Caray, Caray!

At the San Llorente house Squeaky sulks and reads her magazine. She is using one of her two expressions, Bored. Flor tells Tomasa that she feels weird and is never hungry. (Yeah, duh, pregnant.) Tomasa tells her not to worry, all the preggers feel that way. Berta interruptus...she's having a cow over a missing pearl necklace, (the one she stole from herself and planted in Squeaky's purse), and of course she's blaming the poor maid Charo, threatening to call the police or fire her. Tomasa tells them all to calm down, nobody's getting fired, they'll all look for Berta's necklace. Berta says it was her mama's and if she doesn't find it she'll simply die. Promises, promises.

Alejandro and Fabricio are in a jewelry store. Faby whines to Alejandro that Gonzo told his mom that he and Cesar dealt him two mortal blows by betraying him. Alejandro says he would feel the same way in Gonzo's shoes. It surprises him that nobody within the company realized what Cesar was doing. He couldn't have done it alone. He must have had accomplices, more than just Don Julio. The auditors must find something, nothing stays hidden forever. More boring conversation about Alejandro's sudden interest in Fabricio and Florencia's welfare.
The jeweler enters with the necklace that Berta gave to Alejandro. As Alejandro suspected, the diamonds are of low quality. What matters is the cut of the stone, only one person does that type of work and he learned from Alejandro's father. "Roberto Sclevert?" asks Alejandro, "Didn't he die some years ago?" "No, he became a collector, dedicated himself to auctions and became very rich," the jeweler stares into space. Alejandro wants to find this Sclevert.

Miranda is telling Pamela that they have to economize. Nobody at home seems to realize that they are in an economic crisis. They have no idea that the only money they have is that which Pamela keeps for Miranda at her house. (I think this is the first we're hearing about this?) Pamela asks wouldn't it be better if the others were told? "No, pop was very clear," says Miranda, "he doesn't want anybody to know I have that money." Pamela thinks Berta also has some cash put aside. Suddenly they are surprised to see someone named Lulu, hugs and kisses, what is she doing in their neighborhood? Seems she came with all the other patients that Sr. Luque brought to the city. The love music begins and Miranda gets dewey-eyed. Lulu says he brought them all to that asylum that nice Dr. Fernandez directs. Miranda asks about a lady, quite ill...Nati? Did she get better? Where is she now? She wants the address from Lulu. Miranda wants to talk to this lady who confused her with her mother. Pamela doesn't look happy about this turn of events.

Flor is telling Squeaky that she can't believe there is a thief in the house. Berta enters with Lukas the dog. Berta starts bad-mouthing Miranda, everthing is her fault. Squeaky picks up her purse and Berta's pearl necklace falls out. Berta shrieks, "Oh Renata, what have you done, what have you done?" Squeaky faints.

Gonzo's lawyer Vicente is visiting him in prison. He tells Gonzo that he has arranged limited access at the company, only the most trusted employees are allowed in. Gonzo doesn't want Cesar to set foot in the office, but Vicente wants him to be prudent. He doesn't want Cesar to know they suspect what he's up to. Gonzo tells Vicente he's got to get him out of this place. He met a guy, El Magnate, who told him there was a hit out on him. "Exactly," says Vicente, "you remember the architect Osvaldo Manriquez?" "The one who lost his building because he didn't sign his insurance papers on time, right?" "He vowed to kill you, remember?" "That's what this is all about?" "He's a prisoner here. He killed his creditors when they got in his way; his wife left and took his kids. You're at the mercy of his type here. Sooner or later your paths will cross. El Magnate is the only one who can keep you alive. Around here it's the law of the jungle; only the strong survive. Be strong."

Lasagna and Raul are out on a walking date. She wants him to invite her to his house to meet his family. They're both smitten. Sanson's thugs are tailing them. Thug #1 calls Sanson, he doesn't believe Lasagna is rich, she doesn't have a car, but she's a babe and maybe they should get her for their gang. Thug #2 grabs the phone and says it's her friend who has the bodyguards, it's she who must have the money. Thug #1 grabs the phone back and says they'll do whatever Sanson wants. They'll wait until this babe hooks up with the other one then they'll grab her. Back to the lovebirds, icky love talk, a kiss on the cheek, see ya.

