Caray, Caray!

Wow, ENDA ran really long last night! As did last night's rehearsal…we were there until 11! My feet are killing me and I have no idea how this show is going to come together by Friday's opening. But let's discuss a different sort of show, shall we?

Vicky tries to convince herself that Hernán is the guy for her.

Alex advises his BEST FRIEND to be patient re: his luuuuurve for his MOTHER. Fernando thinks age is just a number. Alex tells him he's obsessed and hasn't been out with a girl his own age in a while. Maybe Fer should so that he can give Vicky her space. Hilariously, Alex says Vicky has enough problems without having a jealous lovah…you should talk, man. Fernando just isn't into girls his own age, but Alex doesn't think mommy returns Fernando's love.

Alex goes to bed, where MaryJo is already sleeping, sort of, though she says she was waiting up for him. She reports that she talked to dad and yes, Chucho was with him. MJ says dad has his issues, but he's been a good dad. He was just very affected by their mom dying and losing his job and yeah, he lacks character and likes a drink every once in a while, but it's not like he's a drunk or anything. Alex tells her she needs to rest and she agrees. He accidentally touches her shoulder, but she doesn't seem to mind. More nighty-night smoochies.

Alex goes into the bathroom, where all the great thinkers of our time go to ponder the ponderable. Alex undresses in front of the mirror while he wonders who he can trust.

Bruno pours a post-sex Katia some champers and explains he can't have a public relationship with her because Alex would use it against him. He tells her that he, Raquel, and Alex are all half-siblings. Why is Bruno wearing his scarf with no shirt? Katia says her brother is the same as Alex, just looking for a way to screw up her life. Bruno wants her to be his little office spy. He wants to know what Alex does and what gets said about him in the office. She agrees, after a lot of smooching and some toe sucking. These two are just gross. They get busy on the floor.

Vicky has a restless night's sleep. Are those sheets from Ikea? I'm sure Ikea doesn't also supply fantasy young guys to smooch on you. Vicky imagines Fernando doing all sorts of naughty things with his hands under the covers. Vicky and Fantasy!Fer get busy. She wakes up with the sheets all rumpled and gets all weepy as her theme sings to us that "cuando hay amor, no hay pecado" (when there's love, there's no sin), which she is obviously not believing at this stage of her life.

Katia comes home in a cab as Fernando watches. He goes downstairs to gripe her out for coming home late. Also, he drove by Maura's and the lights were all off, so he knows she wasn't there with Lisette like she said she would be. Busted! But also, if he's going to be running around verifying all her lies, it's Fantasy!Fernando that's going to have all the fun. Katia makes excuses--they went to a club, of course her hair and makeup are messed up, she was dancing. Oh, is that what the kids call it these days. Fer gives her the "I'm only doing this because I love you" speech and says that Lisette isn't good company for her because she's "ligera" (light, a light skirt, a slut). He reminds her that she's still a minor and he's responsible for her. I'm sure you can imagine the rest of the conversation. She thinks she's old enough to make her own decisions, blah, blah, blah, how come he gets to do whatever he wants. She calls Victoria a "ruca" (old lady) and a "saltacuñas" (cradle robber) and Fernando slaps her. Now comes the inevitable "I hate you" before Katia storms upstairs, leaving Fer feeling like a horrible person.

Paula gets MaryJo all propped up in bed with pillows. There are jokes about MJ getting used to this treatment. Paula is of course doing all this in a bid to stay longer. She brings MJ her breakfast on a tray. Alex comes in to say goodbye and tells MJ he'll be back later to take her for some tests. Paula begs Alex to let her stay longer, but Alex says there are servants to take care of MJ. Paula does some pleading about how she can be there for MJ all the time and Alex says she can stay a few more days. He leaves. Paula jumps into bed with MJ and starts eating her breakfast as they talk about what an awesome guy Alex is. MJ starts lecturing her about how she's supposed to go back home, so it's only for a few more days, etc. Paula starts feeding MJ her breakfast to shut her up.

Alex comes downstairs looking for Vicky. He runs into Felipa, who is taking Cuco to breakfast. He greets Vicky and says he hopes she's changed her mind about the suit, but she hasn't. Vicky has a question for him…a very personal question…she wants to know how he's sure the baby is his. Alex says because she said so and he's tired of doubting her. Vicky says he does need some proof, like, maybe, if MJ was a virgin…. Alex tells her that if this is about Bruno saying the baby might be his, that's only to get on Alex's nerves. Vicky claims it has nothing to do with that. Alex understands her doubts, but he wants her to understand that he loves MJ, he's never going to leave her no matter what anyone wants. Vicky guesses that by "anyone" he means Bruno.

Alex gets into his car as Felipa comes out with the phone, telling Vicky that Fernando is looking for her. Vicky tries to refuse the call, but Felipa says "She's saying she's not here, but she's standing right next to me." ha ha. Fernando tells Felipa to tell Vicky that they need to talk about the project and he has to go to the site, but if she isn't interested, he'll go alone. Felipa tries to guilt her, saying she wouldn't leave those indigenous people in the lurch just for a "berrinche" (tantrum), but Vicky says she just doesn't want to see Fer anymore, it's not good for either of them.

Mari keeps trying to explain to Katia how to organize paperwork. Katia claims not to understand a word and says she was out partying and is, like, super tired. Mari tells her to go get herself a coffee, but Katia gets Mari to bring her one. Once she's alone, she calls Lisette to ask Lisette to lie to Fernando for her because she was really out with Bruno. Lisette agrees, but only in exchange for all the dirty details.

Bruno meets with his lawyers. He tells them they're going ahead with contesting the will. He wants the judge informed and the DNA tests done and then he's sure the judge will speed up the process. The lawyers remind him that he has practically no chance of winning. But Bruno's logic is that in order to make his money, Antonio must have pissed off some people. So all he has to do is find some of them and get them to say that Antonio was bonkers. Riiiiight. And then in cross Alex's lawyers can bring up the fact that all these people saying Tony was crazy had been screwed over by him in one way or another. If the judge has at least half a brain cell and/or hasn't been bribed by Bruno, his little plan's not going to work. The lawyers don't seem to have a problem with it, though, but the one guy needs to know if Bruno has an absolutely clean record and no proof of anything he's done that would make him look less than honest. Bruno claims there's nothing…at least nothing that can be proven.

Raquel goes to the mall. She sends the chauffer to take her bags back to the car so she can meet up with Ulises. She tells him that Felipa only suspects, but if she tells Alex or her mom, they're going to have problems. Ulises suggests they stop seeing each other, but Raquel would rather get a divorce from Roberto. Ulises doesn't think that now, while they're fighting over her father's inheritance, is the best time to do that. Raquel suggests throwing Roberto out and announcing to the world that she and Uli are in luuuuuuurve. He doesn't like that plan either. He basically wants her to keep calm, stay out of the whole messy fight, and sure, they'll keep seeing each other in secret. She says she was thinking of getting him an apartment, which I'm sure thrills him to no end. Damn, Raquel is totally an unflushable. He is never getting rid of her.

Alex goes to Meche's house. She's thrilled to see him and says she's even lit a candle for him on her altar. Gabriel tells him they have no way to repay Alex for everything he's done. Alex tells them that a friend asked for a favor on their behalf--Pedro. Surely, she remembers him. He also happens to be the father of the girl who ran Gabriel over. She does a really crappy job of lying that she really doesn't remember the man. Gabriel does a really crappy job of supporting her in the lying. There's a lot of "I don't know" and "I don't remember." Alex asks if Meche has a job, but of course not. Alex asks her for a pen to write his address and phone number down so that if she wants to, she can talk to Ezequiel and let him know that Alex offered her a job. Gabriel looks like he's about to throw up.

Katia brings Fernando some papers to sign. He apologizes for smacking her last night, but makes excuses. She starts the argument again about how she's old enough, no you're not, blah, blah, blah. "No me late" (I don't like it). The end up making up and then Katia whines that the really don't know each other well and don’t spend enough time talking. He never talks about work and she'd like him to trust in her more. They hug and she leaves. Sucker! Poor guy, he's just trying to be a good brother, but he got stuck with that dimwit for a sister. He and MJ should get together and swap stories. She calls Bruno from the hallway to tell him that she convinced Fernando to tell all and she'll let him know as soon has she has some concrete information. Bruno says "I owe you a kiss, and when I see you, I'll give it to you anywhere you want." EW! Just had to translate that so everyone could share my pain.

Roberto invites Bruno out to the porch for a drink. Bruno starts chatting about how they're going to court and well, his mother left him no choice, etc. Roberto is very non-committal, which is noted by Bruno--"you never really declare for one side or the other, do you?" Boy, if you only knew the half of it. Roberto says it's their business and marrying Raquel was only an "accident of destiny." Bruno has actually heard that Roberto swings both ways, but Roberto says Bruno's not his type. Roberto hits back with "yeah, and I hear you like them young." Bruno wants to know where he got that info from, but Roberto evades and says Bruno had better be careful or he'll get slapped with a lawsuit. Bruno says he's not an idiot. Roberto agrees, saying Bruno doesn't do anything without a reason, so what is this conversation leading to? Bruno wants Roberto to help him "fregar"(screw over) Alex. Roberto tries to stay out of it, saying he figures Bruno has already done that, even gotten Alex to give over the presidency. But that wasn't official since Vicky won't agree to it. He needs Roberto to figure out if Vicky really is going out with Fernando or not. Roberto declines the offer. Bruno threatens him with taking away the monthly allowance and the company shares once he's in charge. Screw that! I say go to Alex. There's nothing stopping Bruno from leaving them penniless even if Roberto does agree to spy for him.

