Hot & Spicy: De La Cruz Saga (2 page)

CHAPTER TWO
 

“PATY
I
WILL
NOT
,
NO
,
no way and not in this life time. Uh-ah, I will not do this for you, amiga,” states Jessy. Jessy is on top of her cama looking at her hot-pink nails talking on her cell to her best amiga ever.

“You know that I have always been fascinated with Jose Enrique. You know I think that he is hot and spicy. I can get intoxicated on just looking at him. No, Paty, he is too hot and spicy for mi heart to resist. I will not be able to resist falling for him. You know Jose Enrique does not love only one chica; no he loves todas las chicas. I will not put up with that, and you know he will not be true. Besides, Paty, you know he has never given me the time of day when I used to sleep over,” said Jessy biting her lower lip.

“But, Jessica Maria Cortez … !”

Not Jessy?
Uh-oh, Paty is yelling at me. That means that Paty is annoyed at me. Oh boy, here we go. Now she’s going to bring up the time that she saved me from mi mama when we were in high school. Paty told mi mama that it was her boyfriend that was calling mi casa. That’s all we did, just talk on the phone, geez. I still don’t know why the Mexican mamas want their little niñas to be saint, innocents, and pure until marriage. I am still trying to figure that one out. Of course it has helped that I have met nothing but jerks.

In today’s world not all niñas are pure until marriage. That’s why Paty and I are so confuse. Here we are, twenty-four years old, successful career women, and still pure y innocent. What’s up with that? What are we waiting for? We are waiting for our prince, of course. The problema with that is that the prince in today’s world doesn’t just want to kiss the princess until the royal wedding. No, the prince wants to kiss y taste the princess. What is wrong with having a boyfriend who calls me only on the phone?

“Jessy! Don’t ignore me. You have to listen to me. Por favor, listen. All I’m asking is for you to help me and for you to help Jose Enrique. I promise to make it up to you. I will owe you big time,” said Paty, nodding her cabeza. “Jessy, all you have to do is make la familia think you’re Jose Enrique’s novia. He needs to have una novia to take to the twenty-fifth anniversary celebration in July. It’s only ten weeks away!” shrieked Paty with a higher-pitched voz, getting hysterical.

“Jessy, it is a very important day for la familia. Besides, this is a great business opportunity for you. There will be a lot of business associates that can be interested in your interior designs. Just think. You can get the job that can make you famous. It has been your dream for a long time. You will not have another opportunity like this in a long time or possibly ever,” said Paty, thinking,
Si, I know she will like this part.

“Si, amiga you do have a point, and it will solve all our problemas,” said Jessy.

“But, Paty, what if he doesn’t like me? It will be embarrassing and tremendously painful,” said Jessy in a small voice.

Jessy starts to shake slightly just thinking of seeing Jose Enrique. Jose Enrique has always made her tremble and sweaty.

“Jessy, you are una bella y sexy mujer. How can mi hermano not like you? You don’t look the same. It has been diez años since he’s seen you. We were only fourteen, and he was always busy in college y working,” said Paty. “Jessy, I do not think that he even looked at us or knew we were looking at him. Well, that you were looking at him,” said Paty with a grin.

“Ha! Ha! So funny,” answers Jessy, making Paty laugh as she rolls onto the floor.

“Paty, it’s not funny, but you may be right,” continues Jessy. “You do remember that at mi quince Jose Enrique did not bother to appear. Yeah of course I was really disappointed. Jose Enrique did not even know I was alive,” said Jessy, biting her lower lip.

“Jessy, believe me, you’re perfect for Jose Enrique,” said Paty nodding her cabeza.

“Okay, okay, Paty, I’ll do it. Remember, amiga that you owe me big time. When do you want me to meet him? Do you want me to go to the office? Are you going to introduce me as tu amiga or as a possible interior decorator?” asks Jessy really excited.

“Jessy, that is a magnificent idea! Why don’t you come over on Monday with your work, some new design ideas for us? Maybe we can get a job for you as an interior designer for one of our company-owned office buildings,” said Paty, smiling.
Si, this is a great idea.

“Wow, Paty that sounds fantastico. I’m so excited. I will work on it this weekend. What time on Monday do you want me to show up?” asks Jessy, jumping off her cama going to her desk.

“Jessy, how about at one, we can have lunch before the meeting? You can meet with Jose Enrique after lunch. Okay?” asks Paty, nodding her cabeza.
Si, this is a magnificent idea, y it will work out for all of us.

