Caray, Caray!

Capítulo 133

First the video redux in brief: Santiago is back at the convent to apologize to Aurora for the way he dumped on her earlier that day and to get her side of the seduction story; Priscila is humiliated to tears and forced to admit to Vladimir and Anibal that the baby she’s expecting is really Vlad’s.

Santiago apologizes to Rory for his actions and says he knows his stepmother has tried to separate the two of them. He asks Aurora what kind of fraudulent argument she used to trick her into admitting her despicable slur of having slept with another man. “Did she promise to help you find your mother’s whereabouts?” Rory says it wasn’t a slur; that she doesn’t know how things happened, but she was with another man. Santi refuses to believe a word of it because he knows he was the first man in her life. (First, last and always, right? Puh-leese!) Dear Ah-wah-wah says she knows the pain she’s caused him and so, the only way to make amends is to spend the rest of her days in the convent doing penance. Santi has just been hit over the head with the same two-by-four and is down for the count. She wants him to forget her and says she will pray that God lets him find a good woman to settle down with. (Hubbie's all for that!) Santi is in shock. He leaves.

At Hacienda de los Elizalde meanwhile, Geezer Gonzo is reading a letter from Santi when Babs walks in. Gonzo is his usual puzzled self, but actually has a reason to be this time. Santi’s letter only says that he is leaving and relocating to Florence, Italy. It doesn’t say a thing about his wedding plans with Ah-wah-wah. Babs must oh-so-sadly explain that she found Ah-wah-wah in bed with another man and so Santi and the little slut broke it off.

Fernanda now arrives at the honeymoon luxury suite where an overly eager Damian has burning candles lit everywhere. (Viewerville waits expectantly for the smoke alarm, but is disappointed.) Dopey techno tunes are playing in the background. Fer walks in and smiles invitingly at him.

At Las Animas, The Hardy Boys are discussing Ed’s meeting with Artemio Bravo. Eduardo is reminding Estev that Bravo doesn’t dare suspect the deal he and Barbara have made or they’ll never get word of Liliana again. Estev wonders why the guy is so interested in keeping Lili. Ed says he isn’t clear on that yet, but it’s obvious Bravo is a man “surrounded by mystery and very powerful.” He obtains whatever he’s set his sights on, too, says Ed. What surprised him most of all, he tells Estev, was the way Artemio Bravo physically looks almost identical to Gonzalo Elizalde.

Over at the hacienda, Gonzo tells Babs that he finds it hard to believe of Rory who seemed so decent. They’re certain Santiago is heartbroken, but agree it was a good thing they found out what a whore she was beforehand. Babs convinces the ever-confused Gonzo to give Santi his space so that he has time to get over the girl. Gonzo nods.

Back across the way at Las Animas, Eddie explains to Estev about Ana Gregoria’s diary and how Lili had him read part of it. They are certain the answers to their questions are in that diary, especially why Barbara Greco relentlessly harassed his mother from the day she arrived at the Elizalde’s. They figure that from what little Ed was able to read of it, Ana fell in love with Don Jeronimo Elizalde, her patron, and that that’s the reason Artemio Bravo bears such a resemblance to Don Gonzo. Supposedly, Soledad, who was a little girl then, found out about the diary. Unfortunately, before Eddie managed to read anything more, Bravo came into the room. One way or another, the key is the diary and he’ll have to finish reading it.

Estev wonders again why Bravo has Lili under his control now. Ed says he doesn’t have a clue and it seems almost impossible that he’ll be able to get her away from there. At least, for some unknown reason, Bravo is happy to have him come visit her whenever he likes. Estev remarks that his meeting Bravo turned out to be rather beneficial in that sense. Ed mentions that since they’ve now gotten to know the man it doesn’t make sense to keep the security guards there any longer. He plans to cancel the service the next day. Just then Martina shows up. She has a meeting with him so he can fill her in on Lili, too.

At Hotel Honeymoon, Fer and Dam share a champagne toast to their relationship. Dam says it seems like a lie to him. Fer laughs slyly and says for her too. He gives her a negligee as a gift and she makes out like she loves it. He wants to help her put it on. She looks coyly over at him and asks what he sees. He says he sees a lovely goddess. Suddenly she turns on him and throws the negligee in his face. “NO! What you see is an idiot! That’s what it seems I’ve been to you, right? The most idiotic female on earth!” Dam knits his brows in a muddle of confusion and then smiles sheepishly. Fer jumps at him. “Ah! You’re smiling because I’m right!” “—No…it’s just that I’ve never heard you talk like this before.” “—I know! You’re smiling because perhaps that’s not the right word. Perhaps the right word is silly, or stupid or foolish?” Dam stutters out that it’s nothing like that. Fer says then would it be ‘trusting’, or ‘sweet,’ or ‘naïve.’ He keeps stuttering in the negative. She screams then that they all describe her to a T! He frowns again. This was obviously not in Mama’s playbook.

Back at Las Animas, Eddie explains to Martina that they know now where Lili is and that she won’t be coming back to live with them at the other house, at least for a while. Martina is relieved that at least Lili is all right.

Martina goes to check on Venus in her room. Venus is on the phone with Cad, who is still pretty miffed at her for leaving him high without the dry the night before (not to mention, the resulting nasty case of swollen gonads…..Ehh! Well, it couldn’t happen to a nicer guy). He’s in bed, though, at the other end of the line, getting his jollies with Natasha. He lies to Nattie that his brother’s on the line and then conveniently lies to Venus/Loafly that the noise in the background is from the telelvision. (Sneaky jerkwad.) Venus tells him that they need to talk. He tells her he’s decided that he doesn’t want to see her again until they get married. Venus is negatively impactada. Nat walks back into the bedroom and Cad quickly tells Loafly he’ll call her tomorrow. Click. Nattie babies him with a snack “to regain his strength.” (Gag me!)

Martina walks in and wants to know why Venus is disobeying Estev’s orders. Venus drags her out the door with her and says she’s got to come with, but that she’ll explain on the way.

Back at Honeymoon Central, Fer tells Dam that she could be innocent, trusting, even in love, but never an idiot. She’s going to do them both a favor. “Look at me and imprint this in your memory so that whenever you look at me you remember that Fernanda Elizalde is no fool!” He continues to play dumb. “What’s going on? What is the matter with you?” She says the question is more like what’s the matter with him because this only has to do with him. He still continues to play dumb. (Well, maybe he’s not playing.) “What’s going on?” Fer tells him to search his memory. He wants an explanation. She says fine. How about the friendship you have with Barbara Greco? --And, with the swindle you pulled on Rubiel Villasana’s mother in which you stole her money from her and which, thanks to Barbara’s statement, you saved yourself from going to jail??!!” Dam is swallow-hard impactado. He stares at Fer like a little kid caught swiping cookies from the cookie-jar.

Meanwhile, Martina stops Venus for an immediate explanation why they are leaving the house that late at night. Venus angrily says she’s certain Cad is with another woman. Martina stops to remind her that Estev is in love with her. Venus says she’s crazy if she thinks that. “The only thing I am to him is his little puppet. The most important thing for him is for me not to ruin his plans! –And I swear that I am not going to do that because I wouldn’t hurt Don Franco. As for the gringo, I’m not nailed down to him!” Somebody like her, Venus says, would be off limits. Martina won’t argue with her about that, but asks that if all men are the same, then what’s the big deal if Camilo Elizalde’s with another woman? Venus says it’s got nothing to do with either Estev Norton or Franco Santoro. It’s a personal slight. Martina doesn’t argue further and the two leave together for Cad’s apartment.

At the same time, in another part of Las Animas, Ed and Estev are arguing over what Estev does or does not want to admit regarding his feelings for Venus and vice versa. Estev says the whole thing is ridiculous and wouldn’t go anywhere anyway since his life is in New York. Ed wonders if things were different and he did live and work in Mexico? Estev doesn’t answer. Ed says, well, all that aside, he still wonders if Estev is willing to let Venus marry somebody else? His friend is too flustered to answer him.

Santiago drives off from the convent and leaves a message on Fer’s voice-mail that it was a bust with Aurora, so he’s flying out and will call her once he’s gotten himself situated. He never wants to hear Aurora’s name again. He just wants to bury her memory.

Ah-wah-wah tearfully (what else?) prays to the virgencita, meanwhile, to thank her for one last chance to have spoken with Santiago. She is sorry for the way she disappointed him but knows it’s for the best since there could never have really been anything between them. (Geez, for being the spawn of Greco this gal is disappointingly lame!) She wants only the best for him and hopes the virgencita will bless him and console him in his time of need. (Is it my dinner or this scene? I need to speak to Ralph. Get me a couple of Alka-seltzers, puh-leese.) FF>>

Back with the inharmonious honeymooners again, Damian tries to lie his way out of it with Fer by saying he doesn’t know who Rubiel Villasana is. He tells Fer she’s mistaken and he can’t understand why this man would want to lie about him this way. “Poor you, Damian. It’s got to be rough always being slandered like this, right?” “—What do you mean, Fernanda?” “--What? Do I have to repeat it again? Such a coinkydink! Both in the embezzlement at Grupo and with the swindle with Sra. Villasana, that what freed you from all culpability was Barbara Greco’s testimony.” He still denies knowing Rubiel Villasana. Fer doesn’t back down. She’s like a dog with a bone. “Well, how strange this guy should come to me and the first thing he does is accuse you of being a swindler”. Damn stutters his inability to comprehend it all. She says she does understand. “It just has to be that the whole world is so envious of you. I just wonder which one of those envious people chased you down and shot you in the leg? Who would it be?”

Damian whines that Fer is being unfair. “--Really?” “--Yes!” He swallows nervously again. “Well, if you’re so convinced that all these lies are true, what are you thinking of doing?” “--Well, for starters, this is the last time that we two will be in the same place as husband and wife. If you like, remember it as the honeymoon we never had. You have two choices: one is to run away –as that’s your style--and you can disappear from my life completely.” He says she can’t be serious. “Two: refuse and I swear to you that you’ll pay for all your crimes rotting in a jail cell!” He shakes his head in disbelief. “Well, all right. Choose, Damian.” (What a rout. She is Woman; hear her roar! You go, girl!)

Damian looks at her and considers his options while she waits for an answer. Unbelievably, the weasel still tries to deny he knows Rubiel Villasana and says she’s wrong to believe whatever the man told her. (This guy has only one play in his playbook. Sheesh. I was hoping for more from this turkey. A beautiful bod, blue eyes to die for but, alas! No brains! Bummer.) Fer tells him it doesn’t matter. She’s not changing her mind because they are finished. (Oof! There went the meal ticket.) He hangs his head and gives her his best imitation of a wounded puppy. (I guess without the playbook from either BB or Mama, this guy is totally lost.) Fer is amazed that the guy just won’t give it up.

