Caray, Caray!

The one thing danger and romance have in common is excitement. The adrenaline rush usually wipes out all good sense. Nobody is immune. – Dashiell Hammett

Dario dared to appear again. Elisa showed no fear and he said “If you scream, I will kill you.” He moved closer. “You know you have to do as you're told. You don't play games with me. I control your life. I am your worst nightmare.”

Leo continued to interrogate Marcelo. “You have no reason to say nothing. Eugenio knows that you and Sonia are lovers. Tell me how you obtained this archaeological find.”
    “Sonia found it in Eugenio's house along with some documents.”
    “What documents?”
    “Invoices relating to Elisa's gallery. Invoices for millions of dollars. When I saw them I found out that Augusto and Eugenio were partners. Augusto was in charge of the money and the accounting for the galleries and laundering ll the money. I didn't know what was going on but I'm sure Eugenio ordered Augusto's murder.”
    “Where are those invoices? There is no time to rescue Sonia. We have to get Eugenio as fast as possible.”
    “Sonia is the key to getting Eugenio. We have to protect her. If we can't they will kill me, too.”
    “Therefore, tell me where those invoices are.”
    “They could be in the apartment where I used to meet Sonia.”

Fernanda was irritated with something her son was doing; she called for her mother, but used her name. When she realized that Fabricio had followed her she scolded Carmen by saying “I told you not to bring your grandson to the apartment.”

“I'm sorry, Madame, but his mother works and didn't have anyone to leave him with,” with an attitude saying that this wasn't the first time she had told this lie for an audience.

“So, just tell me. The day is over.”

As Carmen left to get the child Fernanda started on the How Many Times Have I rant but Fabricio said “You don't have to go on like that. He's only a small child..”

“Don't get upset. I'll apologise to her later. Let's go to the bedroom.”

“I have to go,” he said.

“With whom?”

“Don't worry; I'm not going to Elisa. But I am not in the mood to stay here.”

He walked out without kissing her.

Elisa was afraid.
    “How did you get in here?”
    “The same as entering your house. The truth is there is nothing you can do about me. I can do anything I want with you and your family. This is the last warning.” He looked into the next room. “This begins tomorrow. In the morning I want the final authentication documents. We're going to New York.”
    “No way am I going to New York.”
    “There is a shipment from South America arriving at the gallery. You have to classify it, catalogue it, and personally turn it over to me.”
    “No. Why are you asking this?”
    “We are going to the gallery in New York.”
    “I am fed up with you telling me what to do.”
    Dario laughed.
    “Therefore this game will continue. Very good. We will play.” He took out his cell phone. “Therefore before that why don't you ask your sister how many times I've been in your house.” He showed her a photo on his screen. “I was in your house, in front of your mother, with Maria José. She is in my hands, just like you. You love her very much, don't you? Obey my orders.” He walked out.

“I'm sorry, Fernanda. The child got away from me. I didn't know you had a visitor.”
    “What do you want? Do you want me to hate you?”
    “No. Don't say that, daughter. The truth is I don't know who to leave him with.”
    “Tomorrow get him out of here early. If you can't come, you must send someone else.”
    “Very well. Also I want to tell you that [???] –”
    “I'm very tired right now. I don't want to talk about this.”
    “Very well. Sleep well. Let's go, Juanito. Pick up your toys.” The boy came out with his backpack. “Say goodbye to your mother.”
    “Goodbye, Mommy,” he said. Fernanda said nothing. Nor did she smile. The boy left with his grandmother.

