Hello again all! Sorry for updating on a weekend! But its been when I've had time to write lately with trying to get my house sorted so I DEEPLY apologize. Hopefully things will calm down soon but just know I am trying my best, so thank you all so much for your patience! I REALLY appreciate it more than you all know. This chapter opens on the Alejandro's parents at home in early hours of the night on Christmas Eve while Alejandro and Heather are preparing to go to the Wilson's country club for their Christmas Eve party. Hope you enjoy! :)

The Burromuerto residence in suburban Ottawa.

({No POV})

Elena was sitting at their dining room table looking at some end of quarter figures for her company on her tablet for work.

Though they had a very productive year, she was always looking for ways to improve the distribution and hopefully to make the products a bit more affordable without sacrificing quality.

Unlike a lot of CEO's, Elena was always more of a stickler for product quality and customer satisfaction rather than just 'making a quick buck' just to have good numbers. After all, the whole reason she wanted to go into the beauty, cosmetic, and skin care industry was to actually produce something she was proud of. Something her and her friend Gemma agreed on.

Though she had never had many problems with her skin personally, Gemma had in her adolescence and teenage years and wanted nothing more than to actually make a product that really works rather than scamming a bunch of teenagers and young adults with products that would do nothing for them… and Elena couldn't have agreed more.

As much as she was trying to focus on the numbers to distract herself, she couldn't help but still think back to her 'conversation' with Alejandro early that morning before he left to see… Elena could hardly finish that thought as she clenched her hand and scrunched her eyes shut in frustration.

She would have probably continued in her current state until she heard, "You're still working?"

Elena's gaze immediately shot up as she saw Gerardo standing in the doorway, giving her an inquisitive look.

But, not wanting to get into another discussion on the subject, she quickly shut her tablet off as she responded, "Lo siento, just lost track of time. Honestly, without the boys here I didn't know what to do with myself. Though our numbers look excellent for finishing out the quarter so… that's something."

Gerardo looked at his wife, secretly seeing through her a bit, just smiled and started, "Well, as much as I admire your work ethic, you look at that screen any longer into the night and you'll strain your eyes. Which would be a pity. Particularly since I love your eyes very much, mi amada… among a great many other things."

He practically punctuated his statement as he suavely lifted his wife's left hand to his lips and gave her a kiss on the back of her hand while taking a seat in an adjacent chair.

A smirk and a wink following as Elena grinned and rolled her eyes playfully at her husband before remarking just as teasing and playful, "Flatterer." Gerardo grinned as he responded in a similar tone, "Gracias."

They both laughed as Elena eventually stood up and sat in her husband's lap as she ran a hand affectionately through his hair, making Gerardo smile at her.

It was silent for several moments until Gerardo remarked, "So... Isobel is long gone by this stage. Our nest is empty for the week… It's not often we get this complete opportunity at some privacy. I'd say this calls for something special to celebrate the solitude, sí?"

Elena immediately gave her husband a knowing and teasing look as she remarked, "Even after all these years, some things never change. Or need I remind you of the first thing you sweet-talked me into doing in our first flat we had together when we were in the kitchen."

Gerardo gave his wife a flirty glance as he started, "Well… could you blame me? I was young and sharing a space with a lovely and bonita young woman who I was just happy enough to finally have alone with me without any disruptions. And not that you seemed to be opposed to the idea either if my memory serves me well?"

Elena slapped him lightly on the shoulder, even though she knew he was right and wasn't about to argue it, as Gerardo chuckled before saying, "Elena, I do mean it. Let's enjoy ourselves. Have some wine, music… perhaps a little dancing? The living room is more than big enough to suit us in that regard. Or perhaps maybe we could have a seat on the sofa and watch the snow fall together? The choice is yours, mi amor. Whatever you like."

Elena thought on it and eventually smiled a little to herself as she responded, standing up again, "Wine and dancing sounds wonderful. Un momento, I'll just go change into something a bit more comfortable. I'll be right back."

She gave Gerardo a kiss on the cheek and started to make her way out of the room as she heard, "Pinot noir?"

She looked back to see her husband giving her a knowing grin and quirking up an eyebrow, Gerardo knowing his wife's taste in wine to a 'T'. Elena grinned back as she replied, "But of course."

Gerardo winked as he said, "Muy bueno… I shall get us both a glass and meet you in the living room for whenever you are ready."

Right before she walked out she smiled at her husband before walking out of the room.

Even though certain thoughts still threatened to cross her mind, she was at least grateful to her husband for always being there to help her remain calm and provide her with a distraction when its needed most for her. Something they've both learned to do almost flawlessly for each other at this stage in their relationship and marriage together.

Meanwhile that same evening in suburban Toronto

(Alejandro's POV)

We just arrived at the country club for the Christmas Eve party and I was simultaneously waiting for Heather to come out of the bathroom.

But, I had to admit, I was pleased at the opportunity of having some time to myself to do a little surveying.

Sure the environment of the country club was classy to say the least, but particularly since a wall of plaques and a glass case full of a variety of trophies and awards caught my eye and immediately piqued my curiosity.

Ever since that first time I walked into Heather's room and saw all her awards, especially when I noticed some peculiarities with a certain facet of them from her time dancing… I have wanted to know the reasoning behind it.

I started looking along the walk of plaques until I saw exactly what I was looking for.

The Huntington Country Club Cotillion Junior League Dance Showcase.

"Perfect." I said to myself with a smirk as I started looking over everything.

Though I had to admit, the extensiveness of awards on the wall was quite impressive and extensive if not prestigious since this particular competition at the club seemed to stem all the way back to the 1950's.

