Hello Hello! I see new guests here! Thank you for your kind words! Muah! Oh my goodness! I cannot wait for the sequel! I know it will be centered around their adult children! I just wonder how many kids Franco and Sarita have! All I know is of a daughter! If anything, please let me know!

(I do not own this Novela!) Happy Reading!

Chapter 37

Franco arrived home, thoroughly frustrated yet content. His time with Sarita earlier that day had inspired a fiery longing deep within him. It was becoming quite unbearable.

It had been a while since he last slept with a woman. The last person he had been with was Rosario, but all he could think about was Sarita and how well she perfectly fit in his arms as he lavished her beautifully pouty lips.

He was becoming more anxious, pining for the valiant little woman who had captured his heart.

He could still feel her warm supple body against his while stripping himself off his tattered clothing.

He could still feel her small hands caressing his arms and back whenever he ran his lips at the base of her jaw. The way she trembled and softly moaned his name after he gently nipped at that tender fair flesh sent shivers down his spine.

Franco muttered under his breath, realizing just how hard he had already become.

He needed to cool down, but how could he? That Sarita Elizondo ignited a longing deep within his every pore.

He needed her.

Everything about her called out to him. Her temper.. that would delectably soften like a precious budding flower every time she was under his gaze. Her sharp wit, which always impressed him each time she stood her ground. Her valor, from when she not once but twice had saved his life. Her heart, despite her rough demeanor, was selfless when it came to defending her family and the rights of others.

Sarita is an amazing woman through and through, and Franco still couldn't fathom how on earth he couldn't see it before.

He remembered how he couldn't stand the sight of her, but now he simply craved her.

All of her.

He turned on his shower and stepped in when the water retained a pleasant temperature. He allowed the beads of fresh water to flow through his matted sandy hair and down his back as his mind gathered all the distinctive details that had occurred earlier in his time with Sarita.

He could've had her.

He grinned, remembering how she didn't pull from him when she felt him for the second time. He ignored that nagging voice in his head, which kept shouting at him to resist more sinful thoughts of that tempestuous little woman.

How could he not?

Sarita clearly didn't know how tempting she can be, especially when her eyes darkened the way they did once she saw how badly he needed her. She even shifted in front of him as her small hands kneaded his arms at his obvious excitement.

She was just as bothered as he.

Franco groaned, feeling himself throb wantonly at the small memory.

He could've had her.

He could've laid her down on that grass and showed her just how much she meant to him and how much he needed her.

But Sarita wasn't that kind of woman to be taken in such a way. He knew if he ever were to make love to her, it wouldn't be anywhere in the wide open fields. Knowing her now, Sarita is very discreet. She'd blush every so often if she sensed they weren't alone while sharing a simple kiss or even holding hands.

She wasn't like any woman Franco had ever met. Sarita was someone special. She was a highly educated young woman who deserves respect. After discovering she was untouched, Franco knew he had to respect her even more.

He couldn't rush her. He told her he would wait for her, and he sure as hell wasn't going to break that promise, especially now that he deeply cared for her.

Once his hard situation was calm, Franco stepped out of his shower and proceeded to get dressed.

That very night, Juan was going out to dinner with Norma, and Franco made haste to wish his older brother luck before he left. He found Ruth on his way outside his house, and the two walked together to where Oscar and Juan appeared to be arguing.

Franco drew out an exasperated breath while Ruth scowled when Juan gestured a frustrated hand to his beloved red pick up truck.

"What's the matter now?" asked Franco.

"Good, you're both here!" exclaimed Oscar as soon as he saw Franco and Ruth. "Maybe you can convince this stubborn mule who wants to drive in his fancy truck and doesn't want to listen!"

Juan's eyes flared dangerously at Oscar. Franco took a good hard look at the red pick up truck and agreed with Oscar. That truck needed to go. It was already wearing out to its last breath.

"Look, Juancho." reasoned Franco, walking over to stand by Juan, who still glared at Oscar. "Oscar is right, okay? I understand you love your truck but you can't embarrass Norma in public."

Juan deterred his eyes from Oscar to Franco.

"You can't arrive in this…this thing.." stammered Franco, finding the right words to say to settle Juan's upcoming wrath.

