Caray, Caray!

We left our two machos, Carlos and Lazaro, packing heat and pointing their pistols at Augustin. Boom! A gun goes off and it turns out a vibora is at the receiving end. (Note to Carlos, snakes in the vineyard are actually a good thing, helps keep the rodent population down, it’s called Sustainable Practices, just sayin’. Let’s assume it’s a rattlesnake or some such poisonous type and move on...) Caras impactadas all around and Augie’s not happy because he got his handsome self all scared at the big noise.

Carlos, waving the gun around just so Augie knows, says he’d just as soon shoot Augie for invading the vineyard as he did the snake. Lots of chest puffing, especially Alfonsina even though she’s not trying. Augie keeps calling the place HIS vineyard and finally tells Carlos that for his stupidity he’d better watch out because Augie plans to repay the debt. This has got to be weird for Alfonsina and Ezequiel who are married and on opposing teams. They shoot each other The Look before Alfonsina tosses her head. You go girl.

Jero brings Renata breakfast on a tray, or maybe it’s her re-warmed dinner that she never ate, but it looks like the little bird has flown the coop. There is a note. He calls but gets her voice mail and leaves a message that he thought they were going to confront her family together and explain. Call him OK? Actually, I think it’s pretty cool that he made her dinner and breakfast. I’m liking him a little more. For now.

Over at Monterrubio Manor Renata tries to sneak upstairs but she’s met by the inquisition led by Gonzo who attacks first saying he never thought he could be so disillusioned by her. He’s backed up by a glaring Matias and Fina and a smug Roberta.

Renata’s first mistake, she meekly apologizes instead of saying “hey I’m a grownup and didn’t do anything wrong, when y’all cool off I’ll explain it.” But no, and she adds that this thing with Jero was a complete surprise to her too. Fina interrupts her apology saying “oh, you lie so easily when you knew all along that Jero was one of Matias’s best buds and your sister’s beau!”

Renata’s second mistake, she explains she really didn’t know because she actually met Jero at the airport the day he arrived. What?!? The inquisition jumps all over this one. Why did she pretend she just met him at the party? Why didn’t she say anything to Matias instead of acting like he was a big stupid? Lots of accusing and defending with Gonzo’s face frozen in a look of...shock I guess. Renata keeps begging forgiveness but this doesn’t quite work out for her. Basically it’s a disaster.

Matias says he stands by what he said last night, he’ll never forgive her, and he rues the day he came back to Mexico and fell in love with her. Renata glares at Roberta who is grinning happily, not even trying to hide her smile.

Now Fina jumps in hissing that this is a great way to repay the man that has given her such love and devotion, by wounding his son. She says the best thing for Renata to do right now is to leave the family and this house. Gonzo just stares stupidly. Let’s move on.

Jero is sitting on the bed twiddling his thumbs when Carlos calls and can tell something’s wrong. Jero says it’s not one of his best days because the Monterrubios discovered his relationship with Renata. “So it’s a relationship?” asks Carlos, “what about Matias?” Jero confirms he’s in love with Renata but why did Carlos call? Carlos tells Jero he “had a very strong discussion” with Augustin that morning and Augie thinks the vineyard is his. Carlos suggests Jero come to La Bonita right away. Jero says La Bonita is the least of his concerns, Carlos should handle it how he wants and do what he can to rush the sale. I’m thinking Carlos looks pretty hot in his cute leather hat and apricot polo shirt. I’ll bet Matilde thinks so too, because when he tells her that Jero’s not returning and he’s in charge, she laughs that Don Augie will certainly think twice before trying to set foot on La Bonita again. They stare adoringly at one another. I am so on board with this relationship.

Ugh, back at Hate House Renata cries that they don’t need to ask, she was going to leave on her own. Here’s a shocker, Gonzo says he does NOT agree with mom and that leaving is not a solution. Dude, finally, yay. But Fina’s on a tear, calling Renata reprehensible and shameful. Renata tells dad that with such intense reactions leaving is the best thing to do. Rob pipes up that Renata and Matias shouldn’t live in the same house but everyone pretty much ignores her. (Is it just me or does it look like she’s flipping Renata off?)

Now Gonzo is crying, the waterworks are flowing, and Renata swears she didn’t intend to hurt him, she’s very sorry, but she should leave. Fina says absolutely nothing can excuse what Renata did to her sister and brother, making them find her in that Jero’s arms. (Yikes, overreact much?) Then she gets even nastier, saying Renata always tries to come across as sweet little Miss Perfect well they don’t believe it! Renata finally sticks up for herself, says sure maybe she made a mistake falling for the guy but she’s certainly not the bad person that mom makes her out to be. She tells dad she truly adores him and she’s sorry. Again. She runs upstairs and Fina stops Gonzo from following by getting all fake apologetic. She scowls out the side of her face and Roberta enjoys the show.

