Caray, Caray!

Repeat of Carlota smiling smugly as she finishes making her witches’ brew.

Paloma is on the phone with Inaki explaining that Carlota wants Inaki and his parents to come over for dinner and that he officially ask for Paloma’s hand. Inaki says that he doesn’t think his dad will want to come. Paloma asks Inaki to try to convince him, and he agrees to try, but can’t promise anything. After he hangs up, Carmen says she has no desire to socialize with Carlota but understands that for Paloma’s family this dinner is important, so she’ll talk to his dad. She inquires about the investigation of Paloma’s inheritance--he responds that later he’ll show her what the investigator gave him and she’ll see what people are capable of doing for money. He’s going to tell Paloma about it, but not until after they’re married and she’s 18, so she can request a copy of the will. Carmen also asks what Paloma said about coming to live in her house, and Inaki reports that she was happy about but embarrassed/shy. But why? you’re my only son and I’m going back to Spain, and the house is at your disposal.

Romina’s listening to music in her room when Camilia enters to tell her that the teacher she hired has arrived (this is a loose interpretation but I guess the teacher is there to help Romina make up the classes she’s failed); it was the condition the school put so that she doesn’t have to lose the whole year. Romina doesn’t want a teacher, she thinks she can study on her own. They argue, with Romina pulling out the “I’m 18 and you can’t make me do anything” card and Camila using “as long as you’re living here you have to” card. Romina says fine, if you want I’ll leave whenever you want.

Joel presents Rafa with a budget (presupuesto) for a new ceramics line and informs Rafael that they have a new investor whose only condition was anonymity. Rafael can’t believe it—this couldn’t have come at a better time.

Camila calls Emiliano and asks him to help her--Romina doesn’t want to study and he’s the only one who can convince her to do it.

Diana is talking with Ines about the separation. Ines says that Diana and Rafael were the ones she least expected this of. Then Diana announces that she’s not going to Paloma’s wedding because she’s a hypocrite. Ines agrees and recounts how Paloma ran off with her boyfriend and got into an accident, and Carlota had no choice but to organize a quickie wedding. Diana says that has nothing to do with my situation with Rafael (is she referring to when she married Rafael, or to the separation? I didn’t quite get this scene). Ines is glad Diana cleared that up, because that’s what the gossip is making it out to be. She then advises that Diana try to reconcile with Rafael--you’re not going to find another man like him. Men don’t know how to be alone and Rafa can seek consolation in some woman.

Emiliano visits Romina and asks about the search for her dad (she doesn’t have any news) and then if she’s ready for her exams. No, she doesn’t feel like doing anything. Emiliano says she has to finish what she started, but she wonders what for or for whom, when she’s so alone. Emiliano tells her she can’t depend on others to be happy, she has to have something that motivates her. Romina replies that if he loved her and came back to her she’d be happy, it’d be a motive for her to do things well. She asks him a couple more times to come back and kisses him, and he gives in.

Alonso is on the phone with Carmen, refusing to go to the wedding, much less ask for that girl’s hand. Carmen tells him that Inaki is going to marry with or without his consent--if you don’t come to the dinner don’t complain to me later when you regret it. Natalia is eavesdropping and when he finishes the call says she’s going to the wedding and that this would please Paloma’s mother. He warns that if she goes she’ll be going against him, and that could have serious consequences, and she kind of looks like “oh well, whatever.”

German and Inaki are at a bar and German thinks he should have a bachelor’s party. Emiliano joins them and when he announces that he’s back together with Romina, German looks upset.

Romina tells Paloma about how she’s back with Emiliano and how he (allegedly) said he missed her and couldn’t live without her. Romina somehow manages to talk about something other than herself and mentions the wedding, and asks if Inaki is really the man of Paloma’s life. Paloma answers that she has no doubt he is.

Musical montage of Paloma getting her dress fitted, Inaki showing Em and Orlando the rings, Romina with her tutor (but not really studying) and preparations for the big ask-for-Paloma’s-hand shindig.

Paloma is in her room getting ready when Mac comes in-—she has brought a pearl necklace for Paloma, who flashes back to when she was younger and saw the necklace in Mac’s box o’ memories.

