Caray, Caray!

Ruben comes home after a long day at work and pulls out some plans to review.  He's rudely interrupted by Matilde banging on his door.  She screams at him that that "golfa" (ho) Lucina had all her stuff moved into a newly-vacated room.  Ruben's cool with that and says it's probably best since he's been to a lawyer to start divorce proceedings.  She grabs the plans and shoves them behind her, crumpling them in the process, and says she won't give him a divorce, so there!  Ruben tells her that he filed on grounds of incompatibility and mistreatment.  Matilde accuses him for the millionth time of having a lover and their shouts of "Yes you do!" "No I don't!" attract Cesar's attention.  He tells them everyone can hear them.  Matilde keeps insisting she won't "give" him a divorce and as she's leaving Ruben shouts after her that he doesn't care, he's going to tell the judge that she refuses to fulfill her matrimonial duties and rejects him in bed.  Ay, Ruben!  Did you really need to tell that to the ENTIRE hotel?  And your son?  Ruben apologizes for letting Matilde get the better of him.  He says he's glad he somehow ended up with two good kids out of this mess of a relationship.  Cesar encourages him to visit Fabiola and give her his support.

Back to Marilu…will she, or won't she?
  She's a little wigged out that Ricardo's asking her to marry him when he's clearly in love with Inésiana and she asks if Inésiana knows about this.  "Um, not about you, specifically."  Ricardo points out that she likes Alina and Tito and she's a nice kid…yeah, just what every woman wants to hear from her ex who's in love with someone else and just proposed fake marriage.  And fake is exactly what she calls it when he says they won't be sleeping together.  Ricardo mentions a pre-nup and Marilu tells him to start over, cause this is all a bit of a shock, so she's going to need more details.

At Arte Folclore, Escalona is being interviewed by Trejo Bonfil, with Antonio on hand to assist.  Trejo Bonfil asks why Escalona wants to leave Aresti-Breton, having been there for so many years.  Escalona gives what to my ears sounds like grounds for an instant "Thanks.  Don't call us, we'll call you." and tells him that Antonio said they would pay him more, he's always wanted to make more, and he's got some financial problems.  Antonio says that Mrs. Escalona is sick and this tugs at Trejo Bonfil's heartstrings, since he's got a sick wife as well.  He tells Escalona to discuss his salary with Antonio and welcomes him aboard.  Escalona just needs 2 weeks to give notice at Aresti-Breton, train his replacement, and give a final report.

Sebastian…shut up, you tool…is verbally abusing the secretary because he keeps showing up without an appointment when Trejo Bonfil is in meetings and CLEARLY she has engineered that situation just to piss him off.  Escalona and Antonio greet him as they walk out of the office and Escalona seems surprised and displeased that Sebastian is there and that he "might" be working for the company as well.  Antonio tells Sebastian to speak more respectfully of Trejo Bonfil, since he's the company president, and hustles Escalona out of there before he can change his mind.  Gloria lets Trejo Bonfil know that Sebastian is there to see him.  He walks in, doing his best impersonation of a human being, and apologizes for the fight with Leonardo the other day. He puts a sad look on his face and explains that he lost his cool because Leonardo is trying to poach the woman the he rightfully knocked up.  He questions whether Leo actually wants to marry her or just have a good time.  Trejo Bonfil says he'll call Leo's grandfather and they'll straighten this mess out.

Eliseo helps himself to a drink from Francisco's bar as he whines about not being able to work in the house.  Francisco says he can't have a wanted fugitive in his house with his wife there and Eliseo will just have to meet him at the suite at the Hotel Platino to get his orders.  For now, he wants Eliseo to stand behind Antonio and look threatening while Antonio tries to convince people to do business with Arte Folclore instead of Aresti-Breton.

