Lo Que la Vida Me Robó Lunes 7/14/14 #174

Chapter 174: Eye of the Storm

Almonte Hacienda: Victor Hernandez had always been a romantic. He had begun his courtship of the beautiful Nadia Argüelles with a cart full of flowers on the estate of his best friend. In the same place he brought her a chamber orchestra for the proposal. She was delighted. Their little daughter watched them. She smiled at her parents' happiness. They had no idea what would shortly be waiting for them.

María's Apartment: Padre Anselmo was making his rounds visiting those whom he thought most needed his guidance. His arrival was not expected by the country girl turned whore.

“What a surprise,” she said. She didn't look happy to see him. “I never expected you to come looking for me here.”

“I will never forget how you deceived me to steal something that wasn't yours,” he began.

“Surprise. That was a long time ago. Where were you all these years?”

“Let's just say a retreat where I was praying for all the souls that have gone astray. Like yours.”

“I advise you not to waste your time praying for me,” she said. “Better spend it on Alejandro and Monserrat. From now on they will need all your prayers. You don't know what's waiting for them.”

“I don't know you anymore, María,” he replied. “ You are not the little girl I knew at the hacienda. If anyone had told me you would become this person, I would never have believed it.”

“Believe what? The only person guilty for what's happened to my life is Alejandro,” she said, getting up. “I swear to you he will be sorry for never accepting my love.”

“What are you talking about, María? You have become your Uncle Juventino. Remember how that man ended up? It's time to reflect, my child. You need to repent of your sins.”

He was shocked when she laughed.

“Ah, dear God, Father,” she said as she approached him. “I'm not interested in repentance. What's more,” she said as she touched him from behind, “I have already been to hell.”

He turned around. He had never heard anyone say this before.

“But believe me,” she continued. “I will reel Alejandro in in the end.”

“My God,” he said, shaking his head in disbelief.

Solares Apartment: Refugio Solares sat on the couch, holding his baby son. He was becoming accustomed to being a father. He told little Angel that he would win back his mother's love. Esmeralda returned from her workout. She wanted to bathe, but he insisted upon speaking with her. About honesty. She had never told him that María Zamudio was employed at La Escondida. She explained that she did that as a favor to Ezekiel when he had been chief of police. It was to protect María from Pedro Medina, who had almost beaten her to death. She had disappeared a couple of years later and no one knew where she had gone. He pointed out that she was now employed there again. Esmeralda didn't know; she had been rehired behind her back. She wasn't happy about this, but made nothing else of it.

Álvarez House: Mad Dog Álvarez opened the door to the padre. He had a tequila bottle in hand. The bottle was more than half empty. The padre apologised for just dropping in, but said he always went where he was needed. They went into the study. The padre declined his offer of a drink. They sat on either side of the desk.

“Son, this isn't the way to dispel your pain.”

“What are you talking about, Father? Would you prefer I take that pistol and shoot Alejandro for all the rage I have inside?”

“Why don't you put it away, son? Put it away.”

Mad Dog looked at the pistol through his drunken haze. He put it in the desk drawer.

“Never did I think I would ever have to save your soul,” said the good priest. “I always prayed to God for you.”

“Stop telling me that. Your prayers have done nothing.”

“Don't say that, son.”

“It's so unfair, Father!” he shouted. “It's so unfair, at least to me. God has abandoned me; what has He given me in exchange? Why is He punishing me? Taking away love?”

“No, son. You need to resign yourself. At least to learn to lose, son.”

“Oh, please, Father, what are you talking about? I've lost everything that meant anything in my life. And you know what? I'm fed up. Look, I have sacrificed. And what good has that done me? So now, things are different.”

“Do not abandon God, my son.”

“God? God? God? Oh, please. I curse God. I curse God!” He watched the priest's expression change to despair. “He took Angélica from me. Then I had a chance to marry Monserrat and have a child. And then what did God do? I'll tell you what He did. Saved Alejandro from the accident. He came back here and once again, he took everything that meant anything to my life.” He swallowed as he caught his breath. “You want to see what I have left from my marriage to Monserrat?” He bent over to pick up the photo he had hurled the day before. “Look at this, Father. This.” He threw it back down on the floor.

“You're also waiting for a baby to be born.”

“A child. A child I can't have at my side, Father. Does that sound fair to you?” He drank again from the bottle. “This is my payment for saving Alejandro's life several times? I have sacrificed many times for him. I'm tired of this. My soul doesn't need salvation. God hasn't been fair to me. Therefore I will do justice by my own hand. Alejandro and Monserrat will pay for their treachery.”

