Monday, January 01, 2018

Caer en Tentación #51, 1/1/18, Lunes: Blackmail Comes in All Flavors

Chapter 51: Blackmail Comes in All Flavors

Just the facts tonight due to major holiday activities and minor computer issues

Miriam told Santiago “I am here to see my grandson”, which he was understandably suspicious of. Nicolás' cell began ringing and it was Alina. Miriam was stubborn, knowing that she was not welcome in the Alvarado house. Raquel tried to calm things down. Mia took her grandmother's side, saying that the baby was her father's child. Santiago did not allow Miriam to be alone with the baby, telling Lola to accompany her upstairs. Federico was annoyed with Mia, asking her why she was taking Miriam's side. She answered that it was because she was her grandmother and because “Our father isn't here because he's in the hospital and it's all Carolina's fault.” This offended Nicolás and Mia asked “What does that make us, stepsiblings?”


Bebo visited Nacho in jail to assure him he would get him out. Nacho swore he was innocent and confided that he was very afraid of going to prison. Bebo swore to fight for him.

Lola regarded Miriam with appropriate suspicion. Miriam asked whether Benjamín had his own room; Lola said that he slept either in her room or her father's. Lola reluctantly allowed Miriam to hold the baby.
Raquel tried to calm Santiago down because he would need a cool head when dealing with Miriam, whose motives were known to him. While this wasn't easy, the hostility among the older children was tougher. Mia did not want to acknowledge Benjamín as a “brother,” making the distinction that he was only a “half-brother.” Raquel told her that this meeting was necessary to reach a mutual decision about what was best for Benjamín, but Mia didn't care. She didn't want to be there. She was waiting for Miriam so they could leave. Nicolás told her off, saying that Benjamín was their brother, like it or not.
Miriam expressed disapproval that Benjamín didn't have his own room and was in a room with an adult. She asked whether the baby was healthy, whether there had been birth issues, then decided that Lola would only lie to her about that. She began criticizing the structure of the house, then tried to get the baby to smile or laugh.
Mia began accusing Nico of using her and being interested in her only for sex. Raquel tried to get her to calm down and remember the purpose of the meeting. Mia's response was that “My grandmother is my only family; nobody else here is.” Federico began to get annoyed. Lola came down and told her father that Miriam is making her uncomfortable and can he make her leave. She enumerated Miriam's comments. Santiago went upstairs to see her playing with the baby and she quickly realized that Lola had sicced him on her. She released Benjamín and said something about wanting uninterrupted time with him “in an environment less hostile to me.” Santiago blocked her path and told her “He is my son.”
That's not what the DNA says.”
I don't care what any document says. I feed him, I take care of him, I care for him when he's sick. What are you going to do? I am his father whether you like it or not.”
So can a nanny or [???]. How much do you think you can do for him?”
Raquel tried to rein her in, telling her to think of the child rather than herself. Miriam – predictably – said she was thinking of the child's future and what kind of a future could he expect in his house and was Raquel going to move in while Damián continues to lie in the hospital. Santiago finally told Miriam to leave. He stayed in the bedroom with Benjamín while Raquel escorted Miriam downstairs.
Miriam and Raquel's next battle was shorter and it was over Mia. Miriam asked Mia what she wanted and the girl answered – rather zombie-like – that she wanted to leave with her. Raquel accused Miriam of interfering in her relationship with Mia She made one more attempt to get Mia to come home, but Mia said they had nothing to talk about and followed Miriam out. Federico stopped his mother from following them, knowing his sister well enough to know that this would not have a positive outcome. Lola said she would make coffee so they could all have a civil discussion only to see Nico leave the room
He was calling Alina, who was anxious to know what he and Sammy talked about. He didn't want to leave home at the moment and she pulled his declaration of love card on him. He finally said he would come to see her.

Sammy finally went home, to the relief of his father. He asked him why he hated Alina so much. Rueda answered that it was “because of what she's done to you,” but Sammy said there had to be something else. Rueda got the pistol back from him before telling him that she played with his feelings. Sammy then promised to help him destroy Alina.

Nacho visited Carolina and Benjamín, exclaimed over the baby, and asked her why she objected to the idea of borrowing money from the Beckers for Santiago's new venture. She said something about not wanting to be indebted to anyone. He reminded her of his loyalty when his own wife was alive he had eyes for no one else; Santiago was the same way about her. She may or may not have caught his meaning.

