Caray, Caray!

Adolfo's goon drags Bertha from her hotel-room party before anything happens. In their bedroom suite, David soberly assures Gabriela that tomorrow a lot of things are going to get cleared up. In the penthouse, drunken Adolfo's just scolding drunken Bertha, when he suddenly can't resist her plea that she feels so terribly lonely.

When she cries on his shoulder, he's forced to point out that Bertha misses Carlos -- which she tearfully admits. She misses Carlos's loving care; which Adolfo, gently patting Bertha's face, sadly acknowledges is something he himself can't provide, especially lately.

At Bertha's question, Adolfo reveals he has loved someone in his life; bitterly he tells her even though he seems like a monster, he can care. He thinks she wouldn't understand, but Bertha begs him to explain. Choked up Adolfo explains with difficulty that he wound up like this because of a very hard life.

Bertha rubs his shoulder and murmurs softly in sympathy, as Adolfo wipes away tears, remembering since he was a child he lived in a cruel, perverted atmosphere. He turned into something awful, and it just did not have to be that way, Adolfo grits out.

Encouraging him to continue, Bertha caresses the back of his head to calm him down. Adolfo regrets things like that ever happen to anybody, to turn them into something like him. When Bertha asks if Yolanda has anything to do with it, he explains she is just another victim, like he. And to ask whether Yolanda was his lover is a ridiculous question.

Adolfo reaches for another glass of wine; and Bertha wraps a friendly arm around him and pulls him back into her embrace, where he touches her face and then gruffly insists his abuse led him to fight everyone who was out to harm him, to beat them and be in control of his life himself. Do what he himself wants!

Whether someone believes it or not, he doesn't like being that way; he just has to do it. And Yolanda stayed with him because she's good -- which tipsy Bertha acknowledges -- and because her spirit wasn't broken by the same abuse.

Repeating Yolanda's name, sobbing, Adolfo declares she is the woman he loves most in life! Bertha sympathizes and rubs his back reassuringly when Adolfo continues more brightly that Yolanda loves him back, too! Even though he doesn't deserve it. She loves him -- and just for that he's going to leave her all his money!

Bertha laughs and responds, hey, wait a minute! She thought he was supposed to leave all his money to her! Both laughing they fall back on the sofa, with Adolfo admitting, well, yes. He is going to leave Bertha a whole lot of money, so she can do or have anything she wants.

They have a good drunken chuckle, their heads together, Bertha's arm around his shoulder companionably. Next morning, Adolfo's ready for business, drinking hair of the dog, when he comes downstairs to take a call from Édgar, who feigns loyalty and promises he has proof of who stowed a corpse in Adolfo's back seat.

Édgar claims he only broke into Garnica's email account to spy on Dante, who ordered "Silverio" killed -- who was in fact, Carmelo. Édgar can offer Adolfo some other goodies, if he agrees to meet him at the warehouse. Back at Mario's, Gabriela has her fateful meeting with both Santiago and "Mario."

She unwittingly provides the catalyst for Santiago's courage to rise by shouting a fevered testimony to the power of Santiago's fatherhood, that Mario will never take that place! Immediately, Santiago stands and begins to remove his disguise to amazed Gabriela.

Gabriela takes the news very well, with Santiago the more tortured, as he explains the entire story finally to her. However, the notable thing Gabriela takes away from the revelation is a renewed insecurity that Mario forced David to marry her -- and that she's not sure David really loves her and wanted to.

Back at the penthouse, Adolfo receives Édgar's second DVD, showing Dante's town car entering and exiting the Sagittarius parking deck. Over at Dora's hotel room, something has moved her to finally talk and tell her story; and Jorge convinces her to go to David's and speak to him first.

Outside Mario's office, Gabriela braces David with her doubts; and though he tries to convince Gabriela he sincerely loves her, she exits with her doubts intact, with David left to worry he's lost his wife now that she knows the full truth. At some penal institution, the big gates open and a pair of legs shuffle through.

Panning up, it turns out to be the real commander Hernández, heading across town to his first stop at a tavern. Coincidentally, Édgar and Valentín patronize the same establishment and recognize him immediately. When Édgar braces Hernández at the bar about how he got out so soon after the fight with Juan José, of course the real Hernández has no clue.

Back at David's he fills Abelardo in that Gabriela knows everything, but now doesn't trust him again; and he could lose her. At the bar, Hernández explains that due to a prison attack, he has had problems with his memory. He doesn't know who Adolfo or Dante are, but is definitely interested when Édgar mentions Leonardo.

Hernández is surprised to hear he worked with Adolfo from the penthouse and crossed paths with Leonardo. At David's, he and Abelardo grill Santiago over what he could have told Gabriela to make her doubt David; and Santiago strenuously denies he told her anything but the truth. He didn't badmouth Mario, but didn't sugarcoat it either.

When Gabriela appears at Julieta's with yet another revelation, Julieta can hardly believe there's something more. She's shocked when Gabriela explains what she just learned from Santiago. At the bar, after learning Édgar and Valentín's respective stories, Hernández decides he'll hang with them and do some crimes together.

He may have forgotten Adolfo, Dante and Genovés; however, Hernández menacingly vows, he'll never forget Leonardo! Back at Julieta's, she can't convince proud Gabriela to just tell David she loves him; but does get her to agree to dwell less on the past and go on about her life with him, loving him as before.

At David's, he's ecstatic to see Dora and happy she wants to come forward finally; but informs her things have changed in regard to Carlos, and her testimony would implicate him -- so she shouldn't give it now. He also fills Dora and Jorge in that Gabriela knows everything.

On a busy street, Édgar reports phone confirmation to Valentín and Hernández of the warehouse meeting with Adolfo that night. At Alejandra's architectural studio, Mina gushes her total infatuation with that sweet hunk Carlos; but reports they haven't done the deed yet.

Meanwhile, down in the apartment parking lot at Leonardo's, Hernández is keeping photographic tabs on the policeman's comings and goings. At an elegant restaurant, Carlos and Mina share dinner, and Mina looks even more fabulous than usual. They converse companionably.

Carlos is enjoying his new job out from under Adolfo's thumb and wonders at all the years of abuse he endured just to have work and things. When he points out he's just doing what he can to help Juan José & Co. -- and Mina offers in turn to help Carlos in any way she can -- Carlos wistfully ponders why she couldn't have come along before.

She's so pretty and classy and kind, he observes. When she asks if that's different from Bertha, Carlos looks off into the distance and says he can't deny that he still thinks about Bertha; but when he does, he feels a deep hurt. Bertha is a good person at heart, Carlos says; but ambition has caused her to lose everything.

Carlos admits he still loves Bertha -- and that he felt something very strong for her. But he's not going to see her. Then he quickly assures Mina with a smile he's there with her now. He wants to be with her and she with him, as they kiss. Later in a darkened bedroom, shadowy figures of themselves make love while the sexy theme song plays.

At Juan José's, he and Alejandra cuddle in the sack and murmur about Dora's happy return, but realize she can't spill her story now. Next morning, Juan José runs out after telling Lucha he's meeting with Leonardo. Presently, slightly ahead of Juan José, smarmy Hernández hulks around Leonardo's apartment door, fingering his revolver.

When whistling Juan José approaches and greets him familiarly -- wondering why he's in his killer disguise -- Hernández is confounded and taken by surprise.

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* The goons follow shocked Adolfo who drives to an abandoned road, and they record every single movement of him, including the spectacular moment when he gets rid of Carmelo’s body.



* While David and JJ are watching porn, I mean, waiting for Garnica’s mail, Eddie and Valentín are creating copies of Adolfo’s one man show. Speaking of Dolphie, when he arrives at home and hears that Bertha desperately wants to get out of her room, he send his terrified maid to vacation and threatens her in order to keep her mouth shut. Crazy Dad enters the room and tries to calm hysterical Bertha down, though his caresses and hugs make her feel more frightened. He really cares for her, he would never hurt her, he just needs a companion who understands him. His confession is interrupted by the maid who gives him Eddie’s DVD. Irritated Adolfo watches it in his bedroom and he has to realize he’s been framed. *Viewerville: LOL*



* After a troubled night Alejandra finally confronts Juan José about his relationship with Elsa. Frankly, she can’t understand it. *Viewerville: Don’t worry, Ale, we don’t understand it either. Nor do the writers.* JJ assures his wife there’s nothing between them, for him Elsa is like a little sister and a friend. Maybe, but she’s mad about you! JJ doesn’t care, he loves Alejandra. At last his words melt her heart but she’s still worried about Elsa. JJ says since Elsa’s going to visit Caramelo in David’s house they won’t talk often, only when it’s necessary. Does she feel better? Yes.



* The Endless Nightmare On Braless Street continues: this time Dante interrogates Zaida and tells her not to play the innocent dove, when they met in Europe she’d been already involved in dirty businesses. She begs him not to hurt her, and she’s ready to do anything he wants. Really? She committed many errors, so she should be careful. The first question is: is Garnica alive?

*In the morning Adolfo visits Bertha in her bedroom and tells her he locked her up because she was hysterical and he wanted to prevent her from doing something stupid. He’s got many problems he has to solve, first of all he has to deal with Mario. But if she promises she won’t try to escape he won’t lock her up. He’ll trust her.