Fabiola and Piero hang out at an outdoor café.  Fabiola says she's still got this nervous feeling like she has to hide from her mom, but Piero assures her that she'll get over it in a few days.  "And then you'll be able to go out with whoever you want.  Me…or Leonardo."  Piero smiles as he says he's heard Leonardo is interested in her too and says he noticed it at the beach house.  "It's good I have a rival.  That way, if you choose me, I know it wasn't because you didn't have other options."  Fabiola says he's a good guy, but Piero says he's just a guy who's trying to give himself a chance with a sweet, cool woman, but he wants her to be sure she can feel something for him too.  "So in a way, Leonardo's doing me a favor, but he'd better bring it, cause I'm every woman's dream."  He says they'd better go, since he's starting to talk nonsense, and takes a picture of her with his phone before they leave.  I dunno.  He's trying to be charming , and maybe with a woman his own age, his schtick could work, but with sweet, innocent Fabiola it just comes of a little skeevy.

Homero is in the middle of a nice afternoon nap when Inésiana comes to talk to him.  The butler makes the mistake of waking him up and Homero nearly takes his head off.  It's a good thing he doesn't carry a gun or that guy would be toast.  Inésiana came by to ask him if there's any way that Alina can be rolled into this retroactive witness (witless!) protection deal.  Homero says there's no way.  If they were doing things in the right order, sure, but this is less of an actual witness protection program than a "we'll forgive you for identity theft if you do us a solid" program.  Homero says that if Francisco's bosses or other peeps find out what she's doing, he'll go on the run, she'll end up in jail, and Alina will end up in an orphanage.  He begs her to stop crying so they can talk business.  He explains that the major shareholder and owner is Joaquin Barragan and the company is headquartered in Santo Domingo.  They own clubs and cabarets and casinos…and in all likelihood, brothels.  He explains the way the money laundering works.  "They buy $10K worth of stuff and write out an invoice for $1M, get it?"  Inésiana's answer is a weepy "I don't want to be away from my daughter."  So, not understanding the money laundering, then.

Ricardo explains that the pre-nup will be signed before a notary and once "the mother" claims her child again, they'll divorce and she'll have a nice tidy sum with which to live comfortably.  Marilu gets up at the mention of money and gives a bitter laugh.  Ricardo says he knows this is all kind of sordid, but he trusts her and loves her, even if it's not the way she would like him to.  He says that if things go wrong with Inésiana's spying gig, she'll end up in jail, so will her husband, and Alina will end up in an orphanage. Marilu asks if Paloma can't adopt her, but Ricardo explains that her age, marital status, and lack of any blood ties put her out of the running for an adoption.  Marilu wonders what her aunt thinks about this and Ricardo says she's on board with the plan, which seems to annoy Marilu.  "What if I say no?"  Ricardo says he'll find another woman--any woman--because he loves Alina and none of this is her fault.  Marilu sadly agrees with him.  Ricardo tells her to think about it and just tell him honestly "yes" or "no" and he won't take it personally.  Marilu scoffs bitterly that people will be talking--married to Ricardo and with a six-year-old daughter.

Trejo Bonfil comes to visit Homero.  He complains that he barely rememberd where to find the house…though once he's inside, he has no problem finding the bar!  Homero asks after his wife and Trejo Bonfil says he prays every day for God to take her, so her suffering will be over.  Homero offers him whiskey and they chat about work. Homero claims he's retired, like for realz, and starts pumping Trejo Bonfil for info about the company and the new partnership.  Trejo Bonfil's hand shakes as he's tossing back the whiskey.

Inésiana and Alina work on covering all Alina's books and notebooks for school.  Inésiana tells her that she'll be leaving on her business trip once Alina is back in school, but she won't be gone long.  Ricardo calls her and Inésiana tells him that she talked to Homero and she's told him that she's going to go along with his plan.  Ricardo tells her that he proposed to Marilu, but if she doesn't like that, he can find someone else.  Inésiana seems alarmed that he just proposed to his ex.  Ricardo wants to come by and chat, or shag or something, but Inésiana doesn't think that's wise.  She wants to meet at his house so she can talk to Marilu about Alina.  Ricardo doesn't think that's a good idea--Marilu's still in shock and she might feel awkward around Inésiana.  Inésiana says they'll talk tomorrow, then.