Martina and Venus now take a cab to Cad’s apartment. On the way Martina asks how Venus can be so sure he’s there. Venus thinks he is because of the strange way he acted on the phone. She’s determined to give the guy enough cord to hang himself.

Meanwhile, Ed and Estev are still in the middle of their heart-to-heart about Venus. Estev says she’s intelligent enough to eventually realize that a worm like Cad Elizalde is not an option. Ed says sure, but she’s beautiful and once the game with Elizalde is done, she’s going to have all sorts of guys interested in her. So, is Estev sure that he wants to risk losing such a special gal because he’s afraid of failing at romance? Estev thinks this is rich coming from a guy who is marrying one woman when he’s in love with another. Ed yells back that his situation is very different from Estev’s. (Let me count the ways.) Ed yells at Estev that his buddy is only being held back by prejudice and that he should only have that problem with Fernanda.

Eduardo lets it all hang out. “If I’d had all the information I succeeded in getting today, I would have arrived the day of her wedding and told her ‘Here is Eduardo Juarez! The Eduardo Juarez that never stopped loving you for an instant and who came back in order to marry you!’ –But for an abundance of reasons as you well know, Eduardo Juarez had to be killed in order to give life to Franco Santoro!! Franco Santoro is the one in charge of completing a mission, and at the completion of this mission do you know what is going to happen? He has to leave here, giving up that love! --Because I am sure Fernanda will never forgive me for having deceived her. –And you? What about you? You are shutting the doors to happiness and why? Why are you shutting them? ”

Estev finally finds his voice. “I swear it’s not for cowardice, Eduardo! The fact is that Venus is in love with her…Pygmalion! That idealized teacher. She doesn’t know the real Steve! That disaster of a man who is a total misfit! That man who is…who is afraid of love.” He walks off leaving Ed ashamed and shocked at having emotionally disrobed himself as well as his best friend that way. (Hey, it works for me.)

Fer now hands back the bracelet to Damian. “--But I bought that especially for you.” “—With what? With which company credit card?” (My thoughts, exactly! --What a girl! What a gal! What an Amazon!) He tells her he’s offended. She tells him that it wasn’t her intention to offend him, much less to keep it and BTW, regarding his things, not to worry because first thing in the morning she’s sending them to his mother’s place (ouch!) along with the divorce papers for him to sign. (Ruh-roh!!) “Don’t bother delivering them to me in person. I’ll send somebody over to pick them up from you. OK?” (Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding! Ding!) “Something else, Damian. When I say disappear, I mean disappear from everything that has anything to do with my life, including my family, too. Don’t try to come anywhere near me because I swear I will throw you in jail! Get it straight!! I am giving you your freedom in exchange for never seeing you again. Good riddance, Damian!” He tries to stop her but she tells him not another word. She throws her wedding rings at him and exits stage left. (Viewerville is on its feet with a standing “O.”) Damian is genuinely flat on his ass-ets now.

With her spare key to Cad’s pad, Venus and Martina let themselves in. Sexy music is playing loudly on the stereo. Martina stops Venus and tries to get her to leave before they do something they’ll be sorry for. Venus tells her if she wants she can wait for her in the taxi, but Martina isn’t about to leave her friend alone in there. Venus whispers that she’s got a little bit of business to take care of with this miserable jerkwad and she’s going to cause a ruckus that the entire building will hear about. Cad, meanwhile, is batching it up in a bubble bath with his number one bubble head, Nattie. Natasha is cooing. “Do you like this, Baby?” “--Yup. Lots.” Nattie starts to massage his shoulders. “¡Ay! Don’t stop. Don’t stop!”

Venus walks into the bedroom next and sees the bedcovers all messed up and a woman’s slip carelessly flung onto the floor. She frowns and then hears bawdy laughter coming from the bathroom. She quietly opens the door to it and hears Cad moan and tell Natasha that she’s tremendous. Venus sees the two of them in mid…er…corporeal embrace and says to herself under her breath, “So now [conque] it’s Natasha!” Martina’s arm swoops in just in the nick of time and pulls her friend out of there. Venus hisses at Martina that she told her to stay the heck out of this, but Martina grabs her arm firmly again and refuses to let go. “You listen to me first and I give my word afterwards you can do whatever you have a mind to without me lifting a finger!” “—What then?!!” “—Let’s speak outside!” They go back into the living room.

Martina asks Venus if she’s having a sudden attack of jealousy or what. Venus sneers and says she’s got to be kidding. Martina wonders then if she’s intending to have some big scandalous chat with Camilo just for grins or what. “You’re going to regret it for the rest of your life, Venus, if you do!” “--How so?” Martina explains she’d essentially be kicking both Don Estev and Don Franco in the essentials. Venus has second thoughts now. She asks if that means “that pig of an Elizalde would start malicious gossip” about them. (Hell yeah! That would be the least of it, probably!) Martina says of course, because he would discover she’s not the ‘refined Loafly Norton.’ Venus still wants her pound of flesh, but Martina makes her see that if she really wants to get even she doesn’t do it by causing a scandal in the guy’s own apartment. Venus finally gets it. “You’re right! That idle slacker deserves more than a scandal, something more that he should remember the whole of his totally measley life!”

Fer has now returned to the hacienda and is returning Santi’s phone call. She tells him she’s really sorry things didn’t work out for Rory and him but that he can count on her support for whatever comes up. Santi says no use talking about it any longer. He left a note for Gonzo telling him he’d be in Florence for a while and tells her the jeep is in the parking garage at Lactos. He changes the subject to her and Damian and wants to know how she left it. Fer says she did what he suggested the day that she got married. There’s a flashback to him telling her to promise him that if in the future she realizes she made a mistake to have the courage to recognize it and to have the courage to correct that mistake. “I corrected the mistake and I’m divorcing Damian.”

The next morning Eduardo is wishing he had the courage --or good sense-- to do the same and break it off with Errorika. She’s there at Las Animas with him going over the wedding invitations. Err wants him to put his parents’ names on the invitation along with hers but, knowing that that’s impossible, he suggests that they break with tradition and just put their names on it. She kisses him and says fine. She’ll do anything he wants. (She’s so excited at the chance to hook this yummy Alpha-male. I can’t exactly say that I blame her, either!) She’s all giggles. (Yeesh.) “Only one month till we are husband and wife!” (Yippee-skippee!) He smiles back sheepishly. (Yeah. Yip-yip. Yahoo.) Err giggles again, totally blinded by luhhv and desire. (Oy vey.)

At the same time, Florecita is shooting with both barrels at Margarita and Jacinto for keeping Eduardo’s true identity from her. Cinto is sure it was Gardenia who let the cat out of the bag and Flor says it sure was and good on her for doing it, too. Margie tries to explain they couldn’t exactly go broadcasting something like that especially when they were asked not to say anything. Flor claims self-righteously that she now knows why Fernanda told her she couldn’t trust a single soul around there, and why she had her swear that she would stand by Fer and deal straight with her. She looks scornfully over at the two of them. “—Not like the others around here! –And that’s exactly what I’m going to do! I’m not going to give myself over to lies and deception. The truth is above all else with me!” Marge and Cinto want to know what she means to do. Flor says she is going to tell Fernanda the truth about Eduardo Juarez.

Jacinto angrily tells Florecita that she’s got no right getting involved in this fuss. She insists that loyalty is topmost and she will get involved in it because she owes so much to Fernanda that she feels she must. It’s the right thing to do and the only thing to do. Margarita tries to make her see that they owe much more to the man who has been like a brother to them. Flor doesn’t see it that way. “No way! A boy that left here years ago and that we never heard from again?!!” “—But what about his sainted mother, Soledad?” “—If you want to talk about being thankful, then remember that the sin that hurts our Lord most is being ungrateful. You have been spewing lies and deceit. You’ve been dishonest and disloyal! You are betraying the trust Sra. Fernanda has shown you her entire life. You’re a couple of ingrates!”

Jacinto tells Flor that she doesn’t understand. (Why should she? She’s been kept out of it the loop. –On the other hand, maybe Ms. Goodie Two-Shoes might stop long enough to ask why the two of them were told not to say anything; or maybe she should have learned something from being wrongly accused herself a couple of weeks back, hmmm????) “No! What I don’t understand is why you two are behaving like a couple of low-lives! Flor stands on top of the moral pedestal she’s climbed onto. “--But there you are; you and your conscience.” Cinto has had enough. “Well, you can’t get blood from a turnip trying to get a donkey to see reason! [pedirle peras al olmo] “—You’re calling me a donkey?” Cinto tells her to take it any way she likes and stomps off to the bedroom. (Yeah. I say if the shoe fits, wear it.) Marge turns her back on her cousin and refuses to speak to her any further.

Back in the city, Dam is on the phone in the lobby screaming at Vlad to be let upstairs to the apartment. “What are you thinking, Vladimir? What do you mean you’re not going to see me?” Seems that Vlad now has grown back that shrunken little pair of his own. “Just what I said, Damian. Don’t insist because I’ve told the concierge not to let you come up.” Dam threatens him with telling Anibal the truth. Vlad sneers at him to do whatever the heck he feels like! Click. (Whoosh! A free throw and two points Team Vladimir!) Dam picks up the nearest thing he can find (Oops! Oh? It’s not his cellphone? Crap!) and pitches it against the elevator door. (Guess it’s back to Mama’s for Damian: Heaven for her; shear Hell on Earth for him.)

We beam over for breakfast time at the Elizalde’s. Nanda smiles over at Babs as she explains to her papi she’s split from Dam. “So Damian is no longer in my life, nor in Lactos, in the house, nor in the family. Gonzo wakes from his senile stupor long enough to tell her he simply can’t understand what could have happened between them. Babs innocently turns around to face her and asks what is it they don’t know about the two of them. Nanda explains that they never consummated their marriage and says that under those conditions it was useless to continue together. “I’d rather not go into detail about it.” Gonzo, still under the starry-eyed misperception that the two must love each other, tries to suggest that all couples have their problems but eventually get over them. (Just what does this dunderheaded dairyman not understand about “no sex” between newlyweds during six weeks of a marriage????? Viewerville strains in an effort to uncross its eyes.) Babs chimes in sweetly. "You’re father is right. Is there anything we can do to help?”

