Caray, Caray!

Here we go: I left out the Brisa and Braulio nonsense when they were not connected to the main plot. Let us just say they are still lovey dovey. Now on to the important stuff. We left off yesterday with Sandra telling Fátima that Augusto is going to stand her up in Europe for some reason she does not know yet and Detective Carmona telling Roberto that as far as he can tell Sheila is in the US. He does not know if Mateo is with her. He can only say what he knows. Roberto asks if he will investigate to see if she has Mateo with him. Carmona says sure like he has nothing better to do than sit at his desk scratching his belly and looking for his son and his son's mother in the US. Carmona gives Roberto a report about where Sheila was last seen in the US. That is all he can do for him at the moment. Roberto tells detective Carmona that he will get the definitive dirt on Augusto on a silver platter so Carmona will continue to help him find Mateo.

Magos returns to the café from her errand and runs into the bill collector from the bank whom Elsa has pressed into service having him wait on tables. After the usual Magos nonsense, he gets Magos to sign a paper stating that she knows that she has a debt to the bank. It looks like she thought she was signing for a package that was being delivered at the same time. She is not a happy camper that now she has acknowledged legally her debt with the bank. She tells him she will not pay anyway. He assures her she will be paying. He leaves the café.

Sandra is still talking with Fátima who tells her to go on her vacation because she deserves it. Maybe this time Augusto will still actually meet her in Europe. Since the snack "Mis saboritos" presentation is Alicia's she will be in charge of there is a problem. Sandra should just go.


At the mansion it is family time around the supper table. They all try to hold hands to say grace but with Rafael gone they can't quite reach each other. Saying grace is out for tonight at least. Augusto announces he is going to New York the day after tomorrow. Roberto asks if he wants him to accompany him. No, Roberto is being left in charge at Ikónika. Luciana adds that her uncle has always liked traveling alone. BTW, Luciana is loving her new hobby: bonsai. Beatriz (her hair is down) wants to go with Augusto. Augusto tells her that is not a good idea because he will only be there a week and occupied with business but he he does promise to compensate her later. She is all smiles and excited with his promise of "compensation." They are both flirty with each other.

At the Gutiërrez house, Nacho Is talking with Ximena. She wonders why he is so sad. He was brought up that the man of the house needs to do all he can to improve the conditions his family lives in and pay the bills. He is feeling useless to his family. Ximena reminds him of all the useful things he does for her:polish her shoes, pick her up at school, make her supper. Alicia calls. She will stop by tomorrow. Back at the manson, Beatriz happens to mention that they just had to fire a worker at the because he got mixed up with one of the neighbor's maids. Now they will have to hire someone new. Roberto looks like the wheels are turning inside his head. Maybe he has a plan?

Roberto sure does have a plan. He tells Gumaro about the job and how he needs him to be his eyes and ears at the mansion and help find the evidence he needs about Augusto's crooked ways so Carmona will help him locate Sheila and Mateo. Gumaro is not sure. He hopes Luciana does not recognize him. Gumaro then dreamily remembers the kisses in the dark with Luciana. Still, he has to think about it.

Alicia is at home to see her family. She tells them the only reason she is back in Mexico is to supervise the launch of the snack company "Mis saboritos" and then she has to go back to LA. Ximena and Magos are going with her to the "Mis saboritos" presentation.

