Inside Marissa's Heart ♡

Marissa stood in their spacious garden, surrounded by flowers. A gentle breeze traced the fence line, causing her sleek black hair to spin and her long-sleeved shirt to tug out. Tugging back her shirt into her black jeans, she smoothed a stray lock from her face, bent down, and plucked a single flower from the ground, admiring its delicate petals in the bright light. It seemed like the final glimpse of this place.

"Marissa... Marissa. Let's go. Everyone is ready for us to leave," her mother, Rosario Valiente, called out.

Rosario's simple blue dress blew in the same breeze that had caught her daughter's hair, almost as if the land was pleading with them to stay and not leave. Walking down the lane toward the garden, she called out once more to Marissa, "Please, come and hop into the car. We'll be leaving soon."

Marissa nodded, her expression concealed.

Ignacio Valiente, the second sibling, leaned against a Hyundai Palisade, puffing on a cigar.

Meanwhile, Carlos, the youngest of the siblings, assisted the servants in loading the luggage into the car's boot.

Miguel drew attention when he came out of the house. Rosario walked over to her husband and rested her head on his shoulder, "I hope Marissa will find peace at the hacienda, like she used to before Juan left. Hopefully, she'll be less stressed there."

Miguel wrapped his arms around her waist. "Don't worry, my darling Rosa. She'll be alright, you'll see," he comforted her, planting a kiss on her head.

"Father, can we leave now so we won't be late?" Carlos inquired, closing the boot and placing his hands on his hips.

"Seems like he's eager to reunite with his childhood sweetheart," Ignacio teased, passing his cigar to a male servant.

Opening the back row door for their parents, Miguel and Rosario settled into the last row of seats in the car. Carlos plopped down next to Marissa, retorting, "So what? Atleast I can keep it in my pants."

Ignacio and the driver sat in the front seats of the car.

* * *

"I can't believe Juan will soon be married! What do you think, Miguel?" Rosario's eyebrows lifted in surprise. "I remember when he was just a child! And now, he's starting a family!" Her eyes sparkled, with excitement akin to a bottle of champagne.

Marissa leaned against the window, tears streaming from her eyes, despite her attempts to wipe them away upon hearing her parents' conversation.

"I genuinely don't understand why someone would commit their life to one person for a lifetime," Ignacio expressed with a tsk.

Carlos lifted his head from his phone. "When you fall in love, you'll discover how special it is to give your heart to someone."

"Who, Danna?" Ignacio guffawed. "What if she's already fucking someone?"

"Can you please keep your words to yourself, big brother?" Carlos pulled on his headphones.

"I really hope returning to the hacienda will change everything," Rosa whispered to her husband, leaning on his shoulder. "I want our children to live peacefully and understand each other."

"I hope so, my dear Rosa," Miguel murmured, his fingers smoothing along her dark hair, so reminiscent of their daughter's. "They need their big brother."

Rosario closed her eyes, feeling comforted by the thought of a brighter future for their family.

* * *

As they approached the hacienda, a parade of animals passed by the windows. The car slowly made its way along the winding path, arriving at the park before reaching the mansion's door. Carlos gently patted Marissa's sleeping shoulder.

Chuckling, he watched as she rubbed the sleep from her eyes. "Sorry to wake you. We're here, and you can finally see your big brother."

For a fleeting moment, Marissa's face lit up with excitement like a scientist who had found a cure for polio. But her expression quickly fell as memories of her mother's words about Juan, his impending marriage, and his new family returned. She couldn't forget what her mother had said about Juan's upcoming marriage and the possibility of a new family, and these thoughts overshadowed her joy at seeing her big brother at the hacienda.

Ignacio opened the car door and walked straight towards the mansion with his hand in his trousers pocket.

Marissa and Carlos got out of the car, and Rosario took Miguel's hand and got out of the car with grace.

"I can't believe I dozed off," Rosario admitted, feeling Miguel's support as she stepped out of the vehicle.

An elderly woman stood at the entrance with a playful glint in her eye, followed by three maids as the driver opened the car's trunk.

"Welcome home, Mr. Miguel, Mrs. Rosa, and children," she greeted.

"Thank you, Margarita. How have you been?" Miguel inquired.

"Thank you, Margarita," Rosario added.

"I've been quite well," Margarita replied, her cheeks blushing red like a rose.

"Hello, Margarita. I hope you're taking good care of everyone in the mansion?" Carlos inquired, though his eyes were fixed on a girl among the maids.

"Of course, Sir Carlos," Margarita beamed in response.

The maid dipped her head shyly and then lifted it with a modest smile. Carlos's grin widened, eliciting a blush and a flutter of lashes before she lowered her head again.

"Danna, could you bring my luggage to my room, please?" Carlos tossed his hair and offered a coy smile to Danna. "It's the blue one."