Fernanda turns around and says, “Yes! I’d appreciate no more questions.” Daddy, though, must be counting the thousands of dollars he just spent to insure her matrimonial send-off was such a social success. He tells her he and Babs are worried that she’s ending her marriage without a solid reason. (Excuse me?? Can we say annulment, class? Earth to Gonzo!) Nanda says it doesn’t matter. Her mind is made up. (Gonzo is humanity’s reason for sterilizing the entire Elizalede gene pool. --Speaking of a sterile gene pool…..) Anyballs and Pris appear in the dining room. AB is starving. Pris meekly asks for fruit. Everyone is imapactado at AB’s cheery attitude and overt demonstration of affection for his wife. He says they’re very happy to tell them they now know the sex of the baby. It’s a boy! “Want to know what we’re going to name him?” Everybody of course is excited and wants to know. “--Vladimir! Vladimir Elizalde! Don’t you like the way it sounds?” Smiles turn to confused grimaces. The spotlight is on Pris. Her humiliation is complete –or maybe not quite—as the family waits for some sort of a meaningful explanation.

Labels: manana

Permalink posted by Jardinera654 @ 2:50 PM 80 comments

Our cute little Moni has played a number of daffy roles recently, such as a geisha and a Charlie Chaplin lookalike. Her hijinks have reminded us a lot of Lucille Ball. However, tonight she gets to play a role Lucy could never have tackled, given the television morals boards of the 50’s (didn’t Lucy and Desi sleep in twin beds?). Fortunately for us, things have loosened up a bit.

We begin with Beto, wearing his “Careful, I bite” T-shirt, about to spill the beans to Mauricio. Or is he? He starts “La Monita and I……”

Regina wants to talk to Moni, but Moni has nothing to say to her, exits in a rush. So of course, when Beto says La Monita and I are…..he pauses for a few seconds, just long enough for Moni to stride in and knock him out with a right cross! Mau can’t believe what she did, wants to call a doctor, as does Salvador, but Moni uses the tried and true nose-squeeze to bring Beto back.

But he’s not all the way back, as he first says Mauricio for Deputy, Salvador for Senator. Moni drags him to the coffee room, where he can’t even remember what he was going to tell Mau, starts babbling about la Flaquita (skinny, which they take to be Connie), prompting Moni to ready another punch to really clear his thoughts. Regi’s back for her talk with Moni, and Moni agrees, but not here, the space (el cupo) in the coffee room is limited.

Estrella, in a skimpy animal skin - cavegirl costume, is grinding into the pole at the gentlemen’s club, as Costeño’s enthralled, and Don Cesar’s appalled, although he starts to appreciate Estrella’s charms as well.

Regina (I’m going to call her Gina) wastes no time in telling Moni she knows the secret, that Beto is her novio. But she has no bad intentions, and she’s not following anyone’s orders, she’s just been Mau’s friend for a long time, and knows he doesn’t like lies. She tells Moni that if Moni doesn’t tell Mau the truth, she could lose not only him, but the kids, who are crazy about her. At this point, Mau happens to hear the voices through the door, and hears Gina tell Moni that Gina will keep quiet, and not reveal Moni’s “secret”.

Mau invites Gina to his office to talk. Before he can start questioning her, she asks what he feels for La Monita. He actually admits he could marry her, but there are two problems. First, she has a novio, and second, she has a secret which you, Gina, know about. So spill the beans. Gina won’t do it, as she promised she’d guard the secret. (Gina really is looking more and more like a good person. Maybe I was wrong with my no-decal-on-car meter.) Mau tries to get her to tell, but the phone rings, and she leaves.

Moni and Paula are discussing things in the coffee room. Paula’s not happy she has to pretend to be Beto’s novia, he could just ask to kiss her over and over, and she didn’t like his slimy kiss at all. Moni relates how Gina knows the secret, and has given her word not to tell Mau, but told Moni she herself should tell Mau. Paula reminds Moni she’s playing a dangerous game, because if you play with fire, you get burned (jugar con fuego, solo quedan cenizas, literally, playing with fire, only ashes remain).

Oscar, that sly charmer, tells Gabi he has to go on a business trip, but wants a goodbye night of love first. As Gabi goes for coffee, up walks Gina, and Oscar’s ready for conquest number 2. He kisses her hand, wants five minutes of her time. She’s too busy now, so he gives her his card. As she walks away, he leans over to check out her asspirations, to the consternation of a hidden but observant Gabi.

Beto and Costeño are sharing a drink in Beto’s place, Beto complaining that the wedding’s going to be expensive, especially since he wants to go to Las Vegas for the honeymoon. Costeño thinks Beto may have to use his body to earn money, as some others do. Upon Beto’s questioning, Costeño relates how he went to a strip club, and Estrella was dancing there. She was red hot! (al rojo vivo). Just outside the door, Nieves hears this, and hears Beto ask Costeño where the club was.

Luisa and Aldo are arguing about his lack of preparation for tomorrow’s entrance exam. Mau comes in, then Dani and Connie, and after Dani makes another of her cute remarks, the kids are off, and Connie has some alone time with Mau. She brags that she’s been helping Aldo, but since Aldo will now study on his own, she and Mau can take advantage of their time alone. She attacks Mau with a rabid, desperate kiss. Of course he pushes her away, and doesn’t seem too impressed when she says that for him or for his kids, she’s capable of murder.

Moni and Paula are doing the wash, mildly arguing about the situation at work, with everyone thinking Beto is Paula’s novio. Moni thinks that’s nothing compared to real problems, like where is Estrella? At this point, Nieves shows up, says she feels guilty about Estrella, and to make up for it, she knows where to find her.

Estrella’s dancing, but she doesn’t like all the grabby hands. She takes a short break, only to run into Moni, who asks what is she doing? Estre just hangs her head.

Gabi’s planning her goodbye evening with Oscar, who’s supposedly going on a business trip, but he tells her he has something else to do for a few hours, he’ll see her after that. He leaves her, and she’s concerned that he may be hiding something. Salvador sees Gabi, and asks if she’s crying. She’s surprised, says no, but you startled me, almost made me faint (casi me da un sincope). She just has a doubt she wants to clear up. But she thanks him, and gives him a quick little kiss on the lips, leaving him hopeful.

Moni pulls Estrella aside, telling her you can’t lower yourself like this, you’re an actress. Estre says she’s just acting a part, but Moni knows better. She asks about the good, sweet Estrella, the one who’s her best friend. That Estrella, says Estre, is dead, and she walks away. Moni’s phone rings, and it’s Mau, who asks why she’s crying. She says she’s not, just bumped her little finger (meñique). He says she’s lying. She says she has to hang up, she has visitors. Who, your uncle with the hemorrhoids? he asks sarcastically. Yeah, my uncle, and she hangs up, leaving him frustrated.

Of course, evil Oscar’s “thing” he had to do, was to meet with Regina. In a restaurant, she immediately knows he’s really trying to seduce her. Oscar wants to put his cards on the table. He “knows” she’s really after Mau’s money, and he’ll help her marry Mau, if she becomes his lover. She coolly plays along, as he says she needs a man like him, since she’s a woman who is cold and distant. He could light her fires. At this moment, Gabi walks in behind him, picks up the champagne bottle, and asks if the gentleman would like a refill. Thinking she’s the waitress, without looking back, he says fill ‘er up. He then is shocked to see Gabi, who after handing the champagne bottle to Gina, saying “allow me, dear”, picks up the ice bucket, and dumps the contents on Oscar’s head! Let me guess, says Gina. Your novio? My ex, is the reply, and he’s all yours. She’s outta there. Oscar says “how embarrassing” (qué papelón), but Gina douses him, too, with a glass of champagne, saying if you think I’m a cold woman, now you’re a frozen man, and she leaves the bum, who isn’t really too upset, and sits there, bemused, licking his lips.

Mauricio is deep in thought when Moni comes into his bedroom with his cappuccino. (I’m thinking something’s weird here). Anyway, he says he knows she has a secret, and she’s not leaving this room until she tells. She hems and haws, then agrees. Her secret is….she’s actually his brother, Juan Carlos Sermeño! (Hah!) Of course, it was a dream, and he wakes up, obsessed with Moni’s secret. What is she hiding?

It’s the next day, and Moni’s telling Paula how concerned she is about Estrella. Beto bounces in, sporting a T-shirt which says El Golfo de México, which has two meanings, the Gulf of Mexico, or the Lazy Bum of Mexico! He’s carrying a brochure of the party room they’re going to rent for the wedding. And he adds that he’ll get a black suit and shirt, and act as the host/comedian, to save money. Paula’s impressed, but Moni thinks the whole thing will cost too much, especially after Beto says he’s thinking 300 guests, 100 from the gym, 100 from work and 100 from the neighborhood.

Salvador checks in on Gabi at her desk. She’s visibly upset, but doesn’t want to tell him what’s wrong. He won’t press, but is there if she needs him. She stops him from leaving, hugs him tearfully from behind, when her phone rings. He tells her not to answer, and she DOESN’T (a telenovela first)! He says nothing is more important than this, leaning in to kiss her gently. She pulls away, he’s married, this is wrong, she needs to be alone. But, she adds, only for a few minutes, as their romance continues to build slowly.

Connie’s eating breakfast with Jerry and Oscar, and is exasperated with Aldo’s “teflon” brain, he doesn’t seem to retain anything. Oscar reminds her she’s boosting her image by playing the dutiful, helpful novia, but she thinks the kids have hated her from the start, and Aldo will never pass the test. No problem, says Oscar, we’ll just use a little fraud, and you’ll look like a hero (la buena de la película). Oscar has to catch his plane, so he cautions the others not to do anything stupid (good luck with that!), and leaves. Jerry says Oscar’s going to buy a lot of land and build a covered golf course, which sounds crazy even to Jerry. Connie’s impressed though, and Jerry’s jealous.

Moni brings Mau his morning capucchino. Will this be like his dream? Will she tell him her secret? Of course not. She resents his questioning, and maintains there is no secret. He says, fine, but if she doesn’t tell, she’ll be responsible for the consequences, and his patience is limited. She leaves, and I notice that once again, she has a very short skirt (brown), but with little shorts underneath, yellow to match her sweater. She’s had a number of outfits like this, and I was at a party recently where a young lady was apparently wearing a scandalously short skirt, but a gust of wind revealed there were shorts underneath. So maybe this is a fashion trend. Salvador comes in, and Mau says he wants to know if Moni leaves. Should Sal follow her? No, Mau wants to do it himself.