Elisa confronted Majo, demanding to know how many times she had allowed Dario in the house. Majo laughed, telling her she was crazier than Renata.
    “He told me so himself. Are you going to deny it?”
    “And are you going to deny that you are working for him? Why are you in contact with the man who kidnapped us?”
    “Because he is forcing me to. He threatens to harm all of you! Majo, you are my sister. I love you and I want to protect you. Instead of helping me you are against me. Listen to me. The only enemy of this family is Cobra. With the things we know we need strength.”
    “And therefore?” Majo asked. She looked beyond doubtful. “The next time he appears I will call the police. And I'm sure to die. Is that what you want?”
    Elisa looked shocked, but could not answer. Renata came into the room.
    “Elisa, what happened? Why are you arguing?” she asked.
    “No, no, nothing,” Elisa said.
    “No, I heard loud voices. Are you alright?” she asked Majo.
    “Why can't you understand I want to be alone?” Majo left the room.
    “You know how she is,” Elisa half-whispered. “She's not well. Let's go. I'll come with you.”

Leo updated the prosecutor's office on the situation, telling him that Marcelo was the key to it and that he would need protection.

Renata walked into her room, getting agitated.
    “Majo isn't well. Majo is sick, Elisa. Everyone in this house is sick.”
    “But very soon everything is going to be alright. I promise you, Renata.” She got her sister to sit down on the bed.
    “And Marcelo?” Renata asked. “When will I see Marcelo?” “My baby. Where is my baby?” She started to get up. “I want to see Marcelo. I want my baby.”
    “Calm down,” Elisa said, getting her to sit down again. “It's very late.” She tucked her sister into the bed. “It's time to rest. Sleep well.”
    “Elisa. Don't leave me alone with Mother. She wants to take my baby away. Promise me."
    “Renata, don't think of such things. Mother wants you to be well.”
    “I'll be well when I'm back at my home. With my baby and Marcelo. Then we will be happy.”
    She began crying. Elisa stroked her hair and tried to get her to calm down.

Victoria met with Eugenio in a public place. She was unable to cope.
    “That's why you're here with me,” Eugenio said to her. “You can give up the role of mother and just be Victoria.” The sommelier arrived with her favorite wine. She was impressed. He was pleased with himself. He had finally scored at least a base hit. She then raised the issue of their relationship.
    “Don't worry,” he said. “Don't be afraid. We'll take it one step at a time as you would want to.”
    “Thank you.”
    “It pleases me to see you smile.”
    They toasted the occasion.

Leo spoke with his mother about the renovations to the house and her difficulties with Teresa. She was not very concerned, saying that all families have fights. She was more concerned about him. She told him he needed to give up mourning Julia and look for happiness with Elisa. “That girl loves you,” she told him.

Leo then had a disagreement with José Luis over the changes to the house. Teresa bitched about how could they talk about this while he claimed he could not afford a servant to help her. Finally he declared that the place would be remodeled to provide an apartment for Sara and that was that.

Clara visited Justino in the hospital. She was careful with her answers to his questions about work. He told her he needed her to promise him one thing: “Don't pay attention to your mother. Don't obey her in anything. You don't have to take charge of my care. You are not responsible for my illness. You need to live your life. Your sister died for that. I will never forgive that.” He fell asleep and Clara leaned over him. He stroked her hair.

Leo and Elisa missed each other as they looked at the photos on their cell phones.

Leo and his brother talked about Rosa Teran. José Luis said that she had disappeared and was likely dead. Leo was still wondering how Julia had gotten involved in this. He said he would tlak to Marcelo again. As he started to leave José Luis told him he didn't need him to help with Leslie. He received a message as he stepped away.

Fernanda and Elisa were discussing a cocktail reception when Victoria entered the gallery. Fernanda left and Elisa reminded her mother that the next day was the opening. Victoria thought about how different things suddenly were and mentioned that Eugenio took her out for a little distraction. Elisa then carefully asked her about whether there had been any unfamiliar visitors to the house. Victoria said no and Elisa told her that it was possible that Majo's kidnapper had been in the house. Victoria was shocked and Elisa told her that she was planning to install video cameras in the house for her peace of mind. She mentioned going to New York.

Leo and Adriana were looking over Marcelo's secret apartment. He showed a photo to the super and asked if the woman in it had ever come. The super confirmed having seen her visit the tenant and that no one else had ever been there.

