MORENA
Episode 37
(Next Day)
(At Chuks restaurant)
Pascaline: Hey Daniel.
Daniel: Hey.
Pascaline: You have a client waiting outside.
Daniel: Okay. I’ll be here in a minute…
(Daniel goes to meet the client)
Daniel: (excitedly) Mr Chang!
Mr Chang: Hello Daniel!
Daniel: it’s been really long since you last c@m£ here.
Mr Chang: I’ve been really busy with work and all.
Daniel: That’s nice. So, May I take your order?
Mr Chang: I’ll have the usual. Chinese noodles and egg rolls.
Daniel: Okay sir. Your order will be with you in about 10 minutes.
Mr Chang: Okay.
(Later on)
Mr Chang: Thank you Daniel. The meal was fantastic as always.
Daniel: (smiles) My plea-sure sir…
Mr Chang: I’ll tell you what? How would you feel about joining me in my own restaurant – Chang’s Restaurant, as the manager and supervisor.
Daniel: (g@sps in shock)
Mr Chang: Yeah, I just opened up my own restaurant few kilometers away and I’ll nee-d a talented br@in and hands like yours to manage it.
Daniel: Wow. This is such an honor.
Mr Chang: Precisely. So when should I be expecting a feedback?
Daniel: Well, I’ll have to think about it first sir.
Mr Chang: That’s alright, Take this…(gives him $800)
Daniel: Thank you very much sir.
Mr Chang: My plea-sure…
(When Mr Chang leaves, Daniel goes back to the kitchen)
Morena: Woah, Who’s that rich Chinese man?
Daniel: He’s my favorite client. He usually comes here everytime but st©pped after a while.
Morena: Ohhh.
Daniel: Let’s share the ti-p.
(Daniel and Morena splits the ti-p)
Morena: Thank you.
Daniel: Anytime. He also told me something…
Morena: (curious) What is it? Tell me.
Daniel: He wants me to quit my job here and start working in his new restaurant as the manager and supervisor.
Morena: (suprised) Wow!
Daniel: What do you think?
Morena: Well, I mean this is a golden opportunity for you to expand your career. So I’d say, Go for it!
Daniel: But I’ll be leaving you guys.
Morena: Don’t worry. We can always come visiting.
Daniel: I know but I’m still confused…
Morena: Well, I only have one advice for you – Follow your heart.
(Morena pats him on the shoulder and leaves the kitchen)
(In Balacar)
Miguel: Okay Dad. I’m re-ady for school…
Mr Castillo: Ok. (points) Bring my wallet on t©p that desk.
(When Miguel goes to fetch the wallet, Mr Castillo holds his che-st in pain)
Mr Castillo: (gro-an s) Uhh, My che-st…
Miguel: Dad? Are you okay?
Mr Castillo: I’m fine. (opens his wallet) Take this $30. plea-se manage it.
Miguel: No problem Dad. Thank you very much.
(Just then, Mr Castillo holds his che-st ti-ghter this time)
Mr Castillo: (clutches onto his che-st) Ahhhh! My che-st!
(He faints suddenly)
Miguel: (scared) Oh no! (shakes him) Dad! Dad!!!
(Meanwhile)
(At Chuks restaurant)
(In the service station)
Morena: Hey Pascaline.
Pascaline: (bored) Hey Morena.
Morena: You’re bored isn’t it?
Pascaline: (points at her face) As you can see….
Morena: Well, Most clients wouldn’t come until later.
Pascaline: That’s even better cause I want to sleep. (yawns)
Morena: (laughs) You’re just indolent.
(Just then, Morena’s phone rings)
Morena: (To Pascaline) Excuse me, I have to answer this. (She picks the call) Hello.
Diego: (panicks) Hi Morena. It’s me, Diego!
Morena: (confused) What’s the matter? You sound scared and jittery.
Diego: It’s your Dad!
Morena: (anxiously) What happened to him?
Diego: He just fainted suddenly this morning. As I’m taking to you right now, We’re rushing him to El Primero Hospital.
Morena: (scared) Oh my God!
Diego: You have to return to Balacar right away.
Morena: Okay. I’m on my way!
(Diego cuts the call)
Morena: (nervous and scared) Oh my God, What’s happening?
Pascaline: (worried) What’s the matter?
Morena: Its my Dad! He fell ill, I have to go and see him in Balacar.
(Morena goes to Mr Rodriguez office)
Morena: Good day sir.
Mr Rodriguez: Good day Morena, What’s the matter?
Morena: Sir, My Dad is ill. He just fainted this morning and was rushed to the hospital and I have to go back to Balacar to see him
Mr Rodriguez: Ohh… I’m so sorry about that…
Morena: Is it okay if I take a three day break?
Mr Rodriguez: Okay.
Morena: Thank you very much sir.
