TUESDAY - THURSDAY 17TH /18TH / 19TH JULY, 2018....UPDATE ON THE CANDIDATE
EPISODE #10 / #11 / #12
SHOWN ON TV3 @9:00PM
EPISODE #10
CECILIA & ALONSO'S RENDEZVOUS
Regina is chasing Emiliano down the hallway of the office; obviously he did not like being reprimanded for kidnapping Hugo. As she continues to chase him, Tere is casually coming out of Gerardo’s office and what do you know Regina bumps into the last person she should have bumped into. Tere takes this very opportunistic opportunity and begins to shower Regina with insults. “You love to steal husbands”. Gerardo who is behind Tere tries to hold her back and tells her to stop. Regina is paralyzed and can only watch. Gerardo asks Tere to leave, and she obliges but not before trying to land a punch on Regina. Wow. Gerardo tries to apologize to Regina, but all she can do is yell at him not to touch her and storms off.
Mario is on the phone with Cecilia, and he tells her that if she manages to help Alonso get out of the eye of the storm she will “earn a piece in heaven”, and as for what she did with the Regina/Gerardo pictures, that was good because “we always have to protect family”.Mauro approaches Mario, Mario says
“I think we have Omar were we want him, look for Javier’s partner and find out everything about Javier Guzman”Mario will have to get close to Natalia in order to get more info. Mauro then informs Mario that Natalia is at the Governor’s house because she had a problem with Omar.
Noemi walks in and Mario informs her that they are going to pay Natalia a visit. Noemi hesitates because she does not want to see Omar. Not a problem Natalia is at the Governor’s house.
In her office Regina is telling Daniela that Tere embarrassed her in front of everyone. Daniela quite wisely tells her, Ignore Tere because she is obsessed. Regina feels that nothing ever works out. Daniela hates to add to the pile of problems but has to inform her that Javier is dead and then tells her the Velez is there (the Labor Union leader) and it is urgent. Regina wants to go look for Emi but will give Velez a little bit of time. She also asks Daniela to find out Hugo’s address.
Mauro is giving Alonso an update on the Javier issue, and then lets him know that his press staff is waiting to meet with him. He tells them to come in.
Pacheco and Cecilia walk in and Alonso says “what do we know?” Pacheco tells him that it is still considered and accident but the press is circling like wolves. He thinks that Alonso should hold a press conference. Alonso does not like that because it would seem like they are admitting to guilt of something. He asks Cecilia for her opinion and she says she agrees with Pacheco.
Ximena is leaving school and sees that her dad is there to pick her up.“Is everything ok with mom?”
“No she escaped from the clinic, she came to my office and caused a scandal, you know she told me that you said I had an affair with Regina”
“Forgive me; forgive me that was not my intention”
Gerardo informs her that Tere now wants Xi to go back to live with her. Xi does not want to. Gerardo tells her to go to Tere and tell her that everything was a lie. Xi agrees to do that.
At Alonso’s office Cecilia continues with her ideas and says that she will try to divert the news to another topic. She will use a journalist “friend” to help change the topic. Alonso is pleased with that idea; Pacheco is not sure and makes a snarky remark about her “friend” not being reliable. Alonso gets upset at Pacheco and tells him that now Pacheco will do the news conference, essentially tossing him to the wolves. Alonso tells Cecilia “give Pacheco your notes so that he knows what to say”. Pacheco not pleased.
Velez is at Regina’s discussing the fact that now Alonso is supporting the Universal law to help protect families and children (Regina’s proposed law), but he does not believe that the business men will be happy to support it. Regina reassures him. He also says that in their meeting with Alonso he tried to convince the labor union to support his candidacy for president.
Noemi and Mario get to the Governor’s house, Natalia opens door and assumes that they know she lives there now.
Regina is in her SUV arriving at Hugo’s house with Daniela. Daniela is telling her that she is the best candidate and that she is upset that Alonso used Regina’s proposed policy to enhance his candidacy and is now pressuring the labor union to support him instead of Regina.
“What are you going to do? I’ve always told you, that you are the best. I have told you to get out from under Alonso’s shadow, you have a brilliant career”
“One other thing, I don’t like that woman”
“Who Cecilia?”
“Yes that woman, I don’t trust her”
Regina then tells Daniela how that woman obtained and deleted some pictures that could be misconstrued. She actually “saved” her from some potential problems (TBD)“What are you going to do? I’ve always told you, that you are the best. I have told you to get out from under Alonso’s shadow, you have a brilliant career”
“One other thing, I don’t like that woman”
“Who Cecilia?”