Everyone is working to get things ready for the launch presentation. It is kid centered since it is a snack food. Children are all around. Magos is playing foosball. Sandra arrives "disguised" with a head scarf and sun glasses to spy. She needs to know what is going on with Augusto. Fátima tells her Augusto told her himself he was ready to leave for New York. Maybe that is his excuse to be able to fly to Europe secretly. Sandra is not too sure about that. Then Alicia has  a problem brewing. Three actors did not show to wear these body sized costumes representing the different snacks and dance around in the presentation. Alicia and Roberto literally draft a reluctant Chuchette and Néstor to wear the costumes and perform. Alicia puts one on herself. (It is sort of a throwback moment to her cow--vaca feliz-- routine) Augusto is impressed and happy with the presentation. Alicia gives Brisa and Braulio credit for their work on this campaign. Augusto says it was their job to do it. He also meets Ximena. It looks like and sounds like he is honking a printed horn on Alicia's costume which she and even Ximena see as odd. After he has honked honked and left,  Roberto tells Alicia what a great job she did. She tells him the same about his video for her parents' café. He tells her that he did it to show how much he values her family. They get close. She tells him to back away. She grabs her costume and puts ts it between them as they talk about her returning to LA. She tries to leave but he keeps following her. She tells him it is not a good idea that they be seen together so they both hold up the life size character costumes in front of themselves as they continue their banter. They talk about what she is doing in the USA. She tells him what Augusto has told her is confidential. They start arguing. Roberto tells her he loves her and they kiss as the costumes bounce up and down in front of them and hide them. Little known to them, there is an audience of kids that  have gathered to watch the bouncy costumed figures.

Somewhere out of the mansion, Dafne and Alex are talking. Dafne suggests Alex go talk to his mother now since she is in such a good mood--who knows why? Alex is not too sure that would be such a good idea.

Augusto approaches a bouncing yellow life size costume from behind just like the one Alicia was wearing and starts with a "honk honk" and then continues talking to it as if it were Alicia. He talks about their secret, how he has a surprise for her. He has told everyone how he is going to New York but in reality he going with her tomorrow to LA. He swings the figure around to find out it is Sandra (who still has her sunglasses on). His smile disappears. He takes off her sunglasses and with a scowl asks what she is doing there. Augusto has stuck his foot in it and does not know when to shut up. His cruelty is amazing. Sandra now knows the truth: he does not like Alicia, he loves her: she fascinates him and is driving him crazy like no other woman. He smirks and puts on her sunglasses. Sandra is telling Augusto about the ten years she spent with him making plans, believing they were going to have a life together and now this. He says he is just being honest with her something she does not know how to value. (Yeah, sure) She had hoped they would be living together in the USA. He insists that this has nothing to do with her. Whatever moment he has with Alicia will not compare to what they have together. She sees it as him trading her in for a newer model. He tells her she will always be the general manager of Ikónika. That will never change. She sarcastically says she should be "thanking him" for his enormous consideration. Mr. Blockhead says "You're welcome." Furthermore, he continues she has nothing to complain about. They have been together for ten years and Alicia is a momentary thing. It is not only women who have the right to suffer a crisis for being a certain age. He himself is going through a very complicated time. Can she understand that, please???(Did he really say that and turn it into a plea for pity for himself?????) Sandra simply cannot take it anymore, hear anymore. That does not stop him. Augusto goes on to tell her to go on vacation while he arranges things. He will catch up with her there or see her when she gets back. He will always be there for her. That is what counts, isn't it? He tells her to go rest. rubs noses with her and is off on his way. Sandra is left alone with Fátima to console her. Fátima tries to convince her it is all Augusto and that Alicia does not have the experience to even know what is going on or malice in her to be a part of what he has planned. Fátima wants Sandra to take a few days away to put some distance between her heart and Augusto. Fátima volunteers to warn Alicia. Sandra says no, not to get involved. She is sure that Alicia will know what to do with Augusto. Sandra then admits that she has always known how Augusto was. Now she has to try to digest everything she went through all of those years by his side. Once in a while, one has to put everything that is weighing them down out in the light be it sadness, frustration, anger, hatred or blame. Fátima tells her that is the attitude she needs to have.

Back post-presentation, Alicia and Roberto have now started to physically push and shove each other with the costumes as they continue to argue and the children continue to watch them like this is the show. Roberto has lipstick smeared all over his mouth. She is not telling him anything about Icónika USA because it is a secret. He loves her and is dying for her. She hates him. They finally drop the costumes to the amazement of the kids who understand what just went on probably better than they did themselves. They stalk off in opposite directions. They return to applaud with the kids.

Alicia talks to the owners of "Mis saboritos" about incorporating autism awareness in their campaign. They blow her off singing there jingle and going on their way. Alicia says if they won't include autism awareness, she will find a client who will.Alicia leaves with Magos and Ximena. Braulio says if anyone can get the snack people to do it, Alicia will.

