Tuesday, January 19, 2016

Pasión y Poder Martes 1/19/16 #61 & 62

Chapter 61: A Game of Thrones

Now that I have some new expert assistance I can be sure of at least one reliable source. Some of this comes from reports from my fellow writer, Dashiell. He understands hypocrisy – and crime – among all sorts from drawing rooms to low-income housing. He's helping to fill in the gaps. Fortunately we wear the same size so I can help him infiltrate the circles I'm usually in when that becomes necessary.
– D.D.


Arturo and Nina talked about the shares he had given her years ago.
“I agree with you. Our daughters should have the shares that belong to them.”
“Yes, but because you are helping Consuelo you should do the same for Regina and Daniela,” said Nina.
“It's good you're thinking of them. Because it is you who will give them their shares. You remember that when they were minors I gave you the shares for all my children.”
“Yes. Even for Miguel.”
“Yes, and then you didn't want them.”
“Yes, I remember very well.”
“Perfect. Then you will remember that you asked that our daughters' shares be put in your name along with yours. That makes you the administrator of this part of our family.”
“Yes, of course, because I assumed that they would marry and not intend to work.”
“Yes, but fortunately Regina wanted a career and will be able to be at the head of the business. Here you will give the two of them the shares that belong to them.”
Nina tried not to react. However, her expression made Arturo realize that her intent had been to keep the shares all to herself.

Eladio and Julia talked in his study.
“Why didn't you ask me, Julia?”
“Because I was hearing the therapist and he made me confront myself and ask myself if I wanted to marry you for money. Eladio, honestly, I'm grateful for everything you did to help me and when I married you I hoped to love you and now I realize I never gave myself the chance to let you win me. On the contrary I built up so much rancor fighting with you about making sure you gave David his rightful inheritance.”
“Yes, that was it and why David lacks nothing now.”
“Thank you very much. And thank you for what you've done for my father, for Gabriela –”
“I did it with much love.”
“I don't want you to misinterpret this –”
“No? I don't think I ever did and besides, you know very well that everything I have is yours.” He came out from behind the desk. “Julia, everything I've worked for all this time is only for you. To give you what you deserve. It's true because without your as encouragement I never could have built all of this.”
“You're just saying that to calm me down, aren't you?”
“I am telling you the truth.” He reached out until she took his hands. “You are my motor. Nothing in my life would have been possible without you, Julia. That's the reality.”
She embraced him and began to cry. He sounded believable. Behind her back he smiled in satisfaction.

Franco and Gabriela dined in an expensive restaurant. Champagne had just been poured and he raised his glass.
“Now we celebrate because all my hard work has finally paid off in becoming a company shareholder,” he said.
“Salud, my love. Congratulations.”
They clinked glasses and drank.
“I'm glad David is more sincere with me,” he said. “You must have had something to do with that.”
“No, I didn't, I'm sure. That could have been my aunt.”
“But why?”
“Because she loves David and he is her son, my love. I understand that.”
“So you're taking her side?”
“No, Franco. It's not about that. But I understand. My reaction was the same.”
“David's wasn't. If anyone earned those shares I did.”
“I know, my love, but David is her son.”
“Your aunt better not speak ill of me because of what I can talk about.”
“About what? Tell me what you're talking about, Franco.”
“My love, let's not talk about this.”
“I don't like that you're talking this way about my aunt. She has always helped us.”
“For that I don't understand her attitude when I've always been good with her. That's why I never said anything about Arturo when he visited her in the hospital because of how your uncle hates him. I could tell him about it.”
“Franco, please don't. I beg you. You can never talk about that.”
“I won't because you asked me to.” He kissed her hand.
“Thanks.”
They kissed. It was impossible to tell what he was really thinking or intending to do.

David sat in Francisco's apartment, alone with his thoughts. He thought about Regina and the last time they were together and looked at his cell. He started to call, then stopped himself and hurled it at the sofa cushion. “Why do things have to be this way?” he asked himself.

Julia and Eladio went upstairs. They ended up in his wardrobe room, filled with imported designer suits, shirts, and other visible trappings of new wealth.
“Now are you calmer?” he asked.
“Thank you, yes. Really, I'm sorry because the therapy session brought up many things.”
“Yes, yes; I can imagine.”
“Eladio, I've lived with many luxuries, thanks to you.”
“And I've enjoyed giving them all to you. Truthfully, I've enjoyed doing it but your desprecias.. it's like I was trying to buy your affection.”
“Really, I've a lot of things to think about.”
“And I really understand you. I'll leave you to rest.” He took her hand. She held it as he tried to leave.
“Why don't you stay with me tonight? Please.”
She looked apprehensive as she leaned on him. He looked confused, then pleased.
“Julia, are you sure?”
“Yes, only what you want.” She still looked uncertain.
He looked at her and kissed her hand. Then he nodded.
“I hope you sleep well and get a good rest.”
They went into the bedroom and got on the bed fully clothed. He merely opened his jacket as he leaned against the headboard and she settled on his right side leaning against him. He looked puzzled at first before settling down.

Regina and Consuelo dined in the same restaurant.
“I'm glad you called me because I didn't want to eat in the house in front of Daniela.”
“Or I with Erick. He uses any excuse to come after me. Every time he calls me corazón it annoys me more.”
“You have every reason to be annoyed with him.”
“I can't believe I was such a fool to not question everything –”
“It's not your fault. You were in love. What's important now is you know what he really is.”
“Yes, that's what hurts so much.”
“Well, don't be like that. Let's talk about something else. How is Clara? Well, I hope.”
“She invited me to dinner, but since her neighbor's mother died she had to cancel. I don't know everything that happened.”
Franco and Gabriela passed them on their way out.
“Hello!”
“Good evening, Regina. Pleasure to see you,” said Franco. “It's a pleasure to see you two and especially now that we're celebrating that I'm a shareholder of GLA.”
“Congratulations,” said Regina, sincerely.
“Thank you. Especially thanks to you.”
“Why?”
“Especially because of why David is no longer with you. My godfather has learned more from that.”
Regina stared at him, thinking about the meaning of that.
Gabriela looked toward Franco, uncomfortable with what had just happened.
“Franco, it's better that we leave. Good night.”
“Excuse us, it was a pleasure.”
“Congratulations,” said Regina with a smile wider than would have been truly sincere.
“Gracias. Bon appetit.”
They left. Consuelo scrutinized them until they were outside.
“What was that about and what's up with that guy?”
“David didn't tell me what happened with his father and what it has to do with me.”
“Please, don't think about that and don't exaggerate.”
“I'm not exaggerating.”

“Our wedding night should have been like this. I thought nothing would make you love or need me.”
“That would have changed our lives.”
“I love you, Julia, and I recognize that I've been very bad to you. You have no idea how many times I've thought about you at work, closed my eyes, and wished to be worthy of you. I've tried.”
“Neither have I been the best wife. I've also make a lot of mistakes.”
“You can't believe the times I've thought the correct thing would be to let you go but since life is important I cant, I don't want... I wanted you, whatever happens.”
“But what else can happen?” she asked.
“That our mistakes come back at us and well, I've made many.”
“Me, too.”
She looked away from his face. She looked afraid.

Gabriela was displeased with Franco as they left the restaurant.
“Can you explain to me why you said such a bad thing to Regina?”
“Why should I be polite to Regina Montenegro?”
“Because she was there. You exaggerated. You better watch it because if she knew Aunt Julia will be glad you never were her son.”
She flounced off to the car. Franco grinned behind her back before following her.

The next day Caridad cried as she and Clara packed Gisela's clothes for laundering and donation. She decided to keep the beige sweater. Clara tried to help her feel better, which made Caridad wish she had a daughter like her. Apparently Gisela had talked about her when she visited Caridad and said things that seemed contrary to her own treatment of her. This was a surprise to Clara, who had many reasons to be irritated with the old woman.

At some point during the night Eladio had removed his jacket. He and Julia had fallen asleep in the same position on the bed. Julia woke up first.
“Forgive me,” she said. “I want to make things right with you.” She kissed him.
She started to get up and woke him in the process.
“Julia, please don't go.”
“I have to get down to the foundation and you'll want to get to the office.”
He looked at his watch.
“It's early. We don't have to do anything yet. I just want to stay like this with you a little longer. Yes?”
“Yes.”
They settled back into the same position.

Clara and Caridad finished packing the two boxes. Caridad reflected that her mother was always short with people and now her pain was behind her. Justino and Luisita stopped by to give Caridad a candle to light for her mother. Luisita asked whether her mother had become a star and Caridad cried as she nodded. She told the child that their mothers were together and talking. He child hugged her, saying that she looks for the brightest star every night. Truly maudlin for a deceased who did nothing to deserve this.

Breakfast at the Montenegro table was silent. Arturo finally said “I see nobody has anything to say today.”
Nina was pulling her martyr face as she looked at her plate. She wore the same dark lace dress she had worn the day before, one completely inappropriate before eight in the evening.
“And would you want anyone to say what you already know? You know that I made an agreement with Julia to donate the new car.”
Arturo was surprised.
“What? I thought that was a gift from Dad,” said Regina. Erick looked suspicious.
“No. It wasn't a gift; it was a mistake. But surely your father won't mind that I gave it to Julia.”
“Nina, don't start, please,” Arturo said.
“Sorry. I meant to say that I donated it to the your enemy's foundation.”
“Hey, I'd like to have seen that,” said Erick.
“Your father wants that Julia – oh, sorry, – that the foundation has it.” She looked at Arturo. She thought she scored a “gotcha”. Erick laughed.
“Mama, how funny,” he said. “You're jealous.”
Nina gave him a warning glare for that one.

Consuelo entered her office to find Miguel sitting at the desk.
“I didn't expect to see you this early,” she said.
“I'm installing a program you were missing,” he said, not looking up from the screen. “I got here early to do it because I didn't want to bother you.”
“No, you're not bothering me,” she said a little too warmly. “The new glasses suit you well. You should find a girlfriend pretty quick.”
“I only want one woman here; I'm not looking for girlfriends,” he said as he took off the glasses.
“I'm sorry. I didn't say that to disturb you.”
“Sorry, I didn't want to say it like that. Consuelo, I think it's better if we don't talk about us or our lives. We should just see each other as colleagues.” He clicked the mouse. “Your computer is ready.” He left her office without saying another word.

“As a matter of interest, where is Consuelo at this early hour?” asked Arturo.
“She went to the office, Papa,” said Erick. “I offered to take her, but she said no. What can I do?”
“Surely she didn't want to get there late,” said Regina, looking at her brother. “Good move.”
“Good morning,” said Daniela. She came down in her sleepwear.
“Daughter, it doesn't matter to me what you want, but you have to be at work early.”
“What bad ideas you have about me, Papa,” she said. “If I go don't to the office early and you want coffee you're on your own.”
“I'll see you at the office. You all know what you have to do. Enjoy your breakfast and excuse me.”
Arturo folded the napkin and left the table. Nina waited for him to pass her chair and did the same. Daniela played with her cell phone.
“Besides,” she said, looking viciously at Regina. “I have to look for a certain person.”
Regina gave her a subtly dirty look and dropped her fork.
“I'll see you all at the office.” She got up the table.
“Don't you want to know whom I'm calling?”
“Little girl, you should be looking for some dignity. And when you get to the office I like my coffee without sugar and hot. That's the least you can do, yes? Thanks.” She left the dining room.
“How beautiful that was,” said Erick. Daniela grinned.