Meche is afraid to take a job with Alex. Gabriel reminds her that Pedro is gone and Chucho already knows how things are. She wants to go to her comadre for advice, but Gabriel reminds her that her comadre's husband is Erick's cousin and Erick works for that guy they took the money from, and surely the news that this man came to visit will get back to him. He advises her to take the job without telling anyone and he'll just figure out a way to get himself to physical therapy without Meche.

MaryJo and Alex talk to Hernán at his office. He says MaryJo and the baby are both doing fine and she's just going into her 12th week of pregnancy. MaryJo wants to know when they can do a paternity test. She's had it with everyone doubting her and she wants to put the rumors to rest. Alex is not happy with the idea. Hernán says they can do it between the 13th and 14th week. Alex and MJ argue about it. Hernán says there is a risk of infection that could end up killing the baby, even if it doesn't happen very often. MaryJo gives up on the idea.

In the car, Alex tells her he's happy that Hernán talked her out of it. It gets hard to hear with all the wind. MJ says she's tired of the doubts. She may not be refined and elegant, but she's a decent person. If she's made mistakes it was only to protect…herself? Alex? (protegerme and protegerte sound almost the same with the top down and the closed captions claim she's saying "uuuuuuuuuuurrrrrrrrrrrggggggggg") Alex wants her to promise something, for realz this time, that if anything happens with her dad or Paula he wants her to tell him. She swears she will.

Pedro and Chucho are being driven back to Merida by a nice young man in a red truck. They stop by the side of the rode so that Pedro and Chucho can stretch their legs and the driver can readjust the tarp covering whatever's in the back of the truck. He hears them debating where they should look for a place to live and suggests that they look into staying at a place his aunt has. He's not sure if the rent would be too expensive for them since he doesn't know how much they have to spend. Chucho likes the idea. They get back on the road.

Vicky is happy to see Alex and MJ and happy to hear that MJ and the baby are both fine. Alex sends her upstairs to rest and says he doesn't want her exerting herself anymore. In fact, he's going to carry her up the stairs. MJ laughs even as she's saying "my wound! It hurts!" Felipa comments to Cuco that love sure is grand, but she hasn't had a guy in so long, she can barely remember. Vicky leaves, looking a little grumpy if I'm not mistaken.

They're still laughing when they get upstairs. Alex keeps walking her back and forth between the couch and the bed until she agrees to sitting on the couch. He says he had to prove to her that he's a strong man. She says she's not exactly weak herself. Alex wants to talk baby names. Antonio for a boy and maybe Maria Jose for a girl? MJ suggests her mother's name, Elena. Alex asks about her. MJ doesn't really remember, since she "died" when MJ was 3. She remembers baby Paula and that maybe there was another little girl, too. She doesn't know what her mother died of. She asked her dad, but he just said "she was sick." She and Paula realized that Pedro didn't want to talk about it, so they didn't keep asking. Alex says he never met his mom since she died giving birth to him, but Vicky has been his mom since he was two. "And now we're going to be parents," he says. I know he means that in a "woo hoo!" kind of way, but it almost sounds ominous to me. I mean, look at the screw ups who raised the two of them. He says he doesn't just want to have one kid…maybe more like four or five. MJ asks if they're going to have to start a school, but Alex says they'd need at least 10 kids for that. "I love you"-s are exchanged.

Chucho and Pedro check out the driver's aunt's place. It's not great, but it's big. There are concerns that there's a lot of humidity in the walls and so painting it would be a waste. Pedro keeps harping on needing sealant, which will be expensive. Ultimately, it's Chucho's money, so it's up to Chucho. Chucho says to leave the painting to him. He asks to speak to the guy's aunt about the price. Chucho says he knows Pedro doesn't like the place. Pedro is worried about what Paula will think. Chucho laughs that Paula will have "cara de fuchi" (a face like she just smelled a fart). Pedro worries she'll try to stay at Alex's place. Chucho sagely says that "a los muertos y los arrimados, a tres dias se huelen" (the dead and the freeloaders start smelling after three days) so he doesn't think Alex will keep Paula around. Pedro says they need to fix up the place so it won't be too hard on Paula.

Maura is teasing Ulises about being with Raquel. Ulises is already regretting it. He says Raquel is "loca de remate" (completely? nuts). She wants to be with him all the time and gets mad when he turns her down. Poor Roberto, says Maura, for putting up with her all the time. Sounds like Lisette thinks Roberto's a quality guy. Katia comes in, straight from "work." Maura compliments her on her outfit (a sheer white shirt, denim short shorts, nude hose, and red wedge heels). Katia eats it up. She and Lisette leave together. Maura is sure she's still doing Bruno. Ulises says when Fer finds out, he'll kill Bruno. Maura hopes so, and sees this as the answer to their problems.

Vicky is happy to see Alex so happy. He's excited about the baby. He tells her that MJ asked for a paternity test, which makes Vicky happy, but Alex opposed it because of the risks. He says he's sure he's the father. Vicky agrees and doesn't think MJ would have asked for the test otherwise. As far as she's concerned, asking for the test proves it. I'll let that slide this time only because it's true, but usually it's a ploy in TN world and either means you know the other person won't call your bluff or you've bribed the doctor to fake the results. Vicky must not watch TN's. Alex tells her that her acceptance is important to MJ and he wants her to get closer to MJ and not keep judging her based on what her family has done or based on the intrigues of others. Vicky agrees that she of all people should know that. She's going to give it a try. She asks about Bruno. Alex says they're in the process of getting the DNA test to prove that Antonio was his father. Alex thinks there's still time to stop all this by giving Bruno what he wants. Vicky refuses because it's not what Tony and because it's not fair. Not. Fair.

Thus endeth our tale for tonight, er, last night. And tonight: well, not exactly sure. Vague rumblings about how Bruno must be stopped and Alex has to act fast. I believe I also saw Alex ripping a check out of his checkbook in front of MJ and her getting that sick "oh no, not again" look.

Labels: sortilegio

Okey dokey, folks, due to the schedule cramming tonight we jump right into the middle of a scene, mid-sentence, with no credits or anything. Fortunately, it seems we haven’t missed anything.

Orlando is telling Camila that due to his insecurities, she needs to decide right now whether she wants him, all or nothing, because really everything is about him and the fact that she has a million other concerns at the moment and probably hasn’t slept much in weeks doesn’t matter. Camila must have just given up on life, though, because she says she wants him. She doesn’t look too enthusiastic but emotionally blind Orly doesn’t notice.

Germán sits in his office, incriminating important shady papers in hand, and tells Carlota via telephone that the big important papers haven’t arrived yet. She throws a little fit and he promises her that she will have them by the following week, and if they haven’t come by Monday or Tuesday he will go to México City and fetch them himself. She claims if he delivers she will trust him unconditionally.

Padre Juan/Cris fidgets nervously on Natalia’s sofa and takes awhile telling her he needs to discuss something confidentially. Nat, unlike Carlota, does not get treated to a PJC striptease. Finally he asks about Sagrario, back around the time Paloma was born. Does Nat remember her pregnancy? Natalia tells him that Sagrario had trouble conceiving and had had many unsuccessful fertility treatments, so she was surprised when Sagrario called and told her that they were staying in Real del Monte because they were going to have a baby. However, Nat didn’t see her pregnant, as Nat was still in the D.F. and Sagrario and Javier had moved away. They went for Javier’s father’s funeral and never came back. Cris thinks to himself that it’s true; Paloma is Macarena’s daughter and was handed over because Mac was abandoned, either by him or by that other dude.

Emiliano asks Germs again about his history with Romina, and he wants a specific and detailed answer. Germy tells him again it was just the one time, nothing more, for realsies. Emo is a chip off the old bio-dad and doesn’t notice that Germs is twitching and averting his eyes as he promises there was nothing more. They discuss how much they’ve missed their friendship and that they had agreed to be each others’ wedding witnesses, and kiss and make up. Oh, this isn’t that kind of show. They hug in a heteromanly fashion and make up.

The new art teacher who is not Clara tells Paloma that the art exhibition starts on Saturday, and she’ll need to go to Pachuca to get her paintings set up. Paloma is thrilled to have a pretext to avoid the wedding.

Cris goes to Misery Manor and asks for Rufi, thinking she may have returned. Carlota slyly shows him all the way into the parlor before telling him Rufi isn’t there. She tells him not to keep wasting time on his base passions for a dead woman. He says his passions now lie in more godly pursuits, but he still wants to know the truth. Carloca taunts him, saying she knows he’s still carrying on with Natalia. Not so, says he. Then she makes her daily attempt to seduce him. He barely even reacts this time, he’s getting so used to this. He shows himself out.

