Caray, Caray!

Esteban is trying every trick in the seduction playbook to get Acacia horizontal in his hotel room. She’s playing hard to get and trying to find every excuse to not do what they both want to do, and what she knows he expected when she walked into his hotel room. Finally, to assuage the “guilt” Acacia is feeling about betraying her mom, Esteban says that he asked Cristina for a divorce. Acacia is impactada (not sure exactly why, when she’s having an affair with her stepfather who keeps talking about running away and playing house with her).

Viewerville knows that the conversation between Cris and Este about divorce wasn’t so cut and dried, and we immediately get her interpretation of the conversation when Elena comes to speak to her. Cris is actually pleased with the conversation they had. She says that Este accepted that she needs time to fully recuperate from her depression and miscarriage, that he doesn’t believe the loss of the baby was her fault, and she felt he was sincere when he said that she has marked his life forever. Elena says that at Cris’ side, Este’s life changed totally and for the better. Cris thinks she needs to become strong and independent again, so that she has more to offer Esteban. Elena looks like she wants to tell Cris that men don’t necessarily want an independent strong woman. Instead she tells Cris that she’s happy for the two of them, but urges that they don’t let too much time pass being separated. “Part of marriage implies being together with your spouse, even if the other is not well and in crisis.” Elena believes that the two of them should fight TOGETHER for Cris to fully recuperate. Cris doesn’t agree. She wants to show Esteban that she’s strong enough to do it on her own, without having to rely on him. Elena keeps her mouth shut, but gives her daughter a knowing, big green-eyed worried look.

Andres has just wrapped up with a patient, when the purple menace, Juliana sidles into his office and locks the door, despite his protests. She’s there to thank him for what he did for German—legally recognizing him as his son. Andres thinks it was very noble on German’s part to accept. Andres would have preferred to do it over 20 years ago, but it’s Juliana’s fault that he couldn’t. Juli brushes that off, and tries to turn on the sex appeal. She thanks him again, and picks up the photo of Andres, Carmen and the three boys. She’s happy that he’s taking care of German despite the fact that he has a partner who has her own kids. “One never knows what might happen…Like a good father, you want to make sure that everything stays in your name.” Andres can’t believe that Juli is basically talking about his death and divvying up his money. He tells her that the only person he has to give an account to/explain himself to (dar cuentas) is his son, and it’s NONE of her business! “Each time I’m more convinced that your ambition has no limits.” Juli tries to backtrack a bit. She says she thinks it’s wonderfully that he’s being fair/just with THEIR son. Andres points out that she doesn’t know the meaning of the word justice, when she was capable of lying, framing Norberto for beating her, and nearly getting him and Carmen killed in the process. He’s never going to forgive her for that. He asks her to leave, and demands that she behave and respect Carmen on Saturday, during the opening night of German’s art exposition. This is clearly news to Juli, but she covers her surprise and leaves. Outside the office door she says: “So the exhibition is this Saturday. Well, we’ll see if I behave.” (Comportarse)

Night has fallen, and it’s time for the usual Ho-Down at the brothel. Looks like business is hopping, but Perla isn’t dressed for it, nor is her head in the game. She’s crying on the phone to Memo (who’s at the town cantina), telling him about Estrella and how bad she feels about her and all the young girls she’s helped Danilo bring into the business and hurt all these years. Memo also seems sick of the life, and says this is all the more reason for them to run off together. Since the store is in her name, she could sell it secretly and they could run away with the money from the sale. Dan comes up and takes the phone from Perla when he learns Memo is on the line. He demands to know how things stand with the merchandise. When Memo says they’re still packaging it, Dan blames Memo. He thinks they are behind schedule because Memo is too busy chasing after Perla. He bans Memo from coming to the house or leaving the drug farm. From now on, he’s to send Efrain to the house instead. If Memo doesn’t like it, then Dan will send him to keep Patricio company! (Dan thinks Pat’s in hell, but he’s probably just doing backbreaking labor on a border-town farm in the U.S., being treated almost as badly as the illegals Pat abused on the drug farm—which is a form of hell, if you think about it.) 

