Caray, Caray!

Episode 64

Aimee cheerily enters the finca office, where's she's startled to find Leonarda weeping piteously. Aimee can't imagine what news Leonarda has for her, but is soon astounded to hear that Rodrigo is penniless! Aimee's in denial, dropping into a chair; her father's fortune is huge!

Leonarda must be mistaken. But she's telling the truth. When Aimee learns Rodrigo lost it all in lumber investments, she's completely incredulous. In lumber? That means I've lost everything, too!? No! No! Aimee's eyes run wild around the room, searching every corner of her brain to make sense of this.

Continuing the former scene on the patio, Juan graciously thanks Renato for his words of friendship; but he simply cannot remain at the finca. Renato is mystified, but Juan insists it's impossible, because of a hatred that separates them. A hatred that he cannot explain now. Please don't try to make Juan stay, or he won't be responsible for the consequences.

Back in the office, Aimee has divined the culprit: it's you! she shouts at Leonarda. You insisted I let my father invest my inheritance in lumber! Leonarda is slack-jawed and wide-eyed. Aimee continues, smacking her fan into her thigh and rolling her eyes wildly heavenward, that she did it despite Noel warning her against it!

Leonarda pleads she only thought to do the best for Aimee. Well, you've ruined me! Ruined me! Aimee shouts in Leonarda's face. You and my father have ruined me! Not only have you lost me my inheritance, she wails, but my hope of ever being happy!

Aimee is truly beside herself at this. Leonarda doesn't understand, but Aimee doesn't waste her time explaining. Leonarda wouldn't understand, because she has never -- ever -- known passion! Aimee storms out of the office; and Leonarda remains, nervously perplexed.

Next stop, Aimee bursts through Regina's bedroom door to drop the explosive news on her sister. Regina, alarmed, tries to calm Aimee and have her explain. When she does -- ending with shouting, We're POOR! POOR! without a penny! -- Regina reminds Aimee she has a rich husband, so no problem there.

Unmollified, Aimee exclaims she's doomed to live under Renato's thumb, staring at those four walls the rest of her life! Her red fan is taking a hell of a beating, flailing around the room. At this Regina realizes with a sour look towards Aimee just what is going on. What she sees is Aimee as usual concerned for herself.

What about their father? Every waking moment you think about yourself! Perhaps this is a little lesson in humility! Aimee, coldly furious, chuckles ruefully; Regina will never understand, she bites out as she exits. Remaining behind, Regina stares into the distance, worrying what a blow this will be to Rodrigo; while at that moment across town, he and Federico enter the casino.

At Juan's house, Gabriel admits to him that little by little he's falling in love with Jimena. Juan throws up his arms in astonished relief; about darn time! When asked about Estrella, Gabriel stammers with confusion. He thinks about Estrella, and then suddenly he's thinking about Jimena; it's like they were the same person! (!)

Juan laughs, and when asked about the gypsy situation, Gabriel concludes it doesn't matter at all. Except he's not sure how they will be happy with different expectations. People say whites and gypsies can't get along, Gabriel claims; but Juan sweeps that aside, declaring with true love nothing's impossible.

We hear the door bell clang as Juan rakes Gabriel over the coals about declaring his love to Jimena before Branko steps in and does it first. Just then a smiling Raúl de Marin is shown into the parlor, bowing deeply and greeting them as gentlemen. Juan gasps facetiously how Raúl used to lose no chance to insult them. Raúl sincerely apologizes for his treatment of them hitherto.

Raúl's come to pay grateful respects for the great service Juan Aldama did him, returning the incriminating documents and repaying his debt for him. Raúl would love to thank him personally when he arrives. But Raúl also came to earnestly thank Juan for saving him from the terrible financial crisis that Rodrigo is now in.

Raúl understands Juan may never view him as a friend, but he so hopes Juan will at least not view him as an enemy any more. His fond wish is to be Juan's loyal friend; and after a little teasing run-around, Juan finally shakes Raúl's hand, and they are made up. Before Raúl exits, he notes Gabriel's excellent administrative work and requests Gabriel do some for himself.