Alejandro and Faby are at Roberto Sclevert's fancy apartment. While waiting for Sr. Sclevert Faby tells Alejandro he thought they were friends but he's beginning to have doubts because Alejandro seems suspiciously interested in Florencia. Alejandro decides to spill his guts, he's going to tell Faby the truth, prove that he is Faby's friend. The truth is that he (Alejandro) and Florencia are brother and sister. "Huh?????", Faby does a triple-take. "Yep," Alejandro continues, "kids of the same father. Evidently Florencia doesn't know." Faby sputters but has to suck it up because Roberto Sclevert enters. After introductions Sr. Sclevert is happy to see Alejandro, Alberto Luque's son. Yes, he's happy to help Alejandro. He is shown the necklace and confirms that he recently made it based on one of Alberto's designs. A woman named Berta de Aragon ordered it from him. Alejandro looks pissed.

Back at the San Llorente castle Berta and Miranda give Squeaky smelling salts...and she's up with expression #2, Bug Eyes, and squeaking "Get out! Get out! Get out!" Miranda wants to know what happened to her sister. Berta says it was only a slight faint due to Squeaky's diet. "OK, but next time it's straight to the doctor. Now get ready because pretty soon the driver is going to take us to Alejandro's plane," Miranda orders. After Miranda leaves Squeaky gets all sobby, It's the second time I lost my memory!" Tia Berta tells her they can keep it their business, nobody else needs to know about her illness. "What illness?" "Well my dear," soothes Berta, "in all probability you are a kleptomaniac."

Cesar visits Gonzo in jail to torture him. Gonzo tells Cesar he'll die before letting Cesar marry Miranda. Cesar seems to think that Miranda marrying him is the only way to save the company and Gonzo's good name but Gonzo's not buying it. It is he, Gonzo, who made Cesar what he is in business (a crook?) so he tells Cesar not to mess with the master. Cesar says he's in a postion to negotiate. "Negotiate what," asks Gonzo, "my daughter?" Gonzo tells Cesar that he'll take him down with him. Cesar counters with "You're not going to say anything or I'll marry your daughter. We'll see what your daughters think when they find out you kicked out your wife and killed a man. I have proof!"

Oh lookee, Alejandro and Miranda are going to the prom because they're all gussied up and he's got a corsage for her! He asks her to sit down and he whips out a box with a diamond necklace. "These diamonds were designed and cut by my father," he says as he puts it around her neck. He tells her he wants to spend a romantic evening together. He whips out a second box, this one holding a honking big Cracker Jack ring.
Alejandro: This ring was designed by my father for the woman who steals my heart. Will you marry me?
(Wait a minute. Is it me or does all this seem a bit sudden?)
Miranda: Yes, I accept....(insert extremely irritating theme song here)...but not now.
A: Huh? Why?
M: Not the right moment. Please don't press me. Don't take it badly.
A: You're rejecting me and you don't want me to take it badly? Give me one reason right now why I shouldn't go away and never return.
(Boring conversation ensues; in a nutshell: yes she accepts his proposal but... (she kisses him), she's not ready (she kisses him), she needs time (she kisses him), that's all she asks (more kissing). What a tease!!!
A: (All hangdog) OK, but the only thing I ask is that you wear the diamonds tonight, after that do what you want. Ask for the world and I'll lay it at your feet. (Does he want some or what?) I want tonight to be unforgettable for both of us.
Will she fall for it? Hell, I would!