Montage of Matias using his grief as an excuse to show off his horsemanship skills. Dude definitely looks good in the saddle. Rewind.

Back at the vineyards Augustin gripes to Ezequiel about being humiliated at La Bonita, he’s not going to stand for it. Then he gets on Ezequiel’s case about Alfonsina not obeying his orders. Ez says she’s just used to getting orders from her own boss but he’ll talk to her about it. Augustin thinks maybe he can bribe the notary to speed up the sale, but in the meantime maybe if Carlos has an accident that’ll get rid of the little macho twerp. Ez perks up and asks does Augie want him to take care of it? Darn, here I was thinking that Ez might be a good guy but now I’m thinking maybe not.

Gonzo finds Matias down at the stables and wants to talk. Matias says he’s hurting and feels like everything he thought was real turned out to be a lie. Gonzo tells him that Fina gave Renata the boot but he doesn’t think that’s the solution. Matias says he agrees, HE should be the one who leaves. No, Gonzo doesn’t like that idea either. Matias can’t stop thinking about Renata in Jero’s arms, why why why did she have to be with his friend? Lots of mutual crying and Gonzo gives him a big, clingy man hug.

Fina calls her licenciado pal and tells him now that Gonzo is back in town she wants him to step up the spying on Regina. Fina wants to know her every move.

Renata’s packing; she listens to a voice mail from Adriana who wants to hear all about Jero and l’amourrrrrr, etc. Oh crap, here comes Roberta who snipes, “Awwwww, the little princess is crying.” This is another ugly scene so I’ll keep it short. Roberta follows Renata around shrieking like a harpy that Renata stole her man, they lied, etc. Renata says Jero told her there was nothing serious between him and Roberta. (Oooh, bet Rob hates that!) Yep, Roberta tries a new tack. She claims Jero tried to take advantage of her but she wouldn’t allow it, so now he’s going after Renata to spite Roberta. Well it serves her right and she hopes it was worth it because she lost everything including dad’s unconditional love. She hopes Renata putrefies in the hell she created, damn her!

Roberta’s abortion doctor calls Fina to ask why she and Roberta missed their appointment. Oops, Fina tells him they had a little setback (contratiempo) and they’ll have to reschedule. The doc reminds her there is a twelve week limit to do the procedure. Fina tells him money’s no object, they’ll think about it and give him a call. Her cogs and sprockets start turning.

Split screen of sad Renata (left) and Adri (right) writing a note to her mom that she’s off to work. Wow, all this happened before work? Do these people sleep? They have dates at 9:00 p.m. and get up at dawn. Anyway, Renata asks if she can stay at Adri’s place for a few days.

Jero calls Renata and wants to come right over to her house to face the family. She growls bad idea and she wants to clear up a few things with him, ahem.

Gonzo and Matias arrive at work. Gonzo is worried that this thing with Renata will affect the vice presidency but Matias assures dad work will be as usual and he won’t let his personal anguish affect his work.

Renata sadly surveys the downstairs while waiting for Fina to come in and insult her anew. Yes, here comes mom and she hopes Renata’s not planning to shack up with That Guy. No, she’ll be at Adriana’s until she finds her own place. Fina gleefully comments that finally Renata has driven the last nail into the coffin that holds her reputation. Renata tells her she knows why Fina doesn’t like her, because she reminds her of dad who betrayed her. More nastiness from Mommy Dearest who concludes her tirade saying that from now on she disowns Renata as her daughter. Renata sadly says that might be so, but for her Fina will always be her mama. This shuts Fina up and for a moment she even looks touched, but no, here comes the evil music and Fins gets a determined look on her face. Bad mommy.

Honorio comes into Gonzo’s office with something important to say. (Hurry up and say it!!) But wait, what’s up with Gonzo? Did the convention go badly? Gonzo says no, it has to do with Renata. Honorio asks, “Oh, you already know? Who told you?” Gonzo tells him Fina. Gonzo does a quick data dump on Renata and Jero vs Roberta and Matias. Honoria says that’s not what he came to tell Gonzo about but this Renata thing sounds absolutely ridiculous to him. Honorio, tell him now!!!

Renata meets with Jero in the middle of the street and demands to know if what he’s doing with her he already did with her sister? Why didn’t he tell her that Roberta was also in his apartment? Well, he says, she was in my apartment, we were on the verge of something, but nothing happened. She tells him she lost everything for their love and he’d better not plan on betraying her. “What do you mean by ‘lost everything’?” he asks. She fills him in on how she shamed the family (oh brother) and mom kicked her out. He wants to go right now and explain to the family, no doubt assuming they are normal. Boy is he ever wrong. He suggests Renata move in with him. She smiles and thanks him but she’s moving in with a friend and wants to do things her way. He sweetly tells her maybe they lost everything but as long as they don’t lose each other they’ll be OK. Awwwww. They kiss and make up, but I’m thinking they need to have a long one-to-one pronto because there is a lot of very important concealed information in this relationship.

