Caray, Caray!

 Hey, JudyB, tonight it is left-over solid chocolate bunnies: milk chocolate, dark chocolate and white chocolate on the patio. I will make sure we have some hot coffee to go with them. Take good care and we will see you on the patio!

1. Tavo is unwilling to spend years in litigation with Connie. He only wants the property that his parents left him. Tavo's request does not go over well since Connie doesn't like the fact that his suggestion includes the  rooming house he wants for his lover.  She doesn't care if Chole and the renters end up living  under a bridge.  If he hasn't noticed, SHE is doing just fine.  He disagrees reminding her she is all alone. Connie corrects him.  She is not alone but  in the process of getting exactly what she has always wanted.

2. Chente has put on a crisp white shirt and black pants. He asks for Ben's approval and gets it as he finishes off his look with a black suit coat. He asks Ben how he looks and if Natalia is going to whistle at him when she sees him. Ben smiles and nods eagerly.  

3. Natalia is in the kitchen when Chente make his entrance  greeting her with a "good morning, PARTNER." As they talk about the new business, he does everything possible for her to notice him in the suit. He ends up taking off the jacket and unbuttoning his shirt as he mentions how hot it is.  She still doesn't get it and asks him to sit down so that can talk about Granny Magos.  He asks what the doctor said. Natalia says there is hope.

4. Up in her bedroom, Granny Magos is telling Tere that the doctor was very kind and explained it all so very clearly to her but she wants to operate on her.  Tere tells her it is normal to feel nervous about having surgery and asks if  Granny Magos doesn't want to continue enjoying life with her grandsons and her great grandson. Granny Magos is upset she doesn't have a choice and that she will have to spend four days in the hospital after the surgery.  That is far too long for Granny Magos. Tere lectures her on surgery being no small thing and having to recuperate. Granny Magos doesn't want to "croak" in surgery. Tere admits that all surgery has risks but she will be in professional hands and with anesthesia she won't feel a thing. That is what bothers Granny Magos.  Tere tries to comfort her saying she will send all the little angels to be with her but Granny Magos will not change her mind. 

5. Natalia tells Chente there is the possibility that his grandmother's tumor is benign and Granny Magos could recuperate totally. Natalia adds that there is also the possibility that it is cancer and if that is the case, Granny Magos will need further treatment.  They will not know anything until after surgery and the tumor is  analyzed. Chente says that Granny Magos will have her family with her. Natalia reminds him that is the most important thing.  Chente grabs Natalia's hands and she notice but doesn't pull away. He says he doesn't know how to thank her for everything she has done for his granny. She has turned into a blessing in their lives. He moves a strand of her hair and they almost kiss when Mario walks into the kitchen observing it all. (Since when do people just walk into other peoples' houses??? I would kick his big old butt out of mine) Natalie looks stricken as Mario asks if he was interrupting anything. Chente gives Mario "the look."

6. Tere tells Granny Magos she doesn't like her attitude. This is her only alternative. Granny Magos wants her last days to be peaceful without  doctors all around her butchering her like a chicken on a bed. Tere smiles and  reminds her that she still has so many things to share with her grandsons. Granny Magos says she has the right to leave this world under her own rules. Tere asks her not to be like that. Tere asks her to do it for her family. Granny Magos changes the subject and asks Tere to get her husband to help her with writing her will. Realizing she has lost the argument, Tere slowly nods. 

7. Back in the  kitchen, Chente will not be bullied or moved. Mario says he is finding out about all of the legalities they have to deal with like the permits, licenses, etc.  Natalia is pleased that they are making headway. In order to get the focus off of Mario and to rub his relationship with Natalia in Mario's face, Chente sits in front of Natalia and tells her that something is pinching  him under the collar in back of his shirt. She takes a look at his neck and cannot find a thing. Natalia asks if Mario can find out what all of the "legalities" will cost so they can start with the investments. Mario nods.

