La Candidata Martes, 6/27/17 Chapter 18: Alonso's Attempt to Win Regina Back

Politics does make strange bedfellows and a lot of dangerous liasons.

• D.D.

Chapter Eighteen: Alonso's Attempt to Win Regina Back

Alonso marched into his office, complaining that he was alone. Magda followed him, telling him he was not.

“You have Cecelia. She's loyal. She's efficient. She plays on your side.”

Alonso looked up, but Natalia's arrival stopped him saying anything had he been inclined.

“Good afternoon,” she said.

Magda gave her a cold look and got a dismissive one in return.

“Leave us,” Natalia whispered. Magda obeyed.

“Hello, Mother,” said Alonso as Magda left the office and closed the door.

“Yes, your mother is now becoming a museum piece.”

“Don't talk trash about Father, please.”

“Don't tell me you're going to defend your father's actions against my lover.”

“Ex-lover. It's better we don't talk about that, isn't it?”

“You're right,” she said, not agreeing but not wanting more conflict than necessary. “Totally. I'm condemned by your father. That man wants to think he's the exemplary husband but in reality.... I don't want to talk about this. As soon as you've made your bid for the Presidency I will separate from your father.”

“No, no, Mother. You can't. This can't happen.”

“Of course it can. Your father is sick and I won't spend my life going mad with a psychopath. As soon as you're elected I'm leaving him and it doesn't matter what you or your father want. I will do it.”

Alonso shook his head in disbelief. He must have seen enough divorces in his life that he should have seen evidence of dysfunction, but he was just as incapable of seeing his own.

Daniela met Andres, her contact, in his car. He gave her a flash drive containing the information she was looking for. She thanked him but he didn't want her thanks; he wanted a date. Daniela smiled as she tried to think of an answer.

Natalia went home and found Omar in his den.

“You're still here? I thought you would be at work.”

“I was just about to go out. Why?”

“It doesn't matter; you will do as you please, as always.” She went upstairs.

When she was out of hearing distance Omar looked behind her then turned toward José, the chauffeur he had assigned to baby-sit his wife. He questioned him about the day's activities. Jose explained that Mario had not been permitted visitors so he had taken Natalia to Alonso's office at her request. Despite that she had gone to see Alonso, Omar was still angry at what he regarded as her defiance of his will.

The press went after the Secretary of Education and stopped him for questions. Lorena, his assistant, broke away from the group and went into the waiting van to meet de la Garza who kissed her before the car took off. As it pulled away it revealed Hernán, who had probably concealed himself behind the tree at the side of the road. He was on his cell phone talking to Cecelia, who thanked him for his detective work and immediately went to Magda to tell her she had to see Alonso. They were about to open the office door when Omar arrived, saying he wanted to see his son. Magda said she would announce him.

“Why do you insist you have to announce me, Magda?” he said, irritated.

She did not reply, but merely opened the door. He closed it on his way in. Magda turned to Cecelia.

“I'm in love with him and look at how he treats me. You have to be more intelligent about this.”

She went back to work, leaving Cecelia to stare at the closed door.

“I'm in charge of this, do you hear? I'm in charge,” Alonso said over the phone as Omar took his seat. He hung up. “What is it, Father?”

“I know that your mother was here. What did she want?”

“You're imagining too much, Father.”

“You know what she did to me.”

“I have enough to deal with without one of my parents looking for a divorce.”

“Who's talking about divorce?”

Magda came in without knocking.

“Excuse me, Governor, but de la Garza is on the news.”

Alonso got up and buttoned his jacket.

“I was talking!” said Omar.

“Yes, yes, Father,” he said as he left the office. He was irritated but probably relieved at postponing what would have been a very inconvenient conversation.

“Alright,” Omar said, getting up. “I promise not to bother you about the divorce.”

Magda caught that and she stood there for a moment in a state of surprise.

“You just go on with what you do,” Omar said.

Magda followed Alonso out of the office The television was tuned to the news and de la Garza was taking full responsibility for the price fixing on vaccines. He publicly resigned from his position, declaring that his colleagues were blameless. Everyone in the office applauded.

Later, Alonso congratulated Cecelia on meeting the challenge and they drank to it.

“He has a lover. Much younger than himself. She's very pretty and she works for the Secretary of Education.”

“Of course. Very good. Very good,” Alonso said as he took another sip. Cecelia smiled at her victory.

Daniela showed mug shots to Mrs Galindo at the shelter, who finally identified a young man with thick dark hair and a slightly drooping mustache, somewhat 70's-looking. That same man was in Isela's establishment, keeping an eye on her. She was irritated at his tendency to appear out of nowhere and they went into her office. Cecelia arrived a moment later to see her, but was told she was in the office with El Cuervo. She asked for a double tequila and for her mother to be informed that she was there. Her wishes were granted and she drank down the shot. Pacheco appeared, greeted her as though they were old friends, and ordered a whiskey.