Eladio and Julia had fallen asleep again. He woke up and checked his watch. It was later than his usual waking time, but he didn't seem to mind.
“Well, nothing happened and what's a little more time?” said Julia.
“Yes. It will be hard for me to leave you because I had a perfect dream. We were so happy. We loved each other so much.”
“That can still be a reality.”
“Nothing would make me happier in this life. Nothing.”
“If we continue like we are now, respecting and loving each other, and continuing our therapies, yes. We can stay together.”
He kissed her hand and they both smiled.

Clara went to the foundation office where she met Gabriela for the first time. Gabriela remembered seeing her at GLA and realized she knew Franco. Clara came to tell her about the death of Caridad's mother and requested that she be excused for a few days. Gabriela said to tell her not to worry, she could take enough time off. They could also help if flowers or anything else was needed. Clara mentioned that Franco had been at her home and Gabriela wondered why. Clara explained that Franco had come to see Gisela regarding her husband's pension. She had been taking care of Caridad's son since she was imprisoned. She had said nice things about Gabriela after seeing her with Franco. She then left and headed back.
While this was happening Franco thought aloud that now the only thing necessary before marrying Gabriela was for her to know that he was Eladio's son. However, he had agreed to tell no one.

Simona brought the phone to the master bedroom and almost went into shock at what she saw. Eladio and Julia were not only not fighting, they were dressing for the day like any normal married couple. Julia even offered to cook breakfast. Simona handed her the phone because it was David calling for her. She asked David if he wanted to join them for breakfast. When he said yes she ended the call and told Eladio she would be cooking for the three of them.

Regina brought a sandwich and a cup of decaf to Consuelo's office. Consuelo told her what had happened with Miguel that morning. Regina was sure that Miguel was looking to keep his distance for Consuelo's benefit. He didn't want her to have any unnecessary stress. Regina said she needed to do the same with David. Consuelo did not agree.
“But you two love each other. He adores you. A lot.”
“No. You heard Franco. It caused so much trouble with his father and everyone around us.”
“No, no, no. Seriously you really think that so you've ended it definitively with him?”
“Yes. It hurt but it's better this way.”
“Regina, no. Go to him. Talk to him about all this.”
“No. That's the problem. Every time I try something worse happens. I swear Daniela turns up and enchants him and... I can't. Neither can I interfere any more in his relationship with his father.”

Eladio served the breakfast prepared by himself, which delighted David. Eladio explained that during his youth he worked in hotel foodservice. David brought up the forthcoming marriage of Gabriela and Franco. Julia had told her sister, who was happy about it. Something about that didn't please Eladio, but he said nothing. Julia was happy at the three of them being together. Eladio told her that she should get accustomed to this because he intended it to be ongoing.

Arturo was at the office working on the Ashmore proposal. There were questions he needed to answer and he mentioned the need for discretion. He was concerned that Eladio would undercut their offer just to vex him. Augustin wasn't that concerned because he was sure that Ashmore was looking for quality. Arturo was concerned about having enough money to support their recent investments. What did not worry him was that Regina had broken up with David. There was now no impediment to cutthroat competition with Eladio, otherwise known as Business As Usual.
“Besides, Julia sacrificed our love only so our children could be happy. Now that they're not together nothing should stop me from getting a divorce to be with her.”
“No. I don't think Nina will give you up that easily. This situation hurt her and we all know what a woman scorned is capable of.”
“It's worse to stay with someone who doesn't love you.” He went back to his desk. “Besides, I can't think about that right now.”
“I don't like to hear you talk like that, Arturo. I don't think this obsession is doing you any good.”
“This isn't an obsession. It's love. I love her.”

David had an appointment so he excused himself from the breakfast table. He kissed his parents and prepared to leave. Eladio told him that they had another appointment with Ashmore. David left and Eladio told Julia that this business had nothing to do with Arturo. He was excited at doing a project with David whom he said would never allow him to do anything dirty.
“I want to trust you, Eladio.”
“Listen. Never again.”
“Really? I hope you're not going to fight for this business only to defeat Arturo. I want you to stop this power play.”
“Look, David ended it with Regina. Why don't we just be happy about that?”
“If I ask him --”
“What do you want, for Arturo to defeat me?”
“No. The only thing I want is for you to be happy with me. That you forget everything else.”
Eladio thought about it for a moment, then looked up at her, smiled, and took her hand.

Clara stopped by the office and Franco was not pleased to see her out of uniform. She reminded him it was her day off and she was looking for someone. He took her aside and told her she would lose her job if she said anything about what she thought she saw between him and Marintia. She was not afraid of him. She reminded him that he had barged into her home looking for Gisela.
“Looked for. Past tense. I don't need anything from that alcoholic anymore.”
“As you said, so it is because she's dead.”
He had not heard about this and had no answer.

Eladio sat at the table in his front garden with documents needed for the day. Efrain approached him and asked if he wanted to be driven to the office.
“Where is Callao?”
“He's off on an emergency errand for you.”
“Yes, of course. No. This morning I'll drive myself and you can drive my wife to the foundation.”
“Perfect.”
“Thanks. Have a good day.” He sprayed his mouth and left for his car.

“So how is it Gisela is dead?” Franco's jaw was set.
“They found her and said she had fallen into the canal but the police don't know yet how she died.”
“Surely it was alcohol. She was always drunk.”
“Maybe. But now I'm looking for a friend to get a loan because her daughter needs money to bury her and I'm going to help her.”
Franco turned her around to show her out.
“You're going to leave right now with.... You are brave, as Gisela was.” He looked as though he were about to choke.
“I'm an orphan, Franco. Did you know that?”
“I'm sorry. I didn't know why you cried so much, but she lived with you.”
“I helped her and she annoyed me but I didn't want to see her homeless. And her daughter is good people.”
“How can an ex-con be good people?”
“Huh?”
She stared at him with a questioning expression. He looked surprised.
“And how did you know that Caridad was in prison?”
“Because Gisela said she was in Europe... and in prison.” He quickly wiped away tears that threatened to worsen, then pulled some money from his wallet. He almost whispered. “This is all I have. Give it to her and don't tell her who gave it or I swear you will suffer for it.”
“What a horrible way to do a good deed.”
“Just take it and don't say a word about it or I'll make sure you're out on the street. Now go.”
As Clara headed for the exit Franco returned to his office at the end of the corridor. He tried holding back more tears.
“That woman was my grandmother and now she's dead.” He didn't seem to quite believe it.

Callao walked around the neighborhood in his usual uniform of grey turtleneck and dark suit. A woman was sweeping the sidewalk as he passed her. She asked him if he was looking for someone.
“Yes. A woman named Caridad.”
“The one who had been in prison?”
“What?”
“Poor woman is grieving because her mother died.”
“You don't say. What happened?”
“I don't know much, but it looks like she fell into the canal. She must have been very drunk and so she fell. Now her daughter is trying to arrange a funeral but has very little money to do it.”
“What a pity. I'm here to pay her some money owed to Gisela. Could you do me a favor?” He reached into his pocket and pulled out a factory pay envelope.
“Yes, of course.”
“Do you know her daughter?”
“Yes.”
“I'd be very grateful.” He handed her the envelope.
Right after he left she took out a wad of cash in various high denominations. Justino stopped as he was about to pass. He was carrying his daughter.
“Chofis, how'd you get all that cash?”
“No, it's not mine. A man came and said it was for Gisela.”
“Wow. It's a lot. Must have been the pension money paid to Gisela. We should give it to Caridad. That could pay back everyone helping toward her funeral. Let's go.”

Ashmore was in Eladio's office reviewing the proposal. He didn't waste Eladio's time, but told him he decided to give his business to Arturo. Eladio tried to explain that the issue in Tabasco was not their fault and was rectified, but Ashmore would not change his mind. He politely took his leave. Eladio shook his hand and smiled to cover his anger at this loss.

“This can't be, this can't be,” Franco said to himself. He took out his cell phone and walked out of his office.
David was on his way to his father's office with a rolled-up set of sketches when Daniela stepped right into his path.
“You again?”
“Don't say that, David. I had yet to visit you.”
“Daniela --” She grabbed the papers out of his hands and began walking away. He followed her into what looked like Franco's office. “Give me that.” He took it out of her hands. “The only reason you are here is to bother me. Have you no shame following someone who's rejected you?”
“I'm so much more intense than Regina.”
She grabbed him around the neck and kissed him before he could reply. Before he could push her away Franco, who had just been returning, took a quick photo with his cell phone. David pushed himself away from Daniela just as Franco disappeared around the corner.
“I've had it with you!” said David. He walked out, wiping his mouth.
“David, wait!” Daniela said as she ran out after him. She caught up and put her hand on his back. He turned around. “It was just an innocent kiss. I love you.”
David had to laugh because that was the only way to curb his temper at the moment.
“I told you I'm not interested. Get lost. Now.”
He went back to Franco's office and collected his plans from the desk. He headed toward his father's office. Daniela tried to follow him, but Franco returned and watched. He checked the photo. It wasn't perfect, but it was adequate for its purpose.
David took several steps at a time but Daniela followed him.
“Wait, David, I have to talk to you about something very important.”
“What do you want?”
“It's about our parents.”
“What are you talking about?”
“About the deal with Ashmore.”
“We're handling this with complete honesty. If we win it it's because we're the better choice.”
“What happened is --”
“Don't say anything. Understand that. Leave me alone.”
He walked away, leaving her frustrated in her ill intent. Franco caught up at that moment.
“Daniela, to me anything you want to say is important.”
“And why would I tell you anything?”
“Why don't we go out for coffee so I can show you something that would interest you?”
Before she could finish rolling her eyes he grabbed her hand and pulled her gently toward the stairs down to the main lobby.

Julia walked into the foundation office a little late. She told Gabriela about the night before and how Eladio was in love with her and all that. She felt at fault for marrying him to get revenge on Arturo. She was also sure that Eladio was struggling with something he didn't want to talk about. She didn't speculate on what it could be. Gabriela told her about Caridad's loss and that her neighbor had come by to ask if they would excuse her for a few days. Julia felt for her and suggested that they change and go to pay their respects.

Eladio told David what happened with Ashmore. He was frustrated at this. David told him to put it in its place. He would. However, Eladio was determined to blame Arturo for this loss rather than the man who had created the situation in Tabasco.

Franco took Daniela out for coffee. He was too smart to drink alcohol during working hours.
“You think I'm going to give you information in exchange for nothing?” Daniela asked.
“I didn't say that.”
“You have something for me?”
“How's that?” He showed her the photo on his phone.
“That's fantastic! You got my best side! Send that to my cell!”
“That photo doesn't worry you?”
“No, it's the best. Better for me. To annoy Regina.”
“And your father?”
“I do the same to my parents. But send it to me. It'll be very useful.”
Franco made a deliberately fake show of hesitation.
“Hey, come on!”
“So what are you going to do?”
“Just amusing you for not getting the contract with Ashmore.”
“And how do you know that?”
“He knows that your godfather was building stores with materials much cheaper than stated in the contract.”
“How does he know? Your father or Regina?”
“Neither. It was my mother. But we can make David believe it was Regina.”
“Very good!”
Franco smiled.



Chapter 62: Divorce, Mexican Style

Franco knew Daniela's motives but did not reveal his own.

