Usually, Imelda was wakened up by Ernesto dumping cold water on her, demanding breakfast. Today, Imelda opened her eyes due to the sun's rays shining on her face. For the first time, she felt peace. She couldn't remember the last time she slept like this before.

After putting on her favorite purple dress, Imelda went to check on her guest. He was still sleeping, snoring softly. Imelda giggled when she noticed that his mouth was slightly open. I'll wake him up when breakfast is ready, she thought to herself.

In the kitchen, the young woman whistled a happy tune, cooking beans, eggs, and making tortillas. A smile spread on her face when a sound of a big yawn traveled to her ears. She turned to her head to see Hector walking downstairs with his hair combed and wearing a new outfit.

"Buenos Días, Hector!"

"Buenos Días, Imelda," the guest yawned. He took a seat and sat down by the table. "Gracias for letting me stay here for the night. I didn't realize how much sleep I really needed!"

"De nada," Imelda grinned, putting food onto two plates. "I am not surprised. You did have a long trip from Santa Cecilia."

"Would you like some help?" Hector asked, getting ready to stand up. Just in case she needed him to fetch something for her or set the table.

"No, no, no!" Imelda shook her head. "You are my guest! No need to get up!" She carried two plates to the table and placed them down.

"I feel kind of funny sitting here while you do the work," Hector blushed, awkwardly.

"No need to feel kind of funny," Imelda rolled her eyes, playfully. Who was this guy? He had been asking her if she needed help a couple of times. Her smile was replaced with a surprise. "Oh, I forgot to grab the silverware!"

"I got it!" Hector piped up, dashing from his chair. He was oblivious to the annoyed sigh that escaped his host's lips. The musician pulled out a drawer and picked up two forks and two knives. He brought them to the table and gave one set to Imelda before sitting himself down.

"How did you know where they were?" Imelda raised an eyebrow.

"You let me set the table last night, remember?" Hector smirked.

The young host put her hand in her face and sighed. "Hector...,"

"I know, I know," the man said, politely. "I am the guest."

The two ate their meals together. Like last night's dinner, breakfast was peaceful. It was the kind of silence that Imelda found comfortable.

"So how did you meet Ernesto?" she asked, curiosity striking her. "You two were friends for a long time, correct?"

"Yes," her guest smiled. "He and I had been friends since we were children. I was in the orphanage for a while after my parents died. When Tío Chicharron and Tía Juanita took me in, they introduced me to the neighbors who had a little boy that needed a friend. That little boy was Ernesto. He was a great friend! Because he was older than me, he looked after me. I can always count on him to save me from bullies. My Tío and Tía never liked that he has beaten up other kids for picking on me but I was grateful because he was my only friend. When he left Santa Cecilia, I was disappointed."

"Por que?"

"He talked about how we were going to become the greatest musicians ever, once we finish school. When he graduated a few years before I did, I thought he would wait for me but then he decided to head on his own. 'Just to get experience,' he said. 'So I would learn the ropes and later come back for you.' I am glad that he thought of me for his town's talent show. I think this will give us a chance to show the world how talented we are!"

"That sounds ambitious," Imelda commented. "Hopefully you will do great!"

"Well, enough about me!" Hector laughed. "How about you?"

Imelda's smile dropped.

"What do you mean?"

"How did you meet Ernesto "

"Oh, you don't want to know...,"

"Oh, I do!" Hector insisted. He was not the one that would give up on conversations (unless the person really didn't want him to push it). "I am very curious to know how he captured your heart!"

"Why are you so curious?" Imelda said, repressively, trying to control the conversation. Perhaps if she could dissuade him from knowing what happened, he would drop it.

"When you have been friends with someone since childhood, you know a lot about them. Ernesto always tells me everything. Yet, he never told me that he got married, until recently. When did you guys marry?"

"Two years ago," Imelda answered, stiffly.

"I was still in high school," Hector thought. "What was the wedding like? Was it beautiful-"

He stopped when he saw her throwing her fork on the table. It was so loud that it made his nerves jump!