* At Dante’s the old rascal tells Zaidita, who tries to make him believe Garnica’s alive that he knows she’s lying. It was Adolfo’s idea, wasn’t it?! But never mind. Now she has to go back to Adolfo and tell him she managed to convince Sevilla. But remember: if she dares disobey he’ll kill her. *Zaida definitely wants a new job.*



* While Édgar and Valentín are writing their second letter in which they demand the second part of the money for Gaby’s shoes, the young employee takes a photo of Psycho Eddie and sighs. Papucho! (Hottie.) In his office Adolfo reads the newest e-mail he realizes the dead guy in his car wasn’t the one who impersonated Garnica. But fortunately the geeky hacker’s arrived at the condo and he explains to Adolfo he can track the location of the computer from where the e-mails were sent. However, finding out the identity of the sender will be more difficult.



* Juanita calls Yolanda who asks her to give the letter that’s hidden in her mattress back. In the meantime the hacker finds out the goons sent the letters from the same computer, most likely the used an internet café. Juanita rushes to Yolanda and gives her the famous Letter. She reads it and finally realizes it’s Carlos’s death sentence.



* Eddie and Valentín are about to visit the internet café when they notice the hacker and Adolfo’s bodyguard who ask the pretty employee about her papucho. The goons decide to get the hell out of there. Adolfo’s men show the girl a photo of Garnica, and she laughs, her man is young. She shows them the photo on her cell phone, but since the guys never met Édgar they don’t recognize him.

* Carlos visits Yolanda and when he starts gushing about how much he loves his new job and how much he wants to earn JJ’s trust, disquiet passes through her face. She confesses to him she has the Letter.

*In the condo the insane game between the crazy, caring tyrant and the frightened prisoner continues. Daddy Dolphie tells Bertha he’s going to work at home so they can spend more time together. *Grrrreat.* And they can go wherever she wants, shopping, cinema, and so on. And what about traveling, asks the little girl. Later. Right now Faidella wouldn’t let him leave the country. Bertha confesses she’s afraid, so Adolfo hugs her again and tells her he won’t hurt her. She means so much for him, and don’t forget, he wants to give her single every peso he has. All she has to do is to spend the last years with him. Bertha calms down a little bit.

* Dante gets an anonymous letter with Adolfo’s home video. While he’s watching it, Édgar calls him for more money, however, Dante knows he’s one of Adolfo’s men and sends him to hell. No, no, no, says Eddie, if Dante doesn’t pay him, the DVD will end up at the police. Adolfo and Bertha are having lunch when he also gets a phone call from Eddie. While the handmaiden is eavesdropping, Adolfo tells Édgar he knows he’s a traitor and he impersonated Garnica, therefore he won’t pay him. On the contrary, consider himself a dead man! Bertha’s on the edge of freaking out again. But Eddie doesn’t give up, he reminds Adolfo of the shoes and the diamonds. Then he tells Valentín they will have to do some investigations again.



* In their office uneasy Gabriela tells David she feels so strange lately, she’s worried about her father and she feels something’s wrong. David hugs and comforts her. In the garden of the Genovés villa the three amigos, aka Abelardo, Limón and FaustiMario are playing cards when anxious David shows up and wants to talk with his dad immediately. In the study he tells him how depressed Gaby is and when Fausto starts again his “I’m not ready to tell Gaby everything yet” speech he firmly demands him to reveal the truth at last.



* When Adolfo arrives at home he finds a very drunken, giggling Bertha in the living room. She tells him she needs to leave the flat, to meet young people and Adolfo lets her meet Jimena. She may leave the flat with his bodyguard.



* JJ also gets an envelope with the photos of Garnica’s helicopter and Carmelo holding the shoes. The letter says the guy on the photo is Carmelo Rodríguez, the man who killed Javier Garnica and Susana Gómez. If he wants more information he’ll have to pay for it. Oh, no, again?

* In a bar drunken Bertha has great time with Jimena and two guys, and by “great time” I mean sinking deeper into the pool of depression and self-destruction. When the four horny youngsters decide to go to a hotel, the bodyguard calls Sugar Daddy who orders him to get his wife out of the building.

* In Yolanda’s flat Carlos holds the infamous letter that caused so many problems. Yolanda tells him they can’t give it to the police since it says he was the one who murdered the maid. Even if he denies it, Roberto is already dead and there will be another investigation. What if he ends up in jail innocently? Okay, but then what should they do with the letter, asks the boy. Yolanda silently picks up her lighter. Wait, wait, wait. Is she sure? Yes, she is. Carlos is the one who will tell the police the truth, not the letter. As the two watch the burning paper, painful flashbacks remind screaming Viewerville of the horrible events that happened because of it.



Aribeth

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Adolfo's beach-house goon backs off plugging terrified, gagged and tied Zaida between the eyes. At the penthouse, when Dante bullies Adolfo to let him interrogate Zaida about Garnica, Adolf stabs a gun in his face -- until he suddenly notices horrified Bertha entered behind him, stopped in her tracks by the sight.

As Bertha escapes to her room, Dante gets the drop on Adolfo and disarms him, exiting with Adolfo's pistol after promising to put a bullet in his heart one day. Upstairs terrified Bertha phones Alejandra at Mario's for help, but her sister assumes Bertha's making things up and that she had something to do with "Mario's" fall.

Alejandra hangs up on Bertha after ordering her out of their lives; and nearby David thinks that Bertha lured "Mario" to the staircase with the object of having him pushed over the rail. Alejandra wonders what could be keeping Juan Jose, while from his car Dante sets up a smuggling fall guy and orders that Elsa be sprung from jail.

Presently, Juan José appears at Mario's, reporting where he's been to Alejandra's flaring nostrils. Back in Bertha's room, she resorts to phoning and hysterically pleading with Carlos, who looks daggers even at her name on his caller ID. He scoffs that Adolfo would kill Bertha, nastily pointing out she's Adolfo's handy little pet now.

Carlos is spitefully glad she's finding out just what Adolfo's like; and he's not running over there to save her. She doesn't matter to him anymore; and what's more, Carlos jabs rudely that he's dating somebody much better and wiser, before he hangs up abruptly on Bertha's impassioned pleas.

At that moment, Adolfo enters Bertha's bedroom, locking them in, and jeers at Bertha for appealing to her Prince Charming for rescue. Adolfo roughly remonstrates with her, grabbing Bertha's arms -- and then her throat -- while she hyperventilates, grits her teeth and rivets her saucer-wide eyes on him.

She had no cause to worry; but Adolfo has trouble -- and she'd better not interfere! In Mario's office, with Alejandra suspicious and prodding, Juan José explains the situation with Zaida's letter and Elsa's release to her, David and "Mario." They all agree it was a dangerous mission, but Alejandra begrudges him a bit more.

At Bertha's, she's reduced to desperately screaming on bended knee at Adolfo's feet like a child for him to let her go. He points out regrettably that she indeed has no where to go: nobody believes her, nobody wants her. Pulling wailing Bertha to her feet, he earnestly contends she is irrevocably tied to him.

So upset she's almost drooling, Bertha desperately tries to convince Adolfo she wants nothing from him now, except to be released. But Adolfo has two options for her: she can stay with him; but if she decides to leave, she'd better go somewhere he'll never find her. Because if he does find her, he'll murder her.

Oddly regretful, Adolfo rips the phone out of the wall, grabs Bertha's cell and locks the door behind him, leaving Bertha shouting and begging on the floor within. Across town at Juan José's, Alejandra lets loose a jealous rage on Juan José that he still feels for Elsa and risked their love and everything to release Elsa from jail!

Juan José caves, moaning that he just wanted to rub something in Adolfo's face for once. But she's not forgiving him that easily and stalks upstairs in a huff. At Elsa's, Mauricio is just consoling Elsa over her horrible jail experience when Ulises enters and surprises them with news it was Zaida's letter that got her out, not the missing key.

At the internet cafe, Édgar and Valentín read in Garnica's account Adolfo's email to incognito Carmelo making an assignation with him that night at the Sagittarius. Adolfo knows he's not Garnica, but likes his gall and has a proposition. Édgar gets the bright idea to deep-six Carmelo by forwarding this double-crossing info on to Dante, naming Carmelo.

In the dining room at Mario's, David reminds Gabriela not to remark about Márta's murderer when she and Julieta go for the meeting with new sibling Carlos. Back at Elsa's, Ulises elaborates the events surrounding and contents of Zaida's letter to amazed Elsa and Mauricio.

Over at Dante's, he's just reading the damning email and planning Carmelo's demise when Juan José phones to meet at a very public place to exchange the real Zaida letter. In a restaurant, Julieta is hoping to Gabriela she won't slip the upsetting truth, when Carlos appears and plops down between his beautiful, forgiving sisters to learn all about them.

Downtown on a very public flying gangway arched over a cavernous busy commercial center, Juan José exchanges the real Zaida letter; and Dante observes Juan José is the only one ever treated him that way and lived, so there'd better not be a second occasion if Juan José knows what's good for him.

On the patio at Juan José's, Abelardo reveals Asunción's textbooks from the adult education institute to the kids, whereupon Chicles scandalizes them wondering with accompanying hand gesture if adult education means curvy adult teachers, too.

Subdued Zaida arrives at Adolfo's; and Dante phones to threaten if he doesn't get to interrogate her, too, that Adolfo will never see the authentic letter incriminating him. Back on Mario's patio, Abelardo assures Asunción the institute's materials are free and the only aim is his success, such as writing a heartfelt letter to Caramelo one day.