Trejo Bonfil and his shaky hand are on their…fourth?  fifth?...glass of whiskey.  He brags that CIC, through the partnership with Trejo Bonfil, is planning to compete with Aresti Breton.  He finally gets to the real reason for his visit, to get Homero to get Leo to leave Fabiola alone.  Trejo Bonfil talks about Sebastian working as his head of shipping, which surprises Homero, since he's heard that Sebastian is a waste of space.  Trejo Bonfil thinks Leo is breaking up a couple and  Fabi should marry the father of her child.  "What you don't know is that the girl doesn't want to marry him, and with good reason!"  Homero says he knows all about the situation and as long as Leo and Fabiola like each other, and since they're both adults, if they want to be together it's none of anyone's business.  The two dudes both marvel at how much each of them has changed.  And I lost count of how many times Trejo Bonfil refilled his glass, but I think Homero better start hiding the good hooch when Trejo Bonfil comes around, and he'd better not let him drive home.

Raquel calls Francisco, who rolls his eyes before he answers the phone.  He's not going to apologize to her for having his wife over at his house when she came to visit.  He's keeping up the fiction that they're negotiating their separation.  He complains that Raquel, instead of being a break from his problems is another problem for him.  He asks her about the house, but now Raquel's not in the mood and throws her phone down.

Escalona hands in his notice to Piero, giving the reason that he thinks his salary sucks and someone made him a better offer.  He tells Piero that it was Antonio who made him the offer, on behalf of Arte Folclore.  Escalona describes Francisco as an "intermediary" and says he's not involved in the company.  Piero wishes him luck.  Once Escalona leaves, Piero calls Ricardo to tell him that Antonio has recruited Escalona for Arte Folclore.  Piero doesn't think Escalona knows who Francisco Castro is, or that the company might be laundering money.  Ricardo hopes they are, but Piero says it's going to get a lot of innocent people hurt.  Ricardo apologizes for his cavalier attitude about that.  Ricardo's not ready to talk yet about what's going on and why he's been calling in sick.  After they hang up, Piero wonders what's going on with him.

Lucina gets a call from Inésiana and worries that Homero wants to throw them all in jail.  Inésiana just needs to talk to a friend, so Lucina agrees to come over the following day.  Speaking of "friends," she asks if Raquel is still seeing Francisco and says she feels sorry for her when Lucina says that she is, no matter how hard Lucina tries to get her to see reason.

Fabiola and Piero talk on the phone.  He repeats his offer to teach her how to drive, so she can drive herself to school.  For no discernible reason, he asks if she's seen a gynecologist yet and when Fabiola confesses she's embarrassed, not because she'd be going alone and would have to explain it, but because she's never been to one before, Piero offers to make an appointment for her.  Yes, seriously.  I never joke when stirrups are involved.  It's kinda weird, but what's less weird…one of her suitors who is not her baby daddy making an OB/GYN appointment for her or the fact that everyone else seems more concerned with which suitor she'll pick or whether she'll bring shame on the family than getting her the appropriate medical care?  They trade "I care about you"-s before they hang up.  Inésiana comes in on the tail end of the conversation and they get to talking about Doncella Fabi y Sus Dos Pretendientes. There are things Fabi likes about both of the guys, but basically, she feels pressured to pick one and get hitched before the bump starts showing.  Her concern is that it's not going to look good for her to go to her college classes single and pregnant.  Inésiana tries to convince her that there's no rush and it's better to go down the aisle in maternity wear than to rush into picking the wrong guy.