"No," Imelda answered, slowly. She began to collect their empty dishes. "There was no wedding or dancing or cake or guests or any of the usual wedding traditions. It was only a ceremony. A short ceremony. A dreadful, short ceremony."

Hector looked a bit confused and stunned. How could a wedding be dreadful? Weren't they supposed to be joyful? He wished to say something in response, but no words would form.

Imelda walked away and put dishes in a pile, to be washed later. Wanting to be alone, she went to the counter. She took out cocoa beans and began grounding them. Perhaps a chocolate drink would make her feel better.

Her ears perked up at her guest following her.

"Why do you say that?" Hector stood next to her as if he wanted to offer comfort.

"Let's just say we were not in love," Imelda grumbled. "Never have been, and never will!" After grinding the beans, she put them in a pot of hot water, and wait for them to boil. "It was one of the worst memories of my entire life! And I wish to forget about it!"

The handsome musician did not know what to say. He wished to say something-anything to comfort his host. After getting over his shock, Hector put a hand on Imelda's shoulder, provoking her to turn her head to him.

"I wish I have something to say to cheer you up," he said, sympathetically.

Although it was hard to see, he could spot a tiny smile on her. Despite liking the touch of his hand, she put it down from her shoulder.

"You don't need to say anything." She heard the pot boiling and took the pot off from the fireplace. "Just having you listening to me is all I need!"

Seeing that her hands were full, Hector took out two cups for her. His act of kindness surprised his host. Nevertheless, she smiled and poured the chocolate into the cups.

"Would you like some milk and sugar for your chocolate drink?" she smiled.

"Sí, por favor!"

They sat down at their table. After pouring milk and a spoonful of sugar into their chocolate drinks, the two took a sip of their drinks. They relished in their sweetness.

"This is the best chocolate drink I ever had!" Hector complimented.

Imelda smiled sweetly. Either the chocolate drink made her feel better or sharing it with a new friend did.

Their moment of peace was interrupted by a loud and rude knocking on the door.

"Hey, Imelda! Open the damn door!"

"Oh joy," The woman cringed, knowing who it was.

"Did he just...?" Hector was stunned. Since when did his best friend always talk to women in that kind of tone? Ernesto liked every woman, always sweet with them. So what's with him? "I'll get the door for you," he offered, standing up before Imelda could protest.

As he walked to the door, the pounding got louder and louder.

"Imelda, if you don't open this door, I will rip your-"

Hector opened the door, and behold, was his best friend with messy hair, and wearing clothes from yesterday. He raised an eyebrow at Ernesto who suddenly, changed his angry facial expression to a joyous one.

"Oh, Hola Hector!" Ernesto smiled so big that it looked fake. He pulled him in a man hug that was too tight. Lucky for Hector, he pulled away. "It's so good to see you! When did you get here?"

"Last night," Hector wheezed. He had to catch his breath for a minute. "Where were you? You told me to come here because you need me for business."

"Business?" Ernesto asked, dumbly. He stepped past Hector and went into his house. He strode past Imelda as if she were a chair-something that did not go unnoticed by Hector.

"You know, a talent show?" the handsome musician recalled. "Not that I mind your wife's company, but I came here for business. You wrote to me because you wanted a songwriter for your new act for the talent show!"

Life finally came back to Ernesto's eyes. "Oh yes, yes, yes! Of course! Ah, I am sorry, my memory is not so good lately." He grabbed a beer bottle and opened it up. "Beer?"

Hector's face scrunched up. "No gracias, where were you? You didn't answer my question."

"I went to the bar for a drink, because I thought, 'why not hang around here while waiting for you?' But then I had too many drinks, lost track of time, and spend a night with...someone because of the rain!"

"Who did you stay with?" Hector asked.

"Uh, a friend's house!" Ernesto said sheepishly. "Gustavo? Sorry, my memory is all fuzzy. That is what a drink does to you!"

"Then why are you helping yourself to a beer?" Imelda enquired, standing beside him. She sniffed his shirt. "And why does your shirt smell like lavender?" (Hector had wondered the same question, too after getting a whiff of it when Ernesto hugged him too tight).

Imelda had a feeling who Ernesto stayed with last night and it was not Gustavo or any other man. But a woman!