Orlando bounds into the office and announces to Angélica that Camila has finally succumbed to his brainwashing and pressure, oops, I mean has agreed of her own free will and with no conflict and much happiness to marry him. Ange congratulates him and hugs him while looking sad. She says she’ll be leaving town soon. He says he still needs her. Ange says Vero must be about ready to come back. I doubt it, because she was only a few months along in her pregnancy several months ago, so even if she does have a few weeks available to work she’ll probably be wanting a maternity leave soon. Orly begs her to stay.

Monica is not too happy to hear that Camila has agreed to marry Orlando. She says Cami was pressured too much and should give it more time and give Rafael a chance to escape Diana’s clutches. Cami says there are no guarantees anything will last forever, so what the heck, she’ll take the risk and marry Orlando. Now that is romantic.

Romina calls Emiliano at work to bug him about wedding details. Invitations. “What else?” he asks brusquely. She needs the original and a copy of his birth certificate. “Fine, what else?” Orlando has offered to buy them a house; isn’t it thrilling?! Emiliano is looking more and more fed up with every word she says. She wants to go pick a fabulous house, but he thinks it’s awkward because they don’t know how much Orlando wants to spend, etc. Emo thinks they should just let Orlando pick the place. Romi doesn’t like that. He hangs up on her.

Paloma is sweeping and Carlota is washing dishes. Obviously this will not do. Carlota says she’s ordered up a new scullery maid. Paloma wants her to make it clear that the job is only for a few days, because surely Rufi is coming back; she wouldn’t dare not. Carlota seems to think otherwise, and accuses Paloma of being just like her mother, always thinking of others, as though that is about the nastiest trait imaginable.

Carloca says she hopes Paloma will come to see her as a mother, even though she’s direct and rude. “For our first mother-daughter outing, we will go ice skating in Hell,” says Paloma’s face. Cruel claims that she is nasty because her parents were very strict with her (so she wants Paloma to turn out the same way?), but her fondest wish is to have a warm loving relationship with Paloma. Paloma is suddenly very interested in her sweeping.

Padre Cris chats with Gabriel, who is busy restoring church artwork. Cris asks if the bishop has been around yet. Gabriel says no, but he’s expected later. Cris says he’s been wanting to talk with him for awhile, but with one thing and another he hasn’t been able to see him. “Oh, the same way I’ve been hoping to see my Mystery Girl,” Gabe awkwardly parallels. He’s willing to wait as long as it takes to find her, though.

Camila asks Paloma to not be a stranger and continue to visit her, even though Romina won’t be there. Paloma says she’ll visit when she can, but she’s moving to México City with Rufi and Dr. Bermúdez. She just has to get away, even though she’ll miss almost everyone. “It’s because of Emiliano, right?” asks Camila. Romina barges in and hassles both of them and drags Paloma away to her bedroom. Camila looks like she’s about to go postal.

Emiliano tells Orlando he has no interest in looking at houses; whatever he picks is fine. Orlando decides to take Romina instead. Then he tells Emo that if he doesn’t change his attitude, he will be living in hell. “I already am,” replies Emo.

Paloma tells Romina she won’t be able to attend the wedding because she has to go to her art show. Romememena is incensed. Paloma finally admits she doesn’t want to go watch Romina marry the man Paloma loves. Romina throws a fit and accuses Paloma of being a liar and traitor. Paloma says Romina is a nutcase, threatening suicide and claiming she can’t live without Emiliano’s love when she was tangoing with Germy the whole time. Romi still claims that isn’t true, and no one has ever had such a great love as the epic love of Romina and Emiliano. Paloma says she knows that isn’t true, since she has been his novia in secret for quite some time. I would add that there’s also the way he quite publicly admits he can’t stand Romina and doesn’t want to marry her…that often does not indicate deep and abiding lurve.

Camila is in the church, praying for enlightenment. She doesn’t want to make a huge mistake, but feels lost without her normal wits or her friend Mac’s counsel.

Romememena is outraged that Paloma dared to fall in love with Emiliano, after Romi saw him first. “Well, anyway, I guess our friendship is over, and I’m leaving town and we’ll probably never see each other again, but I’ll always love you and I hope you’ll be very happy,” Paloma tells her. Needless to say, there are buckets of tears gushing here. She hugs Romina and leaves and Romina actually looks very genuinely upset that she is losing her friend.

Cris sees Camila in the chapel and asks her to help him with something, since she was so close to Macarena. Camila agrees. Better not let Carloca see Cris holding her arm as they walk away…scandal!

Padre Benito is at the church office in Pachuca, trying to get the appointment-making priest guy to get him in to see the bishop when he returns. Other Priest says Obispo Calixto isn’t back yet, but will probably be very busy when he does finally arrive. No kidding; is he taking the slow boat or what? PB says it’s a delicate matter, the possibility of Cris having a daughter, and he doesn’t think they can trust the woman’s confession since she is a known liar and has been tormenting Cris for years. Wait, so they can discuss confessions in roundabout terms? I did not think so. Anyway, Other Priest says he thinks Padre Benito should talk to Cris and investigate himself, and draw his own conclusions.

Camila tells Cris that she doesn’t know all the details of Mac’s life, but she is quite sure that Mac was never in love with any man other than him. He is quite pleased to hear that. Cami remembers that Mac had mentioned that there was some secret between her and Carlota, something that could free her and Paloma from Carlota’s yoke (yugo), but she never found out what it was.

Rufi is in some hotel room somewhere with Jennifer. Jenny says she’ll call the hospital and find out when they can visit Grandpa, but it’s late so it probably won’t be tonight.

At school, Liliana tells Paloma she’s doing the right thing, avoiding the wedding and everything. Romina just threw a fit because she is jealous that Emiliano is in love with Paloma. Paloma says it doesn’t matter, he’s marrying Romi and they’re having a baby; moral victories don’t count.

Romina whines to her mother about that jerk Paloma who dared to admit she was in love with the groom. However, Romi is sure the baby will change everything and he will fall in love with her. Cami is all eye-rolly and says Romina already knows what she thinks about all this. Romina retorts that Camila agreed to marry Orlando and she doesn’t believe that she’s in love with him; what’s the difference? (Let me count the ways…infidelity, suicide threats, drugging, faked paternity test, selfishness, strong-arming, what am I forgetting?)

The doorbell rings and Romina goes to answer it, hoping it’s a present arriving. It’s Orlando, wanting to take them house-shopping. Romina is thrilled. They go to get their purses and Romina nudge-winks Camila, saying maybe Orlando is quite a catch after all. Camila already has a house, so I’m not sure she’s so easily convinced.

Diana and Rafael have a screaming divorce fight. Di says she’ll only agree to a divorce if there’s a clause that says Rafael can never marry again. He says she’s gone crazy. GONE?! She started out crazy, then kicked it up a notch. He says he will get his divorce, and it will include no considerations for her.

Turns out Rufi and Jenny are in Matamoros, Tamaulipas. Jenny returns to the hotel room with a shopping bag and says they have an appointment to see Grandpa, but he had one wish. He wants Rufi to wear the long white dress when she comes to see him. “How can I go out in this?” Rufi asks. Jenny doesn’t think Rufi should deny him his last wish.

Padres Benito and JuanCris discuss the possibility that Paloma may be Cris’s daughter. Cris tells Benito the story of the other guy that he heard from Carlota and which Paloma evidently believes, but he doesn’t think it’s true.

Carlota micromanages the dusting that Felipa, the new housekeeper, is doing. She says eventually she’ll have her trained right. Felipa is surprised and says she thought this was only for a few days, until Rufi returns. Carlota claims she would never fire Rufi (forgetting that she already did once), but life takes surprising twists and Rufi may not come back after all. Okay, creepazoid.

Padre Benito and Padre Cris continue discussing the characters of Macarena and Carlota, and who could have done what or lied about what else. Padre Benito says what Cris needs to do is find the supposed other father (dad, not priest, though we’ve got a surfeit of each in this show) and find out what his story is. Ummm, guys, this is a question science could answer with much more certainty.

Avances: Liliana, on Paloma’s behalf, is not giving up yet. She has a serious chat with Emiliano. He decides he isn’t giving up either.

Labels: amor

Well, another great night of hijinks, 80-mile an hour conversations, good laughs, a few smiles and a wince or two. Our layabout Beto showed he can be high energy and amazingly persistent when it comes to protecting his own. And our lovely Ximena and Estrella both came a-cropper in their romantic pursuits...but looked divine doing it. Jackie put Jerry to the ultimate man-test ("Can-you-afford-me?") but he failed miserably. And Rolu is now on our all-world, non-rotating, absolute eternal sh*t list for breaking Ximena's heart (and enjoying it, the swine). But other than that, not much happened.

Ah c'mon, you know I'll tell you more than that. Here's how it went. First a brief review of pathetic would-be seducer Jeronimo snatching the crumbs off Jackie's plate while she slyly beckons the waiter to take it away. But wait, while they're at the mall, let's go shopping! Jerry looks like he's the one with morning sickness.

