Caray, Caray!

Dear readers/commenters: this is my last regular recap, as I’m stepping down and JudyB will do the Gran Final on Friday, for which I thank her from the bottom of my heart. Also, I thank Maricruz from the bottom of my heart and everyone else who subbed for me and made it possible for me to recap at all this past year and a half. I’ll keep watching and commenting because you all are my peeps and appreciate you so much! Thanks for your reading and commenting!

The party is in full swing at Zulema’s house with everyone in the D.F. attending except Omar and Alonslow. Ern and Lore chitchat, and Zulema gets their attention to thank them for everything for several minutes, especially being reunited with her family, which she’s dreamed of since she came out of the coma. Today the dream has come true. She’s prepared lots for the party, so chow down. Rossy, Julian, Barb and Diana dive in but Ern wants everyone to listen up a minute. He has something this needs to do. Ernesto reaches into his pocket –we assume for the ring he bought earlier—or maybe the one he gave her last time they were engaged. He’s still trying to make his announcement as the doorbell rings, Lorena tells him to hang on, answers, and – surprise! - Alonslow bursts in with the sad news (NOT) that Bruno has been poisoned by Sara, and so sorry to interrupt. The boys eye each other with irritation and Alonslow gives them the scoop, guaranteed to put a damper on the party mood. As Alonslow continues his story about Bruno’s confession, Ernesto takes the ring out of his pocket, and looks at it while sad music plays—it ain’t happenin’ tonight, folks. Alonslow tells them it was about Fafy’s estate. Lorena asks about Bruno’s status. Alonslow tells them it’s not hopeful, and depends on him stabilizing the vital kidney functions. It’s pretty serious.

Patty is clueless even if she isn’t blonde and she’s ready to party but Vasco says they have to talk. (Didn’t we all have a discussion early on about how this phrase is the kiss of death?) She protests that they’ll be late and Vasco tells her this thing they have isn’t working out and it would be better if they broke up. Patty doesn’t look nearly as surprised as we might expect.

Alonslow continues the tale of Bruno at the lesser house, arms crossed, addressing only Lorena. Bruno arrived in bad shape but was able to record his confession. Alonslow seems to think Lorena is the only one in the room who cares. He supposes that Bruno wanted to nail Sara. He had Dra. Serrano and Val as witnesses, too. Hortensia wants to know what that b*****d said. Slow turns and tells her that Sara poisoned Bruno with the same stuff that he and Sara had planned to use to kill Fafy but he died on his own, before they could kill him. Ern is impactado. The autopsy results were right, then. Alonslow confirms that Bruno and Sara brought down the Armendáriz Empire. Lore asks about the recording and Slow tells her it’s at the Public Minister’s office, since it involves a matter of homicide. At the end of the day, Sara’s toast. Impactados looks all around, mixed with tentative relief and some wariness—Zulema looks to heaven.

Patty pleads her case with Vasco. She tells him about all she’s done to make it work. Nope, she doesn’t tell him—make that she whines at him. Vasco appreciates it. But, his body language is what any woman in her right mind would read as “you’ve lost this war, honey.” They continue on this path for a while…and she tells him that her only passion is him. She’d do about anything for him. Thanks, but that’s not what his heart is telling him to do. Hablablablabla. If he can’t love her, don’t be telling her someone else will. She brings up Diana and doesn’t want to be a consolation prize. He tries to deny it. She wants to know if he’s talked to Diana. He hasn’t, and don’t ask him to. He cares about Patty, but….”But you don’t love me.” Patty turns away and the emotion overtakes her. She knows he can’t love her because he loves Diana. He tells her not to get like that. Vasco tells her the last thing he wants to do is hurt Patty. She whines that if he hasn’t talked to Diana, why is he causing her this pain? He tells her it’s not good to think about waking up with someone who isn’t appropriate (wake up with someone who isn’t what you consider the most important part of your life). Patty wonders why, if he can’t talk to Diana, WHY can’t he get it together with her? She’ll wait and hope he’ll love her. She just wants the opportunity. Vasco sighs, weighing how to deal with it.

Julian is irritated with Alonslow for turning over the recording to the authorities and Slow justifies himself—it’s part of a homicide investigation. Lorena intervenes—she can’t imagine that Sara is falling like this. Hortensia wonders how come they don’t have champagne to drink to that. Rossy chimes in and Maruja tells her not to be frivolous (because she didn’t dare tell Snortensia not to be frivolous). But Maru asks her mother-in-law’s pardon, she’s indignant. Lots of opinions coming fast and furiously but Diana stops them all cold---Bruno is the father of her child, after all. They’re saved by the bell as Slow gets a call. It’s Valeria with more news (sorry, Ferro, no shots of Val, just Slow’s voice telling us it’s her). Rossy asks why he has that look. Bruno has died. Impactados looks all around, and Diana looks like she might faint.

