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Chapter 17 - Chapter 17

(Next Day)

(Rodriguez house)

Rodriguez: Good morning sunshine.

Cecilia: (blushes) Good morning sir

Rodriguez: Nahhh, Since we're not at work, You can call me Rodriguez.

Cecilia: Okay.

Rodriguez: You're leaving already?

Cecilia: Yes sir.

Rodriguez: Okay then. (He gives her $1000) Take this.

Cecilia: Wow! $1000?!

Rodriguez: Yeah.

Cecilia: Thank you.

Rodriguez: No, Thank you. You really made my right. Promise you'll come back.

Cecilia: (smiles) I will.

(Cecilia attempts to leave but Rodriguez draws her back)

Rodriguez: Do me a favor, Don't let anyone, I repeat, ANYONE know about this.

Cecilia: Ohhh, That's not a problem...

(At Crenshaw Elementary School)

Mrs Carlotta: Good morning Mr Roberto.

Mr Roberto: Good morning Mrs Carlotta. I got your letter, You wanted to see me?

Mrs Carlotta: As a matter of fact, I do. Please have a seat.

(Uncle Roberto sits down)

Mrs Carlotta: It's about your daughter, Juanita. Lately, She's become so rude to me and uses foul languages on her schoolmates. I don't know where she's been picking up these bad behaviors from.

Uncle Roberto: I'm really so x rry ma. I'm sure its from the TV programmes she usually watches.

Mrs Carlotta: Please monitor the kind of programs she watches and who she imitates. Because I know Juanita, She's usually very nice and polite.

Uncle Roberto: I'll talk to her about it.

Mrs Carlotta: Thank you for your time, Sir.

Uncle Roberto: You're welcome.

(He leaves the school premises)

Juanita: Has Dad left the school?

Juan: Yeah.

Juanita: I wonder what our tattletale of a teacher told him.

Juan: Juanita!

Juanita: (suprised) What is it?

Juan: This is exactly why Dad got called to the school in the first place.

Juanita: But I was just expressing my opinion. Besides Mom says its always good to say how you feel rather than bottling it up inside.

Juan: I know that but still, You should watch what you say.

(He leaves her)

Juanita: Whatever...

*************************

(Uncle Roberto's house)

(Nina calls Morena)

Morena: Hey Nina. I've missed you!

Nina: (over the phone) I've missed you more, Morena. Everywhere is so desolate without you. We have fewer clients than before.

Morena: Don't worry, I'll be returning soon. Just few days remaining.

Nina: Yeah...

Morena: So, Is there any new thing at the restaurant?

Nina: Not really...Ohhh, That reminds me. Mr Rodriguez employed a new cook to substitute for you and Cecilia. Her name is Alicia.

Morena: Hmm, That's good.

Nina: How is that good? The girl is a crazy person, She's a terrible cook, She speaks vernacular, She wears tattoos and piercings, She grabs a knife at any slightest provocation and many other things....I even heard she just got out of jail.

Morena: Woah, That isn't good.

Nina: Yeah. Anyways, Let's not go into that. I hope your aunt doesn't bother you anymore?

Morena: Well, She still does. Although, My Uncle's back so her troubles might reduce....

(Just then, Aunt Maria calls Morena)

Aunt Maria: MORENA!!!

Morena: Or not. (To Nina) I'll call you back.

Nina: Alright no problem.

(Aunt Maria barges into her room)

Aunt Maria: Who were you talking to over the phone?

Morena: A friend of mine.

Aunt Maria: You were talking to a friend? Is that why you haven't cleaned the toilet?

Morena: But Aunt, I cleaned the toilets yesterday night and this morning.

Aunt Maria: Oh really? Come with me!

(Aunt Maria drags her to the toilet and shows her the mess)

Aunt Maria: You've cleaned it right?

Morena: I know I cleaned it, Someone must've messed it up.

Aunt Maria: Do you think I care? (hands her a toilet brush) Here...

Morena: (she collects it)

Aunt Maria: You'd better be done before my husband gets back. Idiot!

(She leaves the toilet)

Morena: (sighs) It's like this woman senses my happiness and always wants to ruin it, God help me...

(At Diego's house)

Isabella: Diego, I'm really sorry...I promise to change and learn how to cook.

Diego: Its not even about the fact that you can't cook, Its about the fact that you've been lying and deceiving me all these while. You took me for granted!

Isabella: (crying) I'm really sorry...

Diego: (sighs) I can't stay mad at you forever... Do you promise to mend your ways?

Isabella: Yes. I promise.

(Diego hugs Isabella and they make up)

*************************

(That evening)

(Diego calls Morena)

Diego: Hey Morena.

Morena: Diego! Hi, I was about calling you....How're things going now?

Diego: Much better. I spoke to Isabella and she promised to change.

Morena: That's good news. You see, Two wrongs never make a right.

Diego: True though. So, How's work?

Morena: It's alright.

Diego: Are you at work now?

Morena: No.

Diego: Is your shift over?

Morena: (sighs) No, I got suspended.

Diego: You got suspended? Why?

Morena: I broke one of the restaurant's rules. I fought with a colleague of mine.

Diego: You shouldn't have. You might've even gotten fired.

Morena: I tried to ignore her but the girl provoked me to a point where I felt like tearing her apart.

Diego: So when will it be over?

Morena: Very soon. It's a week suspension.

Diego: Okay. Just make sure you'll be of better conduct this time.

Morena: Yeah, I will.

(Meanwhile)

(Uncle Roberto returns home)

Aunt Maria: Honey, Welcome back...

Uncle Roberto: Don't touch me!

Aunt Maria: (confused) What did I do?

Uncle Roberto: You're asking me that? Maria! What's wrong with you? Just one week that I was away and Juanita's attitude is already changing.

Aunt Maria: I'm confused. How do you mean?

Uncle Roberto: Her class teacher complained about her recent behavior that she's now rude and uncouth to her and her fellow students and said she's been picking it up from somewhere...

Aunt Maria: But honey, It wasn't my fault!

Uncle Roberto: Keep Quiet! Don't tell me that! What do you mean "It wasn't your fault"? Aren't you supposed to be watching over the kids?

Aunt Maria: Honey please don't be angry with me. Ok, Let me go make you dinner....

Uncle Roberto: Don't waste your time cooking because I wouldn't eat it! Morena!

Morena: (she enters the living room) Welcome home uncle.

Uncle Roberto: Thank you. Make me broth with chopped beef, That's what I'll be having for dinner.

Morena: Alright sir.

(Uncle Roberto goes to the dining room as Morena goes into the kitchen and Aunt Maria watches her with raged-filled eyes)