Caray, Caray!

A little walk down memory lane: Romina sees Emiliano outside Paloma’s talking to her and she quick dials up Aaron. Skunky Dario seems to be waiting in a restaurant, maybe for Angelica who doesn’t show. He e-mails her that he wants to see her before she leaves town and gives the name of his hotel. Better store this last plot point in long-term memory because nothing happens with this thread tonight.

And on to the new: Emiliano, looking even more moony than usual, tells Paloma since they’re friends, there are lots of things they can do together. Recently Paloma told him she didn’t want to see him, but for some reason she now says okay and lets him in. Across the street, Romina’s jaw drops. She phones Aaron again and says now they’ve gone inside, can you believe it? Aaron is hotfooting it over. Romina says if you want to hang out with that loser Paloma, help yourself, but Emiliano’s all mine.

Aaron needs a pretext to go see Paloma, and he tells Romina to quick buy a bouquet of roses. She protests that she doesn’t want to be the one buying flowers for Paloma, but Aaron says get me some red ones and white ones.

Inez is all weepy and Chris says you can tell me all about it, hija. She looks old enough to be his mother, but I guess hija is what priests have to say to the female members of their flocks. Inez says when she was in her early 20s, she loved to sing and hoped to succeed at it, maybe even be on TV and wear beautiful gowns and have her hair done up all gorgeous. She had a lovely voice, she says. The padre says that’s a blessing. Inez said you’d think so, but my mother didn’t want me pursuing it as a profession. I got a job singing – just singing - in a cabaret. I loved the applause. But even though I used a stage name, my mother found out and was furious and said I was sinning big time. Sob.

Chris said that’s no sin. Inez says my mother took sick from shame. Chris says that’s not right. She was using any means to get you to stop. You can’t feel guilty about that, though you shouldn’t have done it secretly. Besides, those were the old days, and your mother has already wafted up to heaven, so forget all that and decide for yourself what you want to do with the rest of your life.

Paloma is so reserved with Emiliano her eyes are downcast and she’s practically melting into the couch. In fact, she hugs a big couch pillow protectively on her lap. It should be noted that she’s wearing a shapeless short dress that looks appropriate for a little girl, with layers of ruffles. Emiliano chit chats and then comes to the point. He and Padre JuanChris need somebody to figure out some activities for the girls at the church, like he’s doing with the boys. The point is to keep an eye out for alcohol or drug abuse. Emiliano says do you want to do it together? Paloma smiles a small smile.

Romina has the flowers and is standing around on the curb. She calls Aaron and says hurry up. Real del Monte must be bigger than it looks.

Emiliano says you could give art classes. Paloma says how did you know I paint? Emiliano says I know everything about you. Maybe he should know she’s had like maybe four lessons. Because he’s Our Hero, he doesn’t come across stalkerish. The doorbell rings and it’s Aaron with a bouquet in each hand. He comes in and gloats in Emiliano’s direction.

Inez says it’s God’s will that I’m all alone. Chris says don’t blame Him - your mother is long gone, but yet you stay at home. Inez says it’s all I know. Chris says change is hard, but you have to do it. Inez, putting on her hideous glasses, says there are some things I don’t want to change. (Oh change those, Inez! Do it! Start from there!) Chris tells her to look at all she has – friends who love her, her community, the nephew that she’s been like a mother to. Inez hugs him gratefully.

Carlota dials up Mac, who is in bed listening to her bones decalcifying from lack of exercise. Carlota says I hear you were in the hospital. Too bad you’re such a weakling. Mac says things are going to change, and weaklings can be very surprising. Har, says Carlota. What could you do to surprise me? Die? They have to run some more tests, so I’m going to be back in 4-5 days. Mac is bummed it’s so long. (Why?)

Chris is talking to Rufi and wants to know when he can see Mac. Rufi says she’d like to see you now, but the doctor says she can’t have any stress for 2-3 days. Chris says it’s stressful for me too, so I understand. Why did Carlota want to separate us? What did we do that was wrong?

Rufi says Carlota was in love with you and she couldn’t stand for her sister to have you. Chris is taken aback. He casts his eyes heavenward. Rufi says jealousy made her crazy. She’d rather see you two dead than together. Chris says but I never led her on or gave her any indication that I was interested in her. Rufi says maybe in her imagination you did. And she ended up destroying Mac’s life, yours and her own. Chris casts his eyes heavenward yet again. If he keeps doing that, they’re going to get stuck that way.

Aaron explains the white flowers are for Mac and the red ones for her, Paloma. He tells Emiliano that he never expected to see him there. Emiliano says it’s work related, for the kids at the church. Aaron says I’ll help! Anything to do good and to be with my novia at the same time.