And Beto and Connie are engaged in the first of many discussions over the planned abortion when Mauricio comes back to fetch Dany's backpack and demands to know why Beto's there. Our barrio boy comes up with a weak story about stopping by to get permission to get off work this morning. He needs extra practice so he can deal with that new pipsqueak (cabeza de pepita) luchador. No. You can't go. If you do, you're fired. Train on your lunch hour or not at all. Well, the boss is always right, no? mutters Beto. Have a verrrrrry nice day, coos Connie to Mauricio and Mau coos back... may yours be lousy. Whoa! That got a smile from Beto, but for the most part, our layabout was intense and serious throughout all the episode.

And equally serious is our Estrellita, all dolled up and ready to tuck herself into the Furia's hip pocket until Don Cesar tosses her out of the gym. Well, can't blame him. Every male within 10 kilometers appears to be buzzing 'round our little star and he can't have that in his gym. If she absolutely has to make a play for the new luchador, let her do it outside. "Esta muñeca ya tiene dueño" (This doll's already taken) she huskily tells the drooling assemblage and off she flounces, as only Estrella can. After she leaves, Cesar admonishes Monita...Please don't bring her to the gym, at least not dressed like that. Moni just smiles and goes back to punching the bag.

Connie and Beto are still going at it hammer and tongs. Don't do it. It's my choice and I will. Repeat these two lines a zillion times and you have half the episode. Still they play their parts well. Beto hops in the car when she insists on going to the hospital. You'll lose your job, she threatens. So what! snarls Beto. The fight continues although both carefully fasten their seat belts. ( Thanks for the PSA folks. In Columbus, we just had a lovely young high school couple die this weekend because their seat belts weren't fastened.)

Okay. Back to Estrella's seduction attempt. Our Masked Man arrives on his motorcycle and she goes right to work, telling him how great he looks and moving into his personal space, waaaaay in. He nearly blows his cover but saying he knows she's an actress. But he smooths it over by saying Cesar told him. Well, baby, don't ask Cesar. Ask me. I can tell you so much more, she purrs, moving in again and kissing him on his masked cheek. Let's have coffee afterwards, okay?

Poor Mau stumbles in the gym, and there's smiling Monita, pleading Estrella's cause as well. I know she seems half-crazy, but really she's pure gold, Moni wheedles, and she's crazy about you. Mau, who's not swift enough to get out of these tight places himself, asks for Cesar's aid. I'm in a real "quilombo" (mess) he pleads. "Lio de faldas" (woman trouble), right? mutters Cesar, don't worry, I'll take care of it.

After the ads, we come back to more woman trouble, of the" señorita enfermera" kind. Ximena is hovering anxiously by Rolu's bed as our sexy nurses ministers to his every whim. Xime doesn't know why they need a nurse, she can take care of him. Sweetie, smiles Rolu, She's trained. You're not. And you look overwhelmed and tired. I want you to have some fun. Relax. Go shopping with Lalo, or go see your friends, he nobly suggests. I'm "muy bien atendido" (very well taken care of....) Well, I am dying to see Estrella, she admits. And with a fast zip up of the nursey's open uniform, our little gal exits. And the zipper comes right back down. Oh no. Oh dear. Oh crap.

The Beto/Constancia struggle continues. His lines. Her lines. Doctor arrives. Beto bleats some more. Connie elbows him in the chest and exits with the doctor.

Mientras tanto, Jackie is effectively emasculating Jeronimo. Dangling an expensive diamond necklace before him, she suggests this would be a nice way of showing a woman the depth and breadth of your affection. Jerry thinks the price is a little high. This isn't a roadside stall where you haggle, she sniffs, and I thought you said you weren't "tacaño" (cheap). Well, just now my credit cards are "al tope" (maxed out), stammers Jerry. But you're a millionaire like Mau. Actually I have to split my salary 50-50 with Oscar, he admits, but I WILL get all Mau's money, I promise. No you won't, she cuts him off. My daughter will get it. And suddenly Jackie has urgent business elsewhere.

Now Connie's in her hospital gown, all prepped for surgery, clutching a magazine in her hands while the "no lo hagas" "si, lo hago" battle continues. Beto flings himself in the wheelchair meant for her. The doc and his assistant bust him out of the chair and he then flings himself against the door. Only Connie threatening to call Monita gets him to step aside. Wow, who is this Monita? mutters the doctor, impressed with the power of the threat. They manage to get her to surgery but Beto still has his nose pressed against the closing door. NO LO HAGAS!!...NO LO HAGAS!!....

Let's break for a little girl talk. Ximena is unburdening herself of three things: 1) married life is demanding and sometimes overwhelming (amen sistah) 2) but my husband doesn't object to my going out and seeing friends (not today anyway) and 3) Oh, Estrella, I've been dying to see you!
And Estrella is dying to talk about her new Masked Fury crush. Ooooh, you remind me of me! shrieks Ximena...at least of me the way I used to be, she adds wistfully. Our relationship has cooled off since the wedding, she continues. Well, even before the wedding. So Estrella, as an experienced woman, I need some tips for the art of seduction.

The upshot of all this is that Ximena will tame down Estrella's look so she doesn't appear so "facilonga" (easy and cheap) and in turn Xime will jack up her own appearance so she fits in the can't-miss-vixen category. Deal? Deal.

Back to Beto. He crashes into the room clothed in a surgical gown and the righteous robe of a husband who refuses to let his wife abort their child. First he flings himself on top of Connie. Then when security is called, he fends off the two goons, races around the room, hurls equipment hither and yon, and in short, brings about total and complete chaos, screaming I love you! Don't do it! all the while. Whadda guy.

We catch our collective breath during the ads and come back to girl time. Shopping. Sleek and sophisticated for Estrella. Swishy for Ximena. Facial masks. Hairdo's (straightening for Estrella, wild and free for Xime). Make-up. Muted lips for our actress, bright red and moist for Ximena.

Seduction attempt no. 1 about to start. Estrella slinks into the gym, looking classy but sexy and the luchadores are baying at the moon all over again. Even Don Cesar is impressed by the new look, to Nieves' annoyance. She may look decent on the outside, but it's the same old slut on the inside, she snaps. Estrella, undeterred, is ready to vamp off with our masked galan when Cesar saves the day by suggesting they ALL go out for some tacos. That takes all the twinkle out of our little star, but she bravely soldiers on.

As does Ximena, arriving at the apartment in full fantasy seduction no. 2 mode. She's halfway there, all by herself, humming" seducción, seducción...yeah, baby, oh ohoh..." and slinking up the stairs. Let the games begin.

Oops. Seems like they started without her. Sexy enfermera, clearly unzipped, is in bed with Rolu. What medical procedure is this? Even Ximena not fooled. " Auch!" she wails, "qué onda?" Indeed.

Let's leave this painful scene for another: the continuing War of the Roses between Beto and Connie. She's in full fury mode, having had to delay the abortion, and paying for a boatload of equipment damaged by our rampaging sperm-donor. She delivers an impassioned purse whipping , all the while berating him for interfering with all her hard work to land Mauricio. And for what!? So she can live a life of misery and limitation with Beto!? I can give you more, he argues. I can teach you to fight. I can be there for my child, unlike my father who was never there for me. A child can change our lives. And I love you. I love you like no one else could. And I know you love me. Connie says nothing. But she looks troubled. Is there hope for our cold-hearted, calculating wench? Stay tuned.

Back to the bedroom of betrayal. Rolu's doing the time-honored "are you gonna believe me or your lyin' eyes" bit. What nurse? he asks. She left hours ago. The moving mass under the covers begs otherwise. I'm suffocating, sniffs our nurse. Rolu is still maintaining that Xime's hallucinating, when our señorita hops out, heads for the wrong door (That's the bathroom! shrieks Xime)" and...you're fired!" Exit the nurse.

Moving on. Why cling to the past? continues Rolu smoothly. Live in the present. Get over yourself. And give me a little space will you? I'm exhausted. You're draining me drop by drop. Poor defeated and thoroughly bamboozled Ximena leaves. And Rolu grins gleefully. String him up by his manly parts! This macho creep is dead to us!

Constancia is also pleading for a little alone time. She wants Beto to vamoose and give her some time to think. Well, here's the deal, he retorts. If you get rid of the baby, you will lose me forever. Even though I love you and want to eat you up with kisses (she looks wistful), we're finished if you have end this pregnancy. Don't dramatize, she counters, I'm going to take care of my body and MY business. Monita was right, he finishes. You don't love me or anybody. And sooner or later you destroy us all. Exit Beto.

Another recovery period during the ads, all encouraging us to have that perfect Christmas with gifts galore at the lowest possible prices evah!

And we return to the restaurant where a masked Mau, a snippy Nieves, a crestfallen Estrella and a bemused Cesar and Monita are all having a not-so-great time. Mau doesn't want to eat 'cause he'd had to take off his mask. Estrella and Nieves plead for him to do just that. Cesar saves the day again by saying the new luchador has to keep his identity secret. Well, Nieves is riled up with him, masked or no, after that whipping he gave her little criatura. Furia excuses himself, while Nieves sneers that he must think he's a saint off to save the world. Enough! snaps Cesar. And Monita watches him go with a look and a smile that seems to say she's smitten with the new mystery man. Estrella sarcastically thanks everyone for messing up her first date and Nieves concludes by saying "he's hiding something". " Yeah, his face", quips Cesar.

More ads. The breaks come more and more frequently as this goes along. Have you noticed? More Christmas pornography for shopaholics.

