Ria De La Ria Book Club

  3 months later Season 2 episode 9 Carlton POV "Yo, boss, look what we found, da da dum dum." One of Rick's men mocked He shoved me into Rick's claustrophobic office. The aroma of his surroundings made my nose pucker up. It smelled like someone had died inside. My gaze flashed throughout the room, eventually settling on a pallid girl. She was on the floor, blood streaming from her head wounds. Was she dead? Of course she was. What stupid question to ask. How long has she been there? "Fuck that, where the fuck is the fucking clean-up guy? He said he'd come get this dump." He yelled, motioning at the decaying body.  I averted my gaze, hoping not to puke on the spot. Juan was correct—I couldn't deal with gang stuff. Even the sight of blood makes me nervous, and now I was smelling and staring death in the face. However, the show must go on. "That nigga ain't coming; he said he needs his money, Rick." "Well, then, get ano...

  Season 2, episode 7 Juan POV  Once we had parked in the building's parking lot, I switched off the engine of the car. Elena didn't say much the entire time she was here, and I was truly expecting  her to tell me that Carlton had touched her. I glanced at her, knowing that my feelings for her were growing stronger by the day. She was dressed in my sweater and jeans today. I know she was trying to hide the bruises, but it's too late now.  "I want you to go to therapy, Princesa." I expected her to respond, but she didn't, and those seven words remained dangling in the air. "Elena." I called out quietly for her. I reached out to touch her, but she shrieked and I jerked my hand away. I looked at her with concern.  "What's wrong, Princesa?"  "Get the hell away from me." She sobbed and tried to yank open the door, but I immediately latched it on my side.  "Please let me out. Help! Please help!" She yelled, banging on...

  Season 2, Episode 6 Elena POV I cried as I gazed at the divorce papers. Juan presented them to me this morning before she left for work. She instructed me to read them over before signing them. Everything seemed to be happening too quickly, which left me feeling slightly overwhelmed. I got married three months ago. How come I'm already divorcing? I despised Juan at the time, but I was coming to like her or maybe something more. I wasn't sure. She was nothing like I expected her to be—I guess they were right when they said, "Never judge a book by its cover." I took a pen from the bedside table and signed my name on the page. I've always imagined Carlton and me growing old together and having a child— I blinked away the tears and jumped out of bed. I grab the documents with me and go out to find Carlton. It didn't take me long to track him down.  He was at the dinner table, using his phone. I cleared my throat in an attempt to catch his attention. When h...

  Season 1, Episode 5 Juan POV The entire room—no, the entire house—was tense. It was as if 20 elephants had dropped into the space the moment Carlton put foot inside. Everything felt constrained and tense. Elena has vanished, and while I knew I could find her in my room, I didn't want her to stay and cave in. She was not at fault in this situation.  "Where is she?" Carlton inquired.  "Did you  just ask what I think you asked?" I turned to look at him. He was getting on my nerves, and I was kicking myself for not blowing his head in the darn van. "What exactly do you want her for?" I asked, approaching him slowly. He looked behind him and began to back up.  "Chill, man, I just wanted to apologize." I grinned and grabbed him.  "What do you have going on in your head, Carlton?"  "N-nothing, man." He replied without looking at me. I drew him in even closer.  "You appear nervous, brother. I think you need to relax, b...

  Season 2, Episode 4 Carlton POV Notes: Carlton said he wanted another episode for himself so let him cook 😭😅😎 let the OG cook.  "You know how harsh she can get, Carlton." Camila elaborated.  I sighed and rolled my eyes. Who was she speaking with?  "Because you guys are closer—look how she does me—look at my fucking face." I held the mirror's handle, peering at my crimson, purple, and blue swollen face.  "I'm not suggesting she was correct in her actions. Carl, but how could you do that to your wife?"  "Elena is a slacker. You are aware that she slept with her." I murmured. We're all aware that Juan sleeps with my girlfriends for fun.  "We are related. We should live as one." Camila spoke gently. All she was doing was ticking me off. We all know she was so calm since she didn't bring her partner near Juan. As we get older, Juan and I find each other and stick together. "Said the girl who ran out, leaving her...

