Next thing we see is the suitcase, the guitar, then Rocco and then Natalie getting thrown out into the hall. All he has to do is change the keypad sequence, then she couldn’t come in. But since he really doesn't want that, he hasn't done it. She yells and Cairo and tells him to think about everything she’s done for him! He asks her what she’s done. Bothered him? Annoyed him? Or the pissing him off? She replies it’s the helping him with his fake marriage. Natalie declares that she wasted her precious lips, too! Mention of her lips gets a weird look out of Cairo and we know what he’s thinking.
Cairo swallows and clears his throat. He points out that the whole purpose of the fake marriage was so that he can live alone! Cairo twitches and goes back inside his apartment. Natalie can’t believe what a jerk he’s being. Rocco picks up his stuff tells her that he told her that Cairo wouldn’t do it. Even a needle's tip wouldn't go through Cairo. Interesting image to say that Cairo is cold-blooded.
Cairo walks into his apartment, rubbing his chest. Oh, the stress! He’s still mad. The phone rings and it’s Isla. He answers the call with a “what?” He is not happy with her at all. She’s driving in her car. She sweetly remarks on how he’s still mad, huh? Like he wouldn't be. He’s home, right? She’s going to drop by for a bit. He tells her not to come. He wants to be alone. Isla replies that it's good that he’s alone. Then she says to Mom that Cairo says that he’s alone. Mom is in the car, wearing a small smile. They are so alike. Uck! Cairo heard that. Isla says that Mom made cucumber kimchi to give to him, but she hesitated bringing it because she was worried that it might bother him if Natalie was there. Isla tells him that she didn’t want Mom’s care to go to waste, so she brought Mom with her. Of course, that's the reason. Cairo glares as he hangs up the phone. Then he remembers that Natalie and Rocco are downstairs.
Natalie is stewing over where Rocco is going to go. Rocco says that he’ll go to a Sauna. Natalie feels terrible for him. Natalie says that she’ll raise the money for him. He tells her not to; if he accepts that money, he’s not cool. She moans that it’s because of her. Rocco replies that it’s because of him that Cairo bro is making it difficult for her. Anyways, Isla found out about the secret was because of him, so they can call it even.
Cairo appears and asks why they’re still there! Rocco says that they’re just about to leave but Cairo grabs his stuff and rushes off around the corner with it. Natalie and Rocco run after him, but Cairo has dropped it. He tells Natalie quickly that Mom is coming! Natalie screams for Rocco to go! They barely get Rocco out of sight when Isla and Mom arrive. They stand there, arm around each other, smiling. Cairo even gives Natalie a little head kiss. Natalie happy greets Mom, who is not happy to see her. Neither is Isla. But I am smiling. They do look really cute together. And I bet that Cairo was never this type of affectionate with Isla.
Isla and Mom get out of the car. Isla asks Cairo about not being alone. Cairo taps Natalie’s head with his forehead as he says that he meant that he didn't want to be disturbed. She nudges him, like she’s embarrassed. Mom is staring straight ahead. Isla thanks them for coming out together. Cairo replies that he came to see them off. Mom says that he’s not supposed to do that to someone who came to see him. Cairo responds by telling Mom that he knows exactly what she was planning, but bringing Isla over. Isla replies that if Mom had intentions, it would be to make sure her son is living well and eating well. She holds out the cucumber kimchi. Cairo tells them to take it back. Since it'll just be thrown away without being eaten.
Isla says Cairo’s name in admonishment. Natalie glares at Cairo for being rude to Mom and declares that it would be so wasteful, why throw it away? She takes the kimchi from Isla. She tells Mom not to worry. She will clean everything off and eat it all. Cairo is not looking at his mother at all. Natalie tells Mom that if she was going to bring side dishes Mom could have told her. Why did Mom come with Isla, anyway? Mom says that she’s been friends with Isla for some time. Natalie asks if it’s not because Mom hates her? Mom’s against her, right? Isla’s a little shocked at how blunt Natalie’s being.
Natalie sighs and declares that if Mom keeps going against her like this, their Cairo may have to live alone forever. Mom laughs, astonished. Cairo looks at Natalie a little surprised, too. Mom asks if Natalie just dared to threaten her. Natalie sweetly replies that she’s just worried. The Gong family line might end. Cairo’s really surprised that Natalie just said that. And I am rolling. Mom replies that Natalie shouldn’t worry. She’s not against Natalie; it's a misconception. Natalie happily laughs and declares that that's a relief!
