Caray, Caray!

Please join me in thanking hellashelle for her recap!! THANK YOU HELLASHELLE!

Rewind: Severiano (Sev) reams Abelardo (Lardo) out. (Renato) Ren’s shirtless post-shower phone convo. (Candela) Cande suspects Sev of cheating. (Cristobal) Cris suspects both of his parents of attempted murder.

Play: Cande goes apoplectic. How dare Cris accuse them of something so low?! How humiliating! Unlike Cande, Cris doesn’t have apparent short term memory loss, so he reminds his mom that she interrupted a funeral mass and slapped the bereaved. That was completely different! Cande insists. (Yes, villains never think the rules apply to them.) Sev steps in to say that what hurts the most is that Cris believes the priest (here he gives Cande a hard look), who’s had Sev entre ceja y ceja (=between eyebrows; had his eyes on him) more than his own parents. This means nothing to Cris, who simply asks again if it was them. Sev screams back that he doesn’t have to take this disrespect. Cande cuts him off and says that it’s one thing for them to hate Aldonza, for obvious reasons, but quite another for them to be criminals. Sev orders Cris to get out of his sight and for a second Cris looks like he thinks he really f*d up with his folks, but then he warns them that if he finds out they’re behind this mess, he himself will denounce them to the police.


Lardo’s telling Tomás that he wanted to get in good with the boss, but he screwed up. The only good thing is that now he can have Valeria when he wants…and Aldonza (Aldie) too (um…say what now?). Tomás doesn’t get it and, frankly, neither do I. Lardo says he’ll explain again once he’s perfected his plan.

Sim has an appointment with Hum. She wants to rent El Santu house. Hum says it’s already rented, paid for a year in advance, and that’s aside from how the tenants have fixed it up. Sim doesn’t know of a contract that can’t be broken and she’s willing to pay 30% over his asking price. She needs an answer quickly though as she in a hurry to move in. Hum says it’s tempting, but no, the contract’s already signed. Sim quotes Slimy Lawyer and says if he returns the money and the tenants don’t move in, then there’s no problem. And she’s got a great lawyer (speak of the devil) who’ll render that contract null and void in seconds. Hum wants to sleep on it.

Aldonza’s barely through Padre Jeronimo’s (PJ) door and already exasperating her tios again. PJ reminds her that the house just got shot up last night, so why is she insisting more than ever that she wants to move into it? Adelina agrees. They’ve been lucky so far that nothing too serious has happened to them. Aldonza’s just as exasperated. Don’t her aunt and uncle see that these people are just trying to scare them into leaving and they’re letting them get away with it! Well, she’s not going to give up, she’s moving in. Adelina again points out that these people are clearly willing to follow up their threats with real, physical violence. No matter to Aldie. She’s made her decision and she’ll accept the risks. She understands if Adelina doesn’t want to do the same; she doesn’t want her aunt to be forced into a situation she’s not comfortable with. But of course, Adelina’s not leaving Aldie to face this alone. Aw, Aldie knew she could count on her aunt. They’ll only get them out of the house if they’re dead! (Um, insensitive much, Aldie? They almost got shot last night!) At least this way, they’ll die for something they believe in, at her parents’ house, which means something to them, rather than just any old where. She leaves and PJ laments her mule headedness and the fact that she’s got more balls than sense.

Pru’s buying some fruit in the marketplace. Tomás sidles up behind her. She thinks he’s just making fun of her by flirting, but he insists he’s really into her. She unconvincingly rebuffs Tomás’s advances until the guy giving her the fruit asks if she’s ok. Tomás offers to carry her bags as a cover.