Elsa phones Juan José's, where snippy Alejandra facetiously congratulates her on exiting jail before passing the phone to Juan Jose, who upsets Elsa at first with news of Caramelo's latest plight; but soon she understands the situation and also thanks Juan José for using Zaida's letter.

But when she insists Juan José should turn the letter over to the police, he nastily retorts that neither she nor "that big-mouthed Mauricio" will report anything to the police, who will just censure him. He only used the letter to spring her from jail. She agrees and just wants to visit Caramelo.

Upon hanging up, Alejandra is not convinced by Juan José's assurance that Elsa is happy with "her boyfriend, Mauricio." At the penthouse, a tearful Zaida observes despite Adolfo's denial that it turns out the letter she wrote did indeed serve to spare her life.

Nevertheless, he insists she explain Garnica's death, which she does through a tearful, nightmare-like memory. Garnica cannot be alive; and after considering who could have had access to Garnica's things, they both conclude Édgar and Valentín could be behind the fake emails and blackmail. Adolfo's hiring a hacker to find the source.

Zaida is terrified to be sent to Dante's; and despite her romantic overtures, Adolfo's not in the mood and just insists he can forgive her if she feigns and convinces Dante that Garnica is still alive. Meanwhile Elsa visits Caramelo, who she observes doesn't seem to have missed her much.

But Elsa just wanted to see her anyway and know she's well; and after the current custody explanation from Asunción, sadly but generously agrees it seems to be what's best for Caramelo. At Carmelo's, he puts aside answering Juan José's difficult email requiring proof in favor of agreeing to Adolfo's invitation to meet.

At the internet cafe, the comely technical assistant helps Édgar and Valentín transfer a load of cash from Garnica's account to their "friend's" account in Houston; and she is so blown away by how rich they are that she falls all over herself making dates with them for herself and her friend -- and fails to suspect the rather dicey demeanor of the two thieves.

Unfortunately, the dates will have to wait until the next night -- because that same evening they have something better to do; a "business" appointment. That night, through the lens of someone's video camera, we see a big, black town car cruising in and out again of the Sagittarius parking deck.

Inside his office, frustrated Adolfo waits fruitlessly for "Silverio Rodriguez." Giving up, Adolfo exits to his car -- only to find a slumped Silverio in the back seat, staring forever off into space.

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Vivi has gone out to play in the beautiful spring-like weather! The recap will be up sometime over the weekend when she’s tired of being out in the sun and the 60 degree weather. Want more? Well, ok. Here are the highlights: JJ and a kind bystander save FaustiMario (of course); everyone thinks Bertha was part of the plot to do him in, but she swears she's innocent; Adolfo is not pleased; Tia Yolanda visits the kiddies at Casa Genoves (aka enemy territory); JJ shows the gang the “mai” he received from Garnica- they decide to give “Garnica” an identity test; Yolanda begs “Mario’s” forgiveness, admits she switched the rings, but refuses to say why she can’t free herself from Adolfo; cracks form in the partnership between the Three Goons and Edgar and Valentin decide to make some trouble on their own; Ulises finally remembers Zaida’s letter, which tells all about Adolfo’s and Dante’s dirty dealings- he informs JJ; Gabi tells “Mario” that he can’t take Fausto’s place, although she’s accepting the idea of his being her bio dad- at times he really reminds her of her dad; Dante orders Carmelo to find Garnica; the two sisters decide to reach out to their brother Carlos and make plans to see each other; Adolfo orders his henchman to “liquidate” Zaida for betraying him and letting Garnica escape alive; JJ (stupidly) goes to Adolfo’s condo alone, and threatens to give Zaida’s letter over to the cops if Adolfo and Dante don’t find a way to set Elsa free, immediately; Adolfo rushes to stop Zaida’s liquidation, just in the nick of time.

Full recap: FaustiMario is hanging by a thread, or rather a finger, from the railing over the lobby of the hotel Mirador. Our hero JJ, and another heroic bystander, pull FaustiMario up and safely onto the stairs. After assuring that the very relieved and breathless FaustiMario is ok, JJ and Ale begin to wonder who was the guy who pushed him, if what just happened was an accident, and what was Bertha doing here. When Fausto explains that she was there to meet him, Ale narrows her eyes in suspicion. She heads up to the restaurant to find out what her sister is up to. She thinks her little sis’ excuse about wanting to mend fences with their uncle is bs, and informs her of “Mario's” near death experience on the stairs. Why did Bertha run off? Bertha says she just headed to the restaurant because that was where they agreed to meet. Ale takes Bertha to check on their uncle, since Bertha is so concerned for his welfare. After asking how he is, Bertha decides it’s best if they save their discussion, particularly the subject matter of Adolfo, for another day. She quickly rushes off under the suspicious gazes of Ale and JJ. JJ and Ale accompany a still shaky Fausto to his car.

At JJ’s house, Lucha wants to know how Limon is dealing with Abelardo’s custody of Caramelo and her staying at Casa Genoves. Turns out he’s not freaking out as much as he did last time because he knows Abelardo isn’t trying to take Cara from him. Yolanda calls wanting to speak to Caramelo, and is encouraged by Limon to cross over to enemy territory at Casa Genoves to see the kids in person. Limon and Lucha stamp and certify Yolanda as “good peeps.”

Bertha returns home to Adolfo to inform him about what happened. She didn’t get to speak to her uncle because someone pushed him on the stairs and almost killed him. Adolfo is clearly upset about the ALMOST (casi) part, and not about the killing attempt. Then he gets more upset that it was JJ who saved the day. “How fortunate. What luck that nothing happened.” Bertha seems to pick up the hint of irony in his tone, and looks at him suspiciously. (Is her brain finally starting to function?) “Adolfo, you told me that you weren’t going to expose me (exponerme) to anything dangerous. And you try to kill my uncle by pushing him over the stairs!?” Adolfo gets indignant. “How dare you say something so stupid! No way!” He storms out demanding not to be disturbed.

Yolanda arrives to Casa Genoves. FaustiMario is regaling Limon with tales of the near death experience and JJ’s heroics in the back yard. He greets Yolanda with suspicion, but she gets a much warmer reception from the kids. Caramelo rattles off the list of all her new uncles and aunts. Chicles says he’s doing the usual, which Yolanda knows means he’s up to no good. Big hugs and kisses for the formerly kidnapped trio. David and Gabi arrive and greet her with awkwardness, but understand why she and the kids would want to see each other after their terrible experience. Yolanda asks to speak to Mario privately, and shortly after they leave for the home office, JJ and Ale arrive. Gabi and David learn of the staircase incident and they all agree that it was done on purpose. They are all sure that Bertha set the meeting up on Adolfo’s orders. Gabi suggests the logical—bring Leo into the loop. But JJ nixes that idea. He still prefers the go it alone (well, with his BFFs David and Carlos) approach. He pulls out the “mai” he received from Garnica. David and Ale think they can’t be sure it’s Garnica. Gabi once again suggests that Leo could help them figure out the true origin of the e-mail. Nope. JJ doesn’t think that will solve anything. Plus he’ll just scold them about their latest cowboy antics. David thinks that there is likely a link to the appearance of the lawyer with knowledge of Gabi’s shoes (Carmelo) and this reappearance of Garnica. (Gold star for David!)

Mientras tanto (in the meantime) in the office, Yolanda is telling “Mario” about all the guilt she feels for being part of so many injustices. “Mario” is forgiving, especially since Yolanda has been a victim of Adolfo’s evil herself—most recently with the kidnapping. “Well, we all have our crosses to bear. And it seems that destiny wants Adolfo to be mine.” She begs “Mario’s” forgiveness for all that has happened, but knows it can’t change anything. Mario doesn’t think it’s her that needs forgiveness, but Adolfo. And the things that he’s done are unforgivable. For this reason Yolanda wants to tell him about something she did to right a wrong—something that can help prove that Santiago didn’t kill Marta.

Over at Goon Central, Carmelo is laying out the next steps of the plan. He’s going to tell Dante that he couldn’t find Edgar. Valentín needs to get back to work so that no one will become suspicious. Annoyed Edgar wonders what he’s supposed to do. Give him the shoes and sit tight is Carmelo’s reply. NO WAY! It cost Edgar his job and nearly his life to get those. Carmelo urges him to calm down and stick to the plan that will benefit all of them. Edgar decides to go along for now, but he doesn’t like to take orders from anybody, and if Carmelo decides to betray them, he’s got a photo of him with the shoes that will get him in deep doo doo with Dante. Carmelo reminds him that they are all in this together. All for one and one for all, and all that. Edgar doesn’t seem convinced.

Yolanda continues her explanation about how she switched Carlos’s real ring for the fake one Adolfo had created. “Mario” wonders wouldn’t it have been easier all around if she had told the cops what really happened at the very beginning. Yolanda thinks Adolfo would have killed her had she done so. “But the police would have protected you!” “But it’s not about my safety, it’s about…about…I can’t denounce (delatar) Adolfo. I can’t” “But why Yolanda!? Why?! What ties you to him?!” “I can’t tell you anything.” She flees the office leaving Fausto more baffled than before.

Carmelo better be careful because Eddie’s got that crazy look in his eyes that we all know so well. He wants to know when they’ll get to see all the cash (lana) they’ve demanded from Adolfo and Dante. Carmelo doesn’t know since he hasn’t received an answer from either of them yet. He’s demanded 10 million pesos from each of them. In exchange, Adolfo will get the shoes, diamonds, and the letter Valentin spoke of; Dante will receive info about how Adolfo is trying to double cross him. He’s sure they’ll have an answer tomorrow.

