El amor no tiene receta, #74, "Recipe for love"

Elvira and Fobo are dancing to the music box and are about to kiss when Ginebra interrupts with her call. Elvira seems disturbed by what she hears, but who wouldn’t be since Gin is on the other line.

Paz and Esteban explain to Gala they have to wait before they can expose Ginebra, she’s being very cautious, there are no witnesses to her threats. Elvira arrives to ask Esteban about Gin. Gala and Paz leave and El wonders if he knew something about his wife having an unexpected trip. Esteban had no clue, Gin does whatever she wants. Elvira doesn’t get what kind of marriage this is (the bad kind, El, the very bad kind).

Gala can’t keep a secret to save her life (literally), because she goes and spills all the very important information she just found out to boyfriend Salo.

While Paz and Esteban talk about telling Gala only half the truth because she already has enough to deal with and they need evidence against Ginebra, Gala and Salo interrupt to announce that Salo is aware of things now, and together they have a plan. What might that be, you ask? Some brilliant scheme to get rid of Gin?

No, we’re not in ultimos Capitulos yet. They want Paz and Esteban to take advantage of the fact that Gin is away to spend some time together alone. Both adults say no, this is not the right time, but the teens insist, they even offer to look after Eder while they are gone. When the cat’s away, can the mice play?

Pepa is drawing Eder, who looks much better. There is some talk about him going away to study and Mireya and Lupita suggest he postpones for a year. Pepa doesn’t want to do it

As soon as Paz and Esteban agree to the quick getaway, the rest of the Roble family goes to the vecindad and they look like they are about to decorate the house, preparing a surprise for the couple. How do these poor people always have these boxes ready to throw impromptu parties and sexy getaways for their family? In the meantime, Gala and Salo spend time with the young kids.

Kenzo and Nandy are at his place, wearing comfy pajamas and getting ready for their sleepover. They order pizza and have a great time together, laughing and talking. At one point Nandy decides it’s time to discuss more serious things, since they’re both adults and they need to decide what spending the night together really means for them. Kenzo says he feels incredible with her, loves her company and the way she makes him feel. Nandy says she will wait for him to be ready, in the meantime she enjoys just spending time with him, eating together and talking, building their friendship.

On a dark alley, Rubio is threatening Vermin. I didn’t catch what he’s supposed to do, but he’s already taken a good beating. Once Rubio leaves, Vermin goes to his car and looks at the video Sam filmed asking for people to help Paz find Maria. He cries and cries and I have to give some credit to the actor here because he manages to make scum Vermin NOT scum for a second or two. He says out loud that he needs to tell Paz the truth.

The family has decorated the entire street with lights hanging up above (because, again, they just had those laying around while they’re all in full blown crisis). Paz is amazed, Esteban is overjoyed and in the very next scene they are already in the house, Esteban half naked&fabulous and ready to go, go, go! But Paz remembers she is the virtuous prota who could never sleep with a married man, so she pushes him away, saying that being together is not right while he’s still legally married. He makes a feeble attempt to convince her to go for it, since Gin is a monster, but Paz has to stand by her principles, this doesn’t feel right for her! Since he’s a virtuous galan, too, he agrees to wait and have I mentioned recently how I’d love for these people to be less moral and more “action”?

They go up on the roof, to look at the stars, talk about Maria and cuddle on some blankets and pillows. Esteban tells Paz he managed to secure her an interview, she can talk about Maria, maybe that will help. She is very happy, she plans to also mention how so many other parents suffer the same tragedy.

At the same time, Sam is also looking at the sky, thinking of Paz. She tells Gala she is sad because her mom left without even saying goodbye, sometimes she feels like she doesn’t even love her. Gala comforts her, the kids are getting ready for bed.

Back to Paz and Esteban, she says that she dreams of having a big family. And when Gin and Mauro eventually pay for all their crimes, she’d like to adopt both Sam and Monito, give them the love and protection they deserve. Esteban loves the idea! He remembers how he once asked for Berenice’s guidance and protection and that is when Paz called him for the first time, agreeing to work for him.

A few very mushy declarations and flashbacks later, they are back in the house, baking a cake for the family, as a thank you for helping them have this moment alone. And they are kissing and cooking, and kissing and mixing ingredients, snuggling and giggling. At one point Esteban is even using a mixer while kissing Paz – now that takes expertise! They come up with a recipe for love (apparently there is one, after all). In order for a couple to thrive, they need to have respect, empathy for one another, help each other and always communicate.

With all the declarations, smooching and general frolicking, it’s a miracle they actually manage to bake that cake, but they do. Paz says she’d like to continue her culinary studies. She loves their little restaurant, but her dream is to one day be a Chef in a place designed to create special moments for couples and for families. Esteban would love to help, he even plans for them to prepare a special meal for their family when they solve all their problems (I guess we just got a spoiler for the last scene of the novela).

Gala and Salo talk about their future. Gala has decided to study a career in human rights. She thinks it will be hard, but Salo supports her 100%.

Elvira doesn’t understand what Gin is doing taking a trip close to the frontier. With the risk of turning her against him, Fobo decides to warn Elvira about Gin. Is she sure about adding her and Mauro to her will? Could she not show the same prudence in her relations with Ginebra that she shows with everyone else? He’s certain Ginebra is lying, hiding things, he has to warn Elvira because he loves her and wants to protect her. Elvira gets mad, demands that Fobo shut up if he doesn’t have any proof. Poor guy, back to the doghouse, I guess.

The next day Porfirio and Lupita walk around the neighborhood. He says they are no longer kids, maybe it’s time he confessed: he likes her. Wanna go steady? Lupita smiles.

Paz is starting her interview, which is more like a plea for help. She gets very emotional as she tells her audience about how she lost her baby Maria and how she never stopped searching for her. She’s only been half living for all these years, she begs anyone who might have information about her daughter, to come forward. Elvira and the kids watch the transmission from home, Vermin is also following the video on his phone and Esteban, Mireya and Lupita are with Paz, ready to support her. When the filmed segment is over, Paz is overwhelmed with emotion, Esteban hugs her tight.

Ginebra, Mauro, Abdul and some other goon are waiting for Mystery Man in a container yard. They are heavily armed. Two cars approach, but it’s not the big boss meeting them, it’s one of his lackeys, which Ginebra doesn’t like, since she doesn’t negotiate with intermediaries. She won’t cave or give up on the territory she has won, no man will ever tell her what to do and she is more than ready to go to war with Mystery Man.

Go girl! Uhh, I mean… woman empowerment, am I right?