La Malquerida #81, 12/17/2014: The Greatest Danger is to Not Take Risks

Mexico Episode #87

The Old:

Ulises follows Memo from the brothel all the way to the drug farm and takes pics on his cell phone. Luisa gives Manuel back the abortion money, without telling him she didn’t have the abortion, and calls into question his manhood. Dan and Esteban reaffirm their partnership over tequila, and decide to take a road trip to Mexico (City). Dan picks up on Este’s desperation. Acacia is kind and considerate to Cris for about two minutes, before Hector arrives and she finds out he had a lot to do with Cris finally retaking her life. Acacia cops an attitude and leaves them. Cris tells Hector she needs him now more than ever, and he asks about Esteban.

The New:

Cris is silent about Esteban, and Hector backs off and says she doesn’t have to talk about it. Cris says that what she and Este once had no longer exists—it all changed. Now it’s just her, reinventing herself. Before she can have a relationship again, she needs to be well. It would be easy to go back to the way things were before, but she no longer wants that. “One’s happiness can’t depend on someone else.”  She knows that if Este came back to her, it would only be because she asked him. Hector is proud to hear the strong, brave, determined Cristina that he used to know! They hug, and he reminds her that she can count on him as always.

Acacia runs into Esteban in the living room. He tells her about his trip to Mexico City, and for a second she gets worried that he’s moving there permanently. He gives her a card and they separate down different hallways—she to go to her bedroom, he to leave—but both come back at different times to see if the other is still there. Este speaks to himself: “Whatever happens, you have to be mine, Acacia.” Acacia reads the note Este wrote. It’s an excerpt from a well-known poem. In a series of scenes, Acacia debates ripping up the letter, or putting it away in her keepsake/jewelry box. Here is the poem:

 Reír, es arriesgarse a parecer un tonto.

To laugh is to risk appearing silly.

Llorar, es arriesgarse a parecer un sentimental.

To cry is to risk appearing sentimental.

Hacer algo por alguien, es arriesgarse a involucrarse.

To do something for someone is to risk getting involved.

Expresar sentimientos, es arriesgarse a mostrar tu verdadero yo.

To express feelings is to risk showing your true self.

Exponer tus ideas y tus sueños, es arriesgarse a perderlos.

Sharing your ideas and your dreams is to risk losing them.

Amar, es arriesgarse a no ser correspondido.

To love is to risk not being loved in return.

Vivir, es arriesgarse a morir.

To live is to risk dying.

Esperar, es arriesgarse a la desesperanza.

To hope is to risk desperation.

Lanzarte, es arriesgarse a fallar.

To go for it is to risk failing.

Pero los riesgos deber ser tomados, porque el peligro mas grande en la vida es no arriesgarse.

But risks should be taken, because the greatest danger in life is to not take risks.

La persona que no arriesga, no hace, ni tiene nada.

The person who doesn’t take risks, doesn’t do or have anything.

Manuel drowns his guilt in booze. Juliana doesn’t get why he’s making such a drama over that lousy (piojosa) insignificant girl (Luisa) and her baby. She wants to know how Manuel can be sure that she actually got rid of the kid. He tells her about Luisa’s visit and how bad he feels. Juli takes his chin in her hand and shares some facts of life with her baby boy: “Understand, that to get what you want, sometimes you have to do some really unpleasant things.” Manuel says that although he blames Luisa for not being more careful with the birth control, he can’t help but feel bad because it was his baby. Juli rolls her eyes, and tells him not to pull a Cristina. He needs to get on with his life, and focus on the fact that this (the abortion) is helping him get Acacia. Manuel looks like he’s seeing his mother for the first time.

Arturo hangs out with Luisa as she cooks. He’s glad both Cris and she seem to be doing better. Luisa says that the joy and excitement of having her baby has gotten rid of all her fears. She admits she didn’t tell Manuel that she didn’t have the abortion. This baby is going to ONLY be hers. Art comes closer and tells her it doesn’t have to be that way. He would happily be the baby’s father—he loves (amar) her. Luisa gently turns him down. He’s a wonderful man and she cares deeply for (querer) him, but she’s not in love (amar) with him. She’s already made one mistake and she feels marrying someone she’s not in love with would be another. Plus, she thinks that all the support Art is already giving her is enough.