Aldie is surveying the damage at the house when Cris arrives to do the same. Aldonza’s skeptical; maybe he’s come to cerciorar (to reassure) himself that his parents’ threats came to fruition? Of course not, Cris says. He just confronted them himself and they denied all of it. Aldonza’s like Well, duh. Look, I don’t think you were involved, but your parents will do anything to keep me away from you. And you’re incredibly naïve if you believe them. Cris says he might be naïve, but she has no proof, and for God’s sake they’re his parents. Sadly, this is exactly why Aldonza wants him to leave her alone. Even if they tried to make this work, he’d always be choosing between her and his parents. Who would he put first? Her, Cris says resolutely. Because he loves her. Aldonza is a little taken aback by his firm answer, but says it doesn’t change her mind. Cris says her kisses beg to differ. She tells him to forget that, it was a mistake. He thinks her giving Renato a chance is the real mistake. She tells him to leave Ren out of it, but says that yeah, falling for Ren is a definite possibility because he’s awesome. Cris doesn’t care. He won’t let Ren steal her love. Aldonza sarcastically asks what Cris is planning to do about it as she turns away. Unlike in previous encounters, he doesn’t grab her. In fact, he doesn’t touch her at all, just stands behind and speaks softly into her ear:
I’ll do everything in my power to make sure you don’t leave my side. I’ll make you fall in love with me. And I won’t leave you and I won’t let you go for even an instant because you’re tattooed on my heart. I’ll never let you go. And if you forget me in the day, I’ll show up in your dreams so that you remember how much I love you and that you love me the same way. And so that you’ll understand in your head, but more so in your heart, that our love is forever. Forever.

On that whispered note, he back away, turns and leaves. Aldonza has felt every word; her eyes are glassy with unspoken emotions. There’s clearly a battle within her, but she doesn’t know what to do about it. She watches him for a second and then turns and walks away as well. I gotta say, if Mijares and beautiful, soaring string section weren’t backing him up, Cris’s speech might’ve been terrifying.

Dominga (Dom) is getting fruit in the market. She bumps into Simoneta. “Viviana?” Dominga asks, stricken. “Yes,” answers an equally struck Simoneta. You haven’t forgotten me? Dom says even if a thousand years had passed, she wouldn’t have forgotten the woman who ruined the lives of her son and granddaughter.

Back at Las Animas, the demons are hungry. They ask one of the back up servants to serve lunch since Dom isn’t back yet. Cris walks by and Cande asks if he’s eating. Sev adds “in case we should leave so you don’t have to eat with criminals.” Cris is not amused. He’ll eat later. Cande says he should apologize and recognize that all Aldie wants is to drive them apart with her lies. Is PJ lying too? Cris asks. Sev, with another look at Cande, says yes.

Simoneta/Viviana wants to know who Dom is to judge her. Just the mother of the man that was your husband. And grandmother of the daughter you abandoned. Does that seem small to you? Sim/Viv looks admonished. Dom wants to know what she’s doing there. Sim says it’s none of her business. Dom says it most certainly is. Sim/Viv better not get anywhere close to Lola. Sim/Viv is dead and buried to Lola and it’s gonna stay that way. Sim/Viv disagrees. Dom says Sim/Viv might’ve birthed Lola, but Dom’s been a real mother to her and won’t let Sim/Viv hurt her girl. Sim/Viv says she’s not out to hurt Lola. With tears in her eyes, Dom warns Sim/Viv that she and Mel will kill before they see Lola hurt. Dom, looking scared by the depth of her own conviction, leaves. Once away from Sim/Viv she lets tears fall as she angrily and desperately asks God why WHY?!

Lardo is surveying his criminal work when Aldonza walks up. Lardo has come to tell Aldie who shot up her house. Aldie says everyone knows who did it, they just don’t dare say it. It might not be who she thinks, he hints. She tells him to say what he came to say and leave. Lardo informs her that he’s Sev’s right…left…right? hand man now and offers to be a double agent. Wouldn’t she love to know if/when Sev is planning something against her? He could be the (cracked) window into Sev’s (dark and twisted) mind. Smiling, Aldie strolls up to Lardo until they’re almost nose to nose. What does he want for this service? Oh, you know what I want, Lardo slimes. His hands are going towards her hips. They’ve barely grazed her when Aldie knees him in the little bits! Whoo! Have the producers been on the patio? Has Aldonza actually taken some self defense classes? Or is this just a regular “next time, get him in the nuts!” response? Doesn’t matter! A free round at the Naughty Melon in celebration! Lardo crumbles and stumbles away as Aldonza tells him to get lost before she calls the cops on his sorry ass.