Vasco tries to convince Patty not to make this difficult. She asks how she’s supposed to take this—she thought he was the love of her life! (Only a little guilt here). He protests—“try to understand me!” and she grabs him and lays a big kiss on him, crying. Vasco tells her no, please, and pries her loose. He’d like to be able to reciprocate, but the truth is he can’t. She wants to know how he thinks she can live without him. She walks away, and Vasco tells her he’ll go with her. Patty tells him no. She’ll have to get used to going it alone. And she does. Leaving Vasco frustrated and sighing.

Zulema notices that the party is going up in smoke and weakly encourages everyone to eat—with all the excitement she can muster upon learning that the father of her first grandchild has just died due to deliberate poisoning. Julian tosses off a remark about losing their appetites and Lorena suddenly remembers that Ernesto was about to make a great pronouncement. He tells her it was really important but this isn’t exactly the right time for it. Slow looks mildly alarmed. (He saw Ern buy a ring, right?) He jumps in—there’s something more Slow wants to tell them. Bruno confessed one more thing. Barb, who has become truly astute in her old age, asks if it has to do with Chalo. Nope, it was before Sara disappeared—she did one more thing against us. “US?” Lorena is impactada. Yep, she did it to hurt both you and me, Slow tells Lorena. Sara never forgave me for getting those DNA results. She told him to mess with the anesthesia for Zulema’s procedure. Zulema comes to face Alonslow. He tells Zulema that Bruno and Sara were guilty of putting her into a coma. Diana is crushed, and Lorena damns them and wonders why they did that. Ernesto comes to comfort her and Zulema. Slow gives his best professional opinion—Sara’s sick. There’s no other explanation. Julian and Ern comment on Sara—so diabolical—she needs to be in a nuthouse. Into this happy scene pops Vasco, all smiles for his family. “Ready to eat?” Since he’s astute Barb’s offspring, he realizes all is not well here very quickly. In fact, it’s like a wake. Lore informs him Bruno died. Sara poisoned him. Vasco wants to know if Diana’s aware. They point him in the direction of her bedroom and he takes the cue. A dirge plays.

Vasco comes to comfort Diana and she tells him the Rest of the Story—Bruno was responsible for Zulema’s coma. Diana knew he was bad news, but never dreamed he’d go to those lengths. What will she tell her son when he asks about his father? Vasco tries to give her comfort—tell him his Papi was a doctor and he’s not with us any more. Hortensia comes to ask if she’ll be all right. Diana waves a hand to indicate she will. Hortensia tells them everyone decided to call it a night and go. Hortensia herself will be in her room if they need anything from her. Vasco thanks her and she goes, leaving Diana in tears, impactada from the sadness of it all. A very respectable 3 on the Ugly Crying Scale—she could be a lot worse with all this trauma.

The partygoers bid each other goodbye in front of Zulema’s house. Zulema tells Alonslow it’s a sad end for Bruno. Betrayed, and a victim of his own ambition. Slow tells her he’s worried about Diana. They talk about the next steps, with the recording in the hands of the authorities and the witnesses’ statements. Slow says he’ll go back to the hospital and find out how it all ended up. He’ll let them know.

Meanwhile, a few feet away, Ernesto is standing more than an arm’s length from Lorena and saying his farewell. Both of them have their hands in their pockets, a sure sign that they’re resisting the huge temptation to grab and paw each other. Instead, they talk about how it stands with Sara now that Bruno is dead. Ern thinks justice might happen. Lorena wants it to happen quickly; she wants this chapter of her life done and to try to be completely happy. She smiles endearingly at Ernesto. He smiles just as endearingly back. Sigh. Lore changes the subject—she wants to talk to him about Ximena. Ern’s already aware of Ximena’s nonsense. Before they can get very far with this revelation, Slow shows up to interrupt the happy tryst. He’s going, and gives her a little kiss on the cheek. [Ed. Note: So GO already.] Lorena gives him a discreet half-hug, which in no way resembles a full-body press—it’s mostly at arms length. I’m just saying. She thanks him for everything. Lorena assures Slow that she NEVER thought he was responsible for what happened to her mother and she’s pleased to have the new info. Ern looks anxious and slightly irritated in Slow’s direction over her shoulder. Then Ern interrupts—he’s going. [Ed. Note: Both of our galáns are in light-colored shirts, and she’s in black. Is there some symbolism I’m missing here?] Lore turns back to Ern, so now Slow’s behind her. But, she’s jerked back around when Slow wishes Ern Godspeed. With a sincere smile. “What, aren’t you going?” Ern wants to know! Slow squares his jaw a second and confirms he’s going, too. Lorena turns back and forth, watching the ping-pong match. Then she gets discreet cheek kisses first from Slow and then from Ern. She tells them both to take care of themselves. They face off with muted glares while Lorena smiles a little and looks back and forth nervously. [Ed. Note: I wouldn’t want to be between those two; I’d be about six feet away.] More goodbyes from one, then the other—“I’ll call you if I find out more” and “we’ll talk tomorrow.” Lore gets increasingly nervous, hands in and out of pockets. The boys, however, have hands out, ready to punch if necessary. I’m just saying. They inch off to their cars. Ern’s SUV pulls away, and Lore watches. Alonslow’s sedan, the second in line, pulls away and then stops abruptly in front of her. He’s forgotten something and jumps out. She wants to know what’s up and he mutters something inane about having been thinking about coming over since a while ago (early), then puts his hand into his pocket. He hyperventilates and looks intently into her eyes…..and she smiles a little, waiting…..for the commercial….

