Caray, Caray!

Chácharas makes Rita an offer of dinner and she accepts.

Omar busts up some Virginia-Carlos smoochies so Virginia can get back to the house before she gets in trouble.  He reminds her of her mother's threat to send her to an institution.  Carlos has had enough of her mom and says if Lorenza's threatening her, then he'll have to kidnap her so Lorenza can't send her away.  You go, Carlos!

Fela seems to be doing better.  She's had a bath and is sporting identical wavy locks to Esme.  She happily announces to Esme that she's finally found her family, because not only is Fernando her husband, but…tan, tan, taaaaaaaaan…Esme is her daughter.   Esme gives her the patented "Ay, Fela!" look and says that's not possible because her mother is dead, but she's sure Fernando and Fela will find their daughter again.  Esme leaves.  Fernando comes in to wish his Blanca a good night and marvel over having found her.  His kiss wakes her up and she freaks out a little and thinks he's a dream.  She seems to recognize him this time as "her" Fernando and tells him she thought she'd never see him again and she loves him.  Blanca cries that she never wants to leave him again, but she feels like she's slowly disappearing.  Fernando tells her they need to present themselves to Esme as her parents and then they'll be able to be a family.



Pablo wants to finish a painting of Esme so he can give it to her as a present.  He's looking forward to proposing tomorrow.

Blanca wants to run and tell Esme that they're her parents right now!  Fernando asks her to wait until he's cleared his name and she's doing better.  Fela returns and asks the nice man not to cry.  She introduces him to her doll baby again.  Fernando tries to beg Blanca to come back, but she's in Fela-land.  He tells her they'll be ok and asks about the man that took the baby away, like Rita told him. He asks her to remember and vows revenge against Augie and "that man."  "But, sir, don't get sad or I'll get sad, too."  Fernando backs off and tells her to rest because they're going to a party tomorrow to celebrate the engagement of their daughter to their enemy.  She asks for a kiss goodnight and Fernando obliges…on the forehead.  That got me right in the feels, as the kids are saying these days.

The next day, Esme is picking out her party dress.  Mercedes doesn't think it matters which dress--Esme's dreams are coming true today, and that's what's important.

Lorenza grumpily gives instructions to the caterers while Augie drinks.  Wow, they brought in booth seating?  That's impressive.  Pablo tries to get his dad to sober up, but Augie, like on Pablo's wedding day, suggests they toast together.  Pablo's not falling for it this time.  Lorenza is looking at this like the beginning of the end.

Esme is inviting the barrio crowd to the party, including Carlos, Maria, Rita, and Ines (Ines, however, isn't around).  Oh, please, Esme, give the nice ladies in Viewerville a thrill and get Carlos into a suit, I'm begging!  I think we've earned it!

Meatball opens up his shop to find the place gutted.  He's sure it was Garabato's crowd.  Well.  That couldn't have happened to a nicer guy.

Pablo seems to have gotten his dad to clean up and now gives him coffee.  He brags about how happy he is, which sends Augie back to the bottle.  Pablo is determined to pretend they're some kind of normal family who are all happy for him because he's happy.  Augie warns him his problems aren't over.  On the contrary, all his problems are starting today.

Fernando comes downstairs with a different enough look that I had to rewind and check…he's shaved off the goatee.  Mercedes brags that she's fixed up Fela and he won't even recognize her.  Jarocha munches on some toast while she tells him how good he looks.  Fela and Esme make their appearance and I think ALL the Martinez Negrete men are going to plotz.  Maybe this will be a fun party after all!

Meatball is running around looking for whoever stole his stuff.

Esme is nervous and wondering if she's overdressed, but everyone keeps reminding her that this is the way she's supposed to dress.  Fela is in that space where she's doing better, but isn't entirely Blanca yet.  She's glad she found her husband again and insists that Esme is their daughter, but her name is Renata.  Mr. 5ft and I are wondering how long before Fernando pulls Esme aside and asks her to just play along with Fela.

Pablo has finally suited up and Lorenza tells him he's always been her favorite.  Pablo says he understands that's where her overprotectiveness came from, but after today, that will end.  Sure, Pabs.  Pablo is worried about his dad's drinking and Lorenza makes excuses and blames Silencioso for forcing this on them.  Pablo says he's marrying Esme because he loves her, not because of Silencioso.

Garabato is holding a garage sale.  He's perfectly willing to sell Meatball all his stuff back, and at a discount.  Meatball pulls a gun on him, but his entire crew all have their own to point at Meatball.

Monica and her mom arrive at the party.  The marble foyer has been filled with tables.  Monica's mom is glad they came and keeps reminding Monica that she can't let Pablo get away with things.  And she'll be there all night to remind Monica of that.

Damian finally comes back from somewhere just in time to wish Esme luck.  Mercedes, Jarocha, and Damian have decided not to go to the party so they can keep an eye on the babies.  Mercedes tells Esme her live will be resolved today.  Rita, Maria, and Carlos arrive.  No suit.  Sorry, ladies, I guess we'll just have to keep waiting.

Mariano is wearing dark pants, a light brown jacket, a blue shirt, a salmon tie, and a red pocket square.  In case you were interested.  He tells Monica he's never seen her look so…different…impressive.  Monica reminds him that she's a woman, and one who, thanks to Mariano and her mom, now realizes just how much she's been made to suffer.  "Keep suffering…it looks good on you."

Team Esme arrive and are escorted to their table.  Monica doesn't approve of her mother dissing them, since they haven't done anything to her.  Mariano wants to know if Monica has a plan or if she's giving up.  "Can a woman give up on love?"  Monica looks across the foyer at Esme.  Goodbye to Nice!Monica, I guess.