8. A freed Adrián steps out of the jail and a jubilant Claudio is there to meet him.  Claudio goes to give him a hug and Adrián bats him away. Adrián is moving fast. He is going to get his life back which means his kids and of course his wife because Natalia is still HIS. 

9. Chente is seated next to Natalia as they discuss possible names for the restaurant with Mario. Chente isn't happy with Mario's "gourmet" suggestion. He thinks they need something simple that won't scare off customers. Natalia says that Chente is right on that one. Chente says there is nobody who understands the neighborhood better than he. Mario asks the "King of the 'hood" to give him a suggestion. Chente likes "La Sabrosa" (The Tasty Place)That doesn't do it for Mario who thinks  it sounds like cantina. Natalia has to agree with Mario on that one. Natalia thinks the name can wait and that they need to get the finances nailed down. Chente thinks they should canvas the fondas (family restaurants) in the area and see what is served and what people are willing to pay. Mario declares that he did that ALREADY by going out with Vale and starts to lose it as he tells them that they all serve the same things: soup, rice, beans, greasy stews and lots and lots of tortillas. Mario gets on his high horse and vociferously explains to Chente that they are looking for a customer of another level for Natalia's restaurant like he and she  find in the places they are used to frequenting. Finally, Chente says that he doesn't agree as Mario raves on. Natalia cannot take it and tells both of them that if they cannot get along, the business will be over before it even starts.  Mario makes faces at Chente as he points to Natalia to reinforce her point.

10. JuanGa meets Olga on the street. She is like one of the seven wonders of the world.  He cannot compliment her enough but the fact that he has no money and wants to take her to see his granny so she can give them her blessing doesn't go over well. She doesn't want to see Granny Magos because she knows she will say something to make her feel bad. Juanga tries to explain that Granny Magos is sick and old. When people get old they get more persnickety. He asks that she do it for him because Granny Magos doesn't have much time left. She agrees but warns him that he needs to start earning some money because she needs a guy who can take her out. He starts talking about opening his own auto shop but the problem is he can't get the money. Olga  thinks that he should go talk to Connie. She and  Tavo are on the outs and she would probably love the idea of opening a shop that could compete with Tavo. JuanGa says he could never pull something crooked like that on Tavo. She asks him if he has never heard that all is fair in love and business. JuanGa looks upset but also confused one more time.

11. Regina and 2XJosé have just returned from the prep school to the rooming house. Now they have to study so they can pass the admission testing to enroll together. He says the best thing is that he won't be separated from her.  It is clear that she has heard what he meant even though he tries to "clarify" what he "really wanted to say" to lessen the impact, he cannot stop smiling and neither can she. 

12. A guy in the neighborhood sees Chente all dressed up in his suit and gives him a jokingly hard time about it. 

13. Mario tries to explain to Tavo that he will gain nothing by talking to Connie. Tavo says he had to try to save the boarding house. Mario asks him to just let him continue with his plan. Tavo doesn't see himself having any other choice. Mario asks that he to stop acting on impulse and to be discrete and not to mention one word of their strategy to Claudio. Tav tells him not to worry. Mario believes it will all turn out well.

14. Tere goes to see Natalia in the kitchen. She needs her to talk to Granny Magos because she isn't going to have the surgery. She is convinced she will die in surgery. Natalie knows that Chente will go crazy when he hears that. Natalia will go talk to her and bring her some of her "tortilla española" (Spanish omelette) with the excuse that she wants to see how she likes it. 

15. Natalia brings Granny Magos the tortilla española to try. Granny Magos finds it delicious. Natalia is so happy that she likes it. Natalia hopes that the customers will feel the same way when they come to their restaurant. Granny Magos loves seeing her so enthusiastic. Natalia asks what is this she has heard about Granny Magos refusing surgery. In tears, Granny Magos admits that she is so very afraid of hospitals and explains that her son and his wife left the hospital in coffins. That is why she doesn't trust them. Natalia asks if she want to leave her grandsons all alone and asks her to see the surgery as giving her more time to live with the people she loves. She asks her to give herself one more chance. Granny Magos is terrified of dying under anesthesia. It happened to one  of her friends  who ended up with her mouth stuck open like a mummy. Natalia asks Granny Magos to think about it. Granny Magos only hopes Natalia will be there for her Chente for a long time. 