Natalie leans in and puts her hand on Mom’s arm as she declares that she want them to be closer. Mom shoves her hand off. Natalie says that she wants them to go shopping, eat good food and leave the manner-less Cairo out. The girls should have a date sometime! Cairo hisses at her to stop. She nudges him back. Mom tells Isla that they should go. A smiling Natalie wishes Mother-in-law goodbye. She waves at Mom and Isla who is still standing there, telling Isla to go ahead and go. Isla’s not smiling as she gets into the car.
As they drive off, Natalie tells Cairo that she’ll make sure he’ll live alone for the rest of his life but he just has to live with Rocco for a few days. Rocco walks up as Natalie points out what Mom might think if she saw Rocco and her walking down the street together. Rocco puts his arm around Natalie’s shoulder, which Cairo notices and doesn’t like. Natalie reminds Cairo that Mom's been keeping an eye on her and Rocco. How is Cairo going to explain that to Mom? Cairo sighs.
Back in the apartment. Rocco’s exploring. I’m reminded of Natalie’s first time, the way he’s wandering around picking up things and Cairo’s freaking out over his stuff getting touched. Cairo’s running along behind Rocco telling him that everything is forbidden: touching anything… the bathroom… delivery food… Searching is forbidden. Eating is forbidden! And don't make the house smell. Cairo declares that Rocco is allowed in the apartment between 11 PM to 7 AM, 8 hours total. He’s allowed the couch. Natalie asks why Cairo is being so strict.
Rocco spots the massage chair and settles into it. It’s comfortable so he asks if he can’t just sleep there. Cairo tells him to have some sense and yanks him out of the chair. With some difficulty, which cracks me up. Cairo blows some air at his bangs. Natalie reaches over and pinch-touches Cairo’s sleeve with her thumb and index finger. He reacts with a ‘she’s touching me!’ face. He grabs his arm where she touched him, uncomfortable. She softly asks him if he’s okay. He asks her, softly, if she still hasn’t left. She grabs and puts their hands together, telling them to get along nicely. She waves goodbye as they shake their hands free. Cairo looks over at Rocco, who smiles a big grin at him. Cairo tells him to sleep.
Rocco plops onto the couch with his guitar out. Cairo flings his bedroom door open, declaring that the guitar is also forbidden! He cuts off the lights and goes back into his room with a slam. Rocco chuckles and tells him to sleep well, bro.
Isla and Mom are driving. Mom apologizes for what Isla just saw. Isla says that it’s okay. She’s used to it. When they were in their 20's, whenever Cairo dated other girls, she experienced similar situations. Even though they were just friends, girls would be really jealous and wary of her. Because they could tell that you wanted to be more than just friends. Mom understands. Where are all those girls now? Next to Cairo, only Isla is left. Isla replies that it’s because they’re friends.
Mom asks how Isla’s father is, since he might still be upset about the breakup. Isla assures her that her father still likes Cairo. He’s been trying to scout Cairo for their hospital. Or that’s what Isla says. I wonder. Mom is thankful that her dad doesn’t hold a grudge. Isla adds that her Dad wanted to meet Cairo again. Isla says that she worries that Natalie might misunderstand. Cairo will probably refuse too, because of Natalie. Mom declares that she can help with that problem. So they’re plotting together.
Next morning, Cairo has no covers. He wakes up freezing. He reaches over and grabs some. He rolls over and puts his arm around someone. He realizes that it’s a sleeping Rocco. Cairo sits bolt upright in bed, asking what’s this! Rocco sits up, eyes closed, and says that it’s him. Cairo wants to know why Rocco is sleeping there! Rocco mutters that it was too cold in the morning. Cairo screams for Rocco to get out this instant! Rocco smiles and lies back down, muttering, asking why Cairo’s getting mad. Cairo’s head looks like it’s going to explode. He checks under the covers and Rocco laughs, like he would really not be wearing anything or something.
