Episode 1

Elizabeth

"Lizzy!" I heard my mother's voice calling from the kitchen. Leaving my room, I head toward where she is.

"Yes, Mrs. Juana?" I tease my mom, as usual, to get a rise out of her. She shoots me a mildly annoyed glance, but soon her laughter breaks through, and it's infectious.

"Get ready, we're going out for a family meal," she says, still grinning.

"What's the occasion, Mom?" I move closer to get a better look at her expression.

"It's a surprise, so get dressed up, and look pretty," she says, planting a tender kiss on my forehead.

"Okay, Mommy," I dash out of the kitchen and hurry to take a shower.

I enter the living room donning a black dress that falls just below my knees, paired with white sneakers adorned with a charming black bow. Unrestrained, my hair cascades naturally, slightly tousled in a way I adore. I notice my parents emerging from their room, looking polished and affectionate, Dad complimenting Mom on how stunning she looks and that he has the most beautiful woman in the world. Mom blushes—a telltale reaction even after so many years, whenever Dad compliments her.

"I hope one day I'll have a love as beautiful as my parents'."

"Someday, you'll have a marriage just as good or even better than your parents'," Grandpa seems to have read my thoughts. I nod in agreement and offer him a smile.

We hop into my father's car, with one of my favorite songs, "Anxiety" by Rafael Montaño, playing on the radio. The city lights mesmerize me as I let the wind caress my face with the window slightly ajar. Eyes closed, I revel in the sensation of the cool breeze.

We pull up to a restaurant bathed in light at the city's heart. Grandpa greets a man at the far end of the venue—a close friend of his since their military service days, Mr. Teobaldo, accompanied by his daughter Mrs. Carmen and his grandson Andres. We approach and exchange greetings.

"You've grown so tall and beautiful," Mr. Teobaldo comments with a warm smile, and I can feel myself blush, though I try to conceal it.

"Isn't she beautiful, Andres?" his grandfather nudges him, making some gesture I fail to catch.

"Yes, you look really pretty and grown-up," he echoes his grandfather's words.

"Thank you," I respond with a half-smile, attempting to camouflage my emotion.

Something feels odd as Grandpa seats us all at the same table.

"The presence of Mr. Teobaldo's family here can't be coincidental."

Amidst idle conversation, the food we ordered arrives. A brief silence ensues, during which Grandpa and Mr. Teobaldo exchange knowing looks.

"Folks," Mr. Teobaldo calls for attention, "Ramon and I have decided it's time our families became even closer," he reveals enthusiastically.

"And how's that, Grandpa?" Andres asks curiously, his interest mirrored by my own.

"Through marriage, son," his grandpa clarifies, adding, "Specifically, your marriage, Andres."

"MARRIAGE?!"

Astonished doesn't begin to cover how I feel, but Andres looks even more shocked. I nervously sip my drink to help swallow the food now stuck in my throat.

"Grandpa, what does this mean? It's a joke, right?" Andres addresses his grandfather, visibly upset but keeping his voice down.

"You know I don't joke," responds his grandfather sternly. I stand up, embarrassed by both my grandfather's declaration and Andres's reaction.

"Excuse me," I mutter, retreating to the back of the restaurant where I can be alone. A deep sigh escapes me, trailed by an unexpected tear.

"Why am I crying?" I ask aloud.

"Because you've been in love with him since childhood."

"Liz!" Andres's voice is unmistakable. I discreetly wipe away my tear and turn to face him. "Sorry about earlier. I was caught off guard and didn't know what to say," he apologizes, but his words still sting, even with his sincerity.

"It's okay. I was startled too," I say, trying to absolve him of any guilt. As I start back to the restaurant, Andres reaches out, halting me with a gentle grip on my arm.

"Liz, I have a girlfriend, and I'm deeply in love with her," he confesses, looking earnestly into my eyes. Holding back a lump in my throat, I reply with resolve, despite feeling my legs go weak.

"You owe me no explanation. Speak to your grandpa; it's he who wants to marry you off," I say firmly, and after releasing his hold, I return to the dinner table. The remainder of the evening is awkward, with no further mention of the arranged marriage—something for which I am profoundly grateful. Once the meal concludes, we bid farewell to Mr. Teobaldo's family.

The car ride home is engulfed in silence. I want—no, need—an explanation for this secret they've kept from me.

"Why didn't anyone tell me?" My emotions bubble to the surface, plainly displayed for all to see.

"We wanted to surprise you, Elizabeth," replies my father, eyeing me through the rearview mirror.

"Well, the surprise wasn't well received," I add, hearing my voice crack despite my best efforts.

"It's time for you to get married," Grandpa announces, taking my hand. "Your grandmother and mother were married by your age, and Teobaldo's is a fine family—Andres a good, hardworking, responsible young man." He seems dead set on this union.

But the truth stares us in the face; Andres doesn't want to marry me, and it's obvious to everyone.

Upon arriving home, I retreat to my room, don my pajamas, and lie on my bed staring at the ceiling. A fleeting smile at the thought of marrying Andres quickly fades, crushed by the weight of his words.

"I have a girlfriend, Liz, and I'm deeply in love with her." Those words snuff out the last flicker of hope, leaving me in the dark.

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