At Casa Genoves, Fred and Daphne (aka David and Ale) are trying to convince Scooby Doo (aka JJ) that there is no proof that the e-mail was actually sent from Garnica. JJ thinks he’s probably just afraid to show his face to him after his blackmail scheme. David thinks it best that they send “Garnica” a few questions to first prove his identity. Questions like: How did they meet? (David and Abe are shocked JJ trusted a guy who just turned up at his door saying he was a lawyer who knew JJ had a lot of money. JJ knows now that it was dumb.); Who was with them on the plane?; and Who was at the table when they signed the contract in Puerto Vallarta? Ale writes the message as they all look on.

Ulises returns to his apartment to find a stack of junk mail and bills at his door. As he throws them all in a drawer, he suddenly remembers an important piece of mail—Zaida’s letter! After a bit of hand wringing about what to do, he rips it open. “No manches!” (No f-ing way!) He calls up JJ right away with a quick explanation of the letter and a promise that it will knock his socks off (ir de espaldas/to fall to one’s back/be surprised). JJ explains to the group as best he can (Zaida, letter, Elsa, Ulises) and leaves.

Edgar and Valentin are having a stroll and a heart to heart. Edgar is not comfortable with Carmelo having his hands on everything. Valentin casually says that Carmelo doesn’t have EVERYTHING. Say what?! Valentin explains that there were a few other things in Garnica’s safe that he kept. Edgar is impressed. He obviously was in agreement with us that Valentin was not the sharpest assassin knife in the drawer. “Knowledge is power”, says Valentin.

In the back yard, Gabi and FaustiMario are having a chat about the baby and what Gabi wants- girl or boy. If she’s as sweet as Caramelo, then she wants a girl. No way in heck she wants a boy like Chicles! And what does she want to name the baby? If it’s a girl, then she wants to name her Gabriela, since she loves the name and it’s not her real name. If it’s a boy, then she wants to name him Fausto. FaustiMario can barely contain his proud tears (where’s David with a bear hug when you need him?). Gabi can’t wait to tell her father he’s going to be a grandfather. He’s going to go crazy and start buying baby toys and clothes. She can already picture him walking the baby in the park. FaustiMario really has to work hard now to not start bawling. Gabi continues that she doesn’t know if one day she’ll see him (Mario) as a father, but for her, Fausto, the man who raised her, will always be her father. FaustiMario understands perfectly, but would love for them to continue communicating the way they are now. Gabi agrees. Sometimes he even reminds her of her father! (Ahem…) FaustiMario thinks it’s because they’re both old dudes. Gabi wonders how her father is, and wonders why “Mario” is so quick to answer that he’s fine. Now that she’s pregnant, and feeling more emotional, she particularly wants to be surrounded by her people/family. “I understand. Your father won’t be far away for long.” Gabi gets up to go, and plants a sweet kiss on “Mario’s” cheek before she leaves. Fausto’s working overtime by this point to not let his tears fall.

Valentin shows Edgar the additional documents Garnica has—account books of Adolfo’s restaurants; a black book of important people, including Mario Genoves; info sheets of various people including Elsa and Marcos; and a pic of the famous helicopter. Turns out Valentin did not destroy the helicopter as he was ordered to. He hid it away. They both think JJ would pay pretty well for that info.

JJ at that moment has just arrived at Ulises’s. He immediately reads the letter. JJ figures Zaida wrote the letter because she thought they were going to kill her. This letter can help free Elsa! He runs out without explaining to (eager) Ulises what he intends to do.

Carmelo brings his apologies to Dante for not being able to find Edgar. No worries, says Dante, he has a new person for him to look for—Garnica. He thought the guy was dead, but it seems he isn’t. Dante thinks Valentin, one of Garnica’s men, knows the deal. He wants Carmelo to use his special skills to get info out of him about whether Garnica is alive, and where he’s hding.

At the Guillen apartment, Juli is having a Luis Miguel moment—singing the theme song while sorting beans. Gabi comes to visit and the two have some sisterly bonding over the baby on the way. Neither have heard from their father, but Leo assures Juli that Fausto is safe. Speaking of Leo, he’s been working a lot, but Juli is super excited about the upcoming return of Paula in two weeks (maybe Paula Drew can help our slow adults solve this case). Juli gives Gabi her first baby present- a unisex yellow and white sweater. They hug, and Gabi gets emotional and starts crying—so many things are happening, and their dad isn’t even there to share in the news of the baby. Juli thinks there’s plenty of time for him to enjoy the baby and for them all to be together. Gabi knows she’s right and that she’s being affected by pregnancy hormones. Juli concedes that their lives haven’t always been normal, and especially not lately, so it’s understandable. Has Gabi spoken to Carlos? Not recently. They are both now excited about the idea of having a big brother and think they should all get together. Gabi calls hard working Carlos to set something up. He’ll try to wrap up work early enough to see them that evening—if not, he’ll meet them tomorrow. The siblings end the call sweetly with terms of endearment. Carlos smiles from ear to ear. Juli is pleased to learn Carlos is working for JJ. They wonder how their father is holding up.

At the local internet café, computer novices Edgar and Valentin are getting the pretty employee to help them check their G-mail (Garnica mail) account. They see that there are responses to each of their three messages. The first they read is Adolfo’s. He’s already deposited the money to the account indicated. Now he wants his stuff. “That idiot Carmelo lied to us when he said he hadn’t heard anything about the money!” Uh oh! Eddie has that look in his eyes again.

Carlos and Urbina speak restaurant biz. Carlos thinks thing have been working well, but he has some ideas for modernization. Urbina’s down with that. He knows Carlos is experienced and thinks his ideas will be beneficial for the hotel.

Dante storms into Adolfo’s condo, with two armed goons at his back, and demands to speak to Adolfo. Adolfo, meanwhile, is in his office checking in on Zaida with one of his goons. She’s down at the beach, being watched by two other goons. When she comes back, Adolfo wants him to “liquidate” her!

He goes out to see what Dante wants. Dante refuses to send his goons out. The two old devils are just gearing up to have a verbal showdown, when JJ breezes in. Now they both turn their ire to their mutual thorn in the side. JJ pulls out Zaida’s letter and begins to read it aloud:
“I, Zaida Castellanos, in possession of my full faculties, declare that I was obligated/forced by Señores Dante Sevilla and Adolfo Avila…” Dante bids his goons to leave before they learn more than he’s comfortable with them knowing. JJ continues:
“…to become involved in shady/serious business. I was forced to become involved in serious crimes. These two individuals are…” This time Adolfo has him stop. JJ continues again:
“These two individuals are smugglers of precious jewels and archeological pieces, and responsible for other crimes. Among them, dealings with a criminal named Javier Garnica, whose cadaver, on Adolfo’s orders, was thrown in the sea in Puerto Vallarta. For all these reasons, I want to make clear that if something happens to me, or I disappear, the guilty ones were the men I just mentioned.”

Lies! All Lies. We’ve just been in communication with Garnica. “You don’t say?” (No me diga!) So why don’t you take this letter to the cops? “Because I want to do everything possible to demonstrate the innocence of Elsa Rivera!” JJ leaves the two with a copy of the letter, and a promise of the original IF/WHEN they find a way to clear Elsa of the charges against her and set her free immediately. As JJ makes his cocksure exit, Adolfo runs to the phone to stop the itchy finger of the beach goon, who has his gun cocked and pointed at the forehead of a bound and gagged Zaida. “You want to hear the gunshot boss?” “NO!!!”

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*Frightened Julieta calls Lionheart who kicks Adolfo’s bony butt out of the building, and then gets a warm hug from his damsel in distress.



* At home Adolfo calls “Silverio”, who’s just playing billiard with Psycho Eddie and Valentín in a bar. Carmelo tells him his boss needs Adolfo’s e-mail address to get in touch with him and he refuses to tell Dolphie who his boss is. And how much diamonds do they have? Approximately 20. After they finish the conversation Édgar scolds Carmelo: you idiot, we only have 7 gems, the others ended up in the margarine! But Carmelo wants to take a look at the shoes again.

* Bertha and a huge amount of freshly bought, expensive dresses arrive at the condo, where Sugar Daddy gives her a shiny necklace and asks her to call Mario. Convince him she regretted everything and she wants to reconcile with the family. Naturally Adolfo only wants her to mend her relationship with them! But he doesn’t even need to make up a story: Bertha is so enchanted with the necklace that she hardly hears his words.



*The three amigos reunite in Carmelo’s house where Eddie and Valentín show him the shoes, Gabriela’s photo and the documents from Garnica’s safe. Genious Silverio-Carmelo does what nobody else did before: he cuts the other shoe up and finds more diamonds inside.



* In a restaurant Dora and Jorge talk about meeting with David again. Dora’s lines, Jorge’s lines. Jorge plans to arrange a meeting and she decides to disguise herself to avoid danger.

* While having breakfast, Adolfo tells Bertha tales about Mario’s wealth and advises her to meet with him in Mirador at 3 in the afternoon. In the meantime Jorge calls David and they decide to meet in the park. In the neighbouring house Juan José tells Asunción he’s going to visit Elsa, but psst, psst, Mommy Ale mustn’t know about it! If she asks Limón tell her JJ’s in his office.