Cairo goes and eats breakfast. Two pieces of white toast with butter. He stifles an angry groan and asks what Rocco’s doing. Pan backward to Rocco sitting across from him, staring at Cairo’s toast. Rocco replies that Cairo said that eating was prohibited. At least he can feast with his eyes. Cairo half-snarls that he told Rocco to get out. Rocco smiles and replies that he thought Cairo meant to get out of the bed. Cairo asks if Rocco’s doing this on purpose… to make him angry. Rocco asks why he would do that. Cairo asks if Rocco really has no other place to go. Doesn’t he have any relatives or friends? Rocco replies that all his friends are girls. He lost contact with his relatives. He never had a dad and his mom ran away. All of which is the truth.
Cairo feels really bad for a moment. Then he hisses at Rocco and asks if Rocco thinks he can act pitiful so he can free load. Rocco smiles and laughs saying that Cairo didn't fall for it but Natalie did. Cairo glares at Rocco – for proving what a ladies’ man he is, even though I think Rocco is lying right now about it not being true – puts his coffee mug down with a thud and gets up from the counter. Rocco declares that if Cairo isn’t going to eat his egg, he will. He stuffs the egg in his mouth before Cairo can say anything. Cairo tells him to clean up. Rocco yells after Cairo that they should go to work together. He tries to hurry downstairs to catch Cairo, but Cairo drives off without him.
As Cairo drives away, he coughs and mutters that he’s caught a cold because Rocco took the covers. In a consultation, Cairo sneezes loudly. He’s coughing more as he decides to go home for the day. He tells his receptionist to cancel his afternoon appointments. Before he goes, he checks about the electrical maintenance happening later that night in the building. Receptionist says that from 8 pm until tomorrow morning, the entrance will be locked and all the phone lines will be out. They’re also going to fixing the electrical generator at the same time. Cairo reminds her to take care of the stuff that would need to be refrigerated and then leaves to go home. Receptionist answers the phone and says that he went home for the day.
The woman on the phone was Mom. She makes Dad go to the market for some chicken. Mom makes him some chicken and ginseng stew. When Natalie gets home, she’s excited because she loves the stew. But Mom won’t let her have any, because it’s for Cairo. Natalie protests that she and Cairo are on different levels. Mom doesn’t think so. Natalie’s surprised that Cairo’s sick, but she doesn’t want Mom to take it, so she leaves with it, protesting that it should be hers.
On her way to Cairo’s Natalie gets a call. It’s Mom, asking for a shopping date. Natalie arrives at the store, carrying the pot. But it’s not Mom that’s there, but Aunt. She wants Natalie to try on clothes. Natalie tries to protest about the soup getting cold but Aunt hisses at her and says that Cairo will join them in the evening.
Mom calls Cairo and tells him about dinner. Cairo doesn’t want to because he’s sick – although he just says that he’s tired. He says that he wants to be alone with Natalie. Mom replies that Natalie is going to be there too. They’re meeting for Natalie. Cairo’s a little wary, but Mom says that since Natalie seemed upset with her, she was planning on buying them some dinner at a nice restaurant. As Cairo hangs up, he wonders what Mom is plotting now.
Cairo calls Natalie. She begs him to save her, since they’re making her try on a bunch of clothes. She’s worried that Mom really likes me. Cairo tells her not to worry, that’s definitely not it. He says that he’s not sure what’s going on, but for now, she should just accept everything that they buy for her. He corrects her, saying to buy everything she wants… the wasteful, mindless bimbo concept. He coughs and she tells him that even when he’s sick he’s still wicked. Aunt pounds on the door, asking what’s taking Natalie so long. Cairo tells her ‘fighting’ before she hangs up.
Aunt doesn’t like the outfit. Natalie tries to like everything that Aunt picks, but Aunt is not satisfied. Lots of climbing up and down stairs, with Natalie in different outfits. Aunt settles on something I find really tacky, the worst outfit of the lot. Off to the salon. Multiple beauty concepts with the soup pot being pushed all around the salon. At the end of it all, Aunt and Natalie end up back at Cairo’s office. Aunt says that Cairo and Mom will be picking up Natalie there. Aunt even stops Natalie from calling Cairo to ask where he is. Natalie falls asleep. Aunt makes sure Natalie is out and then steals Natalie’s phone. Aunt heads to the restaurant to meet Mom.
