Okay! Let's get to it! (I don't own this novela!)
Chapter 11
On his way to see the woman who stressed him, Franco was refused entry to the bar Alcala. The doorman explained to the heated young man that his presence is no longer approved by Rosario. Hurt, Franco made his way to her apartment. Realizing she wasn't there, he sat on the sidewalk for her return. She finally appeared, her face alarmed by the sight of him. She allowed him into her apartment to explain to him that he was wasting his time with her. That he shouldn't keep pursuing her for it could put him in danger. He begged her to see some sense on how much he wanted her, but all she could do was taunt him and degrade his ego. The worst part was when she offered herself to him in a way that made him feel sick.
"I'm just a whim", she tells him, grabbing his arms to pull him closer to her. "A whim you just want to use until you've had enough."
She smirks at him when he gaped at her in disbelief. She sees that he's not doing anything and hastily begins to unbutton her blouse.
"Take me over and over again until you get tired of me…"
She gets down to the very last button of her black blouse and holds it open, offering him a clear view of her lacy black bra. She then yanks his hands up and forces them to touch her ample breasts.
"What are you waiting for?" she shrieked, tears streaming down her face. "Go on! Take me and then leave me!"
SLAP!
Rosario flinches, her hand shakily reaching up to cover the red mark where Franco's hand had just struck. Franco grabs her face and forces her to look at him. He's extremely pissed and disgusted.
"Those who say you're not worth it are right", he spats, shaking her face in his hand. "You're nothing more than an ambitious woman who likes hurting people!"
He lets her go and quickly walks out of her apartment. Just outside of her apartment, Franco walks in a downpour, his heart wrenching for a woman who tried to treat him like one of her wealthy clients other than a man in love with her.
Franco woke up with no desire to have breakfast with his brothers, who took note of his horrible mood while driving to work. He was overwhelmed by his encounter with Rosario and even felt horrible on how he projected on Jimena, who could possibly be telling her distasteful sister all the things he did to her. Because of what had happened, Franco made his brothers swear not to mention that bar singer again.
They arrive at the ranch. As soon as Juan parked the truck, he noticed Sarita Elizondo staring at them from her balcony. Noting her curious expression and her undying scowl, she could possibly know what he had done with Jimena. Oscar caught Franco glancing up at the balcony and wrapped an encouraging arm around his hunched shoulders.
"Listen, big head", teased Oscar as they walked together towards the mansion. "Do you think of all the money the Elizondo girls have?"
Franco shrugged his arm off. Oscar is becoming too obsessed with his plans. He just didn't have time to hear it anymore.
"Why think of someone else's money, Oscar? Let them enjoy it."
Oscar kept insisting.
"We can enjoy it too, no?" he told him. "Just like Fernando Escandon."
Franco stopped in his tracks and looked over at his cunning big brother, who smirks at him.
"He's just a gold-digger who has everything because he married Norma, so we could have every right. Especially losing our only sister because of their father. Am I right or what?"
Franco scoffs and walks away from him. He's really not in the mood today to argue with anyone. Oscar can do whatever the hell he wants...and much to Franco's surprise he did. It turns out the widow has taken a liking to Oscar and convinced her of inviting the Reyes to an upcoming charity event. He told Franco and Juan that his motive was to keep an eye on Jimena and Sarita so their plans on seducing the girls would keep going.
The day of the charity event came. The Elizondo's were hosting a rodeo show at their stables. The Reyes were astounded as to how many people of higher class paraded around with their rich noses in the air. The three brothers immediately felt out of place, but were grateful to be invited solely to tend to Mr. Martin's needs. They accompanied the older man with the rest of the guests, laughing and talking about Mr. Martin's dislikes and interests.
The rodeo began to start, and the brothers saw the Elizondo family and Fernando take their seats far across the arena. They also noticed that the Elizondos had two male guests. Mr. Martin mentioned to the brothers that the two guests were a part of the Uribe family, whom he greatly disliked. He even informed them that the two gentlemen were likely suitors for Sarita and Jimena.
Franco lifted his eyebrows, astonished that the two Uribe family members weren't quite what he imagined as the perfect suitors for the two single Elizondo women. Oscar nudged Franco in the rib to pay attention to Sarita and Jimena, for the two single women are their biggest priority.
He met Jimena's dreamy gaze and he politely smiled at her. He eventually stopped smiling when Sarita elbowed Jimena to only focus on the show. Franco rolled his eyes at that woman. He scanned the rest of the audience out of curiosity and his heart dropped to the pit of his stomach when he spotted Rosario Montes, who is accompanied by none other than Fernando Escandon. He felt like he was going to be sick. Alarming his brothers and Mr. Martin, Franco excused himself and left to go to their truck that's parked in front of the mansion. Concerned, Oscar followed him while Juan stayed.
"I saw her, Oscar!" he shouted, reaching the front of the mansion. "Rosario!"
"She's here?" Oscar questioned, turning his head to see the condemned woman who broke his little brother's heart. He turns his head back to an anxious Franco. "Just wait in the truck!"
"I can't stay! I have to go back to the house. I can't let her see me!"
Oscar watches his younger brother leave the ranch and decides to go back for his older brother.
Franco took a cab home, spent the last of his money on the driver, and burst through his house with nothing but fury eating at him.
He saw her. He fucking saw her and she wasn't alone. She was with Armando Navarro.
"Shit!" he yelled, kicking a nearby wooden chair. He was fuming. That woman not only dared to show her shameless face but dared to be accompanied by that man. A man he assumed could be one of her lovers. He could kill her.
The sky began to get darker and decided without thinking it clear, to go over to that bar and demand to speak with her. When he arrived, she was there still in the arms of that vile Armando, who saw him approach them. He ordered Rosario inside the bar and gathered his men for Franco Reyes.
