They arrive shortly after 10 am, and go to check-in. The forest is pretty, large, and they are staying in one of two Eco-friendly lodges in the area. The houses in the lodges are built in a traditional style. On the inside, they were simply, yet tastefully furnished and decorated. They used a minimalist kind of interior design style, yet had modern comforts and trappings. There was a separate toilet and bathroom, kitchen, and bedroom with four separate beds. In the bedroom, there were chest drawers for keeping personal items, and a dressing table and mirror as well. There was a large sitting area, with six chairs and a television set before one entered a door that led to the other places in the house.
Every time Gina came here, she felt overwhelmed. It reminded her of how Helena and Carlos tried to kill her and her brother 16 years ago. She remembers how she got malaria and fever, before being rescued by Armando and Luisa. That place always brought back bad memories. Of course, at the time it was mostly dense jungle.
People are to rest, eat lunch at 1 pm and begin activities at 2 pm. Shortly after noon, Adrianna asks Gina if she is okay because she is quiet and looks sad but she says she is fine. At 12:30, Gina tells Emma and Adrianna that she needs time by herself and leaves to go off alone into the woods. They look at her worriedly.
Antonio sees Gina leaving, and decides to follow her. What is his beautiful spitfire upto? Gina takes a walk, and after a little distance reaches a large pool of water. She stands against a large tree, and is there for nearly ten minutes, thinking and crying a bit, when, she hears footsteps. She turns around and picks up a large rock and a long stick. She wipes away her tears and then asks who is there. Antonio says it is him, and she relaxes. He then appears. He stands near her and asks her what she thinks she is doing. He says this is a forest and there could be danger from wild animals, as well as people with ill intentions. He holds up her face and notices she has been crying.
He removes his handkerchief and wipes away her tears, and asks her what is wrong. Gina folds her hands and puts them down and says it's nothing too serious, just painful childhood memories. He looks at her and says whatever it is, was not something small if she was crying about it. She says she is okay and wasn't going to stay for long anyway. He says maybe one day, she will trust him enough to tell him what's bothering her. This makes her feel even more guilty and confused. She turns to leave but he stands in front of her and leans in to kiss her, but she pulls away.
Meanwhile, Hector comes to ask Adrianna to go for a walk with him. She wants to, and though she is afraid of Alejandro having a spy, she agrees to go out with him. They go to a nearby open area. Hector can sense she is uneasy because she is looking around. He asks her what is bothering her. She says she is worried Alejandro might have planned something like having a spy to watch them. Hector says she should not worry about that, because even if he has, that shouldn't stop her from enjoying her life because that is exactly what Alejandro wants. Adrianna looks at him. He is not his usual jovial self. He is sad, kind of like how Gina was.
He asks her if he has three eyes or two noses, and Adrianna smiles and asks him why he is asking her that. He says it is because she is looking at him, differently. Adrianna says he looks sad like Gina was. Adrianna sees the fleeting worry in his face when she mentions his sadness. Adrianna says she does not mean to pry but if he ever needs someone to talk to, she is ready and willing to listen. He thanks her, and says they should stop discussing depressing things, and he guides her in a different direction.
Adrianna says she's afraid of wild animals and of getting lost. He tells her to relax because he will take care of her. He leads her into a hidden clearing hidden by tree trunks, canopies, and long vines. Adrianna is impressed, with how beautiful this place is and with his knowledge of the area, and asks him about it. Hector pauses for a while. He hates having to lie to her, but it is necessary given how complicated things are. He says that when he, Martin, and some of their other friends were younger, they would come out here. Shortly after, they sit near each other, and he leans in to kiss her, and she kisses him back, After some time, he says they should head back for lunch.
Meanwhile: Gina says this is not the place, because someone could be watching them. She adds that apart from Emma, Martin, Hector, and Adrianna, she would not trust the rest enough, to keep quiet or with anything personal. She adds that it's not the time either and what they are doing is wrong. Antonio can tell she feels something for him, but why does she insist on pushing him away? He removes one hand and runs it through her hair.
He tells her that they are doing nothing wrong because they are two consenting adults who share a mutual attraction and are on the road to love. Antonio also adds that they are not at work or in public, so they owe no one any explanations and have nothing to hide. He says that they shouldn't worry about office gossipers, as they are just idle people. Antonio looks at his watch, it's nearly lunchtime. He tells Gina they have to leave for lunch and kisses her before they leave.