Federico and Lola talked about the garbage that had been posted about him on social media. She asked if he was gay and he said he didn't know. She said a lot of the same things Raquel said, that it didn't matter what other people said. He asked about her spring break trip; she said nothing happened. Carolina came in with baby Benjamín. Federico said he had come to see him. Carolina invited him to hold the baby although she looked as though she was not comfortable with this. She excused herself so she could bathe, leaving the baby with Lola and Federico.

Vicente got a visit from a bearded man (name unknown) to whom he owed money and apparently was late in paying. He told him he would have his money soon, but the man didn't quite believe him. They began fighting, which ended with the other man aiming the point of a knife at Vicente's throat.

Nicolás went to see Mia at her request and they were in her room. He had no idea why she wanted to see him. She told him to close the door, then coerced him into sex. She even produced a condom for him to put on. He asked if she was sure and they ended up on the bed.

Lola didn't want to talk about the trip. She excused herself to make tea. In her absence the cell next to the bed rang with a message “I need to see you.” Fede asked Lola about it. She said it was not her phone and claimed not to know what that was about.

Azucena entered Damián's office telling him that Vicente was calling, saying that he had to pay double. Damián didn't want to talk to him, but realized he had to. When Vicente made his demand, Damián agreed on the condition that Vicente reveal the big secret he was hiding. He said he would if Damián gave him cash. Damián told him he was tired of this extortion but Vicente threatened to pay Raquel a visit if Damián reneged.

Mia and Nicolás got it on in her room. Jovita opened the door to bring in the clean laundry, then backed out when she saw what was happening. Both Mia and Nicolás realized that they had been seen.

Raquel persuaded Santiago to accept a loan, saying that he would do well and that the investment would help get Damián less tied-up in “the family business” and more involved in something new, which would be good for them as well. Just as they were finishing their conversation Mia and Nicolás started down the stairs.

Carolina asked Lola if she and Federico would go and pick up some milk and baby formula. They agreed and went out. As soon as they were out the door Federico realized he had forgotten something and went back inside.... just in time to overhear Carolina telling Damián over the phone that he was not to come over because she had to handle this situation herself. She ended the call and got the vibe that she was not alone and turned around to see Federico.

Bebo went to the pizzeria that Nacho was ordering from on the night of the murder. He told the owner that he was the son of an innocent man about to be railroaded.

Santiago and Raquel talked about how since Carolina's death he lives for Benjamín and how he didn't know what he'd do if Miriam took him away. He had been through so much he wasn't sure he'd be able to fight. Raquel told him he could count on her.

Miriam and Mia went home to find Andres waiting for her. He asked how the meeting had gone and she told him. As to whether she could get custody of the baby that would depend on what options Rueda had for her. She had expected him to be there and was indignant when Andres told her that he had left on an emergency involving his son. She displayed her true colors here in her reaction, that Rueda's family was so insignificant he had no right to prioritize it over her. After she left the room Andres talked to Mia, who made it clear that she didn't care about Benjamín and was angry that he was being prioritized by everybody over her. She said that if that child came into the house she would leave. He asked her where she would go and she said “What do you care? If he comes to live here I'm going.”
Andres' expression of shock lasted only until Mia left the room. He grinned to himself before sipping his favorite poison.

Santiago got home and asked about Nicolás. Lola told him he left to see Alina. Santiago was not pleased at this and left the room. Federico reminded Lola about when he first came to see Benjamín, but this led to nothing positive.

Cinthia was still in Fernando's bachelor pad. She sniffed one of his shirts. She called him on his cell but he told her he needed to work. Antonio asked him how things were going at home and Fernando told him he had left his marital home. Antonio realized that the call didn't come from Laura and advised him not to get into the same situation he had been before. He needed to think of his career. Fernando told him not to worry.

Beto talked to the pizzeria's manager and the night in question was one on which Nacho had defended a waitress named Josefa. Beto needed her as a witness but the manager told him that Josefa quit the next day. He couldn't give her address to him but agreed to call her.

Miriam came back into her living room asking where Mia was. Andres said he didn't know; they had spoken briefly in which she expressed her resentment about the baby and she had left. He asked whether Miriam had checked her room' Miriam had and she was not there. She didn't have her cell phone. Andres took his out.

Nicolás arribed at Alina's place. He said that Sammy had talked about her and their relationship. After the usual around in circles Alina moved in for the sexual kill, virtually guaranteeing the obsession she says she doesn't want.

Raquel had fallen asleep on Santiago's bed next to Benjamín. He came in to find them.

Mia was cutting herself on the floor of a bathroom. There was more blood than usual and she lay down and closed her eyes.

Labels:


Comments:
Urban, this was excellent. Wonderful title.

"Lola regarded Miriam with appropriate suspicion" and "He grinned to himself before sipping his favorite poison" were among many superb lines.