And then we come back to sweet Aldo and Katja, scheming on how to find the goods on Beto and Constancia. They decide to go down to the barrio and enlist Ivan's help. Luisa shows up and enthusiastically joins the group. Protective big bro' Aldo is not pleased.

Connie's quest for alone time has come a-cropper again. This time Mom Jackie is on her case. Mom's lines. Connie's lines. Why waste the best years of your life with a man who doesn't love you? Then a new take. Why don't you want to be happy? Let's go to Europe together. You can have the baby. And after that I'll introduce you to my friends. The right sort. Good-looking. Rich. Divorce Mauricio and take all his money, Jackie concludes. And who comes in at just that moment? Mauricio. End of episode.

Previews:
Mauricio agrees to the divorce. She can have his money. All he needs is Monita. But wait! Connie is still scheming. I'll give you a divorce, she sniffles, but give me one night together. Make love to me and leave me with a memory. Uh oh...you know where this is leading.

Vocabulary:
cabeza de pepita = lit. seed head. fig. pipsqueak
esta muñeca ya tiene dueño = this doll's taken
lio de faldas = lit. skirt trouble fig. woman trouble
quilombo = mess (also whorehouse, but not in this context)
muy bien atendido = very well taken care of (and how! Rolu, you swine)
tacaño= cheap
precios fijos = set prices, not subject to haggling
al tope =to the limit, to the brim, "maxed out"
facilonga = easy, cheap, a pushover

Dicho of the Day

Ser la gota que derramó el vaso = to be the last straw
I picked this because I hope that dreadful bedroom scene was the last straw for Ximena and she throws the bum out. We shall see.

Labels: gancho

The board meeting breaks up and Katia watches as Raquel and Roberto stalk out. She comments almost gleefully to Mari about how upset they seem. Before Mari can answer Katia notices Bruno leaving and skips after him calling his name. Bruno ignores her, but Mari gives her a what-exactly-is-going-on look, which Katia answers with a pout.

Raquel and Roberto are walking around the lake and clever Roberto tells Raquel why he doesn’t like what is going on: If Bruno contests the will everything will change and Raquel will no longer get her monthly payment from Alex. Greedy Raquel, who doesn’t seem to think further ahead than a four year old, says that it won’t matter because she will have her share of the stock. Roberto gives a kind of scornful laugh at that and points out that the stock can fall for a variety of reasons: the scandal surrounding the will, the scandal surrounding her mother’s past, and Bruno’s general status as a good for nothing who could ruin the company. Raquel is astounded and asks quietly “do you think so?” Her civil demeanor doesn’t last for long, though, and she follows it up by asking Roberto accusingly why he didn’t tell her that earlier, and then stomps off yet again.

Victoria and Ezequiel meet just inside the house; he is carrying a large bouquet of roses for MariaJose. He’s not sure who they are from but is pretty sure they must be from Alex. Vicki checks the card and instructs Ezequiel to throw them out and not to tell anyone that they were delivered. Felipa approaches Victoria and, seeing her face, says it doesn’t look like things went well (she must be referring to the board meeting); Vicki brushes her off and asks her to bring her some tea. Felipa tries to pump Ezequiel for more information but he is delighted to refuse her any per his orders from The Senora.

Paula is helping MariaJose, who is tired of being in bed, to get up and walk to a chair. Paula points out that MariaJose needs someone like her around to help her out – not just a servant, but someone she trusts and who loves her. MariaJose knows her little sister and so asks her what she’s up to; it turns out Paula doesn’t want to go back to San Pedro. MariaJose explains that she doesn’t want her father to be alone and that he, too, needs someone around who loves him. Paula lays her head on MariaJose’s lap and says please, please, but MariaJose won’t budge. Paula has a true conniption fit (one of my old dad’s favorite expressions) and says that the real problem is that MariaJose can’t forgive her for having the accident, that she thinks Paula is always getting into fights and is a disaster that MariaJose is ashamed of now that MariaJose has joined high society. MariaJose responds that she could never be ashamed of her family but wants to make a life with her husband and the child they are expecting. As Paula stomps out in a fury she shouts to MariaJose to call one of the servants to help her get back to the bed from the chair, because she, Paula, is not her maid.

As annoying as Paula is I think she does a really good job at playing the frustrated younger sister who has lived a pretty hard life of poverty and unfulfilled hope. For a moment it looked like she has everything she wants almost within her grasp and now it’s all being snatched away. I might pitch a fit myself in those circumstances.

Victoria is in her studio musing over an old saying of her father’s: ‘raise your children up right or endure them’ (a little stronger in Spanish - edúquelos o padécelos). She recognizes that she has not done a good job raising them. Felipa brings her tea and asks why she ordered the flowers to be thrown out. Victoria shows her the card signed “Mario” that came with the flowers and explains that she doesn’t want Alex to have any more to worry about, and that she doesn’t think Mario Aguirre is the one who sent the flowers. Felipa asks who, then, and Victoria says she doesn’t know who but thinks its someone who wants to harm MariaJose and Alex. She taps the card against her chin in deep cogitation: hmmmm- who could it be, who could it be? Felipa pipes up with, “Bruno, of course” (she actually says ‘pues Bruno” but her tone is one of “duh.”) and then immediately covers her mouth and says sorry. Victoria claims if he did send the card it was out of pure evilness and that she thinks he demanded the presidency from Alex in payment for having donated his blood to save MariaJose.

Fer is telling Alex that if he were Alex he would neither give up the presidency nor divorce MariaJose, and that having given his word to Bruno doesn’t really count because Bruno is a criminal. Alex points out that they have not yet been able to prove that one way or the other. Fer, who is annoying as a devil’s advocate, is turning out to be a pretty good sleuth. He’s tracked down the judge who performed MariaJose’s wedding and sent him a message through his photo safari website. (His screen name is Cyclops, though I don’t know why they devote so much time to this detail – will it be important later maybe?) He hasn’t received a response yet, but he’s massaged the judge’s ego by telling him what a good photographer he is and letting him know he’d like to go with him on the next photo safari. Now he’s just waiting for a response.

Alex is depressed because his father put him in charge of the family, especially Victoria, the love of his life, and he’s letting him down. Fer reminds him that he’s not a superhero, and reassures him that Bruno also must have an Achilles heel. (Maybe the Cyclops emphasis above was just to make this a Greek-themed conversation? Maybe I’m trying to find a connection where none exists?)

Near the lake, Erik is confirming to Bruno that he ordered the flowers and included the message card, and says that the flowers must have arrived by now. Erik asks him if it’s OK to go see his cousin Gregorio and Bruno, in a foul mood, tells him to go do whatever he wants but make sure he’s available in case Bruno needs him.

Back at Lombard Construction, Mari, in a burst of optimism, asks Katia to deliver some folders. Just at that moment Katia receives a phone call from Bruno. Katia requests that Mari take the folders herself so that she can answer her phone and then arranges with Bruno to meet at the same hotel as before. Mari is watching her as she talks but it’s hard to tell if she can hear the conversation or not. (In telenovelandia, if character A surreptitiously views character B in conversation with character C, does it always mean that character A also overhears the conversation? Can we assume that Mari can hear Katia arrange this meeting because she can see her?)

As they walk out of Lombard Construction Fer is asking Alex if he doesn’t think it’s quite a coincidence that the person Paula hit with the car lives so close to Gregorio Díaz. Alex doesn’t appear to be listening at first but then is then drawn into Fer’s description of what happened when he went to the neighborhood where Gregorio lives: He saw an ambulance bringing Gabriel home and overheard someone mention Alex’s name and comment that Alex was paying for all the hospital expenses. Fer explains that this Gregorio is a semi driver and Alex points out to Fer that he was hit by a semi!!!!

Back at the White Palace, Maura is ranting that just when she had an open field with Alex that damn hypocrite MariaJose goes and gets pregnant. That scheming little tramp – getting preggers by her own husband! Lisette suggests that maybe the baby is Bruno’s but Maura doesn’t think so because the reason for Bruno’s fury was his inability to make any time at all with MariaJose. Maura is desperate at the thought of never getting that beggar MJ out of the picture and Lisette suggests that they call on their old friend Mario Aguirre again to make Alex suspicious about MJ’s pregnancy. The usually-clever Maura says they can’t because they don’t know where Mateo is, but Lisette rightly points out that anyone could pretend to be Mario Aguirre. Maura wants to think about it a little more and damns her bad luck at MJ getting pregnant.

Alex is jogging up the steps of the Lombardo family mansion and goes to find MariaJose in their suite. She’s is sitting on a love seat in the dining room/sitting area and Alex doesn’t immediately see her. However, in a sign that the marriage is maturing, he doesn’t get that semi-alarmed look he always had when he didn’t immediately find her in the bedroom, as if he was afraid she had escaped. This is a good sign in a relationship, I think, when one partner feels confident on a day-to-day basis that the other partner hasn’t run away.

He joins her on the love seat and they exchange confidences and kisses and declarations of love. He reassures her (again) that whatever happens he will never be separated from her, which are, of course absolutely fatal words in a telenovela and you’d think Alex would know better than to utter them. What fury from the gods is he drawing on their heads by saying that he will never be separated from her? She asks him why he says that and he gives her that gorgeous smile of his and says it’s just a manner of speaking, but we see him rest his head pensively on MariaJose’s as the scene cuts out.

