Caray, Caray!

Monica wants to know if CL knew that Paula was going out with her chauffeur. CL denies that Paula is doing any such thing. He insists that Paula said that she was coming to dinner with a friend, not a boyfriend. Monica wants to know why CL is so insistent. CL points out that Juan is just a chauffeur.

Paula denies that Juan is just a chauffeur to her; she claims he is a very good friend. Juan points out that now he has to deal with the problem that CL and Monica saw it very differently. Paula gets defensive and says she won’t ask him for any more favors. Juan won’t play that game. He’s not saying that he doesn’t want to do anymore favors, but the position he is in right now is very disagreeable. Paula understands and points out that it’s not easy for her either. Juan thinks that Paula made it look easy. Paula replies that Juan knew perfectly well what was going to happen at that dinner. Juan spits back that he wants to know why Paula wants to cause such hurt. Paula says that she’s confronting a fantasy. Juan asks her if she’s still in love with CL. Paula falls silent.

Monica defends Juan. “He’s not ugly.” She tells CL. CL glares at her. Monica continues to point out all the good physical qualities of Juan. She thinks he’s attractive, even if his wardrobe lacks. CL again points out the economic difference between Paula and Juan. Monica replies that Paula is still just a single woman. CL doesn’t think this matters. Monica thinks that loneliness can cause a woman to do crazy things. She switches on the TV and ignores CL’s question. He asks her if she really thinks there could be something between Paula and Juan.

Paula tells Juan that she’s not sure. Juan replies that with love one always knows. Paula doesn’t agree. She’s really confused. Juan doesn’t argue but he points out that it’s nevertheless dangerous to play such games. Paula wants to know why Juan is telling her this. He retorts that she’s very important to him and that he doesn’t want to see her suffer.

Monica asks CL if he didn’t notice how Juan looked at Paula. CL thinks it would be normal for Juan to be like that with Paula, but that the sentiment wasn’t there in reverse. Monica points out that Paula was very attentive to Juan. CL says that he didn’t notice. Monica points out that CL is not very observant. Monica’s sure something is there.

Paula tells Juan that it’s the consequence for loving someone she shouldn’t have loved. Juan thinks Paula should put her efforts into forgetting the whole thing and starting over. Paula says this is what she wants to do. This night was her good-bye to CL. She promises not to accept anymore dinner invitations. They “high-five” and Juan promises to always be there whenever she needs him. Paula gives him a sweet hug and exits the car.

Paula enters the house and her mother immediately comes charging down the stairs to find out how everything went. Paula doesn’t want to talk about it right now. Paula says that she doesn’t feel good; she feels like she’s mixing up things with CL and with Juan. Paula admits that she’s using Juan. Paula’s concerned that Juan will now have problems on her account. Ana asks if this relationship with Juan is really just a simple friendship. Paula replies that Juan could never think of it as anything more; that would be impossible. Plus, Juan has a secret love. Ana warns Paula to be careful.

Julia sleeps with the phone at her side, but Kike hasn’t called.

Kike attempts to exit Yadira’s room but Yadira and her cotton bunny tail won’t let him go. She starts to yell and say that he’s abusing her. Kike spits back that it’s she who’s abusing him. Kike tries to get her to cover, but Yadira resists.

Julia continues to sleep. She knocks the phone to the floor, and that wakens her. She looks at her watch and then glumly settles back into the couch.

Kike wants to know if Yadira will let him leave. Yadira says she won’t; she wants to get back the time that they lost. She wants him to want her again. Kike says it won’t happen. Yadira accuses him of being afraid. He effusively denies this. Yadira and her blanket rush over to Kike.

Juan reflects on his day. He has a lot of things to think about, like how to interpret Paula’s words. Juan thinks that if this good-bye for CL then it could be hello for him. He rushes over to his mirror and thinks that he’s in love with Paula and he thinks she’s starting to fall in love with him. The one thing of which Juan is sure is that he’s about to lose his job.

Nidia tries to wake Alirio for work. Alirio begs to be allowed to sleep. She guilt trips him. He decides that he would like one thing more than sleeping. She shoves him away. He loudly protests.