Alonslow earnestly tells Lorena how hard this is, but he can’t stand it any more and she looks totally confused, but Zulema interrupts—ringus interruptus. Diana is having a nervous breakdown and they need him. He grabs his black bag out of the trunk and they all flood into Diana’s room where she’s hyperventilating—“can’t breathe!” Hortensia and Vasco are giving their best medical advice to no avail. Slow, extraordinary doc that he is, diagnoses that Diana is hyperventilating and sends his assistant (who usually is an assistant chef, but tonight is a medical assistant) for a high tech device to help Diana quit hyperventilating. Lorena runs for the paper bag the bread came in. Diana knows immediately how to use it on Slow’s instructions, and breathes herself back to normal.

Meanwhile, at the Dark Castle, Sara would really like to know if Bruno has gone on to a better life. But, if she calls around, that might trip her hand. So, she’ll just wait until morning and report him missing. With any luck, they’ll toss him in a community grave. She smiles at her wit.

Alonslow has made it back to the hospital, where Val has waited. They come into his office and he apologizes for making her wait so long, but Diana had a bad spell. No problem. Well, sure, with the news you gave her. Slow asks her about what the Public Minister did with all of the info. They took the body to check for the poison. Incredibly, he actually managed to sign his confession before he died! What? The Public Minister insisted on talking with Bruno. He verified everything he recorded. He laid all the blame on Sara. Slow is impactado. Val thinks it’s sad they couldn’t do anything for Bruno. Slow notes that Bruno thought they could save him—but Val points out is was a bad game of fate—Bruno had sold off all the antidote that would have saved him. The time they needed to get hold of it made the difference. Slow thinks Lorena needs to know all this and calls. He plays with the ring, taking it out of the box, as he calls. Val sadly lets herself out of the office while his attention is totally absorbed.

And at home in his living room, Ernesto examines the ring he’s got for Lorena, while he reminisces about the lovely picnic day full of passion. We get teased by the view of his lovely naked upper torso as they….uh…..begin to enjoy the afternoon… (Sigh) Then he’s reminiscing of time with Lorena in a restaurant, forcing a bite of chocolate cake down her and asking if she’s awestruck (moved) to find the ring in her mouth. Nope, her teeth hurt from biting down. OF COURSE she’s moved! She adores him and YES, she wants to marry him! The flashback ends, but Ern is still hopeful. It’s just a matter of time. When everything’s resolved, he’s going after her again. I can’t lose you, he tells Lorena as he talks to himself.

Morning comes in the House of Zulema and with it comes Patty. Hortensia is Not Thrilled to see her. Patty wants to chat with Diana, but Hortensia asks what she wants. Hortensia goes into Mother Lioness mode. Don’t think Di feels well, better come back later. Patty insists and Hortensia sends Matilde to fetch Diana. Diana is almost as terse as Hortensia. “What can I do for you, Patty?” Patty wants to talk woman to woman about Vasco. Diana tells Patty that she has nothing to say about him. She realizes that Patty and Vasco are sweethearts and Diana respects that. Patty sadly tells Diana that she and Vasco broke up last night. Diana is a little impactada. Why? Vasco told me he doesn’t love me and it’s clear he loves you. What, he told you that? Not in so many words, no, but it’s true. He also told me that you never loved him enough. Diana gets hot—that’s not true! If I’ve been feigning that all this time, it’s because I didn’t want to interfere with you two. Patty begs her to love Vasco. He loves Diana with all his heart. And maybe he’s never dared to tell her that. Diana thanks Patty—it surely had to be very difficult for her to do all this. Patty looks sadly resigned, and Diana looks hopeful.

Ickturo can’t understand why the person on the phone is telling him Valeria doesn’t work there. Catalina looks on with a bit of anxiety about this conversation at their dining room table. What? She’s gone back to the D.F.? Cat rubs her hands and grins in glee at the idea. Icky asks if they know the work number. Apparently not, because his excitement dims. He thanks the person on the phone. Cat is so thrilled to think her grandkids are close by. It’s a blessing! Icky thinks Val might have gone back to the Clinic. But if not, surely someone there will know something about her. Cat urges him to go look for her. She’s in alt to see the babies—how they must have grown! Icky tells her he’ll go find Val right after his Mami gives him breakfast. He beams at the thought. So does his Mami. [Ed. Note: What? Did we hear an echo of Oedipus?] Ickturo smiles a smug smile.