Tomás has brought Pru’s fruit all the way into the house, but she tells him to leave it on the table. Of course, he says, pushing up on her again. Whatever his girlfriend wants. Pru tells him not to be silly. She doesn’t even want to think about what would happen if her husband found out. The doctor will never know; no one will tell him (um, does he live in the same SL the rest of us have come to know?). He urges her, verbally and physically (guys in SL are grabby!), to let herself get carried away because he’s going to make her live again. Pru practically bends over backwards to avoid his kisses, but she’s just about to give in when her servant, Juanita, comes in from the kitchen. Pru and Tomás twist apart immediately and Pru gives the trademark unnecessary explanation of the guilty. She gives Tomás-Just-The-Deliveryboy a tip as she hustles Juanita off to the kitchen to put away the groceries and Tomás leaves his card with her. I’m just wondering what a gigolo puts on his card when Tomás explains, arm draped over Pru’s shoulders, that it’s a card for his dad’s mechanic shop where he helps out sometimes. It’s got his contact info. He looks forward to hearing from his girl later.

Mel approaches Cris and compliments him. No one would guess he’s the boss; he works just as hard as the others. Cris points out he’s not the dueño, his dad is. Mel asks how things are with his folks and Cris shares the latest drama. Mel says he can’t accuse them without proof and advises Cris to apologize. Cris protests, but Mel says apologizing doesn’t mean he has to give up what he believes, it just helps him stay humble. Cris grudgingly agrees. Mel is just glad Cris is one of the young people that takes advice…though he feels bad about the advice that led Cris to break his engagement. Cris tells him not to worry; that was the best advice he’s taken with respect to his almost wedding.

Aldie sits in the house, remembering Cris’s earlier speech. Her thoughts are interrupted by the phone. It’s Ren. He’s worried about the shooting and thinks maybe they should hire security. Aldonza says she’ll ask around to see if there’s someone trustworthy (in this bowl of snakes? Good luck). She asks how Ren is. He’s struggling. Being in the house, seeing his mom’s things…She tells him to give it time. He just wants to leave and come to her. It’s all he’s thinking about. Aldie tells him to be patient, but she’s here for him. He’s thanking her when Silvia, unseen, starts coming into his office. Hearing him on the phone, she stops. Ren tells Aldie when he wraps up things at the office, he’ll come to SL; they still have things to do. She tells him to take his time. He agrees and sends hellos to her aunt and uncle and a big kiss to her. Silvia is crushed.

A hysterical Dominga approaches PJ in the church. He knew, didn’t he! He knew and he didn’t say anything! That’s why he was asking Lola all of those questions! PJ’s like Qth? Dominga says Viviana, Lola’s mom, is alive! And she’s in SL! Why didn’t he tell them?! Why is she here?! PJ is gobsmacked. He sits her down to explain. It’s simple: She and Mel lied to Lola. Her mom is alive. And she’s back in Santa Lucia.

Simoneta is startled by Sev being in her hotel room when she arrives. He’s there because he’s supposed to take her to her new rental place. Or did she forget? Clearly on edge, she spills the fruit as she tells him she was in the market and will be ready in a minute. Suspicious, Sev asks what her deal is. Sim says he just surprised her by being in her room already. How did he manage that? He’s Sev Mendonza, that’s how. On second thought, he tells her it’s best she go to the house by herself. They shouldn’t be seen leaving the hotel together.

Adelina complains that the taxis in town don’t want to come all the way to the Santu house. Aldonza thinks they should get a car, but Adelina thinks she’s blowing through her inheritance pretty quickly. Aldonza says taxis are slow, inconvenient and also expensive and they need to get around. Adelina grumbles that maybe Aldonza needs a car, what with “sus planes.”

Now Cande’s the one surprising her partner. She’s waiting for Sev in his office at home to talk about Cris and Aldonza (of course. Is there literally nothing else in this woman’s life?). She thinks it’s time to play their last card: telling Cris about Sev’s affair with Roberta!

Joaquin, having heard about the shooting, comes by the house to see how things are. Aldonza thinks it’s not that serious, but Adelina snaps that that’s because she wasn’t
there, with bullets whizzing around her. Aldonza swears it’s Sev, but Adelina reminds her when her mom accused Sev of burning the farm without proof, all she did was become a bigger laughingstock in town. (El tiro le salió por la culata = the shot came out of the butt = it backfired on her). Joaquin backs Adelina up.

Sev is completely against Cande’s plan. Are they going to tell Cris what they did with the product of the affair too? Because she was in on that part. Sev says they’d only turn Cris further against them and Rob and Aldie would look like the victims (um…maybe because they are?). Cande’s willing to take the risk. Cris interrupts their argument. He’s come to apologize for accusing them earlier. This is not enough for Cande. He still doesn’t recognize that all of their problems are – all together now – because of Aldonza. Sev plays the game better. With much affection, he also apologizes to Cris and tells him to guard his temper better in the future. Cris agrees. He and his mom trade annoyed looks.