The earliest winners I saw had a black and white picture on their plaque by the names of Nancy Clyman and David Casten from 1952. And they seemed to be a pretty talented pair since I saw them at least 4 times on the wall with their earliest win seeming to be at age 13.

The trend seemed fairly obvious.

Every once in a while another pair seemed to win multiple times but never more than 4 and it wasn't always consecutive. Honestly it was even rare to see winners that seemed to be below the ages of 12 or 13.

At least… until I reached Heather and Shane's plaques.

Their first win and their picture from when they were 8 all the way up to 18. They were by far the youngest and longest reigning winners with a grand total of 10 consecutive appearances on the wall.

I was even intrigued further when I looked at the most current plaque and picture with the names Sarah Watson and Gavin Young, assuming Sarah had to have been Shane's younger sister based on age, appearance, and surname obviously.

But that wasn't what intrigued me.

Oddly enough, just like in Heather's room, the pictures from the three plaques that seemed to be from their time in junior high were all missing from the wall here at the country club as well.

Every other plaque on the wall had a picture except for these 3. I would have thought about it more if I didn't immediately feel my arm get grabbed as I heard Heather say, "Come on, I want to make sure we get a good table so we aren't stuck with a bunch of annoying losers the entire night."

I allowed her to continue to tote me along as I took the opportunity to let my curiosity overtake me.

What exactly could she possibly be hiding that she wouldn't want anyone to know about?

Of course I'd be a fool to assume anything else other than the possibility that Heather wanted those 'particular pictures' removed.

Why else wouldn't they be there if not by Heather's discretion?

I kept thinking until we walked into a large open ballroom. A bunch of round tables set up as well as a decent sized dance floor in the middle of it all.

I saw José with Kelsey across the room with a group about their age at the bar, most likely people that knew Kelsey from school or were possibly her friends, perhaps?

But, I turned my attention away as I heard a familiar deep tone say, "Hey Heather, Merry Christmas."

Heather and I both looked behind us simultaneously to see Shane standing behind us, holding hands with a tall and pretty young woman with dark blonde hair and brown eyes. Honestly she; even without her heels, was probably about the same height as me.

"Shane? What are you doing here?" Heather immediately responded, quirking up an eyebrow.

Shane rolled his eyes slightly as he responded flatly, "And nice to see you too…"

Heather just rolled her eyes back at him as she replied in her usual tone, crossing her arms, "Whatever… You know what I mean."

Shane just shrugged and explained neutrally, "Well... in case you forgot I'm still a club member and so is my whole family. That and everyone from our old cotillion group asked if I was interested in meeting up here at the party. We got a table together in case you guys want to join us? Oh, yeah, right… Heather, this is my girlfriend, Aga."

Aga?

Shane's girlfriend just smiled a little and said, "Hey, Aga Paszek, what's going on? I still couldn't believe it when Shane told me he used to be your dance partner for 12 years. I used to watch you on Total Drama all the time back in High School. Well, guess I should say both of you anyway..."

Heather just gave her a nod as the conversation immediately silenced since at this point all of us could read the subtext of what all of us were thinking. Particularly when it comes to Heather and I… it isn't exactly difficult to guess what people are thinking whenever they see us together.

But, I was not about to have a repeat performance of my parent's anniversary party.

Instead I held out my hand as I said, changing the subject entirely, "Regardless, allow me to introduce myself. Alejandro Burromuerto Ledvora, pleasure. However, I must say. I've never heard the name 'Aga' before personally. Are you Polish? I'm only guessing based on your surname. And the only names I can think of similar to yours are Agata and Agniesz…"

Then abruptly, she held her hand out to me as she cut in, "Please, just Aga."

Rather than continue to think about it, I decided to just move past it as I held her hand in a traditional greeting regardless and grinned as I responded, "As you wish."

After all I understand what it's like having a variation of your name you'd prefer not to be referred to as. As I very well sympathize with at the very least.

We both gave each other a nod before releasing our hands.

Though it wasn't long before Heather snapped slightly, "Great, now that we've had our little pow-wow here. Where's the table then? And please don't tell me Jeremy Phillips is here."

All Shane did was purse his lips and look off to the side as Heather immediately exasperated and rolled her eyes, "Ugh, great. I swear, if that dipstick calls me your 'wife' one more time..." "Heather, look, so far everyone's been cool. Sure he's still… Jeremy, but he's been okay to be honest." Shane said, clearly trying to calm the situation.

Heather immediately linked her arm with mine again as she scoffed and said through her teeth almost ominously, "He better be…"

We all started to make our way to this table with a couple open spots and several people our age sitting together and talking while drinking glasses of wine, beer, or cocktails.

Despite all this new and interesting territory, I'm 'very' intrigued to see how this continues.

Who knows?

Since Heather's still been all but open to me about telling me more about herself, perhaps meeting some of Heather's old peers from her Junior League cotillion group could be the key to getting more information about her.

And while Heather hasn't ever had many if not any 'close friends' it seems, these are people who have all at the very least been involved with Heather since they were all 6 years old.

Either way… This should be 'very' intriguing to say the least.

Okay, this is part 1 and will have part 2 up as soon as I can. I hope you all enjoyed the flirtatiously teasing but cute scene for Alejandro's parents at the beginning as well as Alejandro's continued investigation at the country club white tie Christmas party of trying to find more information about Heather. But, we shall see. Haha. ;) Anyway, thank you so much for reading and constructive reviews are always appreciated. Thank you all so much again for all your continued support and hope you all are continuing to stay safe and well!

Stay classy!

Dexter1995