Father Anselmo stared in disbelief. This was not the man he knew eight years before.

Outdoor Café: Joséfina Valverde arrived at the café that overlooked the town square. Just as she was about to begin reading Dimitrio arrived and asked to join her.

“You remember? This is the place where I stood on the stepladder and shouted to the whole world that I loved you.”

“Yes. It was crazy, but very romantic.”

“Romantic, but a lot of good it did me. You still went away. Which was the right thing because we weren't ready to be together.”

Joséfina didn't want to go down that road. “Why are we talking about this?”

“Because...I don't know... because... we never talked about our feelings.

“Of course.” She was uncomfortable with this line. “Well, I'm going away again.”

“A long trip? Again?”

“Yes. But if you need me in Aguazul, I'll change my plans.”

“Thanks, but go ahead. You're going with Adolfo?”

“Yes, I'm going with Adolfo.”

“Then I guess that's it. Have a great trip.”

They said goodbye. Joséfina wasn't sure she wanted to.

Outside Mendoza/Basurto Manor: Both Adolfo and Ezekiel were tense.

“We can't take this lying down, Adolfo. We have to find Pedro before he finds us.”

“I have all my people looking for him. They have instructions to contact you as soon as there is any news.”

“Why me?”

“You're in total charge. I've leaving Aguazul.”

“No, no, no, no. What are you talking about? You can't just go and leave me with this problem.”

“I've made my decision. I've had it with this garbage. Ezekiel, I have to change my life.”

“You're an imbecile! You're in too deep. We have to solve this together. We have to put our heads together and think. Do you want to lose everything because of your brother-in-law?”

“Yes. I'm done with it all.” Ezekiel looked back in shock. “I want to leave it all behind. I want a simple life with the woman I love. I don't need anything else.”

“No. No. You know too much for me to let you leave.”

“I'm not going to talk. I don't want to end up in prison. I won't talk. That's how this ends. You're in charge. Let me go. You don't need me, really.”

“Of course I need you. Big time.”

“You can take care of everything. Besides you don't help me.” He handed his pistol to him and started to leave.

“Adolfo,” said Ezekiel, looking down at the heater. Adolfo came back. “Very well. Go. Enjoy your simple life. Until Medina finds you and it breaks into smithereens. Go.”

Adolfo snatched back the gun before he left. Ezekiel wasn't confident he could deal with this alone.

Almonte Beach House: Alejandro and Monserrat had waited too long for their fresh start. They were painting the interior of the house. The blue walls were being covered with a fresh coat of ivory paint to signify the clean slate they hoped for their lives. Father Anselmo walked right in. For once his day was looking brighter. Dimitrio came in right behind him.

“Hey, are we going to talk about Gaudencia and whether she's found a new pigeon?” Dimitrio asked, half-joking.

“Father, is it true that my mother grew up in poverty in a tin shack outside town?” Monserrat asked.

“Yes, my child. The whole world knows; it's not a secret in the confessional. Disgracefully, Benjamin didn't take this well when he found out. Your mother thought she could hook him and that's why she got pregnant.”

“My God. My father died without knowing so many things about my mother.”

“How is it possible that Father died without knowing that Gaudencia Jimenez was poor – “

“Stop it, young man!” Padre Anselmo had hoped his bad day was coming to an end. “Don't talk like that about your mother. Do you understand?” They all fell silent. “Well, that's done. I will pray for your mother's soul. Now, I'd like to see Rosario about some coffee.”

He went to the kitchen. As he left Dimitrio took a paint roller to help.

The paint dried just in time for the new furniture and carpeting. The Almontes began to relax and enjoy their lives. It would have been easier if Mad Dog Álvarez hadn't been stalking them.

Montage of the Passage of Time (about 6 months)

 

Beach: Alejandro and Monserrat walked along the shoreline. They were thinking of the child that would soon be born. They looked up and saw Mad Dog Álvarez staring at them.

Rome, Italy Jewelry Store: Gracie was living her wildest dream. She was spending the money she fleeced on expensive jewelry while sales clerks fawned over her. She gave not a single thought to any of her children.

Mexico, Women's Prison: While Monserrat worried about where Mad Dog would turn up next, Fabiola – the daughter Gracie had thrown to the wolves – was running from the other inmates.

María's Apartment: María refused to give up her delusions. She dressed in a green daytime dress with an A-line skirt.. She put on the blonde wig she wore when attempting to trap Alejandro. She imagined him approaching her from behind, saying sweet nothings. But it all came to nothing. She pulled off the wig and collapsed on her bed.

