Caray, Caray!

Adolfo and Bertha’s wedding ceremony begins with a bang! Unfortunately, it’s not of the fireworks variety, but instead what appears to be THE BIG ONE- a heart attack. Bertha and the guests panic as Adolfo collapses. But then they all do common sense things that telenovela characters usually don’t. Jimena calls an ambulance, Bertha gives them directions, the maid calls Yolanda, Dante loosens Adolfo’s tie, assesses that he is still breathing, although weakly, and talks Bertha out of taking him to the hospital in her car.


At the hospital, Yolanda, Dante and Bertha wait for word about Adolfo. Dante explains how affected Adolfo was by a fax he received just before the ceremony. Bertha thinks he’s been acting strange for a few days now. He even had a terrible argument with Carlos recently. Savvy Yolanda barely holds her sarcasm in, “Oh, really?” Adolfo’s doctor approaches and tells them that Adolfo is in intensive care. They will keep him there overnight and do tests to determine if he had a heart attack (infarto). Yolanda’s face reflects worry; Dante looks like he’s thinking about how he can benefit from the situation; and Bertha looks like she sees her inheritance coming sooner than she thought.

On a quiet street corner, Edgar, the man of many skills, expertly breaks into and hotwires a car. While driving the stolen car, Edgar calls up one of his compadres (compa for short). He asks him to get him information on Elsa Rivera.

Back at the hospital, Bertha calls Carlos to give him the news about his father. Carlos thinks it’s high time Mother Nature became Lady Justice. He sarcastically congratulates the expectant widow and tells her to send his greetings to his father. She informs him that they actually didn’t get married, and tells him to p*ss off (vete al Diablo). As soon as she hangs up on him, Carlos calls David with the news.

Eddie’s friend works really fast, because he’s already called him back with the info he wanted. He tells Eddie that his name has been brought up in the case against Elsa and it was Ulises who accused him. He’s not a happy camper.

The game of telephone continues, and David calls JJ with the news of Adolfo’s heart attack and Bertha’s frustrated wedding. JJ thinks it would be great if the old devil kicked the bucket. All their problems would be solved.

At the hospital, the doctor returns with results from Adolfo’s tests. Seems he didn’t have a heart attack. Instead he’s suffering from gastric reflux (reflujo gastro-esofágico)- brought on by his excessive drinking, and made worse by stress. Ha! He’s already left intensive care, but will be kept overnight if they want. They all agree.

The next morning Ale comes to invite Gabi to go out to eat with her. Meanwhile, at what appears to be an old warehouse, Edgar hides the diamond shoes and photo in a black trash bag in some sort of trash shoot/storage bin.

Adolfo’s back in his own home, tucked into bed in his jammies. Dante wants to know what’s up with him and what that fax was about. He pulls out one of his cigars to settle in for a long chat. Adolfo stops him. Doctor’s orders. All that stuff is hurting his health- smoking, drinking, who knows what else! He gives a few weak coughs. Dante is sure it was the visit of those three idiots and that mysterious fax that put him on the road to ill health. Adolfo explains about the faxed letter and old employee application. He’s sure this letter is the real letter. They are interrupted by the maid who brings a mysterious envelope. Dante, who seems to have lived in DC during the (still unresolved) anthrax scare, wants Adolfo to be careful opening it. It might contain some harmful substance or explosive. Adolfo looks at the thin envelope in the light, and shakes (!) it. Nope, no explosives here. He opens it to find a Polaroid photo of a seemingly dead, and very bloody, Susana. The two experienced baddies aren’t fooled for a moment. It’s a fake. Look at the blood—it’s fake and has obviously been applied with fingers. (These two should join CSI. They’re experts.) Dante wants to know who the woman is. Someone Adolfo wants to have killed. The note attached says, “let’s talk.”
Over their meal, Ale tells Gabi about the boys’ latest stunt and how worried she is about JJ. Gabi thinks they may not have to worry for much longer, if Adolfo had that bad heart attack. Ale doesn’t want to speak bad about anyone, but frankly, it wouldn’t be a loss. Gabi is in total agreement, considering all the headaches he’s caused so many people. Ale wants to know what David has told Gabi. He explained about how they’ve tried to bring Adolfo’s downfall legally, but since that hasn’t worked quickly enough, they’re taking another strategy, without informing Leo. Ale understands, but she thinks they are taking too much risk. They should be taking advantage of Carlos’ change of heart, and use him to bring Adolfo down legally. Gabi is (rightfully) skeptical of Carlos’ seemingly sudden change. After all that he did to her- making her feel like the worst kind of woman, causing trouble between her and David, and even trying to force himself on her (abuso de mi- can imply rape, but less harsh). Ale is shocked and asks for the details. Gabi tells her all the sordid details of Carlos and Roberto and their games with her and her sister.