Inaki and Carmen arrive for the dinner and Carlota is all nice and smiley-—she made a special drink for the occasion and goes off to get it. In the kitchen, Rufi has already poured a few drinks, so Carlota tells her to take them in to the living room, and she’ll bring in her and Inaki’s drinks. The drink or cocktail looks like red wine to me, and after Rufi leaves Carlota takes out a bottle hidden on a bottom shelf and pours some in Inaki’s glass, all the while ominous music plays and she grins evilly. I guess that means that it’s not so much a family dinner as it is a very exclusive tasting of Chateau Bruja’s finest wine, La Belladona. She gives Inaki his drink, saying “especially for you,” and then offers a toast to the novios’ happiness.

Inaki thanks the tias but Carlota says there’s nothing to thank them for, as everything they do is because Paloma is the most important thing. Inaki assures them they he’s going to dedicate himself to making her happy. Inaki would have liked his father to be there, and Carmen says that since he’s not, she doesn’t think there will be any objection to her asking on Inaki’s behalf for Paloma’s hand. Carlota says oh no, of course there is no objection, we’re here to support the kids.

To everyone’s surprise, Camila, Romina, and Emiliano arrive--turns out that Carlota invited them because she wanted it to be very special night for Paloma. Geez, she’s laying it on pretty thick tonight, but nobody seems overly concerned. Mac mentions to Camila that she doesn’t understand--she thinks Paloma/Inaki changed her sister and sighs about how different their life would have been if Carlota had always been like she is tonight.

Natalia is packing her bags to go to the wedding and Alonso comes in and says more of the same stuff, how she’s going despite him not agreeing with it. Natalia thinks they should have been at tonight’s dinner and regrets that she didn’t go, so she’s not going to miss the wedding. Alonso says fine, but you’re not taking Sagrario. He threatens to limit her expenses and she tells him to do whatever he wants, she’s going to get a job to earn her own money.

Romina comments to Paloma that she couldn’t believe when Carlota called her, she thought it was a joke. Paloma laughs and says she’s so happy Romina is there. Emiliano is standing in the corner and Inaki notes that he’s looking serious, but Emiliano says it’s nothing, he’s just glad that everything has worked out. Paloma credits him with having a lot to do with that and says he’s like their “hado padrino” (fairy godfather). Then she goes off to get Inaki another drink.

Carlota notices Paloma’s pearl necklace--she explains that Mac gave it to her. Carlota has a flashback of someone putting the necklace on Mac while Carlota looks on from behind the trees. Carmen comments that in some cultures pearls are a symbol for tears...in this case they’ll be a sign of tears, but tears of happiness. Then, when Carlota learns that Paloma was on her way to get Inaki another drink, she takes the glass and offers to get it.

Romina sees Paloma & Inaki laughing and talking and glares at them, and when she notices Emiliano watching them rather forlornly she snaps at him and orders him to smile.

Carlota delivers the drink to Inaki. Then Carmen starts talking about how they’re there to officially ask for Paloma’s hand. Inaki is my only son, the love of my life and the reason for everything I do. Inaki & Paloma’s relationship was full of obstacles and the fact that they’ve overcome them is a sign for me that they were made for each other. Carmen also thanks the tias for accepting Inaki as a part of Paloma’s life.

Carlota agrees to the request for Paloma’s hand, but first scares everyone by making it sound like she’s going to wreck the party--Inaki wasn’t what I had in mind for my niece--but the two of them have given me a huge lesson and shown me that love conquers all, etc.

As we go to commercial, Inaki starts to look like he’s dizzy.

Diana goes to Rafael’s office and finds Joel there-—she’s surprised to find him so happy, she thought everyone would be in mourning since the company is closing. He tells her that they have a new investor, which surprises and interests Diana a great deal. Yeah, I guess that Rafa isn't such a loser after all. Joel is sure that the new project will be a success and that they will earn more with than they have with previous projects.

Emiliano calls Orlando for advice again, as he thinks he shouldn’t have come to the dinner party. Orlando thinks it’s a way for Emiliano to accept that Paloma can’t be for him. Maybe you’re right, replies Emiliano. As of tomorrow--SIGHHHHH--she will be completely forbidden to me.