“He reminded her of Santiago's loyalty and when his own wife was alive he had eyes for no one else; Santiago was the same way about her. She may or may not have caught his meaning”. I thought she completely understood his meaning! Nacho’s look turned threatening and on the verge of hateful.

"He had been through so much he wasn't sure he'd be able to fight. Raquel told him he could count on her". Kind sentiments but as Miriam hates Raq as much as Santi, I do not see that being any kind of help.

Another very sad installment. What fuels Mia's hatred? As frightening as Miriam's quiet, icy countenance is, Mia's smoke and fire is even more alarming.

Nico looked angry last night. The situation is clearly upsetting him.

So Fedes overheard more evidence against Caro. It seems every day there is another slipup on Caro's part.

Who is Vincente's unwelcome guest?

Is Alina going to try and manipulate Nico into helping her against Rueda and Sammy? For the first time, she seemed frightened. Good. Not nearly enough.

I hope Raq has Mia committed. If this doesn't make her realize the danger her daughter is to herself, nothing will.

Thank you Urban!

Diana
 

Could the man blackmailing Vicente have been a witness to the "accident" or to Carolina's murder? Or to Vicente disposing of his father's body? If the latter, what took this guy so long?

I have to admit that Rueda's revelation is interesting if I got it right -- I could have misheard it. This could explain Alina's current preference for borderline jailbait: They are easily manipulated. Rueda is on the same playing field. What I want to know about him is what made him become unethical.

I wonder who is going to find Mia on that bathroom floor. I didn't recognize the tub so I don't know where that room is. Now that we've seen the interior of Miriam's place we know she doesn't live like a nun in a cell and that Mia's room would most likely have its own bathroom. If this is where Mia is how did Miriam miss that? Definitely a good case against her about Benjamin.

Narcissism is what fuels Mia, just as it does Miriam. Since Fede was a sickly child he would have demanded more of Raquel's attention. Raquel spoke of Mia as being helpful to Fede and so close that they had no friends; this could have been Mia's way of getting Raquel's and Damian's attention. Obviously both misread this and I don't think it's their fault. Narcissists are manipulative and fool people for years.

What made Miriam a narcissist is still a mystery and we may never know that answer.
 

Thank you for the valuable insight Urban.

So if Alina played Rueda too, then she won't have any qualms about going after Santi (unless her ego orverrides the fear she is currently experiencing)?

How terrible that Mia had go to this tragic length to get help. Yes, I wonder who will find her too.

Diana

 

Definitely love this title! I do believe we have a new option for why Caro showed up dead.
 

If Alina goes after Santiago she will have Raquel to deal with. However, Santiago only has eyes and hormones for Raquel. The loyalty Nacho spoke of is probably Santiago's greatest virtue.

Mia has been rejecting other people's help for a long time already. Unfortunately at Mia's present-day age Raquel has no legal right to have her committed. I'm not even sure she can get a court order even with medical testimony from doctors.
 

Urban--Thanks for your devotion to recapping this story that transcends holiday festivities. Always a great read, short or long, it doesn't matter. It's always superb.

I think Fede and Lola's discussion in the present day went as far as his telling her not only about the phone message, but actually overhearing what Caro was saying to Damian. She used his name and Fede connected it to the phone message right away. Lola was still in denial.

So, Mimi thinks a nanny can do just as good a job raising a child as the parents. In some cases, like hers, it might be true. She seems the type of person who might not even kiss her kid goodnight, but worship the fact that he's her progeny.

How sad that today, the living conditions a child is in count towards custody rights. So Santi's house doesn't have enough bedrooms for each to have his own room? Since when has that been a negative point. Santi's house is quite spacious, well kept and Benji is old enough to have a bed in Nico's room, if it comes to that.

Did everyone see the look on Rueda's face when Sammy told him his plan was to destroy Alina? A big grin. It's unthinkable to me that father and son would get into cahoots over a crime of this magnitude--not that I don't want Alina's pecados come to light. She needs to be charged with sexual abuse and disbarred y punto--after she gets Nacho off.

The scene near the end where Santi comes in and sees Raq and Benji playing in bed made me believe that she would accept Benji as part of the package if she's going to make it with Santi. The other 4 are close to being emancipated and follow their own careers--well minus ONE, who is too sick and twisted to have a future without professional help. Benji is a 20 year commitment. I really hope Santi sees this as a good thing. After all, Raq did want another baby, and not a move to take Benji away from him. Santi is very vulnerable right now, but so is Raquel.