Kike and that awful pillow they make him wear get dressed. He rushes out Yadira’s door, but sees that Nidia’s about to leave her room. He’s worried that he needs to get to work. Yadira says that if he’s worried about not being seen then he needs to wait. Nidia will go back to sleep after Alirio leaves.

Marely and Juan share an awkward breakfast. Marely wants to know about last night. Juan’s not a man of many words. All he can say is “good.” Marely accuses him of allowing himself to be a puppet. Juan thought bubbles that it was gutsy for Marely to call him a puppet. He thinks that things are just now starting to heat up.

Juan picks up his Paula. She warns him that CL will asks about last night. Paula tells Juan not to say anything. He may only say that she invited him and he said yes.

Nidia wants to know why Alirio was so late the night before. Alirio blames it on work and on being the “right hand” for CL. Nidia asks if Alirio spoke with Gutierrez. Alirio gasps.

Paula and Juan take their leave of each other in the garage. Juan goes for Fernando, but accidentally pops a petite blonde on the head first. Fernando mentions that CL is as though he got up on the wrong side of the bed. Juan looks worried.

Paula goes to her office and finds CL waiting for her. They coldly greet each other. She wants to know what he wants. He wants to know how she had the nerve to bring Juan to his apartment. Paula imitates Scarlet O’Hara and arches her eyebrow in defiance.

Sparks fly. Paula says that she doesn’t have to answer. CL wants to know what is her game; why did she bring Juan. Paula demands that Juan deserves respect. CL doesn’t agree. He thinks the whole thing was a joke. Paula denies this. She really is going out with Juan. CL says that he doesn’t believe it. He wonders how Paula could have fallen so far. She calls him out. She doesn’t need a rich man with nice suits. She needs someone with whom she shares an attraction and who gives her respect. CL accuses her of committing the worst error of her life. She says that it’s her error to make. CL warns her that these games can be dangerous. She retorts that she loves danger.

Alirio promises that he was calling Gutierrez the whole day, but couldn’t get a hold of him. He thinks it’s a good idea to hook Gutierrez up with Yadira. Nidia can’t believe what Alirio’s saying.

Kike paces the room, which annoys Yadira. He’s worried that Alirio’s not going to work. Yadira knows that Alirio will go. Kike asks for the phone to make a call. Yadira seductively offers the phone, but Kike won’t take it.

Nidia rushes after Alirio and accuses him of wanting to deceive her. Alirio denies this and tries to calm her. He wants to explain his idea. Nidia won’t hear it. She throws a pillow at Alirio and calls him a monster. Alirio points out that Nidia herself thinks that it’s time for the girls to prepare themselves to leave the house. Alirio thinks that Gutierrez can give Yadira a sufficient life and help her mature. Nidia can’t argue with Alirio’s logic. Alirio finally leaves the house.

Marely’s on the phone apologizing to a Mr. Rios because Kike hasn’t appeared. Ummm…I have that outfit that Paula has on. One, it’s a coat, not a dress. Two, I put a shirt on underneath it. Just a personal observation there. Marely and Paula discuss Kike. Marely’s worried about him. She continues to call Kike’s house.

Fernando and Juan are also wondering about Kike. Juan wants Kike to arrive so that he can tell Juan about class the night before. Fernando laughs about Juan already missing class. Juan says that he had an important date. They continue their game until Paula comes to the garage. She wants to talk to Juan. She tells Juan that CL is making a big scene about last night. She makes Juan promise to give CL the explanation that CL wants to hear. Juan doesn’t understand this instruction. Paula says this means to tell CL the truth. Juan says that he’s a gentleman. Paula doesn’t care; she wants him to admit to sleeping with her if asked. Fernando slyly listens in the conversation.

Kike finally gets out of Yadira’s room, but he’s caught by Nidia.

