The confrontation has finally arrived in the Aleheather household! Read on to see what will ensue! :D And just a heads up, I may not have an update for next week on this fic. I have 2 weddings I'm going to for some friends coming up that will take up a bit of my time. I will try to update since I REALLY want to, but I just wanted to give you all a fair warning just to be safe! Hope you enjoy the chapter regardless! :)

(Heather's POV)

Ugh… why does everything in my life have to be so damn difficult and convoluted?!

Right now Alejandro and I made it back home and I guess Diego was out having dinner with Gerardo while Alejandro and I were out, that to me already 'tipping me off' that both of them were definitely in on this together.

But… ugh, whatever.

I'm just trying to figure out what the hell is going on?

All either Alejandro or I know is that Gerardo called and said Diego wanted to 'talk'. Whatever that is supposed to mean? Considering the last time all of us were in the same room, it ended up being more of a shit show than both of my sister's marriages combined.

But, as much as I still hate this… dammit.

I sat there and didn't even realize how tense I was until I saw Alejandro reach over and rest his hand on mine.

Since I wasn't 'in the mood' for another 'heart to heart', I tried to force myself to relax to keep Alejandro from cornering me into another talk when I'm already anticipating another 'ear full' from my son being an ungrateful little… I scrunched my eyes as I kept trying to force everything he said to me a couple days ago and accused me of out of my head.

But, before I could think of anything else, we heard the front door open and close as we heard footsteps getting closer to the sitting room.

Almost reflexively, Alejandro and I both shot our heads in that direction just in time to see Diego slowly step into view and look surprisingly not how I thought he was going to be.

Sure he was still hardly looking at either of us (especially me), but he didn't look 'angry' like the last time I saw him. Standoffish and unsure, yeah… but oddly not 'angry' which was not what I was expecting after not seeing him in days after that.

Even though we shared eye contact for a brief second before we both immediately looked in a different direction that wasn't at each other to avoid the painful, weird-ass awkwardness that was slowly but surely taking over the room like an ominous fog.

Ugh… what the hell is even happening anymore?!

We all just kind of stayed in silence until finally Diego let out a sigh before eventually saying, still not looking at either of us, "I'm just… I'm trying to figure out a good place to start. But, frankly… I don't think there is one. So, I'll just 'spit it out' then, I suppose. Because I saw "Total Drama" and I saw what you did, what both of you did."

My whole being immediately tensed up as my stomach dropped and my eyes went so wide I thought they were going to burst.

Because just… what the?… how did he? And when did he?!

Ugh… shit.

Thanks a lot Chris!

Alejandro and I thought we had that whole 'chapter' dead, buried, built over to never confront that 'shit show' again. So again, thanks for ruining 'everything' in my life Chris!

Now my son probably hates me even more now just because you wanted him as an easy 'cash grab' for ratings on your trash, dumpster fire programming! UGH!

But, I could tell now out of the corner of my eye that Alejandro was equally shocked since his eyes were wide and his back was so taut that I thought he was doing 'posture exercises' like we were forced to do back when I was in Junior League.

Though thinking back, I guess those weren't a total waste honestly since I have always had good posture.

Anyway, I hadn't seen Alejandro like this in forever since he's usually never bothered or swayed by much.

But, and as much as I hate to admit it, Diego got us… and he got us good.

My son can be a lot of things, but he is definitely not stupid.

Eventually we were both pulled out of ourselves when Diego sighed and continued, "Now, I know what 'I saw', but as I have been reminded… 'seeing' isn't everything. So, I want to give you a chance to tell me exactly what happened and why it happened."

My stomach continued to knot and even though I still don't regret what I did on the volcano to an extent, I could just 'feel' that was all aimed at me if my mother-in-law's opinions have anything to weigh in with it.

Ugh… dammit Chris.

I stood up, fully expecting to 'say my piece' until Diego looked me dead in the eye and immediately put his hand up as he said, very concise, "No… not you. I want to talk to Padre first… privately."

My eyes went even wider as I whipped my head over to see Alejandro looking even more shocked than he was before. But, eventually, he closed his eyes and looked like he was 'recomposing himself' before he let out a sigh and started, "Well… as you wish."

Alejandro then stood up and straightened his necktie before continuing, "What do you say we go to my study to talk privately? If that's what you want, hijo?"

Diego stood there before straightening up and almost solidifying his expression to show how serious he was about this before responding, sound dead set, "Sí… Padre."