Matilde knocks very civilly on Ruben's door and asks to talk to him.  She tells him she doesn't want to get a divorce, live apart, and bust up the family.  She also points out they've been neglecting Fabiola.  "I'm sure Paloma's looking after her."  "Right," says Matilde,"just like she took care of her own daughter."  She begs Ruben to reconcile and get the family back together…preferably back at her aunt's house.  She turns on the waterworks and swears ON THE VIRGEN that she'll change, she'll be patient, she'll be obedient to him, he'll have no reason to complain…if he just doesn't make her go through the shame of a divorce.  Duuuuuuuuuuude!  You swear on the Virgen?!  Given that it's you, that's just asking for trouble.  Please, for your own good, shut up, Matilde!  Ruben sadly tells her that he doesn't want to live with her.  Matilde says if they just get back together they can live in her aunt's house where it's much more comfortable.  Ruben coldly says he wouldn't do it for all the money in the world.  "It's because of her, right?  You're with her…I won't just have to put up with the shame of being pointed at in the streets because you left me, but because you left me for someone else.  For a low-down-dirty skank-ho!  Even though you deny it, I know you like her, I know you want to be with her, that you see her as a woman.  Go ahead, deny it!"  Ruben admits that yes, he does have a thing for Lucina, but she's not the reason he wants a divorce.  "I can't stand you anymore!"  Matilde calls him a coward for not having the cojones to admit that he's going to start a new life with her.  Ruben grabs her by the shoulders, turns her around and starts walking her out of the room, saying he's sick of her.  Matilde screeches out that she's going to make him pay!  Him and his little ho, too!

In Paloma's room, Inésiana tells her about her concern that Fabi's going to rush into marriage.  Paloma says that's the way she was brought up.  She compares herself and her husband to Ruben and Matilde, saying that in their case, the roles were reversed and it was her husband who was the ogre and she who was spineless.  Paloma fell for the first guy who sweet-talked her.  Paloma knows Inésiana is planning to move in with Francisco and she hopes they'll still get to see each other.  Inésiana begs her to please keep an eye on Fabiola.  Paloma says both suitors seem like nice boys…and maybe she'll sit down and talk to each of them.  "Oh, granny, you're incorrigible!"

At breakfast the next morning, Alina asks where Inésiana will be traveling, but Inésiana doesn't know yet.  Alina brags that she's got all her books and notebooks ready for school and she's reviewed everything and she hasn't forgotten anything, cause she's so brilliant.  And Tito's super smart, too!  Though Tito leans more toward creative writing than math.  She takes a swig of some milky-looking beverage and asks "Hey, this *bleep* is pretty good, isn't it?"  I can only assume, from the fact that the label is also blurred out, that what they bleeped was the brand name and not that Alina dared swear at the breakfast table.  Although, the thought of that, with Inésiana replying, "Oh, good, I'm glad you like it" is somewhat amusing.

Francisco pulls up at Paloma's house, honking the horn in a Raquelian manner, and demands to be let in as Inésiana's husband.  The guy who isn't Jorge, whose name I've forgotten again, is quick to go back inside, saying he'll let her know Francisco is here, and shutting the door in Francisco's face.  Inésiana, in the dining room, says she'll come out to see him.  In her nightie and short robe, no less.  Francisco complains that he's not allowed inside.  He wants to know when she's moving back in.  Inésiana says it won't be until after Alina starts school again because there's no way she'll agree to live with him.  Fine, fine, but what about those conditions she mentioned?  Inésiana says they didn't really get to talk about it, but she wants freedom to see her daughter, Paloma, Lucina….  Francisco assumes she also wants to be allowed to see "the priest" so he can carry messages to "the engineer."  Inésiana tells him to drop it, already, they broke up…unlike him and Raquel.  "Well, if you agree to sleep with me, I'll ditch her."  He professes his love for her, but hey, he's a man.  On behalf of men everywhere…Shut up, Francisco, Jose Luis, or whoever the hell you really are!  Inésiana cuts him off from his flowery protestations of undying love and asks what about a job.  She was going to work in the parish library, but if he's got a problem with that, then maybe he can offer her a job at his company.  "Doing what?"  "Seriously, dude?  I'm not stupid!  I went to college.  I studied accounting, computers…you can hire me to do whatever."  Francisco says he'll think about it.  They've been standing there with the door open and Tito runs out to confront his abuser.  He stands there, barking at Francisco that he and the kid both know what's what, so Francisco better go peddle his repentant husband/daddy act elsewhere.  Even as Alina's begging her mom not to let him hurt Tito, Tito keeps standing there, asking Francisco if he'd prefer to be bitten on the left ankle, the right ankle, or his loser ass.  Inésiana picks Tito up and hands him to Alina, shutting the door as Tito calls back, "I trained with Neron!  Let me down!  I can take him!"  Francisco is completely baffled by his daughter's attitude and is sure she's only afraid of him because Inésiana filled her head with propaganda.  As they continue shouting at each other in the driveway, Lucina walks up and tells Francisco that's no way to talk to a lady!  "Says who?  A ho like you?"  Lucina slaps him and Inésiana gets in between them as Lucina says she'd rather be a ho than a delinquent.  Francisco wants Inésiana to get rid of Lucina so they can finish talking, but Inésiana refuses.  Francisco demands to know if she's going to treat him as her husband and fulfill "all her duties."  Ricardo drives up and he and Francisco start their own shouting match.  Inésiana tells them both to please not start a fight.  Francisco brags that Inésiana is coming back to him, surprising Lucina.  Ricardo says it's only because she doesn't have any other choice, because he's sure she'd rather Francisco had really died.  "Too bad for you, I'm more alive than ever!"  Inésiana asks them to please stop making a scandal in the middle of the street.  She tells Francisco they need to talk about a few more things in private, but for now she needs to check on Alina who's probably really upset.  "Upset why?"  Lucina answers that it's because Francisco showed up.  "It must have been like seeing the devil!"  Lucina and Francisco go toe to toe as Lucina tells Francisco not to mess with her.  He drives off and Lucina angrily tells Ricardo that she's got a lot of people who owe her favors, even if it was just in return for a piece of bread for their kids.  In other words, she may be an ex-prostitute hotel owner from a small town in the sticks, but she's got connections.