"So, you too?" challenged Juan, his dark eyes lingering on his youngest brother and then to Oscar. "What's wrong with you two, huh? Did you all agree to go against me, or what?"

Ruth cleared her throat and eyed Juan with immense sincerity.

"It's not that, Juan." Ruth said. "We just want everything to go well. Just do it for Norma."

Franco and Oscar looked over at Ruth, both impressed at how she can easily calm Juan's upcoming tantrum.

"It's a very special night for her, okay?" Ruth added, her smile reaching her eyes.

"That's what I've been trying to tell him but he won't listen!" scoffed Oscar.

Franco watched Juan take a deep breath as he looked over his beloved red truck and then back at Ruth.

"Okay, I'll do it." he muttered, earning a relieved laugh from both Oscar and Franco. "I'll do it for Ruth. That's it!"

Defeated, Juan snatched the car keys swinging from Oscar's hand and stalked over to the new silver car Oscar had bought. Franco, Oscar, and Ruth laughed and talked amongst themselves as Juan grumpily drove away to his date with Norma.

There were just about two days left for the wedding and Franco wished his older brother all the best. Juan deserved it.

The next day came and everyone noticed that Juan hadn't come back home from his date.

Oscar tried to calm a worried Eva and Ruth, who appeared to be very distressed because she claimed to have a dream about their deceased sister concerning Juan's safety. Quintina even commented to Franco on how odd it was that Juan was not out of bed as usual.

Juan's sudden absence began to bother Oscar and Franco, who began to take matters in their own hands. The two jumped into Franco's car and drove in search of their older brother. Franco's gut was suddenly telling him that something was not right because it wasn't like Juan and even Norma to stay out so late partying.

As the two drove, Franco's eyes narrowed when he noticed an abandoned silver car up ahead on the road. It looked strangely familiar, he felt the hairs stand on the back of his neck when he realized whose car it belonged to.

"Oscar, isn't that your car?" Franco asked.

Oscar followed Franco's narrowed gaze and his eyes widened in horror.

"Yes, that's my car!" he gasped. "Stop! Stop the car!"

Franco did. The two young men quickly approached Oscar's abandoned car.

"What the hell happened to Juan and Norma?" shouted Oscar as the two walked to observe his car. "Why would they leave my car here?"

As they came closer to the lonely vehicle, Franco noticed something a few meters away from it.

Franco called out to Oscar and pointed at what captured his interest. There was a wet, crimson spot on the pebbled ground, and it was still fresh.

Oscar bent forward to touch the soiled ground, and Franco saw the color drain from his brother's face once his fingers rubbed together.

"It's blood, Franco." Oscar said, his face grimacing as his fingers continued to rub together. "It's blood…"

Franco felt his heart racing. Something had happened. Something went horribly wrong…

Wasting no more time, the two raced to the Elizondo estate to see if Norma had made it home safely. They were greeted by a busy Dominga and Gabriela, who made it perfectly clear to them that their presence was not wanted. The two brothers ignored the widow's slanderous words and demanded to see if Norma was inside the mansion.

Thankfully, Norma appeared from her door and approached Franco and Oscar with curiosity.

Norma explained to them that she and Juan had left their date safely. She also added that he made sure to bring her home first before he drove back to his.

Her face fell when they told her that he hadn't come home yet and that the car he drove was left abandoned on the road. Just as Franco and Oscar hurried back to their car, Norma begged to ride along with them.

The three arrived where the silver car remained abandoned, and Norma began to panic when she spotted the bloody trails behind the silver car.

After dropping off a panic-stricken Norma back to her house, Franco and Oscar headed back to theirs and filed a report to the police.

Oscar paced back and forth, blaming himself for what could possibly be happening to Juan while Franco, Eva, Quintina, and Ruth tried to calm him down from thinking the worst.

Another day went by, and Franco's worry began to spike up to the roof. There's still no sign of his older brother.

They were supposed to be getting ready for the wedding which was the following day. Franco could imagine Norma is lamenting in her sisters' arms over Juan's sudden disappearance.