(Morena goes back to the kitchen and packs her bag)
Nina: Morena, What happened? We heard you’re leaving Mexico City and going back to Balacar.
Morena: Yeah. My Dad fell ill just this morning.
Daniel: Ohhh that’s not good. I pray he gets better quic-kly.
Morena: Amen.
Nina: Awwnnn… I’m missing you alre-ady.
Morena: I’ll be back soon. (sighs) I hope…
Daniel: Don’t worry. You have our prayers
Nina: (nods in affirmation)
(Daniel pe-cks Morena on the cheek)
Daniel: Take care.
Morena: Thanks. Bye.
(At the entrance)
(Morena attempts to leave when Cecilia calls her back)
Cecilia: Hi Morena.
Morena: (suprised) What do you want?
Cecilia: Calm down. I heard what happened to your Dad and I feel terribly sorry for you. Look, I know we started out as enemies but I’d like us to be friends. I even brou-ght you a p@rting gift.
Morena: (suspicious) What is it?
Cecilia: (sm-irks) It’s just a small gift.
(Morena looks at the small jar that Cecilia is holding)
Morena: Okay. Open it, Let me see.
Cecilia: Not “Open it”, Pour it!
(It turns out that what’s in the jar is acid, Cecilia immediately opens it and is about to pour it on Morena, Being calculative, Morena swiftly knocks the jar away from herself and towards Cecilia and the acid pours on her face and hands)
Cecilia: (screams in agony) Ahhhh!!!! My face!!! My hands!!!! Aaaaaaahhhhh!!!!
Morena: (checks her b©dy thor0ûghly) Thank God….(sighs).
Cecilia: (screams louder) AHHHHHH!!!!!
Morena: (To Cecilia) Once bitten, Twice shy.
(Morena exits the restaurant, leaving Cecilia wiggling in immense pain and agony)
.
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MORENA
Episode 38
(Morena returns to Uncle Roberto’s house)
Uncle Roberto: (suprised) Morena! You’re back alre-ady?
Morena: (worried) Yes sir…
Uncle Roberto: Is something wrong?
Morena: Its my Dad. He was rushed to the hospital this morning. I have to go back to Balacar.
Uncle Roberto: Ok, I’m coming with you.
Morena: It’s alright sir. I’ll be fine on my own.
Uncle Roberto: Are you sure?
Morena: Absolutely.
Uncle Roberto: Don’t worry, Maria will give you something to eat before leaving. Cause you can’t go on a journey on an empty stomach.
Morena: No problem sir.
(She rushes into the room to pack a few things)
Aunt Maria: (sighs) Poor Castillo….I pray he gets better quic-kly.
Uncle Roberto: Amen. (To Maria) Go and dish out her food so she can eat it quic-kly before leaving.
Aunt Maria: Okay darling.
(In the kitchen)
Aunt Maria: (smiles evilly) Finally! This girl is leaving this house. And to make sure she doesn’t come back….
(Aunt Maria takes out a small vial containing a poisonous liquid and pours it in the soup she intends to give to Morena)
Aunt Maria: (stirs the soup) Oohh! Perfect!
(Meanwhile)
(Juan and Juanita return from school)
Juan & Juanita: Good afternoon Dad.
Uncle Roberto: Good afternoon sweethearts. Mrs Samantha dropped you off right?
Juan: Yes Dad.
Uncle Roberto: Okay. Go in and freshen up.
(At the dinner table)
Aunt Maria: Morena! Your food is re-ady.
Morena: Okay Aunty, Thanks.
Aunt Maria: (sm-irks) You’re welcome my dear. Enjoy your meal!!!
(Aunt Maria goes back to the kitchen)
Morena: (she takes a scoop but drops it back in the bowl) Oh God! I can’t even eat, I’m so worried…
(Just then, Juan and Juanita enter the dining room)
Juan: Hey Morena. We heard what happened. We pray your Dad gets better soon.
Morena: Amen. Juan, Do you want soup?
Juan: No thanks. I don’t like soup.
Morena: Juanita, How about you?
(Juanita looks at her for a moment)
Juanita: Give it to me. I’m starving.
(Morena gives the bowl of soup to Juanita and she drinks it instantly)
Juanita: (belches)
Juan: How is it?
Juanita: (li-cks herl-ips) Delicious.
Juan: I’m going to the room, Are you staying here or you’re coming?
Juanita: I’m coming.
(Juan and Juanita leave the dining room, Seconds later, Aunt Maria enters the dining room)
Aunt Maria: Morena, You’re done eating alre-ady?
Morena: Yes ma. I have to go now.
Aunt Maria: Ok my dear. Safe journey (smiles mischievously)
(Morena goes to the living room)
Uncle Roberto: (gives her $300) Use that money for cab…
Morena: Thank you sir.
