Caray, Caray!

Friday: Alonso is trying to chase down the investigation that Inaki had done, but he’s doing it secretly, without telling Natalia. Carlota is looking at a travel brochure for Cabo, but Chris’s face appears before her in a magic circle and she gets a faraway lustful look. Camila is walking home with Orlando and tells him how Samuel is on the scene, but she can’t tell Romina how bad he really is because it would just piss her off more. Orlando doesn’t want Samuel to get the impression that Camila is alone, so, problem-solver that he is, he proposes to her, handily forgetting that she wanted to go out just as friends.

And that was just a few minutes of Friday’s show. Let’s see what tonight brings.

Orlando explains that since Em and Romina are getting married, and Samuel is in the wings, why, it’s just more logical than just living together. Camila says gosh thanks, but I was just saying the other day that I thought marriage of convenience isn’t a good idea. He says well, think about it and gives her a kiss. She backs away and says nice chatting with you and scurries in her giant iron door. I guess the city building code didn’t allow a moat.

Camila closes the door behind her and leans on it. The Rafa songs kicks in and she remembers kissing him.

Romina walks through and Camila asks about her dinner with Em. Romina says it was awful – Em doesn’t care about the baby. Camila says he will and wants to know if Romina gave up on the marriage idea. ¡Por supuesto que no! She’s going to marry him even if she has to bodily drag him to the altar.

At Natalia’s rented digs, her girlfriend Ivonne asks her what it’s like having Alonso around. Alonso, who was just approaching the kitchen where they are washing up, stops to eavesdrop. Natalia says it’s a little weird. The friend winkingly speculates about the bedroom and Natalia says it’s hard to relax when she remembers catching him with his secretary in that hotel room. Flashback of that. Natalia wonders who the woman was who tipped her off. We see a black and white flashback of Carlota calling Natalia to tell her.

Invonne speculates that it must’ve been someone who knew Natalia. No friend, says Natalia, but an enemy.

Paloma is tossing and turning and just can’t get to sleep. She looks at the message on her cell again, the one where Em tells her she’s the one he loves. Em is tossing and turning too. Why? he asks the telenovela gods, who look down on him, pick their teeth and grunt.

Em swears he’d marry Paloma in a heartbeat. And he wishes she was the one pregnant with his Emlette.

Natalia is asleep. Alonso contemplates her and strokes her hair and remembers her saying that she was tipped off about his affair. He gets up and flashes back on Carlota confronting him and his secretary in the hotel lobby and telling him he’s immoral and to stay away from her (Carlota).

Natalia wakes, and pats the bed. He cuddles up to her. This is a sweet little scene, but not steamy, as Alonso, being an older galan, is in a full set of men’s jammies, so there’s no bare-chested stuff.

Carlota, her room darkened with only a table candelabra burning, calls Chris who was asleep and so didn’t have the presence of mind to check caller ID. She breathily tells him that he’s become an obsession and she will do whatever he desires. Just ask! Chris says I’m asking you do remember I’m a man of the cloth, goodbye. He hangs up.

Carlota is thoughtful. She slowly licks her fingers and snuffs out one candle. You’re making me do it, she thoughtbubbles. She pinches another one out. You won’t give in. Snuff. You’re going to pay a big price.

The night of a thousand porqués has passed and finally it’s morning. Paloma, all dressed for school, is sad. She asks Rufi how she’s can live without Em. Rufi hugs her. Paloma says she wishes she could leave town today, but the thing with Natalia didn’t work out since Alonso is back, so maybe she’ll take Dr B up on his offer. Rufi says maybe she’ll get lucky and she won’t need a protector to help her realize her dreams. Paloma says what makes you say stuff like that? Rufi says life is full of surprises and miracles. Paloma says she doesn’t believe in those anymore. She’s going to go see Dr B.

Rufi says I’m not going to leave you alone in the world. Whither thou goest, there go I … if you want me to. Paloma says of course I do – you’re all I’ve got, and she hugs Rufi tenderly.

Aw, Rafa has brought Em breakfast in bed. He remembered that when Em was little, he liked pancakes, so he made him some. Em is grateful, and says he couldn’t sleep. He says no point it talking about the decision, it’s all set. Rafa says he just wanted to know how Em is feeling about it.

Em says he was thinking how much Rafa did for him, even if he wasn’t his biological son, and Em wants to do as much for a child who actually is his. Rafa says that’s great, but I don’t see how you have to go as far as to marry the mother. Em says Romina has a whim of iron; she makes sure things go her way.