At the restaurant, Mom is shocked that Natalie fell asleep. Mom worries about Aunt leaving Natalie alone, since Cairo might find out. Aunt assures Mom that it will be okay, since she took Natalie’s phone. Aunt hands it over to Mom, who sticks it in her purse. Cairo, still coughing, arrives at the restaurant, to find Isla there, sweetly drinking coffee. He’s not happy to see her and asks why she’s there. Especially since this is supposed to be a meal with Natalie and Mom. Isla replies that her father will be coming soon and he wants to see Cairo. Plus, it seems like Mom wants to see her father. Isn't that convenient.
Cairo rolls his eyes and asks Isla what she’s trying to do by using their parents. Isla says that she also feels uncomfortable involving their parents. How about allowing them to speak to each other, and they slowly leave? He can’t believe her. She adds that if he comes with her, she'll give him a present. She takes out a hotel key and puts it on the table. Cairo looks at her. She adds the camera memory card. Isla tells him that the parents will be arriving soon. Cairo needs to decide quickly if he doesn't want Mom seeing what's on the card. He looks at her, hating her.
Mom arrives and Isla quickly hides the key and the card. Mom asks if she’s too late. Isla replies that Mom arrived right on time. Mom asks where Isla’s father is. Isla replies that he’s running a little late because of an urgent surgery. Cairo gets it all now. He asks Mom about ordering Aunt to hold on to Natalie, didn't she? Mom replies that, just like Natalie wanted, she went shopping with the girls and got her hair done. Mom says that Natalie’s having a good time, so don't worry too much.
Cairo pulls out his phone and calls Natalie. Natalie’s phone buzzes in Mom’s purse. Noticing, Cairo hangs up and calls again. More buzzing. Mom tries to act like nothing’s going on, taking a drink of water. Cairo tells Mom that she’s got a phone call. She should answer it. Mom tries to leave, but Cairo’s not going to let her get away. Mom tries to asks what Cairo’s doing, but he’s not going to play. Why does she have Natalie's phone? Mom says that it's a misunderstanding. Cairo demands to know where Natalie is.
Natalie is out. She slowly wakes up at Cairo’s office. She looks around for Aunt, but Aunt is gone. She tries calling on her phone, but her phone is gone. It’s 8 pm and the lights go out. Natalie can’t see anything. She makes her way to the glass doors, but they won’t open. Natalie thinks it’s a joke at first, but when no one answers, she starts to freak out. Natalie stumbles back towards the reception desk and accidentally dumps the soup over on herself.
Mom has finally admitted where Natalie is. Natalie is there at his office alone? He checks his watch. It’s 8:15 pm. He remembers about the power and phones being out and the entrances being locked. He’s not happy, because he knows what being alone in the dark will do to Natalie. He can’t believe that Mom would kidnap and imprison her there. Mom tells him not to be so dramatic. She tells him that people are looking. He needs to lower his voice. He yells at her, asking if she even knows embarrassment?!
Isla’s surprised at his tone. She tells him not to be angry at Mom. She asked Mom to do it. Isla sighs and apologizes *to Mom.* Mom assures Isla that it’s okay. It's not her fault. Cairo can’t believe them. Isla says that she’s really sorry to Natalie, too. Mom assures her that it’s okay. Cairo yells that he’s not okay! He shocks Mom and Isla with the ferocity of it. Cairo declares that Natalie can't be left alone. Natalie can never leave be left alone! He runs out of the restaurant. Isla and Mom both are upset by his display, but for different reasons.
Scene from the beginning of the show with Cairo desperately driving for his office. He thinks about Natalie talking about how she almost died when she was five, what Dad said about it. Natalie is at the office, still freaking out, begging someone to help her. She sinks to the floor, terrified.
Cairo reaches his office as Rocco is taking out the trash. Rocco tells Cairo that Bon Café is closed. Cairo checks to see how long the power’s been out. Rocco says about 30 minutes. Cairo just runs. Rocco asks what’s wrong. Cairo replies that Natalie’s locked up in the clinic. Cairo gets upstairs, but can’t get the door open. Rocco arrives with a bar and they’re able to pry it open. They frantically start looking for Natalie. Cairo sees the fallen soup.