Bimbo Colchones get another prominent placement on Valeria’s breakfast table as she serves them to Anelis, along with bunches of stuff from the panadería. Apparently Val herself never eats this stuff, or she’d be a blimp. As she serves, she also holds a cordless phone on her shoulder and talks to Slow. They exchanges domestic chitchat—she tells him not to worry, she thought he’d be talking late with Lorena and she left. He tells her not to do that to him as he eats his breakfast with Toribio. If she had wanted, he’d wait for her. Val wouldn’t want to bother him. He tells her not to say that. And should he drop by for her? No, Val will get to work on her own—the Nanny hasn’t shown up. She doesn’t want to make Slow late. He chides her a little. She asks when he thinks he’ll give Lore the ring. Slow tells her he was about to do it the night before, but the moment wasn’t right. He’ll have another chance, and hopes it’s soon. Valeria decides it’s time to sign off and doesn’t even give him time to say goodbye. She strokes Anelis’ back while the niña eats her balanced breakfast of pastries and Bimbo Colchones. (Who are those guys, anyway?)

Toribio harasses Slow about not getting the job done with the ring. Slow tells his Papi when it all gets resolved, he’ll have an opportunity to do it. (They wrote one basic line for Ern and Slow? Shouldn’t their pay get docked?)

The kidlets are ready for school and Gina runs to hug Uncle Ern. Gina earnestly tells Ernesto that she’d like it way better if he took them. Ern explains why it’s important to use the school bus—it makes less traffic, better for the environment. Alej chimes in that it’s less pollution, too. The little ones go off for the bus with Fanny supervising. Ivan comes to make a pitch for the car he wants. Ern points out he’s not even old enough to drive. Ivan changes the subject—has Uncle secured a stepmom for them? Nope. Ivan laments that he’s awfully slow. Ern says things got complicated. Ivan thinks the plan might fail and Ern assures him it won’t happen—right before he rushes Ivan out the door, sighing.

Hortensia, Lorena and Zulema gossip in Zulema’s living room. Hortensia gripes that she can’t understand why Patty is talking so long with Diana and about what. She hopes it’s not what she’s thinking it might be. Lorena remarks that Patty is her friend, but really she would love to see Diana end up with Vasco. Zulema agrees—Vasco is irreproachable. Hortensia thinks they just need to give the kids a little nudge. Zulema wonders if while she’s at it, shouldn’t she be giving her granddaughter a little nudge, too? Lorena pretends to be miffed. “Between us, I have a favorite.” Hortensia looks at Lorena, who says “OH? You haven’t told me that, Grandma.” Turns out, the favorite will give her lovely great-grandchildren and possibly one will be a doctor like Daddy. So she prefers Alonslow? Sure, for obvious reasons—he saved Vasco’s life, brought about the knowledge that Lorena is Hortensia’s granddaughter, and is helping with Sara’s fall from grace. Diana overhears and asks if they’re talking about Sara. Zulema says no, they’re talking about the hunks who are competing for Lorena. So, Diana voices her opinion—Ern’s the one, the looker, the mature one, there’s no doubt in her mind. He’s never failed Lorena. Lore says he’s not perfect, but yeah, he has his good points. Hortensia seizes on it—then she prefers Alonslow? Nope. Lorena wasn’t saying that. Then it’s Zulema’s turn to opine. Well, she’d be happy to have them both. Chuckles all around. Zulema tries to get Lore to tell them her decision but Lorena refuses because she knows they’re all blabbermouths and within five minutes after she tells them, it’ll be all over the place. They all feign being insulted. Lorena chuckles happily at them.

Valeria arrives at work only to be accosted by Ickturo, and qué the H*** is he doing here? He’s come to see her, of course. They have nothing to discuss. They have two children. She’s indignant since it’s been more than a year since he checked on the kiddies. He hangs his head; she’s right. What reason did he have to abandon his children? None. He tells her not to scold him; he’s come in peace. Also to ask for a loan. She scoffs at giving him a loan. He’s exhausted all her money and he’s the last person she’ll give even one cent to. He does his “I swear I’ll pay you back” number, and tells her about his marvelous business opportunity. Same old, same old. She scoffs at him again and tells him to ask his Mami for the loan. He tells her not to mess with his Mami and manhandles her. She tells at him to let her go. Our not-quite-hero, Alonslow, is on the scene and confronts Icky, who tells him not to meddle. Icky thought she was such a saint, so is this her new lover? Slow is incensed and tells Icky not to insult Valeria. Slow not only meddles, he belts Ickturo so Icky bleeds. Good one, Slow!