Vicente has been living on the edge for a long time. This may be a simple case of owing this guy for gambling debts, alcohol or even drug related expenses. OR, it can easily take Urban's conjecture--which would be very interesting. Thank goodness (in my mind) he doesn't look like the guy Santi paid off.

What Mia has done to herself is her last cry for help. Now no one in her family can reach her. I hope Miriam realizes what she has done to Mia and doesn't insist on sweeping it under the rug and hushing it up. Since this is in the present, it's up to GG to tell us where it is going--tragedy (to Mia or someone else) or salvation.

I went back and watched the 3d & 4th episodes (slowly watching for all the nuances I might have missed). Regarding Mia's loyalty-- After Damian opened his eyes when Mia mentioned Carolina's name, Miriam says to Raquel in Mia's presence, that Damian obviously cared more about Caro than he did about Raq. This hurt Raq to the core and Mia told her to ignore what her grandmother said. It was clear that she was on her mother's side and blamed Caro for everything. I can't remember now what changed her mind--unless it was her mother's growing involvement with Santiago and how much she has disliked him from the three years she's known him and the things she overheard at the two couples "hang out" sessions.

 

So, Mimi thinks a nanny can do just as good a job raising a child as the parents. In some cases, like hers, it might be true. She seems the type of person who might not even kiss her kid goodnight, but worship the fact that he's her progeny.

Anita, that is so on point.

I also agree about Mia's change of allegiance. Mia has most likely never had a boyfriend or anything close to one until Nico showed interest in her. She hates that her mother can still attract attractive men and she also hates that this is more attention that she will not get. It's a zero-sum game with her, as with all other narcissists.

Let's also not forget class snobbery, which is not limited to older generations.
 

Thanks Urban!

I guess it was only a matter of time before Mia pulled a Nora Gaxiola. I don’t think she will die but she, and subsequently Miriam, will likely blame Raquel for this because Raq has chosen Santiago.

I guess I’m not surprised that Vicente is in that predicament. I wonder who that guy is.

Anita— I had to the same thought as you during the scene with Santiago, Raquel and Benjamin. I even said they looked like a family and that could be what their happy ending should look like.

Alina sure does get around if she was once boinking father and son. Unfortunately Rueda couldn’t save Sammy from her wrath. Even though she kicked Sammy to the curb, he’s still in it deep.
 

Mia is not trying to get help, Mia is being manipulative:

"You doing X hurts me so much I'm going to hurt/kill myself! If you REALLY love me and don't want me to hurt/kill myself you'll stop doing X and start doing what *I* want you to do!"

You can't do anything for a true narcissist except to ignore them. Everything should revolve around them and they're going to create situations to make everything revolve around them.

I really don't think Miriam is going to put up with Mia's tantrums and manipulations for too long. Neither Raquel nor Miriam will seek to have Mia institutionalized, though, each for their own reasons.

Alina is a sick ho, but I'm not sure what crimes you can get her on. Both Nico & Sammy are of age and both of them willingly had sex with Alina. A case could be made that she terminated Sammy's employment but he was and is still willing to have sex with her even after his employment ceased with her. I think if Rueda could've gotten Alina on some sexual harassment charges, he would've done so already. Alina is a predator but she's been very careful about choosing her prey. One of the little boys is going to kill her and she'll have no one to blame but herself.

Back to Mia: 1) she's not going to accept Damian, Raquel or Fede having sexual relationships with ANYONE (and that means even Damian & Raquel having sex with each other). 2) The reason she thinks all she has to offer a man is sex is because the only thing she has to offer a man is sex. She's not a nice person, she doesn't seem to have any interests, she is uncaring & pushes people away. She's got nothing to offer a man and she knows it, which is why she uses sex.

We haven't seen the following people in the present: Julieta, Gabriela, Cristian & Joaquin. I wonder if they will ever show up again?
 

Urban thanks for the recap of This sick Twisted episode.
I'm really sick of Mia.She can go into a coma for the remainder of the show.
She can float around out there with daddy. The girl is just annoying. what
Is her purpose here but tobe a mini me
Miriam?
These people are so exhausting.
Santiago and Raquel with little benji
Look good together.I think they and the kids minus mia would make a good family. But the Affair and the murder
Just puts a black cloud all over every
Thing. And why is santi being blamed
For the mess that Damian and Carolina
Caused.Now neither of these marriages were perfect but its like Miriam and Mia and Andres is making santi out to be the sole person responsible for the mess,seems to me the two people that are responsible or getting off easy, she's dead and he's in Sleepy lala land and in a coma.And Mia really
Should join him. She's really annoying
Like her evil abuela.
Ok that's my 2 cents.
 





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