ABSENT.

Hayami arrived home and, upon entering, quickly ran upstairs. Isabel, who was reading a book in the living room, watched her walk past quickly before hearing her bedroom door slam shut. Isabel left her book on the sofa and went up to Hayami's room. After knocking and getting no response, she opened the door, seeing her sister lying on the bed with her forearm covering her closed eyes, biting her lower lip.

"Did something happen at the office?"

Hayami didn't answer.

"What happened, Hayami?"

Isabel asked worriedly when Hayami didn't answer.

Hayami took her hand from her face and looked at Isabel, who was standing in front of her.

"What's wrong? ... That life hates me, that simple, that my heart is a traitor for beating for someone who destroyed it without remorse, without consideration, that fate is playing tricks on me, first making me have something with Noah, and now this."

"I don't understand."

"Ivan arrived at the office today."

Isabel's face grew more concerned when she learned what that man represented to Hayami.

"Ivan? The same one we know?"

"How many, Ivan, do we know who have made me look like a stupid, naive girl?"

"What's he doing here? He left after... Well, he went to Zacatecas."

"Apparently he's a "friend" of your best friend Noah."

Hayami said, finally getting out of bed.

"What are you doing?"

"Well, I'm going out with some friends today."

"No! I'm talking about Ivan."

"He can go to hell just like that. I don't want to talk about that anymore... By the way, when is Hugo coming back? Even though our father has already left you alone, it's good to bring him."

"I know... He'll come back tomorrow."

"Okay, I'll go take a shower."

Isabel left Hayami's room; she knew the man's arrival had unsettled her. He could see it in her eyes.

When Noah and Ivan were alone in Noah's office, they sat down in the chairs.

"There's an explanation for everything," Ivan said after a long silence.

"Like that? What explanation?"

Noah replied seriously, reproachfully.

"That topic is something only she and I should talk about; I'd appreciate it if you wouldn't interfere."

Noah was about to speak when a notification distracted him.

"Noah, I need to see you today, urgently!"

The message was from Isabel; he assumed he'd already heard from her. Hayami left her cell phone on her desk.

"She's not my business, and yes, I shouldn't interfere, but I ask you not to upset or bother her; after all, you're a new client, and she might need to see you."

Ivan got up from his seat.

"Like I told you, what I do with her is my business. I don't want you and I to have a problem with her, so let's leave it at that... I'm going to my hotel."

Ivan left the office; as he passed Ariel, he smiled at her, showing off his white teeth. The girl was fascinated.

Isabel, who had returned to the sofa to finish her book, watched Hayami get out wearing a short, tight-fitting dress and silver sneakers. She noticed that before leaving, he went to the kitchen and, after a while, appeared with a spray bottle, which he used as a way to leave the house.

Hayami opened her car door and sprayed disinfectant on the passenger seat, knowing that's where Ivan must have been sitting. She hated the thought of him getting into her car. When she finished spraying the bottle, she got in to go to her friend's house. When she arrived, she honked her horn, and a few minutes later Carolina came out, also wearing a short dress, and got into the car.

"Let's go," Carolina said excitedly, since, like Hayami, she really liked the party.

"We'll pick someone up."

Hayami replied as she took the piece of paper out of her bag, looking at Angélica's address.

"Like that? Who?"

"She's my secretary, but she's a nice girl. I invited her to go out with us."

"Oh, perfect."

Carolina smiled.

"Hey! By the way, I still have your bra that you forgot at my house the other night."

"Oh, if I forgot it, I'll pick it up later."

Hayami had lied to her sister and Noah about sleeping with her "boyfriend" that night. She had indeed gone out with him, but in the end, she decided to go to Carolina's house, thinking about her sister's words about being careful. But when she looked at Noah, she couldn't help but lie.

"Too bad it's not my size, because it's very sexy," Carolina replied playfully.

"Clearly, you have more assets than me."

Hayami said, looking at Carolina's breasts; they both laughed. Hayami headed to Angelica's house, which, unlike Hayami and Carolina, was small and modest.

"Wait here," Hayami said as she got out of the car. She approached the door and knocked, waiting a few minutes until Angelica came out wearing black pants and a blouse.

"Ready?"

"Yes," Angelica answered, a little shyly.

Hayami took Angelica's hand, pulling her toward the car. Angelica got in the car, and when Hayami got in, she introduced the two girls. Afterward, they headed to a restaurant to get something to eat. While inside, Hayami ordered a tequila. Carolina looked at Hayami strangely, as her gaze was somewhat lost, and she was a little distracted. Angelica also noticed this in her boss. She hadn't known her for a long time, but that afternoon she seemed pensive.

"Is something wrong?"

Carolina asked, watching Hayami drink her fifth tequila.

"Why?"

Angelica just looked at them.

"You seem a little distracted."

Hayami sighed as she played with the empty tequila glass.

"She's back."

"Who?"

Hayami looked at her, and with just that glance, Carolina knew who she was referring to.

"Ivan?"

"Himself."

"Don't tell me you still love him after 10 years."

"No! It's not that, it's something else..."

Hayami shook her head.

"It doesn't matter, let's not focus on that today, let's have fun."

Carolina smiled as she took the last sip of her drink, just like Angelica, who didn't know what they were talking about, but still wanted to have fun.

After eating and having a few drinks, Hayami drove to a club where she knew the atmosphere was good. Upon entering, there were people. The three girls looked for a table.