Chucho come to Don Pedro’s apartment with some “rebuenas” sandwiches for both of them. Don Pedro, clutching a figure of an angel, tells him in a pitiful little voice that he’s not hungry and starts his I’m-valiantly-struggling-to-be-strong whine that makes me want to eat ground glass (or feed it to him). As is only natural, he explains, he’s lost his daughter MariaJose, who she has moved on to make her own life. But still – he’s so sad. Fortunately, Chucho gives an impatient click of his tongue and reminds him that there’s a way he can be close to his daughter in Mérida, and that is the business that he proposed they start together. Don Pedro perks right up and stops whining and they agree to take the bus to Mérida the next day to surprise MJ with the good news. I love Chucho, not just because of his enthusiasm for food and drink and good times, but because he can snap DP right out of his whining. Don Pedro regains his appetite and they sit down to eat their sandwiches.

Alex gives MariaJose a kiss and says he’s going to take a shower (I can’t wait) before the lawyers arrive. MariaJose tells him that her father has asked her to ask Alex if Alex could help out a friend of his (Don Pedro’s). Alex wonders if Don Pedro, sly dog that he is, might be courting, but she explains that it’s only to help the woman who tried to help him out the night he and Chucho were busted in the bar, and who subsequently lost her job because of it. Her name is Meche and she has a brother who isn’t well, but if Alex doesn’t want to it’s totally OK. Alex assures her he’s happy to help, and she gives him a slip of paper with Meche’s address on it. When Alex sees it his face gets tight, but when MariaJose asks if anything is wrong he says no and goes to take a shower.

Now Alex is getting out of the shower all gleaming wet and sculpted muscles. He slings a towel low on his hips and muses about the address he read on the slip of paper: “That’s the same boy that Paula ran down, and the old man knew him.” DUM da DUM (special musical effect).

Vicky and Fer are discussing the court case. Victoria knows it’s not going to be easy and acknowledges how hard it has been to accept the kind of person her son is. Fer is worried about her and wants to see her that night but she refuses because she has a date with Hernán. Fer pitches a jealous fit (not a conniption, though) and asks her to please not get any crazy ideas like accepting Hernán’s attentions just to hide the true nature of their relationship from the children. Victoria’s face shows pretty clearly that she thinks the crazy idea is going out with one of her son’s friends, but she doesn’t say it and then she has to go because the lawyers have arrived.

Gregorio accuses Erik of having kept the money instead of returning it. Is there no honor among thieves? Erik tries to laugh it off but Gregorio knows his cousin (si te conozco mosco) and insists. Erik finally admits he kept it but says it was only fair because he acted as the middleman and put Meche in touch with Bruno. Gregorio says he played a part – something to do with Gabriel that I couldn’t catch - and he WANTS HIS SHARE! Erik agrees to give him half but warns him that his boss can’t know about it or he’ll cut both of their heads off. Gregorio thinks they should somehow get some benefit out of the information they have about Bruno and brushes off Erik’s worries about what Bruno might do, telling him it wouldn’t be that easy to kill off all three of them (i.e. Gregorio, his wife and Erik). In the background Gregorio’s wife looks alarmed at the very thought, but Erik agrees that it would be hard to knock off the three of them. He adds that, besides, he can’t stand the bastard (me cae bien gordo ese desgraciado), who treats him worse than a dog. They laugh.

Back at the compound, Raquel overhears that Alex and Victoria are meeting with the lawyers. She’s upset that she’s been left out and crashes the meeting. Victoria says she can stay, and they all go back to talking about the scandal that is about to break loose. Raquel is working herself up into hysteria, but Alex tells her to be quiet and sit down. For a moment it seems like she will, but in the next scene she’s again loudly and insistently trying to convince her mother not to expose them all to public humiliation. Victoria wastes her breath trying to explain: it’s what your father wanted, Bruno’s not the right man to run company, etc. Alex chimes in to agree with Raquel about the scandal, but Victoria stands firm. She asks the lawyers what Bruno’s chances of winning are if he contests the will. Not good, says one of the lawyers. Even though DNA tests may prove they are all his children, unless there is a competent, trusted witness who knew Samuel and who will testify that he was not in his right mind when he made the will, Bruno probably won’t be successful. Victoria, satisfied, says that Hernán will never do it.

While Raquel is crashing the meeting Bruno runs upstairs to talk to MariaJose. Paula and MJ (who have made up, apparently, but we didn’t see it) are talking about MariaJose’s condition when there is a knock on the door. Didn’t those girls ever read Little Red Riding Hood? They open the door right up and it’s Bruno, of course. He brushes past Paula and comments that MariaJose’s husband didn’t even send her any flowers. MJ thanks him for donating blood and tries to get him out, but Bruno is Bruno and won’t be budged. He snuggles up against her neck and asks when she’s getting a divorce, but MariaJose denies that she and Alex will divorce. Half lustful and half menacing, Bruno says that Alex has told him they will be getting a divorce. MJ cringes away but can’t get far – she’s stuck on the divan thingy at the end of their bed - and Paula creeps up behind him with a candle (?) ready to brain him. Just in time he backs off and saunters out. MJ says he’s just trying to be annoying, and that’s why she hopes she and Alex can find a house and move out quickly. Paula is surprised that they are moving.

Bruno is lambasting Erik because there were no flowers in MariaJoses’s room. Erik doesn’t understand what happened – he paid for them himself – and Bruno tells him to go find out what happened. As Erik is going to check out what happened, Raquel approaches Bruno insisting that he abandon his attempt to contest the will. He shrugs, gets into his car and slowly begins to drive away. She puts a hand on the car, haranguing him as he speeds up until she’s finally forced to drop back and let him go or be dragged along by the car. A bit further down the drive Erik stops the car to tell Bruno what happened with the flowers. He’s explaining that they were delivered when Raquel sees the car slow down and starts after Bruno again, shrieking. Bruno, in a rush to get away, tells him to go talk to Ezequiel and speeds off, Raquel now screeching and running after him in the background. He gets away, though.

Ezequiel is telling Erik that no flowers were ever delivered, but Erik insists: Tomás says they were. Ezequiel asks him why he cares anyway, and Erik makes up a feeble story about having made a bet with Tomás about who sent them. Ezequiel shakes his head in disgust at Erik’s idiocy: “Que respuesta tan estúpida” and tells him to get back to work before he reports him to Alex. Erik scurries off.

Victoria is preparing for her date with Hernán and Felipa, who was in the kitchen when Erik came to ask what happened to the flowers, is reporting the conversation to her. Victoria wonders what Erik has to do with it. Felipa points out that Erik is Bruno’s “alcahuete”, which is a go-between but with very strong negative overtones – it can also be a pimp. Victoria says this proves that Bruno was the one who sent the flowers to create problems between Alex and MariaJose and that nothing he does can surprise her. She wonders if he does these things because he’s in love with MariaJose. Felipa says maybe, or maybe it’s because he just wants to bother them, or maybe even because he had MariaJose first and now thinks she still belongs to him. Victoria gasps and covers her hand with her month – do you really think they had sex? Felipa says MJ doesn’t seem like that kind of a girl, but who can tell with the young people today? Victoria wonders who the baby’s father is, and Felipa says that Alex must know if MJ was a virgin or not – Victoria should ask him. Victoria doesn’t want to ask him such a personal question, or plant any doubts in his mind, and Felipa throws up her hands, seemingly at the idea of figuring out who the baby’s father is.

Erik is reporting to Bruno on the phone that Tomás says Ezequiel got the flowers even though Ezequiel denies it, and he thinks they must have thrown them away but don’t want to admit it. Bruno speculates that it must have been his mother who had them thrown away, since she got home before Alex. They’re not sure what their next step should be and hang up with the issue unresolved. Bruno’s cell rings again immediately, and it’s Katia, who’s just calling him to tell him she’s on her way and she loves him. Fer walks in as Katia is leaving and offers to drop her off at her friend’s (where she says she is going) but she insists on going by taxi. Fer looks a little perplexed but not suspicious.

Chucho and Don Pedro are discussing their move to Mérida. They need an apartment with two bedrooms, one for the two of them and one for Paula. In a really sweet exchange, Don Pedro asks Chucho if he has enough money for all this, because he, DP surely doesn’t. Chucho reminds him that Alex gave him some money, and even told him to let him know if he found a market stall. DP wonders why and Chucho thinks it’s because Alex must know the manager of the market and can ask him for a little discount on the rent they will pay for the stall. Don Pedro agrees that that’s probably it. When he’s not whining he makes me laugh:) They agree to bring the furniture – the sofa, the television, the fridge, the beds – so that Paula has someplace decent to live after the mansion she’s been living in. Don Pedro starts to think better of the move but just as Chucho is telling him not to back out MJ calls and asks if Paula can stay with her a couple more days. Don Pedro is OK with it as long as Alex is, but the conversation seems to have gotten him back on track with the idea of moving to Merida.

Alex is sitting pensively in his darkened office when Fer calls. Fer is feeling blue because Victoria is out with Hernán and he asks if he can go talk with Alex. “Claro, hombre.”