“Where do you want to have lunch? Should I meet you at the taco stand, or do you want me to go to the office, amiga?” asks Jessy.

“No, we should meet at the taco stand that we love, okay? Don’t forget that your smart, hermosa, y muy sexy,” said Paty, smiling jumping up y down from alegría.
Si, Jose Enrique will be real feliz.

“Okay. Say hi to your mama. See ya Monday,” said Jessy, looking out the window dreaming of Jose Enrique.

What should I do? Should I tell Jose Enrique that Jessy agreed to attend the celebration as his novia? Should I have them meet after all these years? Will Jose Enrique remember Jessy? Will he see how smart, hermosa, and sexy she is? Jessy is the right chica for him.

I have always thought so. Not only is Jessy mi best amiga, she is also like una hermana. Jessy has always loved Jose Enrique. Jessy has never and most likely will ever admit that she loves Jose Enrique. This is why Jessy never has had a serious novio. I strongly believe that Jessy is the one, Jose Enrique’s alma.

Paty picks up her cell again y calls her prima Bella. Paty is sitting on the sofa with her right leg stretched trying to paint her toenails a dark sparkly red shade.

Oh, this red color is one of mi favorites on mi toes. This red makes me feel muy sexy. Not that it really matters. I don’t even have a novio.

Biting her lower lip and in deep concentration, Paty is waiting for Bella to answer her cell.

Bella loves to text, but Paty loves to chat on the cell. Paty tries again since Bella did not pick up the call the first time. This time Bella answers.

Finally!

“Hola la mas Bella speaking,” said Bella, grinning.

“Bella you can pick up on mi first call. Duh,” said Paty, cleaning up the mess on her small toe. “Why didn’t you answer?” asks Paty.

“Hola prima, so sorry, I was answering the front door. Mi book order just arrived, y you know how much I love to read. I’m all alone. Mis padres are at the store. Mis hermanos are busy. What’s up?” asks Bella, putting the box on her cama.

“I want to go to the store mañana and get some shoes for our dresses. Do you want to come?” asks Paty, putting the polish away. “I received a call this afternoon from the dress store. The store attendant advised that the dresses are ready to get fitted.”

“Oh Paty, si, let’s go mañana. We can also shop for some shoes for our dresses. I can’t wait for the big day. I can’t wait to try on mi dress. Do you remember which one I ordered? It’s just so perfecto for me. I ordered mi dress in that dark red. With mi coloring it will look fantastico! I’m just going to be muy cute, cute!” said Bella, laughing with pleasure. “Oh, prima, I have been trying to think of whom Jose Enrique’s novia is. He has kept it a secret. I haven’t been able to catch him talking to his novia on the phone at the office. This makes me wonder why it’s such a secret. Maybe Jose Enrique doesn’t have una novia. Paty! Dime! Please! You’re mi favorite prima,” said Bella, walking toward her closet to see what else she needs to purchase at the store.

“Yeah, I’m tu only prima that puts up with you y understands you. You so know it,” said Paty laughing.

“Paty, the bets are getting higher. You know that Alex, Ricky, y Tony are thinking that Jose Enrique is bluffing. They truly believe that his novia doesn’t exist,” said Bella, taking out a pair of shoes from the box.

“Well, Bella, I think that everybody is going to be really surprised. I think that Jose Enrique’s novia is smart, hermosa, y muy sexy. Our primos will be so jealous,” said Paty with a grin.

“Paty, is Jose Enrique’s novia someone we all know? Tell me!” begs Bella.

“Bella, you just have to wait. If I tell you, you will tell la familia. Jose Enrique will not be contento about it. He wants it to be a surprise. Even mi mama doesn’t know,” said Paty.

“Paty, I promise I will not tell a soul,” said Bella, walking to her dresser to see her undies.

“Yeah right, Bella. It’s not like I haven’t heard that before, prima. No way will I tell you. Can you advise Erica that the dresses have arrived y if she wants to go with us mañana?” asks Paty.

“Si Paty, I will ask Erica. Do you want to meet at the department store?” asks Bella, writing down what she wants to purchase mañana.

“Si, I will meet you at the department store. I have an errand to do in the morning. Meet you around noon?” said Paty, standing striding to her cuarto.

“Si, Paty. Noon is good. Say hi to Tia Queta y Tio Francisco. See ya mañana,” said Bella, walking out of cuarto with the box.
Hmmm, I need to get some agua.

Bella goes to the sofa y sits down the box. Bella starts to wonder who the novia is.