Eddie and Adolfo finally have a chat via phone and Adolfo wants more proof that he completed his assignment. Eddie thinks the photo is all the evidence he needs. Adolfo agrees to meet him in the warehouse (bodega). After they hang up, Eddie smashes the incriminating cell phone he has been using to make calls. Weak Adolfo gets up to go take care of business, against Dante’s advice. Dante will go with him, and will take the opportunity to smoke outside while Adolfo readies himself. As for the Three Musketeers—Adolfo has a surprise for them.

The Pretty Primas are still discussing all the disgusting things Carlos did. Ale is shocked to learn all the crap he’s done, and understands why it’s so hard to believe he’s changed. She wouldn’t put her hand in the fire for him, but she understand why he is the way he is—his father. He’s always been given anything he wants, and when he saw Gabi and became infatuated (incaprichado) with her for obvious reasons, and well… Gabi wonders if this doesn’t prove that he’s not a good person who’s not to be trusted. Ale thinks he’s reached a point where he’s reflecting on his life, and has decided he doesn’t want to end up like his father. Gabi is worried that it’s a trap that Carlos is laying for David and JJ, that will be sprung on them in the worst moment (mala hora). For this reason, Ale thinks they’ve got to keep an eye on things and have their husbands’ backs (estar dependiente). Maybe they should call Leo and tattle on their hubbies? Gabi doesn’t think this is a good idea for either the well being of their men, or the well being of their marriages. They should show them that they trust them. Ale agrees.

Carlos is feeling blue on his yellow couch when Yolanda comes to visit. She gives him the news of the non-heart attack. Carlos is non responsive to the non news. What he wants to know is why things didn’t work out between his dad and his mother Marta. Yolanda tries to explain as delicately as possible. Marta was a beautiful woman who many powerful men courted. They were always sending her flowers and gifts to her dressing room. One of those men was his father. He courted her until…until he succeeded and she became pregnant. But Carlos knows his father- he’s always been an egomaniac. When Marta told him and wanted to get married, he refused. And then Carlos was born. Marta was very sad and depresses/disappointed (decepcionada). She took care of Carlos for a while, but then asked Yolanda to care for him. “She abandoned me?” “No. No. She was just so sad and depressed and knew I would care for you better.” “And what happened after?” “A few years later she fell madly in love with Mario Genoves.” Qué?!

At the warehouse, Adolfo and Dante arrive with four armed goons. (I guess it takes six men to bring Eddie down.) Adolfo throws the supposedly faked photo at Edgar’s feet, and tells him he doesn’t believe a word he says and knows it’s a trick (truco). He wants Edgar to take them to where he buried the body, right now! The goons grab Eddie and drag him out.

Back at Carlos’, Yolanda continues the tale of the failed romance between Mario and Marta, and their love child. Carlos is shocked; he never knew this. She then explains about Santiago being in love with Marta, proposing marriage to her when she was left knocked up by Mario, and that Santiago is Fausto. Gabriela is the child Marta had with Mario. “Yes my love. Gabriela is your half sister.”

Carlos is ticked. “Do you know what could have happened?!!” He explains about forcing himself on Gabi, taking her to the beach house, and he doesn’t even want to think about what could have happened! “She’s my sister!” Well, now he knows everything. Carlos asks if Gabi knows. Yolanda believes she only knows Marta is her mother. Carlos insists she has to know all the rest, and he’s going to tell her. Yolanda reluctantly agrees. “No more lies. You’re right baby doll. You know what you must do.” Carlos falls to his knees and approaches Yolanda. “So from the beginning, you have always been my mother.” “Something like that my love.” “No. You have been my TRUE mother.” Big hugs, kisses, smiles and happy tears. Yay!

Edgar takes the goons, Dante and Adolfo to the remote place where he supposedly buried Susana. They are all taken aback by the putrid smell. Adolfo orders the goons to dig!

Gabi answers the door at Casa Genoves to Carlos. She tries to quickly usher him in to see David, but he asks for a minute of her time to talk. She’s not happy about it, but agrees. “I don’t know where to begin.” He knows it must seem strange his working together with David. He wants to apologize for the way he treated her when she worked at the Club Sagittarius. When they first met, he immediately felt a special attraction to her. Not liking where this is going, and not wanting to relive it, Gabi tries to put an end to the conversation right there. But Carlos goes on. He apologizes for the beach house fiasco. Yeah. Yeah. OK. Apology accepted. But what you’re planning with David and JJ better be on the up and up, because if you hurt them!... Carlos calms her down before she works up a true Gabi style fit of anger. He knows his father is a bad person and he wants to put a stop to him (frenarlo). But, that’s not everything, Carlos goes on. Yolanda told him Gabi is the child of the dancer Marta and Mario. Gabi confirms that she recently learned this. Well, it turns out that Marta had a child with Adolfo before that, and that child is Carlos. They are half siblings. Gabi stands up in utter shock.