“What are you doing here?”

“No, no, no; the question is what would the governor say if he knew that his press secretary's mother ran a... cabaret like this? Tell me.”

“What do you want?”

“Destroy his existence. Nothing else.”

Cecelia stared. For a moment she looked like a frightened child.

Regina was on her way out of the office and ran into Gerardo on her way. She was not pleased with him over what he had said earlier to the press. She accused him of being ambitious for the presidency at the expense of his feelings and sarcastically wished him luck.

Cecelia told Pacheco he was pathetic.

“I have nothing to do with anyone the Governor fires. You're useless and that's why he did it.”

“You can think what you want but I will see you rolling in the mud. Do you get that?”

The bartender returned, sensing trouble. Pacheco finessed his way out by telling him that Cecelia and he were colleagues. He then departed. Cecelia told him nothing and got up from her seat in time to see Isela enter the room. She walked up to her and said “I have to talk to you” before going into Isela's private rooms while El Cuervo sat at the bar and ordered a drink.

Nayeli treated Emiliano to a strip show via Skype. He covered the screen with his jacket to take a call coming in on his cell, but he was only on long enough to say he was talking to a friend and would call the next day. He then removed the jacket in time to see that she had removed her brassiere with her back to the camera.

Cecelia watched Pacheco in the bar and told her mother she didn't like him being there. Isela called someone on her mobile device.

Regina got out of the shower wrapped in a towel to see Alonso pouring her a glass of champagne. He was still fully dressed. He happily told her that Gerardo showed himself to be a traitor before suggesting they drink a toast to their anniversary. He touched the glass in her hand and drank. She did not follow suit.

“I'm sorry, I forgot,” she said. But she was clearly apprehensive.

Alonso took out a chain with a pendant, which he presented as a gift. It was a figure of Dame Justice, which he said symbolized her. Reluctantly she turned around so he could put it on her.

“One day,” he said, “you gave me a wallet which was a symbol. That day I fell in love with you.”

She turned around, wanting to head this off at the pass.

“Alonso,” she began.

“Who better than you symbolizes justice for me? Regina, you are blessed with justice.”

“You fell in love with me but [???]”

“That can change. We can recover this.” He began caressing her. “We can overcome our problems.” He kissed her.

She did not resist, but hesitated before beginning to participate in the kiss. He released the towel, which fell at her feet. She was naked in front of him, like a woman in a harem. While he remained fully dressed. Eventually his clothes joined the towel on the floor and they were in bed, engaged in the missionary position. Alonso did not notice, but when her eyes were not closed she was looking away from him.

Ignacio appeared at Gerardo's apartment to have Teresa let him in.

“This is a surprise. What are you doing here?” she asked in a voice absent of annoyance.

“I came to collect my part of the deal,” he said as he entered.

“So soon?” she asked.

“Why not?” He moved in on her neck like Count Dracula in that play I saw in New York some years ago.

“Wait, I can't,” she whispered. “My daughter is in her room.”

“Mama?”

Right on cue Ximena entered the living room.

“What's going on?”

Alonso had managed to don pyjamas and was sleeping. Regina could not sleep. She lay awake next to him, also in nightwear. Her cell phone indicated a message and she sat up to read it. It was from Gerardo. [If anyone knows what it said, please e-mail me the correction; my screen isn't large enough to read it on.] She made sure Alonso was asleep and tried to decide what to do.

Gerardo was in his car. He texted I know what I am doing is crazy but I need to see you, Regina. Come down, please.

She saw this on her screen and checked her husband's status again.

“I know you work for my father but I don't understand why you are with my mother.”

“No, I'm not.”

“No; he came here to see your father,” Teresa said.

“I'm looking for him but he didn't answer his cell phone so I came here.”

“Don't worry,” Ximena said, “We'll solve this quickly.”

She texted her father on her cell phone as Ignacio watched. Dad, are you alright? Where are you?

He texted back. I'm finishing a meeting. I'm leaving to go home.

“What do you need to see him about that's so important?”

“That's privileged. It's good to see a fast answer.” He paused for a second. “I'm sorry to disturb you at this hour.” He looked at Teresa and rubbed her right upper arm. She smiled back at him. “Therefore I hope this is solved.”

“What's important is that we found him,” Teresa said.

“Then excuse me,” Ignacio said with a smirk before he left.

Ximena was immediately more suspicious. Teresa knew it from her expression and asked “Well, what?”

Regina put on her robe and stepped out of the house with her cell. There were security men in the pool area but she did not see them. She called Gerardo and he answered immediately.

“Regina?”

