The next morning...

Helga and the rest of the family went to the kitchen table to eat breakfast. Helga was steadfast on leaving the second she woke up. However, she overslept and when she finally woke up, the rest of the family were already awake. When they saw her, they offered her some breakfast. However, Helga politely declined, stating that she had already caused a lot of trouble, but Elisa insisted that it was no trouble at all and wished for her to have some breakfast with her. Helga reluctantly agreed.

While at the kitchen table, Helga scanned to take a lot at Rodrigo's parents and see how they were dealing with her presence. By the looks of it, Elisa did not seem bothered it. She served Helga her breakfast and engaged in conversation with her whenever she did. Unless she was a very good actress, Elisa still seemed to think positive about her. She couldn't say the same with Alfonso. Although he looked to be a bit more cheerful, Helga could see that he was still bothered by all of this. He kept his distance and paid little attention at her, almost to the point of ignoring that fact that she was even there, which bothered her to no end. Rodrigo and Elisa did not seem to notice this and continued on eating. No longer wishing to tolerate this tension between her and Rodrigo's father, as soon as she finished her breakfast, Helga thanked them for their wonderful hospitality, apologized again for her intrusion and then promptly left. She also did not want to give them the opportunity to ask her about what happened in her house that she felt she couldn't go home. Although she wasn't sure what Rodrigo told them, she wasn't going to stick around to find out.

Alfonso waited patiently before he could speak to Rodrigo. After cleaning the dishes and making sure Helga was far away from their house, it was now time for some serious explanation.

"Rodrigo, vámonos a la sala. Tenemos que hablar sobre esta situación con Helga." (Rodrigo, let's go to the living room. We need to talk about this situation with Helga.) He said quite sternly.

Rodrigo made no attempt to argue and quietly made his way towards the living room. He wasn't sure if his father was angry, concerned or just upset about it. All he knew was that it was bothering him and he was going to get some details from Rodrigo, either the easy way or the hard way. Upon entering the living room, Rodrigo sat down on the sofa, while Alfonso and Elisa sat down on the couch with their baby daughter on Elisa's lap.

"Rodrigo, que exactamente paso en la casa de Helga, que ella misma no se sienta segura en su propia casa? Que está pasando allí y que tanto la está afectando?" (Rodrigo, what exactly is going on in Helga's house that she herself doesn't feel safe in her own home? What is happening over there and how much has this been affecting her?) Alfonso began with a concerned but very serious ton in this voice.

"Y cuidado, que no me engañes. Como ella es tu novia, esto si nos concierne." (And do not lie to us. Because she is your girlfriend, this concerns us.) He continued.

Rodrigo had been preparing for this all morning, but he was still nervous. Although he knew he wasn't in any trouble, he was afraid of how his parents might feel about Helga once they found out about her home life. It's not like he had any other choice.

Despite now being backed into a corner, Rodrigo was still hesitant in spilling anything out. He quickly thought about an alternative plan in order to get out of this. Should he just lie to them? What's the worst that can happen? It's not like he's never lied to them before. If he lies, and if his parents buy it, then Helga's secret can still be kept safe. But...

...what if they ever found out? What if they find out in the future and they don't take it well? The lie and the truth about Helga's home life? He thought.

Reluctantly, he scratched that plan and thought about just perhaps telling them only parts of it. But what if they are not happy with his answer and inquiry more about it? Or how will they react if they ever meet Helga's parents? They are not dumb. If they ever do meet them, they will put two and two together and figure out that there are issues in her home life.

"¿Bueno hijo? Estamos esperando." (Well son? We are watching.) His father then said, calmly waiting for him to start talking

With no other options, not wanting to lie to them about this issue, Rodrigo gave in.

I'm sorry Helga. He thought.

"Ok papa. Te lo digo todo..." (Ok dad. I'll tell you everything...) He said softly.

Meanwhile...

While Rodrigo was being interrogated, Helga angrily burst into her house, not even caring if anyone was even there to greet her. For once, she just didn't care. Feeling utterly embarrassed, guilty and angry for ruining any chance of Rodrigo's parents liking her, Helga quickly stomped her way into her room and slammed the door shut.

"Crimeny, what was I thinking?!" She angrily yelled. "Why couldn't I've just sucked it up and stayed home?! Why did I have to spend the night in his house?!" She continued to yell before falling onto her bed, face first.

Utterly frustrated and angry, Helga let out a roar with her pillow covering her face, all awhile just hitting her bed with her fists.

"Damn it!" She muffled with her face on the pillow. "I screwed it up! I had them! I had them in my pocket! They liked me and now they hate me!"

It took a bit of a while, but after getting all of her angry and managing to calm down a bit, Helga slowly and sadly, got up and sat down.

"His dad must really hate me." She softly said to herself. "Hate me? Who does he think he is anyways?" She exclaimed with anger as she launched herself from her bed and began to walk around her room.

"He doesn't know me. He doesn't know what I've been through. He probably doesn't even know what it's like. The nerve of that guy giving me the cold shoulder, like I am some sort of pariah! Well news flash for him; I'm fine just the way I am and if he has a problem with me, that's HIS problem, not mine!"

