40 years later...

Valentina was finally back at Casita, visiting her friend Julieta whilst spending time with her and her sister's children. Since Valentina's frequent visits, the children have seen her as a tía, even though they weren't related. She often helped to take care of Antonio, and spent a lot of her time with Dolores and Pepa, but Valentina found that her time with Pepa was 'unenjoyable'. Valentina thought that maybe it was just her mood swings, or the storm cloud that would appear over the Casita every time Pepa was agitated, but it was something else...

"Oh, Valentina, you're here," Julieta spoke as Valentina entered the kitchen, "How are you?"

Valentina smiled, putting her luggage in the corner for Casita to carry to the spare room.

"I'm ok, thank you," she muttered.

"Good,"

Julieta finished off her arepas con queso and put the food away in her cupboard, turning to Valentina with a humble smile.

"So, you haven't been harassed by Pepa yet?" Julieta laughed, standing next to Valentina.

"W-what do you mean? Why would I be harassed by Pepa?"

"Well, you used to be friends with my brother Bruno right? Since his... disappearance, Pepa has been completely refusing to talk about him, getting angry whenever his name is mentioned..."

Valentina looked down at the ground, remembering what had happened to Bruno. She still didn't know where he was, but she hoped that he was at least alive and well.

"But..." Julieta continued, "Let's not start your visit off with such a negative attitude! I'll show you to the spare room."

The two of them walked out of the kitchen and up the main staircase, rushing around so no one would see them and, therefore, interrupt them. But as they walked past the rooms, they came across one door that sent shivers down Valentina's back.

It was the door to Bruno's tower, void of the light that lit up everyone else's doors so brightly. It was a clear sign that Bruno's powers hadn't been used in 10 years, and just the sight of the unlit door was depressing.

Soon, Julieta successfully got Valentina to the spare room. It was similar to the nursery, but more plain and less colourful. The place was lightly decorated with butterfly drawings on the walls, colourful flowers growing in a few of the corners (obviously made by Isabella), and a bit of furniture, but the place seemed just as unique as the rest of Casita. 

"Ok, I'll see you soon, Valentina. I have a dinner to prepare for tomorrow, so feel free to check in." Julieta smiled.

"Ok, see you soon," 

Julieta closed the door, leaving Valentina on her own in silence. She flopped down on the bed, and laid on her back, staring blandly at the ceiling.

'Finally,' Valentina thought, 'People are finally talking about Bruno now...'

She got up from her bed and went over to her bags, where she grabbed a framed photo from her small satchel. It was a photo of her and Bruno, sat by the small river behind the hills. Valentina blushed, and put the photo on her bedside table. Since Bruno's disappearance, her feelings for him had grown, and it was almost unbearable at that point. She always hoped that he'd return one day, but it was likely that he would be gone forever.

Valentina laid back down on her bed, and closed her eyes, her hand placed over where her heart was.

"I love you, Bruno..." Valentina whispered.

(564 words, sorry for the short chapter)