With Valeria shouting at him that it’s not worth the trouble, Slow beats on Icky. All Slow’s pent up anger at Sara and Ernesto and whoever centers on Icky’s smug mug. Val finally gets between him and Alonslow, pushing Slow away even though Slow is ready for more. He’s points at Icky and yells that he’s going to show Icky how to respect her! Icky, all wild-eyed, points at Slow and accuses them of being lovers. As Slow tries to move Val out of the way so he can go after Icky, Icky runs and a police siren sounds. Slow wants to know what this idiot did to Val and hugs her close in comfort, telling her not to cry. Val looks after Icky—he isn’t going to leave her in peace. They talk about the wretch—Slow thinks he won’t come back. Look, he saw the police patrol and took off running. It’s his guilty conscience. Val tells Slow Ickturo had the nerve to ask her for a loan for this grand company he wants to set up. He used the excuse of the children. Slow hugs her again and tells her to calm down. Val looks anxiously over his shoulder off where Icky disappeared, not quite able to enjoy how close she is to Slow.

Omar is calling around to look for work he found in the want ads. He has a degree in Business Administration—what? My age? 58, he tells the person at the other end of the line, and I have lots of experience. They hung on me, he muses. There’s a knock at the door as he puts the phone down in resignation. It’s Lorena and he’s delighted to see her. He offers her coffee.

At Zulema’s, Vasco appears asking after Diana. Zulema tells him that the sedative that Alonslow gave Diana helped after she got the terrible news. Vasco thinks that deep down she never stopped loving Bruno. If that was true, Zulema wants to know, would it bother him? He has a girlfriend. Vasco tells Zulema he’s broken up with Patty. Why? She’s a good girl. He tells Zulema that’s true but he didn’t love Patty. He couldn’t fool her or himself. Diana overhears as she comes out of her room. Zulema continues to tell him she’s always admired his maturity. Vasco confesses that the maturity everyone talks about all the time caused him to lose his life. Why? Because while he was being noble, good, understanding he put aside many things. He’s talking specifically about Diana. He should have fought for her until he wore out, and not let her go with Bruno. He lacked the strength and the maturity and lost her. Diana has heard enough and comes out to talk to him. She tells him not to blame himself; the same thing happened to her. She was thinking about what was the “right thing” and didn’t listen to hear heart. Zulema thinks it’s time to excuse herself and leaves them looking tentatively at each other.

Lorena hesitantly tells Omar that lots of things have happened in the past several days that she wants to let him know about. Omar cheers up a bit, and tells her she has no idea what it means to him that she’s thought of him. She nails him on calling the house and staying quiet. He admits he did. It was the only thing that occurred to him so he could hear her mother’s voice. He asks if they had a party. Lorena confirms they did. Omar is excited that Zulema cooked and invited all the family, not resentful that he was left out. Lorena gets serious. They didn’t feel like partying after they got bad news from Alonso. Sara poisoned Bruno and he died. Omar worries about Diana’s reaction and Lorena fills him in. Omar notes that Hortensia told him Sara and Bruno were responsible for bringing down the company with the poisoning. Yes, and last night we heard about the worst of their acts—Bruno added something to the anesthesia when Mami had her operation and she went into a coma. He intended to kill her. Omar damns Sara and Bruno. Why against Zulema? To hit me where it would hurt me most, Lorena tells him. Sara couldn’t resist making sure she couldn’t have her mother and enjoy her family. She wanted to destroy it. Omar utters another curse. Lorena continues that Alonso had nothing to do with it and Sara tried to destroy his career. Omar wonders how she could dare to do that much harm. Sara should pay like Bruno did with his life. Lorena is just sad.

Diana and Vasco continue their discussion of their relationship. She never would have dared to love him like he deserved. She also had this notion that Saulito needed to be with his father. Vasco points out she rejected him every which way. She asks him to forgive her—she did it because she was just plain afraid. Vasco wonders why she never told him. She was ashamed. By the time she finished her therapy, Patty was on the scene. Vasco had been thinking Diana just didn’t love him enough. He thought even up to last night she was still hooked on Bruto. Nope, all this time she’s been hooked on Vasco. He’s the only man who has ever made her quiver with just a look. He tells her to say it again. Diana takes a breath and blurts out that he’s the love of her life. But she doesn’t want him to just hear it, she wants him to feel it. Oooh, lovely, long, tender kissing….

Apparently, cold cloths won’t do for Ickturo’s black eye. Nothing but top sirloin here. Cat ministers to his wounds as they discuss the next steps. He’s going back to look for Valeria, and Cat always did think there was something suspicious in Val’s “friendship” with that doctor. “He hit me awful hard, Mommy.” The doc can’t be there as Val’s bodyguard 24/7, though. He’ll get the money out of her. Cat thinks it’s not a good idea for Icky to go again, and she ought to go to find Val. Ickturo vetoes that; she shouldn’t humiliate herself in front of Val. Cat wants to try—she misses the grandkids, anyway, and they need the $$. Icky tells her no way again. She slaps the steak back onto his eye and his face screws up, ready to cry. Pobrecito.