* In the condo Zebra Bertha calls surprised FaustiMario. She would like to talk with him and to apologize, could they meet at the restaurant on the first floor of Mirador? In their hotel room (which is totally Elsa’s old flat with a new color) Jorge admires Dora’s disguise and gives a pair of sunglasses to the winner of the monthly Lady Gaga Lookalike Contest.



* While Adolfo calls his mobster friends and hires a hitman who will have to get rid of Mario in Mirador, David and a bouquet of flowers meet Dora and Don Jorge in the park. He has so many things to tell her, he doesn’t even know where to start.

* In the prison JJ tells Elsa about Carlos’s 180 degree turn and tries to cheer her up. The most important thing is to get her out of jail. But when Elsa informs him about Mauricio and his lawyer, who are already working on her case, he’s Anti-Medina Centre switches on and says come on, he’s the one who’ll have to help her, he owes her that… and he manages to infuriate Elsa. He doesn’t own him anything and she doesn’t want his pity!



* David is also talking about Carlos, he tells Dora that Adolfo’s son is on their side now. And what about Gabriela, how is she? Blushing, happy and proud David tells her she’s going to be a grandmother. Dora who’s gets overjoyed at the news: look, Don Jorge, I’m going to have grandchildren, too! But there’s one more thing Dave has to tell her… Lately Gaby learned she’s Don Mario’s daughter.



*Carlos shows up at the design studio to invite the ladies for lunch. Ay, qué pena, Alejandra is going to have lunch with her husband, but why doesn’t he accompany Mina? Wink, wink.

* In the prison it’s loyal, caring Ulises’s turn to cheer Elsa up. When she tells him about JJ’s visits and accuses Ulises for visiting her out of pity, too, he assures the girl everyone know she’s innocent and try to prove it. Elsa collapses, she’s afraid this all was her destiny. Ulises doesn’t know how awful her life has been: her father left her, her stepfather tried to rape her and her brother killed him to protect her. Yes, she suffered much, says Ulises, and if it helps her, he can tell her he lives in a prison, too. A prison that’s inside of him. When his father found out he was gay he kicked him out of the house. He had to bear others’ insults all his life, and people like Édgar took advantage of his loneliness. They agree that Zaida, Dante and Eddie took advantage of their benevolence, and when Elsa pulls the “I can’t trust anyone again” card, Ulises reminds her of the people who try to help her: the police, the lawyer, Mauricio and even Juan José. She has to be strong and remember she isn’t alone. In the meantime Alejandra calls her husband at Mirador but learns from his secretary that he’s already left.



* The naughty members of Goonyland are creating e-mails based on what they know about Garnica to make their bosses believe that Dances with Fishes is still alive. “Dante, be careful with Adolfo Ávila, he wanted to kill me in Vallarta! Fortunately a brave boy called Édgar saved me.” (Édgar: Boy? Boy?!) “A brave guy called Édgar saved me. This Édgar also told me that Adolfo’s driven into a corner by the police because of his smuggling businesses, and now he’s looking for a fall guy. It’ll be you, Dante. Be careful with Adolfo, he’s setting up a trap for you.”

*In a bar Mina and Carlos have great time together and talk about their idiot ex-lovers. Did Carlos fall in love with Bertha? He doesn’t really know, but anyway, she left him for his father. Oh, and his father might have killed his mother. But when Carlos looks at Mina he forget his problems and finally realizes how pretty she is.



* Dante receives “Garnica’s” e-mail that almost makes him to swallow his cigar. Number of jaws on the floor: 1. He immediately writes an answer and asks Garnica how could Adolfo drive him into a corner. Carmelo answers that information will cost Dante money, and the goons even manage to throw JJ’s name into the mess, again.

* When Juan José, aka the second worst amateur actor arrives back at Mirador he finds Alejandra in his office and after some lame excuses he admits he visited Elsa. Alejandra looks relieved: that’s why he lied to her? Elsa is his friend, she’s in trouble, JJ may visit her whenever he wants, just don’t lie about it. By the way, he’s got mail. (Juan José: Un MAI?) Alejandra reads out the e-mail: “Mr. Victoria, we have to talk, we have many pending businesses. Bye, Javier Garnica.” Number of jaws on the floor: 3. He’s alive?! Mommy Ale thinks anyone could’ve written that e-mail, and before answering it they should calm down and think the situation over.



* The enthusiastic gangsters send the last letter to Adolfo. “Dear Adolfo, what did you think? I’m alive! And now you’re going to pay me more than I asked for last time. I found out you sent Zaida after me to kill me, but I was smarter than her… I asked Édgar to sleep with her therefore I could flee. And guess what, Dante Sevilla sent a professional torturer after Édgar to find those famous shoes… And now I have them! Because the man Sevilla sent after him is my buddy.” Number of jaws on the floor: 4.



* In Mirador Bertha is waiting for Mario on the first floor. While the old man is climbing the stairs, Ale and JJ show up in the hall and notice both of them. Bertha decides to flee and the couple follows them. That is the moment when Adolfo’s 45th hired goon shows up and pushes FaustiMario over the balustrade. Santiago Guzmán, you definitely should’ve married someone else 23 years ago.




Aribeth

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David must leave for the hotel office; but if Abelardo hears anything from this so-called lawyer who doesn't look like a lawyer, "Silverio Rodriguez," he is to alert David immediately. At the state penitentiary, when Leonardo surprises Marcos with Elsa's smuggling charge, he's sure she's been framed by Susana's murderers.

In a restaurant, Édgar phones to make a meeting with Carmelo after insisting to Valentín they must stick with him and squeeze as much as possible out of this deal. At Mario's, when Asunción gets down on himself for everyone providing better for Caramelo than he, Abelardo decides to tell him his own success story.

Upstairs, preoccupied Gabriela rushes in grasping a small, elongated pink box and hastily reads the instructions before disappearing into the powder room. Across the hall, Detective Chicles plays doctor with Secret Agent Caramelo's baby doll, who has swallowed the infamous troublesome letter, which crazy grownups are so strange about.

But Caramelo reminds Chicles the real letter is in the mattress. Back in Gabriela's room, she bounces on the bed reading a "pink" test result and excitedly grabs the phone to get Alejandra over there. Downstairs in the kitchen Abelardo relates to Asunción getting booted out of university and his marriage for violent drunkenness.

After he hit his wife, she simply packed up and left; and he was just about to reach bottom when luck struck and he secured at job at a Campo Real hotel. Back upstairs, Alejandra rushes in to to hear the joyful news that Gabriela is pregnant! In the kitchen, Abelardo recounts the chance he got to slowly work into hotel administration.

But when Abelardo earnestly swears the temptation to drink was always there, comical Asunción glances warily behind himself like Abelardo's temptation might be a tangible thing, a little gargoyle perched atop the china cabinet. Abelardo credits hard work and the help of Mario bringing him back among the living.

Across town at a pool hall, Édgar convinces Carmelo that the "three" of them are a team, whereupon Carmelo guesses a third guy must be Dante's "pet cat," Valentín. When Édgar points out Valentín knows lots of things to make them money, Carmelo agrees to split the spoils three ways evenly and asks how to find Adolfo.

Back in Mario's kitchen, when Asunción explains Caramelo's story and that he's always regretted being so ignorant and not able to do better by her, kind Abelardo offers to tutor him personally -- whereupon excited Asunción offers to loan Abelardo his toupé in gratitude.

"Lic. Rodríguez" appears at Adolfo's Sagittarius office and is just about to be thrown out when Adolfo hears him mention the infamous shoes and relents. Adolfo becomes intensely interested at the sight of one of the diamonds, but "Rodríguez" leaves him hanging with only a business card and promise to call before exiting.

In Gabriela's bedroom suite, she's worrying to Alejandra about her and the baby's legal status when suddenly David shouts up the stairs, and Gabriela rushes down to jump into his arms. She makes David sit down before revealing the amazing news that they're going to be parents.

As they swing around with happy Abelardo and Asunción looking on, "Mario" enters and gets into the tearful, joyful family embrace with his children. In Adolfo's penthouse, he's doing poorly and relieved to see friendly Bertha enter. She's left it up to him about resuming the wedding, but now he wants to make it happen.

At Mario's, the adults celebrate with champagne; and Gabriela promises to let Caramelo help with the baby when it comes. More seriously, Gabriela concerns "Mario" and the others by insisting on a DNA test with him to clear up her legal identity.

Later at the penthouse Adolfo and Bertha tie the knot before witnesses Dante and Jimena and a judge and his assistant. The happy couple look ecstatic there and later at their sumptuous intimate wedding dinner together, where Adolfo discusses the infamous contract with Bertha's uncle.

Bertha's tantalized to hear they could get double their money if Mario dies of a brain tumor, but disgusted to think horrible David and that waitress will get half if he does not. Her train of thought is following just where Adolfo is leading, so he springs on Bertha the news that the waitress is actually Mario's daughter.

Bertha almost chokes in disbelief; and doesn't she think they ought to do something about it, Adolfo asks while ripping apart a lobster claw. Back at Mario's, David and Abelardo get agitated Santiago to agree to put his Santiago personage into a sort of witness protection program to avoid Adolfo -- and remain "Mario" 24-7 for the time being until Adolfo's brought down.

Across the alley at competitive Juan José's, he tries to enlist Alejandra to keep up with the Genovés and get busy on the baby wagon. She can't go along with his Arab sheik plan for a houseful of kids, since that requires a houseful of wives -- and he can't tolerate that idea either, being a one-man woman now.