“Yes that woman, I don’t trust her”
Mauro (the whispering exaggerator) comes in looking as if he just saw a ghost and tells Alonso (no whispers to Alonso) that Mendoza wants to see him. Alonso does not want to but Mauro recommends he has to hear him out.
Mendoza walks in and announces that they will support Regina’s Universal law of support for families and children and they will support his campaign for president. Alonso is excited about the news but not too fast bud, Mendoza has a caveat. They will support him as long as he signs a new policy that will allow the removal of the employer contributions into the laborer accounts and temporarily suspend the employee pensions.
Regina is at Hugo’s to apologize for Emi’s behavior. Hugo’s mom does not want her apologies. She tells Regina that Hugo is being tormented by Emi and the entire student body, but sadly Hugo still loves his friend. She asks that Regina and her family stay away from Hugo.
Regina leaves and as she approaches Daniela says “that woman hates me, and she is right. Emi is going to have to listen to me”Regina is at Hugo’s to apologize for Emi’s behavior. Hugo’s mom does not want her apologies. She tells Regina that Hugo is being tormented by Emi and the entire student body, but sadly Hugo still loves his friend. She asks that Regina and her family stay away from Hugo.
Emi walks into his house sees his grandparents and does not respectfully address them.
Mario follows him and goes to reprimand him. Mario tells him to stop blaming others for his problems.
“Then who do I blame?”
“Yourself, we all are responsible for our actions and when you act without thinking these things happen”
“Am I not allowed to make a mistake?”
“Of course you are”
Mario goes on to tell him to stop crying about Florencia because she used him. If he doesn’t things will remain the same and he will continue to be a poor devil all his life.
Noemi trying to find out what is going on with Natalia, she promises not to tell Mario. Natalia cries.Pacheco holds his press conference and tells the wolves not to jump to any conclusion, ends it there and the press begins a commotion.
Of to the side Hernan tells Cecilia that he’s not buying it and he will investigate to find the truth.
Pacheco goes to Hernan and asks
“How long have you known Cecilia?”“Why do you ask?”
“That woman is a climber”
“No she is worse than that”
Alonso is telling Mauro that the business men have asked him for something but if he gives it to them; he will lose the laborers support.
“If you lose their support they will give it to your wife”“But we need the business men they own everything”
Alonso begins to get anxious and says he needs to relax. And what do you know in comes “Xanax” with legs. Cecilia smiles and says press conference is over. Alonso asks her to sit and smiles his creepy smile and tells her “I was just thinking about you.”
At Tere’s house Ximena comes to tell her that what she said about Regina was not true but Tere doesn’t buy it she has made up her mind about Regina. She then asks Ximena for the money. Xi gets mad and says that’s all that matters to her.
Ignacio discussing with Gerardo that it appears that Regina’s policy of support for families and children is an issue of contention between the couple of the opposition (Regina/Alonso).
“This is your moment Gerardo”“I know that you have something going with Regina but you have to think that this is your moment.”
Gerardo says he is not worried about that now he is more worried about the Casino debt. Ignacio says he took care of it.
“How?”“Some cash to get their casino owners permit approved.”
Gerardo becomes upset at this revelation and then Ignacio erupts and says
“Get dirty Gerardo, this is politics, we are in Mexico man!”
Ximena calls Gerardo crying about Tere.“Get dirty Gerardo, this is politics, we are in Mexico man!”
“Please help me I don’t want to stay here”
“I will talk to her, stay there tonight”
Regina gets home and wants to talk to Emi. Her mom tells her to “breathe”
Alonso tells Cecilia that she is doing a great job. He flirts with her.Emi is on Skype with Xi. They complain about their families, and plan to go to a party that night.Regina comes in to tell Emi that if he does not change his attitude he will remain hi the house. The guards won’t let him out.Israel comes to see Magda at the office and tells her that she can’t ignore him and toss him to the trash (`a la Fatal Attraction except 30 years later, and with less oomph). She asks him to leave and a guard helps to see him out.Cecilia finds Hernan in the hallway and he says that half the people in the office already hate her and she says it’s because half the people are incompetent.“You need a friend here”“Are you going to be that friend?”“Think about it”At Gerardo’s hose Tere brings Xi to pick up her things and while she goes to get her things Tere steels money and a pocket watch. She does not even wait for Xi leaves probably to go sell the pocket watch. Xi comes out with her bag to find her mother is gone.On the phone Regina talks to Alonso about getting therapy for Emi, and as always he dismisses her concerns. She then says they need to talk about it in person and also about his dirty tricks.“What are you talking about?”“About how you are using the labor union and they rescinded their support of me because you called them, you are playing dirty”"I don’t like your tone of voice”“And I don’t like to be betrayed”Daniela comes in and Regina tells her everything is bad. She just had an argument with Alonso; Emi is bad, etc.., etc.She then tells Daniela that Alonso is not the same man, the college professor that she fell in love with. Daniela catches that she uses the word loved and not love as in past tense. Regina wants to fix things for Emi’s sake and decides to go to talk to Alonso right there and then The two Dons are at Omar’s house and Mario is offering his help. He tells Omar that he has Javier’s partner. Gerardo is trying to get Tere on the phone, but she does not pick up because she is at her happy place. The casino.