Something tells me that Paty knows. Ricky, Alex, Chris, and Tony asked me to learn who his novia is.

Sitting down on the floor to open the package, Bella starts thinking.
I know that Alex, Chris, Tony, y Ricky are getting nervous that Jose Enrique really does have una novia. They know that it is possible he will be getting married soon. They will then be on their own.

Jose Enrique, Nick, Alex, Chris, Tony, y Ricky have always been really close. They are la familia’s oldest hijos and have always done everything together. Nick left a few years ago to work in another state. The primos have missed him. This is why they are worried. They feel that they will be losing another primo. When Jose Enrique did something, you can count on los primos to follow. Los primos have always party together. You can count on them to do all their leisure activities, all sorts of pursuits, y problemas together. They are always competing y supporting each other.

In la familia, los primos are all close and protective of each other. The primos have always been together in the good and in the bad since they were niños. That’s why the primos are close like hermanos. Of course, this is one of the reasons that todos los primos want to meet his novia. The primos want to ensure she is the right one y that she truly loves Jose Enrique. Nobody, absolutely nobody, is allowed to hurt la familia.

CHAPTER THREE
 

WHERE
ARE
THEY
?
JOSE
ENRIQUE
stands at the bar with his ice-cold Corona cerveza, looking for his primos Alex, Chris, Ricky, y Tony.

They are never late. I wonder what they are up to. We always meet every Friday at nine. Yeah I really miss mi primo Nick when this type of shit happens with los primos. It’s already ten. Dios mio, I don’t want to look for them. I don’t want to wait for them, not tonight. It has been a long, hard week. Just thinking of how much mocking I’m going to get from los primos makes me want to walk out. I do not want to discuss mi novia. Right, what novia? I’m still waiting for Paty to get me mi novia. I feel like a loser. What happen? Why do I not have a novia?

He takes a drink of his cerveza, trying not to choke, when he notices a bella, sexy chica with some other chicas at the other side of the bar.

Wow! This chica is hot and spicy just the way I like them. She is truly a real belleza that just shouts out to you. This type of belleza is like a light that glows from within. Boy she’s hot. I have never seen her here before. She looks like a hot Latina Eve’s Pleasure model. She looks to be in her twenties. The chica is laughing, and she has even small set of white teeth.

Dios mio! What a cara. This chica is all ojos and lashes. I have never seen such hermoso ojos. Her ojos glow. They appear to have an internal light that causes them to glow like soft warm golden honey. Her ojos are outlined with some incredibly long curly black eyelashes. She has small straight nose and incredible bow mouth. Her hair is long, shiny light brown that calls to me. It tempts me to run mis manos down the length of her pelo.

“Hola primo, sorry we’re late,” said Alex as he slaps Jose Enrique in the middle of his back causing him to choke on his cerveza for the second time that night.

“What the hell!” exclaims Jose Enrique turning to see his primos, they are laughing, shoving him against the bar counter.

“Where have you locos been? Why are you late? Here I am waiting for you fools,” said Jose Enrique with some annoyance.

Jose Enrique turns around to catch another look at the hot chica, but she is not there.

Where did she go?

Getting all angry y glaring at his primos, Jose Enrique quickly strides down the bar to where the chicas are talking y laughing.

The hot chica is not here. She is gone
thought Jose Enrique. He strides back to where his primos are waiting for him at the other side of the bar. He continues to glare at them.
Sometimes I just wonder if they do have any brains in that big fat head they carry on their wide shoulders
.

Dios mio, give me patience.

“What?” asks Alex, taking a drink looking at the other side of the bar trying to see what Jose Enrique is interested in.

“Why are you mad at us?” asks Ricky, waiting for Jose Enrique’s response.

“What did we do?” asks Tony, shaking his cabeza.

“Are you okay” asks Chris looking at Jose Enrique irritation.

Alex, Tony, Ricky, y Chris know that Jose Enrique is furious and that he is going to do something to them. Los primos know that they will be the ones to pay for Jose Enrique misery.

Los primos can see that Jose Enrique is upset y uptight. Well, is this some evidence that Jose Enrique is getting anxious over something? Maybe there is no novia? Maybe Jose Enrique y su novia had a disagreement or a breakup?

“Hey, Matt we need some Coronas,” calls out Tony to the bartender. Tony always makes sure to tip Matt really well, so they are never waiting for their cerveza.

“Who are you looking for Jose Enrique?” asks Ricky, looking around to see who it can be.