Paloma and Romina go up to her room and Romina comments how strange it is that Carlota has changed so much. Paloma brushes it off with something like “whatever the reason, I’m happy,” then shows Romina her dress. Romina never thought Paloma would get married before her, and Paloma admits that if Carlota had always been like she is now, she wouldn’t be getting married so quickly. They chit-chat about married life and how the wedding night will be Paloma’s first time, and Romina is surprised that nothing happened the time the two lovebirds left town together.

Inaki (still drinking his wine) finds Emiliano outside on the patio and asks again what’s up, as he seems a bit strange tonight; Emiliano answers that it’s just work stuff, he’s fine. He mentions how Inaki “te echaste a la tia a la bolsa” (I think roughly this means he won Carlota over, or got her wrapped her around his little finger) but Inaki says he doesn’t trust Carlota, she’s a wolf in sheep’s clothing and she’s only interested in money. Whose money? asks Emiliano. Just then Carlota comes to tell them dinner is ready. Before going in, Inaki gets dizzy again, and attributes it to his drinking Carlota’s drinks too fast.

Paloma and Romina are still in her room--Romina doesn’t know how she and Inaki could resist sleeping together that night in the hotel. She thinks Emiliano wouldn’t have been able to, he’s so passionate. She reveals that her first time was with Emiliano, it was incredible. She plays coy when Paloma asks her to tell all.

Diana shows up at Rafael’s hotel room; she asks if he really prefers to live there than at home. He says there was no other option. She asks him to come back home, she misses him. She claims she doesn’t know what came over her when she said all those mean things before, he’s the perfect man for her. She kisses him and they’re off to the races. That puts tonight's score at: Money-grubbing harpies, 2; the Saenz men, 0.

At the dinner table Rufi gets weepy about how she’ll miss Paloma a lot. Carlota says let’s not get all sentimental, it’s a wedding, not a funeral (well, not yet, anyway).

After dinner Carmen takes happy pictures of everyone while Carlota goes to get the coffee and puts more of her special concoction into just one cup, complete with more scary music and an evil glare. When she brings it out to Inaki he offers it to his mom, but luckily for Carlota she declines and Carlota laughs nervously.

Ines and Aron are discussing Paloma’s wedding--she didn’t think Paloma would marry so young and to someone so different from her family. Aron says that anyone would want to marry Paloma and Ines looks surprised...you too? Aron wonders why that’s strange, wasn’t she trying to fix him and Paloma up? Ines says she gave in to Carlota’s request, but isn’t sure about wanting to marry into the Espinosa family--she thinks they are like "aves de mal aguero" (birds of ill omen), they’ve been surrounded by pain, and she prefers a different class of woman for him.

Paloma and Inaki bid each other good night--Inaki promises that as of tomorrow they’re going to be together forever, have a couple of kids, and they’re going to be very happy.

Rafael and Diana are in bed, and he wonders if she’s sure that this is what she wants. He doesn’t want to return and have everything continue like it was before, the separation was very painful for him. For me too, lies Diana. She assures Rafa that everything will be different between them. He tells her about the new investor. If everything goes as expected, I’m sure that you’re going to be proud of me...I’m going to be able to give you everything you’ve dreamed of.

Back at his house Inaki gets dizzy again. He thinks he drank too much so Carmen tells him he should go to bed. Before he leaves he thanks his mom for being at the dinner tonight. She has been the best mother, and he’ll never forget her support and love. She says that a son like him is a blessing in life. They hug and tell each other they love each other.

Paloma is praying, thanking the Virgin for everything, she’s so happy to have Inaki with her. She only would have liked that her parents be there but in some way she feels like they are there.

Poor Inaki is in the bathroom, sick and breathing heavily while clutching his stomach--did they really need to show the barfing? I think we get the picture, after all the close-up shots of him drinking Carlota’s beverages all night, that it’s not looking good for him. Anyway, the episode ends w/him lying on the floor in pain.

The avances show Emiliano learning that his parents have reconciled, Camila telling Orlando that Romina is her daughter, Carlota asking Rufi if anyone has called the house, Carmen going up to Inaki’s bedroom door about to knock but deciding to let him sleep in some more, and Paloma arriving at the church in her wedding dress but Inaki hasn’t arrived yet.

Labels: amor