"I know I have my problems, but come on who doesn't?! Mr. Goody two shoes, thinks he is all high and mighty and doesn't think I'm good enough for his own son, well I am!" She continued to yell in her room. "Rodrigo knows that, and that's why I'm with him; because he sees the good things in me!"

Despite being angry at Alfonso for his supposed bias, deep down Helga knew the real reason why Alfonso gave her the cold shoulder; he was concerned for his son. But Helga couldn't help it. Feeling utterly hurt and rejected, she continued stomping around in her room.

"This is what I get whenever I show my vulnerability. Instead of getting rewarded for it, I get punished for it. I could have taken it and just stayed home. Now I left Rodrigo to face his parents, alone. Who knows what he might say to them! I can't hold it against him if he feels he needs to tell his parents. The only left to do is just hope for the best. Or just save them the trouble and just break up with him now, while we are still young."

Back at the Castiles' house...

"And that's pretty much it." Rodrigo said.

His parents said nothing and just stared at Rodrigo, completely shocked and horrified with what he just told them, so much so that their jaws were somewhat hanging open. Rodrigo took their facial expression and silence as grievous news and felt that any further hope of them ever approving of Helga was rapidly deteriorating.

Rodrigo didn't tell them everything, but he provided enough information to his parents about Helga that it was irrefutable for them to know just who this girl is. He told them about her anger issues and where it came from. He told them about the emotional neglect that she had been facing at home since she was three years of age, especially how her poor relationship with her father had affected her. He told them about what the issues that they had before they started dating, which included in revealing to them the person who almost got his suspended from school after only two months of starting; Helga! Although his parents knew of the incident and even knew of the person's sex, Rodrigo never told them who it really was, until now, shocking them.

When Alfonso asked if Helga ever took her anger out on anyone, Rodrigo explained that despite being an angry child, if you stood out of her way, literally and metaphorically, she didn't bother you. However, he did confess that there was one person whom she did take her anger out on; Arnold.

"¿Arnold? El niño rubio que impidió este barrio de ser derrumbado hace casi seis años antes?" (Arnold? The blond kid that prevented this neighbourhood from being torn down almost six years ago?) Alfonso asked.

"Si papa. El mismo niño." Rodrigo said.

Rodrigo didn't quite hid it, but he also didn't provide a lot of the gruelling details about Helga's relationship with Arnold. He mentioned to them the name calling, the bullying, the threats, the constant picking, even how long it went. Alfonso was flabbergasted when he heard this.

"Pero...Por que... como podía hacer todo eso contra un niño que supuestamente, era un ángel?" (But...why...how could she do that to someone who supposedly was an angel?) Alfonso asked in disbelief.

"Porque lo quería." (Because she liked him.) Rodrigo softly responded.

With that statement, no further explanation was needed. Alfonso and Elisa now fully understand why Helga constantly picked up Arnold. It made complete sense to them.

Needless to say, Alfonso and Elisa were completely shocked and horrified with the way Helga was being treated at home. To them, this wasn't neglect; it was abuse! However, Alfonso then regained his soft and confident composure and got up.

*cleared throat* "Bueno hijo, gracias por ser honesto con nosotros. Lo apreciamos." (Well son, thank you for being honest with us. We appreciate it.) He calmly said.

"¿No estas molesto?" (You are not mad?) Rodrigo asked.

"No, no estoy molesto." (No, I'm not angry.) He responded and then began to walk away and out of the living room, leaving Rodrigo there with an eerily feeling that this issue had not yet run its course.

The next day...Monday...

Rodrigo meet up with Helga during lunch. He met up with her at her locker. Making it just in time, both teens then began to walk toward the lunchroom to eat, but one could tell that there was tension between them.

Feeling ashamed for revealing so much about Helga's issues and past to his parents, Rodrigo nervously walked and hoped Helga wouldn't inquire on it. Helga for her part, was anxious to know if Rodrigo spilled out any of her secrets and if so, much do they now know.

"I hope I didn't get you into any trouble this weekend." She finally said.

"No, I didn't." He said. "But I had a talk with my parents...about you."

"How much did you tell them?" She calmly asked.

"Not everything, but enough for them to know." He vaguely said.

Helga said nothing and just continued to walk, angrily frowning that Rodrigo's parents are now aware of her issues, but restraining herself from saying anything to him.

"I also told them about Arnold." He then suddenly said.

Helga then immediately stopped walking upon hearing his name. Rodrigo, who was walking very close to her, accidently bumped into her, but didn't knock her down.

"Hey, why did you stop walking?" He asked.

"What did you say?" She sternly asked.

"I said that I told my parents about Arnold. I didn't give them any serious details, but I told them how you used to pick on him when you guys were kids..."

Helga didn't wait for Rodrigo to finish and she instantly turned around to face him, then very aggressively grabbed him by his shirt and with a deadly glare in her eyes,

"Why did you tell them that?!" She angrily yelled at him as she shook him. "They didn't need to know about my relationship with the football head! That's not their business!"