  Season 2, Episode 3 Elena POV "I'm not the best cook, but I remember a few breakfast recipes from watching my mother cook." She served a delicious plate of homemade pancakes with syrup coated all over them and bacon on the side. I gave a melancholy smile at the breakfast. It seemed to be perfect, but my hunger was lacking, especially since I learned that Carlton was returning here.  Juan didn't  break the news to me; I simply happened to overhear the conversation, and I've been on edge ever since. I'm sure she didn't want to warn me to be worried, but it wouldn't be long before I would see him around. "It looks wonderful. However, can I eat it later?" I responded gently. I didn't want to make her mad for literally slaving over this breakfast but I believe it would have been far more disrespectful if I had eaten it and then vomited it.  "You must eat, Princesa. You're taking medication."  Speaking of medications, I...

  Season 2, Episode 2 Juan POV "Juan." Elena's sweet voice says; she softly shakes me, and I slowly turn to view her lovely eyes. "I can't sleep." She spoke in quiet tones.  "Do you want to talk about it?" I inquired. I know it would be difficult for her to discuss it, but sometimes she just needs a little push. I brushed her hair away from her eyes. Her brows wrinkled in worry. I knew what she was thinking—that things would never get better and she would never be able to go on. She will, just not right now. When I witnessed my mother's death.  There were portions of me that believed it was my fault, and no one could convince me otherwise. I should've helped her, but instead, I exacerbated the situation. "It feels strange to me." She whispered. I pull her into my arms; she throws her legs over my torso, and I can feel our heat melding and merge into one.  "Whatever it is you're thinking. Never consider yourself a b...

  Season 2, Episode 1 Elena POV "No Carl! The baby is yours!" I yelled, attempting to flee from him. His poisoned gaze pierced me. I stumbled and he took this to his advantage and grabbed my foot, yanking me back. My fingernails dug into the carpet, attempting to keep him from hauling my body any further. He yanked harder, and my kneecap burned off on the carpet  "Stop." I whimpered in agony.  He swung me around and straddled me. My fingers tried to claw at his face, but they just lay there, as if they were paralyzed and unable to move. I cried as I tried again and again.  "Help me!" I yell to no one in particular. "No! Let go of me. You have the baby...Stop!" I shrieked. He thrust the razor-sharp knife into my stomach. I cried out in pain, it felt as if a thousand pins has been pushed aggressively in my stomach. I could feel the blood drain from my stomach. I could hear that awful sound of flesh being ripped apart as he twisted it. His menacing ...

Season 1, Episode Final Juan POV The cold spring breeze sweeping through my hair felt like a rose's kiss. I could smell the ground, which makes me nauseous. I take a sip of my whisky-laced orange juice. It had a stronger whiskey flavor than orange juice.  I could smell the roses and other flowers that were lined up in the small garden in the midst of the earthy air. I was currently seated outside on the backyard patio. I couldn't bear the thought of remaining in the house. Staring at the garden makes me think of my mother. I remember my mother gardening when I was younger. Every day, she would plant a large number of flowers. I could see tears in her eyes all the time, but when she looked at me, she always managed to smile. She bottled it up till she couldn't anymore. Flashbacks...  "Mama, this is stupid. We're just here, roasting in the sun." I whined, kicking the dirt.  "Well, you won't be playing with those lads either. Remember, you're g...

  Season 1, Episode 14 Juan POV I had to call Julio and several of the guys to stay and keep an eye on Carlton on the trip to the hospital. I opened the door to see Carlton on the floor, blood pouring around his feet and a slightly bluish face. He was bleeding excessively, and he deserved it.  "Did he give you any trouble, boys?" I pull out a joint and light it up.  "No, the white boy remained silent the entire time." Julio stated.  "Give us some privacy." They nodded and walked out of the room. I took the seat in front of him on the couch. I blew a puff of the joint in his direction. When the smoke hit his nose, he coughed.  "You don't look well, Carlton?" He raised his head. "You fucked my wife and got her pregnant."  "No, Carl, I didn't fuck your wife. You're just too self-conscious. So your subconscious is telling you nonsense." "I have evidence," he wheezed out. "You're losing a lot of...