At the finca, Leonarda paces the office fretting over that bastard, Juan, when Renato enters to talk about Rodrigo. Leonarda tries to blame Rodrigo's disaster on Noel, but Renato will not have it. Renato heard personally several times when Noel warned Rodrigo about his bad investment. And puffing up and lampooning his father in law, Renato booms in a deep voice, but no! Nobody knows more about business than he does!

Leonarda objects to Renato kicking poor Rodrigo while he's down; rather they should help him. Renato admits he plans to go the next day to offer him help; but get this straight: this is nobody's fault but Rodrigo's own! He asked for it.

At the casino, Federico observes that no one is speaking to them and everyone is ignoring them, just when Fulgencio and Raúl appear and seat themselves at the table. Fulgencio feigns sympathy at Rodrigo's embarassing situation, but Rodrigo shamelessly lies that there's nothing amiss and everything's A-OK. He has other investments, plus those of his buddy here and future son-in-law, Federico.

Rodrigo gestures -- Right, Federico? Federico murmurs unenthusiastic agreement. Fulgencio feigns he's pleased, and they get to playing cards, just as Juan enters looking resplendent in evening clothes. Marlene greets him warmly at once, and Juan requests that if Rodrigo or Federico want to borrow any money from the house, to let them have whatever they want. Trust him; it will be fun!

On the landing at the finca, Rosenda overhears a conversation where Leonarda turns the screws of motherly guilt to Renato and unintentionally fills Rosenda in on details about Juan. Leonarda the martyr declares facetiously that a mother's advice is no good in light of her son's own; and if Renato wants to bring Juan to the house and invite him to dinner, just don't expect her to put up with him. Leonarda says pitifully she just hopes she's wrong and that Juan won't turn out to be as bad for the family as another guy did. Both Renato and Rosenda are mystified at this comment.

Meanwhile, upstairs Aimee gives her bedroom suite the rock-star hotel room tantrum treatment, and she's trashing the place a moment later when Rosenda enters. No, she's not spying on her, Rosenda says when asked. Renato requested Rosenda stay close in case Aimee needs her. And Aimee does need her, it turns out.

When Aimee asks her what Rosenda's heard about Juan, she repeats the story about Noel bringing Juan to the house as a boy; about Juan's fortune possibly including ill-gotten gains -- which Aimee suddenly finds very intriguing; and the part where Leonarda hopes Juan doesn't hurt the family like some other fellow did.

After that, Aimee promises Rosenda a silk dress, a pair of shoes and a necklace to do a secret errand for her, at which Rosenda looks greedily amenable. She can keep a secret, Rosenda says. If she told all she knew, the walls would fall in and bury them all.

Downstairs in the parlor, Regina who intends to go visit her father, encounters Renato alone; and he bids her sit with him. He's lonely, because Aimee always wants to be by herself lately. Regina reminds him she was capricious and volatile as a child, and Renato admits Aimee warned him before their marriage.

When Renato mentions Regina's the only one not mad at him for bringing Juan to the finca, Regina concedes she'd rather Juan not be there -- to which Renato wonders if that's the truth. He wonders if the two of them are an item, and Regina launches herself off the chair in indignation. If she and Juan were an item, then everybody would know it! How dare he. Juan means nothing to her! Renato begs her forgiveness, but Regina exits in a huff.

At the river, Jimena agonizes over being cast in a hunk sandwich when suddenly Gabriel emerges from the woods, startling her. It's late at night, but he had to tell her something important. She's just reminding him they shouldn't even be friends, as gypsy and white guy, when Branko breaks in.

Back at the finca, in her bedroom Regina exclaims to Clemencia that her reputation is in the balance! She has to tell the whole truth about Juan and Aimee. Renato never would ask about her and Juan unless Aimee put the notion into his head. But Clemencia is horrified at this idea and tearfully pleads. Aimee is the weak twin and married, as well. It will be hugely tragic! Clemencia promises to persuade Juan to avoid the finca, and Regina agrees to do whatever it takes to save Aimee's marriage.