A million thoughts were swimming through Franco's head. He wondered who would want to harm his brother. The only enemies he could think of were Armando Navarro and even Fernando Escandon…particularly Escandon, since Norma divorced him, he had been behaving quite treacherously towards her and her sisters.

The officers came to Reyes' estate, and nearly everyone wanted to voice out their opinions on possible suspects regarding Juan's sudden disappearance.

Olegario confirmed his own suspicions over Escandon. He claimed that Escandon was more dangerous than the imaginable, especially when his ex-wife was to be married to Juan, whom he severely resents.

Apart from Olegario, Manolo, Miguel, and the rest of Franco's employees agreed that Dinora Rosales should be investigated. Much to Quintina's delight, she strictly believes that Dinora is more trouble than she was worth, given the problems that woman had caused Juan and Norma. Franco had to hold Quintina down.

"I agree with Manolo!" Quintina exclaimed. "That bitch is a viper!"

"What is going on with Miss Rosales?" asked the lead officer with keen interest.

"We all know Dinora was head over heels for Juan." answered Miguel. "She would do anything for him."

"She must be resentful about Juan and Norma's wedding and probably is seeking revenge." added Manolo.

It was quite easy to pinpoint who could be responsible for Juan's kidnapping, but it was hard to prove. The police only told them to keep their eyes peeled as they tried their best to investigate what exactly could be happening to Juan. But what was really relieving was that they agreed to investigate the two named suspects.

One of the suspects paid the Reyes a visit. Dinora and her odd little cousin, Belinda, bustled through their living room, confronting both Franco and Oscar about how wrong they were to accuse them of Juan's kidnapping. Dinora spat at them that she had nothing to do with Juan's disappearance despite all the problems she had given them in the past.

There was still no sign of Juan and everyone began to get desperate.

The Elizondo sisters were alerted to join Franco, Oscar, and Ruth on doing their own private investigation.

Jimena and Sarita were talking amongst themselves as Norma stood over the spot where the silver car had been abandoned.

"Juan was on his way to the ranch," said Oscar. "He parked exactly here."

He gestured Jimena, Sarita, and Ruth to where Norma was standing.

"There were no skid marks," added Franco, pointing at the ground as he stood next to Oscar. "So it looks like he stopped voluntarily, maybe to talk to another driver along the way."

"He could've stopped for two reasons." Oscar applied. "He could have known the driver or he could've just tried to help someone. Knowing how kind-hearted Juancho was, he would have helped… that's all I could guess."

"Perhaps he fell into a trap?" suggested Ruth.

Everyone turned their eyes at Ruth. Franco felt her suggestion could be true but he wished it weren't. He felt a slight pain in his chest for his older brother.

"Are there any clues that point to that?" asked Sarita, her concerned brown eyes still staring at Ruth.

"Yes." answered Oscar, diverting his gaze back to the ground. "Those blood stains."

Everyone's eyes widened at the sight of the bloody trails.

"It could be Juan's.." Oscar added, drawing a shuddered breath.

"All that?" exclaimed a horrified Jimena, her doe eyes gleaming in horror.

"No, the rest are oil spills." said Franco, pointing at the darker stains closer to the blood splatters.

"Juan didn't go back to the car…" muttered a pained Norma. "The person who may have attacked him could've forced him into another vehicle."

"There had to be more than one attacker," pried Ruth, adding more worry unto the two brothers. "One person cannot have subdued Juan. Maybe he resisted and they hurt him."

"Where could they have taken him?" asked Sara, trying to remain calm as she wrapped a comforting arm over Norma's trembling shoulders. "What way could they possibly go?"

Oscar answered her the best way he could and predicted that the tire marks could've gone towards the east. From this, Franco knew Juan couldn't have gone too far. They all agreed to help out in their own way and explore the east on their horses.

And so they did. They divided into two groups. Norma, Oscar and Jimena went together and Franco, Ruth, and Sarita went in the opposite direction. Much to their disappointment and grief, they've found nothing and decided to go their separate ways. But still there is hope to find Juan. He's out there.

Franco couldn't sleep, eat, or drink. There was still no sign of Juan. So many things were running through his head, and some of those thoughts were shattering his hopes.

What if something terrible had already happened?