Victoria and Hernán are in the restaurant discussing the upcoming trial. Hernán proposes a way to stop the gossip: they can say they are engaged, and his good name and reputation will lessen the impact of her past. He is so presuntuoso! When Victoria refuses he asks if it’s because of Fernando, but Vicki says that Fer is just a dear friend and always has been. Hernán flat out declares himself and Victoria pats him on the hand. Hernán proposes that they spend more time together and get to know each other in a different way, even though he is aware that she doesn’t feel the same about him as he does about her. She says, “of course” but without much enthusiasm. He asks her to give him the opportunity to convince her, and she pats him on the hand again. If I were him I’d be worried about that non-committal smile and those tepid little pats. This is not the stuff of passion, here.

Alex and Fer are having a drink in the Lombardo mansion. Alex tells Fer about Don Pedro recommending the waitress who worked in the bar that Don Pedro and Chucho were arrested in. It turns out that the waitress is Meche, the sister of the man Paula ran over and a friend of Gregorio, the semi driver. They wonder if Don Pedro is part of the whole plot to kill Alex but just don’t know. Fer asks Alex if he thinks MariaJose is involved but he doesn’t, otherwise she wouldn’t have asked him for this favor for her father. Fer wonders why Don Pedro would help the woman and Alex wonders if maybe she’s blackmailing him. Fer doesn’t believe it – if that were the case she would ask for money and not a job. Fer recommends that Alex hire her so as to keep the enemy close at hand and under scrutiny.

Hernán drives Victoria home and notices that Fer’s car is in the drive. Victoria says he must be visiting Alex, but also tells Hernán not to bother seeing her to the door. She tries to sneak into the house but is discovered by Alex and Fer, who are in the living room having their drink. She avoids talking to them and goes up to her room, where she refuses to talk about it to Felipa. Alone in front of her mirror she smoothes out her wrinkles and says to her reflection that Hernan is a much better man for her.

Labels: sortilegio

Friday: Chris has coffee with Orlando and they both wonder if Paloma is his child, and if she knows or not. Mr Sensitivity says to Chris Hey, maybe there was another guy after you. Chris says no, the timing is just right. Camila is trying to get the golfa (stronger than “tramp” but this is family-friendly site) graffiti off her shop gate. She says Diana must’ve done it because she (Camila) is in love with Rafael. He is just coming up and overhears and says Thank you! I love you too!

We know his joy will be short-lived because hey, this is Real del Monte where the spirits of angry Aztecs avenge themselves by breaking the hearts of schoolgirls and middle-aged ceramics makers alike. Let’s see what happens next.

Paloma bodily shoves Rufi though Carlota’s office door so Rufi will ask for time off to go see Edmundo on his deathbed. Outside the door, Paloma thinks about how without Rufi she’ll be alone at Em’s wedding.

Inside Camila’s shop, she’s telling Rafa it won’t work out between them. He says Diana is going to give him his divorce, and he explains to her the promise he made to Orlando to stay away from her if Orlando wouldn’t tell Em the truth about Diana. But all that is out in the open now, so he’s back courtin’.

Camila says but with Em marrying Romina, she and Diana are going to be in-laws, it’s all so much to think about, so she’s just going to think about right now. Rafa says And Orlando is right now? Yes, says Camila. Rafa says tell me: Do you love him as much as you love me? Ba BUMMM says the music.

Romina has gone to Em’s office and shows him the invitations she’d like to have printed up. Whatever, he says. She says I know you’re not happy about this wedding, but I’m going to dedicate myself to being the best wife in the whole world. Just give me one little tiny chance. I love you so much. She strokes his face.

Em shoots up out of his chair. Look, he says, the heart doesn’t take orders. I wish I could tell you that I’m happy, and we could make a life, but I can’t. I’m marrying in order to be close to my son, to be as good a father as Rafa was to me. Tearfully Romina says I’ll be thinking of the baby, but I’ll also be thinking of you.

Carlota wants to know how it was that Rufi had a marriage offer and she never knew about it. Rufi says that Mac and Paloma knew, but she hadn’t made up her mind. If she’d decided to marry Edmundo, that’s when she was going to tell Carlota.

German asks Lili to come into his office. He says she looks great and could they maybe have a coffee? Lili says if you want to have it with my novio. The novio (Mi amor! says Lili) comes in, hands German some papers, and he and Lili leave. German has struck out again.

Romina is on the phone with her daddy, wondering why he isn’t around more. He says that he doesn’t want to have Camila chasing him out of the house again. Romina says she wants him involved in all the wedding stuff. He won’t run away again will he? Because she won’t look for him again. No no no, he says, rolling his eyes.

Rafa is still trying to talk Camila into sticking with him. Why won’t she? She says she used to think love was everything, could overcome any obstacle, but she doesn’t believe that any more.

He tries to kiss her, but she says she just can’t. She doesn’t want to destroy the lives of everyone around them. Yes, she loves him, but that doesn’t make him the guy she should be with. He’s not free. She leaves, apparently forgetting that it’s her shop and she needs to stay there.

German gets the papers we’ve all been waiting for. He can’t help himself and starts undoing the envelope which contains the great, life-altering, top-secret tampered-with will to take a peek. He doesn’t even have to steam it because it’s not glued down, he just undoes the string.

Padre Chris calls Paloma’s house and asks for Rufi. Paloma says she’s left for the frontera and is liable to be gone a number of days. Rats, says Chris.

Chris is having flashbacks. He remembers Mac pleading with him not to talk to Carlota in front of Paloma. He remembers Carlota calling him to Mac’s deathbed, telling him Mac just wanted to have him and Paloma there and surely Mac must have something to tell him.

Just then Padre B comes in and says why so serious? Chris says there is something on my mind, but I need more information before I talk about it. He tells Padre B that Carlota is still after him, but she’s sneaky and does stuff when others aren’t looking. Padre B tells him the bishop is coming to town and he’s wanting to know who’s naughty and nice.

Chris says this might not be the best time for me to make my decision. Did you tell him what’s going on here? Yes, says Padre B. Chris says then maybe it won’t be me making the decision. Padre B says huh? Chris says never mind me.

German leafs through the papers, bored, then stops, astonished. Paloma is rich!

Carlota is having to get her own tea in the kitchen. She thinks maybe she shouldn’t have let Rufi take those days off. Her thoughts lightly turn to Samuel. Should she go out with him? He’s good looking, interesting. Oh, but it’s nothing like what she feels about Chris, she says steamily. Closeup of her looking lustful. Brrr, those eyelashes gummed together into points are enough to terrify anyone, even a man of God who is used to looking Satan right in the eye.

Romina is lying on her bed, a tiara daintily perched on top of her golden locks. Em knocks, comes in, and smiles and says I’ve been thinking and I realize I’ve been stupid to even think about Paloma. You’re really what I’ve always dreamed about. I don’t even care if the child is mine or not. He kisses her neck. Romina smiles with relief and happiness. I’ll never leave you, says Em. I’m not like your daddy. I’ll always stay with you.

She turns to stroke her wedding dress, which is spread out on the bed, turns to talk to him, realizes it’s just dead air. She sits on the bed and starts to cry. I know you’ll come to love me.

In actuality Em is at his desk, looking at the elaborate invitation and thinking that if he were marrying Paloma he’d be the happiest guy on the planet. What can he do to make it so he can be with her?

Chris is just finishing up serving mass and Carlota, who as we know has season tickets to the front pew, is of course there. Everyone files out but her and he starts to leave, then turns and comes back to talk to her. She gives a happy sigh. He asks if he can talk to her a moment. She says he can ask her anything he wants.

Crinkle crinkle. Excuse me for a second while I affix my Aluminum Beanie© because Chris has decided the best place to talk to this panting stalker is in a private side room. Not only that, but in the course of the conversation, he begins to remove his priestly outer garments in a sort of slow strip.

He says he wants to ask her something and he wants her to promise to tell the truth. She says she will, and she will swear on what she loves most, namely him.

He says Paloma is Mac’s daughter, yes? Carlota says I didn’t know you knew. So is Paloma mine? he asks.

It’s evening and said Paloma is coming home. Romina comes up to her and kisses her affectionately. Where’ve you been lately? Paloma says Rufi’s gone, so I’ve had to do everything. Bummer! Says Romina. You’re my maid of honor and I’d like you to be involved in all my wedding stuff.

Paloma says have you set a date? Romina says I talked to Emiliano and he said he wants to get married as soon as possible, so it’s Saturday! Saturday? says Paloma, shaken.

Of course, it’s just a civil marriage for now says Romina. The church one we’ll need more time to plan. We may do it before the baby comes, or after. Paloma casts her eyes down. Romina says What’s wrong?

Paloma says I thought you were going to do both at once. Romina says we’ll enjoy both of them. Who would have thought we would both marry so young? Well, it didn’t work out with Inaki, but sometimes things don’t go as we planned. She grabs Paloma’s hand and says come see my wedding dress!

Chris is taking off his first layer and Carlota is stalling.