Abelardo calls from Mario's office to fill in Leonardo on their Santiago witness-protection plan, and he approves. Upstairs David tries to convince Gabriela to lay off the DNA test and believe Mario; but when she insists on straightening out her legal name, he counsels they have time and that completing Adolfo's contract is crucial now.

Next morning David continues and explains Adolfo knows her dad is really Santiago Guzmán, who will have to disappear for a while. At a gym, the three thugs plot how to turn Dante and Adolfo against each other, while extracting as much cash as possible from them and the Genovés -- by raising Garnica from the dead.

Valentín copied everything in Garnica's safe: the map -- everything. On the patio at Mario's, "Mario" and Abelardo are just telling Asunción about the diamond shoe caper over a game of dominoes, when Adolfo bursts through the front door, through the house and braces "Mario" with his knowledge of Santiago's identity.

Privately in his office, "Mario" relishes a huge belly laugh finally after throwing in Adolfo's face that someone played him a fool switching the fake cuff link ring on him. And Adolfo better hope Santiago does not talk to the police and testify against him! Thwarted Adolfo stalks out in a huff swearing to wipe that smile off "Mario's" face.

Back at the gym, it gets even better for the thugs when Valentín adds he possesses all the passwords for all zombie Garnica's email accounts, his bank account numbers -- and the PINs for all his credit and debit cards! Frosting on the top is that Édgar stole Garnica's credit card wallet before deep sixing him.

Carmelo is beginning to feel very friendly toward Valentín now, who lays out more proof they can use to insinuate that Garnica lives -- and retains the map copy, the diamond shoes; and Édgar piles on the infamous letter, too.

From a Babies 'R Us store, deliriously happy Gabriela phones Julieta about her pregnancy; but dampens the mood with news Adolfo's trying to unmask Santiago and that their dad will disappear for a while. Suddenly when there's a banging at the door, it's Adolfo and Julieta calls down for Leonardo to come up and rescue her.

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* After the uncomfortable interlude Abelardo, who knows there are a few photos in Mario’s locker, saves the day. He and David storm into the study where Abe shows Blondie Slutty Gaby’s, I mean, Marta’s photo. David is shocked, unbelieveable, she looks like his wife! Did Abelardo know her? No, he started to work for Mario many years later. FaustiMario and Gaby go into the study and look at the beautiful photos of Marta: Fausto with pain and grief, Gaby with amazement and sadness. Did Mario’s wife know about their affair? No, she was very sick and he never dare say her anything. And what about Carlos, did Mario know about him? Err… Yes, he learned about Marta’s son lately.



* In the dining room Abelardo and David talk about his future in the Genovés villa: he could live in Alejandra’s room and Caramelo could occupy Bertha’s. Humble Abe is afraid of neglecting his obligations but Dave convinces him that he’s part of the family. All right, tomorrow he’ll move in! Valentín calls Édgar to tell him about the “professional” Dante sent after him and the important objects he owns.

* Abelardo shyly approaches to the Victoria household where he, Alejandra and Juan José tell Asunción at last about the newest adoption plan. Asunción gets very nervous and worried but they calm him down: it will be temporary, and Caramelo will live in the Genovés villa. By the way, why doesn’t he move into the house with Caramelo?



*At Yolanda’s she and her muñeco talk about Carlos’s newest best friends and the famous trefoil ring. Yolanda never told him the importance of it. She feigns ignorance and tries to change the subject. What does he plan to do now that he gets along with David and Juan José? He’s going to… wait for it… destroy his father! In the meantime Carmelo arrives at the warehouse where armed Édgar and Valentín are waiting for him. Eddie has has an offer that he could never refuse.

*In the design studio Mina and Alejandra talk about Carlos. Poor boy, he doesn’t know his father killed his mother, and Bertha left him for Adolfo! It turns out Mina would happily console him. He’s so cute, he’s even more handsome than Ale’s bombón! Oh, no, no, no, laughs Ale. Nobody is more handsome than her bombón. The (fan)girls giggle and a great idea comes into Ale’s mind: she, Mina, JJ and Carlos could have a dinner together.

* In the garden Gaby and David also talk about Carlos and their mother. Since he’s very impulsive, they should never tell him how Marta died. He may do something stupid and they don’t want him to get harmed. Actually, she has forgiven him, everyone commits mistakes and he repented for them. Yolanda calls David to ask him never to tell Carlos the real importance of the trefoil ring, she only told him it was proof of smuggling, and of course, he must never learn what happened to Marta! *Viewerville: wait, is Carlos the new Gabriela?*



* In the warehouse the three goons get along very well. Édgar take picture of Carmelo and the shoes and shows him the shiny stones he has. A new triumvirate is about to rise.



* In a restaurant Gaby tells Yolanda Mario gave her a picture of her mother. She was very pretty. Yes, she was, and she was very talented, but to be honest, the people didn’t go to the theatre to watch Marta or Yolanda, they wanted to see Gabriela’s father. Does Yolanda mean Santiago Guzmán? Come on girl, he’s her real father, he raised her! Gaby mentions Carlos’s visit. How on Earth didn’t her father know that Marta had another child? Because she abandoned him when he was born and gave him to Yolanda. Gabriela is about to say her mother was a whore when Yolanda begs her not to judge Marta. She already paid for her mistakes. Everyone committed mistakes! And Gabriela, please don’t tell Carlos that Adolfo killed Marta. *Viewerville: yes, definitely the new Gabriela*

* Sleepless Sugar Daddy is fuming in his bed when Yolanda, the only person who’s worried about his well being, shows up in the condo. She’s afraid their world will collapse soon. She confesses him she told Carlos who his mother was, but she didn’t tell him about the circumstances of her death. And there’s one more thing: Gabriela is Mario’s daughter. Unfortunately Adolfo puts two and two together and realizes that the waitresses’ father is Santiago Guzmán. Yolanda tries to deny it but Adolfo explodes and manhandles her. Stupid woman! Slap! Why didn’t she tell him?! Because he has the biggest ego on Earth! And how long does Mario know about Santiago’s true identity? For months. Adolfo says if he had known the girls were Santiago’s daughters he would’ve never sent them to Los Angeles. Yes, Yolanda tried to stop him but she should’ve told him the truth. She admits she lied about them because she was afraid Adolfo would send Santiago to jail. But no, Adolfo wouldn’t have done that; he would’ve taken advantage of that information. He grabs Yolanda’s hair and asks her if Gaby knows who’s her real father is. Yolanda doesn’t know… Bertha, who heard the shouts, enters the room and asks if something happened. Yolanda leaves, Sugar Daddy and Handmaiden have another dangerous conversation about Mario. She tells Adolfo about Fausto’s strange visits a few months ago, her uncle’s gruff behaviour after the accident, the close relationship between Fausto and Mario… And it’s strange that Fausto never showed up in the Genovés villa since the wedding.



* Dinner time. In the Genovés villa Gaby and David agree they shouldn’t tell Carlos about Marta’s death. *Viewerville: yawn, seriously* In a restaurant Alejandra, Juan José, Mina and Carlos have great time together. The girls tell the boys they didn’t like each other when they met at the university, actually, Mina found Ale arrogant *Viewerville: why are we not surprised*, but later they became great friends. Carlos and Mina realize they live near to each other and decide to go to cinema one day.



*In the Ávila condo Adolfo spills some beans to Bertha about the women Mario “killed”. She gave birth to Mario’s child and she married to an actor. Bertha remembers back the day when she saw Mario visiting Marta’s tomb. And Gaby’s father also visited that tomb! *Viewerville: come on Bertha, try to put two and two together* And did Mario really kill that woman? Yes. Why? He did it because of jealousy.

* In the ladies’ restroom Mina keeps fangirling about Carlos. Next morning Carmelo, who’s dressed up like a creepy insurance agent, shows up at the Casa Genovés and wants to talk with Mario. Since Sr. Genovés left early, he sends him a message: licenciado (lawyer) Silverio Rodriguez came to talk about Gabriela’s shoes and gives shocked Abelardo a business card.



* At AFI Ramón tells Leo the police found the cadaver of a woman, no, it isn’t Zaida’s, who’s disappeared, but Susana Gómez’s. The dental records prove the poor girl is dead. But the report doesn’t mention the shoes and the jewels, she surely was killed for them. In the meantime Limón and Little Miss Sunshine arrive at the Palace Genovés which they like much.



* In the prison Leonardo visits Marcos, who looks dashingly handsome despite the circumstances, and tells him Susana was murdered... quite brutally. Was it Roberto Zárate? No, he’s already dead. Then who did it? And why? And why her?!



*In the tunnel house a very anxious Abelardo tells Fausto, who’s just about to remove his mask, that Adolfo is calling him, he has to answer him! Adolfo is going to his house because they have to talk about Santiago Guzmán, the father of his daughter-of-law… or her daughter. Uh-oh. Abelardo runs back to the Genovés villa and twenty minutes later he manages to keep Adolfo from entering the study. Triumphant Adolfo tells David that either the Genovéses forget the breaking of the association, or he’ll give Santiago Guzmán up to the police and he’ll tell Gabriela the truth! But David isn’t in the mood to tolerate Dolphie’s threats and he kicks the Grinch out of the house. After getting rid of one threat, Abelardo tells David about the another: a man came to talk about Sra. Gabriela’s shoes. What?