Coincidentally, David and Eladio were already arguing about this possibility. David defended Regina, saying that she would never have done anything like this. Eladio wanted to believe that she was getting revenge over the end of the romance. “If that wasn't it, someone sold the information.”
“In that case, we don't get this business,” David said.
“No, No!” Eladio slammed his hand on the desk. “This deal was very important to me! Why? Because it was the first one we were making together.”
“Well, it was the first but --”
“You don't understand. It was very important for me to do a deal with my son.”
“Does that negate the possibility of us getting on better?”
Eladio tried to get David to forgive him for everything as the beginning of improving their relationship. He was willing to do this, which earned him an uncertain embrace from his father.

Franco was not about to leave it at that.
“Are you sure Ashmore won't do business with us? That's not a done deal yet.”
“You're going to have to accept that you lost this to the Montengros,” Daniela told him.
“You don't know Eladio's negotiation capabilities. Or mine, either,” Franco told her.
“You know what? Business doesn't interest me. I just want to be with David.”
“Are you saying you want to hurt your sister's feelings?”
Daniela looked peeved. Franco wasn't as stupid as she had hoped.
“Trust me. The other night you told me something but I didn't hear it well.”
Daniela allowed her spoon to drop onto the saucer.
“I've always been compared to my sister. She was always the best in everything. With my father it's as though I never existed.”
“Oh, now I understand. You can't do anything good so now you can only be recognized when Regina does something bad.”
“My family will forgive her everything. But David? No. I doubt he'll forgive just anything. Well, send me the photo.”
Franco picked up his cell phone and sent the photo to hers. She grinned at her screen, then gave him something that looked like a frat handshake. Except that he finished it by kissing her hand.
“Don't you like that better?” he asked. She gave him a flirty grin.

As Eladio and David were returning to the office Eladio talked about how his sessions were making him see things he had never seen before. David said that what he could see was that it was doing him good.
“All I want is for my mother to be happy,” he said. “I saw and heard how you were suffering when she was in a coma and I have to tell you that in that situation you were very different. The way you were surprised me.”
“I may have made many mistakes with your mother but the one thing I'm sure of is that I love her. What I mean is that the way I expressed my feelings wasn't correct. That's it. Do you get it?”
“No, Father, what's important is you're trying to rush things and that's not good. Going into therapy is a big step.”
“Yes, yes, yes, the therapy is helping me.”
“I know very little about your past but I know it wasn't easy for you to move up in the world. But you knew how and fulfilled your destiny. I'm proud of you for that.”
This was something Eladio wanted to hear. He was so surprised he was at a loss for words. Instead he hugged David. Franco came into the office just in time to see this and he was not happy. Just as Daniela said she had been rejected in favor of her older sister, so he felt about David.

Arturo and Regina were having lunch with Ashmore. He talked about attending a bullfight and then going to Las Bellas Artes.
“I'm glad you're enjoying yourself in our city,” Regina told him.
“One should enjoy something pleasurable on business trips,” Arturo said. “We have so many things to enjoy here.”
“Speaking of business, I'm a little worried about the proposal from GLA.”
“Mr Gómez-Luna is our principle competitor,” Arturo said.
“I know. I also know he had a problem with construction of some stores with low-quality materials.”
“Yes. What happened was a lawsuit was filed.”
“I would never have imagined it of them.”
“I know they're our main competitor,” said Regina, “But in all fairness that happened because of things outside their company.”

“Arturo always competed with me for Julia, but when the time came he was jealous because her father preferred me,” Eladio said to David. “And out of envy he accused me of something I didn't do.”
“Father, I broke up with Regina and it bothers me. I feel awkward, uncomfortable. Why are we talking about Arturo Montenegro?”
“Therefore do you prefer not to know?”
“Perhaps I didn't hear you correctly,” Franco said. “Because Regina doesn't feel the same as you.”
“Franco, don't meddle in this. Franco it would be a good thing if you didn't talk to me about Regina.”
“Sorry, sorry.” He put up his hands as if to back off.
“David,” said Eladio, with his hand on his shoulder.
“I'm just telling you that before you saw Ben Ashmore Regina talked to him.”
David looked back at his father, who looked at Franco.
“What are you talking about?”
“I just talked to her sister, Daniela. This is something you need to listen to.”
“I don't want to listen to anything about Daniela,” David said.
“Look, what did she tell you?” Eladio asked.
“That Regina told Ashmore that we're not a trustworthy company and that we were using the worst quality materials in Tabasco.”
David and Eladio looked at each other and Eladio shook his head as though he knew it all.

“I like that you're being honest with me, Regina,” said Ashmore. “You could have spoken ill of them or said nothing. I could have gone on thinking they don't do honorable work.”
“If it's one thing I know about my daughter, it's that she's always honest,” said Arturo.
“Well, it's what I learned from you, Dad,” she said, affectionately.
“It's good you have a good example in your father,” said Ashmore.
“I suppose Eladio made his offer,” Arturo said.
“Yes. In general terms it was interesting and a good offer. His son knows a lot about the electrical industry.”
“I would think. Do you know, Regina?”
“Yes.”
“How do you know? Did you study together?” Ashmore asked her.
“No, it's that David and I were engaged.”
“A very brief relationship,” Arturo said.
“Ah. It's because of him Nina said you were suffering.”
Arturo paused for a second, exchanged looks with Regina, then laughed briefly.
“Ay, no,” he said.
They turned their attention to the appetizer on the table.

“See, son? No you know that's how the Montenegros are.”
“Wait a minute. I can't believe that Regina is capable of anything like this, Father.”
“Well, Regina is the only one who knew what happened, isn't she?”
“Yes, I know, but I can't get it into my head that she is capable of doing anything like this.”
Franco put his hands on David's shoulders.
“It must be true that love is blind and you just don't see people as they are.”
“Yeah, yeah,” said David, raising his hands as he looked at Franco.
“Sorry, sorry,” Franco said. “But I think that must be the truth.”
“This news is a little late. Ashmore canceled the contract,” Eladio said. “Because of what happened in Tabasco.”
“So therefore does that mean we lost the electrical contract?”
“Obviously. We don't have to continue discussing this. Leave, please. Leave me alone with my son.” He didn't wait more than a second to say “Didn't you hear me? Go.”
Franco counted to three in his head before saying “As you say, Godfather.” Eladio gritted his teeth sourly at Franco as he returned inside.
“David, don't feel bad.”
“How can I not feel bad after what you said? You didn't listen to me.”
“A few days ago when you heard this you reacted badly. Look. Follow my example. You can change. I think things didn't turn out with Regina the way you thought they would.”
“I don't understand. I understand she was upset at what happened with her sister, but I don't get it. I don't get why she would do this.”
“At times the worst things are done by those closest to us. Truly I'm hurt that you had to find out who Regina really is.”

Julia and Gabriela arrived at Clara's home for Gisela's wake. Both ladies wore dark dresses and very modest jewelry. Julia carried a large bouquet of white lilies. Clara's neighbors stood around the coffin and prayed. Caridad was surprised to see them.
“Caridad, we just heard about your mother's death,” Julia said. “I'm sorry.”
“We came to see if there was anything we could do to help,” Gabriela said.
“Thanks for coming,” Caridad said. “You don't have to go to any trouble.”
Gabriela noticed Clara's expression of curiosity and said, “We're colleagues.”
“And above all, you can tell us all about it,” said Julia.
Clara took the flowers.
“At difficult times like this we all need someone to help,” said Gabriela.
Julia took Caridad aside. “Here are moments like that, Caridad. And I don't know why but you know when I met you I felt that you and I have many things in common.”

Eladio poured himself a drink in his office. Callao arrived. He entered silently, like the expert hit man he usually was. It was as though the two men were younger versions of Luca Brasi and Vito Corleone.
“I'm here, boss.”
“And where were you all day?”
“Completing your orders.”
“You found Caridad?”
“Yes. She was living in the same neighborhood as her mother.”
“Hmm. And what rumors have you heard about Gisela's disappearance?”
“That's what I came to tell you, boss. I went all over again and again --”
“And? And what happened?”
“They know that Gisela is dead.”
“Did you see? Did you see?” He was getting agitated. “Don't tell me that she disappeared?”
“Yes. I did that, boss. You knew she wasn't predictable and I had to take care of the body.”
Eladio shook his head and clicked his tongue. He was not pleased.
“Did you see Caridad?”
“No. I know you want to talk to her but they were preparing the funeral.”
“Where is Arismendo? We have to find out what the police know.”
“Young Franco is the one with those contacts.”
“No! No. Of course not. He's the last person I want involved in this. Your contacts will have to look for this information. I have to ask you this favor.”
“I'll take care of it, boss.”
“That's all. I'm going to talk to Caridad.”
He left the office. Callao stood there for a moment, probably wishing this particular assignment were over.

Nina went to her bedroom. Erick entered without knocking.
“Is Father coming home for dinner?”
“I don't think so. He invited Ashmore to get to know the city. He said he was going with Regina. He didn't want me to accompany him.”
“Ay, how things are changing in this house. It's not just you. Consuelo is still fighting with me. Last night treated me like a nobody. Today she went out on a date. Do you know who with?”
“You're sure it wasn't that fool, Miguel?”
“No, no. She wouldn't do something I've forbidden.”
“Before we can be sure you have to follow her out of the house. We always have to know her movements.”
“I'm sure that's going to be difficult. She still loves me. It's obvious.”
“Do you think so or do you know it's true?”
“She's still in love with me, Mama. I'm sure of it.”
“Good. Make her get back together with you immediately. Get her to put her shares and the baby's in your name. After that she can go to hell, my love.”
Erick smiled slightly.

Clara thanked the mourners as they began leaving. She and Gabriela left to purchase coffee. Julia said this reminded her of the death of her mother and mentioned that her father was still living. She took Caridad's hand and told her she could depend on her for anything she needed. She truly wanted to help her because she knew that Caridad was going through a major adjustment.
“Thank you,” Caridad said. “I have no doubt that you are a great woman.”
“You, too. I'm sure within time we're going to be good friends.”
Caridad was trying to tell Julia she didn't want to be a bother when Eladio arrived and walked in through the open door.
“May I come in?”
“Eladio?” said Julia. She had not expected to see him there. He stared at the mothers of his two sons. Caridad became anxious.
“Why are you here?”
“I heard about that wretch Gisela.” He touched Julia's arm and walked over to Caridad. “Good day. I'm sorry for your loss.”
The look on his face, which Julia did not see, said precisely the opposite.
“Thank you,” said Caridad.
Eladio went to the coffin and opened the top part of the lid so he could see the deceased's face. “Well, Gisela, are you getting up?” he asked. He closed the lid and returned to the ladies.
“What a pity. That was the woman I helped.”
“The one you gave a monthly pension to?”
“Yes, Julia,” said Caridad. “She was my mother.”
“I can't believe it. My God, what a small world. I was talking to your mother and she said she was ill. If she had told me more we could have done more to help her.”
Gabriela and Clara returned with grocery bags. Gabriela told Julia that they needed to contact their office and Eladio encouraged Julia to go ahead. She walked out with Gabriela. Clara excused herself to the next room to make coffee. Eladio played with his lighter in front of Caridad, who did not misunderstand.

Arturo and Regina arrived home and he began talking about her and Daniela's shares in the company. She was sure that Daniela wasn't ready to leave the family home. He reminded her that Nina held her shares in the company. He was sure Regina was staying to help Consuelo. Regina wasn't interested in the shares.
“All I want is for us to live in peace, Dad.”
“Your mother doesn't have to hold those shares for you.”
“Well, I'll think about it. What I don't want is any more conflict in this family.”