Augusto and Alicia are talking in his office about how well things went with the LA staff. What was a surprise to her is that she will be spending so much time there: it will be like living there and that was never discussed. Augusto tells her she needs to learn to adapt to whatever the situation. It is just like whe she put the costume on herself today. She showed how things work in their profession. He tells her to enjoy her success for tonight. They will have more time to talk on the plane tomorrow. Surprise: he owns the agency and it is his obligation to be at the new office especially as it starts up. No problem that he is traveling with her, right? Of course not! Having him in LA will just help get things up and going faster. He asks her to please not mention it to a person at the office because with Sandra gone and now him, the employees might lose their sense of discipline and relax. Makes sense, right? he asks.

At the Gutiérrez house, the whole family is around the supper table as Alicia tells them that she is leaving for LA tonorrow and will be away longer this time but they can still depend on her. Nacho says the important thing is for her to do her job well so they bring her back home. Alicia looks sad. Alicia wants to also know what is going on with them all because she knows and things aren't quite right. Nacho says they had a small disagreement but it is now over. He asks if Elsa agrees and she does. Alicia asks Magos how the situation with her credit card is going and if she has started paying off the debt. Nacho looks aggravated. Ximena tells Alicia it is probably better for her to help Magos and then have her pay her because she can't deal with that size of debt. Magos tells Ximena she is her mother and not to get involved in these things. She know how she wil pay the debt. Elsa reminds them all that Alicia is leaving tomorrow so now is the time to wish her a good trip. Elsa the romantic is still hoping for a man for Alicia. The next morning, Augusto sends a car to pick up Alicia. As they are all standing outside of the Gutiérrez house waiting for Alicia to depart, Nacho is happy that Augusto sent the car so they don't have to worry about the traffic, etc. Elsa finds it strange that Augusto would send his own personal vehicle for Alicia. Whatever the case, Elsa says they should be grateful for the favor. Alicia looks serious as if she is thinking about something. Nacho wonders if he could borrow the car that the company has reserved for her use when she is out of town. She says no, that would be taking advantage. She has to get going and says goodbye. Draco helps her into the vehicle.

At the mansion, Roberto and Luciana are in bed. He is staring of a photo of Mateo on his phone and she is looking at Bonsai on her tablet. All Roberto can talk about is Mateo and all Luciana can talk about is her bonsai. There is no communication. Luciana says she loves to chat with him. He puts a pillow over his head.

Chuchette comes to the company on Sunday and runs into Roberto's second in command Néstor. Why is she there? She is there because she is going to write her bibliography, no biography Néstor corrects her. It will be a self help and personal growth book.

Beatriz is swooning over of photo of her and Augusto and asks Valeria why she is going to the Metropolitan Cathedral. To pray? To confess? No, her husband Rafael loved church art and colonial architecture so she is going to have a kind of tribute for him there. Valeria remarks how good Beatriz is looking. Seems that God has answered her prayers . . ?  When Valeria leaves, Beatriz returns to the photo.

At the mansion greenhouse, Luciana is having a hard time with her bonsai somehow lacking the delicate touch she needs.  In pure frustration, she throws the tree thatshe has been working on  and Gumaro catches it before it falls to its ruin. He is the new maintenance chief. Luciana with her clippers in her hands says she knows him. Gumaro says no she does not and tries to hide behind the tiny tree. Peekaboo time.

At the café Nacho is visiting with Roberto. A proud Nacho is describing Alicia leaving so soon again for "Los United" and how Augusto's personal car was sent for her with a guy who has the worst face he has ever seen. Roberto looks alarmed since he remembers Augusto saying he did not need Roberto to come to New York with him. He knows the man is Draco Augusto's right hand man. Roberto is putting it all together.

At the airport, Alicia finds out Draco is coming with them. He is always at Augusto's side.

Sandra comes to the mansion to talk to Beatriz about something very important and serious. Augusto has a lover at the agency: Alicia Gutiérrez. Beatriz answers with a what??? and an incredulous look on her face.

Labels: lichita