Aribeth

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Carlos learned of his parentage and ran straight over, Gabriela tells incredulous David; and now Santiago must hear she has a half brother, too. At Santiago's, already privy, he admits to Gabriela that his time-burnished idealized image of her mother was mistaken, as he recently also found out.

Julieta enters, and Gabriela reveals she must change her poor opinion of Carlos now that he's family. Across town at a bar, former pals henchmen Édgar and Valentín re-encounter each other over the restroom urinals. Back at Santiago's, tearful Julieta hears that Roberto killed the maid and Carlos is as much a victim as they.

Julieta's horrified that Carlos must realize his father killed his mother; and the girls now appreciate Santiago's sheltering them through the years. At the Mirador bar, Carlos and Juan José tie on an excellent one, courtesy of limes and the bottom of several tequila bottles.

Juan José toasts his dear mother in heaven and sympathizes with Carlos's tragic lack of one, whereupon Carlos amazes Juan José with his new relationship with Gabriela, which old one fortunately never went anywhere. Even though Carlos was crazy about Gabriela, he assures Juan José nothing occurred between them.

When they toast that happy happenstance and that life is good, even if they're poor but honorable, Carlos objects. No way does he want to be poor: he always loved money! And when Juan José assures Carlos he can help him a lot around the Mirador, ever ready Carlos dares to ask if perhaps he doesn't have something even better?

Back at the cross-town bar, Édgar and Valentín discover they have things in common: family they need to take care of -- and nasty bosses, who coincidentally also have an operation in common. At Alejandra's, she and Asunción agree to use informal address together over their mutual worry at Juan José's lateness.

They're concerned to hear from the office that he and Carlos took off early; and Asunción is glad Juan José has Alejandra now. Back at the bar, the two henchmen hatch a plan to engender distrust between their bosses by way of a frame-up robbery and make off like bandits with the spoils -- with no one the wiser since they ostensibly don't know each other.

Jorge admires Dora's comfortable but modest hotel room, noting they could afford to live in luxury for a month on the money David gave her. Jorge intends to make sure Dora stays there until she's back at home with David; he won't lose much being away from his little pastime of a shop at home. He's enjoying being with Dora now.

Later at Alejandra's, she's frantic at not raising Juan José at David's or anywhere and is just about to phone Leonardo, when suddenly the strains of mariachi trumpets waft through the curtains. Peering over the bedroom balcony affords her a view of two drunken, happy men, belting lyrics and backed up by a full roving orchestra.

At Adolfo's penthouse, in supposed consideration of his health, Dante aggravates him by offering to make Édgar talk; but Adolfo needs the jewel information too badly for ham-fisted methods. Back at Juan José's, Alejandra is relieved the boyz are alright and makes Carlos stick around to sober up before leaving.

Asuncion stumbles out from bed, and Juan José sings Carlos's praises to him. Back at Dora's hotel cafeteria, Jorge opines David could set Dora up in a nice business like that; and she asks him to check tomorrow what happened with the letter she wrote.

Next day at the women's jail, Mauricio reassures Elsa she's a good person when she frets she must have done something to deserve her terrible luck; she earnestly apologizes for her past indifference toward him. Mauricio reminds her he'll always be by her side as they join hands against the dividing interview room glass.

Elsa's distraught for Caramelo to hear her jail status will send Caramelo to social services. Meanwhile at Juan José's, the social worker emphasizes Alejandra's good reputation doesn't change Juan José's. And since none of them can manage to meet the legal requirements, despite good intentions, Caramelo will go to an orphanage.

In a restaurant, Jimena urges Bertha to hurry and marry Adolfo as soon as possible to become rich when he cacks. But Bertha's still pondering the horrible effect hearing of their impending marriage had on Carlos; and though Jimena insists Bertha should forget Carlos, Bertha isn't convinced.

Juan José and Alejandra have a plan when they visit David, Gabriela -- and Abelardo at Mario's. Meanwhile out on the street in the city, Dora takes Jorge on a double-decker bus tour and plans a rooftop luncheon with a view. Back at Mario's, Juan José and Alejandra delight Abelardo with the idea of him being Caramelo's temporary guardian.

Abelardo views it as an honor and a pleasure. On the tour bus, Dora dives under the seat in irrational horror of being seen by someone at the Mirador as they pass. At Mario's, David and Gabriela also love the idea of Abelardo's guardianship and insist that Abelardo move into the house with them there at Mario's.

Jorge is really loving being back in the city; and Dora is ecstatic, too -- especially considering that in the short time David's known she's his mother, he's given her enough love for a lifetime. In the kitchen at Mario's, joyous Abelardo's singing and whipping up a sumptuous feast for everyone's lunch.

At the rooftop restaurant, Jorge astounds Dora explaining he phoned and learned the letter she wrote was successful in its mission to put Adolfo in a fit of anxiety -- and in the hospital, in fact. At Dante's, he charges goon Carmelo to make Édgar confess the location of Gabriela's shoes, while conspiring Valentín listens attentively at the door.

And back at Mario's, the family is just enjoying Abelardo's feast at the dinner table when suddenly Gabriela spoils the mood asking "Mario" for a photograph of her mother.

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Adolfo and Bertha’s wedding ceremony begins with a bang! Unfortunately, it’s not of the fireworks variety, but instead what appears to be THE BIG ONE- a heart attack. Bertha and the guests panic as Adolfo collapses. But then they all do common sense things that telenovela characters usually don’t. Jimena calls an ambulance, Bertha gives them directions, the maid calls Yolanda, Dante loosens Adolfo’s tie, assesses that he is still breathing, although weakly, and talks Bertha out of taking him to the hospital in her car.


At the hospital, Yolanda, Dante and Bertha wait for word about Adolfo. Dante explains how affected Adolfo was by a fax he received just before the ceremony. Bertha thinks he’s been acting strange for a few days now. He even had a terrible argument with Carlos recently. Savvy Yolanda barely holds her sarcasm in, “Oh, really?” Adolfo’s doctor approaches and tells them that Adolfo is in intensive care. They will keep him there overnight and do tests to determine if he had a heart attack (infarto). Yolanda’s face reflects worry; Dante looks like he’s thinking about how he can benefit from the situation; and Bertha looks like she sees her inheritance coming sooner than she thought.

On a quiet street corner, Edgar, the man of many skills, expertly breaks into and hotwires a car. While driving the stolen car, Edgar calls up one of his compadres (compa for short). He asks him to get him information on Elsa Rivera.

Back at the hospital, Bertha calls Carlos to give him the news about his father. Carlos thinks it’s high time Mother Nature became Lady Justice. He sarcastically congratulates the expectant widow and tells her to send his greetings to his father. She informs him that they actually didn’t get married, and tells him to p*ss off (vete al Diablo). As soon as she hangs up on him, Carlos calls David with the news.

Eddie’s friend works really fast, because he’s already called him back with the info he wanted. He tells Eddie that his name has been brought up in the case against Elsa and it was Ulises who accused him. He’s not a happy camper.

The game of telephone continues, and David calls JJ with the news of Adolfo’s heart attack and Bertha’s frustrated wedding. JJ thinks it would be great if the old devil kicked the bucket. All their problems would be solved.

At the hospital, the doctor returns with results from Adolfo’s tests. Seems he didn’t have a heart attack. Instead he’s suffering from gastric reflux (reflujo gastro-esofágico)- brought on by his excessive drinking, and made worse by stress. Ha! He’s already left intensive care, but will be kept overnight if they want. They all agree.

The next morning Ale comes to invite Gabi to go out to eat with her. Meanwhile, at what appears to be an old warehouse, Edgar hides the diamond shoes and photo in a black trash bag in some sort of trash shoot/storage bin.

Adolfo’s back in his own home, tucked into bed in his jammies. Dante wants to know what’s up with him and what that fax was about. He pulls out one of his cigars to settle in for a long chat. Adolfo stops him. Doctor’s orders. All that stuff is hurting his health- smoking, drinking, who knows what else! He gives a few weak coughs. Dante is sure it was the visit of those three idiots and that mysterious fax that put him on the road to ill health. Adolfo explains about the faxed letter and old employee application. He’s sure this letter is the real letter. They are interrupted by the maid who brings a mysterious envelope. Dante, who seems to have lived in DC during the (still unresolved) anthrax scare, wants Adolfo to be careful opening it. It might contain some harmful substance or explosive. Adolfo looks at the thin envelope in the light, and shakes (!) it. Nope, no explosives here. He opens it to find a Polaroid photo of a seemingly dead, and very bloody, Susana. The two experienced baddies aren’t fooled for a moment. It’s a fake. Look at the blood—it’s fake and has obviously been applied with fingers. (These two should join CSI. They’re experts.) Dante wants to know who the woman is. Someone Adolfo wants to have killed. The note attached says, “let’s talk.”
Over their meal, Ale tells Gabi about the boys’ latest stunt and how worried she is about JJ. Gabi thinks they may not have to worry for much longer, if Adolfo had that bad heart attack. Ale doesn’t want to speak bad about anyone, but frankly, it wouldn’t be a loss. Gabi is in total agreement, considering all the headaches he’s caused so many people. Ale wants to know what David has told Gabi. He explained about how they’ve tried to bring Adolfo’s downfall legally, but since that hasn’t worked quickly enough, they’re taking another strategy, without informing Leo. Ale understands, but she thinks they are taking too much risk. They should be taking advantage of Carlos’ change of heart, and use him to bring Adolfo down legally. Gabi is (rightfully) skeptical of Carlos’ seemingly sudden change. After all that he did to her- making her feel like the worst kind of woman, causing trouble between her and David, and even trying to force himself on her (abuso de mi- can imply rape, but less harsh). Ale is shocked and asks for the details. Gabi tells her all the sordid details of Carlos and Roberto and their games with her and her sister.