In the coffee room, Beto’s gorging himself on pastries, while planning the menu for the wedding. Moni enters and hits him on the head, he should be working, not spending all day planning the wedding. He’s not deterred, he finished the guest list, the gifts, next up is the wedding dress. She reminds him that’s HER job. She’s a little short with him, and he wonders what’s wrong. She says she’s worried about Estrella, and he says let her be, but Moni suddenly gets an IDEA, and bounds into action. Salvador sees her get into the elevator, and notifies Mauricio.

Well, Beto, having stuffed his face, needs to stuff his pockets, so he barges into Jerry’s office to ask for a loan for the wedding. Jerry flat out refuses, so Beto (after first looking around for hidden cameras) suggests a job, one of those shady deals (chanchullos) Jerry likes. Well, Jerry does have just such a job. He asks if Beto has scruples, and Beto doesn’t think so, but he did have mumps (paperas) once. Fine, welcome to the club, says Jerry, holding his nose as he declines Beto’s handshake (Beto thinks he has a cold).

At the strip club, Moni enters through a red door to pounding disco music. She immediately pushes up her bust, primps her hair, purses her lips, and hand on hip, slithers up to the man in charge. She tells him she’s a friend of Estrella’s, and purrs that she wants to talk to the manager in private. She sexily follows him to his office. A few seconds after she’s out of view, who should arrive but Mauricio! (yeah, big surprise).

To the pounding music of Sexy, Sexy Smile, Estrella mounts the stage, grabs the pole, and Mauricio is muy impactado! Estrella, who doesn’t see him, crawls along the stage, kicking up her legs, and Mau’s hands cover his mouth in disbelief. But he ain’t seen nuthin’ yet! A new dancer comes up to join Estre, wearing a cowboy hat, gold boots and not much else. It’s Monita! Actually she’s also wearing a gold skirt and a blue and white fringed bra. I notice that Estrella has a feather, so maybe she’s an Indian Princess. Cowboys and Indians was never this much fun!

Estrella is surprised to see Moni, and asks what Moni’s doing there. Same as you, is the answer, as they banter back and forth, while doing synchronized dance moves, such as squatting, putting their knees together and then apart, kicking their feet in the air. It’s really quite comical to hear them arguing while going through the put-on, sexy motions, the crowd oblivious to their discussion, whooping and cheering. Moni tells her either we both leave, or I’ll stay. Fine, let’s stay says Estre. Meanwhile, Mauricio (who can’t hear any of this) is shaken to the core – so THAT’s what Moni’s secret was! He leaves, and Moni makes a remark about how turned on the men are, which makes Estrella a little embarrassed, and she walks off quickly and starts sobbing in the dressing room. Moni finds her, and begs her to come home, she knows Estre’s going through a bad time, but she can always count on Moni. Then you’ll help me? asks Estre tearfully? Of course, what are best friends for? They hug.

Jerry has just the job for Beto. He calls a teacher, Professor Nuñez, and pretending (to Beto’s mild shock) to be Mauricio, asks the prof just how much he requires for a little push concerning Aldo’s entrance exam!

Gabi is carefully (it’s just the way she is) ripping up Oscar’s picture, strip by strip. Sal wants to console her, but she’s through with men. Maybe she’ll buy a dog. Mauricio enters the office, Salvador greets him, but Mau is burning mad, doesn’t want to talk to anyone.

Back in the vecindad, Moni is walking Estrella back, as Nieves comes out to let Estrella have a piece of her mind. She wants no more trashy behavior from Estrella. Whatever goes on behind closed doors, that’s no problem, but behave yourself in the common areas. Estrella meekly agrees, but after Nieves leaves, she shakes her fist at her. Moni calms her down, and surprises her with the news that Nieves was the one who asked about Estrella, and helped find her.

Gina enters Mau’s office, she has to leave to go to the United States for a few months (hold the applause, didn’t I predict she’d leave in my comments to yesterday’s post? Course, I seem to have been wrong about whether she was bad or good. Oh well). Anyway, Mau says he knows Moni’s secret. Gina (who of course, knows the REAL secret) thinks it’s no big thing. It’s normal. What? replies Mauricio. It’s normal to live a double life, to serve cappuccino in the morning, then go dance nude in a dive? Why did she lie? Gina doesn’t say any more, he’ll just have to clear it up with Moni, she has to leave. Mauricio thanks her for being a good friend, and they hug.

Luisa is yelling at Aldo, what do you mean you’re not going to take the test? Aldo thinks it’s pointless, but Connie comes in, and Aldo thanks her but his mind is made up (he says I have la persiana cerrada, which means the blinds are closed). Connie says you’re going to go the exam, and you’re going to pass. Trust me, as she winks knowingly.

Back in the office, it’s time for more malentendidos (misunderstandings), as Paula enters with some tea for Mauricio. Mau asks her to shut the door, and here’s what they say:

M: I now know what Moni does when she’s not in the office, her other profession, her other job, what would you call it?
P: You mean, you know that she’s a
M: Yes, yes, and I don’t understand why she didn’t tell me.
P: Well, understand her, it’s not easy for her to tell, very few people would understand, you know? It’s not very common for a woman to go up and
M: Yes, yes, I know it, Paula, what hurts is that La Monita didn’t trust me. I would be incapable of judging her.
P: Then, it doesn’t matter to you that she….You really care for her, no?
M: Thanks for the tea, you can leave now.

In the coffee room, where Beto’s devouring some chicken, Jerry enters, gives Beto a sealed envelope to deliver to Professor Nuñez, along with some cash as Beto’s fee. Beto burps, starts asking what’s in the envelope, and Jerry says you don’t need to know. Beto then has second thoughts, he likes Mauricio, doesn’t want to mess things up for him. Jerry threatens him, he could have Beto fired, no job, no wedding, so shut up and do your job. Beto’s not scared, thinks Jerry would come out worse. Jerry’s fed up, grabs the envelope, and demands the cash, too. Nope, that’s payment for my silence, now get out! Jerry’s messed up again. He gathers up the chicken as a consolation prize, but I think Beto has proven who’s the wiser. As soon as Jerry gets out of the room, he dumps the disgusting (to him) chicken in Paula’s trash cart. Back in the room, Beto’s not upset about the chicken, with this money he can buy a hundred more chickens, and still have money left for a few sticky buns (chongos).

Moni arrives at work, tells Paula Estrella’s okay, but Paula says we’ve got a problem. Mauricio knows you’re a boxer! I was in his office and he told me. He was so mad, my legs were shaking. In walks Mauricio with a very stern expression on his face. Valentina, come to my office, please, we have to talk. Uh oh!

And Monday looks incredible! There’s more heat with Beto and Connie. But that’s not all. Apparently Estrella and Moni get jobs acting in a period telenovela, and Mauricio rides in on a horse! He takes her in his arms, and…….Well, we’ll just have to wait ‘til Monday to find out the rest!

Vocabulario:

El cupo – the space, the room, comes from the verb caber, to fit
Jugar con fuego, solo quedan cenizas – If you play with fire, you’ll get burned, literally playing with fire, only ashes remain
Al rojo vivo – red hot, literally something like to the intense red
Casi me da un sincope – you almost made me faint
Meñique, or el dedo meñique – the little finger, or pinky
Qué papelón – How embarrassing!
Chanchullos – shady deals
Paperas – the mumps
Tengo la persiana cerrada – literally, I have the venetian blinds closed, but I think Aldo used it to mean his mind was made up
Chongos – a dessert made of fried bread, topped with cheese or cinnamon

Labels: gancho

Good morning, readers. This was a chapter where truth once again surfaces in the twisted lives of the Elizalde family. I’ll try to post the recap to the sidebar later. If anyone will do it in the meantime, thanks.

Flor admonishes Gardenia to tell the truth, no matter what. Gardenia tells a shocked Flor that Fer saw her kissing Franco.

Santi, angry and hurt, tells his tale about Aurora to Fer. She tells him not to believe the Hyena because she is capable of anything. Finally, she tells him that Barb had Lili committed and that Barb killed their mother.

Franco tells Artemio that he is concerned for Lili’s well being (bienstar). AB assures him she is well and that he can confirm it with his own eyes, but with conditions. You have to know and understand that Lili will only leave when she wants to or when I am dead. He tells Franco that Lili is not a prisoner in his house. Franco reminds him about her confinement in the loony bin. Artemio emphasizes that no one is obligated to be in his house, not even you, Franco.

Santi is now jumping out of his skin. Fer tells him of the tape evidence and that it is not conclusive. Now that you know the truth Barb has to get what she deserves. Fer makes him sit down. Barb cannot suspect that they know the truth. It is too much for Santi’s little head. He now begins to see the light. Fer emphasizes that Barb had everything to do with Aurora’s leaving the house. He finally agrees and admits that he jumped to conclusions. He knows he was the first love in her life. Surely Barb engineered the whole fracas says Fer. She gained Aurora’s confidence in order to sully (enlodar) your image. Santi says she is involved in a web of lies. Fer says she is eating them alive and that they can’t say anything to her face.

Flor gets on Gardenia for telling falsehoods. Gardenia says you don’t know anything. Gardenia admits it wasn’t as it appeared. Why should I tell you, she asks. Flor doesn’t know how to help her. Gardenia admits that she kissed him. Flor says tell the truth and the problem will be over. Gardenia says it’s worse, and as she is explaining, enter the super who makes Flor leave to answer the phones. Flor orders Gardenia not to leave until she tells her the truth.

Now you know why we have to keep our mouths shut. Go to Aurora, you deserve to be happy. We can’t raise suspicion in Barbara. She says I am not alone that she can count on Franco. She also tells him that Barb is surely involved in Lili’s disappearance and that she was Damian’s accomplice in the theft.

Pris keeps yelling at Vlad who finally leaves the bedroom. He claims he cannot find the letter. She says, you don’t have a letter, it’s something you invented to get me here. She tries to leave. The phone rings. It’s Anibal. Vlad says he wants to talk about his severance. Pris is angry that Anibal will see her in Vlad’s apartment. Vlad says calm down. I’ll tell him about the baby’s horoscope. I think that’s what he said.

Artemio leads Franco and Barb into a room where Lili is waiting. Lili is looking out the window when Artemio tells Lili that she has visitors. Lili turns around and smiles at Franco. Artemio wants to know if she likes the surprise. Franco breaks the ice and asks her how she is. Artemio asks her if she knows this man. Lili says, yes, I know who you are. Mystery music plays in the background.

Don’t tell me you know this gentleman. Yes, she says. He is … and Ed breaks in and says “Franco Santoro,” a friend of the family. She looks crestfallen. They smile and Artemio looks puzzled.