"They asked Helga!" Rodrigo exclaimed back with a shocking look on his face. "I was backed into a corner; I couldn't lie to them. Besides, we've been living in that neighbourhood for almost a year now and it's not like your relationship with Arnold is a secret. People talk. They already knew about how Arnold and what he did for the neighbourhood. They know who helped him and are aware that he used to date someone. Granted, they didn't know it was you, but they heard that it was someone who was renowned for her...assertive personality. They are not stupid. They would have put two and two together."

"And can you stop gabbing me like that?!" He then angrily shouted back at her. "You know how much I hate it when you do that! I thought we were past this."

Helga said nothing and just continued to give Rodrigo a angry, facial snarl, but then eventually let him and began to walk the opposite direction, still frowning.

"Wait, Helga!" Rodrigo frantically said as he attempted to grab her arm.

"Don't! Just...don't Rodrigo." Helga said with a slight sense of anger and hurt in her voice, as she continued walking and yanking her arm away from his grasp.

"Helga, I know you're upset, but we can discuss this." Rodrigo replied. "Just talk to me."

"What's there to talk about?" She said to him as she instantly stopped walking and turned around to face him with her own scowling face, almost having him collide with her for the second time.

"You're parents don't like me. They hate me." She declared. "You're dad made that very clear when he gave me the cold shoulder."

"No, they like you, really." Rodrigo protested. "They told me that themselves. I'm sure there's a logical explanation as to why you felt he gave you the cold shoulder like that. He never would have done that to you." He tried to explain.

"That was before I slept over to your house last weekend!" She said dismissively. "You're parents now think I'm a down trodden, white trash girl from a broken family who is out to 'corrupt' their joyful son."

"That's not true!" He angrily protested.

"Yes it is!" She angrily yelled back. "I should have never come over to your house that day." She sadly lamented, removing some of her anger from her expression. "I should have just sucked it up and stayed home, or just slept in the park. At least I could have slept well with the knowledge that they still liked me."

"Helga...I..." Rodrigo tried to bring some words of assuring or encouragement but fell short of saying anything.

Helga said nothing and just silently, but sadly began to turn around again and leave.

"Helga, wait!" Rodrigo cried out and attempted to unforcibly grab her arm

"Forget it, Latino boy!" She exclaimed, regaining her anger back. "It's too late. I screwed it up!"

"Helga, I know you are upset about this, but just, will you stop woman?!" Rodrigo yelled and this time somewhat forcibly grabbed her arm, making her stop walking away and got in front of her.

"I know you're upset, but I think are taking this a bit out of proportion." He said.

"How?" She asked him with a serious stare and a raised eyebrow.

"I mean, I know you may think that my parents think ill of you after what I told them about some of your...history, but they didn't really say anything bad about you after, nor did they make any attempt to discourage me from going out with you."

Helga said nothing and just continued to stand there with her arms crossed.

"And even if they were to say something, do you actually think I'm just going to stand there while they bad mouth you? I didn't allow that when our friends did that; I'm not going to allow my parents to do it. I'll stand by you!"

Helga still said nothing and just continued to stand there with her arms crossed.

"That's why I think you're taking this a bit out of..."Rodrigo then instantly stopped talking, his eyes becoming wide when he it finally hit him.

"Go on..."She said to him with a bit of a smirk, almost as if she was daring him to finish what he was going to say.

"Nothing..." Rodrigo grudgingly said.

"You were going to say something." She taunted him.

"It's nothing..." Rodrigo said, this time embarrassingly.

"Just say it." She dared him.

"Nothing, I said!" He annoyingly exclaimed.

"You were going tell me again that I'm taking all of this out of proportion." She finished her sentence for him. "Tell me."

"Tell you what?" He asked her.

"Tell me why I'm not taking this out of proportion." She said, while taking a step closer to him, challenging him.

"Do you really want me to say it?" He asked her, getting frustrating with her gloating.

"Yes." She sternly replied back.

"Fine! You are not taking this out of proportion because...you confided in my parents to take you in when you needed help. You...trusted them that they would take you in for just one night without complaint, without any judgment." He confessed.

"And?" She softly, almost mischievously asked him with a taunting, if not a triumphant smile.

"And... that trust is now broken. You felt that they judged you based on where you came." He annoyingly muttered in defeat.

"Attaboy!" She said condescendingly, even going so far as to pat Rodrigo on his head, much to his fury.

"That's not funny!" He angrily yelled back as he instantly slapped her hand away from him.

"You damn right it's not funny!" She angrily yelled back at him.

"Thanks to my naivety, I now have to deal with a bunch of in-laws who despise me! This is what I get for trusting people!"

"Helga! You can trust my parents, really!" Rodrigo attempted to protest, but it was no use. Helga had made up her mind about this scenario and unless he had undeniable proof to the contrary, there was little that he could do to change her mind. As a result, he went silent.

Helga for her part, no longer wanting to argue over this, simply turned and walked away. Rodrigo just stood there in both astonishment and deep frustration as he watched her leave. Although wanting to follow her and see if she was ok, he thought that perhaps it was best if she just cooled down a bit. Clearly this thing was upsetting her and Rodrigo couldn't blame her for it. After watching her for a bit, he then began to towards the lunchroom, disappearing around the corner.

