Caray, Caray!

Leftovers: the padre is telling Gloria’s ma maybe she needs to think about forgiving herself for abandoning her child, even though it’s a very bad thing.

On to the new: Mili and Alex are walking happily by the fountain in the garden, exclaiming over how much they love each other. Smoochies. Don’t ever let me go, says Mili. Alex says let’s go away somewhere where my family can’t bug us. Mili says but we have to take the abuela. She prattles on happily and he smooches her to stop the stream. He says come along to the clinic construction – he’ll make her his assistant. Both are giddy.

Now it’s night. At Case Belmonte, Connie is talking to Damien, requesting assurance that Damien is going to vote for Connie to stay head of the business. Damien feigns surprise that he would have to ask. Yeah, says Connie, it would be stupid for you to vote for Alex, plus it would make a great lesson for your stupid sister. Uh-uh says Damien, looking conflicted. Connie tells Damien that he’s been doing great, and when Connie gets elected, Damien will be his right-hand man. You bet! says Damien. Karla brings in coffee – Damien’s eyebrows shoot up. Karla leaves, and Damien excuses himself for a moment and takes off after her.

She goes into the girls’ dorm and closes the door. Damien bursts in and grabs her hard by the chin. Let go or I’ll scream she says, scared. He says I thought you’d quit but she says Luci gave me my job back. Damien says I can imagine how you convinced her of that – you sold me out. Cross me and I’ll kill you. Karla feigns ignorance. You told Luci everything didn’t you he says.

Karla says it’s all your fault. You betrayed me first! You said you would marry me – did you expect me to just sit on my hands? Who’s the hypocrite now? I would never marry a speck of dirt like you, he says – you were just something to pass the time. You’d better get used to that uniform because you’re going to die a servant. He leaves. Karla is crying, but she makes a fist too.

Regina is in bed and Connie comes and gives her a kiss. She is surprised. She says you never come give me a goodnight kiss – what’s behind all this? Connie mentions the upcoming vote for the head of the company and he is hoping she’ll vote for him. She taunts him – change is good, time to modernize. You’ll vote for me? he asks. I’m not going to vote, says Regina, ‘cause Alex represents me. He’ll vote for who you say, says Connie. Regina says I trust his judgment, and I don’t know who he’s going to vote for, and besides, you’re running for office and you want to run a business at the same time?

A montage: Mili and Alex in shiny silver hard hats are smooching at the worksite. Bobby is putting the finishing touches on the office décor under Damien’s direction. Pilar and Hugo are having a cozy dinner out – she is making eyes, he is looking a bit confused. Horacio and Socorro are smooching in the kitchen, later Karla walks through and the staff roll their eyes. Bobby is serving an umbrella drink to Vale poolside. He puts a pillow under her feet, she pushes him away and dives into the pool. He is aflame with passion. Connie comes in to see the campaign office – he wants to adjust the painting hanging on the fake wall – Damien indicates don’t touch. Ribbon cutting at the new clinic with general jubilation. Oh, wow our telenovela is over and we can get back to our lives!

Ooops – apparently not. We have months to go. Wine party at the campaign headquarters. Damien announces Connie as the “honest candidate.” Oddly nobody chokes on their wine. All toast. Connie wants to know if Damien has written the acceptance speech – Damien hands it over. Connie says how ‘bout a nice big photo of me on that wall (the fake one). Damien says there are photos of you all over the other walls.

Peralta the power guy takes Damien aside and says well done, you’ve sure got him in the bag. Stay after the event, says Damien, I want to talk to you.

At the party, Alex is telling Bobby that he hopes Mili shows soon. Bobby says do you think it’s a good idea? Alex says she’s my girlfriend and I don’t care what the family thinks. Yes, says Bobby, but he looks doubtful.

Connie comes up and Bobby fades away. Connie is saying to a very skeptical Alex that we’re all family, let’s not compete - but actually as far as being the head of the firm you lack, um, experience. You should take it bit by bit – I’ll be president and you can be vice-president, whaddaya say? We can wait for the meeting, says Alex, smiling.

Peralta tells Luci she adds elegance to the event. She says how gallant. He tells her she’s beautiful. Maybe we can work together on this campaign – more than friends even. Luci gets his point, and says thank you, very guardedly and thinks eew.

Andrea is telling Connie that don’t worry, he doesn’t need the support of Alex or Luci, he has Damien. Well, I’m kinda wondering about that says Connie. He won’t tell me definitely that he will vote for me.

Ooooh! Hugo and Pilar in are in bed, enjoying a post-coital chat. Seems like this isn’t the first time for them. Pilar says she doesn’t think about Alex – does Hugo still love Mili? He says he has loving feelings, but no memory of why and besides it sounds like he did something skunky in the forgotten past and he doesn’t want to hurt her any more. You’ll heal with time, says Pilar. They smooch. Hugo has really great hair.