16. Adrián has taken up residence at Vero's house. Claudio asks how he managed that.  Adrián explains that Vero's employee is used to seeing him around the house frequently.  Besides that, Adrián bought a lot of the things in the house and Vero still doesn't know. When she comes back to Mexico to kick him out, he will be waiting for her. Claudio has to acknowledge that Adrián likes living on the edge. 

17. Mario is eating with Connie who hopes that he has some good news.  Tavo doesn't deserve to get anything that doesn't belong to him. Mario says she can relax because he managed to save all of her property. He cannot get his hands on anything that is under her name.  She is pleased and ready to discuss his fees. He shows her his bill and is expecting 5%. She thinks that is fair. She congratulates him on earning a great deal of money. Mario points out that he wants to be paid with two real estate properties: the shop and the rooming house. She cannot believe it! He informs her that tomorrow they will be signing the agreement before a notary.  Connie is shocked. 

18. Claudio and Adrián are chatting. Adrián was not pleased with Regina's attitude towards him. He refuses to let it go as Claudio suggests. He insists that he is going to get his family back. Claudio thinks that is a rather shameless attitude for him to take given his situation. Adrián has to agree with him. Claudio asks if he really thinks that the girls and Natalia will forgive him someday. Adrián doesn't know but he will do whatever is in his power to have a second chance with his family. 

19. Connie is over being shocked and wants to know why Mario is so interested in the shop and the rooming house. She thinks it is ridiculous. If he is interested in real estate,  she could easily give him her property in Las Lomas. Mario asks if she is really interested in those two properties. She explains  that she doesn't want Tavo ending up with the shop and  Chole  living on her property. Mario tells her that she  will have to get used to to it because his condition is non-negotiable. She says she is paying him so she will set the conditions. He visually reminds her of all of the illegal transfers of money that were made in her name before the divorce. She asks what he is going to do with the properties. He says that is his business. She is not happy. Mario tells her to get ready then to give Tavo one half of all of her assets in the divorce. It is her decision.

20. JuanGa and Olga are at Chente's. Granny Magos is asleep and JuanGa doesn't want to wake her up. That is just fine with Olga. JuanGa talks about the family getting the money together to help cure her. Olga only wants to know where they would be getting that money from. She says he is going to have to get WORKING! He says he will do whatever to get his granny well so she can give them her blessing and then he is all over Olga one more time.  She extricates herself and is out of there ASAP. 

21. Félix is making the rounds and sees Mario. Mario says he thought he was in jail and asks what he is doing around there. Mario asks him if he needs something. Félix says he has a message for him from jail and punches him in the face and the gut.  He has nothing against Mario but is giving him a message: stay away from Adrián Cantú's wife unless he wants to end up dead. . Félix tells him he has been warned as Mario picks up his briefcase and starts to walk away. Félix laughs and gets back in his car. 

22. Vale sees Mario's face when he gets back to his room. He explains it was his old cellmate who did it to him. He also tells her that as far as Connie is concerned, he is going to have real good news in a couple of days. Vale offers to help Mario take care of his face. He explains that the his old cellmate  was named Félix and had a horrible scar across his face.Vale jumps up and asks if Núñez is the guy's last name. Mario says it is. She informs him that he is the miserable guy who is after  her.  

23. Now JuanGa has one of Chente's suits and shirt on asking Natalia how he looks. She ignores that and tells him they have conversation pending. He apologizes for the blockheaded thing that he did.  He realizes that he made a mistake. She tells him that he crossed a very delicate line talking to her daughter like he did. He swears on his grandma's life that he will not do it again. She thanks him for apologizing. He goes on to tell her that Lucía was the best woman in the world but she Natalia must also be very special. He is saying that because his brother cares so much for her in such short time. Maybe they deserve another chance at love. He apologizes again and leaves. Natalia smiles . 