Helga then stopped walking and rubbed her eyes in utter frustration, as regret and guilt began to consume her for blowing up on Rodrigo like that.

"Damn it Rodrigo, I'm really sorry sorry for taking it out on y..." She said as she turned around but then noticed that he wasn't there. Rodrigo mistook Helga's walking away for wanting to be alone. After looking around a bit to see where he was saw, she realized that he must have walked towards the lunchroom on his own. Mistaking that for Rodrigo being upset with her for blowing up on him like that, Helga sadly and grudgingly just took this opportunity to be alone for a moment. She went back to locker and sat on the floor to eat her lunch. There was a lot in her mind that she needed to clear out.

Helga wasn't the only one who was in deep thought. While at work, Alfonso was still pondering over everything that Rodrigo had told him about Helga. Unfortunately, the blonde girl had mistook Alfonso's so-called 'cold shoulder' attitude towards her last weekend for contempt. That wasn't the case at all. As kind of a bad habit, whenever Alfonso was in his own thoughts, he would push away any external distractions in order to concentrate, giving cold and one sentence responses. To say that he was taking this matter seriously was an understatement. He didn't sleep well that Sunday night. Nor did he at all on Monday night.

In truth, Alfonso was severely conflicted by this. As a parent, he was highly concerned about his son going out with someone who had such a troubled past. True, other people had worse pasts than Helga, but Alfonso has studied psychology to know every well that emotional neglect/abuse through a person's entire life was extremely detrimental to their emotional development. You don't need to beat a child in order to screw him/her up. Ignoring her needs and wants is just as effective, is not more. Alfonso knew that Rodrigo didn't tell him everything about Helga. He knew that as her boyfriend, he wanted to protect her, so God knows what other issues she had that Alfonso didn't know, which only aggravated the situation. Like any parent, he wanted the best for his son; a loving, stable and happy life with someone. According to how he saw it, Helga did not seem capable of providing that type of life. If anything, she seemed to only provide unwanted stress and as a possible burden; someone who instead of helping him, would hinder him. Given what Rodrigo had told him, Alfonso did not see any major improvements in Helga throughout the years, despite Rodrigo insisting otherwise. She was still moody, prone to mood swings, can be easily angered, all while still retaining her cynical attitude. True, Alfonso did not know Helga well enough to make such a judgment, but he was also skeptical about Rodrigo's own judgment. He knew that Rodrigo's assurance that Helga being better was a bit biased.

On the other hand, Alfonso's concern wasn't one-sided. He was almost just as concerned for Helga. Coming from just a neglectful background, Alfonso knew full well that one shouldn't discard or push away someone like Helga. Quite the contrary, this teen needed help; she needed someone to be there for her, whether it was someone like Arnold, or currently, Rodrigo. Alfonso was essentially battling with his own conscience. He wanted to help her.

Growing up in a country with rampant poverty and destitution, Alfonso remembered while at work, when he was younger, how eager he wanted to help others in needed. He remembered going into some of the country's worst slums and volunteering with local and international charities that distributed food, clothes and provided free education. His parents, highly concerned for his safety, tried several times to deter him from going into those areas, opting instead to at least go to other areas of the city that were safer, but Alfonso refused, explaining that for that every reason, he felt he needed to go to the worst place where most would never venture and help out. Putting his own life at risk, Alfonso continued volunteer there for years, even when he entered university, he still continued to volunteer. Even when he eventually stopped, he forgot his moral conviction to help others and through his engagement in philosophy, the social sciences, religion and the arts, he used his intellect and skill to continue those who lived in absolute poverty, either by providing jobs for them or even teaching them in certain subjects during his spare time. Despite coming from a rather religious background, Alfonso was one of the few people that openly supported an end to homophobia and the rampant discrimination that many gays, lesbians, trans-gendered lived. He believed that gay and trans-gendered people deserved to be happy with those whom they loved, regardless of their gender or sex, although Alfonso never explicitly stated that he supported gay marriage. After trying so hard for many years to help others out, seeing the absolute misery, despair and sheer horror that many people lived, this veteran of 'education of life' was the main reason why Alfonso grew up to become a stoically serious person, rarely laughing or even smiling. Given his experience, there was nothing that warranted him to smile or laugh about.

Moreover, being raised in a family that strongly emphasized in showing compassion and understanding towards the downtrodden, Alfonso was practically raised to help others up. It was his calling, his destiny.

As a parent, he instilled that same level of compassion and morality into his own children, Rodrigo particularly. Through his sheer vast of knowledge that he had accumulated, Alfonso taught Rodrigo from an early to always be mindful of other people's plight, to never assume that people who do 'bad' things are simply bad people. They act out the way they do because they are hurting and are yearning for help, even if they verbally state otherwise. Helga was one of those very people.