At the supposed body dump site, the stench has gotten worse the further down the goons dig. They’ve found something! They all look on in disgust at the corpse we can’t see.

Back to the two new siblings. Gabi wants to know who else knows. Both are feeling sick to their stomachs, particularly Carlos, given what his intentions were with her. Gabi doesn’t know if she can take any more. Carlos asks Gabi, “And now that you know, what do you want to do?” Sensible and kindhearted Gabi thinks they need to let time allow them to feel for each other what they are-- siblings. This brings a small happy smile to Carlos’ face. He’s gaining family.

JJ and his work computer are still not getting along. He asks for Super Urbina’s assistance with the auto-correct. (I need an Urbina in my life!) Carlos comes to visit, and JJ first wants to know if Adolfo kicked the bucket. No such luck. Something else has discombobulated our dear Carlos. He begins to unburden himself to JJ.

In the bodega, confident Edgar tells Adolfo that he’s never failed him. Adolfo grudgingly accedes, but wants the shoes, diamonds and photo, ASAP. Edgar coolly leans against the bin containing the goods, and tells Adolfo he has them in a safe place. Edgar wants his documents and he wants to know HOW MUCH money Adolfo is going to pay him before he hands anything over. He stands firm even when faced with four cocked guns, and Adolfo’s threats. Adolfo backs down first. Eddie wants 50 MILLION PESOS. If Adolfo doesn’t comply or harms him, the photo, diamonds and shoes will be sent to Fallidela’s hands. This threat gives Adolfo an attack of gastric reflux, so his buddy Dante steps up, gun in hand, to protect Adolfo’s interests. “How dare you blackmail (chantajear) Adolfo Avila!” Adolfo makes Dante stand down, since unfortunately, he needs to acquire that evidence.

In JJ’s office, Carlos continues to unburden himself. He needs to talk to someone. Since he was a child, his only refuge has been Yolanda. But now the poor woman is in a worse state than he. JJ wants to know what Carlos is trying to say. Carlos says he can imagine what it must have been like for him all those years in prison. This sets JJ off. Carlos CAN’T imagine what it was like—to have to deal with the kind of men who are in prison; to be separated from your mother, who is alone; to be accused of a crime you didn’t commit. Carlos thinks that the discovery that he is a coward, and the regret and guilt he will carry with him ALL HIS LIFE is similar. He feels he has an obligation to put an end to the pain JJ carries. He’s made a decision that he wants to tell JJ and David-- he’s going to kill his father! For all the harm he’s done to them all. This high level of hotheadedness even takes JJ aback. He urges Carlos to calm down. At first when Carlos teamed up with them, he thought he was just doing it to get back at his father. But now he realizes that Carlos really does now understand what a criminal his father is. “And your mother? Did she die? A long time ago?” Carlos explains that he never knew her, as JJ goes on about there being nothing in the world like the love of a mother. (Just rub it in JJ.) Prison is scary and cruel, but he also learned a lot and had some of his happiest moments there, like when his mother visited him. She was a sweet, fragile little old lady. We get a flashback to one of those loving prison visits. She died just a month before he was released. JJ explains how Elsa cared for his mother while he was inside. And now she’s in prison unjustly accused. That’s why he needs to help her. The two big guys are a puddle of tears by this point. But Carlos is still determined to kill his father. The only way to get rid of rabies is to kill the rabid dog. JJ (yes, JJ) tells him he needs to calm down. They’ve already got Adolfo cornered/up against the wall (acorralado). They are sure to get him. JJ lightens the mood and gives Carlos one of his megawatt smiles. “Who would have known we’d be buddies?” (cuates) They fist bump to their new friendship. Carlos is so grateful to JJ for considering him a friend—the first he’s ever had. JJ says he’s going to make him cry. (Awww!) They chuckle. “And what about Roberto?” “Him? He’s just like Adolfo.” The two new BFFs get started introducing Carlos to his new job at the Hotel Mirador, the place where their destinies first collided.

At Genoves Manor, Gabi enters Mario’s study to speak to David. She’s in tears and looks shell shocked. When she tells David that Carlos was here, he assumes they argued. Nope. They spoke like siblings. “Carlos Avila and I are half siblings.” David looks at her in shocked disbelief. “What are you saying?”

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