Meanwhile, Aurelio asks Aranza what she wants for lunch, and they start to make it together. Aurelio knows better than to argue with Aranza. His princess always has her way. After a little while, Aranza goes to get her charger in Gina's room. Gina calls Aurelio. As they are talking, Aranza comes out and asks Aurelio to go to the store and get some avocados because she wants guacamole. Gina hears Aranza talk. She calls him by both names and says he should take care of Aranza and respect her. Aurelio says she sounds like his mother. Gina ignores him and says they will talk later and she just wanted to check up on them. When she ends the call, Hector, who is standing near her asks her if both Aurelio and Aranza are okay, and Gina says they are.
Aurelio tells Aranza he is afraid of her mother's reaction when she knows she (Aranza) is here. Aranza says to not worry about her mother, because she can handle her. Aurelio asks her what if her mother spins this into a story about how he is misusing or conning, her or is a bad influence on her. Aranza says that her mother is just happy she is away and out of her and Carlos's way. Carlos she is sure is glad she is not around and would rather she die. Not knowing what else to do he hugs her.
Sometime later,
The young staffers prepare to head out for the afternoon's programs. Adrianna calls Aranza. When Aranza sees it's her cousin she rolls her eyes. Aurelio asks her who it is. Aranza says it's Adrianna who is too worried as usual. She then complains about why they are all checking up on her as if she were a baby. Adrianna tells her to be careful, and not to pull any crazy stunts. She adds that she will call again. Aranza tells her she loves her, and Adrianna says she loves her too. Hector, Adrianna, Gina, and Antonio discuss and agree that they should keep on calling them from time to time to make sure that they are both okay. The afternoon's events start.
Back in the city, Aranza and Aurelio are settling down for lunch. Aurelio's phone rings, and it's Anna. He leaves and Aranza sulks when he does. When he comes back, she doesn't look at him. He tries to make conversation but she ignores him and focuses on her food. He comes and sits near her, and asks her what's wrong. She tells him not to worry because she understands everything. Aurelio has no idea what she is talking about and says so. When she does not move, he tells her, that if he has done anything to offend her, he is sorry, but he cannot remember so he is asking her in the spirit of fairness, to tell him what he did.
Aranza says she understands him. She says she knows she can be spoilt, pushy, a little immature and even annoying and he wants someone different. Aurelio smiles and she glares at him. He softly touches her face and says she forgot to say occasionally irritating. Aranza playfully punches him. Aurelio says while she might be most of those things she is also very intelligent, kind-hearted, beautiful, spontaneous, and fun. He adds that he cannot think of anyone else he would rather spend the weekend with.
Aranza says they should find something to do, outside the house, because she shall not have people thinking she is his toy. Aranza reminds him that she is a lady, and will never date, anyone who is ashamed to be seen with her in public because she has too much self-respect to do that. Aurelio smiles, never before has he met a more charming person than Aranza Montes De Alba. They clean up then go to the nearby bowling alley. Aurelio is initially worried that he is disrespecting Aranza by taking her there, and tells her so. Aranza, however, tells him to relax, and that they are going to enjoy themselves, and that she is going to enjoy giving him a run for his money. He looks at her and she says she has many talents. He smiles at her and tells her that she is the most interesting person he has ever met. Aranza smiles.
Back in Esmeralda forest, it's five pm and people are free until tomorrow. People begin breaking off into groups. Martin and Emma are among the first to break away. Antonio looks for Gina, and they go off for a walk. Hector takes Adrianna to the enclosed clearing. Adrianna asks him about his childhood, and he is terrified and guilty he has to lie, about the first 8 years of his life.
Marianna asks Isabella if she has seen that Antonio has gone off with Gina. Isabella says she is not worried because she knows Antonio, and he does not fall in love. Isabella says Antonio always comes back to her, after his adventures. Marianna reminds her that he has not done so in months. Marianna says there is something different about Gina that has held Antonio's interest for months now. Isabella agrees but says it's nothing serious and that Antonio is still interested because she is playing hard to get. Marianna is not so sure. Isabella asks her about Hector and Adrianna. Marianna says the situation is similar, but she is working on it.
Antonio takes Gina a little bit far off, in a different section of the pond. He looks at her. The feelings he has for her that keep on growing, scare him even more and more. He might not have been sure earlier, but he now was. He was in love with her. Gina notices, his mind is elsewhere, and tells him, she had no idea she was that boring.
He smiles and says that he had no idea she had a sense of humor. She pretends to be insulted, and playfully punches him. She then asks him, what he was thinking about. He pretends to think about it, and then says he was thinking about how beautiful she was, and how much he loves her.