Ca: How did you find out she was Mac’s daughter?
Ch: Never mind about that, I just want to know if she’s mine.
Ca (seductively, stepping closer): What will you give me in return for telling?
Ch (shoving her off): This isn’t some game!
Ca: I’m helping you!
Ch: You know what it would mean if I’m her father?
Ca: Yes, and that’s why I don’t know whether to tell you what you want to know.
Ch: Tell me.
Ca: Even if it will affect you so that you’ll never forget? Even if it will change your feelings? Even if it will change everything you’ve come to believe so far?
Ch: Yes. Tell me.
Ca: Mac is Paloma’s mother. I told her you had the right to know who the father was and she didn’t want to tell you.
Ch (hopeful): Why? Because I’m the father and now I’m a priest?
Ca: No no no no no. That’s not why. She didn’t want to tell you because she knew she was nothing like what you thought - pure, sainted.
Ch: I don’t get it.
Ca: Mac got pregnant. But the child is not yours.
Ch: gulp.

Camila is walking along the street, flashing back on Rafa kissing her. Next she flashes back on Orlando kissing her. What do do?

Yuck… Samuel comes up, leaving a slime train on the sidewalk. He says I know you – what’s bothering you? It’ll be a good place to start. Start? says Camila. You don’t know how often I had dreamed that you’d want to start again. Samuel says See? I knew you couldn’t be indifferent to me. Camila says I’m not indifferent, in fact, a part of me hates you. Sam says How can you say that? Your love was so strong, it couldn’t just stop.

It didn’t stop says Camila. It’s just not for you. I’m in love with someone who values me a thousand times more than you ever did. She walks off.

Okay, back to Chris and Carlota:

Ca: If you don’t believe me, why even ask? I wasn’t the one who came chasing after you to tell you this stuff. You asked me.
Ch: It’s just that you’ve told so many lies in your life, I don’t know when to believe you.
Ca: We all tell lies time to time, even you. Macarena was no exception. Why are we even talking about it if you’ve created this whole reality in your head? If you want to believe that Paloma is your daughter, help yourself.
Ch: It’s not that I want her to be my child. It’s just that the timing all adds up. If I’m her father, I have to be responsible, plus I have to postpone my plans.
Ca: Okay, I’ll tell you what happened. But if you don’t believe me, it’s your own lookout.
Ch: I’m listening.
Ca: Macarena was going out with a young man who was at our level in society, nothing serious. She came up pregnant, and when she found out, she took up with you, pretending it was her first time. Because she knew you’d take responsibility.
Ch: It can’t be true!
Ca: Oh, for heaven’s sake.
Ch: Go ahead.
Ca: When I found out, I tried to keep her from going with you, from deceiving you into thinking the child was yours. When our father found out what she was trying to do, he had a heart attack. It was better to give the child to Sagrario to avoid a scandal.
Ch: That’s not the Macarena I knew and loved.
Ca: Love makes us idealize people. But we all have our dark side. You just never wanted to see Macarena’s. If Paloma had been your daughter, Mac wouldn’t have taken the secret to her grave, not even telling you just before she died.

Romina has Paloma, who is protesting that she needs to go cook dinner, up in her room to see he wedding dress. She whips a dustcover off it and says See? It cost a bunch! Feel it. Paloma, looking like she’s seen a ghost, sees a ghost – namely the ghost of weddings past. She sees herself in her wedding gown, sobbing, fleeing the church, arriving at Inaki’s deathbed. She sees herself kissing Emiliano.

She faints dead away.

Chris and Carlota again. She’s about to leave.

Ch: One more thing.
Ca: Anything.
Ch: If you hadn’t told me that Mac had killed herself, I would have married her and helped raise Paloma.
Ca: Yes. I did it because I loved you. I didn’t want you stuck raising a child that wasn’t yours. Maybe I didn’t do the right thing, but I had the best of intentions.
Ch: And the father? Is he still alive?
Ca: Yes. His name is Juan Carmona. He’s a loser who lives in Pachuca.
Ch: Does Paloma know?
Ca: Not only does she know, she’s met with him.
Ch: Really?
Ca: If you don’t believe me, ask her. He was such a disappointment she didn’t want anything more to do with him.

Carlota leaves, but not before throwing him a small smile.

Rafa tells Diana they need to go see the judge next week. Diana says why aren’t you honest with me? Me? He says, livid. After all the stuff you’ve done? After setting Orlando up to look like he’d hit you? And you question MY honesty?

Diana sulks that Em talks to Rafa, but not to her. Rafa says stop thinking about yourself. Do you realize that the things you do affect others? Diana says look at your own self. I did it to protect my son. My family is the most important thing in the world to me! Rafa rolls his eyes.

Unlike you, says Diana. You’ve been deceiving me. You’re worse than I am. I’d like to talk about it, but I have an important appointment with my dear, dear friend Camila. How lucky I am to have her as a future in-law, aren’t I? Diana gets her purse and marches out triumphantly, her high heels clicking on the tiles.

Paloma has come to and is sitting in a chair in Romina’s bedroom. She tells Romina suddenly the room started spinning. Romina laughs you’re not pregnant are you? Oh, I forgot! You’re all pure and virginal. Good thing you didn’t sleep with Inaki before your wedding. Can you imagine? Paloma gets up and leaves. Romina calls after her to take care – she’s got to be feeling good for Romina’s wedding day. Romina smiles to herself like she’s got the world on a string.

German wants to hang onto the will a bit longer – he doesn’t want to take it to Carlota just like that. It occurs to him to have some certified copies made.

Paloma returns to her room and cries about Em’s upcoming wedding.

At work, Orlando tells Em he needs to start looking at apartments. Orlando says he hopes now that he’ll be related to her, maybe Romina will look on his interest in Camila more kindly. Em smiles half-heartedly. Orlando say See you tomorrow, son, and leaves.

Em flashes back on kissing Paloma.

Diana comes fluttering into Camila’s. She says she’s thrilled her son is going to marry the daughter of her best friend. She tells Romina that she’s always thought Camila was an exemplar of honesty, integrity, high standards. She’ll make a wonderful grandmother! Camila pops her eyebrows. Diana hugs Camila and says they’re going to form one big family. Group hug! She says. We women have to stick together. All for one and one for all!

Carlota is getting into bed, gloating over how well it all went. Even Rufi being gone was perfect timing. She hopes she’ll never come back, so Chris can’t ask her any questions.

Chris in his jammies says his prayers. Afterwards, he reflects that he had thought for a minute there that Paloma was his daughter. It would have made sense – they seem to have such an affinity for one another. Why didn’t Mac tell me? I find it hard to believe what Carlota said. I’m going to find out. Rufi’s not around, but I can ask Camila or Natalia. I’m not going to let happen to me what happened 19 years ago.

The sun comes up over Real del Monte.

Romina comes down to breakfast and finds Orlando waiting in the living room. He says he wants to talk about wedding presents. Romina says I have a hard time seeing you as Em’s father. Orlando says you’ve never gotten used to my being with your mother and now I’m going to be your father-in-law. Romina says it’s not that I don’t like you, it’s just that I’ve always had the fantasy that my father would come back.

Orlando asks how she likes having him back. It’s nice, she says. I like the idea he’s around, though he’s kinda stayed on the sidelines, which is probably a good idea. My mother doesn’t like close relationships where they’re all tangled up in each other. She needs her space and he’s giving it to her.

Orlando is absorbing all this. You think it’s a strategy? Romina says I’d say so. And now that I’m getting married my mother has to decide who she’s going to be with. It would be a hoot if she chooses you, since it would unite me more firmly with Emiliano.

It would! says Orlando. In the background, Camila is coming down the stairs. Romina says you were talking about wedding presents? Orlando says he was thinking of giving them a house or an apartment. Romina hugs him and Camila sees, surprised. Romina says I had been thinking of living in a furnished place like Rafa has, but I’ll go looking at houses and apartments today. I’ll have two fathers-in-law, but I like you the best.

Romina! says Camila. Romina plants a kiss on Orlando’s cheek and leaves.

At the plateria, which doubles as a group therapy facility, Angelica asks Em what he’s feeling. He tells her feels like something inside of him has broken. He feels so alone without a mother, without Paloma. Angelica tells him he’s a good guy for not having run away. He says he doesn’t feel like a good guy - he’s paying for his mistakes and for his parents’ mistakes. He doesn’t want the baby to have to pay for his as well. I’m going to be the best father there ever was, and I’m going to give that child all the love that I can’t give to Paloma. He leaves.

At his office, Rafa tells Joel that Orlando was right, Diana’s not going to give him a divorce. And he really needs it, as things with Camila are at the breaking point – she doesn’t want to fight for their love. But all’s fair in love and war. You’re scaring me smiles Joel. Rafa says I’m going to tell Camila we three have to go to a convention. He waves a brochure around.

Joel wants to know if he can ask Monica. Rafa says who’s going to watch the shop? Well, do whatever you want, but Camila needs to go with me to that convention.

Camila tells Orlando that maybe it’s better if Romina and Em get a place Em can afford. Orlando gets down to business: He tells her that Rafa came by and told him he was back in the game. I need to know how you feel. Either you decide to go ahead and marry me, or I’ll turn you loose to marry Rafa or Samuel or whoever.

Avances: Em asks German what really happened between him and Romina. Paloma tells Romina she can’t take part in her wedding because she’s in love with Emiliano.

Labels: amor

Labels: gancho