Ernesto's eyes darted between her and Hector with his smile still plastered on his face. "Would you please excuse me and my wife?"

He took Imelda by the arm tightly-a but too tight for her and led her upstairs to his bedroom. He closed the door and turned to her with an angry look.

"Hold your tongue, wench! You know not to speak in a man's presence! Why didn't you tell me that Hector was here? Huh? Did you realize that you made me look bad!?"

Imelda shrank back when her husband glared daggers at her. "I-I-I has no way-"

"Shut up and don't make any excuses, you stupid woman! You should be happy that I married you because what other man would? Now get out and buy me groceries or else I will hit you so hard that you'll end up in the Land of the Dead!" Afraid that Ernesto might hit her, Imelda ran downstairs, past Hector, grabbed her moneybag, and dashed out through the front door.

When Ernesto descended the stairs, he saw that Hector looked confused. "What?"

"What was that all about? She came down looking afraid!"

Ernesto regained his composure and laughed. "Oh, nothing to worry about!" he lied. "I was just scolding her for not telling me that you just arrived!"

"Why didn't you respond to her question, Ernesto? You really do smell like lavenders!"

"Okay, Hector. I was in my drunken stupor when I fell into a flower bed of lavenders. That's why I smell like lavenders. Now be patient with me, I am still recovering from a hangover. You know how crazy I get when I am drunk!"

Hector, was not sure whether he believed his friend or not.

"Don't worry about her, she's not of your concern!" Ernesto said, flippantly. "Now let us work on our new song! I believe you said you are here for business? I will get dressed and we will go to the plaza and meet the rest of the band." He went upstairs to change, leaving Hector to this his thoughts.

Hector remembered that he was here for business. But how can he focus when all he could think of was Imelda's fearful expression? For her sake, he hoped that it was nothing serious. Maybe Ernesto just had too much to drink (and maybe he really did fall into a bed of lavenders).

After Ernesto had recovered from his hangover, he and Hector arrived at the plaza. Ernesto introduced Hector to his bandmates, Gustavo and Antonio. Antonio seemed decent but Gustavo was a bit annoying. The men began to work on the song by writing the song.

"So what type of song do you want me to write?" Hector asked.

"Glad you asked, Hector!" said Ernesto. "I want a song that would speak to the world. Something that is relatable. Something that shows the love I have for the world!"

"And love for your wife?"

"Love for his wife?" Gustavo sneered. "Hah! Let me tell you something, Hector! They hated each other!"

"It's not a romantic song," Antonio clarified. "What Ernesto wants is an appreciation song. To show the world how much he loves singing to them!"

The young man looked a bit disappointed. Ernesto used to always begged him to write a love song for whatever girl he was interested in. He thought he would be asked to write a song for Imelda, but oh well. Perhaps his friend has different ideas.

"Okay, I like the idea but it still needs something to make the song unique," Hector stated. "What gimmick can we use?"

"That's where you come in, Hector!" Ernesto exclaimed. "You're the gimmick! Everything you write turns into gold!"

The musicians spent time brainstorming lyrics, with Hector writing them down.

Afterward, Hector titled the song, "The World es mi familia."

"So what do you think?" he asked the men.

"I like the title but it still needs more lyrics," Gustavo commented.

"The lyrics are fine," Antonio hand waved. "What we need now is a melody."

"Hmmm, how about a ballad?" Hector suggested.

"No, no, no!" Ernesto shook his head. "Ballads put me to sleep! I want a beat that is lively and upbeat. Something that will get people dancing!"

Hours passed, but the men were running out of ideas for a melody that fit Ernesto's vision. And Gustavo couldn't come up with any additional lyrics.

When the sun went down, Antonio and Gustavo left for the night.

"Same time, same place tomorrow?" Hector said.

"Yes, Hector," they waved goodbye. "Adios!"

"Well, I am going to head to my hotel," the lanky man made an attempt to go when Ernesto stopped him.

"What hotel are you staying at?"

"Sol Inn," Hector replied.

Ernesto's eyes widened and he began to sweat. "I'm, I have a better idea! Why don't you stay at my house?"

