While you were Sleeping

33. Little bubble

"We need to get Eric out of here before dad sees him!" Eva shrieked. "He's going to kill us both!"

"Relax Eva, dad never comes here." Valentina tried to reassure her sister as she made her way to the window.

"Then who's outside?"

"I don't know." Valentina replied, staring out at the familiar SUV, which sat empty in the driveway. She looked around but there was no sign of the driver. "I can't see anyone."

Eva joined her at the window. Peering over Valentina's shoulder as she also tried to locate the occupants. "Oh, thank God, that's not dad's car!" Eva sighed, her body sagging in relief.

"Well, who the hell is it then?" Guille asked, stalking towards the window.

"Um guys...?" Juliana called from the living room. "I think Eric just passed out!"

A loud scraping sound pierced the air as the patio door behind them began to slide open. With a collective gasp, all heads silently swivelled to identify the new arrival before a very familiar couple stepped through.

"Dios mio! What a mess!" Announced the small woman as she stepped through the door and spotted the debris from breakfast. "This is a disgrace! Who did this?!" The woman turned, her eyes widening when she spotted all three Carvajal children. Together!

"Um, Chivis? Tiberio?" Valentina called as the older man shuffled in behind his wife. "What are you doing here?"

"Mi niños!" Tiberio spoke. "We did not expect to find you here. Your father sent us to check on the house as no one had visited in a while."

"Why are you all here?" Chivis asked suspiciously, her gaze moving between the siblings before settling on Valentina's robe. Her eyes widened as she glanced around, clearly looking for others. "Who else is here?"

"Chivis," Guille stepped forward, preventing her from exploring. "Why don't you and Tiberio head back home? As you can see, the house is fine. And don't worry, we'll clean up after ourselves."

Chivis gave him a stern look as she pointed towards the messy kitchen. "So, I see!"

"I'll clean it, I promise!" Valentina announced. "I made the quesadillas for breakfast. They were amazing!" Valentina beamed. "Thanks to you." She hoped flattery would distract her long enough to get her out.

Tiberio took his wife's arm. "This wonderful woman makes the best quesadillas," he declared, proudly while Chivis blushed and gave them a small smile.

"The best!" Guille agreed, giving the older couple a warm smile. "Now, get out of here you two. Go enjoy this beautiful day." Guille's tone was light and jovial as he tried to usher them back outside.

"Not so fast!" Chivis announced, raising her hand. "Your father had no idea anyone was using the house, why are you all here?" Her gaze swept the trio again, landing on Eva this time. "Evangelina?"

"We're planning a surprise for dad!" Valentina panicked, blurting out the first excuse she could think of. All eyes were on her as she continued. "We couldn't organise it at home or at the office so we agreed to meet out here."

Chivis and Tiberio shared a suspicious look. "Really?" She asked, unconvinced.

"Yes," Guille stepped forward to take the reins, "but it's top secret! Now don't you go telling him! Or anyone else for that matter." He wagged his finger playfully at her earning a laugh from Tiberio.

Valentina dreaded more questions, she and Guille were thinking on their feet, but Eva had gone mute. Chivis was like their grandmother, they wouldn't be able to lie to her much longer.