Val and Alonslow are enjoying a cup of coffee in the office, interrupted by a phone conversation she’s having with the nanny. She directs the nanny not to open the door to anyone for any reason, even if he says he’s the children’s father. She hangs up and tells Slow that she’s also advised the school. Slow is furious to see her having to deal with this. Val tells him she knows Icky—he’s totally capable of grabbing the kids. Slow urges her to ask Dra. Serrano to go be with the kids and he’ll find someone to cover for her. Val is touched-he’d do that for her? She’s really nervous about this. She knows she shouldn’t let this bas***d bother her, but she can’t let anything happen. Slow earnestly tells her that sometimes he sees her as so fragile and suddenly she transforms into Wonder Woman (okay, I loosely interpreted here). He looks intently into her eyes and tells her he loves these contrasts in her. Val looks intently back, a lovely fond smile on her face, and blindly moves to set the coffee cup back onto the desk at her left without looking where she’s putting it. It goes onto the floor and breaks, splashing coffee all over. “What a fool I am!” Slow jumps in to the rescue, taking a cloth from heaven knows where, and sponging up coffee that has splashed onto her lovely, shapely ankle and leg -- in three inch heels. He holds her ankle in place and wipes her ankle and up her leg, suddenly stilling a little and looking up abruptly into her face. Val is equally startled and stares back intently into his eyes. Slow might not be as slow as we think. He smiles nervously and stands; she thanks him and rushes out to see the boss. Slow is left with the memory of the ankle, the leg, and Wonder Woman. No, folks, he’s not flexing his pecs—that’s his heart thumping erratically you’re seeing under that well-fitted shirt.

Lorena tells Granny about her Papi’s indignation at Sara’s betrayal and what Bruno did to Zulema. Hortensia wants to know if he said anything about Zulema. No, but he really wants to come home. Hortensia doesn’t see a happy ending here; she thinks they’ll never reconciliate. Lore’s worried about Omar—he’s very lonely and can’t find work. Hortensia gives a PSA about how awful it is that when folks get to be a certain age, no one wants to hire them any more even if they have the most experience and maturity. Too bad they can’t really bring him into the Cooperative. She gives Lorena a tentative look as she mentions this. Lorena thinks that Zulema won’t forgive him, and it’d be difficult. The bell rings—it’s Ern with some pastries he’s brought to them now that he’s not being followed by the detective any more, and he’s making up for lost time. He guesses the nuns taught Lorena manners and she’ll invite him in for chocolate? Of course she will. He greets Hortensia, who basically disses him and excuses herself. Ern wonders if she’s jealous, or just doesn’t like me much? Lore blows it off—that’s her and I’ve learned to love her as she is. Ern’s phone rings. It’s a lawyer who wants him over at Fafy’s house. Okay, if that’s what Fafy requested. Lorena wants to know what’s up. The lawyer wants me at Fafy’s for the reading of the will. What, did he leave you something? Ern chuckles—he doubts it. They barely knew each other so it must be something else. He gets a serious look. Lorena’s phone rings. It’s Alonslow, which makes Ern grimace. Slow has more news about the Public Minister and what’s going to happen with Sara. Really? It’s a done deal? We can see why she might doubt, since all along Joel has told them there’s no proof of anything solid against Sara.

Slimy Jorge accosts Bettina on her way home. She doesn’t want to talk to him, she’s told him that. He wants to tell her something about Ivan, it’ll be worth her while. Why? Because he HATES to see her suffering on Ivan’s account. Ivan erased Bettina from his contacts. Bettina wants to know how Jorge knows. Jorge was there and saw him do it. He goads her about proving to Ivan she isn’t such a baby. If he just told her everything Ivan thinks about her….Bettina storms off and Jorge exults that he’s got her number. He nailed it.

Slimy Ickturo accosts Val at her front door (what’s this about not opening to anyone?) She tries to slam it on his foot and he yells at her, so she lets him in. She demands to know why the h*** he’s here and who gave him her address. He got it by going back to the clinic. So much for confidentiality. He paces and scans her apartment, and demands to know if her little doctor is there. He doesn’t want to be caught unprepared. She retorts that he shouldn’t be involving Alonso in this, since he’s just a friend. They get to the point—she’s the only one who can help him. Nope, she’s the last person to help him, she declares. He tells her it’ll be worth her while (he and Jorge have the same lines here). Icky will make her his associate. For the kiddies, you know, so they’ll have an inheritance. “Did your Mommy give you permission?” Ickturo looks abashed and gulps.

Toribio and Paula, who seem to have lots of time on their hands during the day, talk over the situation with Ickturo and Valeria, which clearly Alonslow has mentioned to them. Toribio thinks Icky won’t leave Val in peace. He also wonders if Cat’s come back. Paula wonders if it’s important to him. (does she still move your heart?) Well, no, but he would like to know why she disappeared. Paula thinks if this woman raised a slime ball like Ickturo, she’s a witch and it’s best not to hang out with her. Bettina storms in and Paula wants to know how everything’s going with her baby. Bettina snaps “don’t call me your baby!” Paula wants to know what’s up and Toribio calls Bettina back to scold her—“what am I, chopped liver (a painting)?” Bettina asks them to excuse her and greets Granddad. She’s furious because of that scumbag Jorge and his nonsense. Toribio gives his opinion—he does NOT like Jorge. Paula thinks she should ignore Jorge, not get mad and don’t fall into his little game. Toribio agrees; the one who gets mad, loses. Bettina tells them that Ivan erased her from his contacts. Toribio teases her gently about getting dumped from the email contacts being the worst thing that can happen in the internet age and she tells him not to mock her. Toribio thinks Bettina should send him an email virus, which brings a chuckle to her lips and Paula’s.