Fer relates the tale of the estafa (swindling) of Sra. Villasana and Damian’s involvement. Damian was found guilty. Remember the three million Grupo Lactos’ money that seemed to disappear – the exact amount that Barb was going to give to Damian. They are now connecting the dots. God knows what lies hidden, says Santi. Fer says more. But it deals with Daddy. He is going to give his fortune to Barb. You remember when Lili attacked Barb at the dinner. They prattle on and Fer tells him to go find Aurora.

Dumb ass Vlad is supposedly looking for the letter. You’re an imbecile, she says. You don’t think I want problems with Anibal. The letter, she says. He hands her a folder. I’m not stupid. Where is my brother’s letter. She grabs him by the ear. He wants to explain. He is saved by Anibal banging on the door. Pris is upset. Ani wants to know what Pris is doing here.

Artemio says as you can see Lili is in good condition. But what grabs my attention, Mr. Santoro, where does your interest in her come from. Franco says he doesn’t have any great interest other than it’s effect on his business relationship with Lactos. AB says this is not a disappearance. She doesn’t want to live with her father nor does she want freedom. The problem is that her family doesn’t have any idea where she is, says Franco. You know full well they set her apart from their life more than fifteen years ago, retorts Artemio. Tell me honestly what is your great interest in the Elilzalde family.

Vlad tries to explain to Ani that he has an astrological chart for their baby. Ani says why didn’t you send it – you’ve been fired. Pris tries to save it by showing Ani the chart. Ani doesn’t doubt it’s an astrological chart. September 2 – the date of birth of the child – it’s a farce because the year of birth is 1976. Pris tries to leave, but Ani makes her stay and says you know what is going on.

Franco claims that the real interested party is Steve Norton. Steve is the son of the owner of Power Milk. Franco isn’t completely sure of Steve’s interest. Franco says he’s Steve’s front man. Artemio tells Barb they have to check this out. Artemio says that it would give him great pleasure if Franco was not interested in helping the Elizalde family. What job do you have in mind? Artemio says knocking the Elizaldes out of the market. Franco says that’s the objective of Power Milk. He and Barb can do the job together. Franco doesn’t want to risk anything as to Lili. What else do you need. She’s here of her own free will. Clever Franco tells Artemio that he wants to talk to Lili alone.

Lovely has changed out of her pink parachute and is dressed in a coat of pink and green over shorts, she knocks on the door and Cami opens it. She tells him that she had a fight with her uncle – about being Cami’s wife. The only important thing is to be with him. As his wife she can do anything.

Ani says to a sitting Pris and a standing Vlad that they will talk the truth. He takes an envelope out of his jacket pocket and tells her to open it. What is it, she asks. He wants her to see for herself. He tells her to read it out loud. She begins to cry and wants to know where he is going with this. He says the paper is complete – I’m sterile.

Camilo wants to know the secret between the two women. She says it’s not a good idea to talk now. She’ll tell him when she is his wife. She helps him remove his jacket. They are going to make up their own secret. Cam wants to know what she’s hiding. Blues music plays in the background. She has what appears to be a scissors in her hand. Cami is alarmed. She begins to cut his shirt sleeve and nicks him a bit. He likes it. He’s going to congratulate her teacher. She has his sleeves loose and now goes up the shoulders and rips the rest of the shirt off him. He now helps and grabs her and they kiss and hug. Is she getting into this – oops, no, she pushes him down and unbuttons her coat revealing a pink bra, shorts and boots. Venus slithers over toward Cami. At the same time, Steve is having a nightmare. By mental telepathy, Venus feels it and like Eve, she feels shame. Cam wants the whole show. She pushes him away. I can’t, I just can’t she says and picks her stuff up and runs out the door. Cami is completely frustrated and says, “you’ll pay for this.”

Lili is seated at the chess table when Franco enters the room. He says, thanks Lili. These people don’t know who I am. He warns her that this man is responsible for her mother’s death. Lili one ups him and tells Franco that Artemio is Ana Gregoria’s son. She says it’s all written down. Look In the drawer. She tells him to get the diary. There is the whole truth. He begins to turn the pages. Franco looks shocked as he reads. She checks out the hallway and tells him no one is coming.

Fer asks for Flor. Gardenia doesn’t know. She needs her to take notes at a meeting in the morning. Flor returns and Gardenia tells her that she doesn’t have to come to work tomorrow. Flor says something terrible is going to happen. Editor: Frankly, I didn’t get the point of this gibberish.

Franco reads and finds out about Ana and Jeronimo Elizalde. Franco pretends to say to Lili that it must be terrible for her especially not to be with her family. For Artemio’s sake she says her family doesn’t mean anything to her. Franco says he’s glad to see she’s well, and Lili says goodbye to Franco Santoro, but in a halting manner. She picks up a chess piece and looks happy.

The crazy conversation between Flor and Gardenia continues. Flor tells Gardenia to keep her mouth shut. Imagine that Franco Santoro is not Franco Santoro. Who is he? asks Flor. Gardenia lets it out – remember Ed. Gardenia tells Flor that Franco is Eduardo Juarez. Flor nearly faints.

Barb asks Franco if everything is OK. He says, yes. Artemio then asks about their business. Franco and he get in a discussion about Lili’s future and that she can’t stay locked up forever. Franco wants to be in charge of her in order to continue their business. He wants the freedom to visit Lili alone. Artemio agrees and says that is not a condition, but a pleasure. They shake on it.

Ani burns the letter in Vlad’s ashtray as Pris looks on in tears. Therefore, Pris, if I am sterile, how did you get pregnant. She wants to talk to him privately. Why can’t we talk in front of Vlad. You recommended him as a financial advisor. Please, she begs. Ani will not be stopped. He wants an explanation. I want you to hear what Vlad has to say. Why did you say the child is yours?

At Pueblo Purificacion there is a knock on Aurora’s door. A nun enters and tells her that Santi (she said a blonde man) is there and is with the Mother Superior and wants to see her. He tells MS that he unjustly insulted Aurora and wants to apologize. She says that he deserves the right to apologize. Madre agrees that in love anything is possible. He wants to know if Aurora will see him. A knock at the door and Aurora enters. Madre leaves them alone to talk.

Vlad says when they finished making love, Pris put her legs over her head. He later found that it is a position that women use to become pregnant. Ani wants to know if he knew he was sterile. Vlad says, no – he found out by accident. Then it was you who made her pregnant. The real father of your child is Vladimir. Pris says, “yes,” Vlad looks relieved.


Avances: We see Fer throw a negligee at Damian and Franco tells Steve that Fer must never find out? What? I don’t know.

Labels: manana

Carlota’s talking with the lawyer, requesting that he change the clause about Paloma getting her money when she turns 18. He says he can’t, and she assures him that she’ll find a way to compensate him for it.

On the phone, Carlota agrees to give Arcadia the money--she’ll bring it to her tonight at 9.

The doctor, Rodolfo, has stopped by to invite Macarena to go to the symphony concert with him and she agrees. He thought she was going to say no after what happened with Carlota yesterday, how Carlota said it was unethical for him to ask Macarena out since she’s his patient (of course, Carlota hears all this). Macarena sees that Carlota’s listening and asks the doc what time she should be ready.

Rufi arrives at Emiliano’s office to return his jacket. He asks if Paloma gave Rufi a message for him, but she didn’t. Orlando asks why did Paloma have your jacket? Emiliano, waxing poetic, recounts their meeting at the church--he has never felt her so close, something happened, he felt a connection between them for the first time. But she ran off without saying anything. Orlando says maybe the encounter scared her and she wanted to put some distance between them, and wonders if the fact that she sent the jacket back via a servant instead of returning it herself is a message that she wants Emiliano far away from her.

Romina and Paloma are at school, and Romina’s mocking Aron saying he’s there for Paloma if she needs a shoulder to cry on, etc.--puhleeze, says Romina, of course he loves you. Paloma tells her that Aron only wants to be friends. Romina says Paloma has to give him a chance, but Paloma replies that a very long time is going to pass before she’s interested in someone again. Romina understands about Inaki, but tells her to move on already. Paloma thinks if what happened to her happened to Romina, or Romina and Emiliano broke up, Romina wouldn’t be able to fall for anyone else so quickly. Romina declares there’s no possibility of them breaking up, and she wouldn’t be surprised if Emiliano proposes very soon.

Macarena is getting ready for her date, asking Rufi what she should wear. Carlota comes in with her usual criticisms about Macarena’s romance being ridiculous and how her clothes are unfashionable and old--the doctor is going to be embarrassed/ashamed of you. Rufi tells her not to pay attention to Carlota, but Macarena thinks Carlota was right, she is being ridiculous.

German and Emiliano are eating out, with German asking Emiliano for business advice or something. Then German says he’s thinking of going out with Paloma and Emiliano freaks out--don’t even think about it. You don’t take anyone seriously, for you everything is just about having fun. German thinks maybe a girl like Paloma is what he needs. He wonders if Emiliano is interested in her, but E denies it, saying he feels responsible for her, because Inaki once told him that he trusted Emiliano to take care of her. Emiliano thinks German should at least wait until she recovers from Inaki’s death, and German wonders if maybe there’s something else going on with Emiliano.

Paloma’s on the phone with Angelica, she’d like to talk in person, and Angelica agrees to wait for her in the park. Then she has a flashback of almost kissing Emiliano in the rain.

Romina joins German and Emiliano at the restaurant. German asks what Romina thinks of him going with Paloma and she laughs no, you two are like water and oil. Emiliano says see? I’m not the only one who thinks you and Paloma are a no go. Then Romina adds the gossip that Paloma already found someone, Aron.

Paloma shares with Angelica that she feels badly about Inaki, and Angelica tries to assure her that nothing she does now can affect Inaki. Paloma says that for a second she felt like kissing Emiliano. Angelica suggests that perhaps Paloma wasn’t thinking of Emiliano at that moment, but of Inaki--she had just been looking at their photos, so maybe she projected her feelings for him onto Emiliano. But it’s also possible that you’re attracted to Emiliano--Paloma denies this. Angelica says sometimes life surprises us and one can love again, sooner than they thought. Paloma protests but not Emiliano, he was Inaki’s friend and is Romina’s boyfriend and it scares her to think there could be something between them.

Macarena visits Camila at her shop to say that she’s not going to go out with the doctor because Carlota is right, I doesn’t have the right clothes, etc. Camila thinks Macarena is just nervous and decides to take her shopping.

Carlota at the bank picking up a briefcase full of cash.