“The secretary made it clear what you said.”

“Listen to me, please.”

“The initiative was obvious. What are you trying to do now? Judge my marriage or bring false accusations against my father?”

“You're mistaken, Regina. I don't want to judge. I want to see you. I can't not be with you.”

“Then you will have to demonstrate this some other way.” She looked toward the door as she ended the call. She went back into the house.

“Regina? Regina?” Gerardo said. As he put his cell in his pocket the bald security guard knocked on his window and ordered him out of the car.

El Cuervo at at the bar having a drink. Pacheco approached him.

“Do you know the owner of this place?” he asked him.

“What does that matter to you?” he answered, not looking at him.

“I'm a reporter doing a story on the city's nightlife.” He slid a business card toward him. “In case you know anything important I never reveal my sources.”

El Cuervo said nothing. The bartender appeared, grabbed Pacheco by the shirt. and tossed him out. El Cuervo looked at the business card with a sly grin.

Regina told the bald security guard that all was well and that Gerardo was a colleague. Alonso came out.

“What happened?”

“Some confusion,” Regina said. “All is well.”

“A suspicious van outside the gates,” said the guard.

“Whose?”

“Senator Gerardo Martinez.”

“I don't know why he was here,” Regina said.

“Therefore, why did you wake up?” Alonso asked. He sent the security guard back to his duty, then turned to Regina. “Is there something you want to tell me? This doesn't look normal. You're outside of my house at this hour. You must have gone out to see him. That's how it looks.”

Regina had tried to stop him before he got there, but ended up folding her arms in frustration.

Omar entered Natalia's bedroom.

“I see you are looking for a divorce.”

“I see you've been talking to our son.”

“I will never give it to you.”

“What do you think you're accomplishing, Omar? We were over a long time ago.”

“Not for me. You love me.”

“Since when?”

He slapped her. She fell against the furniture behind her, giving him the opening to haul her up and throw her on the bed. He climbed on top of her and continued to slap her. She yelled at him to leave her alone as he continued to do so, finally leaning over like a vampire going for her neck. Jose was out in the hall and heard this. He breathed hard and looked indecisive. He knew who his paymaster was, but did not seem to like being put in this position.

Daniela and Andres went out for a pint or two and appeared to be having a good time. She took her purse and said she was going home, but he held her back. She told him this was complicated because he was a friend of her ex. She told him he was attractive and she liked him but that she didn't want him making the same mistakes, including taking her out drinking in a police bar. Finally she kissed him on the cheek and thanked him for what he did for Regina.

Isela and Cecelia had Pacheco in the office. When he said he was investigating she turned on the computer monitor and showed him the video she shot of him and two of her girls. He realized she had him by the short hairs and accused her of blackmail.

“No; I'm merely looking out for my own interests. If you pull anything again I will release this.”

He paused for a second.

“Do what you want with it. I have no wife and no engagement.”

Cecelia looked him in the eye.

“Think about what you say. Something like this can really hurt a new candidate for the presidency, don't you think?”

Omar was calling for help on his cell phone. He sent Jose out to search for help, immediately. After this he poured himself a straight one and swallowed it down. Magda came in to ask what happened. He told her he didn't know, that he had lost control. That there was no response. He almost begged her to help him. Magda took his hands and said she would help. She was truly a fool.

Gerardo was brought before Alonso, angry that he was being treated by a traitor to Alonso's empire. With all the control he could summon, Gerardo told him he was there to apologize to Regina for his recent errors regarding the accusations against Mario. Alonso wanted to make more of this to use it in his favor, but Regina tried to get him to back off.

“There is no innocence in politics,” he declared. Then said he wished to speak to Gerardo alone. Reluctantly Regina went inside the house.

“What are you up to with my wife?”

Magda gasped when she entered the room. Natalia was lying on the floor. She was conscious, but unable to get up. There was a cut above her left eyebrow that was bleeding. Magda rushed to the bedside phone to call a doctor to get him there immediately. Omar watched from the door where Natalia couldn't see him. He entered and asked Magda if there was anything he could do. She said “You know what? Get out of here. Leave me here alone with her, please.” as she guided him out of the room and closed the door.

Cecelia got off the elevator to find Hernán with a large envelope. He was still intent on continuing their sexual relationship but she was not interested.

“'Love' is too big a word. I don't want to feel anything for anyone. I don't want to suffer. I just want to worry about myself.”

“But I won't hurt you.”

“But what if I hurt you?”

“You can.” He paused. “So at the core, you do feel something for me.”

She could not figure out how to answer that. Instead she changed the subject.

“Hernán, thanks for what you did for me. I need to concentrate on this.”

Hernán was living proof that men can be such fools for love.