"Guys, let's give our buddy a little ride," Armando drawled as soon as Franco was cornered by four of his men. With no mercy, they drag Franco into a black van.
Franco's eyes open and sees that he's laying on a hospital bed. He winced at the immense pain he felt in his gut and bandaged head. Both his brothers stand on each side of his bed, wasting no time aggravating him with questions and assumptions. He didn't have a chance to answer, but his eyes glossed over when both brothers mentioned Rosario's name. They were gone before he could say or motion his story.
With his brothers gone, Franco received three more unexpected visitors. Gabriela and to his surprise, she was accompanied by her eldest daughter, Norma and her husband. Franco was touched by this especially since it was Gabriela that had been taking care of both medical expenses for the best care.
No more guests came to visit him, so Franco took this opportunity to analyze his reason for being where he is now. All he knows is that he was so blinded by his own jealous rage to speak to Rosario, only to be badly beaten and thrown aside in the street by Armando's goons. They almost left him for dead on the street, but thankfully for him, the two adult sons of gossipy market owners rescued him.
His heart broke even more, knowing that he really needed to stay away from Rosario. But he still refused to accept it.
"Good news!" announced Juan, storming into Franco's hospital room, grinning from ear to ear. "The doctor said you can leave tomorrow."
Franco, with a pained grunt, sat up in his bed. Oscar sat on the foot of the bed, worrying for not only Franco, but for Juan as well.
"I know." grunted Franco. "He told me this morning. Can you bring me one of the pills from the bathroom? I need to take one."
Juan's grin faltered and followed his younger brother's command. Once he disappeared, Oscar leaned over to Franco.
"We have to be careful with him." he warned, glancing at where Juan stood. "He might ruin everything. You hear me? Everything."
"Oh shit, Oscar…" groaned Franco, knowing he had a lot of catching up to do with whatever is going on with his brothers.
Franco was released from the hospital. He wanted to go to work with his brothers, but they insisted he'd gather his strength with the help they've recently hired. Franco met her. Her name was Quintina, a lovable robust woman whom Oscar and Juan rescued from a crime she never committed. She may have been sweet and adorable but Franco couldn't stand her constant chatter. This lady can talk!
He needed to leave, but Quintina didn't want to lose his brothers' trust and pleaded Franco to stay and rest. He didn't listen and made his way over to the bar, hoping to confront the woman he'd received bruises for, only to be turned away again by the doorman. He was warned again about Armando. He finally listened once he noticed the black van that kidnapped him. It belonged to Armando. Convinced by his obedience, the doorman turned his back on Franco, who swiftly slashed the front tires with the sharp edge of his rusty brown boot. Instead of Rosario, he might as well confront Armando. That asshole owed him big time.
What seemed like an hour, Franco finally had Armando alone. Without his goons to support him, Armando was powerless when Franco used him as his own punching bag as Franco was treated. After a final warning to the shocked and pained Armando, Franco left, feeling very macho.
Franco, feeling much more like himself, went back to the Elizondo ranch with his brothers. Pulling into park to their usual spot in front of the mansion, Franco noticed Jimena and Sarita walking, both whispering words to one another. Sarita's demeanor was surprisingly soft as he watched her giggling at whatever Jimena told her. She looked less bland, her pouty lips stretching gracefully allowing Franco to see her white brilliant teeth. If only she'd stay that way. She seemed a lot sweeter when she smiled.
He stepped out of the truck after his brothers, and made eye contact with Sarita who began walking in his direction with her sister beside her. His stomach dropped, hoping he is not in any more trouble with her. She looked serious again, but he relaxed a bit more when she offered him a small smile. Perhaps, he wasn't in trouble after all.
"Apparently you've recovered." she said, her voice still as stern as he remembered. He didn't miss it. "You look healthy."
He forced himself to smile back, watching as her dark eyes scanned him.
"Thank you, Miss Sarita." he responded, watching as she folded her small hands together in front of her legs. His eyes were trying so hard not to notice that she wasn't wearing a bra. They seemed small and perky beneath her tight brown turtleneck sweater. He can even make out the outline of her nipples, which he could imagine were tiny, light, and erect. He felt a straining in his jeans and tore his eyes from Sarita to her little sister, who looked impatient to speak to him.
"I'll continue on with my job." he said, with his functioning arms lifting a sack in front of his feet.
"It's great to have you back!" exclaimed Jimena, her eyes twinkling. "We've missed you!"
Sarita rolled her eyes in annoyance at her sister. Franco watched in amusement as Sarita dragged Jimena from the brothers' presence, her small firm breasts bounced lightly beneath her turtleneck as she walked away with Jimena. He laughed to himself still watching how Sarita chastises her younger sister. Those two always seemed to fight about anything it seems.
Franco shot a look at both his brothers, who caught on to the sisters' strange welcome. They began to discuss more about it in the changing room. Franco crossed his arms while Oscar excitedly spoke about Jimena.
"Of course she still likes you!" he exclaimed. "She was ready to devour you! Anyone can see that!"
He thumped his brother lightly on the back.
Franco said nothing. The good mood he had before dismantled when he thought of Rosario. The only woman he truly desired.
Juan sighed, ignoring his two brothers before stalking out of the room. Oscar watched him leave and continued speaking to Franco.
"You're my only hope!" he told him. "I don't know what's up with Juan because of Norma."
Franco looked confused. He clearly needed to catch up.
"But you can't fail, Franco. Promise me you'll set things right with Jimena and forget about Rosario Montes."
Franco felt anguish but promised his ambitious brother that he'll try.
Getting there! I promise! I tried to rush things a bit! Now to chapter 12! Thank you for reading! Muah!