24. Chente is in the red truck with Ben who has a bouquet of white roses that he is holding. Chente tells Ben that Natalia is going to be happy when she sees everything they bought for the business. Chente sees that clown of a brother of his (JuanGa), who is wearing his new suit, walking down the street. He remarks that this time JuanGa went too far . . . 

25. Chente and Ben bring in the first delivery of supplies for the restaurant. Natalia is happy but concerned about what and how much food he bought. She does appreciate Chente's initiative and is grateful. She asks it he has the receipt. He goes out to the truck to get it. Ben runs into her arms. She asks Ben if he is happy that she and his father are going to work together.  Ben jumps up and down in joy. Chente is back and hands her the receipt and a bouquet of white roses  . . . He asks if she likes flowers. She smiles and says of course she does. She caresses his face and says they are precious and perfect. Ben is watching so they do not kiss but Chente gives him a fist bump instead. 

26. As Adrián looks at Chente's house from the street, Natalia, Chente and Ben are unpacking the supplies. Chente tells Ben to get busy with his homework. Ben throws Natalia some kisses and takes one rose to give to Granny Magos. As Adrián approaches Chente's house, Mario appears and punches him in the face. Mario tells him that he doesn't need to send anyone to beat him up. 

27. Natalia thanks Chente for the gesture but is concerned because of the amount of things he bought and the fact is that  they don't have the restaurant up and running yet. Chente understands but suggests that she can use everything for the samples, right??? She is only asking that he consult with her before going shopping. She points out the perishables and ingredients they may not use for the recipes. Chente  admits he messed it all up when he was trying to surprise her. He picks up the roses and asks if she at least like the flowers. Natalia smiles as he hands them to her. She says of course she did as she smells them. She says they smell delicious and are beautiful. He adds "just like her" and touches her face lightly.

28. Outside, Adrián has slammed Mario into a wall and has told him that he will not dare put a hand on him again. Mario says at least hasn't a coward like Adrián.  He asks how much he paid that wretch to beat him up. Adrián pretends to not know what he is talking about. Mario tells him not to play the idiot with him but Adrián continues to deny any culpability. Mario wants to know how a guy like Adrián could be out of jail. All Adrián will say is that he is a free man. Mario says he was jailed for something he didn't do. Adrián asks if it has ever occurred to him that maybe he is innocent, too??? Mario  thinks he deserves to be rotting in jail.  Adrián tells him the only reason he is here showing his face is because he wants to repair all of the damage he did. All he wants is for HIS family to forgive him. Mario tells not to think about approaching Natalia. Adrián tells Mario that she still is HIS wife. Mario laughs in his face  saying Natalia hates him and he will not be hurting her again. She doesn't want to know anything about him. She is a strong and brave woman and she really knows what she wants. Adrián asks how Natalia could want a mediocre man like him?? He tells Mario not to be ridiculous. If he was never enough of a man for Vero, he would even be less of a man for Natalia. Mario grabs Adrián but this time Adrián punches him in the face. Adrián says he doesn't need to hire anyone to bash in Mario's face. Adrián leaves. 

29. Natalia tells Chente that if he can help her cook, they can make new kinds of tortillas españolas with all of the ingredients he brought. He says that JuanGa is better at that. Cooking is not in his wheel house. Well, she is not settling for that. She doesn't want to hear that he is one of those men that only come into the kitchen only to drop off their dirty dishes. He says that isn't him because he does wash them . . . . She informs him that he is going to have to learn the basics of cooking  to be involved in the business. She tells him to take off his suit coat. She gets an apron for him.  He makes it clear that  he is only wearing it because his suit jacket is brand new. He enjoys her tying the apron around his neck.