Solares Apartment: Refugio wouldn't give up trying to reconcile with Esmeralda. Although she loved that he was a caring father she still would not forgive him.

Almonte Hacienda: Monserrat and Carlota helped Nadia choose her bridal gown. Although she could not see her reflection she somehow knew she looked beautiful.

Almonte Beach House: Mad Dog Álvarez refused to give up. He brought a red car to Lauro for his birthday, a plausible excuse to enter. Alejandro wanted to throw him out, but stopped himself.

Town Square: Ezekiel ran for the governor's office, giving speeches. Carlota stood by him like a politician's wife should.

Bakery Café: The citizens of Aguazul kept Macario and Dominga very busy indulging their love of sweets. Maybe a few dentists were also busy.

Hospital: Monserrat had an ultrasound test to make sure the baby was alright. Alejandro was at her side.

 So was Mad Dog Álvarez, who arrived uninvited. When he tried to touch her abdomen she sent him to stand behind the doctor, saying he was blocking her view of the screen. She said nothing about the fact that although it was allmost seven months later he still wore his wedding ring.

Managua, Nicaragua: Joséfina and Adolfo helped orphaned children by buying and building swing sets and other things for them. Adolfo felt free for the first time in his life.

Almonte Beach House: Dimitrio was still nursing a broken heart. His nephew and little Victoria tried to help by getting him to play with them.

Almonte Hacienda, Bedroom: Monserrat and Joséfina helped Nadia dress on her wedding day. They declared her beautiful. She was, because she was happy. She thanked Joséfina for coming home with Adolfo in time for the wedding.

“My friend, we are so happy for you!” Joséfina said as she hugged her.

“Has the bouquet been delivered, Joséfina?” asked Monserrat.

“I think so. Can you check?” Monserrat went out to get it.

“Now, walk a little so I can see the train. Is it too long?” Joséfina said. Monserrat returned with a large box. “Good. You're all ready.”

Monserrat opened the box and jumped back in horror.

“Ay! A scorpion! Who could have done this?”

“Ay, it's the only thing I don't like about your husband's hacienda,” Joséfina said. She carefully removed the bouquet from the box, shaking it to make sure the scorpion fell out of it.

“Did you get the scorpion out?” asked Nadia, who was finally becoming a nervous bride. She could not see that Joséfina had closed the box on the ugly creature.

“Yes, it's in the box. I'll take it out into the garden, poor thing.”

“Joséfina, I never imagined you not being afraid of such insects,” said Monserrat.

“You can't imagine the rare animals I've seen in my travels. You learn a lot.”

She examined the bouquet once again before handing it to Nadia.

Study: Alejandro and the priest sat in the study, awaiting the groom. When he arrived the padre gently scolded him that it was high time he made an honest woman of Nadia after living in sin with her for so long. Macario arrived with a bottle of mescal and some glasses.

Porch: Dimitrio stared out into the garden. Adolfo arrived in time to disturb his thoughts.

“What are you thinking about? The time we came here to blackmail Monserrat?”

“I didn't know you had returned from your trip.”

“I had to be here for my sister's wedding. Tell me about it. How are you?”

“You know what I was thinking about? Around this time I was going to marry Mónica.”

“I'm very sorry.”

“You can't begin to understand it all. I can't sleep. Only that someone better than I will kill The Scorpion. It won't be me.”

“We understood that Pedro was dead.”

“Pedro? Pedro, no. Pedro is alive. And Pedro isn't The Scorpion.”

“Why do you say that?” Adolfo was forcing himself to remain cool.

“First of all, The Scorpion hides. He wouldn't wear a pendant like Pedro did. He was at the funeral, then he wasn't.”

Adolfo was having trouble facing him. He was rescued by the arrival of Virginia Arechiga, but not from what was left of his conscience.

Parlor: The ladies were admiring little Angel Solares. Dominga spoke of how much she wanted to be a mother. Ezekiel asked whether she and her husband would consider adopting a child. Dominga loved the idea. Carlota promised her help.

Monserrat's doctor arrived. Carlota said that Alejandro had been very attentive regarding his expectant wife. In fact, she was getting tired of him fussing over her. The baby was due in fifteen days.

Lauro and Victoria came in and Rosario instructed them as to their task during the wedding. The men arrived and announced they would go out to the chapel to wait. Monserrat came downstairs to announce that the bride was ready.

Outdoor Chapel: Nadia walked down the aisle on the arm of her brother. Victor stood before the altar in a handsome white suit. They took their vows before their friends.

Alejandro and Monserrat presented the rings.

Joséfina and Adolfo presented the gold coins.