Arcadia tells her niece that she’s going away tomorrow to the frontera (I think she means the United States?) to start a new life.

Musical montage of Macarena trying on dresses. Camila buys the clothes and Macarena doesn’t know how she’ll repay Camila for everything she does for her--she’s like the sister Mac always wanted to have. She also hopes Carlota doesn’t see the new outfit, because she surely she’s not going to like it. Camila asks what do you care if Carlota likes it or not, that’s Carlota’s problem, not yours.

Ines runs into Rafael on the street and she tells him how Diana informed her about the new ceramics line and the business making millions again (or did she say that Rafa would become a millionaire again?). Rafael looks POed. When did Diana tell you this? Oh, a couple days after you reconciled.

Diana shops for fabric--I guess she plans to redecorate.

Carlota puts the briefcase on top of a bureau.

Rufi comes to Paloma’s room to tell her that Aron is there to see her. He has brought her a book with poetry, quotes, etc. Carlota enters and Paloma asks if she remembers him; Aron reminds Carlota that he’s Ines’s nephew, the one she wanted for Paloma. Carlota says Paloma’s in mourning and shouldn’t go out with him or anyone else. Aron says friends are there in good times and bad, and he’ll call tomorrow to see if Paloma wants to go to the movies. After he leaves Paloma asks why shouldn’t she go out with Aron--after all, you said he was the kind of person you wanted near me and now I’m listening to you. Carlota asks, and if people criticize and talk badly of you? Paloma says pain is carried within, and she doesn’t care what others think.

Emiliano is ranting to Orlando about Paloma allegedly having another boyfriend. Every day it’s harder for him to hide his feelings for her. Emiliano declares that he’s going to put distance between them and Orlando agrees that’s the best option.

Macarena asks Paloma don’t think I’m being ridiculous? She wouldn’t have dared do this if not for the love she has for Paloma. She doesn’t want Paloma’s destiny to be like her and Carlota’s. She advises Paloma to trust, love, and feel alive again. Maybe it’s too late for her (Macarena), but Paloma is young and has her whole life ahead of her. If Paloma achieves happiness, everything will have been worth it. The doctor arrives to pick up Macarena; as they leave Carlota glares and shakes her head.

Emiliano and his nana Meche talk about her grandson Chava--he wasn’t where E expected to find him playing soccer. Apparently Chava is hanging out with kids who are older than him and she’s very worried about him. She’s afraid that he’ll turn into an alcoholic, like his mother. Chava knows about this and she has tried to talk to him, but everything she says goes in one ear and out the other. Emiliano promises to talk to him.

Romina tells Camila that she really wants to see her father, she thinks he’s in Mexico City (according to the detective she hired) she’s sure he will look for her, she’s going to see him soon and she’s never going to let him leave. Camila tries to caution Romina and is worried that she’ll get hurt. Romina thinks if he’s back it’s because he came for her, and she’ll welcome him back with all her heart.

Carlota skulks out of the house with the briefcase; Emiliano is across the street in front of Romina’s house and sees her. Paloma gets out of bed and looks out the window--Emiliano smiles and waves, which causes her to duck back into her room. While waiting for Romina to open the door, Emiliano moons over Pal a bit more.

Arcadia’s on the side of the road when Carlota drives up. Arcadia checks that the money’s all there and starts to walk away. Carlota gets back into her car and runs her over. I seem to remember that the FELS recappers/viewers kept a body count, and it looks like we’ll need one for this show too. So that makes two people Carlota has knocked off so far (that we know of).

Carlota picks up the briefcase and shoves Arcadia’s body off the side of the road.

Emiliano and Romina are eating dinner at her house. Emiliano mentions the situation with Chava, and she while she thinks the kid isn’t Emiliano’s responsibility, she likes that he worries about Chava because that means he’s going to be a very good father. He responds that he had a great example. Romina tells him about her father being in Mexico City. Emiliano changes the subject and asks if it’s true that Paloma already has a new boyfriend--yes, it’s true…Paloma isn’t as sweet and pure as everyone thinks. The truth is I don’t understand--to me she isn’t so “wow” for everyone to be crazy for her.

Paloma gets out of bed again, looks out the window and sees that Emiliano’s car is still there in front of Romina’s house.

Rafael arrives home and he finds out that Diana bought a new living room set. He’s annoyed and asks how they’re going to pay for it. Well, don’t you have a new investor that’s going to make him a millionaire? He replies that he never said they were going to be millionaires.

Macarena and the doctor Rodolfo are at a restaurant. She likes him but senses that he has other intentions, and doubts that she can return his feelings. He explains she’s everything he wants in a woman, etc. She’s a good woman who deserves to leave behind all the sadness she’s had in her life, and he has realized that Paloma is the only thing keeping her with Carlota. She confesses that she had decided to move out after Paloma married. He offers to take care of her and Paloma, and he wants them to marry.

Diana wants to know if we’re not rich, why’d you give me that painting? It’s not fair if you can buy whatever you want and I can’t. Rafael explains that he used his savings to buy the painting; they haven’t seen any money from the new project yet, and besides it is a risk. Diana protests that Joel told her it’d be successful and that they are going to be rich. Rafa asks what did Joel say and when? She lies that she hasn’t seen Joel in a long time, and says stress must be causing Rafa to make things up.

Carlota is back home after just another day at the office. She’s got a lace doily thing on and is caressing it while smiling at herself in the mirror (Que the heck??!!). I think we saw her or someone else putting this on in the very first episode?

Avances: Cristobal looking impactado while standing at gate, Carlota plotting against Aron, Orlando and Camila on a date, Emiliano sees Paloma at the movies with Aron, and German says Emiliano is in love with Paloma (which Romina hears).

Labels: amor

Accompanied by an organ grinder (organillero), Beto pops the question to Monita. Valentina Lopez, will you marry me? Delighted, she answers yes! She would! (Organ grinder and a monkey, La Monita, get it?)

Estrella recounts her tale of woe to Rolando, then she remembers the monkey, oh no! Thank goodness, the little cutie was in her purse. (Second monkey reference and hey isn't it a capuchin monkey?) She tells Rolu she's more alone than ever. He tries to talk her into staying at his apartment, or one of his apartments. She shouldn't worry about price, she just needs to feel safe. She agrees to look at it. Hmmmm...

Our newly-shorn Aldo complains to Ivan that he must find Estrella. Ivan doesn't quite get Aldo's sense of urgency but he throws his hands in the air and follows the insistent Aldo.

Moni describes the proposal to Pau and Pau asks will she really marry Beto? Moni says yes, when the time comes. She's not exactly jumpin' for joy, is she? Pau tells her el Sermeño Group was asking for her all morning. Mona insists she's over Mau and she's committed to Beto forever. Yeah right.

Nieves is positively thrilled at Beto's news, now she understand why he borrowed the money, for the garlands, the carriage, the ring (las guirnaldas, la calandria, el anillo). Did she say yes? The next step is to set the date. Beto tells his mamita to calm down but Nieves is out of control bouncing off the walls.

In all of Mexico City Rolu takes Estrella to the same restaurant as Xime. Xime gets an eyeful of Rolu putting the moves on Estrella and she butts in to stop his octopus moves. She has three things to say: One, Estrella is a traitor; two and three Estre is a fake and a bad friend respectively. Estre insists there is nothing between her and Rolu. (I'll say, you couldn't have slipped a blade between them he was so plastered against her!)

Xime tells Rolu she really thought they were going to have something and she had an interminable list of names for their sons and now look what he did. She commands him to leave her in peace and not try to get her back. Rolu rolls his eyes and Estrella is irritated that he did nothing. He continues the octopus so Estre jumps up, tells him he has no heart and she would rather become a stripper (bataclana) than stay with him. Hooray!!

Nieves (call me madre) is still maniacally insisting that Beto set the date. He resists and wants to drink his milk with vanilla in peace.

Close up of the office bug and we see Mau telling Regina about his adoption problems. She doesn't want to meddle but wouldn't it be easier if he were married?

The naughty trio of Jeri, Oscar and Coni listen and Oscar is impressed at Regi's technique.

Regi suggests to Mau that for the sake of expediting his adoption they should get married. Cara impactada de Mauricio.

The naughty trio also gasps. Oscar and Jeri bow to the master that is Regina. Oscar says she just gave the death thrust to the bull, Jeri says she scored a goal and left the goalkeeper standing. Oscar says it's time to pack it up and leave but Consti says the war has just begun.

Moni's sad and lonely coffee closet thoughts are interrupted by the warrior Constanza. Moni grouses that if Consti's looking for an argument she should just leave because Moni is boiling mad (como agua para chocolate). Not this time, insists Consti, she wants Moni's help getting Mau away from the skeleton-head (calaca) who wants to marry him. Whaddya think? Did Coni get it right?















Regi pushes her case while the evil pair cackle and listen in. Mau hems and haws and Regi calmly informs him that if he needs her he knows how to find her.

Odious Oscar tells Jeri they will look for something bad in Regi's past to use against her. If they can't find anything they can just invent and photoshop something against her.

Moni is irritated that Consti gets familiar with her, calling her "gorda" and all. Moni says she's a boxer, all she wants is her punch, and she pushes Coni out the door of her little coffee room.

Regi tells Mau not to tell anyone about their little discussion. They have a "friendly" hug and of course Monita walks in and asks them if they would like a cappuchino (cappuchino, capuchin...another monkey reference). Mau introduces Ms. Busty to his assistant. "Assistant?" scoffs Moni, "I'm really just the one who makes capuchino." Regi thinks she's enchanting. After they leave Coni (looking smashing in her Sandra Dee dress) sneaks into the office and snatches the bright red bug from under Mau's desk.

Sal and Mau have a heart to heart, well Sal is trying but Mau's thoughts are far away. He admits to Sal that Regi proposed to him to help with the adoption. Sal is suspicious of yet another of Mau's "great" friends.

At the local trendy bar Coni (with her evil cohorts) calls Mau to try to get him to go out with her. Uh...does he want to go to Vladimir's party? Remember, he's the Russian that they met at one of Gonzo's parties. (Is it a weird coincidence that Vlad and Gonzo are characters in MEPS?) Mau's not in the mood and he hangs up. Coni is cranky and asks what in the heck is she going to do now? Oscar suggests sacrificing himself for the cause, he will seduce Regi because so far no woman has been able to resist him. Jeri is perturbed he didn't get the idea first and Consti guffaws in her martini.