Another montage of Matias wallowing in grief. He tells an unfortunate pencil if he ever sees Jero he’s going to break his face, crack! Poor pencil.

Renata is at Adri’s giving her the 411. Adri asks was Jero worth it? Renata responds it’s never worth hurting the ones you love but what she feels is what she feels. At least she loves Jero and he loves her.

Jero is also filling in his confidant Regina. He loves Renata in spite of himself. Regina agrees that love is a great diversion (also contratiempo). Jero’s worried about Matias and his vow to Rafa. Regina advises him that a lot of men suffer betrayal without taking their own lives. It was Rafa’s decision, not hers (meaning La Bonita). He says he has a deep love for Renata but when he thinks of his brother then his hatred for her comes surging back. Yikes.

Roberta finds Fina cleaning out Renata’s room. Rob asks and what if dad and bro forgive her and she comes back? Ain’t gonna happen, says mom, trust me. Roberta starts griping about her surgery, she sure wants to get this brat out of her. That ain’t gonna happen either because mom says she cancelled the appointment forever, this baby is going to be grandpa Gonzo’s happy gift. But Gonzo’s not the grandfather, insists Roberta. Oh yes he will be, promises Fina, “because the father of this baby is going to be Matias Monterrubio!”

We’re now at the Regina Center where Regina wonders about Constanza’s long face. Coni says it’s her brother, he’s married to a cold, egotistical witch who delights in making her daughters hate each other. Roberta absolutely hates Renata and did something terrible to her. Suddenly we hear laughter in the courtyard, it’s Antonio arriving with goodies for the kids. Coni says Regina won the lottery with that guy. His smile and good attitude are incredible considering the family tragedy he’s suffered. Que? What tragedy? This is news to Regina.

Fina has decided that this child will cement their relationship within the Monterrubio family. Rob’s incredulous, how are they going to pull this one off assuming she’d agree to it, no gracias. Fina tells her it’s time Rob pulled her weight just a little in achieving all they’ve dreamed of.

Now that Renata has lost the throne of the Monterrubio men’s love who better to take that place than Roberta? Roberta’s her mom’s daughter, she figures this kills two birds with one stone, they’ll be firmly in the family and Gonzo will lose interest in Regina. Yep, mom agrees, Grandpa Gonzo will have eyes only for Roberta, the baby and Fina. (Not sure how that last part fits in but OK.) Roberta says Mat’s not stupid, she’s 2 months pregnant. Fina laughs, he’s a man and there’s such a thing as a premature baby. Roberta should console Matias and seduce him to get back at Renata and become the boss lady of the Monterrubio fortune. Think about it, he’s handsome, a millionaire, and opportunities like this don’t come along very often.

Renata and Adri arrive at work and Renata is stressing about causing weird trips between her and Matias. Just then Matias walks out telling Daniel that the meeting that Renata confirmed just last night is now cancelled. Oooh, he’s already overriding her decisions.

Renata hides out in her office and begins writing some sort of memo or letter. Meanwhile Adri is ripping Matias a new one for the way he’s treating Renata. She reminds him that he approached her (Adri) to help win Renata’s love because he already knew she (Renata) didn’t love him. He whines about Renata being with his friend. Adri jumps up and says “excuuuse me, but Renata fell in love with Jero before she knew he was your friend and Roberta’s galan.” She says sure, Renata made a mistake in not telling Matias how she felt about Jero but Mat’s reaction is way too harsh. Finally, a voice of reason!

Renata contritely approaches Gonzo, he knows she loves him correct? Oh sure him too, but then he gets another dig in about how disappointed he is in her, puhleeze. Well guess what, she’s got a solution for that and she hands him her resignation. Now he’s taken aback, yes the situation is serious and delicate but her abilities at work are not in question, she’s key here. She explains since Gonzo has lost confidence in her, and considering how hard it will be for Matias, it’s better if she leaves. He does not accept her resignation. Sorry papito, she says, it’s her decision and she’s made it. She’ll find something somewhere else and he’s not to worry. She tells him she adores him and he’ll always be her father. We are left with Gonzo’s oddly unemotional supposed-to-be-stricken stare as his daughter departs.


Tomorrow: Oh goodie, it looks like Honorio tattles because everyone is gathered and Honorio drags Diego in. Then Diego claims Roberta hates Renata and always has! Renata and Matias come face to face over Renata’s love.

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