Seems that Alejandra’s last talk with Dan worked and he’s agreed to let Perla have the salon/spa. Instead of thanking Ale, Perla comes into her room to inform her that she WON’T be thanking her. She’s not going to be suckered by Ale and end up dead like Olga. Ale once again tells her that she is not her enemy and that there is much more that life can offer her than a life with Dan. Perla is skeptical.

Shirtless Esteban calls Acacia to see if she read the poem, and to encourage her to take the risk and be with him. She’s still playing at being reluctant, but her resolve appears to be weakening. Cris comes in with a big envelope from the university in San Jacinto. Acacia has been accepted! She’s so excited she seems to forget about Esteban. Cris tells her that Manuel is waiting for her in the living room.

Ulises shows Arturo the picture he took of Memo and his suspicions that this is his kidnapper and the place he was held. Art doesn't want Uli to poke around alone. If these are the people who kidnapped him and almost killed him, they’re dangerous. Uli doesn’t think he has any other choice since he doesn’t have enough proof to get the police involved. Plus, it seems Ale’s husband is involved in crooked business, and he wants to tread carefully so as not to hurt Ale. She’s his friend and he cares deeply for her. Uli emails the photos he took to Art, and asks him to keep them safe, in case anything happens to him.

Acacia tells Manuel the happy news about getting into college. He congratulates her but clearly isn’t happy. He’s sad that she’ll be leaving him soon, on top of everything else. Acacia says it will at least be a month before she goes, if not more. She wonders what could possibly have Manuel, who’s always upbeat, so down. She sits him down to talk.
M: It’s like you said the other day—I haven’t done anything to improve myself. To the contrary, I’m…sometimes I feel like garbage.

Acacia tells him all he has to do is make the effort (ponse las pilas/put the batteries in)—like with his new business. Manuel disparages his chances of success with the new business, as well as his lack of success working on the ranch and in the Association. “I’ve made so many mistakes that I don’t know if I can change.” Acacia says that he can, as long as he really wants to. “When you doubt yourself, I’ll be here believing in you and supporting you.” She would love if he followed her and attended university too. He doesn’t know if he can, but thanks her for her support. They hug.

Dan, Memo, and Rubio meet it the cantina. Rubio wants to speak to Dan, boss to boss. Dan dismisses Memo and humors Rubio. Rubio claims that Dan can treat him like he treated the big boss-man himself—Esteban. He offers up land on Benavente where Dan can plant his drug crop. The hacienda is so big that there are plenty of places that Cris and Acacia never go. Dan will talk with Rubio when it seems that he can actually hold on to his new position. Rubio’s known allergy to work, doesn’t make Dan very confident that he’ll be in the number one slot for long at Benavente. Rubio points out that he’s managed to work for both Dan AND Esteban/Cris, and there haven’t been any complaints.

German comes home to Benavente and gets really worried when he finds sad Manuel in the living room. Manuel says that he can’t take it anymore. He admits to German that he got Luisa pregnant, and that their parents pressured him to make her have an abortion and he went along with it. He calls himself a disgrace and a coward who couldn’t defend his own child. German can’t believe he lacked the balls to stand up to their parents. Manuel throws in his face that he lacked the courage for years to confront their dad about his painting. German is about to point out that when it comes to a child that he would not have given in, but Manuel doesn’t let him continue. Manuel believes he’s just like his parents—that the same venom runs through his veins. He’s a male chauvinist like his father, and a classist social climber like his mother. He says that German has the luck of being like his (biological) father. German hugs Manuel.

Perla and Memo are about to get frisky in Dan’s office, when they are warned by Julianita that Dan has arrived. They jump apart, and Dan sends Memo off to be entertained by the Twins. Before Memo leaves, Dan tells Perla that he’s leaving on a trip. Perla’s and Memo's icy blue eyes light up, and Perla asks how long he’ll be gone. Dan doesn’t give her the details but affirms that he wants Ale to be locked up more than usual while he’s away.

Manuel and German continue to talk. German says that Manuel has to change from this point forward and he can’t keep blaming their mother and father for his life choices. German wants to speak with and comfort Luisa, but Manuel dissuades him. It would hurt Luisa, and she doesn’t want anyone to know. He doesn’t want German to speak to Acacia either, although German feels that Luisa should be able to speak to her friends about this and not be alone. German makes Manuel promise once again to change, and hugs his little brother.