Then as if I still wasn't confused as all get out already, my eyes went wide for a second as I felt Alejandro lean down from where he was standing to kiss me on the cheek.

But, right as I looked up at him, he was already walking off down the hall with Diego.

All I did was stare until I was surprised when Diego actually stopped a second and looked at me, still not seeming more so than before, before closing his eyes and shaking his head as he walked off down the hall.

So… what now?

(Diego's POV)

When I was little, my nanny used to play board games with me.

A lot of them involved dice and one of my favorites was this game called backgammon. It was a game kind of like checkers if it involved dice. Even now, I can vividly remember how much fun I would have putting the dice into the cup and shaking it around before spilling it onto the board to see how many spaces and pieces I could move.

But now… that whole description is a good analogy to describe how this whole situation makes me feel.

My body is practically like a cup with my insides rattling around inside like dice and I feel as if I am going to spill it all out into a fit of nausea and vomiting from how tense I am in this whole situation with my parents.

But… I have to do this.

Abuelo said to make sure I was in possession of all the facts, so I will… if not just for the sake that I still couldn't tell how he felt or how he reacted when I told him about Natalie and Felix.

He didn't seem to disapprove or be angry, but he also didn't say anything to the contrary either and seemed to just keep… thinking.

So, I guess not only can I lose my relationship with parents (since I still don't know how I can feel about or trust them), but I also probably was wrong about my grandparents and prove Natalie that I was wrong as well and have her either kill me or never want to see me again at a minimum.

Because apparently NOTHING can go right for me right now?!

My mind still kept racing until father finally caught my attention as he started, "So… what is it exactly that you wanted to know?"

I looked up from where I was sitting on the other side of the desk as Padre sat from his place with his hands folded in front of him. Although he was still trying to cover it up, I had never seen my father looking this on edge.

My father has always been a very grounded, calm, and calculating man who seemed to withstand the pressure that would make most people break for as long as I've known him.

So to see him looking in any way unsure? I have no idea what to think and only solidified the thought if I ever truly knew him at all?

Eventually I straightened up again as I finally got the gumption and capacity to speak full sentences as I replied, "Padre… I'll be honest. I… I don't know what to think? My entire life you always taught me the importance of being a gentleman and respecting women. But what I saw on the show… I just… WHAT WAS THAT?! Manipulating women's feelings for no other reason than to get a stupid cash prize?! Nearly putting people's lives in jeopardy to win an idoitic challenge?! DO I EVEN KNOW WHO ARE?!"

After my explosion, we both went into silence before Padre replied, running a hand through his hair, "Well… you aren't entirely wrong. Because you're right, I did teach you how to be a gentleman and showing chivalry. They were lessons of importance to me from my own parents long before I was even on the show."

"So then why did you do it, Padre?!" I exasperated in frustration at his own hypocrisy, at least in my opinion.

Eventually father slowly leaned forward and scrunched his eyes, using his right forefinger and thumb to pinch the bridge of his nose out of stress before replying, "Because it wasn't all about my desire to win… not entirely at least. While there was the money and fame and your mother… there was also something else that I was 'running from' even before all of that. I was in a bit of a different 'head space' when I started on "Total Drama" because of something back at home when we were still living in Canada while I was in high school."

I tilted my head, trying to figure out what the hell he was talking about to make anything seem possible or excusable.

But I hardly had time to respond as he said, sounding as if he was conceding, "As much as I was hoping to never discuss this after I have already discussed this with your mother a very long time ago, but… I see now I have no choice but to tell you as well about… Vanessa."

Vanessa?

I had no idea who this woman was… or why Padre spoke of her practically under his breath with an almost disgustedlook in his eyes.

And I had no time to ask any questions, Padre already answered for me, "A few months before I went on "Total Drama", I had no intention or even knew about much about TV shows honestly, much less reality shows. I simply had no time or interest for them… at least at the start. Between school, sports, applying to universities, and socializing I hardly had time for watching anything. But, that was until something happened when I got home from track practice at school."

I could feel myself leaning forward in intrigue.

15 minutes later

I… I have no words.

I was still trying to process 'everything' Padre just told me about the show and how he got on the show that I was surprisingly more fixated on than what I was confused about to begin with as I expressed in disbelief, "Your high school girlfriend was actually cheating on you with Tío José?"