Gonzo's obsessing in his cell, "I was a stupid-head. I should have killed Cesar with my own hands. At least that would justify my being here." Green flashback to Friday's conversation with Cesar... "What would your daughters say if they knew all you did...yackety yack...you exiled your wife and then you killed a guy?" Gonzo snaps out of the flashback. Nobody is around so he talks to himself, "Who could have told Cesar what happened 18 years ago? Rebeca? No, she's denounced Cesar. Berta? No, that would be absurd. Anyway she would be implicated. What about Fernanda? Yeah, that's right, she and Cesar ganged up to put me in here, yeah, that's the ticket. The only way Fernanda could attack me was from within, by using that idiot. What to do what to do. How do I protect my daughters? Alejandro is the only guy I can trust. Only he can protect my daughters."

Alejandro and Miranda are at a restaurant. One moment she's all smiles, the next moment she says they should leave. She's afraid she'll be recognized and will cause more scandal for her father. Or maybe she shouldn't be out on the town while he's rotting in jail with no money. Alejandro assures her that pop doesn't want her to hide. "That's right," she says, sticking her pointy chin up in the air, "I am a San Llorente and I won't let them see me defeated!" This strength lasts about two seconds before she gets teary and whines that Flor is ill and Renata is ashamed of daddy. Alejandro reassures her that Flor is in good hands and Renata is only going through a phase, he'll talk to her. Oh, how can Miranda ever thank him? Alejandro says he doesn't want her thanks, he wants her love.

Faby is on the phone to mom, telling her the news that Alejandro told him about being Flor's brother. Fernanda must have been pregnant by Alejandro's father when she married Gonzo, and doubtless she never told him. And mom, Alejandro doesn't want either Gonzo or Florencia to find out so keep your yap shut. (I think this is novela speak for get out the loudspeaker.) Rebecca says she knows Gonzo and won't tell, if he didn't kill Fernanda that night then he surely will now. Faby says telling Flor could kill her, (Berta is lurking in the background with Lukas), he needs to convince Alejandro of this, oops, he sees Berta and changes the subject. "Of what do you have to convince Alejandro?" asks miss nosy parker. "Oh, just some renovations on mom's house," stutters Faby. (What, he doesn't have the cojones to say "none of your business?") "Really? I thought you were talking about something else," Berta presses. Faby tries to wiggle away, says he has to give Flor her medicines, but Bertha has one more zinger for him. She asks him why he's playing the stupid game of leading Miranda on by giving her hopes about their love.

Daira has been shopping for Feng Shui paraphernelia in a vain attempt to make their echo chamber of a house more comfy. Lasagna is giddy, "Guess what Ma? I have a secret. I'M IN LOVE!!!" Guess it's not a secret anymore. Daira wants to know with whom, did Renata introduce her to someone? No, Renata would die if she knew who it was. Now mom is getting suspicious...what's his name, where does he live, who is his family? Oh no, not another poor guy, not again! "But Raul is noble and sweet, he loves me a lot. He's studying marketing, but there's something you're not going to like..." Mom knows, "Yeah, yeah, he's poor, you always do this, then you get hurt. You try to help out the family and when have they ever paid you back? The problem is they turn out to be thieves." "But he's different, I promise, you'll see when you meet him." "I hope so, but listen up," Daira instructs, "I don't want you to hide this from your brother."

Back at the restaurant Alejandro and Miranda are drinking champagne and making goo-goo eyes at each other. He tells her he's in love for the first time. (I have it on good authority from Susan at work that this guy has said this at least three or four times in other novelas and he's not to be believed. But on with the recap...)
Miranda: You're kidding? I don't believe you. You, a man of the world, so handsome, so gallant, so loaded...and no history of love? Impossible!
Alejandro: But true.
M: I'm very afraid.
A: Of what, to love or to be loved?
M: Both. I'm afraid to be a fool in love once again. I want to be certain. Right now, for me, love is synonymous with pain and betrayal. How do you know this is true love?
A: By my sudden desire to marry you. My desire to hold you in my arms and never let you go. Because I feel like an adolescent who wants to shout his happiness to the world. Because I have never felt like this Miranda. They say that love is almost like madness.
M: That means that...
A: Yes, that I'm madly in love with you!

Big smooch, musical crescendo, roll the credits!
Previews of tomorrow where Cesar is going to ruin everything.

Labels: heridas