Mario tells Omar to take the Partner and give him to Alonso as a sign of peace.“You either end this or you are over, you choose”
Tere is at the Casino having a momentary winning streak.
Emi is telling Xi he can’t go to party because he is punished. Xi has her way with words and convinces him to disobey and go to the party. It works she convinces him.
Back at Omar’s where they begin to have a “civil” conversation and Omar agrees to work with Mario.
Gerardo calls Ximena, who is now dressed to go party, he says he can’t get a hold of Tere.
“Is she there with you?”
Gerardo calls Ximena, who is now dressed to go party, he says he can’t get a hold of Tere.
“Is she there with you?”
Xi lies and says she is in her bedroom. Gerardo tells her to put her on the phone but Xi says she does not want to go to her room because they are not on good terms. So Gerardo drinks the Kool aid and hangs up.
At the governor’s office the last of the employee leaves, except for Cecilia. She gets up to go to Alonso’s office. Hernan sees her going in.
Alonso turns his chair
“I’ve been waiting for you”
“What did you want to talk about?”
“More than talk, I want something else”
“I thought we were going to talk about work”
“I want this to be part of your Job”
“To relax the Governor”
Alonso pulls her close and kisses her. She lets him. She says she doesn’t want to get involved with a married man.
“I’ve been waiting for you”
“What did you want to talk about?”
“More than talk, I want something else”
“I thought we were going to talk about work”
“I want this to be part of your Job”
“To relax the Governor”
Alonso pulls her close and kisses her. She lets him. She says she doesn’t want to get involved with a married man.
As this is going on Regina is in the building approaching Alonso’s office.
Alonso asks Cecilia to remove her clothes slowly, and she begins to do so.
END OF EPISODE 10.Alonso asks Cecilia to remove her clothes slowly, and she begins to do so.
EPISODE #11
EMILIANO BLAMES HIMSELF FOR.........(SEE
RECAP)
Alonso has Cecelia in his office. After flirting with him all day, he figures he has a right to make his BIG move, right there and then. After seductively kissing her he gets rough and throws her back so she lands on his desk. He approaches again and Ceci doesn’t exactly rebuff him, but states she doesn’t get involved with married men.
Meanwhile, Regina is approaching the governor’s office. Ceci hasn’t moved. Al looks at her not very seductively and orders her to remove her clothes, slowly. Ceci reaches for her zipper. Regie reaches for the door.
Hernán, who’s been snooping around the halls after hours, watched Ceci enter the gov’s office and now sees Regie at the door. He interrupts her movement toward the door and while she is distracted by wondering what he is doing here and his saying he wants to ask her some questions, he invisibly sends Ceci a text that the gov’s wife is at the door.
On one side of the door, all sexual activity stops short. On the other side of the door, Regie is annoyed by the reporter’s questions about the death of that investor, that the governor’s father made him “disappear” and who was also her mother-in-law’s lover. She leaves him with the questions half-answered saying it was a strategy to cover up some illegal dealings and justice will be served.
Al, in a bit of a panic asks Ceci how she knows his wife is outside the door—who told her. But there’s no time for answers. Regie enters to see Al and Ceci busy “working.” Al looks up and says he’s surprised to see her, to which Regie asks if it was a good or a bad surprise.
Ceci gets it and discretely leaves the office, only to run into Hernán outside. He insists she needs someone on the inside. He thinks she should show her gratitude for saving her ass by having a drink somewhere. Ceci seems a little off-put by this scarf-swabbed, scruffy, rumpled, young (very young) but kinda cute nuisance, but she agrees, on the condition he shares his investigation with her. He intimates he thinks his investigation is worth more than a drink.
Al and Regie have a testy discussion over Ceci. She wants to know why he was working with “her” alone, so late. Al can’t believe she would think he’d take a risk with someone he just hired, recommended by her father no less. Regie says in earnest that lately everything seems to be going wrong for them. She doesn’t know what to think. She came to see him in person about mending their relationship. As she turns to walk away he says he tried, wasn’t it he who invited her out to dinner? ….And who, she reminds him, didn’t show up? What she needs now, though, is to talk about Emiliano. She thinks he needs therapy. Al scoffs, she prefers to talk about therapy than their relationship. She has the last word: for once, she’d like Emi and herself to be the most important things in his life.