And yet, for the first time, Alfonso hesitated. Unlike previous times, this situation involved a member of his own family; his son. At the very least, when he went to the slums, he went there alone, never dragging any of his friends or family members, of fear of putting them in harms' way. Apart from the fact that he felt he was becoming a hypocrite, Alfonso did not feel right to just abandon Helga like that. On a personal level, he had come to like her and held no grudges against her.

As Alfonso continued to think about this with the days rolling by, he felt that if Rodrigo's assuredness about Helga being better than how she used to be ranged some truth, it was mostly due to Rodrigo coming into Helga's life. Alfonso felt a serious case of anxiety and guilt growing over him due to that thought. If he were to intervene in their relationship, it would deeply affect both teens. But the person that would bear the brunt of it all will be Helga. That thought caused Alfonso to cringe while he was in his office, becoming completely consumed with guilt. Rodrigo not only provided Helga some sense of stability in her life, but most importantly, love. He also gave her a sense of hope, a sense of optimism that someone can and does like her for who she is, despite her unstable upbringing. If Alfonso broke them up, it would force Helga to plunge back into the pessimistic, depressive, dark abyss that she was in for years after Arnold left. Because of her upbringing, Alfonso knew that Helga needed that stability and emotional support, more than anyone.

Alfonso essentially spent the next three days contemplating on what to do. Finally, by the third day, in the late evening, Alfonso was in the kitchen table, sipping on his tea and after much thought, he had made his decision. With great reluctance and guilt, he decided on prioritizing Rodrigo over Helga. For the first time, he chose family over helping someone. The next day, after Rodrigo came home from school, he will sit down with his son and inform him that he will have to terminate his relationship with Helga.

Dios, perdoname. (God, forgive me.) He thought to himself as he lamented over this decision.

"¿Alfonso?" His wife Elisa then came into the kitchen. "¿Estas bien?" (Are you alright?) She asked him.

"Concluye que Helga no es una bueno mujer para Rodrigo." Alfonso bluntly said to her. "Mañana, voy a hablar con el e informarle que debe romper su relación con ella." (I concluded that Helga is not the best girl for Rodrigo. Tomorrow, I'm going to speak to him and inform him that he will need to sever his relationship with her.) As he took a sip from his tea.

Elisa was not idle during those three days. Like Alfonso, she too had been worried about the type of girl that Helga was and whether or not she was best for Rodrigo.

"¿Alfonso, por qué dices eso?" (Why do you say that, Alfonso?) She asked as she took a seat next to him. "¿Tu no piensas que esa decisión es un poco extremo?" (Don't you think that you are being a little extreme?)

"Claro que no." (Of course not.) Alfonso said as he looked at his wife with a bewildered face. "Es totalmente justificado. Después de todo que Rodrigo nos contó de ella, como no puedo llegar en esta conclusión?" (After everything that Rodrigo told us about her, could I not come to this conclusion?)

"Te lo digo honestamente, Alfonso." (I'll be honest with you, Alfonso.) Elisa said to him calmly. "No creo que este curso de acción es el camino correcto; para todos, incluyendo a usted. No pienses que yo estaba siego durante esto tres días. Yo vi que este asunto te estaba fastidiando, fuertemente. Y ahora, lo puedo ver en tus ojos, que esta decisión no te está dando paz. Lo contrario." (I don't think that this course of action is the right one; for everything, including you. Don't think that I was blind during these last three days. I saw that this issue has been bothering you, a lot. And now, I can tell that this decision is not giving you any peace of mind. I can see it in your eyes.)

"Ok lo confesó," Alfonso said. "esta decisión si me fastidia y lo dudo que me va dar paz en el futuro. Pero entiende, ya tuvimos que soportar tanto estrés y drama de mi familia durante estos ultimo anos. Tu sabes que tanto esa experiencia afecto a nuestro hijo. Y ahora, cuando nos mudamos a empezar una nueva vida aquí en Hillwood, sin esa carga, cuando Rodrigo ya se está saliendo de esa túnel de sentir deprimido y excluido que MI propia familia trailló en su vida, ahora tenemos soportar el estrés de la carga que Helga lleva en su hombros? (Ok I confess, this decison does bother me and I doubt it will give me any peace of mind in the future. But you have to understand, we already had to support so much stress and drama from my family during these last years. You know how much that experience affected our son. And now, when we moved to begin a new life here in Hillwood, without that burden, when Rodrigo is just now getting out of that sense of depression and exclusion that My own family brought on him, we have to now support the stress that will come from Helga's hectic life?)

"Helga es muy inestable para él. Rodrigo ya tuvo suficiente estrés y ansiedad en su vida. No quiero que continúe en esa moda por la situación en que Helga fue creado." (Helga is too unstable for him. He has had enough stress in his life. I don't want that trend to continue because of Helga's upbringing) Alfonso continued.

"Si, estoy de acuerdo." Elisa said to him. "El si ya tuvo suficiente estrés y ansiedad ¿Entonces, por qué vas a traerlos de vuelta con esta decisión?" (Yes, I agree. He already did have enough stress and anxiety. So then why are you bringing them back by getting them to break up?) She then rhetorically asked him.