Sure I don't have a 'high opinion' of my uncle or my Aunt Kelsey at all to begin with.

But… damn…

I knew my uncle was a slimy businessman who disliked my father, but I didn't think his standards or hate were that extensive to do something like that, even toward Padre.

It sounded like some absurd situation from a cheap Telenovela of some sort. And I could tell it still wasn't something my father wanted to talk about anymore either as he replied, "Trust me, it wasn't what you're making it out to be. Looking back on it even now, I was more disappointed in myself for not seeing what was happening sooner since they'd been up to that for months before I caught them. But Vanessa, your uncle… I was more angry than upset that I was played at that moment and I became more withdrawn for a period of time. Though I wasn't heartbroken in the slightest by comparison to my situation with your mother since I was angry with her for quite a long time after everything on the volcano… until your Abuelo talked some sense into me and made me realize everything I made myself blind to. I was a fool, Diego. I made my bed from my 'deeds' on the show just to win and I had to lie them as I healed from my injuries after the finale with your mother. But, make no mistake, it was my own doing... and mine alone. I was stupid and arrogant enough to underestimate your mother and foolishly taunt and tease her as I stood on the cusp of victory… and I paid the price for not approaching the situation differently. But that's all done and your mother and I talked and worked through everything a very long time ago. I'm not upset with your mother for what she did to me in the slightest anymore… and I don't want you to be upset or hold anything against her either Diego… for anything. In fact, and contrary to what you think, your mother loves and cares about you a great deal, mijo. I know she may not say much to you on that score like your Abuela does toward you and me, but I don't want you to hold it against her… because your madre isn't your abuela. We're all different people, Diego. And you shouldn't hold everyone to the same expectations when it comes to these matters."

I could feel my frustration coming to a head again as I spouted, "But, why? She acts as if she has never wanted to show me any sign of 'love' my entire life! Never mind just saying I 'did a good job'! Why is it so hard for her to just tell me?! Dios mío, she's my MOTHER! Shouldn't she just know?!"

My father continued to give me a serious look as leaned forward and countered smoothly, "Is that true? Or is it because you never told your mother yourself that is how you truly feel about it? Have you ever formally addressed this topic to her?"

On reflex, my eyes went wide in shock as he stood up and leaned over his desk slightly before continuing, "Diego, you and I know better than anyone the extent of your mother's mystery with her true feelings. It used to drive me insane for many different reasons at your age... and even now! However, that doesn't mean your mother is made of stone and has no feelings. Because I can guarantee that she does… and I saw it clearly when she told me and showed me earlier how much what you said hurt her, about you thinking she didn't care."

If my eyes were wide, they were now falling out of my head at this point as my stomach seized up at what father just said.

I… I hurt madre's 'feelings'?

As I continued to spiral into a state of shock, Padre squeezed my shoulder to call my attention again as he continued to elaborate, "Diego, I don't fully blame you for how you feel. You and I are much the same in this regard when it comes to your mother. At your age, as much as I loved her even then, she drove me absolutely loco with her stubbornness when it comes to her and her expressing true feelings for me. But, as I realized after her and I finally talked things through, she did love me too… and I think that's what you need to do with your mother now as well now."

My whole body tensed up and father gripped my shoulder a bit as he drove in, "Diego, I know you are conflicted and I know you still don't understand, but talking to her is something you have to do if you want to make peace with yourself and your mother. Take it from someone who had to do the same. Holding it in and not addressing this will not lead to anything good if you never give your mother a chance. Now, You tell me… what course of action do you want to take? The choice is entirely yours."

Well, well… it looks like someone's got some 'splaining to do! I deeply apologize for that awful, cringy reference. I spent an afternoon visiting my grandmother recently and watching "I love Lucy" with her and now I am addicted to watching and binging all the episodes of this show in my free time. But, hey… it's a classic! Haha. Anyway, back to relevance here, it looks like Alejandro (after swallowing his pride again) seemed to dig into his inner 'sage advice' distributor like his father to help Diego and Heather finally resolve their dispute. And it seems Diego has a lot to think about now, doesn't he? Will Diego and Heather make peace with each other? Stay tuned friends! ;) Seriously, just thanks to you all for coming around every update still to continue this fanfic journey with me. Bless you all from the bottom of my heart! As always constructive feedback is always much appreciated and hope you all have a wonderful weekend!

Stay classy, safe, and healthy all!

Dexter1995