Daniela was the next of Nina's children to request an audience with her.
“It's a good thing you're here because it's urgent that I talk to you.” Nina turned from her vanity.
“Now, what have I done?”
“No, no, no, no, no. You, nothing. But if your father is giving company shares to Miguel and Consuelo he should give equal parts to you and Regina.”
Daniela rolled her eyes. She was already bored.
“Well, how cool,” she said, not meaning it.
“You know what he said to me? That you're covered in my shares.”
“What's happening with my father? This is super unfair.”
Said just as Arturo entered.
“We need to talk, Nina,” he said. “Can you excuse us?” he asked Daniela.
Daniela left without acknowledging her father.
“What do you want?”
“I want you to tell me why you went to see Ashmore and why you spoke ill of Eladio Gómez-Luna. I never doubted that you were the most impudent woman I ever knew.”
“I thought you knew that when you meet me.”
“I was making a point, Nina. All our problems are coming from your selfishness. What were you doing going to Ashmore?”
“No, no, I didn't look for him; I found him.”
“You found him,” he asked, sarcastically. “Did you have to mention family matters to him?”
“Yes. I had to break the ice. You know why? Because I have to protect my interests. It would be good for me to come to the company follow the business deals –”
“That is what I'm for. You can't walk in just like that.”
“But you told me about the construction --”
“But not for that. That is not the way when my daughter is heading the construction.”
“I did it to protect our business. Isn't that the same as what you do?”

It was Eladio who was getting nervous, but as usual he hid it behind his anger.
“Why is Julia here and where do you know her from?”
“I work at her foundation.”
“How did you get there? What are you trying to do? I know you found Franco and told him but I won't let you do the same to my wife.”
“I had to do it, Eladio. To know the whole truth.”
“Really?” He grabbed her arm and yanked it across the coffin. “You better not provoke me.”
“I could have told her everything. If I haven't said a single word it's not for you. I am not afraid of you, Eladio. It's for her. Only for Julia. I don't want the woman who has cared for my son all these years to suffer. She is good.” She forced her arm so he would release it. “She isn't like you. Wretch.”
“You have to quit this job.”
“No.”
“You have to. You have to be far from Julia. And you must do it right away.”
“You are the same as ever. You think of nobody but yourself.”
“Please, whom do you think spent all this time taking care of our son?”
“If you had given me my proper place I could have. I will not quite my job at the foundation, Eladio. It was my punishment to be alone. I need this job. If you don't interfere I won't say anything to incriminate you.”
“You better not.”
“But if you keep on bothering me I will tell her everything because I have nothing to lose.”
He backed off, but with a murderous look.

Nina was determined to put Arturo in the wrong.
“Weren't you guilty of forcing one of Eladio's hotels to shut down?”
“I thought you agreed with that.”
“Yes, in that moment. You know why? Because you and I are the same. You can't fool me.”
“Nina --”
“It's the truth. You weren't a good father. You married me to take care of Miguel because you didn't love him.”
“That is not true. I love my son.”
“Of course it's true. You always rejected him. I took care of him because his mother died when he was born but now I know the truth.”
“What?”
“You hated Miguel because it was his fault you couldn't marry Julia.”
She stared triumphantly in his face. He realized he had just seen a more nasty side of her than he had ever known.
“You knocked up Miguel's mother and for that Julia broke your engagement,” Nina gloated.
“Don't talk about what you don't know.”
“I know very well what I'm talking about. Why are you deceiving your older son? To wash away your guilt.”
“That is not true. You are the last person who can accuse me of being a bad father. Our children were never important to you.”
“Of course they were important to me. All of them. On the contrary the only ones that mattered to you were Miguel and Regina.”
“Enough. I don't want to argue anymore. You can't admit your mistakes. And what were you thinking telling Ashmore that Regina broke up with David?”
“Well, I didn't tell a lie. And I don't know why I have to hide it.”
“This is an intimate family matter. Our daughter's private business. But this is something you don't recognize.”
Nina laughed. “Well, you are always against me. You better recognize all that I was there when you most needed me and all the years I dedicated to you.”
“This argument is going nowhere.”
“No, no, no. Of course. And what are you going to do?” She grabbed his arms. “Punish me? You want to return to our bed?”
“No. I'll do you one better. I'm going to divorce you.”
“Well, let's see if you do it because I won't sign a divorce decree for anything in the world.”

Julia came back into Clara's apartment and told Eladio that Gabriela went back to the office. He told her he was talking with Caridad about paying her mother's funeral bills. Caridad told Julia that this was generous but all she needed was the job at the foundation. Eladio did a slow burn behind her, wanting to force his clenched fist into a place it couldn't go. Finally he told Julia he had to go back to the office where he would make arrangements to pay for the funeral. Caridad turned it down again and Eladio left before this could go another round. Gabriela said something about the generosity of this gesture and Julia said that he was trying so hard to change. It pleased her so much.
Caridad held her tongue. She knew Eladio well enough.

Franco returned to the office and Marintia pulled him aside. He had not told her about receiving the 20% share of the company and she was offended at having to find out by seeing the legal documents when Eladio's lawyer came. He told her he knew this was all about her being upset that he was engaged to Gabriela. She reminded him that they had made an agreement and she had yet to benefit from it. He told her that they had just achieved the first step and it would all happen in good time. She warned him that he had better keep his word because if Eladio ever found out that he intended to dethrone him, he'd dismiss him in a New York minute.

Regina told Arturo about the conversation with Nina about the shares.
“I don't want to fight about this,” she said.
“You won't have to.”
“Why? Did you fight about it?”
“No. It was about her visit to Ashmore.”
“Ay. It hurts me that you're not getting along as before.”
“Those days won't come back. Your mother and I argued and I asked for a divorce. I'm sorry, but I had to do it. What has to happen is for me to leave this house. Your mother never truly understood me.”
Regina was stunned.
“Eladio Gómez-Luna will never will never be able to fire me from this company,” Franco said to Marintia.
“What makes you so sure?”
“Because I've done things. Erick fell into the trap, and I arranged that.”
“Ah, everything would be perfect. If only David didn't exist, of course. And if Erick hadn't been so dumb. Is there anything I haven't said?”
“After showing so much distrust in me? I don't know what to tell you.”
He turned away and left. She wasn't getting anywhere with him that day.

“Dad, you can't leave.”
“I can't stay married to a woman who doesn't understand me. The arguments only get worse. Who can live in this? Do you understand?”
“But this house is enormous. And if you leave this house will be hell for me. Miguel is gone and Consuelo is about to leave. You'd leave me with Mother, Daniela, and Erick? Seriously? Nobody can live in cubes. I'm not trying to blackmail you.”
“I know.”
“Therefore if you leave I will have to leave.”
“No, no. Wait for me until the divorce is done. I don't want this to affect the family.”
He kissed her on the cheek and left. Before she could think any more about it her cell gave the message signal. She sighed as she answered and saw the photo Franco had taken that morning at GLA.
“This can't be.”
“They say that where's there's fire there's ashes later,” Daniela gloated as she walked in. “How are you? Did you like my photo with David?”
“You are a slut.” Regina said calmly as she saw Daniela smirk at her. She slapped her hard enough to almost knock her down. Daniela looked at her and tried to stand. “It pains me that you are my sister.”
“Don't worry. I think the same. I told you David would come back to me.”
“You are sick in the head. Everything you do is to vex me.”
“And if I do, so what?” She continued to grin in her standard over-confident way.
“Understand he is not in love with you. You are of no importance to him. He is in love with me.”
“Go ahead, dear sister. Convince yourself. I am better than you. You better get used to the idea that David Gómez-Luna will be your brother-in-law.”
Regina grabbed Daniela's neck and said directly into her ear “You are stupid.” She shoved Daniela out the door into the hall. The brat was still laughing as Regina closed and locked the door behind her.

David was waiting in Eladio's office when he returned. He showed him plans he had revised for a proposed project in Santa Fe. Luxury apartments. Eladio seemed to like the idea.

Regina went downstairs in time to see Consuelo coming home from work. Her sister-in-law was in a good mood, having enjoyed getting back to working and learning something new. She had also found an apartment nearby and would be moving out in a week. Regina told her about her parents but Nina came down before she could go into any detail. Consuelo greeted Nina and went upstairs to her room to avoid any more awkwardness.
“I know you and Dad will be getting a divorce.”
“But it's not fair, Regina. I don't understand why he wants to leave me. I've always adored him. He was mad because I talked to Ashmore.”
“I don't understand why you did that.”
“Because someone had to get the contract. Do I deserve recrimination for that?”
“Mother, it's better that you not mention David again.”
“Regina, he is nothing to you.”
“I know, but it hurts me. A lot.”
“Ay, daughter. Neither do I want to separate from your father.” She sounded like she was going to cry.
“Mother, calm down.”
“I can't handle that your father wants to move out of the house.”
She started to cry. Perhaps she should have kept trying for the acting career she didn't have.
“I spoke to Dad and I'll stay here until the divorce is final.”

Eladio looked at the plans and didn't think the column supports were adequate, but said he would look into it. He demonstrated a lot of restraint and did not offer a single word of criticism. He then told David that they had to win the hotel competition he had entered. These were two excellent projects. David told him that he loved his work. Eladio suggested that he take a few days off before the rest of the work was to begin. This was a surprise to David. They shook hands. Eladio smiled.

“In truth I hope that when the papers are being drawn up that Dad regrets it and you stop fighting, Mother.”
“I hope he thinks it over.”
“Sometimes time fixes everything.”
“Regina, it's that I'll die without your father. My life can't go on without him.”
“I know you adore him.”
“More than my life.”
“Mother, I'm sorry this is making you sad. If you want to go away to New York I'll go and stay with you.”
“No. Because if you win the competition you'll be very busy. Take advantage of it.”
“So you don't want me to stay?”
“No. I love you very much. And if things change with your father you'll have to change your plans. If this trip helps you forget David, good. Do it.”
She hugged Regina, but it was really all for herself.

Julia and Gabriela returned to the funeral and stayed for coffee. Julia's cell phone rang. She checked the screen and went outside to take the call. Arturo told her what had just happened. She told him she was trying to fix her marriage and asked that he not call her again. She ended the call. However, she leaned against the house and looked as though she regretted doing so.
Clara talked with Gabriela about donating Gisela's clothes to charity and she promised her help.
“It's beautiful work you do,” Clara told her. “People like you and Julia helped me get here.”
“How?”
“I came out of an orphanage and I never knew who my parents were.”
“Clara, I'm so sorry.”
“Don't worry. I'm here because of the help and affection of others and I'm grateful for life and that there was someone to take care of me, teach me, and I want to help.”
“Of course.”
“Not with money because I haven't much but if you need help count on me.”
Julia returned and told Gabriela she had to go back to the office because she had an appointment with Nina. They took their leave.

Arturo met Miguel in a bar to tell him about the divorce. Miguel asked if he was sure of the decision and he told him he was. Miguel asked him to not leave Regina alone in that shark tank. He promised he would not.

Gabriela was annoyed with Franco's behavior of the previous evening. He told her that now more than ever he needed to defend the company. She changed the subject and asked him why he had been asking questions about Caridad. She wanted an explanation.

Nina drove up to the foundation office in the new car. Julia was walking around the grounds with some of the children as she parked and got out.
“This is the new car my husband gave me,” she said. “Isn't it gorgeous?”
“Yes, it's beautiful.”
Arturo arrived and Nina looked at him.
“Arturo, what are you doing here?”