Alfonso then just looked at her with a sense of both revelation and annoyance. Even now, it is still hard to argue with her.

"Mira Alfonso," Elisa then continued. "si lo convences a cortar su relación con Helga, va a sufrir otra vez. Esto es obvio. Pero, si lo dejas en paz, quien sabe como las cosas terminaran entre ellos? Pueden lograr, o pueden decir en terminar su relación entre ellos. Además Alfonso, tu pienses que si lo pides Rodrigo a romper su relación con Helga, el te va obedecer? Tu realmente pienses que el simplemente va a decir, 'ok', sin por lo menos luchar por su mujer?" (Look Alfonso, if you convince them to break up with her, he will suffer again. That much is obvious. But, if you let it run its course, who know how things will turn up? They could succeed, or they could decide to end things themselves. Besides Alfonso, do you think that if you ask Rodrigo to break up with Helga, he will actually listen to you? Do you really think he will just simply say, 'ok' without at least fighting for his girl?).

"El es mi hijo, y yo soy su padre. El me obedecerá." (He is my son and I am his father. He will do what I say.) Alfonso said firmly, trying to retain his decreasing sense of authority.

But Elisa just smiled at him and teasingly said to him, "Que tan ingenuo eres tú a veces, mi amor." (how naive you sometimes are, my love.) She chuckled.

Despite his extreme annoyance at her teasing, Alfonso promptly, but calmly responded.

"Además, el hecho que Rodrigo esta emocionalmente invertido en esta relación, lo siega de la realidad." (Besides, the fact that Rodrigo is emotionally invested in this relationship, blinds him from the facts.)

"La realidad mi amor, es que su relación es, por lo menos por ahora, bien estable y feliz." (The fact is my love, that their relationship is, for the moment at least, very stable and happy.) She tells him.

"Aun que la creencia de Helga fue...negligente, no es una mala niña. Todo lo contrario. Ella es muy inteligente, con una grande corazón en ayudar otras gentes. Ella no es delincuente. Aun que si tiene problemas de ira, ella va al colegio, no usa drogas, no toma, ni pasa su tiempo con mal grupos." (Even though her upbringing was...neglectful, she is not a bad girl. Quite the contrary. She is very smart, with a great heart to help others. She is not a delinquent. Although she goes have anger issues, she goes to school, doesn't do drugs or drink and doesn't hang out with the wrong crowd.) Elisa continues.

"Dime Alfonso, como te sientes en hacer esto a Helga?" (Tell me Alfonso, how do you feel on having to do this to Helga?) Elisa asked him.

"No importa cómo me siento sobre esto," (It doesn't matter what I feel,) He said to her, "pero me siento terrible." (I feel terrible.) He confessed. "Pero eso no significa que ella es la mejor persona para Rodrigo!" (But that doesn't mean that she is what is best for Rodrigo!) He exclaimed.

"Entonces tu puedes vivir con la realidad que, aparte que vas a causar tremendo dolor a estos ambos chicos, pero tambien va niegar para ti mismo, la oportunidad para ayudar alguien como Helga? Me estás diciendo que vas estar totalmente bien haciendo esto? Tu quieres eso en tu conciencia?" (Then are you telling me that you are going to live with the fact that, apart that you are going to cause serious pain on these two kids, but also that you are going to pass on the opportunity to help someone like Helga? Are you telling me that are you going to be completely fine with all of that? You want that on your conscience?" She asked him with a warning, if not a threatening tone.

Alfonso said nothing and just nervously fidgeted with his hands, clearly distressed with that idea. Alfonso was more afraid than anything else as coming out this as a total hypocrite. He had practically engrained to Rodrigo to always help out someone in need, to never forget those who have been 'left behind' and to always appreciate what he already had, which was a lot. True, you can't always help everyone, and Alfonso didn't expect him to be a saint, but he did teach him to understand the social, political and economic conditions that spawned poverty, misery, racism, homophobia, misogynism, etc. Through this education, Rodrigo from an early age understood the complexities of society and helped him see the poor, the forgotten as humans who needed help in getting back on their feet. Moreover, as expected, Rodrigo had always appreciated what he had and unlike most teens his age, never really developed a materialistic attitude. Compared to many of his peers, he lead a relatively simple life. Alfonso knew that if he told Rodrigo to let Helga go, it would betray everything that he taught his son and no doubt would create resentment between them.

Besides, him educating his son on these areas had worked too well. Alfonso agreed with this wife that Rodrigo will never obey him to terminate his relationship with Helga, both because he liked her and also because he will not abandon her like her family essentially did.

Knowing his son, Rodrigo would never forgive him if he forced him to do this.

After a one or two moments had passed, Alfonso finally relented and heeded his conscience. He couldn't do it.

"Ok, está bien." He finally said. "los dejare a continuar su relación." (Ok. I'll let them continue with their relationship.)

Elisa smiled at him and then gave him a kiss on his cheeks.

"Gracias mi amor." (Thank you, my love.) She said with a smile.

Alfonso said nothing and just smile at her as he held her hand and caressed it.

The next day...