NIGHT TIME EVERYWHERE ELSE
Emi is at home, grounded, but trying to figure out how to get out to see Ximena, when he runs into Natalia, an easy touch. He sweet-talks his grandmother into providing a cover for him. He tells her he’s met this terrific girl and she wants to see him, for just a little while. Pinky promise. Nat doesn’t want to lie to either of his parents, but he persuades her to make it a half a fib—that as far as she knows he’s locked himself in his room. She says with a smile, that he’s more like his father every day—in the manipulation department, but agrees to go along with the ruse, but only for an hour. He’s good with that.
Tere was having a ball raking up the winnings when first seen at the casino. As luck would have it, her luck turned against her and she’s been losing, no--she lost everything. She gets loud and obnoxious and wants a loan. She tries to grab the chips from the player next to her. Two security guards move in and before she can raise a really big stink, haul her out of the casino and into the night.
Blondie, Debora’s replacement, although she’s now assigned to someone else, meets Don Mario at the bordello. She’s dressed elegantly, as only a high priced call girl can. She wants to know where her new client is. Don M explains the old codger didn’t want to leave the house so he will have to come up with a new strategy. He tells her what it is. Her new client has breakfast every morning at a specific café. He’s going to arrange for her to work there as a waitress and so, move in on the guy. Blondie doesn’t like that aspect of the arrangement—she can’t just stop going to her classes at the university. Don M says it’s only for a few days, she’ll catch up and he’ll fix it with her professor. Mario goes over the instructions Ceci already gave her. But besides being seductive, she has to make sure he sees her sad and crying. Mario takes advantage of Blondie’s presence since she’s all dressed up and tells her she looks lovely and so young. He bends down to sniff and kiss her neck while Blondie is completely unmoved by his advances.
Omar is sitting in his house contemplating the options Mario gave him earlier. (Either he calls off the dogs on Arturo or he will find himself with no visible means of support.) Alonso shows up, as was requested. Om says he has Javier’s partner and will give him up when Al’s ready. Al says in the morning.
Omar says (although his fingers might have been crossed) he was wrong and agrees to let the vengeance go. Al is glad to hear that. He can’t go losing his head like that. Om does have a favor to ask in return. He needs his wife back. He wants Al to help convince her to return to him. Al is quite surprised. After all, she cheated on him, why would he want her back? Om says that the truth is, aside from everything, he doesn’t know what he’d do without her. Al says it will be difficult, but he will try. He tells his father that this must be the last time they live through a situation like this. Omar hopes so.
Party time in somebody’s garden. Ximena and Emi find each other at the fiesta house. She confesses she lied to her father because she knew her mother wasn’t home when she left for the party and isn’t sure where she is now. Emi asks her if she’d rather go home. She says no. She wants to be here with him. The music is loud, the liquid is flowing, hair is getting tossed and bodies are thumping along with the music and Xi is not worried about her mother any more.
Regina arrives home, the day’s activities hanging heavily over her. [editorial comment: See SuperAlfie's last comment in Chapter 10 for a complete list.] Natalia greets her at the door. No, Regie tells her, she didn’t dine with nor talk to Alonso. She admits that Al has been impossible lately. Nat says Al has always been difficult and draws Regie out. Regie doesn’t really know what’s wrong. They always seem angry with each other. Natalia tells her that of all people, she knows how difficult marriage can be. She says she loves Regie like a daughter and urges Regie to fix things with Al if he’s disposed to. Give him a time limit. She thinks Regie is too good to continue living like this. They exchange heartfelt hugs.
Regie asks about Emi. Nat says he is locked in his room. Regie is worried about him. Nat says he’s acting like any adolescent manipulating a parent to get attention. Regie hopes that’s all it is. Nat says to give him time. They hug again.
Tere, shoeless and penniless is heading down the sidewalk looking for a way home. She hails a taxi but he takes off when he hears she has no money, not waiting to hear her say she’ll get some when they get to her address. In the most inconceivable coincidence, the next car that slows down for her and stops just happens to have Mario and Blondie in it. He says he recognizes her—he’s a friend of her husband’s and introduces her to his “niece.” She tells him her predicament—she was robbed. Hmmm, notes Mario, who looks at her hands hanging on to the open window, it’s interesting they left her with her rings. Apparently the lie wasn’t enough to discourage Mario from helping or Tere from accepting a ride with them.