R: I’m doubting it will last. Why don’t you just have a civil ceremony? E: That’s what I want to do. R: And what about Paloma? E: I’m going to talk to Paloma and break it off, though it kills me to give her up.

Romina flounces down to breakfast. Camila warns her that getting what you want can cost big time. Romina tells her to stop lecturing, put her two boyfriends on hold and start organizing the wedding. It’s going to be in a couple of weeks. She needs a dress, the church, there’s the honeymoon, etc. etc. Em’s not helping, she says, so you better, or do you want me to ask my father?

Camila brings her breakfast, but, baby or no, she doesn’t want to eat – she wants to look good on her wedding day. She wants to be the most beautiful bride Real del Monte has ever seen.

Diana is still in bed, but her mind is plenty awake. She flashes back on seeing Rafa kiss Camila and swears revenge. She has to think of something!

Juanita the maid comes and on her way out checks her cell. Diana demands it, takes it from her, roots through her purse and finds some cash to throw at her and tells her to get another. Juanita protests that all her contacts are in there, but Diana orders her out.

Diana dials up Camila on Juanita’s cell. She holds a hand partway over the receiver to conceal her voice. She tells Camila that she’s a shameless, immoral hussy. She hangs up and giggles. Camila stares at the phone and then hits callback. Juanita’s cell rings while Diana ignores it and says You don’t know who you’re messing with.

Carlota is at the church thrift shop and Hilda, a church lady, thanks her for helping. Carlota says the house is so empty without Macarena. She wonders if Chris is expected. Hilda sighs and says what a great guy. He should be coming pretty soon.

Em is peeking through the school fence at Paloma, who’s talking with Lili. She tells Lili that there’s no point in her talking to Em. Lili says she doesn’t believe Romina, but Paloma observes that Romina might lie, but test results don’t. Paloma wants to put it out of her mind – she doesn’t want to end up bitter like Carlota. In the distance, Em thoughtbubbles how pretty Paloma is and how he loves her.

German pulls up and gets out of his car. He tells Em he’d like to talk, that he wishes they could be friends like before. Em shakes his hand and says okay, but nothing in his life is going to be like it was before. He walks off.

Romina has stopped by to see Diana, who seems to be dressed to go out. Diana asks after Camila and says gosh, they haven’t talked in a long time. She wants to know what Camila thinks of Romina’s plans. Romina says she’s a pain, and she’s busy with her galans. Galans? says Diana.

Romina ignores that and tells her that Samuel has showed up. But the main thing is that she told Em yesterday and he was so cold. Diana says don’t worry, he’ll be grateful you gave him a child. You can count on me 100%. She hugs Romina.

At the ceramics factory, trusty sidekick Joel asks Rafa what’s wrong. Rafa tells him he’s worried about Em. Joel tsks about somebody trapping a guy with a baby in this day and age. They both agree that Em should just have visitation rights. Rafa says yes, but if Romina runs away like Diana did, Em will be devastated.

Joel says I’d hate to be in Em’s shoes. Rafa says nor in mine – Camila doesn’t want anything to do with me. I wish I could tell her everything, but I promised Orlando so he wouldn't blab everything he knows about Diana. Joel suggests he re-talk it with Orlando; things always come to light sooner or later no matter what anyway. You’ve already suffered enough for Diana’s misdoings. Do something for you.

Orlando comes in to work and gives Angie a cheerful hug. He’s stoked because things are looking up with Camila – they might even get married. Angie says are you ready to accept the whole package, namely Romina? Orlando says she’s marrying Em and moving out. Camila will be lonely. It’s the perfect time to step in.

At her shop, Camila tells Meche and Monica about the weird phone call. They figure it’s somebody who hates her. Diana says she can’t think about that because right now she feels like Romina’s about to drive her life right into a wall and there’s nothing she can do about it.

Carlota comes home thoughtbubbling about how she shot a whole morning at the thrift shop and Chris never showed. He might be hiding, but he doesn’t have stand a chance. Sooner or later, he’ll fall for her.

Rufi wants to know if she remembered to pick up the groceries she was going to get. Carlota forgot, but will go back out.

Pedro, the church maintenance guy, tells Chris that Carlota came looking for him several times, but didn’t say what she wanted. She was acting kinda weird, like she was jealous. He says he’s known her a long time and never saw her acting like that.

Chava comes in because Meche sent him and Chris tries to talk to him about alcohol. Fortunately this scene is mercifully brief.