"Stay at your house?" Hector asked, surprised.

"Sí, Sí, Sí!" Ernesto smiles, gleefully. "You go and head back to my house! That's where you'll be staying for the rest of the trip!"

"But what about your wife? Would she mind-"

"Of course not! She's desperate for company."

"But my luggage is there!"

"Never mind about that!" said Ernesto. "I'll go and pick up your luggage. You go and head on to my house! My wife will be happy to see you!"

Not minding seeing Imelda again, Hector has his hotel keys to Ernesto, knowing that his friend will pick his stuff up. "Thanks for letting me stay at your place," he thanked him. "Are you sure Imelda won't mind?"

"Of course!"

Ernesto watched Hector journey back to his house. Then the bulky man made his way to Sol Inn. He snuck inside the hotel (the manager had fallen asleep) and tiptoed into the hallway.

Instead of going to the room that Hector was supposed to stay in, Ernesto went to a room that was across from Hector's room. He knocked on the door, which revealed a girl was waiting for him.

"What took you so long?" she purred.

"No reason, Camila!" Ernesto smirked. He'd have had some pleasure tonight without worrying about his friend finding out and telling Imelda.

Imelda spent time in the kitchen cooking dinner. She sighed, feeling tired. She thought about her day today after leaving the house. When she went to the marketplace, she was more than happy to spot her old amigas, Alana, Abril, and Amalia. It was so good to see the girls and catch up with them! She learned why she hadn't seen them forever. Alana was married to a man who never helped around the house. She had to do everything herself! Abril married a man who had a daughter from a previous marriage. She hated being a stepmother because her stepdaughter was evil. As for Amalia, she was married to a man who kept a secret mistress because she couldn't bear children.

Imelda had realized that she was not alone. She related to Abril about having a husband that won't help around. And she could relate to Amalia for having an unfaithful husband. As for Abril-well, thank goodness she didn't have any stepchildren. Or any children. They might be wicked like Ernesto.

The girls also expressed sympathy to her when she told them about how awful Ernesto had been.

"You should tell your parents how he's been mistreating you!" Abril exclaimed.

"You should be telling the priest!" Amalia piped up. "If you can prove that Ernesto abused you, you can get a divorce!"

As much as Imelda would like a divorce from Ernesto, she was unsure. The whole town would not believe her that Ernesto was abusive. They would either laugh and say, "Ernesto is not that bad!" The Priest would not believe her because Ernesto always showed up at Catholic masses to make himself look good. Everybody thought of him as a wonderful Catholic boy. And her parents would never allow her to divorce because they just got her married and being a divorced woman was as damaging as being a woman who became pregnant out of wedlock, even if the baby was stillborn. Maybe she should just do what her friends do: cry privately and pray for the best. Once she heard the door knocking, Imelda opened the door, and there stood the guy who had brightened her day.

"Buenos Noches Imelda!" Hector

smiled shyly which she found it cute.

"Buenos Noches Hector!"

She let him inside the house.

"Forgive me for intruding but your husband insisted that I stay here for the night instead of the hotel-if that is all right. With you?"

"Of course, you can stay!" Imelda assured him. "Don't be a stranger! Better to stay here than at the hotel!" She gestured him to follow her into the dining table. "Come, I am making dinner."

"Ernesto should be here with my luggage, in case you are wondering where he-"

"I know where he is," Imelda frowned. "At the hotel."

"Sí, he is fetching my luggage!"Hector snapped his fingers, happily. "It's like we are thinking the same thing!"

Imelda sighed. She knew what Ernesto was doing at the hotel, and it had nothing to do with his luggage. Shaking her head, Imelda focused on putting food in the pot.

While waiting for dinner to cook, Imelda took her seat and sat beside Hector. She observed him writing and editing the notes for "the World is Mi Familia."

"How is the song coming?"

"Oh, it is all right," Hector sighed, putting his pencil down. He leaned back in his chair, feeling an artist's block. "I cannot think of a good melody."

"May I take a look at it?" Imelda proposed.

Hector was surprised but he nodded. He could use the help right now.