At the casino, Marlene is just having Rodrigo sign a voucher for a house loan; he boasts he'll pay it back in no time. When Marlene whispers to Juan that Rodrigo is losing a lot of money, Juan asks that she continue to loan Rodrigo as much as he needs.

About then Noel enters and greets Juan, and Juan warns Noel that Mr. Montes de Oca won't like seeing them together. When Noel advises Juan to get used to the idea that Rodrigo won't accept him, Juan insists he doesn't give a whit about that. Noel can tell Rodrigo it's safe to come back to the farm, since Juan gave up his post there.

Noel notes things have changed; that Juan has money, and he wonders where it comes from. If some of it is perhaps not legitimate. Noel begs Juan, if so, to please accept his help in getting a new start in life. Juan recalls the new start he made so long ago as a boy on that long voyage.

A boy so abused, he was barely human. The boy was afraid, not knowing what would befall him. Nevertheless, someone gave this boy a hand -- and that someone was Noel. Choking up, Juan declares he will never forget that. Never. The two men embrace warmly. And across the room, Rodrigo stares daggers at the two of them.

Later, Juan stands alone when suddenly a figure in white appears beside him; a woman with a veiled face, handing Juan an envelope. When she speaks, we recognize Rosenda. Read it and ask no questions, she instructs cryptically, before turning away. Just before disappearing she places a finger to her covered lips and whispers: Sshh -- no questions. Juan opens the letter and cracks a little smile.

At the river, Jimena attempts to referee her two combatants. Just as Branko declares his love -- Gabriel blurts out that he loves Jimena, too, stunning the poor girl. What did he say? The truth, Gabriel insists; he was afraid to say it before, but that's through now. He loves her like he's never loved anyone, not even Estrella. And he's prepared to face the whole world to show her, he says as he takes Jimena's face in his hands.

Branko breaks in and orders Jimena to pay Gabriel no heed; Gabriel's not fooling Branko! She's mine! Branko lunges at Gabriel with a knife, when Jimena screams and intervenes, not wanting them to kill each other. She needs time to think! Leave her alone! she says as she stalks off. The two males nose up and growl you know where to find me.

Rodrigo enters his darkened townhouse to find faithful Leonarda there. He relates his horrid, humiliating visit to the casino, where he wanted to bust that bastard one. And then! If that wasn't enough! And then your husband comes up to him like great old friends, and they embrace there in front of everybody! He had to pretend he didn't care.

Leonarda pours the old fellow a drink and gives him the good news that Renato's going to help him out. The bastard is leaving the farm; Renato will forget all about that; Aimee doesn't even like Juan. Rodrigo drops his weary bones onto the sofa, dwelling upon thoughts of his poor, destitute Aimee.

Leonarda relates tearfully how Aimee reacted hysterically and that she told her some painful things: that she blames the two of them for ruining her chance at happiness -- and that I'd never understand, since I'd never experienced passion.

Rodrigo gazes at Leonarda intensely, rises again from the sofa and approaches her. Is it true? he asks. Leonarda startles like a rabbit, asking, what? Rodrigo continues, that you've never known passion? Leonarda admits it's true; she's never known passion in her life. Rodrigo moves to cradle her head in his hands and whispers her name -- Leonarda. Poor Leonarda. He caresses her face tenderly and brings his lips to hers.

At the caves, Aimee calls to Juan as he emerges there, holding up the note. She doesn't believe he hates her and wants to know how long she's going to have to endure his insults. She's all his, even if he doesn't accept that. There is some special bond between them, she insists. Something clicks with Juan, because he catches her up to him, damning passion. Aimee renames it blessed passion. She knows deep down he wants her beside him, that he desires her and loves her. Please kiss her and tell her and show her. Juan cannot resist. He does.

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