Romina is hanging out on the sidewalk, watching Paloma’s house and Camila walks up and says ¿Qué haces aquí? Romina says Nuthin. Camila asks why she didn’t tell her that Angie had been let go. Romina says she forgot. Camila says I was talking to her about starting therapy with her and she told me. She’s going to recommend someone for you too.

Romina follows her mother to Paloma’s house. Camila wants to see Mac. Romina fakes surprise that Paloma has company. She gives Emiliano a peck and sits on the couch by him. Aaron says he’s visiting his novia. Romina says wow, you guys are novios?

At his office, Alonso’s secretary is being seductive and he caves. He calls Natalia and tells her he has to run to Monterrey overnight for a business meeting. She hangs up and looks skeptical. Alonso and the secretary start right in necking.

Chris is in church and it looks like he’s praying, but he’s actually thoughtbubbling that he should have gone to Mac’s father instead of trying to run away with her. What a price they both have paid for that mistake!

Camila comes up to see Mac, who is tearful. Camila says I have news, but you tell yours first. Mac says she found the love of her life, Chris! Camila says and I made love with Orlando!

Romina and Paloma are talking alone in another room. Romina says woo-hoo, why didn’t you tell me that you and Aaron are novios? Paloma says because we aren’t, really. Romina says he’s hot for you, I can tell! Boy, was I surprised to see Emiliano here – what’s up with that? Paloma explains about the work for the church girls. Romina says he could have just called, or had the padre talk to you. It really bugs me – you promised not to see him. And if Aaron thinks Emiliano likes you, he’s going to be mad. Paloma says Aaron doesn’t have any sayso about who I have for friends, and besides, I’ve been friends with Emiliano since Inaki. Romina says I know. But if you and Inaki had done it, he (Emiliano? Aaron?) wouldn’t be interested in you. But I trust you completely. Which is what hurts, she adds.

In the living room, Emiliano and Aaron are getting into it. Aaron tells him not to see Paloma, but Em says he was friends with her before she met Aaron. Aaron says that whole church thing is just a pretext. Emiliano says it’s none of your business if Paloma likes me. Aaron says forget it, she’d never be interested in someone who’s slept with her best friend. Touché! Emiliano doesn’t have a comeback.

Camila says to Mac it’s amazing how our lives can change so suddenly. Mac says but at least you can live your love. Camila says she doesn’t know – she’s confundida. She’s drawn to two men. Rafa and she have so much in common and he brings out her love of life and her creativity. Orlando is romantic and fun and can make her forget all her problems for a while.

Camila says the problem is that Rafa is just going through his divorce and isn’t free yet. Mac says have you thought about what Diana would say, what Real del Monte would say? Camila says if he’s the man I’ve been waiting for I don’t give a rat’s patoot what other people think. Mac says in that case, lucha! Don’t let anybody keep you from what your heart tells you.

And you? says Camila. What are you going to do?

Mac says Chris is a priest now. And I still feel just the same as I did all those years ago. Camila says then marry Rodolfo and get free and live a new life. Lucha por ser feliz!

Now Romina and Paloma are back in the living room with the guys. Romina thinks she’d like to help out with the kids. Em says but they’re kids like Chava and I remember you didn’t like being around him. Romina says but I’ve changed since I tried to commit suicide. I’ve discovered a mission in life.

Uncomfortable, Paloma goes to the kitchen and Aron follows. Romina pats the couch and tells Em to sit with her a minute. She says I found my father! She gets a little tearful. She says I can’t tell you about it now because my mother might come down. She throws her arms around Emiliano.

Paloma asks Aaron why he said they were novios. He said we agreed on that! Paloma says only for Emiliano, not in front of Romina. Aaron says Em wants your help at church just to get next to you.

Em announces he’s going now and that they can work it out with Padre Chris. Paloma says she’ll talk to the padre at the church. Paloma walks Em out and Aaron gives Romina a conspiratorial wink.

Rufi comes home just then and Aaron makes a huge point of effusively greeting her.

Camila is leaving Mac and says Romina is downstairs with Paloma, Aaron and Emiliano. Mac is surprised Em is there. Camila asks if there’s anything between Paloma and Emiliano. She wants to know just to be prepared, even though Romina seems to have realized there’s no chance with him. Mac says there’s nothing and Paloma would never betray a friend like that.

A business friend, Roberto, is visiting Alonso at his office and asks him why he’s messing around with his secretary who we find out is named Amalia. Alonso says he loves Natalia, but he needs some times in which he doesn’t think of Inaki. The friend says that sounds like an excuse. Alonso says I just can’t do it with Natalia – all the pain comes back. The friend says you’re blaming her for supporting Inaki. It was his choice, you know. C’mon, be fair to your wife.

Alonso says it’s not just that. I don’t think his death was from natural causes. I’m going to get revenge. Por Dios, says Roberto, exasperated. Forget that stuff and get back to life and to Natalia and forget Amalia.