Labels:


Permalink posted by Urban Anthropologist @ 11:05 PM
Comments:
Not a perfect editing job but I hope you all enjoy this.

To continue off AuntyAnn's last post for the previous episode, one thing to consider is that abused women like Julia are the most vulnerable when they make moves to leave abusive husbands. This is statistically when they are most likely to be murdered.

Although I don't comment on the music anymore because of how I'm writing lately, it's saying a lot of things to me about where this should be going. Based on what's happening now I think that Julia might be learning how to manage Eladio until she is ready to make her move. The lion-tamer moves of the past aren't enough and never would have been.

I think Clara's talking about being an orphan and not knowing anything about her parents is leading to new questions. Could it be that Nina had a baby out of wedlock before she met Arturo and Clara was that baby?
Permalink posted by Blogger Urban Anthropologist : Tuesday, January 19, 2016 at 11:13:00 PM EST
 

Thanks Urban. Great recap.

They have brought up several times now that Clara is an orphan and that she doesn't know who her parents are. So for sure her parents (or at least one of them) is bound to show up sooner or later.

Franco seemed affected by Gisela's death. She was his grandmother after all. But then he goes and takes that photo of Daniela kissing David. Funny how he tried to use it to blackmail Daniela, but she didn't care if her dad saw it. All she cared about was messing with Regina some more.

Interesting how both Regina and Daniela's rivalry is in part due to them thinking they at being compared to one another.
Permalink posted by Blogger Mauricio : Wednesday, January 20, 2016 at 12:03:00 AM EST
 

*is in part due to them thinking that they are always being compared to one another.
Permalink posted by Blogger Mauricio : Wednesday, January 20, 2016 at 12:04:00 AM EST
 

Wonderful recap UA! It is late here in the Northwest but I wanted to at least leave a comment before I head off to bed. I have to say that I too get the impression that Clara is going to end up being someone's child and I would not be surprised if it's Nina. Oh how delicious that would be! I've always felt there was more to Nina's past than just her wanting to be an actress. I wouldn't be surprised if she's done some soft porn or was involved in some less than savory circles when she was trying to climb her way up. Clara may be the result of an affair with a married man or perhaps if Nina is her mother, the father may be unknown.

I get the sense that Julia is committed to really trying with Eladio. I think she wants to be dutiful and see if she can open her heart to Eladio. It's obvious that she is trying not to be fearful of him. Who knows what horrors she has endured. Still their scene in the bedroom falling asleep embraced was sweet and I didn't get the impression that Eladio was anything but sincere in return.

This whole therapy combined with Julia/Eladio each trying to change is good stuff. I suspect it's so that when Julia/Eladio are finally on the cusp of possibly mending things, the blow up of Eladio's lies and deception regarding Caridad and Franco will be the true and final straw for Julia.

Can Manatee just die now? Isn't there a balcony she can fall from? I truly dislike this character...she's utterly boring and pointless to me. At least Montsy had some pizazz and sex appeal. Plus there was her fangurl Aldo. I'm really starting to miss those two.

Just a quick observation regarding the Gomez/Luna breakfast, but I'm pretty sure it was Eladio telling the maid that he was going to cook breakfast. Julia then invited David to join them. The breakfast was a hit because Julia/David were gushing over the wonderful food. That is when Eladio told them of his experience in a hotel and his culinary talents were developed.

I'm really digging Caridad. She's got some serious spunk and Eladio better be careful. Caridad already killed one man, she's not afraid to cut a bitch if she has to. You were warned Eladio!


Two great episodes for sure and again a very nice and thorough recap UA.

I will be back in the morning anxious to read everyone else's thoughts/opinions.


Permalink posted by Blogger Delilah : Wednesday, January 20, 2016 at 3:51:00 AM EST
 

UA..Thanks for that excellent and detailed recap with all the dialogue.

Wait?...What the...? Julia and Eladio cuddling above the covers ? What is going on with these two? I must say that Eladio in the white dress shirt dozing in that cuddle was verra nice. However, all these mixed messages are confusing me. Was Eladio a short order cook in his dark past? I cannot wait for the next therapy session..."...and then, I made waffles for everyone!"
Permalink posted by Anonymous Susanlynn♥ : Wednesday, January 20, 2016 at 5:52:00 AM EST
 

I think it was late last week that Arturo said something about Nina not liking to talk about her past. He knows that she grew up poor (which we all assumed) but apparently not much else and never pressed her for the information out of consideration for her feelings at the time. In view of when this story was originally written I'm speculating now that Nina might have gotten knocked up and her very toxic and/or strict parents threw her out. She abandoned or gave up the baby for adoption and did what she had to. Her failed acting career made her decide to marry money. Of course, this would make Clara older than Erick and Consuelo, but we've seen unrealistic casting jobs before.

Not that there isn't the possibility that she's also Eladio's by a third woman, which makes her the half-sister of David and Franco. However, she's blonde and looks like it's her natural color, so she could also be related to Consuelo. And if this is a red herring, shame on the writers. Don't start what you won't finish.
Permalink posted by Blogger Urban Anthropologist : Wednesday, January 20, 2016 at 6:46:00 AM EST
 

Glad we got you UA. These two a days turn my head to mush so many thanks.

Since they're hell bent on pairing crazy Julia with some sad sop I prefer the tentative step of reconciliation last night with Eladio to over the hill porn with Art.

I feel sorry for Daniela, behind the icy exterior she's falling apart. She craves her father's attention. Art's only acknowledgement she existed was to compare her to Regina and Regina knows that. Daniela cries for help, telling anyone he always ignored her, no one listens, even Nina.

I hope Nina knows Regina isn't sincere in her support.

Said it before and will so again. What a waste of a great actress, Fabiola Guajardo. I hope her work in Yo No gets her better work than an extra.

Permalink posted by Blogger tofie : Wednesday, January 20, 2016 at 7:08:00 AM EST
 

Tofie, that's typecasting for you.

I don't remember her from anything before YoNo, but if she is destined to ultimately be with Augustin here, she's also destined for at least one or two more roles as the young chick who goes for older men. Whether that is true or not she definitely needs a better coiffure. The no-part formal style she had the night of the gala was perfect on her, but the center part plays up her comparative youth.

I know that comparing one's children to each other isn't a good thing, but I think all parents do it. Some don't verbalize it and the kids sense it while others are blatant about it. I don't think either description really applies to either of Daniela's parents.

What I see is Arturo praising Regina's successes at things Daniela isn't remotely interested in and Nina lamenting that Regina is nothing like herself. Sometimes you can't get the approval of both parents and it's the luck of the draw. Arturo punishes Daniela when he becomes aware of her transgressions and explains the punishment. Nina, however, enables her when she thinks she can get away with it. When she felt she had to support Arturo in the punishment in her own interests she did. Very inconsistent parenting and a recipe for future trouble.

It's interesting that Franco figured her out so quickly. I wonder whether he's going to boink her just out of curiosity. What would be even better would be for him to lead her on and back off at the last minute without even boinking her at all. What he just did is naturally starting trouble among the Montenegros but he looks like he's smart enough to do this without getting his own hands dirty.
Permalink posted by Blogger Urban Anthropologist : Wednesday, January 20, 2016 at 7:36:00 AM EST
 

Loved your introductory paragraph UA...Dominick and Dashiell...what a combination! And what a marvelous picture you found to lead into part II Divorce Mexican Style. Wow!Fabulous. All I can say is Arturo making Nina an enemy is going to lead to some rough roads ahead. That lady knows how to fight dirty.

Haven't watched this yet, but being a total sucker, I'm sure I will enjoy the tentative reconciliation of Eladio and Julia. Hopelessly "old school" in that I like to see people forgive and mend relationships if at all possible. I imagine this is just a temporary lull before some more debris hits the fan, but one can hope, no?

And while I understand your distaste (or rather Dashiell's) for the tenderness concerning Gisela's demise "Truly maudlin for a deceased who did nothing to deserve this", I think Caridad is actually blessed by being able to forgive her mother for all her failures. That way her life will not be eaten up by resentment and bitterness. Not towards Mom anyway. Looks like she still has a serious bone to pick with Eladio and rightfully so.

Sad to see the seeds of distrust being sown between everybody's favorite couple, Regina and David, but of course that's part of what hooks us and compels us to keep watching. Hoping, hoping hoping for a happy ending for the young folks if not for their parents.

UA...as always..a masterpiece. And the editing seemed flawless as well. Thanks for your hard work and natural grace.
Permalink posted by Blogger JudyB : Wednesday, January 20, 2016 at 8:08:00 AM EST
 

You're welcome, JudyB. How did you know that the funeral comment was Dashiell's? ;)

I agree that this attempt at reconciliation between Julia and Eladio is a set-up to be blown to smithereens with the big reveal about Franco. This is a far bigger betrayal than Arturo not telling Nina that he had previously been engaged to Julia (whom they don't seem to have encountered socially for 20+ years, which is not realistic on the part of the writers). Julia's knee-jerk reaction to this is likely to be that Eladio was playing her for a fool all those years. And he was. I'm still not buying any declaration of love he has made about her because he doesn't seem to know what that is.

Daniela and Franco are already disgusting together. The ambush kiss of David is nothing new so Regina shouldn't jump to any conclusions about it. This latest thing of framing her for going to Ashmore is clearly designed to set her up to be rejected by Arturo. However, since Regina doesn't play this nasty game any more than Arturo does, it shouldn't take David too long to figure it out.

That rejection goal is of course to isolate Arturo from his loyal children. Miguel is already out of the mansion and this is to make Arturo throw Regina out. This is a zero-sum game for Daniela, as though paternal love is something with a limited quantity in normal people. But since Daniela is so far from normal we shouldn't be surprised that she thinks like this. She doesn't see that anyone else could have a different viewpoint. And it will backfire on her.

Regina deserves her own shares in the company, but she should also get the ones Nina is still holding for her.

Franco is freaked out at the news of Gisela's death. Let's see where this goes. He could easily realize that Eladio was buying her silence all along and could be responsible in some way for her death.

Julia's hiring of Caridad and her support of her proves she isn't a snob. She's doing this because she can and because she genuinely feels for her. I'm sure she will realize that Caridad had nothing to do with Eladio's 20+ years of silence about Franco.
Permalink posted by Blogger Urban Anthropologist : Wednesday, January 20, 2016 at 8:35:00 AM EST
 

Thanks a bunch Urban, we are rolling now.
I have a simple question for the patio in general.
This show makes it appear on the inside of the building that GLA and Montenegro Group share offices in the3 same building. The outside scenes make it a point that each entity has a separate, unique building with their name on it. These competing companies are hardly ever next door or even down the street in the non-TN world.

But these Yoho's seem to walk into each other's facilities at will. It looks like they just walk out of their office and down the hall to antagonize/spy on /kiss/fornicate with the competition. I am willing to overlook the apparent size of the respective organizations, seemingly having dozens if not hundreds of office employees scurrying around.

It would be just as believable if Franco walked out front and just flapped his arms and soon landed over at Montenegro to ask Dani out for coffee. Come on writers is this Bunraku? How much effort is required from us to go along with this trainwreck?
Permalink posted by Anonymous Kirbo : Wednesday, January 20, 2016 at 8:38:00 AM EST
 

This is a general problem with telenovelas, that it looks like the characters use the Star Trek energy/matter transporter to get from one place to another. Based on the building design, I have to imagine that each company would have its own industrial park where there is a parking lot for the employees and a building with company cafeterias, etc. These tend not to be located inside a main city, but in something resembling suburbs or exurbs.