Ickturo continues to present his case for a loan to Valeria. He reminds her his Mami has always helped them. “At what price?” Usurping my authority in front of my kids? Making me out to be the worst wife? She doesn’t want to argue with him now as if they had something. He makes the case that there’s a sacred link of the children between them. It won’t be broken easily, not even in 100 years. He begs for help again. She’ll have lots of profits. She tells him to take his tales to some other idiot. He tries to stroke her face and she slaps his hand. He argues that they were always really happy. (I must have been watching some other program). He says he’s learned the lesson. She wonders what he’s willing to do. Whatever she asks, he tells her. Okay, send your mother to Alaska. “Alaska?” Ickturo is dumbfounded. Valeria chuckles and opens the door to wave him out, telling him to go ask one of those bimbos (not related to colchones) he hangs with. They’ve wasted less on him than she has. He tells her she’s missing a golden opportunity. She makes a snide remark about his businesses and tells him to go already. Ickturo looks like a chastised child and Val closes the door behind him with a sigh.

Sara yells to the doorman to open the door already at the sound of the doorbell at the big house. In marches Santiago, ready for battle. She demands to know what the h*** he’s doing here since she’s told him she doesn’t want to see him. He tells her she wouldn’t dare. She scolds him for insulting her, which he thinks she deserves. She’s a b**** and a murderer! Even if everyone says the opposite. Look, decrepit old man, she tells him—I’m not wasting my time on you. She’s got a very important matter to attend to. But why is she explaining to him? She tells him to get lost. He’s not moving from this spot. Sara lunges at him, and he catches her hands and pushes her back. Santiago is not one to hit a woman. But, he’s here for the very same thing she is. The reading of Fafy’s will. “You?” Yep. How come, she wants to know. It’s what Fafy wanted. Sara doesn’t give a rip what Fafy wanted. The lawyer, Ortíz, comes in the open door. The lawyer thinks it’s what should matter to her the most. Sara looks at him defiantly. Ortíz tells her he called Santiago. Santiago looks back and forth between them. Sara puts on her cooperative face—can they start now? Nope, they’re waiting for one more person. In strolls Ern. Sara wonders why Ernesto’s here. He has no idea. He’s come with some amazement—but if Fafy left him something, he’ll treat her to a bottle of champagne. Sara is impactada.

Bettina starts to write to Ivan on email but decides against it. Jorge’s instant message pops in, and she doesn’t want to respond (“what part of disappear don’t you get?”) but he cajoles her into responding and putting on her webcam. There he is, with a big sign that says “I invite you to dance.” The sign disappears and Jorge’s face tells her to give him a chance. Silly girl, she actually smiles at him.

The attorney begins the reading of the last will and testament of Sr. Fernando Rafael Federico the third Cuenca and Espinoza of the Monteros (hunters), aka Fafy. Santiago and Sara sit in the front row with the lawyer behind the desk in the study, and Ern in the peanut gallery. The lawyer will begin with a letter from the deceased to Srta. Sara de la Cruz. She sobs gently for effect, looking constipated. (Wasn’t that supposed to be Alonslow?) He starts: “Sara—Kitten.” Sara sobs again—“that’s what he always called me fondly.” We hear Fafy’s voice reading the letter to us.

Fafy’s voice: I don’t know when death surprised me, but from this moment I want to leave this declaration/token (testimonio, one definition is token) as my main bequest to you, because I know perfectly well how much you loved me.

(Sara sobs into her hankie, UCS 9, really fake).

Fafy’s voice: My money never interested you, and your greatest happiness was in the long hours of pleasure that we had together.

Sara, through her tears: He was always so affectionate. That’s why I loved him so. And I still love him.

Santiago: My poor friend, to die like this, so betrayed.

(Sara gives him the stink eye).

Fafy’s voice: I loved you in my own way, you know that. You won my heart, and with it, my eternal gratitude. I hope you’ll like this video as much as I liked it.

(Sara sobs again.) The lawyer turns the laptop that has been sitting on the desk so Sara, Santiago and Ernesto can see the video that Fafy’s letter mentioned. How about that, it’s the one in the company office that Ern recorded with the hidden camera where Sara and Bruno spilled their guts about the poisonings, etc. We see them ‘fessing up in living black and white. Sara’s face goes through multiple contortions, none of them contrite. Santiago looks thoroughly nauseated as Sara kisses Bruto onscreen. Sara begins to hyperventilate and Ern smirks a little. Sara is muy, pero muy, commercial impactidísima.