Regi ingratiates herself into the family by taking the girls to a movie and getting a little gift for Teresa. They beg her to stay for dinner. Dani wants to call Moni and tell her about the movi but Regi manages to stop her. Dani tells Regi her that Mau adores Moni and she asks Regi who does she want Mau to marry, the monster or the little monkey?

Beto and Moni arrive home from somewhere and he's very excited about the wedding plans, they'll invite all the luchadors and everyone from the gym and Nieves has already arranged for them to get married by Padre Renato. Moni is shocked because the last time Beto was there he stole the alms. Beto says just think, they'll be married in two weeks! Moni looks like she's going to be sick and just then Mau's purty head pops in the doorway, "am I interrupting anything?"

Of course not, Beto is thrilled to see his pal Mau. Meanwhile Moni is dying a thousand deaths. Beto enthusiastically asks for a salary advance or bonus or something and hugs his favorite boss. Mau peels the clinging Beto off of him and asks to speak to Moni alone. "No," she tersely retorts. Beto scolds her and says of course she will talk to the best boss in the world.

Nieves tells Beto he's a stupid head for allowing the handsome Mau to be alone with Moni. Beto tells her not to worry cuz he caught his jefe with another guy. Beto punctuates this with a lascivious slurp. Not only that, but the boss is giving him an advance for the party. Then they say something I don't understand.

Moni tells Mau she knows about Regina and the marriage thing and all. He insists Regi is just a friend. Moni says in her barrio a kiss is a kiss and marriage is sacred. (Shall we ask her why she has agreed to marry a man who she knows is not Mr. Right?) Mau sets her straight, yes he will marry but only to a woman he loves, is that clear? Monita is mollified.

Regins asks Aldo what's bugging him, is it an impossible love? He admits that he's in love with an older woman, she's got problems and he's unable to help out and now he doesn't know where she is. Not even her friend Monita knows. Monita again, sez Regi. Mau strolls in and says la Monita is an excellent person. Regi wants to know, is something going on between him and Monita? "Let's eat," he answers.

Monit sits outside her house and cries. Pau sees her and knows she cries for her wedding and what's she going to do about el Sermeño Group? Moni sez he's all wrong for her, sniff sniff. Suddenly Xime joins the pity party and needs a hug because Estrella broke her heart, boo hoo. Pau is stuck hugging her weeping gal pals.

Change of scenery to a seedy, smoky strip club. Oh no...tell me it ain't so, Estrella enters and checks the place out. The patrons check her out. She says her friend Patito from casting said she might find a job. Estrella says she'll dance but absolutely NO TOUCHING. The big boss sez no prob and Estrella reluctantly agrees to show up tomorrow. She bites her lip.

No need to go to the strip club. Mau returns to his office and finds Coni waiting for him, sultry and red hot lips. She sounds different to me, is she putting on an accent? Dunno. Anyway, she's there to show off her new line of lingerie (ohh la la, it's sexy but looks uncomfortable) and wants him to be the first to touch it. Uh oh, Regina steps into the room to ruin the fun. She asks Mau to call a taxi so the babes can have a show down. After some preliminary snarling Regina tells Consti she knows she lost and Mau is not hers but she has bad news for Consti, he's not going to be hers either and that's for sure.

Elsewhere on the street our Hottie Hotheads Moni and Pau see Rolando getting out of his car. Pau has to hold Moni back. He thinks it's about Mau but Moni tells him it's about Estrella and Xime. Rolu sez hey, Xime's an airhead and as for Estrella I tried to get her to stay at my apartment but she told me she'd rather be a hooker (zorra = vixen, hooker, bitch). The girls gasp, they've lost Estrella and if they stay around Rolu they will also fall into perdition.

Beto, wearing a "Careful I Bite" shirt, comes to work asking about his raise for his marriage. Sal and Gabi ask who is the lucky lady? Beto names Valentina Lopez and our well-dressed pair gasp "Your sister???" We have some fancy back-pedaling by our biting dog. Gabi sez it must be his girlfriend Pau.

The naughty duo jog and discuss their plot to drug and seduce Regina. She jogs at this park and that's where Jeri, who is even worse at remembering plots than his sis, intends to intercept her. Oscar spies Regi and throws Jeri to the ground. She recognizes him and helps him up, so far so good. Jeri fails to trap the prey, however, and she jogs off before he can even catch his breath. Oscar thinks Jeri is worthless.

Now Mau is back at the office where Beto is really putting the squeeze on him for the money. Sal is very annoyed at Beto's cheekiness and Mau's wimpiness.

Outside in the lobby Moni and Pau arrive so Gabi jumps up and starts hollering "Beso, beso, beso!" as the entire office claps and joins in. Pau stares at Moni and Beto looks trapped.

Gabi pushes a reluctant Beto toward Pau, then Mau pipes up this is the first wedding of the year for Sermeño Group. Meanwhile Monis hisses to Pau "just kiss him". And kiss him she does. Gross, Beto gives her a long big mouth bass kiss with probing tongue and all. Gabi is delighted, what a kiss! Pau describes it better than I, ptooey ptooey she wipes her mouth, it was like kissing an iguana with a serpentine tongue, blech. Pau is grossed out but the kiss was foreplay for Gabi and Sal.

More teen angst between Aldo and Ivan regarding the subject of impossible love. Luisa reminds Aldo that tomorrow is his admissions exam and instead of studying he's angsting.

We're back at the strip club and none other than Costeño and Don Cesar are patrons. Don Cesar thinks it's dumb to be there at 2:00 p.m. becuse he has a lot of work to do but Costie's a horndog with a hankering for some afternoon delight. Next up is our lovely Estrella doing a pole dance and she is instantly recognized by Costi and DC. Costi's loving the show and DC needs a drink.

Beto is gargling to try to rid himself of the parasites but Moni is pissed off. Paula is her friend and did he have to slip her the tongue? Naturally Regi is listening at the door and hears them reveal they are not siblings but novios, also Moni is a boxer and they have to keep it zipped so Pau doesn't lose her job.

Pau stops Moni as she rushes after Beto, she wants to talk.

Beto blasts into Mau's office (like Gabi he never knocks). He has something important to tell him. "La Monita and I...La Monita and I...are..."

Did we think we were going to get more than that tonight? We'll find out tomorrow, and it looks like turnabout's fair play as Mau gets to watch Moni strut her stuff on stage with Estrella.

Labels: gancho

We open with Mao announcing the driver is none other than old flame Regina Bustillo (Chesty) and our former Pau of Tontas fame.He introduces Aldo and company and she learns he’s a widow and she invites him for café.

In the office the cat fight continues with Con and Mon, who has more class deserving of Mau. Mona proclaims she has heart, and he likes her because he knows she likes him not his money. Coni scratches back.

Estre is visiting various places looking for work. Occasionally she gets the same old “propositions.”

Beto finds Cony in Mau’s office she wants him to listen to a problem she has with his sister. Sis wants to steal Mau. This garners a laugh hysterical from Beto who recites again the reasons Mau would not fix upon Mona. My favorite? He likes a banana milkshake with two eggs in the morning. The others, he likes to make chocolate with his elbows, He gets around to asking her if Mau sets her nights on fire, she admits not lately and Beto offers to fill in and change that.

Estre finally lands a day position, at a bath fixtures store. She’s given short shorts and a white jogging bra, the work will pay 200 pesos and involve wiggles.

Gabi yells at Beto some more about not working, he says he was occupied, like when he’s clearing the pigsty and yells he’s busy. She send him to clean the copier despite it putting stains on him.\

Mona comes up and learns Mau is with another woman eating the tamales she bought!

Mau followed her career, she came back for an old love, she’s there for him and she leans in for a big smacker. Of course Cony and Mona see this through the window. Mona says not her problem, she’s not the novia.

Mau stops Regi, and she apologizes but Cony shows up introducing herself as the novia. Regi smirks. In the host room Mona is smashing china left and right and Pau is trying to get her to stop. She thinks Mau is a womanizer. Beto overhears the commotion and realizes how jealous for Mau she is and that his Ma is right and if he does nothing, he’ll lose Mona.

Cony and Reg spar a little, Reg is invited to dinner and Cony makes snark about diets and what not. They agree she’ll be there at 9pm, and Mau walks her out.

Cony whines again to Jero who plsyd poker with Oski; he remembers her because of her last name. Cony wants them to investigate her but cuts him off when Mau comes back. She leaves saying she’ll attend to the racer chic as she deserves. Mau rolls his eyes.


Mona cleans up her mess and still no one knows where is Estre. Gabi comes in and sends her on a messaging mission to Mau’s house. She and Pau joke about mona being so upset.

Estrella is with the chicas summoning folks into the store, the guy also tries to proposition her wondering if her voice isn’t tired already. She fends him off.

Cony shows up at Maus to find that Reg showed up at 7:30, so Cony is late to the party. Dani describes the Monstranza as monstrous. When she comes in everyone stops laughing and she wants to know why. Reg tells her they were chatting about the time she was full of spots from her rash. She has a cream Cony can try.

Beto is borrowing money from Luis Gattica, the fang, he begs Beto to let him know the next time his Ma make chiles relleno. Ma thinks Beto is messed up in something and that’s why he needs the money.

The dinner party continues the best part being Reg says she is thinking about staying to form a family. The dislodges one hell of a lugie in Cony’s throat and she suffers through a cough attack for the next few minutes. Ter announces Mona showed up. Mau leaves the possibly choking chica to go see Mona in the kitchen. She’s there with the papers. He tells her they have something pending, a kiss and doesn’t she want? Of course she wants. Yeow!!! She kisses him but bites him on the lip and tells him never again in his filthy life. She isn’t mad, just tired of all this and leaves.

Nieves sees the Mona coming in late from works and they chat about Estre. Nieves is worried about Beto’s dealings with the fang. Mona tells her to take her shameless son off his pedestal.

Reg leaves, all having a good time. The kids agree they like Reg. Lu thinks something is up but Aldo says nope he’s busy with Mona. Cony overhears this.

Estre shows up at the Courtyard. Mona misses her, some tearing eyes, but Estre won’t stay so Mona gives her the stuffed monkey to protect her. Now he is damn cute!!!


Coni is getting her updates from the evil twins, they worry that she might be losing her charms and tell her to be on Mau. Xime shows up tells learns who they are talking about and tells them she knows Reg and they ask her if she’ll do work for them. She says of course.

Next is like the scene from Holy Grail telling the guards to keep the prince in the tower. The evil twins are training their newest fembot who has a bit of a short circuit. They want her to find out what Reg’s agenda with Mau is. Xime is in her cloud phase and can’t quite assimilate the series of events without the threat of a pillow.