It was still the weekday and the Castiles were having dinner. They had only just recently sat down to eat when Alfonso wanted to bring Helga up again.

"Rodrigo, tu piensas si Helga está disponible este fin de semana?" (Rodrigo, do you think Helga is available this weekend?) He asked his son.

"Pues, creo que sí, papa." (I think so, Dad.) Rodrigo said cautiously, as he looked up at his father with a raised eyebrow. "¿Por qué?" (Why?).

"Bueno, tu mama e yo nos disfrutamos de su compañía la ultima vez, que queremos cenar con ella otra vez." (Well, your mom and I enjoyed her company the last time, that we would like to have dinner with her again.) He responded.

"...de verdad?" (...really?) Rodrigo asked surprisingly.

"Si, por supuesto!" (Yes, of course!) Alfonso exclaimed with a smile.

Saturday evening...

*Ding dong*

"¡Mama, papa! Ya esta aquí!" (Mom, dad! She's here!) Rodrigo happily called out as he quickly went to open the door.

"Hey!" He said to Helga as he opened the door.

"Hey." She nonchalantly responded, not even smiling at him.

After their argument at lunchtime on Monday, neither teen spoke to each other. They weren't mad at each other. Helga still felt guilty for taking it out on him and figured he needed some time alone, while Rodrigo felt Helga needed some more time to cool down. Even during their history class, they kept their distance and remained silent throughout. The only thing that prevented things from getting incredibly awkward was the teacher conducting his lecture. Both teens used the teacher's lecture to concentrate on something else other than each other.

It was only after school when they finally began speaking to each other. Helga naturally spoke first and apologized for blowing up on him, while he also apologized for not grasping how she felt about his father's treatment of her. Simultaneously, both teens realized to their relief that they mistook each other's walking way as an indication that they wanted to be alone. They reconciled after.

After Alfonso invited Helga to dine with them again, Rodrigo felt so relieved. He felt that whatever was bothering his parents about Helga, they decided to put that aside and just give her a chance.

Ecstatic, he went to talk to Helga the next day about the invite. Helga on the other hand, did not share Rodrigo's enthusiasm. Never being one to get her hopes up so easily, she initially declined the invitation; thinking it was some sort of trick to get her to come just so they can scoff or lecture her. While she didn't really know how Elisa felt about her, she was sure about Alfonso. Rodrigo had to repeatedly reassure her that this invitation was not some a trick or any scam to get her to come just so they can scoff at her. He insisted again that they enjoyed her company last time and would like to do so again. He explained to her that his parents are not the type of people that act all nice around you, only to then scoff or ridicule you behind your back. He also said that if that were to happen, he will have her back. It took some convincing, but eventually Helga agreed to it, albeit reluctantly.

Unlike the first time, Helga arrived at Rodrigo's house less formal. While she still prepped up a bit, such as combing her hair, she wore a simple thin, hoody sweater with no jewellery on her.

"Alright, let's get this over with." She said with a slight annoyance in her voice.

"Helga!" Elisa then called out as she went to the door to greet her. "So nice to see you again. Thank you for coming."

"Thank you for having me again, Mrs. Castile." Helga said, actually sounding genuine in her tone, even smiling at her a bit.

All three parties then began to walk into the house and were on their way into the living room when someone else called out Helga's name.

"Helga." Alfonso said, as he called out from behind them. When Helga turned around, whatever little smile she had on her face completely disappeared, a gesture that Alfonso noticed.

"Es bien verte otra vez. Gracias por honóranos con tu presencia." (It's nice to see you again. Thank you for honoring us with your visit.) He said with a genuine smile.

Not taking his comments, or his smile genuinely, Helga had to really restrain her from making any sharp, smart-mouth comments back at him. After taking a deep breath,

"Gracias por tus palabras, Señor Castile." She said through her teeth.

"Before we began, I would like to have a private word with you, Helga, if we may." He said.

"About?" She asked him.

"It's something that I would like to share with you. Call it a few words of wisdom " He vaguely responded.

Helga had to take another deep breath again to restrain herself from getting angry. Believing that she was about get a lecture from him, she clutched her fists and tightly and again through her grinning teeth,

"Sure Mr. Castile."

"Please." Alfonso said with a smile, as he gestured with his hand towards the hallway that led to his office and began to walk first.

Elisa had by this time gone off to the kitchen to put out last dishes of food on the dining table, so it was Helga and Rodrigo on their own. Helga immediately turned to face Rodrigo and with a angry, scowling face,

"I'm going to kill you after." She whispered to him as she gestured with her thumb, slicing her throat at him.

Rodrigo said nothing and nervously smiled at her and shrugged his shoulder before Helga then walked behind Alfonso to his office. Rodrigo looked on as he nervously swallowed and started fidgeting with his hands as both his father and girlfriend disappeared when they entered the office and closed the door.

"I...I'd better sit down before I hurt myself." He said to himself and began to talk into the living room to lie down.

Alfonso quietly closed the door behind Helga as she entered the room. The eerie silence since they started walking towards the room, the slow movements of their walks, Alfonso's calm demeanour, and eventual confrontation was unnerving Helga.