Este has followed Acacia all the way to Benavente and the cow pens. He says he came because he has hacienda business to discuss with Rubio, but stalls long enough to play a bit of kissy face with a reluctant Acacia. He wants her to come say goodbye to him before he leaves. Right after he walks off, Ulises walks up. Self-centered Acacia thinks he’s come to try to make up, and immediately launches into a tirade about how she swallowed her pride, and begged him to get back together, well now SHE’s the one who doesn’t want him…Before she can continue to make a fool of herself, Uli stops her and says he’s not there to speak about them, but about Alejandra. He only has time to say he’s worried about Ale and thinks she’s in danger, before Esteloco comes charging up like a mad man and punches Uli in the face. “I told you Acacia would never be yours, and NOW even less so!” Before Este can spill any more incriminating frijoles, Acacia jumps in front of him and demands that he shut up. Luisa, who sensed that something might go down when she first saw Uli with Acacia, has now come back with Cris, and Cris demands to know what the heck is going on. Esteban starts to launch into another tirade about this imbecile, Ulises, who dared set foot on the hacienda after she barred him (from way back when Uli was jailed). Cris says that she misjudged Ulises, and that they ALL owe Uli an apology. Este gets indignant. “I don’t have any reason to ask this guy for pardon!” Then he sticks a finger in Cris’ face and says that Uli cannot set foot in this house! Cris tells Este to calm down- it’s already been demonstrated that Uli is innocent. Uli tries to say something to Cris, but Este interjects and says that this is the second time that Cris has stripped him of authority in front of others, and he will never forgive her! He stomps off to pout about it.  Acacia gets mad at Ulises. (Really!) And says, look what you provoked. Uli tries to apologize and says it wasn’t his intention, but Cris steps in and says, “You calm down too, Acacia.” (Thank you, Cris.) Acacia goes off to pout too. Luisa runs after her.

Juliana comes into Norb’s home office in a white hot negligée. So short and hot, that Univision felt the need to blur some of her naughty bits when she sits on Norb’s lap and offers up a glass of tequila and a LOT of herself to help ease the pain of German taking Andres’ name. Norb doesn’t take the bait. He can’t believe that after so many years, he’s still paying the price for marrying someone who doesn’t love him. She points out that they are trying to save their marriage and pulls him into a passionate kiss. Norb jumps out of his chair. He doesn’t want her to feel humiliated, having to console him like this. She strips off a part of her negligee and pleads with him not to do this to her. She pulls him into another liplock and he pushes her away.

Uli and Cris talk. He apologizes again, and Cris says there’s no need. She actually intended to go see him to ask him and his family pardon for not believing in him. He says there’s no need—it’s in the past. Cris praises him as being an honest and mature young man. She regrets that the relationship between him and her daughter can no longer be. “Believe me that I regret it more.” Cris asks if he wants to go to the house to continue to talk to Acacia, but Uli says there’s no need. He thanks Cris again, and says he won’t be bothering Acacia again.

Norb accuses Juli of wanting this all along—for Andres to steal his son! Juli points out that both Andres and German have a right to do this. Norb disagrees. HE’S the one who raised German! Juli thinks German’s anger will pass, but right now he’s upset about the Luisa thing. Norb doesn’t understand why HE’S once again paying the price for Juli’s broken plates. Juli rightly points out that they BOTH wanted and encouraged the abortion. She tries again to turn on the sex appeal and puts her arms around Norb. He pries her off and tells her not to even bother.

N: Don’t fake what you don’t feel. I’m no longer going to be a burden to you. What’s more, if you want to reconquer Andres, hurry up. (snaps fingers) Don’t wait until I’m tired of maintaining you.
J: What are you saying, Norberto? Please…
N: (opens doors) The doors are wide open. You can leave when you want. Juliana, I’m tired of loving you. (He walks out the doors.)
J: Idiot!

Acacia and Luisa are in Acacia’s room. Acacia takes Uli’s cross from her jewelry box, as their theme song (sung by Mane de la Parra/Uli) plays. Luisa wants to know what Acacia felt when she saw him. Acacia says seeing him revived many feelings, but he doesn’t want her back, so there’s no use in her even thinking about him. Luisa is confused (so are we). Why was Acacia so aggressive with him if she still loves him? Acacia says she was afraid that Este would come. “Uhm, how did you know he would come?” Acacia lies and says she ran into him when she came back.
L: But if the most important thing is Ulises, and he came to see you, then…
A: He didn’t come to see me. He came to speak about Alejandra.