Lauro and Victoria draped the bridal knot over them as they knelt for the prayer.

At last they were married. Little did any of them know that darkness was about to fall very suddenly.

Mendoza/Basurto Manor: Manuela opened the door to see Gracie, whom she was not expecting.

“Doña Carlota didn't say you were returning.”

“Where is that ridiculous woman and that joke of a husband of hers?”

“Nobody else is here. They're all at Don Alejandro's hacienda. Doña Nadia is marrying Don Victor.”

“Those two are getting married? I never thought Pedro would divorce that blind slut. Now help the driver take all those bags up to my room.”

“Si, si.”

“And don't make faces, Manuela. I'm going to make Ezekiel an offer he can't refuse and there are going to be a lot of changes around here. You get that?” Manuela didn't answer. “Hurry up.”

“Si, Señora.” Manuela was already imagining the abuse in her future.

Restaurant: Refugio – who would have preferred to accompany Esmeralda – was in Mad Dog Álvarez' company. Neither was in any kind of a good mood.

“Esmeralda won't see me. She didn't want me with her at the wedding.”

“It's a pity you haven't resolved this situation. I don't understand.”

“I've given her time. In the past two months, she doesn't want anything to do with me.”

“I understand. Monserrat doesn't want anything to do with me either. The worst is she doesn't want to return to my arms. Even if Alejandro were to die, that won't happen.”

Refugio gave him a suspicious look. “Why do you say that?”

Mad Dog shrugged. “Nobody's life is guaranteed.”

“You're scaring the crap out of me. Get that woman out of your head. This is obsession. Monserrat isn't the only woman on the face of the earth.”

“I know she's not the only woman, but she's the mother of my daughter. You know what? The only thing that consoles me and keeps me alive is knowing that my daughter will be born soon. And that sooner or later they will pay for everything they've done to me. Absolutely. Karma exists.”

Refugio stared hard at him. He wasn't looking at the same man who had once been his best friend.

Outdoor Chapel: As the bride and groom kissed, the guests called for the bouquet. Victor helped her to aim. The unmarried ladies gathered and Joséfina caught it.

“Well, I guess this is a sign,” said Adolfo.

“Adolfito, she teased.

A few feet away, Monserrat doubled over in pain.

“Ay, Alejandro; it's coming.”

Alejandro called for help to get Monserrat to the hospital. The doctor was immediately at her side. “There isn't enough time; it's three hours away.” she said. She began giving orders to get her medical bag, boil water, and everything else seen in the movies about sudden labor. She and Alejandro then led Monserrat into the house.

Amelia Arechiga took out her cell phone. She called Mad Dog Álvarez to give him the news. He ended the call and told Refugio, who said he would accompany him.

Bedroom: The doctor had been prepared. She did her best to calm her patient and her nervous husband. Finally she sent everyone else out.

Good thing, because Macario looked ready to faint. Alejandro refused to leave, so the doctor began giving him instructions.

Reception: The guests enjoyed their meals under the light of a full moon.

Adolfo put off a business discussion with Ezekiel to dance with the bride. Victor got his little daughter to dance with him. All seemed right with the world.

Parlor: Carlota thought that Alejandro's worrywart behavior had made Monserrat afraid. Dimitrio was worried about Monserrat giving birth outside of a hospital. Carlota told him that the doctor wasn't concerned about anything bad happening. It had been three hours since they had gone upstairs. Dominga finally came in with a tea tray, for which Carlota thanked her profusely.

Just as Mad Dog Álvarez arrived the cry was heard. Carlota and Dimitrio hugged. As did Mad Dog and Refugio.

Mendoza/Basurto Manor: Gracie sat in the dining room having her evening coffee. She looked up to see Pedro Medina, who had entered without being announced.

“I knew you came back from your trip,” he said. “I wanted to greet you personally, Gracie.”

She looked as though she needed a vomitorium.

Almonte Hacienda: Monserrat held the baby as Rosario took away the soiled sheets and the doctor's scrubs. The doctor told her that they should go to the hospital in the morning. That was to see the pediatrician and so she could give Monserrat a thorough exam. Alejandro asked to hold the baby, so she handed her to him.

“You are adorable!” he said to the baby. To Monserrat he said “You never said what you wanted to name her.”

“Actually, I didn't think about that.”

“I know that it's not an option, that it would be impossible, but so that you won't have any doubt that I will always love her as if she were my (biological) daughter, I would love it if she were named Alejandra.”

He followed Monserrat's line of sight and saw Mad Dog Álvarez standing right behind him.  They had not heard him enter.