Ines tries to make it sound like she didn't want to go to the party.  She objects to Esme's highfalutin' lifestyle.  Garabato reminds her that they don't rob their peeps.  Meatball was different.  "Well, sure, we can't touch Gata…but her boyfriend is fair game."  Garabato likes this loophole, especially when Ines says that if they up their game and rob houses instead of cars, they'll only have to split the take between the two of them.

Is Lorenza not wearing a huge necklace with that muumuu?  She's decided to go with huge teardrop earrings and a beaded neckline instead.  Augie is drinking again.  And threatening to explode.  Lorenza reminds him they need to put a good face on.  She tells him their enemies have arrived.  Augie downs the rest of his drink before turning around to see…Blanca!  He's impactado!  I cackle with glee.

Pablo comes over to Esme's table to tell her she looks beautiful and welcome everyone by name…though he hasn't met Maria yet.  Rita complains about being hungry and encourages Maria to join her in a raid on the buffet table.  Lorenza comes over to greet Esme, Fer, and Fela.  Fernando tells Lorenza they should take advantage of the press being there to make the public apology to Esme.  Pablo tries to head that off, saying that he and Esme have talked and they're not going to allow their relationship to be a pawn in whatever games Fernando is playing with los Martinez Negrete.  Fernando pulls rank.  Lorenza and Augie insulted Esme and they have to apologize, whether Pablo likes it or not.  Pablo and Esme slink away from the table.  'Cause really, how can you argue with that.

Augie is still in shock that Blanca is there with his biggest enemy after he made sure they would be separated.  He wonders if it's Blanca's ghost, come to make him pay.

Pablo tells Esme he luuuuuurves her above all things.  She agrees, but asks him to consider Fernando's POV.  And, besides, they had already agreed.  Monica comes over to ask "Gata" if she can borrow her boyfriend.  Pablo would prefer not to be borrowed, but lets himself get dragged away by syrupy Monica.  Meanwhile, Monica's mom moves to talk to Esme and Mariano begins the gloating.

Monica toasts with Pablo to "Gata's" happiness…and then kisses him just close enough to his mouth to make it look like she didn't miss.  Monica's mom starts trying to plant doubt with Esme and then lays out her "truth"…Pablo's too much man for her.  Who knew Monica's mom was such a comedienne?!  She continues, accusing Esme of letting her "protector" buy her a man, saying that Esme and Pablo are puppets.  Mariano smarmily raises his glass in Esme's direction after Monica's mommy goes to get a drink.

Vero walks Virginia to the party, but they're interrupted by a flirty Omar with Carlos.  Virginia is thrilled to get her hands on Carlos.  Well, I mean…she kind of has to do that so she can make sure it's him, but that doesn't mean she can't enjoy it!

Fernando is anxious to get to the "public apology" part of the evening…and the "engagement" part.  Lorenza tries to disavow responsibility for Pablo's behavior, then says she'll see what she can do.  Fela tells her doll that she knows this house and there are beautiful flowers outside.  Fernando says this used to be their house, before the thieves stole it.  "But they're going to start paying."  Esme comes back to the table and says Pablo's off with Monica and she's so uncomfortable that she wants to leave.  She says she and Pablo are both angry that they're being forced to do things this way.  Fernando pulls rank and says they're staying.

Pablo has a drink with Monica and complains that he was planning to propose to Esme tonight, but yet again, everyone else is pulling the strings.  Mariano comes over to ask when he's going to throw the noose over his head.  Pablo isn't sure, since he no longer wants to be part of this farce.  "Well, Silencioso and our parents have already decided your fate," smirks Mariano.

Lorenza tries to wrangle Augie.  He's still drinking and abdicates his duties to Lorenza.  She says she'll take care of things, but he needs to remain upright.

Virginia walks Carlos around the house, since everyone is distracted.  She tells him it's a nice house, full of luxuries, but no love.  All Virginia needs is Carlos and the air that she breathes.  Smoochies!

Rita and Maria also wander around.  They accost a serve who is annoyed that he's had to tell them repeatedly that he's only serving canapés right now.  Dorila sees them and tries to kick them out…but then she sees Rita's face and gets terrified.  Well, sure, Rita's face will do that to a person.  And Dorila's face is familiar to Rita.

Lorenza goes up to the balcony to announce to the assembled victims…uh, guests…that Esme is Pablo's future wife.  Amid the applause, Esme looks slightly pleased.  Fela looks up to the balcony and starts screaming that it's the devil!  That man is the devil!  She hides behind a pillar.  Fernando comforts her as Augie approaches, thinking that it's Blanca.  He manages to say to Esme that he only wants this party to be perfect.

Lorenza goes into the living room to tell Pablo to get in there and make a speech.  He's picked now to grow a spine and refuses to do this when he hasn't even proposed to Esme yet.  Monica says she'll help and goes into the other room.

From the balcony, Monica proposes a toast to Esme and says she's thrilled for her cousin…almost-cousin…almost-husband…ex-fiancé.  "We were going to get married, by mistake.  But we were brave enough to fix that mistake in time.  So I toast to the happy couple.  Because Gata can give him the happiness I can't give him."  Monica and her mom hug and then head back downstairs.

Lorenza pleads with Pablo to go to Esme and let the guests see how he loves her.  "If Monica comes off like a victim, we're going to look like the villains of the story!"  Pablo says he'll do something else.

Augie makes his drunken way to the balcony to accuse Fernando of forcing their son to marry Esme, who will never belong to their "class" because she's nothing more than a landfill cat.  "Friends, gentlemen of the press, I present to you…La Gata."

Tomorrow: Fernando vows; Augie dies.

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Next: Episode 40

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