"Please, sit." Alfonso said while he grabbed another chair.

Very anxiously, Helga quietly sat down and braced for the inevitable 'lecture' as she watched Alfonso grab a chair and move close to her. Finally, no longer able to tolerate this charade and really not wanting to get lectured by someone whom she thought didn't really understand where she was coming from, no sooner had Alfonso sat down when Helga immediately got up.

"Look Mr. Castile, I'm really sorry for creating any trouble into your home, ok?" She began to say frantically to him. "I never meant to make you worry about what type of girl your son dating. Ok yes, I have...issues at home, but come on, who doesn't these days?! A-A-And it's not like I'm crazy or something. I go to school, I get good grades and don't hang out with any idiotic losers. I'm not here to hurt Rodrigo, or make his life a living hell. He's the best thing that has ever happened to me in a long time. I like him, I really do. But you have another thing going if I'm just going to stand here and get judged by..."

"Helga, stop." Alfonso said to her firmly, evening lifting his hand showing his palm at her.

"You have nothing to apologize about." He said to her. "You have done nothing wrong. Nothing. I didn't bring you here so I can lecture you. I brought you here because it is I who wants to, no should, apologize to you."

"What? Come again?" Helga asked, trying to confirm if she heard him right.

"Please sit." Alfonso said. After some hesitation, Helga with a bit of reluctance, sat back down and waited for Alfonso talk.

"Helga, I want to apologize to you for making you think that I was acting rude, or just giving you the cold shoulder when you stayed over here last weekend." He began. "I wasn't trying to be cold or rude you, nor was I angry at you. I was actually deep in my thoughts about why you felt you couldn't go home on that day and I'm sorry for making you think that I was upset with you. I wasn't."

"Did Rodrigo say anything to you?" She asked.

"No, he didn't." Alfonso responded. "He didn't need to. It's a bad habit that I have and I've done it with a quite number of people in my life. I know that my misunderstood behaviour didn't go unnoticed with you. You're too smart to not have noticed it."

"Well um, apologized accepted." She said with nervous smile.

Phew, that didn't seem so bad. She thought.

"Thank you, but there is more." He said. "Even if I gave you the wrong impression that I was upset or being rude to you, I'm willing to bet that you had your suspicions or concern about me not really approving of your relationship with Rodrigo."

"Well, ya I did." She responded. "It would take a lot more for something like that to get past me." She continued with a confident smirk.

Alfonso simply smile. He wasn't surprised by her response.

"Well your instincts were proven correct." He confessed. "I'm not going to bother to lecture you on why I, as a parent, felt I had to do that. But that wasn't the problem. The problem was that I let my concern for my son blind me from trying to see the real you, or a more deeper you, let's say. I essentially saw in you, what I only wanted to see in you, which is not fair at all."

"Yes, Rodrigo did tell me about your issues at home. I don't think he told me everything, but he told me enough. But I should not have judged you so quickly. Despite what you have gone through, I know that you are also a strong person, with a good heart and a good head on her shoulders and that should be enough." He continued.

"Well um, er..." Helga attempted to say something, but was at a loss of words.

"So, I invited you here to apologize to you and to ask for your forgiveness." He said.

Five minutes ago, Helga would have unremorsefully given Alfonso a good piece of her mind. Throughout that entire week, Helga was angry at him for supposedly judging her so quickly. Granted, he was doing it out of concern for his son and Helga knew that if she were in his shoes, she would have probably have done the same thing. However, that hadn't made it any easier for Helga simply forgive and especially forget. But now, with Alfonso not only coming out clean about his past intentions, but even apologizing for it, Helga wasn't so sure on how she felt about it. She was mostly surprised, but should she really forgive him, or should really tell him what she felt about all of this?

*sigh* "It's ok Mr. Castile. There's nothing for you to apologize about either." Helga eventually replied. "I understand why you were concerned about Rodrigo and truthfully, your concern did have some merits. But I forgive you."

"Thank you, Helga." Alfonso said with a smile and extended his hand.

Helga smiled as well and shook his hand.

"Thanks for giving me a chance, Mr. Castile." She said.

"Oh please Helga. No need to be so formal anymore." Alfonso said. "Please call me Alfonso. Truthfully, these formalities are starting to make me feel old and boring."

"Oh man, I'm so glad you said that!" Helga exclaimed, feeling quite relieved. "It was making me feel old as well!" She remarked to which Alfonso chuckled.

"So Alfonso," Helga asked, "what's for dinner tonight?"


Oh my God! I'm finally done writing this chapter! It took me many days, but I finally did it! Hope everyone enjoyed it.

Usually the stereotypical issue is that the son's mother would be hostile towards the girlfriend, for obvious reasons. But I didn't want to go to route, as I think it had already been done and because it would made things worse for Helga. I thought it was best to explore the notion of the father not really approving of Helga and what he thought it. Again, stereotypically, it is rarely shown of fathers disapproving of any of their son's girlfriend. It is usually the other way around; them disapproving for their daughter's boyfriend. But again, I wanted to explore that unknown part of a family.