Pru and Juanita are looking for a lost shirt and Em’s room is the last place to check. Annoyed Pru says she’ll look for it herself and shoos Juanita out. She finds Em’s chocolate house in the closet and decides it’s hers since she’s had to put up with Em. Also, because it’s pretty and she wants it.

Em, meanwhile, is chasing Lola down. He just wants her to know that he misses her. Lola’s touched for a second before she’s mad again. He should’ve thought of that before he kissed Mari. Lola wants something from Em. He jumps to attention, ready to give it; what is it? She wants the candy house back.

Dom’s calmed down some. PJ asks why she and Mel lied. Dom explains she and Mel didn’t want Lola to feel that her mother didn’t love her and just abandoned her. They didn’t think Viviana would ever come back. She took off and left Lola with her dad, Santiago. When he died in the car accident, Mel and Dom took Lola in. So everything about their story is true, except the part about Lola’s mom being involved. PJ is shocked and a little disillusioned, realizing that Lola’s not Roberta’s long lost love/hate child. Dom wants to know what she should do. What if Viv tells Lola the truth? PJ says Dom and Mel need to talk to Lola. It’s better she hears the truth from them than from the stranger her mother is to her now.

E, rapidly walking backwards in front of a storming Lola, doesn’t think it’s fair that Lola asked for the candy house back. Lola doesn’t think it’s fair that he kissed Mari. Aside from that, the house was important to Doña Marga. It was given to support a true love story, not a fiction. E stops short at this. Lola does too. Ok, E agrees. He’ll give it back. He just wants her to know that– Lola stops him and says he should just go before Mel comes out to yell at him.

Sim/Viv tentatively enters her new house. No ghosts from her past or one armed abusive lovers are waiting for her, so she breathes a sigh of near relief and wonders how all this drama will end.

Joaquin and Aldonza look at the waterfall. Joaquin nostalgically shares that it was her
dad’s favorite spot. Now it’s hers too, she says. The only place she can find a little of the peace that’s missing in the rest of her life. Joaquin remembers sadly that the whole place was once hers. Aldonza wants to know if he’s willing to help her with a business proposition. She’s still planning, but she wants him to be her partner. He’d be delighted to work with Ray’s daughter. What’s the plan? Darn it! We still don’t know because they fade out on the conversation.

Irma has bought Adelina a pair of canaries as a housewarming gift to show that not everyone in SL wants them gone. (My cynical mind immediately thinks those birds are going to be killed at some point and serve as a warning.) Adelina thanks her, but wants to know why she’s being so nice to them. Well, Lola’s told Irma so much about them, she feels like she’s known them forever. Adelina says that if Irma had come a bit earlier, she would’ve run into her son. They both think it’s odd that he came to see Aldie since they’ve never gotten along.

Turns out Lola was on her way to meet Cris, in town, away from his angry mother. She tells him Aldie loves him a ton, but she feels bad because he broke off his engagement with Val and now everyone in town is blaming Aldie for it. Cris protests that it’s not Aldie’s fault, but Lola reminds him this is SL, where the truth doesn’t matter, just appearances. What’s more, Aldie hates that his parents blame her for everything bad that happens to or around him (if only that were the only problem there…). Lola wants to help because she thinks Cris and Aldie are an adorable It couple and they love each other. Cris points out that Aldie’s the first to put up walls between them. He’s told her a million times that their (thus far completely unjustified love at first sight) is forever, but no luck. Lola tells him to keep at it or someone will comerle el mandado (=take advantage of the situation. Literally, eat the shopping. I guess like eating the shopping before it’s home to make the person have to buy more?). She doesn’t want to worry him, but Renato’s awesome, treats Aldie like a queen and is super hot. More importantly, Aldie feels something for Renato.

Lardo’s apologizing to Sev for his misstep. He reminds Sev that he did get the house renting thing right. Sev orders him to be on hand for Simoneta. He gives him money for that and pays him, even though apparently Lardo stills owes Sev, because he wants Uriel to think the job’s going well. Lardo again takes note of the drawer, which has Rob’s gun and loads of cash. Sev warns Lardo that if he doesn’t stay in line, Sev will have less compassion than the guys that beat him up.

Recap by hellashelle

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