30. Claudio has bad news for Tavo as he meets him at the cantina but first they need a whiskey to soften the blow. Claudio just found out that Connie signed all of her assets into the power of third parties. Tavo doesn't react and Claudio wants to know why. Claudio emphasizes how bad this is for their plans. She screwed them over. Tavo says for the umpteenth time that Connie can do what she wants with all of her money. All he wants is his shop and the rooming house. Claudio suspects that Connie is getting very good advice from somebody. That person must be Tavo's worst enemy. Tavo laughs.

31. Natalia and Chente are having their adventure and misadventures in the kitchen. He  ends up burning himself.  (Grab some ICE, Natalia!) She blows on his burn thinking that will help as he jumps up and down in pain. 

32. Vale is tending to Mario's wounds again this time with a piece of raw steak. She asks if he ran into Félix again. He explains it was with another guy that he had some unresolved issues with. As for Félix, he promises her that he will never let him hurt her again. She appreciates the lovely things he is saying to her. He says that Félix is very resentful especially about that large scar she gave him. She still cannot believe the two of them were together in jail. She thinks she was stupid for having fallen in love with Félix. Mario tells her not to blame herself. It was a trap and she got caught just like him getting betrayed by Vero.Vale thinks it is cute they have so many things in common. They both were made fools of, they got their hearts broken and the two of them are in love like knuckleheads with someone who won't even give them the time of day. Mario turns and stares at her. He asks if she is in love. Is it somebody at the shop? Vale answers it is  somebody who has very pretty eyes under this piece of steak.  Mario looks at her again sort of surprised. 

33. Ben is dreaming of being with his mother. He tells her he no longer wants to be a soccer player. Now he wants to be a doctor because he wants to heal  his granny. He also wold like to be a chef like Mrs. Natalia or do things  like his dad. Lucía tells him that good children always attain  their dreams. Ben wants to be happy. His mother kisses him. 

34. Chente decides it is time to  be the life-long learner he is.  He works on his math skills.

35. Natalia wakes up the next day saying this is the first birthday she is spending under different circumstances. She makes a decision that  today is special  and she is not going to be sad but she is going to enjoy it. 

36. Natalia comes down to a busy  kitchen where her mother and Regina are getting everything organized to give samples of her food to the  people in the neighborhood. Nobody has mentioned her birthday and she is upset. 

37. Natalia goes up to her room and puts on a dressy white dress. She does her makeup and hair. She looks at herself in the mirror and wishes herself  a happy birthday. She admits that in spite of no balloons or confetti she really has to desire to go on living. She won't allow herself any tears because she can see the  joy in her own face. She puts on some perfume.

38. As she goes to leave, Mario is arriving. He asks where she is going. She says out. He insists on knowing with who. She says a very important person: herself. She brings him into the house so he can help Regina and her mother. He offers to go with her. She doesn't want his company. He cannot believe that she is going by herself being all dressed up like she is. She asks why not?? Does she not have the right to dress up and look good being  Natalia Robles the one who husband left her and who is in the middle of her own tragedy?  He says he didn't mean that.  She accuses him of trying to wheedle his way in. He is taken aback. She gets a text that her taxi has arrived. She tells him to make himself  at home and leaves. 

39. When she gets in the cab, she tells the driver that she isn't sure where she wants to go yet but will let him know as they drive on. He informs her that he is there as part of a surprise for her. 

40. Mario joins Regina and Tere in the kitchen. He mentions that Natalia wasn't in a very good mood. Regina tells Tere that they weren't wrong. There is something up with her mother.

41. JuanGa has some "news"  for Tavo. He doesn't want to see him thrown a curve ball. Connie is working with a guy who is now the owner of the shop. He is one of Tavo's buddies, Mario who lives in the rooming house. Tavo laughs and says that is very good news. 

42. The taxi delivers Natalia to a beautiful birthday breakfast for two but it isn't Chente waiting for her; it is Adrián. He wishes his love a happy birthday and Natalia looks on in horror. 

FIN

Labels: fortuna

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