Ale tries to feign sleep when Dan comes into the bedroom. He wants them to have a good night together, since he’s leaving on a trip tomorrow. He paws her legs as he tells her that she’ll be good and locked up while he’s away. She complains about this. The least he can do is give her a cell phone or a computer to keep herself entertained. He nixes anything that would allow her to communicate with the outside world. She then asks about getting a dvd player, so that she can watch movies (or blackmail dvds she stole from his office). Dan says he’ll think about it, if she gets affectionate with him tonight…

The next day, Acacia receives a HUGE arrangement of red roses. She has just taken the card when Cris comes in, admires the flowers, and asks who they are for. Acacia is learning quickly how to lie, and says they are for Cris—she got them for her, to brighten her day. Cris is so very happy Acacia did something so sweet, and hugs her lying, cheating daughter. She asks to read the card, and Acacia lies again. She didn’t get a chance to write anything yet, so she’ll just tell her in person. She’s so happy to see her better, and to see that she’s forgotten about Esteban. (She wishes!) “You told me once that our happiness is dependent on ourselves, and now it’s time for you to set the example.” Cris says that’s true, but that doesn’t mean that she doesn’t…

Before Cris can finish, Elena and JC come in and admire the flowers and their granddaughter for doing something so thoughtful. Acacia takes the opportunity to read the card—“Take the risk!” (Arriésgate)

Manuel goes to the construction office and finds Hector there instead of Ulises. He takes the opportunity first to try to kiss up to Hector—telling him how seriously he’s taking both the new business and Acacia, whom he wants to be his girlfriend. When Ulises arrives, he takes the opportunity to brag about how Acacia is going to be his business partner. Ulises says he has no doubt that Acacia is capable of running a business since she’s hard working—something he can’t say about Manuel. (Oooh! Burn!) He tells Manuel that Katia can show him his store plot/location.

Memo comes to see Perla and they tease about her being jealous and insecure about him going off with the Twins the night before. She even put in dead people’s hair/extensions (pelos de la muerta) to look more beautiful. She doesn’t stay mad for too long, and they smooch. Perla says she has to get back upstairs to watch Alejandra. Memo suggest that they make an alliance with Ale to escape Dan. She could be helpful to them, and she’s escaped before. Perla points out that she was caught too, and look what a mess she’s in now. Memo thinks it’s just because she didn’t go far away enough—a mistake he and Perla would not make. Perla doesn’t trust Alejandra, who already called the police on the brothel. If Dan goes to jail, they all go to jail. But she’s mainly scared of Dan, who does not forgive betrayal.

Acacia meets Esteban and continues to play her keep away game. He kisses her. She calls him crazy. She demands that he not send her notes and flowers and put her in situations where she has to lie. He asks her to go to Mexico City with him. She cries and runs off. Rubio watches and smirks. Rubio emerges and taunts Esteban. He pretends that he’s too busy with his new job to help Esteban. Esteban knows his language and offers Rubio money now, and more later, if he reports to him on Acacia’s movements and who she spends time with. Este reminds Rubio that his opinions/advice still count in Benavente, and a word from him would lose Rubio his job. Who does Rubio think they’ll believe? A drunk disgrace (Rubio), or him (Este)?

Elena and Cris have a heart to heart. Cris admits that for a second she thought the flowers were from Este. Elena tells her she can’t expect that, after what happened. Cris knows that, and admits that she sometimes thinks she’s made a mistake. She knows she has to recuperate and find the woman she once was. She shares the college photo album Hector brought over. They both smile as they look at the old pictures. Elena remembers how passionate Cris was about the things she loved. Cris says that’s it exactly. She wants to be that woman that was passionate about the hacienda and her art again—the woman Este fell in love with. She can no longer give him a child, but now she sees that being a mother isn’t the only thing that defines her as a woman. “I want to be a better person for myself, and for Esteban.” Elena doesn’t understand why she separated from Esteban then. Cris explains it was to give him the freedom to find someone who could give him a family. But now she’s scared that she could lose him. Elena shakes her head and hugs her daughter. Acacia approaches the door, just as Elena says: That’s the risk you run, daughter. But we should take risks, especially if they are for love.