Karla in the dining room is telling Socorro that she is very upset about Pilar and Hugo being together. Horacio signals from behind a partition and Socorro takes off, giving Karla an excuse. Lina and Gloria come in and razz Karla about her pretensions.

Outside the campaign event, Alex is opening the car door for Mili who is dressed up classy. Luci comes out (for a smoke?) and sees her and tells Alex what is he thinking? The press and everybody important is in there! Mili fiddles nervously with her hair. Alex says she’s my girlfriend and she’s coming in. Take her away somewhere, says Luci. This is going to drive me back to drink, and you know how hard it was for me to quit! Break off with her for once and all. Luci turns to go back inside so quickly her hair whaps Alex in the face.

Even though Mili (and Morgan) were just a few paces away, they seem not to have heard. Mili is nervous and says she doesn’t have to come in. Alex says you are very welcome, come on in. Morgan and I could go for tacos, she says. Alex kisses her and says okay, let’s go for tacos. They all get in the car.

At the event, Connie is speaking on the record to a reporter, who then takes off. Luci comes up and Connie says don’t throw one of your scenes. You want my vote for the company president? she asks. Connie decides to pay attention. Get rid of Mili, says Luci.

Now we’re at the taco place and Alex is filling Mili in on what his mother said. But you are my life he tells her. I love my mother and would be sad if she went back to drinking, but it’s not going to change our relationship. Mili makes some jokes about tacos and Alex says he loves her spirit. She says she’ll not put on any scenes with his mother. They smooch. Morgan is not in sight – maybe he is having his tacos out in the car. Oh wait, there he is at the counter. He sees them kissing and the filling falls out of his taco.

The campaign party is over, Bobby and Connie are seeing the last people out. Damien and Peralta are still there. Peralta man-hugs a glowing Connie, and Connie and Bobby leave. Why did you want me to stay? asks Peralta. Damien gives a whistle and a large group of dressed-up men and women appear. With a flourish, Damien tilts the painting on the fake wall and the wall slides aside. Inside are some fulsome ladies in pink bunny suits complete with ears, and a room full of gambling tables. Everyone streams in happily.

Mili, Alex and Morgan have arrived home. Morgan excuses himself and Mili and Alex comment to each other how nice and discreet Morgan is, how he let them talk alone at the taco place. They smooch and give each other happy little goodnight wishes.

Back at Damien’s casino, Peralta is amazed – he says it’s like Las Vegas. Damien says he made some money at the track, plus a little from the family business and now he has realized his dream and is an independent man. Peralta sits down happily to gamble, and Damien stands triumphantly over the scene, two bunnies clinging seductively to him. Look out, Damien! If you want to have a secret gambling den with pink bunny girls and people coming and going, maybe having the entrance right within your brother’s campaign office is not an inspired idea.

The Belmonte kitchen late at night is a scary place. Mili comes in and Luci is there waiting. Luci starts in on her, but Mili says she doesn’t want to fight. She says Alex is my whole life. Your life isn’t worth much, says Luci, so that’s hardly a good measure. Mili protests that she loves him. So much, says Luci, that you were going to marry his cousin - I know what you really want. Mili protests that Alex is everything for her. Prove it, says Luci. If you love him so much, do the right thing and give him up. True love requires sacrifices, you know.

A mother wants her children to be happy, says Mili, wiping away a brave tear. That’s why I’m doing this says Luci. We see Braulio in the background, listening. This is war says Luci and you don’t stand a chance of winning. Luci leaves and Mili cries. Unseen by Mili, Braulio comes in behind her, reaches out as if he will comfort her, then he draws back and retires.

He arrives in the darkened foyer where he sees Hugo and Pilar telling each other goodnight and smooching. Hugo offers to walk her out to her car and they leave.

Back at the casino, an employee with a headset is telling Damien a customer wants credit. Okay, but check him out says Damien. Peralta takes Damien aside and points out a gambler – a spy from the mafia who control all the gambling, says Peralta – this guy could be very dangerous.

A very angry Braulio comes into Luci’s bedroom – she is taking off her makeup. He tells her that he overheard, that they have a pact, and that she has broken it. She promised to leave Mili alone. That bastard child? she asks. Don’t ever call her that says Braulio Things could be very bad for you. Are you threatening me? Luci asks. Mess with her and you mess with me says Braulio.