Cairo ends up in his office, using his phone at a light. He finds Natalie hiding under his desk. They look at each other. And then he does what frightened people everywhere do once they find out the person they care about is okay. Cairo starts to yell at her, asking if she’s stupid! Why is she there?! Natalie meekly replies that Aunt told her to wait there. He yells that if she’s going to be dumb, she should at least have some common sense! What’s with the chicken and ginseng stew?!
Natalie starts to cry as she asks him why he’s yelling? Does he know how much she suffered because of him? She starts to sob and Cairo can’t stand it. Then Rocco appears and wraps her up in a hug as Cairo can do nothing but watch. Natalie protests, asking does Cairo know how scared she was? Rocco comforts her, telling her that it’s okay. She sobs. And Cairo wishes that it was him holding her.
Back at Cairo’s apartment, Natalie looks at the soup. She’s sad that it’s wasted. She tells Cairo that Mom sent it thinking of him. Cairo sighs, feeling like a heel. He can’t apologize though. Natalie goes to clean up and he looks at her go, feeling bad. Rocco looks at the soup and says that there's a lot left. It should be enough for three people to eat heartily. Cairo asks if Rocco’s Jesus? Is he going to create a miracle? Rocco smiles and says he sure can. As soon as Cairo allows him to cook. Cairo tells him to do whatever he wants.
Rocco gets to work, cooking. Cairo pretends to not care and read a book. But it smells really good and Cairo can’t help but want some. It looks so good! I want some too. Natalie appears and Rocco declares that he made Chicken soup. Natalie can’t believe that he made it with Mom’s chicken soup? Cairo mutters that pasta is what you make when you can't cook but still want to make yourself look good. Natalie eagerly digs in and declares it yummy.
Natalie tells Cairo that he should try some too. Cairo makes himself cough and declares that he doesn’t have an appetite. She shuffles over and holds out a bite. He pretends to be into his book but he eats it and likes it. Rocco isn’t exactly sure how he likes that little exchange. Cairo mutters that it’s probably the soup's broth that's good. Rocco chimes in that Cairo’s right. It was all thanks to Mom’s cooking. Brownie points, Rocco.
Cairo sighs and says that he feels bad towards Mom. He doesn't deserve to receive things like this. Natalie tells him that it’s okay. If it weren't for Cairo, when would Mom ever get to dream of a doctor son-in-law? They should just say that he let Mom and Dad have a sweet dream, even if it's a very short midsummer night's dream (that last part sounds like Rocco). He asks if she called as he brings over the other two bowls of food. Cairo gripes more but they ignore him.
Natalie proposes they have some wine. Rocco’s all for that. Cairo protests that he’s sick! How can they to have a drinking party?! He coughs some more. He yells at them not to touch, but they ignore him. Cairo gets to watch Natalie and Rocco be all cutesy, which he hates. Rocco feeds Natalie pasta. She groans at Cairo and makes him eat.
We get a little serenade by Rocco. The man has a really nice tenor. It’s dreamy. Natalie smiles at Rocco while Cairo watches her. Rocco changes the song to the one that Cairo dances to at the male auction. They make fun of his dancing. They beg him to do it and he obliges and the three of them laugh at it all. And Cairo’s not alone.
Isla is. She’s at a bar, drinking, upset because Cairo likes Natalie. She can’t help but think of how upset he was over Natalie being left alone. Him declaring that she can never be alone! She thinks of three years ago when Cairo told her that being alone suits her better. It’s their break up talk three years ago. Cairo declares that he likes being alone. Isla doesn’t say anything. Cairo apologizes and she laughs. She sighs like she’s happy and says that she can breathe now. While preparing for the wedding, her breath felt shorter and shorter each day. She says that this isn't how she usually does things. The truth is that I was miserable. She thanks him for saying it first. He asks if they’re okay and she assures him with a smile that they are. Back in the present, Isla sits in the same bar. She asks Cairo what she should do. She’s not okay.
Cairo coughs and wakes up. He gets up to get some water and finds no one else there. The mess is still there, though. And this is my reaction. Cairo whines and says that he is a sick person. He is sick! And they’re making him clean up. He grabs one of the wine glasses and a bowl of pasta to clean but then notices Rocco and Natalie asleep on the couch. They heads are propped together. Looking at her sleep, he thinks of several people asking if he's okay. Finally, he says that he is not okay.
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