“Are you looking for tu novia?” asks Alex looking down the bar in the direction where Jose Enrique is looking. The bar has a group of chicas down at the far end.
Maybe we will get lucky y get to finally meet Jose Enrique’s novia,
thought Alex.

“No, I’m just looking. Is that okay, Ricky?” asks Jose Enrique. “Why are you locos late?” Jose Enrique asks again, taking another drink of his cerveza.

“We had to wait for Alex to finish his shift at the hospital,” Tony answers, moving away from Jose Enrique’s fist.

“Do you want to go down the bar and see if we can meet the chicas?” asks Alex, watching how interested he is.

“No, I just want to relax,” said Jose Enrique sitting back down on the stool.

“Oh, man I want to party tonight,” said Ricky with irritation.

“So this means we will be leaving early tonight?” asks Tony, shaking his cabeza.

“Primos you can party on your own. You don’t need me,” said Jose Enrique drinking up his cerveza shrugging his shoulders.

“It will not be the same without you, Jose Enrique. We always do everything together,” said Ricky turning to look at him.

“Well, you locos need to get used to it. I will be getting married soon. I know that mi mujer will not like it if I continue to party with you fools,” said Jose Enrique with an evil smile.

“So this is for real?” asks Tony with a strained voice.

“I thought you were just messing with us,” said Chris shaking his cabeza.

“Why are you keeping tu novia such a secret?” asks Alex, looking at Jose Enrique smile.
Damn, he is being a guey about this
.

“We have always shared our secrets,” said Tony, waiting for his response.

“Matt, please give me another cerveza,” Jose Enrique calls out to the bartender.
Mis primos are getting me stressed out
.
I am already anxious with the short time I have to get una novia. Dios mio, give me patience.

“I’m going to go down the bar to those chicas and see if I can have a few dances,” said Ricky, getting up from the stool, I’m
tired of pestering Jose Enrique
.
He will tell us when he is ready
, he thought, shrugging his shoulders.

“Ricky! Wait for me,” said Tony following Ricky down the bar.

“Yeah” said Chris walking toward the chicas with Ricky y Tony.

“Are you okay?” asks Alex. “You have not been yourself these last few days.”

Alejandro Andres De La Cruz is also known as el doctor Alex. La familia is really proud of Alex. Alex is always there to help his primos in everything and anything.

“I think you should stop by the hospital to get some tests done. I’m worried that you’re under a lot of stress lately,” said Alex taking a drink from his cerveza. Alex looks at Ricky, Chris y Tony talk to the chicas.

“I’m okay, primo,” assures Jose Enrique, shrugging his shoulders. “All our hard work is finally paying off. La familia, our padres should be able to enjoy their golden years,” he adds.

“Come on, Jose Enrique. Is it tu novia that’s causing you stress?” asks Alex, waiting for him to open up and talk.

“No, Alex. Everything is great with mi novia,” said Jose Enrique with a smile
Damn, Paty needs to come through for me
.

“Jose Enrique los primos are all worried about you. We all notice that you’re under a lot of stress. None of us has ever seen or met tu novia. We are all concern about you. We worry about tu novia being the right mujer for you,” said Alex looking at Jose Enrique with concern. “It is not normal. Not one of us has met tu novia, and especially since you’re thinking of marriage,” Alex adds, shaking his cabeza.

We need to meet his novia and make sure that she loves him and not our dinero
thought Alex
.

“The entire familia will meet her soon,” said Jose Enrique not wanting to talk about it anymore. “Mi novia works long days y is out of town on business often,” said Jose Enrique looking at Ricky, Chris y Tony flirt with las chicas.

“Okay. Just let me know if you need anything,” said Alex turning to look at los primos talk to the chicas. “You know we are here for you.”

Taking a drink from his cerveza Jose Enrique nods his cabeza at his primo. “I’m okay, Alex. Say adios to los primos, okay? I’m tired, y I’m going to have an early night,” said Jose Enrique as he walks toward the door.

“Si primo, buenas noches” said Alex watching Jose Enrique leave early.

Finally out of the club he looks up into the dark warm night. He looks at the stars and smiles. Jose Enrique is thinking about the bella chica that he saw in the club.

I wonder if I can see her here next Friday night. I will get here early y ask her to dance. It has been a while since a chica causes any type emotions or feel any type of interest.

He turns striding toward his black sporty Mercedes. Jose Enrique slides right into the black leather seat starting his carro. He listens to his favorite songs driving a casa.