Caray, Caray!

All the pieces are starting to (excruciatingly slowly) come together. The beginning of Marco’s downfall has begun!

Rosaura lets the cat out of the bag about Ale getting married at the end of the month. Ale raises her hackles and tells Rosaura off for spilling secrets about her personal life. Rosaura blames Claudia for spreading the gossip. Like a schoolgirl in trouble, Claudia stays after the meeting to speak to Ale in private. (While Rafa blends into the background to listen in.)

Ale is tired of Claudia’s childishness. “Why don’t you spend more time gaining clients than gossip? Who told you about my wedding?” Claudia is surprisingly worked up and vows she can’t say. After the chismosa (gossip) leaves the room, Ale turns on Rafa. He swears he had nothing to do with it; he has no business knowing about her wedding. Ale flounces out even more discouraged.

Claudia is spitting mad that Rosaura called her out in front of Ale. Rosaura is far too preoccupied with the cookies Gabriel sent her to be worried but Claudia won’t be ignored. “That witch is furious at me now! She even told me to pull down my skirt. Of course, since she’s the lead executive, the most intelligent and elegant at Autos Siglo. But she doesn’t know what a wandering eye her novio has!” Rosaura’s ears perk up. “How well do you know Marco? Is he unfaithful often?” Claudia refuses to say, despite Rosaura pleading for an answer. Pepeto, having eavesdropped on the entire conversation, pockets Claudia’s unattended cell phone.

Ale once again blames Rafa and his fan club for telling the whole office about her wedding. Susana pulls Nelson aside to grill him about it. “Either you, Pepeto, or Rafa told Claudia about Ale’s wedding. You guys are always talking and I know it isn’t about business.” Nelson promises none of them did it, which upsets Susana.

Rafa calls Nelson and Pepeto into the meeting room for another huddle. Pepeto thinks he has Marco in the palm of his hand because of Claudia’s cell phone. The guys go through her phone and find Marco’s number inside. Pepeto tells them about Claudia implying Marco’s infidelity in her discussion with Rosaura. Nelson thinks this new information explains a lot; they have an enemy inside Autos Siglo.

Marino has a hissy fit in front of Ramirez about being treated badly by the company. “I cannot work like this! Either Medina goes or I do!” Ramirez warns him that Beltran will never choose Marino over Rafa after all the money he’s made. Marino catches Claudia eavesdropping. She shrewdly offers to help him get rid of Rafa if he gives her three of his commissions without anyone else knowing. Marino readily agrees. (An unholy alliance is made. I sense a war between Marino/Claudia/Ramirez and Rafa/Pepeto/Nelson in the future.)

Pepeto is sure they have enough proof of Marco’s affair with Claudia. After all, Claudia has several incoming calls from Marco. Rafa is thrilled to have the information but wants to hold off before busting Marco. He has Pepeto return the phone since the last thing they need is to be known as thieves.

Meanwhile, Claudia frantically searches her desk for her phone. She whines and cries to Jimenez, who has a nervous breakdown about being accused of stealing. Rosaura calls the phone and she and Claudia follow the sound. Pepeto quickly stashes the phone in Claudia’s trashcan and pretends to find it.

Rafa and Nelson ruminate about Marco. Rafa doesn’t understand why Marco would stay with Ale when he obviously doesn't love her. Nelson remembers a conversation Rosaura had with the General about Marco’s involvement with Ale’s hacienda.

The General and Claudia have a shouting match when Claudia accuses the General of stealing her phone. Susana breaks it up to tell Rosaura that Rafa wants to speak with her. Rosaura babbles about “her situation” being the excuse for her lackluster sales. Rafa cuts her off and brings the conversation around to the Alvarez de Castillo family. Rosaura happily spills her guts. “Don Jorge is very rich and owns a gorgeous hacienda where they produce livestock and milk. But he got into a bad business deal and the hacienda was embargoed. The only reason he still has it is to pay off debts. Marco is the family lawyer and takes care of the hacienda.”

Rafa’s wheels start turning. “When was the embargo lifted?” Rosaura has no clue since it was Marco who handled it. However she says Marco is a pathetic lawyer. She’s heard Marco has a nice office somewhere but she never found out where. Rafa thanks Rosaura for her time and she scampers away when Pepeto enters.

Marino tells Claudia he has a meeting with a client who plans to buy 4 trucks. Claudia agrees to keep her end of the bargain once he seals the deal.

Marco tells the workers at the hacienda that Chavez won’t be returning. They’re overjoyed but less enthusiastic to hear Marco is taking over. Meanwhile, we see a homesick Chavez in a Bugs Bunny version of Iraq. Still no sign of Rubi…

Rosario gives Ale a quick call about the wedding invitations; they still need to send one to Urdiales. Ale remembers hearing the name of Urdiales’ company when he happened to be at the same restaurant as Ale and Marco. She gives the address of Aseguradora Latina to Rosario.

Rafa relates all the new information to Pepeto. “Marco is marrying Ale for money and not because he loves her. Alejandra and her family don’t have money but their hacienda does.” Pepeto wonders if Carmela might have something to do with the embargo on the hacienda. Rafa tells Pepeto to go to the court to find out just what Marco and Carmela have been up to with the hacienda.

Groundskeeper Chucho walks with Marco around the hacienda. Chucho is glad Marco has taken over because he’s sure Chavez was abusing the hacienda. He had wild parties and didn’t handle any of the necessary business for the livestock; Chucho almost called Don Jorge about it. Marco is shocked and promises to take care of the problem himself.

Chucho says the hacienda can only produce profits in the thousands for the upcoming month. Marco needs millions of pesos a month and threatens to kill Chucho if he says anything to the Alvarez de Castillos about the hacienda.

Rafa calls Zetina, who has been spying on Marco and Chucho. Rafa tells Zetina to follow Marco wherever he goes after leaving the hacienda.

Marino hands over his commission to Claudia, who seems to be having second thoughts. Marino warns her not to back out. Nelson channels Zetina as he spies on them from behind a display. Claudia assures him she has information that will help get Rafa out of their hair. They piece together that Ale must have been involved in Rafa’s last business deal. (I think they were talking about Ale being Rafa’s silent partner.) Claudia is behind throwing Ale under the bus but doesn’t want Rafa to suffer. Marino wants Rafa fired and, if possible, thrown in jail.

Avances: Ale overhears Rafa give seduction tips to Pepeto and Marino goes to Beltran in hopes of getting Rafa fired.

Labels: dinero

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