Eddie and Adolfo finally have a chat via phone and Adolfo wants more proof that he completed his assignment. Eddie thinks the photo is all the evidence he needs. Adolfo agrees to meet him in the warehouse (bodega). After they hang up, Eddie smashes the incriminating cell phone he has been using to make calls. Weak Adolfo gets up to go take care of business, against Dante’s advice. Dante will go with him, and will take the opportunity to smoke outside while Adolfo readies himself. As for the Three Musketeers—Adolfo has a surprise for them.

The Pretty Primas are still discussing all the disgusting things Carlos did. Ale is shocked to learn all the crap he’s done, and understands why it’s so hard to believe he’s changed. She wouldn’t put her hand in the fire for him, but she understand why he is the way he is—his father. He’s always been given anything he wants, and when he saw Gabi and became infatuated (incaprichado) with her for obvious reasons, and well… Gabi wonders if this doesn’t prove that he’s not a good person who’s not to be trusted. Ale thinks he’s reached a point where he’s reflecting on his life, and has decided he doesn’t want to end up like his father. Gabi is worried that it’s a trap that Carlos is laying for David and JJ, that will be sprung on them in the worst moment (mala hora). For this reason, Ale thinks they’ve got to keep an eye on things and have their husbands’ backs (estar dependiente). Maybe they should call Leo and tattle on their hubbies? Gabi doesn’t think this is a good idea for either the well being of their men, or the well being of their marriages. They should show them that they trust them. Ale agrees.

Carlos is feeling blue on his yellow couch when Yolanda comes to visit. She gives him the news of the non-heart attack. Carlos is non responsive to the non news. What he wants to know is why things didn’t work out between his dad and his mother Marta. Yolanda tries to explain as delicately as possible. Marta was a beautiful woman who many powerful men courted. They were always sending her flowers and gifts to her dressing room. One of those men was his father. He courted her until…until he succeeded and she became pregnant. But Carlos knows his father- he’s always been an egomaniac. When Marta told him and wanted to get married, he refused. And then Carlos was born. Marta was very sad and depresses/disappointed (decepcionada). She took care of Carlos for a while, but then asked Yolanda to care for him. “She abandoned me?” “No. No. She was just so sad and depressed and knew I would care for you better.” “And what happened after?” “A few years later she fell madly in love with Mario Genoves.” Qué?!

At the warehouse, Adolfo and Dante arrive with four armed goons. (I guess it takes six men to bring Eddie down.) Adolfo throws the supposedly faked photo at Edgar’s feet, and tells him he doesn’t believe a word he says and knows it’s a trick (truco). He wants Edgar to take them to where he buried the body, right now! The goons grab Eddie and drag him out.

Back at Carlos’, Yolanda continues the tale of the failed romance between Mario and Marta, and their love child. Carlos is shocked; he never knew this. She then explains about Santiago being in love with Marta, proposing marriage to her when she was left knocked up by Mario, and that Santiago is Fausto. Gabriela is the child Marta had with Mario. “Yes my love. Gabriela is your half sister.”

Carlos is ticked. “Do you know what could have happened?!!” He explains about forcing himself on Gabi, taking her to the beach house, and he doesn’t even want to think about what could have happened! “She’s my sister!” Well, now he knows everything. Carlos asks if Gabi knows. Yolanda believes she only knows Marta is her mother. Carlos insists she has to know all the rest, and he’s going to tell her. Yolanda reluctantly agrees. “No more lies. You’re right baby doll. You know what you must do.” Carlos falls to his knees and approaches Yolanda. “So from the beginning, you have always been my mother.” “Something like that my love.” “No. You have been my TRUE mother.” Big hugs, kisses, smiles and happy tears. Yay!

Edgar takes the goons, Dante and Adolfo to the remote place where he supposedly buried Susana. They are all taken aback by the putrid smell. Adolfo orders the goons to dig!

Gabi answers the door at Casa Genoves to Carlos. She tries to quickly usher him in to see David, but he asks for a minute of her time to talk. She’s not happy about it, but agrees. “I don’t know where to begin.” He knows it must seem strange his working together with David. He wants to apologize for the way he treated her when she worked at the Club Sagittarius. When they first met, he immediately felt a special attraction to her. Not liking where this is going, and not wanting to relive it, Gabi tries to put an end to the conversation right there. But Carlos goes on. He apologizes for the beach house fiasco. Yeah. Yeah. OK. Apology accepted. But what you’re planning with David and JJ better be on the up and up, because if you hurt them!... Carlos calms her down before she works up a true Gabi style fit of anger. He knows his father is a bad person and he wants to put a stop to him (frenarlo). But, that’s not everything, Carlos goes on. Yolanda told him Gabi is the child of the dancer Marta and Mario. Gabi confirms that she recently learned this. Well, it turns out that Marta had a child with Adolfo before that, and that child is Carlos. They are half siblings. Gabi stands up in utter shock.

At the supposed body dump site, the stench has gotten worse the further down the goons dig. They’ve found something! They all look on in disgust at the corpse we can’t see.

Back to the two new siblings. Gabi wants to know who else knows. Both are feeling sick to their stomachs, particularly Carlos, given what his intentions were with her. Gabi doesn’t know if she can take any more. Carlos asks Gabi, “And now that you know, what do you want to do?” Sensible and kindhearted Gabi thinks they need to let time allow them to feel for each other what they are-- siblings. This brings a small happy smile to Carlos’ face. He’s gaining family.

JJ and his work computer are still not getting along. He asks for Super Urbina’s assistance with the auto-correct. (I need an Urbina in my life!) Carlos comes to visit, and JJ first wants to know if Adolfo kicked the bucket. No such luck. Something else has discombobulated our dear Carlos. He begins to unburden himself to JJ.

In the bodega, confident Edgar tells Adolfo that he’s never failed him. Adolfo grudgingly accedes, but wants the shoes, diamonds and photo, ASAP. Edgar coolly leans against the bin containing the goods, and tells Adolfo he has them in a safe place. Edgar wants his documents and he wants to know HOW MUCH money Adolfo is going to pay him before he hands anything over. He stands firm even when faced with four cocked guns, and Adolfo’s threats. Adolfo backs down first. Eddie wants 50 MILLION PESOS. If Adolfo doesn’t comply or harms him, the photo, diamonds and shoes will be sent to Fallidela’s hands. This threat gives Adolfo an attack of gastric reflux, so his buddy Dante steps up, gun in hand, to protect Adolfo’s interests. “How dare you blackmail (chantajear) Adolfo Avila!” Adolfo makes Dante stand down, since unfortunately, he needs to acquire that evidence.

In JJ’s office, Carlos continues to unburden himself. He needs to talk to someone. Since he was a child, his only refuge has been Yolanda. But now the poor woman is in a worse state than he. JJ wants to know what Carlos is trying to say. Carlos says he can imagine what it must have been like for him all those years in prison. This sets JJ off. Carlos CAN’T imagine what it was like—to have to deal with the kind of men who are in prison; to be separated from your mother, who is alone; to be accused of a crime you didn’t commit. Carlos thinks that the discovery that he is a coward, and the regret and guilt he will carry with him ALL HIS LIFE is similar. He feels he has an obligation to put an end to the pain JJ carries. He’s made a decision that he wants to tell JJ and David-- he’s going to kill his father! For all the harm he’s done to them all. This high level of hotheadedness even takes JJ aback. He urges Carlos to calm down. At first when Carlos teamed up with them, he thought he was just doing it to get back at his father. But now he realizes that Carlos really does now understand what a criminal his father is. “And your mother? Did she die? A long time ago?” Carlos explains that he never knew her, as JJ goes on about there being nothing in the world like the love of a mother. (Just rub it in JJ.) Prison is scary and cruel, but he also learned a lot and had some of his happiest moments there, like when his mother visited him. She was a sweet, fragile little old lady. We get a flashback to one of those loving prison visits. She died just a month before he was released. JJ explains how Elsa cared for his mother while he was inside. And now she’s in prison unjustly accused. That’s why he needs to help her. The two big guys are a puddle of tears by this point. But Carlos is still determined to kill his father. The only way to get rid of rabies is to kill the rabid dog. JJ (yes, JJ) tells him he needs to calm down. They’ve already got Adolfo cornered/up against the wall (acorralado). They are sure to get him. JJ lightens the mood and gives Carlos one of his megawatt smiles. “Who would have known we’d be buddies?” (cuates) They fist bump to their new friendship. Carlos is so grateful to JJ for considering him a friend—the first he’s ever had. JJ says he’s going to make him cry. (Awww!) They chuckle. “And what about Roberto?” “Him? He’s just like Adolfo.” The two new BFFs get started introducing Carlos to his new job at the Hotel Mirador, the place where their destinies first collided.

At Genoves Manor, Gabi enters Mario’s study to speak to David. She’s in tears and looks shell shocked. When she tells David that Carlos was here, he assumes they argued. Nope. They spoke like siblings. “Carlos Avila and I are half siblings.” David looks at her in shocked disbelief. “What are you saying?”

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