Marissa headed towards the car's boot, intending to carry her own light pink luggage, but Danna swiftly intervened. "You don't need to worry, Miss Marissa. We'll take your bags to your room."

"Thank you," Marissa mumbled.

Marissa walked into the house, stepping past her family and the staff. The old walls of the hacienda spread wide, like the flower garden she had just left. With a grimace, she took out the flower she had picked earlier, lamenting its simple beauty against the thick velvet opulence of the chairs, couches, and curtains around her. The only thing that stood out was a painting of flowers and horses on the walls.

After examining the handcrafted rug in front of the fireplace, Marissa wandered into the entryway and ultimately came onto the well-known stone staircase and hallway that led to the dining room. From her last visit, everything appeared to be the same.

"I hope I'll find a second life here," Marissa confessed to her flower. "I just miss -"

"Marissa!"

She heard her name from the lips of the person she had longed to see most in the world. Tears streamed from her eyes as she slowly turned, catching sight of him standing at the entrance.

He appeared like a dream. His handsome, open face beamed with a deep-set smile as he repeated, "Marissa."

With a big smile on her face and tears still streaming down, she ran to hold him tightly. She seemed afraid that if she didn't cling hard enough, the dream would break and he would disappear. Shaken by the sudden outpouring of emotions, she whimpered, "Big brother, I missed you so much." After the years apart, she had felt so empty and yearning. At that moment, it became painfully clear how much she wanted him.

He wrapped his arms around her, planting a kiss on her silky smooth hair. "I missed my adorable little sister, too."

A lady walked in and stood beside Juan. "Hey, Marissa, right?"

Glancing up at the woman in front of her, Marissa saw that she had golden-brown hair pulled back into a taut ponytail, gorgeous brown eyes hidden beneath a vintage cowboy hat, and loose black trousers that were paired with a brown short-sleeve shirt. Marissa's mind immediately labelled the woman as the enemy.

Marissa brushed away her tears and pulled away from the hug. Narrowing her gaze, she studied the woman in front of her, feeling something strange about her.

"My name is Daniella Duran, and I'm Juan's girlfriend," Daniella said, smiling as she extended her arm for a handshake.

With three chairs on each side of the antique ash dining table, the Valientes were seated around it. The table was full with a variety of delicacies that provided a feast for their shared supper.

Miguel was seated at the head of the table, with Juan and Daniella sitting to his left, Rosario and Carlos to his right. Miguel set his cutlery on the plate and looked around, his eyes crinkling with excitement. "I can now proudly say my son has finally chosen a perfect woman to spend his life with."

Daniella's eyes sparkled with gratitude. "Thank you for the compliments, Mr. Valiente," she replied with a smile. She held Juan's hand, leaning on his shoulder with adoration as she looked at Miguel.

"I only speak the truth and nothing else," Miguel said.

"But it still means so much to me," Daniella replied, giving Juan's hand another affectionate squeeze. "I hardly ever receive compliments."

"Aren't you a model? I'm sure you get compliments all the time," Carlos remarked, taking a spoonful of food to his mouth.

The soft color faded from Daniella's cheeks. "It's different from family. I lost my father at a young age, and my mother blames me for it so..."

"You don't need to say anything," Rosario interjected, reaching across the table to place her hand upon Daniella's in a motherly gesture. "Just know that we are always here for you."

Glancing around the table, Rosario pondered, "Why didn't Marissa come down? Surely she'd at least eat, if not talk. Margarita?"

Margarita emerged from the kitchen, wiping her hands on her white apron. "Mrs. Rosa?"

"Could you please take some food upstairs for Marissa?" Concern was clear in Rosario's order.

"Sure, Mrs. Rosario," Margarita nodded and went back inside to handle the request.

"I think it's because of me," Daniella said, her eyes darting around the space with concern. "I was talking to her earlier when you arrived, and she walked away without a single word."

"Don't worry, my dear. I'm sure she's not angry at you. Marissa can be difficult to read," Rosario gave Juan and Miguel a quick worried glance as she comforted Daniella.

Coming out of the kitchen, Margarita had a tray of food with a decorative glass saucer on it.

"Wait a moment," Juan stood up from the table and took the tray from Margarita. "I'll take it to her."

"Very good, sir," Margarita smiled and went back to work.

* * *

Using one hand to steady the tray, Juan tapped on the door before going inside. With an attitude as mysterious as always, Marissa looked up from organising her already tidy pillows.

"What are you doing here, big brother?" With her usual hazy expression, she asked, her eyes locked on him.

Juan met her emotionless black eyes. "I'm here with something for you to eat. Everyone's downstairs."

"What if I tell you I'm not hungry?"