What bugs me more is the security at both companies. Daniela shouldn't be able to walk into GLA so easily without an appointment with anyone in view of her last name and the same is true of Eladio at the Montenegro offices. David would have had security clearance at the Montenegro offices thanks to Regina, but that was before he began working for his father.
Permalink posted by Blogger Urban Anthropologist : Wednesday, January 20, 2016 at 8:47:00 AM EST
 

This is a general problem with telenovelas, that it looks like the characters use the Star Trek energy/matter transporter to get from one place to another

Well said, UA. That's why we have industrial strength beanies. And the very lucky ones of us have a special knitted on from Emilia.

Whatever keeps this "trainwreck" rolling is fine with me.
Permalink posted by Blogger JudyB : Wednesday, January 20, 2016 at 9:21:00 AM EST
 

Urban A and Judy: OK thanks. I spent my life in corporate America and have trouble concentrating on who's doing who because I wonder how they got past security/ front desk/receptionist et al. These are not defense contractors like I spent my life with, but still, to waltz in and mouth to mouth kiss someone should get you a ride in the back seat a cheap car.
Permalink posted by Anonymous Kirbo : Wednesday, January 20, 2016 at 9:32:00 AM EST
 

Beam me up, Scotty.

Judyb, are you wearing your warm beanie ? Looks like a big snow is headed toward the northeast , and we have had verra cold temps the last few days here.
Permalink posted by Anonymous Susanlynn♥ : Wednesday, January 20, 2016 at 9:41:00 AM EST
 

UA, love your image of the throne, how fitting. Thanks for your efforts, I love your recaps.

"Are you going to stay with the one who loves or go back to the one you love?" Thought that Glenn Frey lyric was appropriate for our novela.

So happy we have real people with real problems to discuss, had become exhausted with cardboard sociopathic villains who run rampant over entire pueblos. It's so sad when young people make tragic mistakes that resonate their lives preventing future happiness and calm like our characters.

I'm curious, haven't see Nina as a neglectful mother, was that shown in the first weeks of the novela?

JudyB, yesterday, loved your comments on moms defending their children, so true.

" A ride in the back seat of a cheap car" too funny Kirbo.





Permalink posted by Blogger Sandy in TN : Wednesday, January 20, 2016 at 9:50:00 AM EST
 

Whoops, sorry Mr. Frey, "Are you going to stay with the one who loves YOU or go back to the one you love."
Permalink posted by Blogger Sandy in TN : Wednesday, January 20, 2016 at 9:53:00 AM EST
 

Working on phone, pardon multiple typos! I think you all get my meaning. Going back to typing in notes first!
Permalink posted by Blogger Sandy in TN : Wednesday, January 20, 2016 at 9:56:00 AM EST
 

UA, your "Truly maudlin for a deceased who did nothing to deserve this" made me smile. Kudos for another truly outstanding recap.

Your conversation translations, so carefully crafted lent so much to understanding (or at least trying to) these rather complicated and generally unlikeable characters.

Part of me still considers Eladio a monster. Yet, why when he and Julia curled up, fully dressed on the bed did I dare to think that there may be something salvageable underneath the carnage?

When tears came to Franco's eyes, I wondered if there is indeed a human being capable of caring about something/anything other than himself?

Are these just glimpes meant to stir momentary pity in us or will everything turn on its head and these scenes might be the gateway to what truly occurs?

I imagine we will need to wait to see.

UA, thank you so very much.

Diana
Permalink posted by Anonymous Anonymous : Wednesday, January 20, 2016 at 10:07:00 AM EST
 

I think that a picture of Nina as a neglectful mother had to reveal itself over time when we don't have prologues or flashbacks to show her interacting with very young children. However, she did have nannies, which would be normal for a family with this level of income and assets. I always saw Nina as a very superficial and vain woman for whom motherhood would be an obligation and not really a pleasure. Therefore, I doubt she interacted much with her children when they were still in nappies unless it was to take official family photos or to show off a particularly pretty child in public.

This is standard for narcissistic mothers. A pretty little girl is like a fashion accessory to them until she becomes about 5 years old and has a sense of herself apart from the mother. If she doesn't look like Mama and/or if she starts showing real evidence of individualization from her she is of no value to her. Regina probably developed an interest in books at a fairly young age (most good students do) while Daniela would have preferred playing with her Barbie dolls and all the ancillary material stuff that goes with them. That would be just enough for Nina to favor Daniela. She therefore excused herself from any interest in Regina because there was Arturo beaming over her school report cards.

Since Nina is also a genetic narcissist that explains Miguel and Erick.

The other point about Nina as a mother was discussed a few weeks ago: Her inability to see herself as aging. When she tried to horn in on Daniela's outing with her friends even Daniela thought this odd and icky. Nina is trying to be her friend which is an abdication of parental responsibility. Nina might not realize that, but she may have the mistaken notion that this would make Daniela favor her over Arturo. However, we are all observing that this isn't quite that simple.
Permalink posted by Blogger Urban Anthropologist : Wednesday, January 20, 2016 at 10:10:00 AM EST
 

Cynderella, I read your superb recap this morning and posted a late comment.

Thank you so much.

Diana
Permalink posted by Anonymous Anonymous : Wednesday, January 20, 2016 at 10:27:00 AM EST
 

UA, I wouldn't argue with the imagined scenario you just drew, but when your husband tells you that you are a "bad mother," there needs to be more of a smoking gun, real harsh neglect. All Montenegro children are surprised and sad about the divorce. Oh well, there is much more to come, I'm sure.

Diana, I too thought the scenes you mentioned were beautiful, so expertly executed.
Permalink posted by Blogger Sandy in TN : Wednesday, January 20, 2016 at 10:31:00 AM EST
 

I really think there is hope for ElDaddio. He is thinking. He is trying. Old habits die hard, (having people killed, bribing people, not acknowledging offspring, lying, cheating, stealing, etc.) but he is facing his demons slowly.

He may possibly, almost, maybe, a little, love Julia. For the most part, she seems to look like a prized possession, a show pet, or an expensive car, but it looks like there is some raw emotion there too. A simple possession can be replaced quite easily with his looks and money. He has no interest in that. Mr. GL told his shrink he would die without Julia, that she is what keeps him alive.

Redemption is a long and painful road, Eladio, good luck. The first step is an unvarnished look in the mirror. Sometimes it isn't real pretty what you see.
Permalink posted by Anonymous Kirbo : Wednesday, January 20, 2016 at 11:04:00 AM EST
 

UA, your recaps are beyond amazing. My beloved Blackhawks were on TV last night, and I had to take the chance to watch, only catching a few scenes of the TN here and there. With your extensive detail, I literally can see the scenes playing out in my head.

It is interesting we are seeing a rather rapid change in Eladio, but then this is a TN. For someone who was so quick to temper, used violence in his every day dealings to get his way, and wasn't above going that "extra step" against someone (beating to a pulp, killing, etc.) I still find his sudden changes a little suspect. I'm wondering if they are going for the Tony Soprano type. Can kill and scheme without remorse, but loves his wife and family and can be a bug puppy dog where they are concerned. Still wouldn't want to be married to him and still don't trust him, but Julia sure is willing to give it a go. How much does she really love Art if she can jump in so eagerly when she sees Eladio changing. HMMMMMM.

Nina's little aside to Erick on getting Consuelo's shares just makes me cringe. I still she her as self-absorbed. She's only fine with her children if they can manipulated to her opinions and be like her. Nothing to be gained from them, then they are cast aside until they can be worked to her own end game. She is a survivalist and has no intention of going back to acting, or lessening her life style. I don't believe for a second she "raised" any of those kids. She was just at home and not working. I'm sure there was either Peta or nanny's around. She'll string Artie out until those 25 years are up. I just find her too cold and calculating.

I swear Erick has the mentality of a 12 year old in a 20 something body.

Franco is a loose cannon. Daniela was an impressionable teen who mumsy did a number on to make her a little clone so she had a buddy and confident, not a daughter. Now she feels adrift, she is ripe to get under anyone's influence and Franco right now is the worst thing that could happen to her. I get bad vibes there.

The more I see Artie and listen to him, the more Augie is right. Art isn't in love with Julia so much as he's obsessed with her. The one that got away, a possession he didn't get to have and he messed up everyone he came in contact with moaning after her. That does not paint a hero or galan to me.

Daisynjay


Permalink posted by Anonymous Anonymous : Wednesday, January 20, 2016 at 11:04:00 AM EST
 

Thanks so much, Urban! I've fallen behind on watching these episodes, so I really appreciate the details and prose.

Cynderella- I also got to your recap very late yesterday. Thank you for the fun romp!

I'm glad that they are showing Franco and Eladio to be more human-- still doesn't change the fact that they are rotten human beings. Julia too has become more multidimensional to me as she tries to understand herself through therapy. I hope we get a look at Nina's psyche too. That would make her more interesting to me. Actually, why not put all four of our main adult characters in therapy? Art also needs to examine why he's made such poor choices with the women in his life. All four of these folks are screwed up, and I really don't think any of them should be married to each other. But I am enjoying this study of two messed up marriages.

I really hope David doesn't believe Gina threw him and GLA under the bus, but it seems like that is just what he started to believe. He thought that once before, the first time he angrily agreed to work for Eladio. He should know her better than that by now. If she's guilty of throwing in the towel too easily, he has been guilty of believing the worst of her too easily.

If Art just gave Nina management power over Gina and Dani's shares, why can't he just force her to hand them over to the girls now? Isn't it in writing? In any case, all the shares stuff is getting complicated, and Art needs the corporate lawyers to look at the share divisions, instead of just willy nilly handing off shares here and there. Did I not see Nina ask Erick to manage her shares and assets last episode? I couldn't believe she trusted Chimp Boy to do that. And now that I know her shares also include Dani's and Gina's, I'm even more horrified. She's trusting him with all of their livelihoods?! I thought Nina was smarter than that, but that is just a foolish thing to do.
Permalink posted by Blogger Vivi in DC : Wednesday, January 20, 2016 at 11:11:00 AM EST
 

Shoot me but I don't see Nina the monster either. She shouldn't have mistreated Miguel and it appears it was no secret but no one said a word, including Art.

I admit to being vain and struggle with growing old. I dye my hair, spent thousands on beauty secrets (let me tell you a secret, they lie) and quarterly squeeze into my University cheer leading uniform just to prove I can. It is not pleasant attempting to age gracefully, as I'm sure Nina could tell you, cause it's something I've never done before and cannot pinpoint the date when I stopped turning heads and men made a fool of themselves. I'm fortunate though, as I waller in my first world problem, every day even if worlds away Mr. tofie tells me I'm beautiful. Who knows how I'd react if he told me how worthless I've been and how miserable he's been.
Permalink posted by Blogger tofie : Wednesday, January 20, 2016 at 11:24:00 AM EST
 

Sandy...L liked the Glenn Frey lyric. RIP, Glenn. Thanks for the music. I just heard Fleetwood Mac' s "You make lovin' fun".. None of that fun loving happening here. Well, Julie did get a cuddle and breakfast. Then, I listened to a possible theme song lyric for Dani . Hall and Oates's " You're a rich girl, but you've gone too far..."
Permalink posted by Anonymous Susanlynn♥ : Wednesday, January 20, 2016 at 11:30:00 AM EST
 

Bless you tofie for speaking so frankly about the struggles with aging. I especially loved your "cannot pinpoint the date when I stopped turning heads and men made a fool of themselves". Yes, it is hard to age. Hard to notice also when you stop seeing as well and hearing as well.

