The next day, Pepa was relieved to see Bruno walk down to breakfast with Claudia. The two were chatting about the rat telenovela and seemed closer. She was glad that her brother had been able to talk to someone so casually. He always seemed like he had the weight of the world on his shoulders. She loved him, but knew that in all reality he needed more than Julieta and she could provide. A rainbow slowly bloomed over Pepa as she watched the two talk.

"Sooooooooo Brunito-"

"Pepa, you're like five minutes older," Bruno interrupted.

"Anyways, what got you out of your tower? Seems like you're getting a bit more friendly."

Casita moved Bruno's chair closer to Claudia and the two turned red.

"Oh, we just had a little talk yesterday heh," Claudia avoided eye contact, still bright red and Pepa's rainbow grew brighter.

"So does that mean you're going to come with us to the grove today?" Julieta asked while nudging her sister for embarrassing the two.

"You should really be in the village helping," Alma said disapprovingly.

"Mama, I made enough queso that half the village could have some to heal if needed. Pepa needs an emotional break, and Bruno has been doing visions for the past four days. Please."

Alma sighed.

"I guess it's ok, but only for today. Tomorrow, you are all going to the village to help out. Understood?"

"Understood," copied the rest of the table.

"You'll love the grove Claudia," Pepa said,"Bruno found it a few years back. It's got a little underground oasis with a walkway down. The top is surrounded with flowers, it's just beautiful."

As they walked the two sisters walked ahead leaving Bruno with Claudia. He had to admit he enjoyed being able to chat with her. She actually seemed to listen to him and it meant so much since no one in the village seemed to care about what he had to say.

"I'm just saying her goldfish was already bleeding and on it's side. Anyone could see it was gonna die, but noooooooooo. Senora Hernandez had decided I'm absolutely evil for telling her."

Claudia giggled.

"She told me you had a hatred towards fish and she was gonna prove it at the wedding."

Bruno shook his head.

"Aye dios mio. That woman is out to get me. Maybe I should just go get her another fish."

The two laughed.

Claudia was happy, imagine that! She enjoyed spending time with Bruno. He treated her like a person and it made her feel special. Unlike the Rojas he was caring and kind. After yesterday she had sworn to protect him like he had been attempting to protect her. She knew he would never have a vision related to her, and therefore never be able to see her future, but she couldn't tell him that. The Rojas had found out, and they treated her terribly. No, it must remain unsaid.

Eventually they made it to a little clearing full of flowers, and a small oasis sunk down into the earth in the middle of it all. There were birds tweeting and the flowers made the place smell heavenly. It was one of the prettiest sights Claudia had ever seen.

"Tada!" Pepa said, spinning with a big old grin, that is until Julieta pushed her into the hole and jumped in after her.

Claudia laughed as the two sisters immediately got into a splash fight. She took a seat on the edge of the hole, closed her eyes, and leaned back enjoying the sun. Bruno sat next to her.

"I used to come here when I needed a break," he said after a bit of the two enjoying the sun,"It's like a secret paradise."

"It is a secret paradise. I wish I had a place like this when I lived with the Rojas."

"Did you uh like living with them?" he asked genuinely curious. She always seemed to get tense when they were talked about.

She gave him a clearly fake smile.

"Of course I did. They adopted me. They gave me a family. They-" her face dropped,"No…..no I didn't, but they were all I had, you know?"

"Well," he put his hand on top of hers,"you've got us now. I don't know if that uh helps but….yea. Why didn't you like it there?"

She averted her eyes.

"I really shouldn't tell you. I should just be grateful that I got taken in right?" She sighed,"I just...I don't…They didn't like me too much. I couldn't tell you why. I always tried for their affection, but I guess...well it doesn't matter."

"Hey," he squeezed her hand,"you shouldn't, well, have to try so hard for affection from your family and others. It's not fair to you."

She smiled. "Thanks, that was very uh sweet of you" She squeezed his hand back and they just sat like that.

He was too kind to her. She wasn't used to it. His hand squeeze had made her heart pound and it scared her. If she started caring too much then wouldn't she get her heart broken? She couldn't bear to suffer more heart break, but this family, especially him, kept pulling her in. She was scared of getting in too deep and drowning.

Meanwhile Bruno was concerned. He had heard her nightmares and knew of her anxiety attack. If the Rojas had caused it, then they were far worse than anyone knew. Who spread rumors about their own children being bad luck? He wasn't sure, but he swore he would get to the bottom of it. Cause if he knew anything, it was that she deserved better.

Meanwhile the girls below were sneaking looks at the scene.

"Julieta, are they holding hands!? Aye, so romantic."

"Pepa shhhhhh. If they hear you they'll stop. You know how shy those two are."

"But it's sooooo cute!" Pepa splashed her sister, which started another splash fight.

On the way back, the two sisters walked ahead again as the other two stayed back.

"You know, you don't have to come with to help out in the village tomorrow. I know last time it didn't go well so-"

Bruno stopped as she held up her hand.

"I would be honored to accompany you," Claudia said with a bright smile.

She really meant it. In the time she had been around him she had found she was happiest when hanging out with him.

"What about-"

"Honored!"

"It could-"

Bruno was becoming amused, and kept a grin from his face. He couldn't help it, her joy was infectious.

"But what if-"

She spun around and took his hand.

"Sir Bruno of Time," he let out a snort, "I would be honored to go with you to the village to spread your wisdom."

That was the final straw and he burst out laughing.

"You are adorable!"

Claudia turned bright red and walked ahead a bit as Bruno chuckled. He couldn't just say things like that. She wasn't prepared for them.

"Well I guess I'm uh glad I don't have to go alone," he said as he caught up to her.

She smiled at him then grabbed his hand again.

"C'mon we've got to catch up," and with that the two headed towards Pepa and Julieta.