Back at the apartments Beto is giving his budget mariachi serenade with his paltry blue collar singers, but Mona comes out and loves her alarm clock. They aren’t going to work it seems, they are going off on an adbenture He blind folds her, takes her off to see a bunch of Beto y Mona banners, and then boom the grand final, a carriage ride somewhere.


Xime and Regi are chatting about things, mostly Xime, finally she remembers she’s got a mission. She looks at her book and asks what Regi wants here. She repeats the question after getting the answer and Reg discovers she has the book so wonders que the heck. She thinks Coni put her up to it. But Xime says no, well what does it say there in the book. Reg says nothing. Xime says well maybe you can fill in the answer to all the questions like a questionaire. Reg changes the subject and wants to know if Coni gets on well with the kids. Xime says no way. Reg doesn’t understand how a novia can not like the kids if she likes the guy. Xime outs that they aren’t quite adopted yet, Mau needs to get married. Xime realizes she’s lost the game and had one played on her.

Aldo with suddenly short hair calls Estre on her cell and worries about her being gone. While they chat someone hauls off with her bright green maleta. Somehow Rolu rolls up and offers her a ride.

Beto and Mona ride all over the zocalo in the carriage eating heart shaped cotton candy.

Mau tells Sal how the pretty Regi returned. Sal reminds him he didn’t really care that much for her. Pau brings the coffee and kvetches about the cooperation she’s not getting, she needs an assistant. She reveals Mona isn’t there. Sal reveals neither is Beto.

Beto and Mona roll up I think to the Belles Artes in the carriage. Beto goes out to get the music maker and Mau calls on the cell. Mona tells him she’s occupied, she'll be there later so tough.

Beto waxes poetic about how much he cares for Mona for his whole life, he gets down on one knee pops out a ring, and boom. Pops the question.

Labels: gancho

EPISODE #126 (Univision); #131 (Mexico):
* Santi tells Barbie that he will be leaving town as soon as possible; he wants to get as far away from Aurora as possible. Barbie agrees and thinks that is what is best. Santi leaves. She smirks and thought bubbles that now she won't have to share Aurora and the baby with anyone.

* Franco returns home. Steve tells him what happened at the apartment with Venus; that Venus has agreed to keep quiet about the plan with the condition that they go through with the whole plan for Camilo to fall in love and walk down the aisle with Lovely. Steve says that Venus pretty much thinks all men are the same -- PIGS. Franco says Fer thinks the same thing right now. Steve is impactado (stunned). Franco explains Fer's tirade and revelation about accidentally seeing Gardenia kissing him in the kitchen, and that he had no choice but to let her continue thinking he's a womanizer (he can't just come out and explain the whole truth about his identity and plan to her right now). Then Franco tells him that Barbie called - Don Artemio has agreed to meet with them. Steve is stunned. They discuss AB, Ana Gregoria, Soledad and the links with the Elizalde family and Barbie herself. Then they discuss a plan for dealing with AB.

* In the car, Barbie thought bubbles to herself about her own little schemes.

* Aurora talks with Mother Superior in her room. Aurora is almost content with Santi's fury and anger when he left the convent. Mother S and Aurora discuss if he knows about Camilo - Aurora says no; she's grateful that he doesn't; she doesn't want him to go to jail for murder. Aurora loves Santi way too much. Mother S. gives her some advice about telling Santi about the baby and the truth. Aurora says she can't do that.

* Natasha and Camilo enjoy a 'roll in the hay' in Camilo's bedroom at the apartment.

* Franco and Steve discuss his going with Barbie to meet AB. Steve wonders what would happen if he didn't go. Franco has no choice - he has to go; for the sake of Barbie's trust as well as to rescue Lili.

* Fer talks with Gardenia in her office about what happened at Las Animas, and with Franco. Fer is totally disillusioned with Franco. Gardenia is totally nervous about what Fer is supposedly talking about. Fer says that Franco had no response or excuse for what happened. Gardenia is still clueless. Fer finally reveals that by accident she saw her and Franco kissing. Just then Flor enters and interrupts - Sr. Villasano has returned. Fer tells her to have him wait for her by her car in the parking garage. Flor leaves.

* In the reception area, Flor escorts Sr. Villasano down to the parking lot.

* In the office, Fer sits down with Gardenia and asks her point blank if Franco forced her to kiss him in any way. Gardenia pauses to think - stands up - and says 'more or less'. Fer wants to know for sure, was it more or less? Gardenia starts to shake, and squeaks, "Yes." Fer consoles her and thanks her for telling the truth. Fer leaves. Gardenia grumbles to herself.

* Barbie and Franco are in the car, driving to AB's mansion. Barbie gives Franco advice on the rules about dealing with AB - he's dangerous so they have to on guard at all times. She tells him how to act around the guy so they can get him to trust them, and have an opportunity to rescue Lili.

* Fer meets with Villasano in the parking garage. He hands her a file with valid proof about Damian's dirty dealings.

* Damian has lunch with his mommy. He is annoyed about Villasano's continuing witch hunt against him. He is also frustrated by Fer's love affair with Franco and her wanting a divorce. Mom is stunned. Damian yells. Mom has to calm him down and not cause a horrible scene. She consoles and advises him how to win Fer back. He grumbles that he's tried everything he knows and has failed miserably. She tells him to be creative, seduce Fer with every weapon he's got. She tells him that he's a much better man than Franco.

* Villasano continues to tell Fer about the trial, the case and all the evidence that points to Damian being the kingpin thief. Villasano also tells Fer what Damian's lawyer has been saying to him. Fer is totally interested in his story, and asks who the witness was. Villasano shows her the papers - she discovers that the key witness was Barbie! (She's totally impactado!)

* Barbie and Franco continue their discussion in the car about their alliance and how dangerous and powerful AB really is. Franco wonders what Barbie has to gain going against AB. All Barbie says is that you won't believe it.

* Fer tries to write a check to help Villasano with his case. Villasano stops her - he doesn't want the money; he wants justice for his mom. Fer promises to help get just that.

* They arrive at the mansion. Franco climbs out and looks around the grounds. Barbie tells him, "Let's go. AB awaits inside." Franco mutters, "Don Artemio Bravo."

* Priscilla sits in bed, crocheting something with yellow yarn. Tomasa enters carrying a baby crib with all the lace and fabric decorating it and a big red bow on top. Prissy thinks it's from Vladimir. Tomasa says that she can't wait for a little Elizalde to be running around the house. Tomasa leaves. Priscilla reads the card and is really happy. Cell phone rings. She answers. It's Vladimir - he's in a panic about a letter from Rolando. Priscilla is upset.

* As they wait on the steps, Franco and Barbie discuss AB and her relationship with him. Men come out to escort them inside.

* Fer sits at her desk and thinks about what Villasano's told her. Damian enters waving a white flag. She's not in the mood. Damian wants peace and sweep her away for their long-awaited honeymoon. She glares at him.

* In the office, Barbie leaves Franco alone. Franco looks around and is impactado to be face to face with the one and only cigar-smoking Don Artemio Bravo.

* Damian hands Fer a red jewelry box. She asks what it is. He tells her to open it. She opens it and reads the note - about a romantic overnight at the honeymoon suite of the local hotel. He explains his idea of the romantic honeymoon evening he has planned. She acts super surprised - but really isn't interested. Damian asks if he should call and confirm with the hotel. Fer sighs and says, yes, call to confirm.

* Priscilla goes to Vladimir's apartment to retrieve the letter. Vladimir lets her in. He complements her on her beauty. Priscilla is anxious and demands the letter. Vladimir leaves to find it.

* Fer assures Damian that she's sincere in her acceptance. He blows a kiss to her and leaves.

* AB tells Franco that for their first encounter, it's best for them to do so alone - that's why Barbie left the room.

* Vladimir searches and searches his bedroom for the letter - he doesn't find it. Priscilla is impatient and bangs on the door; what's up in there? do you have the letter or is this a trick? Vladimir admits that this is no trick. She asks what the letter said. He says that her brother stated that he knows everything about the two of them. Priscilla is paranoid that her brother may tell her dad. Vladimir is in a panic in the bedroom - he can't find the letter anywhere.

* At the reception desk, Gardenia is notably 'shaken and stirred'. Flor asks what's wrong? Gardenia hems and haws in response, and is saved when Fer calls on the phone that she needs to speak with Flor in her office. Flor leaves. Gardenia mumbles to herself what she should do with the secrets.

* Franco talks with AB about AB's men breaking in and searching Franco's home without authorization or notification. Barbie enters the office.

* Flor and Fer are in the office. Fer needs a friend right now, more than ever before. She's scared and feels really alone. Flor swears on her parents' graves that she will always be there as a friend. Fer continues that she needs to confide in someone and wonders if she can confide in Flor. Flor assures her she can. Forlorn Santi enters. Flor leaves. Santi tells Fer that he's dead inside. They hug.

* Barbie joins the discussion with AB and Franco. AB talks to Barbie and Franco in riddles about trust and confidence. Franco is curious. AB explains that trust is the only way he will let Franco get anywhere near Lili. Franco mutters, Trust. AB says, "Now you understand me." Franco and AB stare at each other.

* Santi explains to Fer the story that Barbie told him - that an unknown intruder entered and slept with Aurora. It was painful to hear it; and especially painful when Aurora confirmed it. Fer is stunned. Santi plans to travel to Italy for an Art Expo. Fer wonders about Aurora? Santi doesn't want to see her or have anything to do with her. Fer is confused.

* Aurora is gardening in the convent courtyard. She recalls Santi's tirade.

* Fer wants to know what happened with Aurora. Santi's angry and doesn't want to repeat it. He only says that Barbie told him.

* Gardenia tells Flor that Fer saw her and Franco kissing. Flor is stunned.

* Santi accepts/believes Barbie's story. Fer is stunned and angry and reminds Santi they can never trust the Hyena. Santi demands to know why not. Fer finally yells that Barbie is the reason why their sister Lili has been stuck in the sanitarium for a crime she didn't commit - that Barbie is the real person who murdered their mother! Santi is 'wide-eyed, open-mouthed' stunned.

* Franco and Barbie listen as AB explains the conditions for Franco having permission to visit Lili at the mansion; that Lili will never leave the mansion for any reason, except when AB says so or he dies!

ADVANCE: Find out tomorrow what happens when Fer tells Santi the truth about Barbie murdering their mother and blaming Lili for the crime; Anibal finding Priscilla in Vladimir's apartment; and Barb and AB watch Franco and Lili intently to see if Lili reveals Franco's real identity or not.

Labels: manana