Acacia looks at the card that came with the flowers. She goes to her room and reads the poem. She takes her phone and contemplates calling Ale, but hangs up. Luisa comes in and wants to know what’s wrong. Acacia says she’s just deep in thought…about her trip to San Jacinto to take care of university registration. She asks after Luisa’s health, since she heard she was sick. Luisa plays it off. Both girls asks the other to tell her if she needs anything, and both lie and say they will, as they keep their deep dark secrets about secret pregnancies, and secret lovers.

German tells Lizzy than he’s worried about Manuel, who has been through a lot lately and isn’t doing well. German is worried that instead of making Manuel a better person, these challenges will make him worse. Lizzy wonders if he’s spoken to his parents about this. Speak of the devil—in walks Juliana. She can’t believe he’s still seeing the shopkeeper’s daughter. German points out that Lizzy is a way better woman than she is, and takes her to task for pressuring Manuel to make Luisa get an abortion. She says it was best for Manuel, and the baby would have ruined his life. German can’t believe she could be so cold. Juli says she doesn’t have to explain herself, and she doesn’t like how he’s been disrespecting her lately. He points out that respect is earned. She doesn’t realize the damage she is doing to his brother. He’s ashamed to be her son. Hector walks up, and Juli cries on his shoulder. He invites her to a coffee.

Acacia tells Cris that she’s going away to San Jacinto a few days to register for university, and to be alone to clear her head. She blames her nervousness and need for alone time on the strain of having to deal with Cris during her weeks of depression. Cris wonders if something more is going on. Acacia looks guilty and lies that there isn’t. She continues to throw the blame on Cris’ depression, her treatment of Esteban, and the frustration of seeing that it was only Hector who got her to react. All Cris can do is apologize in the face of so many accusations.

In Mexico City, Dan and Este wait for their new textile business partner. Este checks his phone for messages from Acacia, while Dan gets up to take a call from someone who has a young girl for him. At the table they make creepy small talk. Dan notices Este’s anxiousness and wonders if he’s meeting a lady friend, or has some female entertainment in mind while in Mexico City, since he’s a single man now. He thinks that what Este needs is a young beauty, like he has with Alejandra. Este is saved from this too-close-to-home conversation by the arrival of their textile business partner.

Memo and Perla are enjoying playing house while Dan is away, when Uli pays an unexpected visit. She sends Memo away, and asks Uli if she was mistaken that she was supposed to go see him in his office. He makes the excuse that he was nearby and had the papers and decided to come over. Perla lets him know that Dan has changed his mind, and she will be taking the lot after all. Uli says he’s surprised. He would have thought that she would want to leave and go far away, due to Dan being with Ale now. Perla says that isn’t a problem for her. She’s helping Dan with various businesses and he needs her help. Uli wants to know when she wants to finalize the new contract, and while he’s here, can he see Ale? The maid said she was here. Cara de, what do I do now, de Perla.

Rubio interrupts a sweet scene of JC and Luisa walking arm and arm and discussing desserts, to brag about actually doing his job. He tries to get chummy with JC and puts his hand on JC’s shoulder. JC gives him the stink eye until he pulls his hand away. JC tells him he’s got big shoes to fill to do Esteban’s job. He’s expecting a lot from him. JC leaves, and Rubio comes on to Luisa. He roughly grabs her and pulls her close, and she suddenly does not feel well. He shows genuine concern but she runs him off and tells him not to tell her grandmother.

Perla brings Ale down to see Uli and warns her to keep her mouth shut. Perla calls to Julianita, and has her hang out near the living room, with the excuse of keeping an eye on something baking in the oven for her. Uli tells Ale that he’s come because he’s worried about her. He looks over his shoulder at J-nita, and makes sure she can’t hear him. He tells Ale that he’s sure the man there yesterday is one of his kidnappers. He asks Ale what business her husband is in, and insists she tell him the truth!

JC sees Acacia off to San Jacinto. She tells him there’s no need to worry since she will be in his house, where she grew up. Rubio listens in. He calls Esteban, who has just wrapped up his meeting with Dan and the textile guy. “I know where you can find Acacia, alone and at your mercy.”

Avances: Esteban shows up in San Jacinto to continue seducing Acacia. Cris tells Hector how odd Acacia is acting and he suggests she go to San Jacinto, which she does.