Instead of following this line of thought about Ale, Acacia instead launches into how many problems Uli’s visit caused between Esteban and her mother. (Girl, stop. You’re the biggest reason for the problems between your mama and stepdaddy.) Luisa wonders if they’ll actually get back together, since they are fighting all the time now. Acacia clutches Uli’s necklace and says she doesn’t know. She doesn’t know anything anymore.

Este mutilates a poor piece of wood with his machete and bitches to Rubio about how Uli pops up, just when things are going well for him. Rubio tries to reason with him that Acacia wasn’t even interested in what Uli had to say. “Of course, because I came in time! But I can’t always be there!” He threatens Rubio with the machete, since he’s supposed to be his spy. Rubio points out that he can’t keep an eye on Acacia every moment of the day. Este says: “If that Ulises comes here again, I’m capable of killing him.” Rubio looks in the distance and points to another visitor Esteban won’t be happy to see.

Luisa tells Acacia not to get herself worked up (agobiarse). The problems between her mother and Esteban have NOTHING to do with her. (If only you knew, Luisa.) Luisa changes the conversation to the important matter at hand. What else did Uli say about Ale? Acacia calls Ale’s cell phone, and of course Dan answers. He says Ale already went to bed. Acacia questions that she went to bed so early, and Dan promises to let Ale know she called and to ask her to call back tomorrow. (Red flag! Red flag!) Luisa says this is strange (raro). She commented to Art how Ale always seems sad, not like a newlywed, and that she never leaves her house. Finally, the wheels seem to be turning in Acacia’s head. She says that it seems that Dan is a jealous husband. Luisa thinks it’s a shame to change so much for your spouse. Cris walks in and Luisa leaves. Cris wants to know what happened in the cow pen, and why the heck did Esteban react so aggressively?

Luisa runs into Manuel waiting in the living room, and immediately turns to leave. He tries to detain her. He wants to know how she is. She says she’s fine. He has the nerve to recommend she seek the psychological services of the abortion clinic he sent her to. She retorts that it seems HE’S the one who needs those services. She informs him that Acacia is speaking with Cris, and she has more important things to do, “Joven Palacios.”

When faced with her own guilt, Acacia reacts with anger. She yells that she has no idea why Este reacted that way! Cris won’t let it go. It wasn’t normal. “Why don’t you go to him, and ask him!” Cris says she intends to do that, but wants to wait till he’s calmed down some. And after what she said to him, she knows he’s really angry. Acacia seems more concerned about whether she’ll get to see Este on a regular basis. She asks if this means Este won’t be coming to the hacienda anymore to help. Cris doesn’t think he’ll change their agreement for him to come check on things. Cris admits that Este came to speak to her earlier that day. Acacia gets nervous, which is heightened when her phone begins to chime.

A: Did you speak about the two of you?
C: I told him that I should get my life in order first, and then we would see what happens.
A: Mama, think hard about what you’re going to do and speak to him about it. Tell him everything you feel, and try to fix things between you. (she guiltily looks to her chiming phone again)
C: After this last disagreement, I don’t know what’s going to happen. But I will try to speak to him when he’s calmer.

Cris picks up Acacia’s phone, hands it to her without looking, and tells her to attend to her messages. She then informs her that Manuel is waiting for her, before leaving. Acacia breathes a sigh of relief, and reads the many messages from Esteban. He wants to talk as soon as possible.

Part 2:

Alejandra tends to sick Estrella, while Perla paces and frets about Memo being kept away. Ale asks if it has to do with the drugs. Perla tries to play dumb. Drugs? What drugs? Ale says she isn’t an idiot, she knows that’s what Dan, Memo, and Patricio are involved in, and the cause for the beating Dan gave them. She wants to know why Perla is so upset—where was Memo sent? Perla says he was sent to the drug farm. Ale asks if it’s far away. No, just a half hour drive away. Ale stores this info in her memory bank. Perla’s scared that Dan knows what’s between her and Memo. Ale asks if she’s sure—since Dan didn’t beat her and lock her up, as is his custom when they get out of line. Perla’s still panicked. Ale tries to calm her down. She’ll try to cover for her when she can, but for now Perla has to act normal. Perla thinks her love for Memo is impossible—nothing beautiful like love ever happens for women like her.