"You can eat whenever you want," Setting the tray down on the bedside table, Juan replied. With that, he left the room, shutting the door behind him.

She was so distraught that she took hold of one of the pillows and threw it as hard as she could against the wall. She asked her question to no one in particular, whimpering.

"Why do I have this overwhelming feeling? Why me?"

* * *

The next morning, Juan opened her bedroom door, smiling as he saw her asleep, clutching a pillow close to her. He stepped in and sat on the bed, gazing at her with a smile. "You're becoming more beautiful," he whispered.

His eyes glanced toward the nightstand, noticing the half-finished food and an empty glass cup. "Always so stubborn. I knew you were hungry. Good to know the old Marissa is still there," He said, as he leaned forward and put a delicate kiss on her cheek.

Carrying the halfway done meal tray, Juan exited the room and headed downstairs. He saw Daniella in the kitchen, pacing back and forth between the prep area and the refrigerator.

"Sweetheart," he called out, his eyes following her movements. "What are you doing?"

"My love, I want to cook for Marissa, I hope that she will really like it, maybe let me in a bit, you know?"

Juan stepped forward, kissed her on the mouth, and cupping her cheeks. "I hope you can, but you needn't try so hard. Marissa is different," he said, recalling last night's scene in the bedroom.

"There's something off with her."

Juan nodded in agreement. "She's like a completely different person. I need to find out what's the matter."

"That would be great, my love," Daniella replied, meeting his gaze with hope. "She's the only other lady in the house; I'd love for us to be friends."

"Don't worry, everything will be fine," Juan calmed her by bringing her into his hold and pressing his lips against hers once again.

"That's why I love you so much, you always know how to motivate me. Thank you for loving me, Juan."

"Thank you for loving me, Daniella," Juan replied, with a kiss on her velvety lips.

* * *

"Good life, better food, best sister-in-law," Carlos remarked, giving a thumbs up to Daniella while digesting the rice.

"How did you know I cooked?" Daniella asked, giving Carlos a mildly quizzical glance.

"Who did I see in the kitchen cooking, from the kitchen window? Who did I see arranging the table?" Carlos replied. "Of course, it was you."

Miguel and Rosario exchanged smiles before Miguel asked, "Where's Marissa?"

"Just leave Marissa to me. I have an idea of what's up. I'll take care of her," Juan gave them his word.

"I'm glad to hear that from you, Juan," Miguel answered in a relieved tone. "Now, where's Ignacio?"

"Father, Ignacio rarely comes out for breakfast. He drinks all night and sleeps all morning. Just let him be," Carlos said.

"I have to talk to him later. I want everyone to change and be more conscious from now on," Miguel stated with a hard look.

* * *

Marissa yawned, rubbed her eyes, and stretched as she sat on the bed. She glanced at the nightstand and was surprised by how empty it was.

"The food is gone? It took so much effort not to eat it entirely yesterday. I'm hungry now. If it was that Daniella, I will kill her," Marissa mumbled, hungry and furious.

A knock sounded on her door.

"Come in."

Smiling and her dimples showing, Daniella came in holding a platter of food. "I cooked a little something for you."

"Look," Marissa said, crossing her legs on the bed. "I don't want anything to do with you. Leave, and we won't have a problem."

Ignoring Marissa's words, Daniella placed the tray of food on the nightstand and sat on the bed, facing her.

Sighing, Daniella started, "Marissa, I know you don't like me. I can't imagine why, but I do want us to be friends. Juan and I are getting married soon, and I'd like to consider you as a sister."

Marissa froze, her nostrils flaring and her eyes burning with rage. In a fit of anger, she pushed the food and nightstand over. Daniella jumped back, eyes wide with shock. Marissa stood on her bed, towering over Daniella with a threatening and furious demeanor.

The commotion caught the attention of the entire family. Juan hurried in first, his eyes darting from the shattered rice bowls to his sister and then to his girlfriend. Miguel and Rosario quickly followed.

"What's going on?" Juan enquired, seeming worried and perplexed.

Marissa continued to scream at Daniella, making it clear she refused to have a conversation. "Why won't you understand that I don't want to talk to you? I don't!"

Meanwhile, Juan wrapped his arms around Daniella, offering her a hug. "I'm just so glad to see that you're alright."

Marissa's anger grew as she spoke to Juan, her nostrils showing her fury. "Juan Valiente, keep your bitch girlfriend away from me!" With that, she jumped off the bed, stormed out of the room, and slammed the door shut.

Juan held Daniella as she began to weep, offering his comfort. "I'm sorry, sweetheart. You shouldn't have had to bring the food; I would have done it."

"Forgive her, Daniella. I'll have a talk with her. This has to stop," Miguel said firmly as he opened the door and exited the room. Rosario followed, giving Daniella a sympathetic smile before leaving too.

"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."