At the gambling den, Peralta has been on his cell. He reports to Damien that there’s an underworld plot to set up Connie and wreck his political hopes, to say that he is running a gambling den on the side. For a crook, Damien sure is a real babe in the woods – he is genuinely surprised people would do something like that. Peralta says there is one solution – let those underworld types know who they are dealing with. Oooh, that sounds dangerous says Damien nervously. Don’t worry, says Peralta, these types don’t like to attract public attention. Two headset guys escort the mafia spy out, fortunately not having to use force. We see that to open the door from the inside, the guard tilts a framed picture by the door. I’m wondering why the exit trick is a secret if all the patrons can see it.

Luci is telling Braulio he has no power, now that she has can threaten Connie with jail. Braulio says I’m the one who gave you that idea! So what, says Luci, I would’ve thought of it sooner or later myself. Connie needs my vote, and the price of that is the head of that bastard. Braulio is beside himself – don’t call her that! Luci says, that’s what she is, a bastard.

Braulio says watch out. Luci says hey, I’ll tell Alex myself that Connie isn’t his father Yeah, it’ll hurt him but better that than he marry that bastard girl. Braulio now is so mad he’s smiling evilly. I can tell the press everything and ruin your and Connie’s reputations. You think you’ll still be in the social register when people know your husband has an illegitimate child? Think you’ll get any invitations? Instead of appearing in the society pages, you’ll be in the tabloids. Milagros is not alone in this war, I’m behind her until the last man is down. He leaves. Until the grave, maldito, swears Luci.

The padre comes into his office in his giant black nightcap and is surprised to see Connie waiting for him. Connie says he needs the company vote to stay in control of the business and for that the price is having Mili leave his household. He wants the padre to come get her, so he doesn’t have to throw her out.

We see the mafia guy being beaten up at campaign headquarters. Damien looks on,
scared. Peralta tells the guy to tell the people who sent him to leave things are they are – there’s enough pie to go around and that way everyone will be happy. The bouncers half-carry the guy away. See? says Peralta to Damien. All settled.

Connie is telling the padre that he doesn’t want to have Mili leave, but the control of his affairs is very important. The padre says he sees that it’s a hard time for Connie, but he can’t help since he has no good reason to tell Mili. Besides, Connie would be sacrificing a child to control a business.

Mili in the kitchen is still a bit weepy. Her eye makeup is intact, though, and her lipstick still glossy – she looks lovely. Braulio comes in and says he can’t sleep either. He says he saw her crying a bit ago. He goes to give her a hug and she pushes him off. He says don’t misunderstand – I’m like an uncle, remember? She says oh yeah! and gladly throws her arms around him. You’re not alone in this house, he tells her. You have me on your side and Regina. I don’t get why they treat me this way she says – it’s not my fault I was brought up in an orphanage, that I’m poor. They treat me like a dog in the street. I’ve never wanted to hurt anyone.

Braulio gives an impassioned speech: Despite your youth, you are a powerful woman – hang on to that, don’t listen to anyone who would try to convince you otherwise. You are more pure and more happy than any other woman in this house – and money can’t buy that, social position can’t bestow it. You should be proud and satisfied. Mili is thrilled at his words. She shows him how to do the slap and bump handshake she does with her girlfriends and throws her arms around his neck again.

Braulio is bringing Hugo his breakfast in his room. Hugo says he can go down to eat. Braulio says that even though Hugo’s memory is bad, he’s glad he’s otherwise recovered. He says he’s sorry about what happened with Milgaros. Hugo is surprised and confused. Braulio says he supported their marriage, but he realizes he made a mistake, since Mili never loved him. Hugo looks pensive. But, Braulio says, congratulations on your new relationship, it seems great.

Connie comes into the bedroom, Luci is fiddling at her mirror. She says she hopes he hasn’t forgotten the conditions for her vote. Forget it, he says, I’m not throwing Mili out. I don’t need your vote, I have Damien’s. I wouldn’t be so sure, says Luci, Damien does what’s best for him. Yes, says Connie, and what’s best for him is to vote for me. He leaves and she smiles. She gets a business card from her purse and calls. She says she’s Luci Arango and needs to see person on the other end of the line. They agree to meet. She smiles again.

Mili is talking to Regina in her room, telling her how nice Braulio was to her. Regina notes that Braulio’s kind of a tough nut to crack, and that shows how special Mili is. Alex comes in. Mili is happy to see him and they kiss. (I’m surprised she’s not giving him the freeze à la Socorro after that threat from Luci. I thought sure that would be our next plot line.) Alex asks if he can talk to her outside. Next they are seen on a bench on the expansive lawn. Mili said she couldn’t sleep for worry about what Luci said. Alex said he was up thinking too and he has a plan – they should get married in secret. Freeze frame of Mili looking impactada.

Avances: Luci is asking Peralta if he can disappear someone. You want to kill Constancio? No! she says, “disappear” is a nicer term.

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