The Arrival

**

Chapter 5

Years later...

A cold breeze swept through the open window, marking the season. Isabella stood by the bed, folding clothes and absorbing the stories shared by her best friend.

"Did you hear the latest gist?" Manuela asked, as she sipped her juice. She could not wait to tell her friend everything that went on yesterday in the town.

"No, that's if you don't tell," Isabella said as she picked up the last shirt. It was small and belonged to her five-year-old son. A lovely boy that the Lord blessed her with.

"The Reyes family moved back to Santa Marta," Manuela told her best friend. She was expecting her friend to scream and ask her questions like, did you see them? Did they throw a party etc. But there was no reaction. "It seemed you did not understand what I just said."

"You said the Reyes family is back in town" Isabella repeated what her friend said. "What other reaction were you expecting? People move in and out of Santa Marta every day, Manuela. You don't expect me to be excited because a family has moved in. It's none of my business."

Manuela placed a hand on her forehead. Her friend has become boring ever since she moved to this town. It was getting worse as each day passed. "You don't know the Reyes? It seems you have never heard of them."

"No," Isabella replied, paying no attention. She took the folded clothes to the wardrobe and placed them neatly. They were in her son's room.

"No wonder," Manuela sighed. "The Reyes family were said to be the founders of Santa Marta. They have been here since day one."

"So why are you saying they just moved in?" Isabella closed the wardrobe. She leaned her back against it as she watched Manuela explain.

"Something bad happened years ago, and I heard that they were accused of rape, murder and a lot of crimes…so they had to move out," Manuela explained. "I heard one of our neighbors saying Roberto Reyes, the oldest son, was once the governor of El Dorado."

"Interesting," Isabella added. It was not bad for the family, after all they had been through a lot. "So why did they come back to this town?"

"Exactly…this is the question everyone is asking," Manuela said. The family were reserved and no one would know what was going on from the inside except you were told. "After many years, they return and threw a lavish party last night like nothing happened."

"Last night? How come I didn't know about it?" Isabella crossed her arms in front of her chest.

"Because you were not invited," Manuela told her. "The whole city went, but the invitation card was not sent to your door. Your family has a dirty past with the Reyes. It has been ages, but it seems they are not ready to let go of it…"

"Of course, they won't", an elderly woman walked into the room. She wore light makeup. Beside her stood a five-year-old boy with lovely green eyes and a smile that could melt the strongest of hearts. His long hair cascaded behind his back. "We won't forget what they did to us either."

"Mother?" Isabella was surprised. She was not expecting them at home this early. "Why would you say that?"

Mrs Jimenez ruffled her grandson's hair softly "go and play outside, dear." The young boy kissed his grandmother's cheeks when she bent and dashed outside immediately. He understood that it was time for them to have their adult talks.

"The Reyes family are our enemies. It would be better if you avoid them at all times", Mrs Jimenez continued. From the way her face was, anyone could tell that she disliked that family.

"Is there something you are not telling us, aunt?" Manuela asked.

"Me?? N-noo," she touched her throat. It was becoming dry, and they would find out what happened thirty years ago.

"You should tell us what went down with the Reyes, mom,' Isabella insisted. She knew her mom was hiding something. What could it be? Why was she so afraid of telling her the truth?

"You told me when you were going to tell Rodriguez that you had a son for him," Mrs. Jimenez broke the silence. She did not mean to hurt her daughter with that question, but it was the only way to get away with the story about Reyes.

Tears began to form in her eyes. Isabella never told the truth. Apart from Manuela, everyone thought that her son's father was Rodriguez and not a stranger. The assumptions complicated everything and now, her parents think the same.

If she went ahead and told her mom the truth, she might break down again. The woman survived a stroke when she heard the news about their divorce. The birth of Isabella's son brought joy to the family. She could not tell them. He was not Rodriguez' son.

"Is it not time you told the truth?" Mrs. Jimenez asked. She noticed her daughter fumbling with words. What was she hiding? 

**