Nina is no saint but I don't see her as a monster either. She's had a good run as a beautiful, hawt babe and now the rug is being pulled out from under her. She's going to fight for her life and her financial safety and it will no doubt get ugly. But we can hardly expect her to fade quietly away while her husband pursues an old infatuation.
Permalink posted by Blogger JudyB : Wednesday, January 20, 2016 at 11:32:00 AM EST
 

Daisynjay: Franco is about as disgusting as any on the show. Seeing as he is engaged to Gaby, sleeping with Marintia, and about to with Dani, it would be poetic justice if Marintia gave him an embarrassing little unannounced present he could share with his fiance and Dani. Woo Hoo that would be a hoot.! Maybe not anything involving penicillin, but the sideways walkers would be hard enough to explain and no real harm done to Ms. Gaby. Come on Marintia, take one for the team.
Permalink posted by Anonymous Kirbo : Wednesday, January 20, 2016 at 11:58:00 AM EST
 

Thanks, Urban. Fabulous recap.

Franco is no good, but I get a kick out of him. He reminds me of an evil Ferris Bueller. He is always working some angle and seems to be getting smarter. He's been mentored by Eladio since age 3, so I'm interested to see if Caridad can enter his heart and break Eladio's evil spell. As others have pointed out, he did shed a tear for his grandma and -- rudely -- gave Clara money for Caridad for the funeral. That said, his cheating on Gaby is horrible (to me his thing with Marintia is business, with why not? sex on the side -- if Marintia sees it differently, she's a fool.). Also, he should keep his resentment to Eladio, not David, who's done nothing against him.
Permalink posted by Blogger Niecie in MD : Wednesday, January 20, 2016 at 1:07:00 PM EST
 

Love everyone's comments! The worst part of aging is not recognizing yourself. You're walking through a store and see an old person in a mirror....and it's you!

Eladio reminds me of a youth baseball coach, intense facial expressions, multiple hand signals, anger interspersed with awkward hugs, pep talks then recriminations, silence then loud multiple commands....all in front of his little team, David, Franco and Marinita. I would love to see Eladio walk further toward the light, but I'm sure the writers don't have that in the plans for him! He keeps saying that he would die for Julia, I'm afraid that might be an omen.
Permalink posted by Blogger Sandy in TN : Wednesday, January 20, 2016 at 1:11:00 PM EST
 

So many excellent comments in the last few posts alone:

Judy: "She's going to fight for her life and her financial safety and it will no doubt get ugly". Yes!

Niecie: "Franco is no good, but I get a kick out of him. He reminds me of an evil Ferris Bueller. He is always working some angle and seems to be getting smarter". Nailed it!

Sandy:"Eladio reminds me of a youth baseball coach, intense facial expressions, multiple hand signals, anger interspersed with awkward hugs, pep talks then recriminations, silence then loud multiple commands....all in front of his little team". Perfect!

As always, sharp and witty all.

Diana
Permalink posted by Anonymous Anonymous : Wednesday, January 20, 2016 at 1:22:00 PM EST
 

Nina's little aside to Erick on getting Consuelo's shares just makes me cringe. I still she her as self-absorbed. She's only fine with her children if they can manipulated to her opinions and be like her. Nothing to be gained from them, then they are cast aside until they can be worked to her own end game. She is a survivalist and has no intention of going back to acting, or lessening her life style. I don't believe for a second she "raised" any of those kids. She was just at home and not working. I'm sure there was either Peta or nanny's around. She'll string Artie out until those 25 years are up. I just find her too cold and calculating.

Daisynjay your remarks above stated perfectly how I feel about Nina and that scene really put the nail in my dislike of Nina. For all her beauty she's simply a cold empty shell of a woman. I would love to see her in some therapy so that layers might be peeled back that would perhaps shed some light on why she is this way, but I doubt it would change my opinion of her.

The other point about Nina as a mother was discussed a few weeks ago: Her inability to see herself as aging. When she tried to horn in on Daniela's outing with her friends even Daniela thought this odd and icky. Nina is trying to be her friend which is an abdication of parental responsibility. Nina might not realize that, but she may have the mistaken notion that this would make Daniela favor her over Arturo. However, we are all observing that this isn't quite that simple.

I don't fault Nina for refusing to physically age gracefully, I agree with Tofie, it's hell and don't beat yourself up Tofie, I too have an arsenal of beauty products to hope halt the hands of time. What I fault Nina for is being a vapid self absorbed narcissist who couldn't be bothered to truly mother and love her children as individuals instead of extensions of her, little accessories to use to her personal gain. I remember that scene you stated above UA, and the tipping point for how vile of a mother Nina is was when she began to discuss her sex life with Daniela. The woman has no boundaries and it's no wonder that Daniela has the view of herself that she does. Daniela has been taught that vanity and her sex is all she needs. Men are things to be manipulated in order to get them to provide the things they deserve. Regina does not share this view and is content to provide for herself. Regina has developed a healthy relationship with men and healthy sense of herself.

I have to say, Eladio is one sexy beast. The way he looks at Julia, and his gently fidgeting with her hair as she lay in his harms, truly melted me. This is some fine work Colunga is doing because at times I find myself rooting for him to get the girl...really truly get Julia's heart. I know it's going to blow up. Damn the writers for making me feel this way.

What's up with Callao? I get a vibe about this guy, that all is not what it seems with him.

I still find myself thoroughly entertained by Franco/Daniela, but it's obvious that she is out of her league with him. She lacks the smarts needed to engage a predator like him. She dodged a bullet with the guy in the hotel room, and it's obvious the writers want us to see her as spinning out of control. She's headed for something tragic and it could be the thing that really rips Nina and Arturo.

Permalink posted by Blogger Delilah : Wednesday, January 20, 2016 at 1:34:00 PM EST
 

Delilah and Tofie, if you find any helpful anti-aging products in your quest, will you share with me?!?! I'm particularly needing wrinkle removers!!
Permalink posted by Blogger Sandy in TN : Wednesday, January 20, 2016 at 1:48:00 PM EST
 

Art: Um, Dani can we have a little talk?
Dani: Sure Dad, what did I do now?
Art: Oh nothing, zilch, nada sweetie, so that is what I need to talk to you about,
Oh Jeez, make it short, OK, Dad, you bore me.

Art: Well, I thought helping Petra around the house might appeal to you.
We have already seen that you have no inclination to go to college.
You need to do something with your life and I have been thinking.....
I thought we could get you into my company, but you can't even make coffee.

Daaaad. I am still learning...

Art: Yeah anyway, it seems that you are only good at one thing.
Huh? ? ?
Yeah, so anyway sweetie I have been making some calls and I have a friend who
might have just the ticket for you snookums.
Dani: Oh good, what is it?
Art: Well I hope you can get along with all the other girls over there, it might be just right for you.
All the men who go there are really nice and rich.

Daaaad.
I'm not a hooker...
Well, pumpkin, you may as well get paid for it if that is all you are interested in anyway.

Permalink posted by Anonymous Kirbo : Wednesday, January 20, 2016 at 1:48:00 PM EST
 

Eladio's talking about death is an omen; in the opening episode he went on about being married to Julia "until death do us part." He is guilty of abusing her and David for 25 years, abusing the Rat, Franco, Caridad, Aldo's beating, indirectly guilty of Gisela's death, and may be guilty of the Rat's death. Since this is a melodrama the writers won't give him a pass unless they want angry viewers.

I know that aging isn't easy. As I've said before, my mother was a narcissist like Nina. She rejected me for my screw-up brother because I wasn't like her at all. I was a Regina without her beauty. I meant nothing to her except as a future meal ticket, but I got out of that by moving out during college. No Tita Syndrome or me! I have my own issues about aging and those are mostly about job and medical discrimination.

Franco and Marintia's early scenes displayed that this was meant to be a business arrangement. However, I think she has come to wanting more out of it and/or she sees Gabriela as interfering with it from a financial perspective.
Permalink posted by Blogger Urban Anthropologist : Wednesday, January 20, 2016 at 1:52:00 PM EST
 

All in fun. Don't take it seriously.
Permalink posted by Anonymous kirbo : Wednesday, January 20, 2016 at 1:53:00 PM EST
 

OOPS; that's "No Tita Syndrome for me!"
Permalink posted by Blogger Urban Anthropologist : Wednesday, January 20, 2016 at 2:04:00 PM EST
 

UA, I think finding out that he is Eladio's son rocked Franco's world for about oh...a minute. Like his father, who trained him well, Franco quickly recovered and got back up on his very steady feet. He is a master student and has quickly realized what being Eladio's son means for him long term (wealth and power). It was amusing to see Manatee weakly threaten Franco that he didn't want to forget what she knows. He seemed amused and gave the "Oh okay, we'll see about that" look. He sees himself as a rightful by blood heir now..unfortunately I believe he wants to be the ONLY heir. He doesn't really need Manatee as he did before and thinks he's still in the drivers seat. Or so it seems. We'll see. Maybe she'll finally become interesting and start unhinging. I see Franco in tied up in bondage again by Manatee, but this time it won't be fun.

Sorry to hear about your childhood UA. I had a grandmother who was this way, she had two children, my mother and my uncle. She actually gave my mother to her sister to raise so she could devote all her time to my uncle. It wasn't until my mother was six that she came back to my grandmother. As a result my mother suffered physical and mental abuse that stayed with her and even now at age 88 it grieves her. Interestingly my uncle who was doted on was the one who turned on his own mother, wanting nothing to do with her once he left at age 18 for the war. My grandmother tried for years to manipulate him and his family. They all used her for money and she was the one abused in the end, dying sadly in a nursing home abused by the nurses. My mother would visit her faithfully, despite the mistreatment she endured, always trying to be a loving daughter. It's a sad tragic story.
Permalink posted by Blogger Delilah : Wednesday, January 20, 2016 at 2:24:00 PM EST
 

I think that a DNA test would put Franco in a legal position to claim part of Eladio's estate upon his death. I don't know whether it is legally permissible in Mexico now to disinherit a natural child, especially in view of DNA evidence, in absence of anything like criminal activity. It's not easy to do that here and most lawyers recommend a less draconian solution.

In 2016 we know better than to hold "illegitimacy" against the child. The original story was written in a less-enlightened time and a lot of those attitudes are still in this tale. Franco knows he's been sinned against, but I'm sure that if Gisela were still alive his wrath would fall on her first for selling him to Eladio, thereby robbing him of the truth for 21 years. He doesn't yet know that Caridad killed her husband to save his life and here is hoping that he will have a flashback of that and remember it. He was 3, so I'm thinking that the trauma has blocked out the memory.

Delilah, your grandmother reaped as she had sewn. That is a common fate for narcissists.
Permalink posted by Blogger Urban Anthropologist : Wednesday, January 20, 2016 at 2:36:00 PM EST
 

Is this the first death by sartenazo that we have documented in a tn? I'm really digging Caridad.
Permalink posted by Blogger Vivi in DC : Wednesday, January 20, 2016 at 2:50:00 PM EST
 

Franco will NOT be having any flashback Urban.

I wouldn't be shocked to see Franco try to kill David to get EVERYTHING!