Natalia is talking to Ivonne, who thinks that Alonso was acting a little mysterious. Natalia didn’t notice. She tells Ivonne about how Paloma wanted to come to Mexico City with her, but now that Alonso’s back on the scene, that didn’t work out. She didn’t want to tell Alonso.

Ivonne says did you tell her that she has an inheritance? Natalia says she wanted to consult with Chris and Rufi first.

Whoops, I spoke too soon. The alcohol chat Chris is having with Chava continues, and for some reason, Pedro is working nearby during this very personal conversation. Anyway, Chris finally gets his breakthrough: He brings Chava to realize that getting totally wasted time to time means he is actually an alcoholic.

I guess it’s night again, because it sure is dark in Emiliano’s office. The light from his laptop shines its blue light on his face, and Orlando comes in and sits in a dark corner. He says he heard about the positive DNA test and would like to offer Em and Romina an apartment to start their married life. Em says thanks but no.

Orlando says don’t be so stiff-necked. Plus you’ll be my heir when I die anyway. I’d work like a donkey to give you whatever you want. Pick one out and let me know.

Em says You pick one and we’ll go with that. I don’t want anything to do with this stupid wedding. Orlando says might as well put a on a happy face, as long as you have to do it. Em snaps that he doesn’t think he’ll ever get used to the idea – he’s in love with Paloma, not Romina.

At the art school, Lili tells Paloma she wants to come to her exhibition in Pachuco and she wants to go with Eric. That way she can meet his family, plus he might know some nice guys for Paloma to meet. Paloma says she doesn’t want to forget Em and she doesn’t want to fall in love ever again.

Lili says you don’t want to turn into your Tia Carlota, plus you can’t just live like you’re on a desert island. Okay, says Paloma. I need friends, but I lost Inaki and now I’ve lost Em and I can’t take any more losses. In the background, the nameless brunette girl from the other day listens sympathetically, looking like she’s desperately trying to get her face on camera, acting her heart out as best she can with no lines to work with.

Camila is on the phone with Romina who is at home. She promises to go with her to Pachuco to look for a wedding dress. Romina says I need to you to have all your afternoons free from now until the wedding.

Naturally Meche comes up to ask Camila if something is bothering her, which gives Camila the opportunity to say not only anonymous phone calls, Orlando wanting to get married, and Samuel showing up, but she’s worried about Romina being all taken up with dresses and cakes and parties, all the wedding stuff, and not even worrying that her future husband doesn’t love her.

Meche says they can always divorce later. Camila says I know the marriage is going to be a disaster.

Piggy-eyed Samuel is hanging out in a nice bar, looking like the lounge lizard that he is. He calls his hotel to see if either Romina or Camila have left messages. Nope. He decides that he needs to invest in order to profit, so he tells the hotel lady to order up a huge arrangement of red roses and send them to the ladies.

Carlota is stepping out into the street when lo and behold, Alonso stops her. They trade a few smirking barbs and he tells her that he came not just to be with Natalia, but also to see her.

Paloma and Lili are leaving school. Paloma gets a text message from Em saying I have to see you, even if it’s for the last time. Meet me at my father’s apartment. Lili encourages her to go and to let him speak his heart, plus she’s sure Paloma wouldn’t want to go through life thinking she’d left something unsaid. Paloma says she doesn’t think she can bear saying goodbye.

Lili says it’s going to hurt no matter what. You might as well have a good goodbye.

Carlota says to Alonso Coffee with you? Don’t make me laugh. After the way you acted after your son’s death, and after the way you were acting in Mexico City! Such manners.

Alonso says such principles! Are you equally strict with yourself? Carlota says excuse my commenting (see how well-mannered she is?), but I’m amazed that your wife forgave your infidelity.

Alonso says I wanted to ask your pardon. Carlota says is surprised and says finally you realize. Alonso says I lost my head. Grief, you know. Carlota says okay, let’s not talk about unpleasant memories.

He observes that he’s heard she has a very good reputation in town. Carlota says that comes from a life properly lived over the years. Yes, says Alonso. I don’t know how I could have thought you were a murderer. Carlota’s eyes get a little slitty. And how much you care for the well-being of your niece, he continues. He thanks her again for accepting his apology and off she goes.

Alonso thoughtbubbles that he promised he would never take his eyes off her. I promise you, my son, that I will unearth the truth.

Avances: Romina reports to Carlota that Em is going to marry her and both gloat. Paloma and Em meet for a final farewell.

Labels: amor