More shows, more full capacity crowds. Ricardo can't help but feel proud at what they're accomplishing. Yes, it's not perfect, they've had issues with booking, and other minor things, but so far, Alberto seems to have everything under control, and Ricardo is enjoying his time in Mexico City, despite how vacant Alicia seems whenever he talks to her online or on the phone. He has plans, once things are truly settled, to bring her over to stay, but he's not sure she's ready to think that far ahead just yet.

He talks to Heath, sometimes even Maryse, and they convince him that Alicia is hanging in there, keeping a brave face even though they can tell she misses him a great deal. He hurts for her, for how abrupt this was, but he'd waited as long as he could to make a move, and at the time, it had seemed for the best- she was doing well, and he needed something to hold onto, and Alberto had given him just that.

Sofia greets him with a kind smile as he walks into the house that afternoon, tired and worn out from walking through more impressive sights along the outskirts of the city but happy. "That smells good," he tells the housekeeper, leaning against the doorway to the kitchen as she hums and checks on whatever's in the oven once more, spices and a thick meaty smell filling the air as she looks in.

"Gracias, it should be," she agrees, drying her hands on her apron and going over to him. "How are things going for you, mi hijo? All is well?"

"Si," he says, leaning towards her. "Very well." But he can never hide his true feelings from her so, when she looks up at him expectantly, he gives in. "I do miss Alicia, but... I plan on doing what I can to bring her over here as soon as I can. As soon as she wants to."

Sofia nods somberly. "How is she doing with all of this?"

"She's frustrated," he confesses. "I know the abruptness of this all hurt her, but she's staying strong. Like I knew she would."

Sofia nods. Pats his arm gently. "Hopefully she will be able to come here soon, I would love to see her." She smiles at him and gently shoos him down the hall to the bathroom as a polite hint towards the state of himself after training in the Mexican heat before turning back to meal prep, sighing softly as she thinks about Alicia and Ricardo, and Alberto's heavyhanded tactics that somehow always put Ricardo into as much trouble if not more than he was to begin with. She shrugs and mumbles under her breath in Spanish before turning to prepare a few side dishes for the evening ahead.

Ricardo's just gotten out of the shower and dressed, finding Alberto to hang out and discuss business until Sofia's meal is finished, when his phone chirps. He checks it, hoping for a text or something from Alicia, just to discover Heath's name there. He sighs, clicking it open and slapping a hand over his mouth to muffle the sharp, loud laughter that tries to burst out of his mouth, eyebrows raised as he stares at the picture. I guess Mike decided anything ADR could do, he could do better. What do you think? Better yet what does ADR think?

Ricardo laughs for real this time, holding the picture of Mike's new mansion out and staring down at it with a fond smile. His friends are ridiculous, and they're always very good at brightening even the worst of days. I will let you know when I show him, he promises Heath before pocketing his phone and moving down the hall to fine his best friend and do just that.