Santiago Beltran

The whistle echoed across the field as Santiago Beltrán ran from one end to the other, feeling the fatigue building in his legs. The season was drawing ever closer, and the coach wasn't about to let anyone slow down. Every pass, every sprint, and every drill had a single purpose: to be ready when the games started.

However, no matter how focused he was on training, something else was occupying his thoughts. His family had been organizing a big gathering for weeks at their country house on the outskirts of the city. More than an ordinary property, the place felt like a small, enchanted forest, surrounded by tall trees, dirt paths, and quiet corners where the noise of the city seemed to vanish.

The news that had excited him most was learning that José Rojas, an old friend he hadn't seen in quite some time, would be passing through the region for a few days. Without thinking twice, he invited him to the family party, hoping to take advantage of the opportunity to catch up.

When the long-awaited day finally arrived, Santiago spent a good part of the afternoon helping with the preparations and greeting guests. Then he saw a pickup truck slowly approaching along the driveway. He immediately smiled when he recognized José at the wheel.

"José!" she greeted him enthusiastically as soon as she got out of the vehicle.

After exchanging a few words, Santiago began directing him to a parking spot. It was then that he noticed José hadn't arrived alone. In the passenger seat was Julián Alvarado, someone Santiago had known for some time. But what really caught his attention were the two young women with them, who, it seemed, were part of José's family.

As they spoke, his gaze lingered for a moment on one of them. Seated in the back of the truck, she remained engrossed in her phone screen.

Shaking off those thoughts, he pointed to the open space next to the trees.
"You can leave the truck there," he told them. "Come on, everyone's arriving now."
With one last look at the mysterious girl, Santiago led them into the property, unaware that this family gathering was about to turn into something much more interesting than he expected.