Alonso and Gerardo continued their conversation in the living room. Alonso sat in his comfortable throne while Gerardo sat on the couch. He tried to make Gerardo admit stupidity in bringing accusations without proof. Gerardo tried to bring home the point about the people being hurt by corruption. Alonso's attitude showed that this did not matter. Gerardo did not change his opinion, finally accusing Alonso of being the property of the powerful and wealthy men in their country.

“Further, you do not own Regina. This damned delusion is your worst weakness. Good night, Alonso.” He left him sitting in the dark.

The San Roman's family physician came down the stairs. Omar asked about Natalia.

“She's recovering. Look, Don Omar, your family has trusted me for a long time. But I can't continue to be an accomplice.”

“What are you trying to say?”

“You hit her. I won't say anything now but the next time I find Natalia in this condition I will be obliged to inform the authorities. Good night.” He headed for the door.

“Good night, Doctor,” said Magda.

She stared at Omar for a moment and he turned away from her gaze.

The following morning Alonso brought this up again, telling Regina that Gerardo was planning to run against him for the presidency and that “neither of us could win the presidency alone. Neither myself nor you.” All the petty people [mezquinos] would not be with them. He was sure that Gerardo was trying to separate them to insure his own election.

“Gerardo isn't an enemy,” Regina said. “Just a member of the opposition. Just an ethical and noble politician, so relax.”

“Well, if he's so noble and ethical, then why did he oppose your initiative?”

Mauro arrived at the office; Magda was already there. He saw that something serious had happened. She began telling him about it.

Mario had been released from the hospital. Noemi tried to get him to have breakfast and relax, saying he was told by the doctors he couldn't return to work until he was completely well. Like most men whose pride rested on their control, he insisted he felt completely well and renewed thanks to all the medications and procedures. There was also too much to do.

“Soon our daughter will be First Lady,” he said.

“You don't know her either? Are you so sure she won't fight?”

“Of course. We have no time to think about this. We have to concentrate on making sure that things between Regina and Alonso are improved.”

“Do you think it will be that easy to get Regina to give up the candidacy?”

“Regina has to forget about the presidency. And you have to help me. Make her give up this stupid fantasy about being the president.”

“We can't allow the resignation of the Secretary of Health to go without investigation,” Ignacio said to Pacheco. “We have to find more things to hang on him for the governor.”

“We want de la Garza to be guilty of everything. Right now as far as the people are concerned he is the corrupt one.”

“But we know that is not the case.”

“Ignacio, reality is one thing, perception of reality is another. That's the only thing to keep in mind. I don't want anyone talking about this. That's it.”

“You don't get it. I need to look everyone, under rocks if necessary. I need all the information to bring anyone down.”

“Calm down. Let me explain that the resignation enhances our credibility.”

“Yes. But we need dirt on the senator and on the governor.”

“It's going to be hard to investigate that.”

Gerardo walked in.

“I don't want to hear anything said against the father of Senator Barcenas,” he began. “We have problems enough with Mendes.”

“We have a fight.” said Ignacio.

“Without concrete proof we have nothing.”

“Then we have to investigate more. Attack him and attack her.”

“I'm not so sure of that,” Gerardo said. “I will make this clear: the political strategy will be decided by me without attacking the governor.”

“At your orders, boss,” said Ignacio with a sarcastic tone. He left the office. Pacheco followed him.

Alonso, Mauro, Pacheco, and Cecelia were in an office when Magda let them know that Lorena Sanchez was in her office. Alonso told her to bring her in. After she closed the door Alonso said they needed to go after Gerardo. “I want to make his life a nightmare. Go after his wife. Look into her addiction, into their daughter, too. I want her out of the city.”

The men indicated their compliance as Alonso left the office. Cecelia followed him. He threw her another bone of approval, then said “I need to destroy Gerardo Martinez.”

Pacheco reluctantly admitted his recent sexual adventure to Ignacio, telling him that this could be a problem with their proposed investigation. Ignacio laughed and called him an imbecile. His phone rang. He checked the screen and excused himself to take the call. Teresa was inviting him to her house. He told her he was unable to come because he was busy.

“Don't give me the same excuses as my husband!” she almost shrieked.

“I know this isn't what we talked about. I'm busy. These are working hours. There is nothing I can do.”

“That is not important to me. I want you here now!”

“Excuse me, please. I can't see you right now.” He ended the call. He had no idea what he had started or tried to end.

Lorena Sanchez entered Alonso's office. She wore a green wrap dress and simple jewelry. After the usual greetings she took her seat opposite Alonso. He spoke of hearing of her work and that he thought she would be an asset to his team. He spoke of promoting her to the position of Secretary of Health. He was sure she was qualified. He did not drop his gaze as he asked her whether she accepted.

She looked like she was looking for the price tag of acceptance.