(Morena hastily leaves the house)
Aunt Maria: (sm-irks) Its only a matter of time…
(In Balacar)
(At El Primero Hospital)
Morena: Miguel!
Miguel: Morena!
(He runs to hvg her)
Morena: I’ve missed you so much. What happened to Dad?
Miguel: I don’t know. He just fainted suddenly this morning.
(The Doctor enters the waiting room)
Morena: Dr Carlos, How’s my Dad?
Dr Carlos: Well, He’s just suffering from severe stress. But luckily, He’s responding to treatments so he’ll be alright.
Morena: (sighs) Thank God.
(He leaves the room)
Morena: (holds her che-st in relief) I was so scared. I thought something bad happened to him.
(Miguel holds her)
Miguel: All will be well….
(In Mexico City)
(At the hospital)
Celine: Doctor, How is my sister?
Dr Hector: Well. Her condition is really critical. The acid caused severe damage to the skin on her face and hands.
Celine: (looks at him in worry) So there is no hope for her?
Dr Hector: Well, There’s a slim chance that a facial surgeon will be able to fix her face. But that’ll cost almost a million dollars
Celine: (shocked) A million dollars?
Dr Hector: Precisely.
Celine: (thinks) Where on earth am I supposed to get one million dollars from? (To Dr Hector) Thank you very much Doctor.
Dr Hector: You’re welcome.
Celine: So, Can I see her?
Dr Hector: Yeah, You can.
(Celine goes to Cecilia’s ward)
Celine: Hey sis.
Cecilia: (weakly) Hey…
Celine: I’m really sorry this happened to you…But sis, Why?! Why would you have tried to pour acid on your colleague? That is way too sinister!
Cecilia: (sighs loudly) You wouldn’t un-derstand.
Celine: What wouldn’t I un-derstand?
Cecilia: (unapologetic) That bastard is the reason behind all these. If she never c@m£ into that restaurant, None of this would have ever occurred.
Celine: You’re still not remorseful. Do you know you can get arrested for what you did?
(Cecilia remains silent)
Celine: Anyways, The doctor said that your condition is too rigorous. The only solution now is $1,000,000.
Cecilia: (g@sps) One million dollars? That’s too much.
Celine: Well that’s what Dr Hector said… I’ll be taking my leave now, But I’ll be back tomorrow. Hopefully that’s when you’ll be discharged.
(When Celine leaves, Cecilia looks at her disfigured face in the mirror)
Cecilia: (enraged) Morena, This is all your fault! I swear to God, If I ever set my eyes on you again…You’re dead meat! I want vengeance and I will have it!
(That night)
(At Uncle Roberto’s house)
Uncle Roberto: Juan and Juanita! It’s alre-ady 11pm. Aren’t you going to be-d today?
Juanita: But Dad, Tomorrow is Saturday. We’re not going to school.
Uncle Roberto: That still, You shouldn’t be watching TV at this time.
Juan: Dad plea-se….
Uncle Roberto: No, no, no…
(Uncle Roberto goes to put off the TV)
Uncle Roberto: To your rooms!
(Juan and Juanita gro-an s as they go into their room)
Aunt Maria: Darling, You should have just let them be. They’re still kids. Besides, You only live once! Let them enjoy life to the fullest.
Uncle Roberto: There’s time for everything.
Aunt Maria: Okay if you say so. Anyways, Has Morena called you since she got to Balacar?
Uncle Roberto: Yeah she did. Castillo was suffering from severe stress that’s all.
Aunt Maria: (confused) Ohhh…
Uncle Roberto: Yeah. So I told her to s£nd me the total cost so I can foot the bill.
Aunt Maria: Okay but did she sound weak or exhausted or anything like that?
Uncle Roberto: (puzzled) No. Why would you ask such?
Aunt Maria: Never mind. (thinks) What’s happening? The poison should have killed her alre-ady.
(Just then, Juanita enters the living room)
Uncle Roberto: Juanita! Why’re you still out here? Didn’t I tell you to go to your room?
Juanita: (gro-an s) Dad I can’t sleep, My stomach….
Uncle Roberto: (confused) What’s wrong with your stomach?
Juanita: (clutches onto her stomach ti-ghtly) It aches badly!
Uncle Roberto: What did you eat last?
Juanita: (stutters) I….I….I….
Uncle Roberto: (worried) You what?!!!
Jaunita: (manages to talk) I took the bowl of soup Mom gave to Morena….
Aunt Maria: (shocked) What?!
Juanita: (screams) Aaaaaahhhhhhhh!!!!!
(Juanita coll@pses on the floor, with foam coming out of her mouth)
Aunt Maria: (scared) Juanita! Juanita! Oh God, What have I done?! (shakes her) Juanita!!!
Uncle Roberto: Call the ambulance, Fast!
To be CONTINUED