Acacia tells Manuel about Uli’s visit, the fight with Este, and Uli’s concerns about Ale. Manuel is annoyed and wonders if seeing Uli stirred anything in Acacia. He’s sure the Ale thing was just a made up excuse to see Acacia. Acacia says she too is worried about Ale- her husband is dominating her. Manuel just thinks that’s the way their relationship is. (Keep in mind he hasn’t seen the best example of marriage his whole life.) He wonders again if she felt anything for Uli—pain at seeing him because she still loves him, or just anger? Acacia says she doesn’t know. Not what Manuel wanted to hear. Acacia’s phone chimes and she blows him off to go speak to Esteban. Manuel doesn’t understand why she has to be the one to go talk to Esteban. He doesn’t even live in this house anymore. “If it’s not Ulises, it’s Esteban!”

Ale tells Perla that we all deserve something beautiful in life. Perla knows she’s done many bad things, and she thinks that life is just paying her back. Ale disagrees. “Life gives us ALL opportunities. The important thing is to recognize what you’ve done wrong, and to decide to change and forgive yourself.” Perla is convinced she’ll be stuck with Dan forever, and that they’ll go to hell together. Ale says she’ll help Perla plan her escape with Memo. She’ll try to convince Dan that she hates her and can't stand having her in the same house as a first part of the plan. The only thing she asks, is that Perla take Estrella with her. Perla refuses, but Ale asks her to think about it.

Acacia meets Esteban in the cotton bodega. They almost immediately start to argue because she was just with Manuel and because of Ulises. He once again reminds her that neither of them are good enough for her. She gets angry that he’s getting so crazy jealous. “Why did you punch Ulises? We weren’t doing anything!” He pins her against the cotton: “Because I can’t stand seeing any man close to you. I can’t. I die of jealousy.” (Red flag! Red flag!) She walks away from him and says she won’t let him keep her from seeing Manuel, Uli, or anyone else she wants. She can’t believe he was so close to telling Uli about them.
E: I know, but the jealousy drove me crazy!
A: What’s crazy is what we’re doing. So please, forget about me.

Inside, Cris, Elena and Juan Carlos sit down to a tamale dinner. JC wonders where Acacia is, and Cris assumes she’s with Manuel. JC points out how much time Acacia has been spending roaming away from home lately. He thinks Cris needs to take her daughter in hand. Cris says she hasn’t been aware of it, with all that’s been going on. She doesn’t want Acacia to feel like she’s watching her or invading her space. She starts to tell them what she and Hector discussed (about Acacia being an adult now), but JC gets annoyed at the mention of his name. Cris points out that he’s a friend, and he’s never given her bad advice. JC just wants her to deal with Acacia. Elena asks if Cris is going to speak to Este, and agrees it’s best to wait until his anger passes. Cris knows what she did will make their reconciliation more difficult, but she couldn’t let him be unjust/unfair to someone. He was so angry—she had never seen him like that. He wasn’t the Esteban that she knows.

Esteban tries begging. He’s leaving everything for her.

E: I know you Acacia, and I know that you wouldn’t be with me if you didn’t feel the same as I do. I just need to hear it from your mouth.

A: Esteban, I can’t. I can’t say it. (She leaves.)

Ulises ices his face and tells Arturo what happened with Este. He tries to explain that it wasn’t like a father getting angry over his daughter, but like something else…Like what, Art asks. Uli doesn’t explain further.

The dinner conversation continues, and JC tells Cris she needs to prepare for the possibility that she and Este will be done for good. “Look daughter, with your crisis, you pushed him away. And the worst thing you can do to a man is take away his authority in front of everyone. And you’ve now done that two times.” Cris knows, and if it were the old Esteban she knows he could forgive her. But with this new Esteban…Acacia runs in, out of breath and agitated. They ask what’s wrong; Elena wonders if it’s about Ulises; Acacia shouts about how she doesn’t want to be involved with any man and wants to be left alone; and then she runs off. Well, that ruined the tamales.

The next day, Katia tries to raise Hector’s temperature by wearing a form-fitting, red jumpsuit, as they talk business and she stands too close to him. She sashays out, and even Uli does a little double take as he walks in. Hector sees the shiner on Uli and asks who he fought with. Uli tells him about the Este, Acacia, Cris drama, and how Cris argued with Este because of it. Hector gets worried about Cris.

Dan speaks with a buyer about arranging the drug deal. He then calls Este to tell him he’ll soon have the money for the second installment of his investment in their textile business. Ale walks into his office during this call, and Dan paws her while fawning over Este and saying how much Ale wants him to do business with Este. Este hangs up and smiles—smug and pleased with himself. “Ay, Cristina. Whether or not you give me part of the hacienda, I’ll have enough money to enjoy with Acacia.”