Permalink posted by Blogger Steve Boudreaux : Wednesday, January 20, 2016 at 3:05:00 PM EST
 

Kirby: Arturo is at FAULT here for letting Dani go completely wild with her alcoholic & drug binges, which is a deadly combination if she goes way deeper into both.

Besides, Purple Lips is NOT doing jack squat in stopping her either!


Permalink posted by Blogger Steve Boudreaux : Wednesday, January 20, 2016 at 3:06:00 PM EST
 

We don't' have the information to determine who is actually at fault. Usually parents share the blame in some way. We don't know when this started in the first place and we're unlikely to find out unless Daniela herself tells someone she isn't likely to lie to. And who would that be?

There is a pattern of behavior that would put the ultimate blame on Nina. She has enabled Daniela in the past so it is tempting to believe that the first transgression she found out about was concealed by her from Arturo lest his wrath be called up and Daniela shipped off to a convent school. She may have continued to do this and may not necessarily have known about all the incidents (note that Nina doesn't know about the latest one). The problem now is that Daniela is now mayor de edad and can't be forced into rehab or therapy by either parent except through blackmail.
Permalink posted by Blogger Urban Anthropologist : Wednesday, January 20, 2016 at 3:36:00 PM EST
 

Sartenazo: Verb. For the uninitiated Sartenazo is 'Whacked on the head with a Lodge cast iron skillet, large and lethal."
Permalink posted by Anonymous Kirbo : Wednesday, January 20, 2016 at 3:39:00 PM EST
 

I think Arturo and Nina can both be accused of neglectful parenting..But in my opinion, Arturo to a shorter extent. Mileage varies, but I see it as more Nina's duty to alert Arturo to anything she saw out of the ordinary. She has been home, her eyes have been more focused on the children (when she could peel her eyes off her reflection) than Arturo who has been the sole breadwinner. We can assume he worked long hours, had extensive travel while building his empire. Nina made the choice to be a full time "mother" (I use the term loosely) She has known all along what Dani does; her partying and her trips. Arturo should have never indulged Dani, but it's obvious he was probably exhausted and distracted keeping everyone in luxury. Now he is trying to step in...too little too late it seems.
Permalink posted by Blogger Delilah : Wednesday, January 20, 2016 at 3:45:00 PM EST
 

Steve I get the impression that Art didn't know much of anything about his children as they grew up. Except for Regina.

Miguel he never loved because in the last few shows we learned that Art always held it against Miguel for being the reason Julia dumped him. IE: Miguel is (in some twisted way) the reason Art got CAUGHT !

Erik and Dani were isolated from Art by Purple Lips so that they could grow up without responsibilities or accountability.
Permalink posted by Anonymous Kirbo : Wednesday, January 20, 2016 at 3:53:00 PM EST
 

UA--Thanks for the very detailed recap. It took me almost as long to read it as it did to watch it. I enjoyed it all.

Delilah63--I'm just starting to read the comments, so this may be a repeat of other comments. Yes, indeed, it was Eladio who volunteered to make breakfast. Julia was very surprised at the gesture. What I noticed and got a chuckle from was that after Eladio carefully topping off something in their dishes and everyone proclaiming how delicious it was, each of them speared one strawberry. Watching carefully, I don't think Eladio or David even ate theirs. So much for breakfast. At least Julia was drinking coffee after the meal.
Permalink posted by Blogger Anita : Wednesday, January 20, 2016 at 4:23:00 PM EST
 

UA and Vivi--
"The ambush kiss of David..." It was the perfect execution of "Galanbesoparalyis," eh, Vivi? (I'm pretty sure she was the remarkable source that gave this action a label and life of its own.)

Why oh why do these galans allow themselves to be used so unmercifully.....
Permalink posted by Blogger Anita : Wednesday, January 20, 2016 at 4:38:00 PM EST
 

Anita: "Galanbesoparalyis" If the sexes were reversed, she would have drawn back and tried to knock him into next week.
Permalink posted by Anonymous Kirbo : Wednesday, January 20, 2016 at 4:46:00 PM EST
 

Anita, yes I noticed the breakfast scene and actually chuckled. So much wasted food on that table. Maybe it wasn't all that great, and no one wanted to tell Eladio for fear of his wrath!



Sandy in TN: Delilah and Tofie, if you find any helpful anti-aging products in your quest, will you share with me?!?! I'm particularly needing wrinkle removers!!

Well Sandy I grew up suffering terrible acne, so I have lots of oil in my skin. Thankfully I outgrew the acne with minimal scarring but I think the oil was actually a blessing. As a result of my horrible teen acne, I am and always have been very particular about my skin and diet. I am faithful to sun screen, facials/micro peels and in my opinion there is nothing...absolutely nothing (short of fillers/face lifts, of which I have yet to try) that will compare to Retin A. It is the holy grail in my opinion.
Permalink posted by Blogger Delilah : Wednesday, January 20, 2016 at 4:53:00 PM EST
 

Anita- Yep. Textbook case. :)
Permalink posted by Blogger Vivi in DC : Wednesday, January 20, 2016 at 5:16:00 PM EST
 

Note: We've all been saying Nina is listed as an antagonista, but she just hasn't been evil enough for us to carry the label. With her little intervention with Mr. Ashmore, and Artie's reaction, I think she's ready to make a sea change for us. 'Comon, Nina, we're ready for ya to do something verifiably evil.
Permalink posted by Blogger Anita : Wednesday, January 20, 2016 at 5:25:00 PM EST
 

Kirbo--You are right on with the roles reversed! She'd also likely shout out, "assault," to go with the knock.
Permalink posted by Blogger Anita : Wednesday, January 20, 2016 at 5:28:00 PM EST
 

Delilah63--"I would love to see her [Nina] in some therapy." That would be a laugh, to be sure. She wouldn't know why she's there nor would she have anything to say. Does Nina really know herself (in the Know Thyself mode)?
Permalink posted by Blogger Anita : Wednesday, January 20, 2016 at 5:31:00 PM EST
 

Urban---such a great job not only with the recap but your insightful comments as well.

These double episodes and all of the comments that have come along with them are overwhelming me and I'm not even a recapper. I don't know how you guys do it. Experts is all that I can think of. Experts to the max.

Vivi---I found your comment interesting. You said that you couldn't believe that Nina trusted Chimp Boy to handle her shares and assets. My thoughts are that Nina has full faith and trust in her adorable, great and very smart son---after all, he will be running the company one day. Why? he's the best. She is blinded by her faith in both Daniela and Erick. She has them both on pedestals, they're near perfect and can do no wrong in her eyes.

The bruja in no monster. Yeah right. Just wait until the divorce proceedings begin.
Nina will be Arturo's worst nightmare. Was it JudyB that said that that girl knows how to play dirty. --- my thoughts are that the bruja would be ten times meaner that Julia could ever dream of being. If Julia were to divorce Eladio, there would be a lot of yelling and crying, along with mountains of hurt but in the end whatever agreement was made through the lawyers would settle it. Nina on the other would be out for revenge and you can let your mind run wild on the revenge part. I believe that not only would she take the settlement, whatever that would be but in addition to that, she would set out to make Arturo regret the day he had ever been born.

Delilah63---LOL Eladio is one sexy beast. Yes he sure has appeal doesn't he? Even as twisted as he is, I could envision a line of ladies forming outside his door.

Also Delilah63---Daniela is out of her league with Franco. Yes right. Franco has had
several years of tough training in the Eladio school of business and hard knocks. Whereas Daniela has for the most part had several years of hanging out with her friends and partying.

Kirbo---Dad to Daniela. Oh Kirbo, you're bad.

no more time for me today but I will be front and center tomorrow.

must see tv
the gringo





Permalink posted by Anonymous gringo : Wednesday, January 20, 2016 at 5:39:00 PM EST
 

Oh, geeze-whiz, Sartenazocide? Have to add it to the death list.
Permalink posted by Blogger Anita : Wednesday, January 20, 2016 at 5:41:00 PM EST
 

Nina may be one of the villains who doesn't do anything the law can get her for but is egregious enough to be get an anvil for.

She is a monster, though. A narcissist is a monster of selfishness and nasty to her least favorite people, especially an unfavored child. Many children of narcissists end up feeling worthless because how can you feel like a worthwhile human being if your own parent hates you?

Here is something to think about:

Nina is mad enough to chew neutronium over Arturo's past relationship with Julia but was perfectly willing to force Regina into marriage with a manchild who was about to cheat on her with her own sister. That means she not only doesn't care about Regina's feelings she thinks she herself is the only woman who deserves fidelity.
Permalink posted by Blogger Urban Anthropologist : Wednesday, January 20, 2016 at 6:15:00 PM EST
 

UA--Yep, thought about it. I agree with you about 90% on Nina with respect to Regina & Joshue. When the novela opened, they were going together and had a serious relationship. Regina was in no hurry to marry, she was thinking of a career; Josh was thinking marriage, at Nina's urging. Still it was an official noviasco, so she wasn't exactly *forcing* Regina to marry him UNTIL Dani's kissing caper with Josh.

It was only then it was revealed to us that Nina wanted Reggie married to someone who was going to provide for her and out of the house so Nina no longer had to spend her household money on Regina. When she saw Reggie backing away from a trip to the altar, Nina tried her best to do a number on Reggie that the kiss meant nothing and took matters into her own hands to proceed with the wedding.

At the time it happened, I don't think Josh was interested in boinking Dani--or have I forgotten--he was more interested in marrying into more money and possibly a cushy position in GLA. I don't think he was willing to risk it. The promise of a kiss was too tempting to pass up. When it blew up in his face, Josh tried to patch things up with Reggie but failed (he kept denying the kiss for as long as he could).

I'm not saying Josh was right for Regina. I'm glad he's out of the picture and off the opening credits. He was a mosquito you are glad to swat, even if you are left with a little itch.
Permalink posted by Blogger Anita : Wednesday, January 20, 2016 at 6:48:00 PM EST
 

Dani came on to him and I think he would have been too weak to resist if she had a second shot at him. Even if that happened on the wedding day. She would not have stopped.
Permalink posted by Blogger Urban Anthropologist : Wednesday, January 20, 2016 at 7:21:00 PM EST
 

Yeah, that kiss happened out in the open, in a cafeteria, in a hospital where they both knew Regina was around. If Joshua couldn't pass up a kiss in that setting, he would have easily hopped into the sack with Dani if the two of them happened to be home alone in the mansion one day and she was wearing one of her booty shorts pjs.
Permalink posted by Blogger Vivi in DC : Wednesday, January 20, 2016 at 7:25:00 PM EST
 

Ok, that scenario, I'll take, even if Petra was hanging around.
Permalink posted by Blogger Anita : Thursday, January 21, 2016 at 12:29:00 PM EST
 

Thank you so much Urban, fantastic recap.

Daniela is such a brat, and it seems like the rift between David and Regina will grow wider between the picture and business betrayal.
Julia and Caridad working together seems like a recipe for disaster for Eladio's secret, that might be the final nail in the coffin for their marriage.
Franco is so slimy, it will be fun to see him turn against Eladio. Nina and Arturo are equally terrible parents. Nina only cares about her self, and Arturo is unnecessarily obsessed with another man's wife. Eladio is not in my good books and probably will never be, but at least he is honest with himself unlike Arturo.

Elorej
Permalink posted by Anonymous Anonymous : Saturday, January 23, 2016 at 1:15:00 AM EST
 

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