Victoria went to the construction office to talk to Fabricio. She wasn't very subtle about promoting the possibility of a relationship happening between him and Elisa and convinced him to accompany Elisa to New York. As a surprise.

Leo, Adriana, and Mario looked at surveillance footage taken near Eugenio's house a few days before. Sonia appeared in that footage in the dress she was wearing when abandoned on the yacht. Mario switched to the videos from the facade of Marcelo's building where Sonia exited a car. Shortly thereafter Eugenio's car pulled out of the parking lot. This possibly contradicted the information that she had gone to her mother's home. Mario then showed Leo the footage he shot in front of Piedad's house, telling him that she was the Cobra's mother. He also knew that Majo had visited Piedad when she was in the hospital. Adriana said they needed to talk to Elisa. Leo said he would speak directly with Maria José.

Elisa spoke with the security expert who immediately went to work. Fernanda brought her a cup of coffee and faked concern. Elisa told her that they still had not found Sonia who was suspected of having had something to do with the stolen artifacts.

Leo went to see Maria José. Clara was also at the house. Leo got to the point about her having been seen at the home of her kidnapper's mother and at the hospital when Piedad was a patient. Majo tried to bluff her way out of this, claiming not to know that she was “the mother of a delinquent.” She ran out of the house. Leo stopped Clara from following her and asked what Majo had talked about with Piedad. She claimed not to know and followed Majo out of the house. Renata came running down the stairs and asked whether Marcelo was in jail. Leo told her that he was. She began to panic and cry, saying repeatedly that she had to see him. Leo allowed her to cry on his shoulder as he tried to calm her down. When she escorted him to the gate he told her he would do everything possible.

Majo took out her cell and got nasty with Elisa, accusing her of siccing Leo on her. She did not believe Elisa's reply. Clara sneaked up behind her and reported to Dario that they were going to the gymnasium.

Elisa called Leo to ask about why he was interrogating her sister. He told her the truth, that she was at the home of the mother of the man known as Cobra. She said she would talk to Majo; he said to tell her to be careful and told her about his conversation with Renata.

Dario pulled up and exited his car when he saw Majo and Clara on the street. She told Clara to go home.

Fabricio went into Elisa's office to ask her out to dinner. Fernanda saw them embrace over some positive comment about the opening and quickly entered the office to prevent this going where she didn't want it to. When Elisa was out of earshot Fabricio reminded her erstwhile lover that he could not pass up the opportunity. Fernanda told him she could not stand seeing him with her.

Later Leo called Adriana to tell her he needed to see her and Mario ASAP. Just as he left her a voicemail to this effect Elisa arrived. Adriana and Mario talked about giving them a chance to reconcile. When he was out of the room she checked her cell and saw a message from José Luis asking whether she was alone. Mario entered the room and she told him she was ordering a pizza. He left the room and she texted back that Mario was there.

Dario took Majo to a spot overlooking a lit valley, like the ones found in old movies. She told him she had to go home. She became nervous.
    “Relax. I'm not going to do anything. I just want to be with you.”
    “I don't. I'm going to tell Elisa and then see about calling the police.”She got out of the car. He got out the other side.
    “Majo!” He followed her. “Denounce me if you want and if they kill me it doesn't matter. Except for tonight.”
    “Why are you doing this to me?”
    “Because I love you.”
    “You don't love me. You have hurt me.”
    “I know I've done you wrong. I've never had a relationship like this. I've never been with anyone like you.”
    “What happened to you? Why did you become someone I know you're not?”
    He paused. He looked like he was thinking.

Teresa dined with Reynaldo. Except for the wine they behaved like two teenagers defying their parents. Neither ignored the fact that it was their spouses they were deceiving.

Dario told Majo he had a surprise for her. He took it out of his pocket. “I had it made especially for you.”

Elisa handed Leo an invitation to the gallery opening, telling him his company was important to her. He response was that he wanted the moment to last forever.
    “Leo, I want you forever.”
    “I love you.”

Labels: imperio

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