The office door opens and Amalia struts in. She goes to Alonso and hangs on his neck.

Back at Paloma’s Romina and Camila leave. Outside Romina says see? Did you see Emiliano and Paloma’s faces when we walked in? There’s something going on with them. Camila says Paloma would never do anything to hurt you. Romina says that’s what she says, but a bunch of big fat arrows are pointing the opposite way.

Inside, Aaron advises Paloma not to trust Romina. She’s crazy about Emiliano and won’t stop at anything. He says why don’t we quit pretending and really be novios? Paloma sputters. Aaron says I know you’re not in love with me, but you won’t be sorry. He leans in to kiss her.

Inez is staking out Plata de Calidad and sure enough here comes Orlando. She hides behind a bush. We know this is a produccion de calidad because the bush is large enough to actually conceal her. In fact, it might even be a pillar with some vine on it. She sees Rafa come up and greet Orlando and go in with him. She dials Diana and gives her a breathless report. Diana is horrified.

Orlando and Rafa are having coffee in his office and Rafa thanks him for all he’s done for Emiliano. Orlando says Em’s been a huge help. He says in the past he’s been such workaholic, but that’s about to change. He’ll have more time to spend with Camila. To his credit, Rafa doesn’t do a spit take. He steadily asks if things are developing with Camila and Orlando says seems like.

Paloma turns away from the kiss and wipes her mouth like Yuck! She tells Aaron there’s no way she wants them to be novios. It was just to throw Em off the scent. Aaron says it’s not working. If we’re novios for real, it’ll be more convincing. Paloma apologizes for her idea and says forget it.

Diana has a nail-biting fit in her house. What to do?

Romina calls Emiliano and begs him to take her out for coffee in the evening. She has something she has to tell him and she needs his advice. He says okay.

Aaron is home and is telling Angelica that it’s not working out. He was just trying to help Paloma out and the next thing he knew, he’d fallen in love with her. And he started to hope she’d fall in love with him. Angelica says you’ve created a fantasy, and it’s best you don’t see her because you could easily develop an obsession.

Carlota goes to a fine restaurant and as she’s shown to the table, she spots Alonso acting all lovey dovey with his secretary at another table. She exclaims Isn’t that Inaki’s father with somebody who isn’t his wife? The hostess says Pardon? Carlota says oops, sorry, I was thinking out loud. After that, she sticks with thoughtbubbling and remembers how dismissive he was with her and look at him now! Good thing Paloma didn’t get mixed up with such an immoral family. She sniffs haughtily. Maybe everyone else in this show is suffering, but by golly, it’s fun to be Carlota.

When Alonso stands up to leave for his lovenest, he thinks he spots Carlota reading a menu. She quick hides behind it. He wants to go check, but his secretary drags him away.

Inez is over at Diana’s and Diana is bouncing off the walls, she’s so upset about Emiliano working for Orlando. She has to do something to estrange them! Inez says do you think he’ll find out that he’s Orlando’s… Diana cuts her off. Shhhh. You never know who’s listening. Now, there’s a telenovela veteran.

Diana wails that Em thinks Orlando is a god. Why do these things happen to meeeee? Inez says everything happens for a reason. Diana says don’t play pure with me. I know your secrets. Inez says okay, don’t get mad. Diana says I have to do something! Something! She grabs Inez by the shoulders and shakes her.

After the ad, Diana still hasn’t come up with a plan and she’s annoyed with Inez that she doesn’t have any good ideas either. Diana says I know! I’ll do what I did 25 years ago. Inez says you mean fall in love with Orlando again? No! says Diana. I’m going to ruin him! I’d do anything for my son. He’s the one blessing in my life. Inez says at least you haven’t changed over the years.

Inez says I’m sure he doesn’t keep his money in a box at the office. Diana says Em has the keys. I’ll get into his bank books. Inez says it’s a bad idea. Diana says I’ll open an account in the name of Ignacio, funnel the money into there. And when he discovers it, he’ll think it’s the same person who robbed him years ago. Isn’t that a great idea?

Carlota and her lawyer are talking to another guy who probably is another lawyer. The guy says it’s expensive to change a will. Carlota says I know, but it’s for a noble purpose. The guy says there’s nothing noble about changing the wishes of the dear departed. It’s really more for you than for your niece. Carlota’s lawyer says we need to know if it’s doable. The guy says doable, yes, legal, no.

Carlota says okay, we’ll pay, but your price is very high. The guy says it’ll take a few months, but don’t worry. When your niece turns 18, it’ll be in the works and can’t be acted on. Carlota smiles.

Avances: Emiliano is stoked that he can work alongside Paloma. Alonso hunts down Carlota in her hotel room and accuses her of killing Inaki.

Labels: amor