Sara jumps up and shouts in the lawyer’s face. What is this bull****? (Okay I paraphrased here). Santiago, behind her, says it’s the confirmation of her dirty tricks. When he sees that doctor, he’ll show him how to be a man! (Santiago, you’re a day late and a dollar short). Sara demands to know if Santiago did this (the video). No, he spits back, but it would have delighted him to be the one to do it. She accuses Ernesto—is was you, you b*****d! She yells at them both to get out of her house. Ortiz tells her the one who has to leave is her. She yells that she’s the sole heir, she’s seen Fafy’s will. Ortiz tells her that he had time to see it – the same day he saw the video. (Hooray for all of us who figured this out! Hooray for Fafy!) Ortiz reads the revised will to them all:

“In full use of my faculties, I leave my fortune to establish a trust that will be used to build an old folks’ home. I want it to be administered by my friend Santiago Arredondo, who was the only person I could really trust. Santiago vows that he will take it upon himself to follow through with Fafy’s wishes. Sara is rabid—“NO! So much for nothing! I let him use me!” She pivots and points at Ernesto—“You d*** bas***d! I will kill you!” She tells him he’ll regret the day he crossed her path (it was a good hour that you crossed my path). He tells her it was a bad day that she crossed Lorena’s path. She sputters at him not to mention Lorena and he tells her he did it for Lorena—he’s pleased to have unmasked Sara in time. She tells him she hates him. Ernesto, totally calm and collected, tells her to say what she likes, but they’ve beat her. He didn’t really expect to leave her in ruins, but she deserves that and more. Santiago tells her she’s going back to the streets where she belongs. “Never!” She’s going to challenge and break the will. Sara begins to storm out and suddenly Hortensia’s joining the party in her old study. Sara demands to know why she’s here Hortensia’s come to tell her a tale that Sara told her when Hortensia was bedfast--about someone who stole her friend’s inheritance, all the while calling her sister. Sara screams for the d****d old woman to shut up and tries to run. Ern grabs her arms to stop her. Sara screams to be let go and suddenly Alonslow joins the festivities. “You’re not going anywhere, murderer.” Sara quiets down and tries to appeal to the one she thinks should love her. “You don’t have any reason to call me a murderer, please, Alonso.” She notes there is proof that Fafy died of natural causes. “But not Bruno,” Alonso tells her. “You killed him.” He continues that she never counted on Bruno having enough time to talk. His final words were to ask Alonso to bring her down. “No, this isn’t possible—I’m going crazy!” Hortensia pipes in that a plea of insanity won’t save her. She’s going to pay for all she’s done. Sara breaks away and runs, Ernesto dashing after her. The rest follow.

Sara only gets as far as the entry, where Vasco, Barb and Jaime are waiting. Vasco reminds Sara he told her once that she would be gone from there eventually, and today it’s definite. Sara calls him an imbecile and tells him he should be dead, too. She tells Jaime the accident with the cut brake line was intended for him—he should have been dead. Barbara lunges at her, furious that Sara can be such a cynic about trying to kill her ex and put her son into a coma. “And guess who helped me?” Sara spits the truth out at Barbara—it was your lover, Chalo. He cut the brake line! Jaime confronts Sara about what she did to his son, but Sara says there’s no proof of anything, since she was more intelligent than all of them. There were no witnesses, it was all perfect! Including the death of MY Chalo! Barbara is muy impactada. Sara insists Chalo was hers, not Barbara’s. Vasco can barely hold Barbara back from attacking Sara. He bitterly asks if Chalo’s fate was the same as Bruno’s. Alonso asks if he would have been the next one—dying like the rest of her lovers. Sara runs to him to try to hug him. She never would have tried to harm him—her only love. He pushes her back—her love was the worst nightmare of his life. Sara hits out at him and yells that he should have loved her, not that imbecile, Lorena.

Speaking of the Queen of Rome, Lorena, Zulema, Diana and Julian come in the open front door. If we had Omar, we’d have a full deck. And the joker is Sara. Sara puts on her best pitiful face and runs to Lorena. “Lorena, they want to hurt me! Help me! You have always cared about me!” Sara whines and hugs Lorena, who reluctantly holds her an instant, looking sad and wise beyond her years over Sara’s head. Zulema stands totally unmoved by this display behind Lorena. Sara backs away from Lorena, but they hold hands while Lorena looks sadly into the face of the one she called “sister.” Zulema, Julian and Diana watch soberly, arms crossed.

A cop comes rushing in and puts the shiny matching bracelets with the lovely chain connecting them on Sara’s slender wrists (oh, how satisfactory it is to this recapper to see this!). Sara looks at them desperately. It’s all over. Or, is it?

Monday: who knows? We’re in Últimas Horas here, even if they don’t advertise it that way. Plus they only tell us about the Gran Final next Friday.

Jeanne

Labels: enemiga