sobbing. "I thought something was going to happen to you. I was so scared that..."

"I am still alive, am I not?" Juan coaxed, pecking her hair as he wrapped an arm around her waist.

Resting her head on his chest, she lamented, "You don't know how I feel."

He brushed his lips on hers. "I will never leave you; you have to throw me out of your life."

"Never," she said in a childish tone, hugging him.

* **

Juan laid Marissa down on her bed.

Rosario stared at him through tear-filled eyes, Miguel's solemn expression by her side.

"You two don't have to worry. The EMTs say Marissa will be alright by tomorrow. She's very lucky." Juan comforted them with a smile.

"I trust you but I am going to be with her tonight," Rosario asserted, looking directly at Juan.

* * *

Daniella sat in his bedroom, her head in her hands, when Juan came back. She glanced up, tears still streaming from her red eyes, as he sank onto the bed beside her.

"Oh my, you are still crying?" Juan teased.

"You don't know how worried I was; I thought I was going to lose you."

He nodded, listening, mouth half-open, and the corners of his eyes creasing with understanding. "Really?"

"You really think I am joking." She punched his arm.

He rubbed his arm, a wince escaping his lips.

"Are you alright?" she asked.

He lifted his gaze, noticing her worry, his lips formed a smile.

She seized his face, pressing their lips together in a kiss.

* * *

"Good morning, family," Ignacio said, sitting down on the chair next to Carlos.

Juan and Daniella walked and took their seats next to Rosario, opposite Ignacio and Carlos.

"Lara," Rosario called to a maid holding a food tray.

"Yes, ma'am."

"Where are you taking the food to?"

"Miss Marissa told me when the food is served to the family, I should send her food to the ranch," Lara replied humbly.

"Go and take it to her then," Rosario said, beaming.

"If Marissa is already fit enough to eat, I don't see why it can't be with the family," Miguel chided his wife.

Rosario's face slackened. "Why don't we let her be for today at least? She will help out at the ranch with the horses; she loves horses."

"When will my daughter return to her senses?" he stood furiously. "If Marissa can eat in her room apart from the family, I can too."

Miguel strolled away, making his way upstairs.

Juan pounded the table. "I wish she'd come to her senses."