What if Juan was dead lying somewhere in a ditch?

He felt his eyes watering at the sudden image of his older brother's motionless body. He shook himself away from that horrific image.

There's no way in hell Juan was dead. He won't rest until his older brother is safely back home.

It was now nightfall, yet there's still no Juan. To deter his thoughts from going back to a realm of hopelessness, Franco and Oscar decided to drive to the Elizondo's estate.

They were greeted by Jimena and her grandfather, who offered his support and grief to their troubling situation. Franco noticed Gabriela standing by her door, her stern green eyes glaring at him and Oscar as they spoke with Jimena and her grandfather.

Although, Franco enjoyed Jimena and Mr. Martin's company, he would've been more at ease if Sarita was there with them. But seeing their mother watching them like a hawk, made him realize that Sarita would've been safer inside her home, without raising more of her mother's suspicions.

Still… it would've been more comforting if he had seen her and gathered her back into his arms.

It was very getting late, Franco watched Oscar kiss Jimena good-bye and bid a respectful farewell to her grandfather. Franco tore his eyes from them and settled on the mansion, hoping to catch a glimpse of Sarita before he left.

"Listen, Jimena…" Franco said once she pulled away from Oscar. "Please tell Sarita, I would've liked seeing her, okay?"

Jimena smiled and promised to deliver his message before heading back inside her house.

Another day approached and Oscar and Franco remain in their house. The two were still overwhelmed with grief since there still wasn't any sign of Juan's whereabouts.

Oscar was relieving his stress in his most prized bathtub when Franco stumbled in his bathroom. He wanted to fetch him because they have unexpected visitors waiting for them outside.

"Are you awake or asleep, Sleeping Beauty?" Franco teased as he snatched a clean white towel off a wall.

"I'm trying to relax, Franco." Oscar answered, unmoved by Franco's words as he laid his head back on the tub.

"Apparently not even our problems can get you out of that blessed tub of yours, huh?"

Oscar sighed morosely and sat up, his relaxation coming to an end.

"If Juan doesn't show up." he muttered sadly. "I swear I'll drown."

He looked over at Franco.

"Do you think what's happening is fair? We should be at the church today for the wedding. Juan and Norma should be happily married. There would be a big party and honeymoon.."

Oscar paused, gathering his strength from the anger seething inside him. Franco bowed his head and toyed with the towel in his hands, agreeing with Oscar's every word. This should be a time of celebration, but instead they are grieving.

"I could be living with Jimena…" Oscar trailed on and then shot Franco a look. "And you would be engaged to Sarita, but LOOK!"

Oscar plunged an aggressively frustrated hand into the water, splashing himself and the floor.

"It's devastating!" Oscar added, his voice weak as Franco stared at him. "Everything was ruined when Juan disappeared...even my sleep, because I now have insomnia."

"Well…" sighed Franco, feeling extremely sorry for himself and Oscar. "Get out of the tub already. We didn't send out invitations but there are visitors waiting for us outside."

Franco tossed the white towel to Oscar, who appeared to be more annoyed than angry. Franco left him alone to get dressed, but Oscar's words still remained in his head.

"You would be engaged to Sarita."

Listening to Oscar's rant, Franco knew he was speaking the truth. Just when things were finally looking up, something had to delve into their happiness. Juan and Norma should be happily married. Oscar should be living with his wife, Jimena. And as for Franco, he should be dropping on one knee and asking for Sarita's hand.

Although they have been dating for a short time, Franco knew that in his heart, Sarita was it. He even confessed to her out in the fields that he cannot wait until he'd make her his after their siblings married.

Things were going well until Juan mysteriously disappeared. Oscar was right, why does it have to be this way? How was this fair? Especially when all they want is to finally be happy.

This was about 2-3 episodes! I know Juan's disappearance is a bit of a drag, (Thank you, Dinora!) but it plays along with Franco and Sarita's budding relationship. It gets soooo strong! I love it! Anywho... who's ready for chapter 38? It may be longer. Steamier. Hotter. Descriptive. And most importantly... Romantic and touching. Not leaving anything out and even adding some things of my own! Get those glasses of wine ready! Wink Wink! Stay tuned! Muah!