Dan tries to convince Ale that he will continue to do more legit business like the textiles, and little by little drop his illegal biz. Ale says she hopes so, but doesn’t look convinced. She shows him the prescriptions that need to be filled for Estrella—knowing he will send Perla. He hands her the money for Perla. Ale runs into Perla in the living room, who’s about to bring food to Estrella. She reminds Perla of their plan, but Perla is chickening out again. Ale tells her she’s just making up excuses to stay, and dares her to take the risk.

In a fine example of irony, Norberto is cursing out the favored son he raised to be a lazy do-nothing, and asking why he can’t do anything right and be more like his brother! Ha! Manuel can’t believe Norb is going at him again about the same thing. In walks German, wanting to speak to Norb, and Manuel gets up in his face like a yappy Chihuahua guard dog. Norb tells him to shut it and let German speak. German says the other day he came and told Norb all the things he doesn’t like about him, but today, he’s come to tell him what he does like about him. He acknowledges all the good things Norb did for him—he paid for his university; taught him how to work; and the care/little things he did for him when he was a kid. They both have tears in their eyes, and Norb says even though German may not believe it, he does love him. If there is anything he did right in his life, it was having German grow up at his side. Manuel wants to know if this means German isn’t going to accept the Vivanco name?

Ale continues the full-court-press on Perla. When Perla points to Ale’s failure to hold on to her love and escape, Ale points out that she is better off for having loved and lost, than to have not loved at all. Does Perla really want Dan deciding whom she can be with the rest of her life? Pela tells her to just stop it, and swaps the food tray for the prescriptions and money, but stops to thank Ale.

German informs his father and brother that he still intends to take his bio-dad’s last name. Norb seems more understanding than Manuel, but thinks it means that German still thinks he’s a bad person. German thinks it’s more that they don’t understand each other’s way of seeing life—just like Norb doesn’t understand his desire to paint. German says that no matter how angry he is, Norb still has his love and affection. He’s brought them each an invitation to his art exhibition. Manuel asks, “Where’s mom’s invitation? You’re not going to invite her?!”

Ale is carrying the tray to Estrella when new guy, Efrain, shows up. He eyes her up and down and says Memo sent him to see Dan. She sends him right in to Dan’s office, then puts down the tray and eavesdrops. She learns that the shipment of drugs will go out at midnight on Saturday, along a new route, Rio Chico, since the police are all over the old route. Ale says to herself that she has to tell Ulises!

Norberto meets with Juliana at the Association office. He calmly and happily writes her a check, which makes her very happy. He’s been generous with the amount, and even added extra for her parents. But, he’s not giving her back the credit cards. If she needs to go shopping, she can come asks him and he’ll give her the cash (efectivo) or go shopping with her. This does not make her happy. She once again tries to convince him to save their marriage, but he’s not having it. She sees the invitation for the exhibition on her way out, and wonders where’s hers. Norb tells her she isn’t invited, because German is worried about what she’ll do when she sees her little doctor with Carmen. “Little by little you’re losing everything, just like I warned you.” She angrily rips up his invitation and walks out.

Ulises speaks with Arturo and Luisa in his office. He thought that Acacia would at least call him to find out what he wanted to say about Alejandra. Luisa says that Acacia does care, and even called Ale after he left, but Dan said she was sleeping. Uli asks if they don’t think that’s strange. Luisa says it is, but since Acacia and Ale aren’t really talking right now, and don’t want to tell her why, it’s hard for her to know if there is something else going on. “But I see you looking so worried that I’m starting to think there is. Is there something that you two aren’t telling me?”

Acacia approaches Este’s hotel room door is skin-tight jeans and high heels—clothing more streetwalker worthy than the high-end sparkly party dresses Dan’s girls wear. She's just about to knock on the door, when who should appear but her lover’s wife, her mother. “Acacia? What are you doing here?”

Avances: Cris wants to know what Hector means when he says he doesn’t like the relationship between Esteban and Acacia. Hector looks like he’s on the hot seat. I’m sure he will find a way NOT to tell Cris what he really thinks. Dan sees Esteban and Acacia K-I-S-S-I-N-G, and he couldn’t look more pleased!