Francisco and Raquel go to check out one of her Barbie Dream Houses.  Francisco is wearing the ridiculously sparse fake beard again, despite having his full, natural beard in the previous scene.  That fake beard bugs me.  Francisco tells her the house is too big and he'd rather she move into an apartment where there are enough people going in and out all the time that it won't be apparent that they're seeing each other.  Besides, since he's not going to be around much longer, it makes more sense to rent than buy.  Raquel asks where "they" are going, and Francisco doesn't dispute her "we" but says he goes where his bosses send him.  She asks if he and "Oriana" have worked things out yet and he reminds her to call her "Inés."  He asks Raquel to find out, through Lucina, if Homero's been talking to her or visiting Paloma or whatever she can find out.

Alina is sobbing in Paloma's room, comforted by Inésiana.  Ricardo comes in and everyone assures her that her dad is gone and won't be back.  She cries that he tried to kill Tito.  Inésiana tells her that her dad is sick.  Ricardo agrees and says he's going to go to a doctor and get better.  Inésiana tells Alina that while she's away, Alina is going to stay with Marilu and Fidelia.  Ricardo says that he lives there too and yes, there's a big yard where Tito can run around.  Alina cries that she'd rather stay with her grandmother, but Inésiana says she can visit her whenever she wants to.  Alina is worried that her dad will go to Ricardo's house, but Ricardo tells her not to worry.

Francisco has called Eliseo over to his house, but not to cook for him.  He wouldn't trust anything Eliseo prepared.  Francisco bought a van that looks like it belongs to a painting company and wants Eliseo to use it to start following Inésiana again.  Not that he trusts him to do that, either, but Eliseo already knows his secrets and they're not going to rat each other out, since they're both in the same organization.  "But not a word to Joaquin."  Francisco asks if Eliseo has a gun, but seems annoyed with the answer that he bought it at "the grocery store…no, I bought it where you get that sort of crooked stuff, why?"

As soon as Eliseo gets out to the van, he calls Joaquin and reports that Francisco is cray-cray obsessed with his wife.  Joaquin is sick of this situation.  He tells Eliseo to either get rid of Francisco or get rid of "her.  Kid and all."

Tomorrow: Inésiana doesn't plan on sleeping with Francisco; Ricardo wants to kill Francisco; Inésiana gets into a car accident.

Labels: mentir