Juan wants to know if Paula really wants him to tell CL everything. Paula strongly confirms that she does. Juan doesn’t think that CL will like that. Paula goes into a tangent about CL not being her father. She gets Juan when she says that what they shared was something sweet and important and that it should not be hidden. Juan’s speechless. All he can say is that he’s really happy. Paula happily leaves. Juan dances and thanks God for his luck. Fernando laughs at Juan’s antics. Juan jumps into Fernando’s arms. Fernando wants to know what’s going on, but all he gets is a kiss on the cheek. Juan shouts that he’s the happiest man in the land.

Nidia can’t believe what happened. This is how Yadira and Kike pay her back! Yadira tells her mother not to exaggerate, it’s not like this is the first time. Nidia cuts off Yadira and won’t hear a word from Kike. She again says that she was deceived. She wanted Kike to treat Yadira like a gentleman would, not like a Don Juan. She insists that Kike leave immediately and not return. Kike finally gets to leave the room. Nidia glares at Yadira and says that Yadira’s forbidden to leave her room. Yadira refuses to abide by this rule. Nidia warns that she’s not playing. She tells Yadira to forget about a car. Yadira play throws a pillow and mumbles unhappily to herself. She reaches down and finds a paper that describes Kike’s academic plan.

Paula tells Marely about the fight with CL. It was like he was at the point of a heart attack. Paula looks a little too gleeful about CL’s possible impending death. Marely looks as disgusted as I feel. Paula won’t allow Marely to ask any questions. Paula says that if CL wants to believe that Paula is Juan’s girlfriend, then Paula’s going to be Juan’s girlfriend. Marely looks stupefied.

CL pow-wow’s with Pastor. CL wants to know everything about Juan. Pastor doesn’t know where to start. CL wants to know if Juan is attractive. Pastor doesn’t want to answer. CL insists. Pastor admits that Juan could affect a woman. Pastor begins to list all of Juan’s attributes. CL says that he doesn’t want details. Pastor continues to list different good qualities of Juan. At the same time we get to see Juan dancing with a woman. Kike walks onto the scene.

Everyone applauds Kike’s arrival. Juan feels the need to immediately tell Kike about his good fortune. Kike knows that it has something to do with last night. Juan starts to tell his story, but Kike cuts him off and rushes to work. Kike comes back to give Juan the notes from the night before and to tell Juan that they had homework. Juan and Fernando silently look at each other.

Kike rushes through the lobby to Marely. He explains that he had a problem that he could not get out of. Marely gives him his assignments for the day. Kike tries to rush away, but Marely stops him to ask about Juan. Kike tells her that Juan’s very happy. Kike runs to the elevator. Julia can’t even catch him.

Juan reviews Kike’s notes, but he’s having a hard time reading them. Fernando thinks that Juan and Kike should take a handwriting class. The phone rings. It’s CL and he wants Juan to come to his office. Juan puts on his game face and prepares to go. Fernando wishes him luck. Juan thought bubbles that the hour of truth has arrived. He boldly prances off the elevator into the lobby. Paula gives him a thumbs up. The rest of the office watches.

Juan enters CL’s office; it’s empty, but not really. CL insists that CL drinks. When Juan refuses, CL has Juan sit. CL says that Juan needs to answer him with total honesty. CL wants to know what’s going on between Juan and Paula.

Paula very maturely watches out the window in her door. She talks to Marely about Juan’s interrogation. Paula tells Marely about her plan. Marely can’t believe that Paula wants Juan to tell everything. Marely whips around and tells Paula that she can’t believe that Paula would use Juan for vengeance. Marely accuses Paula of fighting dirty and being unjust. Why, oh why, can’t Marely be the protagonista? Marely storms out. Paula looks stupefied.

CL wants to know if the facts are so grave that Juan has to think about them so much. Juan says that he will only speak about himself and what he feels. CL repeats his question to Juan. Juan tells CL that he and Paula are in love. CL laughs and asks Juan if he really believes that. Juan confirms that he and Paula haven’t gone out together much, but that they’ve shared something very important. CL wants an explanation. Juan tells CL about the night he and Paula had sex. CL’s face noticeably drops about two inches.

Wednesday: Has Juan sealed his fate? Will CL get rid of both Juan and Paula? Will Kike make it through his delivery route? Tune in on Wednesday!

*Lily Tomlin

Labels: Juan