Party time isn’t over yet. Another girl snags Emi and introduces herself and tries to give him “a little something” to make him feel better, happier, but Xi stops her and also from offering her the same. Then the girl tries to snag Emi for a dance, but Xi cuts in.
NEXT MORNING
Regie appears ready to go to the office in a white frontal-zipper tailored dress. She greets Natalia. They hug. She wishes she could stay with her, but she has meetings. Regie says Emi is still locked in his room and asks Nat to make sure he gets to school.
Emi and Xi never made it to their respective homes overnight. They apparently spent the night with all the other blown away partygoers scattered about in the grass (the green-growing kind one has to mow). They hurry and grab at certain missing items of clothing and skedaddle on out.
A shirtless Hernán strolls down from Ceci’s bedroom and grabs her coffee out of her hands. Obvio, he had spent the night and got paid with nookie-bit-coins for his information. All eyes turn to Ceci who is wearing a blue back-zippered dress (one that Al will have to do the honors for if he wants some of what he missed last night at the office). She tells Hernán she hasn’t thrown him out yet because she wants him not to publish his note regarding Alonso. He’s sorry, but he intends to. She asks that maybe he could change the slant to cover Alonso’s matrimony or maybe something about the party leaders being in dispute. Somehow that is not doing it for Herm. He wants to know if despite whatever went on in the governor’s office yesterday, did last night with him mean anything to her? She dissuades him of that notion immediately….with him, it’s tit for tat…sex for information, nothing more. He looks disappointed.
Gerardo is still at home when he gets a loud cell phone call. Tere is calling, loudly. She’s asking if Xi is with him because she’s not at the house. Gerry says she probably went to school. He’ll check and get back to her. As they hang up, Xi comes in the door. Tere gets on her case right away. Xi calls her crazy. Tere hits her and doesn’t apologize. They accuse each other of being lying bitches [editorial interpretation]. Saved by the bell from having fur fly, it’s Gerry reporting she wasn’t in school. Tere apologizes to him and covers for Xi telling him she was in her room. Then she goes up to Xi’s room and says she lost it, but who wouldn’t not knowing where she might be or that something might have happened to her. She suggests a pact with Xi—you don’t tell where I was and I won’t tell you were out all night. Xi doesn’t have much of a choice and looks pretty unhappy.
Mario is chatting up a waitress at the café where Om has his daily breakfast. He asks for the owner, but also suggests the waitress is wasting her life there and wonders if she’d like a better paying job. He finds out she’s from a rural area, by herself, and living in a little room. He gives her his phone number and tells her to call him. The owner sits down with Mario and Mario puts his offer on the table. He needs a job for his daughter, a routine, discipline, real work, like waiting tables. The owner explains he doesn’t need anyone, there’s full employment at his establishment. Mario points at the waitress he was talking to and tells the owner he’s pretty sure his current waitress will be leaving soon. To sweeten the pot, he promises to cover his daughter’s salary and throw in a little extra for him for his trouble. [editorial note: Viewerville will have to wait to see if the owner accepts—but we can guess he does. So far, Mario hasn’t failed in any of his objectives.]
Gerardo has been loitering near Regina’s office. When he sees her coming and she sees him, they stop to talk and commiserate. They agree they both have problems. He’s worried about Xi back living with Tere and Tere is in a very bad way. He says there are lies and entanglements and it’s upsetting him and he just can’t take it any more. Regie says let’s talk and he follows her into her office.
Alonso gets to the office and runs into Magda. He exchanges small talk with her about an injured finger until he gets a call and she runs off. It’s Natalia squealing on Emi. She’s sorry she lied to Regina. She feels so guilty. He tells her not to worry. He’ll make time to talk to him. He walks down the hallway, sees Ceci in her office through the glass and signals her. She follows him inside his office. He wants to know who alerted her that Regina was outside the office yesterday. It was a colleague, she replies, a reporter. Did he see her come in to his office? Ceci tells him not to worry, it’s taken care of. Al disagrees. Someone else probably knows. She again says not to worry—nothing happened. No, Al replies with a leer on his face, nothing happened, but something was going to happen.Gerardo opens up to Regina about his marital and familial situation. Xi doesn’t want to live with her mother any more. Regie feels that if he worries that she might be in some danger, he ought to take charge and get a lawyer. Gerry gets up and moves toward the hallway glass and looks out as he speaks. What really enrages him is how Tere destroyed his life, her own life and now she’s destroying his daughter’s. He doesn’t know what to do. Regina agrees it must be a difficult situation. He continues, yes, Tere was important to him, she was his wife, the mother of his child…but her addiction, her craziness, started long before they separated. It's over. Regie says she understands perfectly
He turns to look at her. Really? Seriously? She’s standing, looking back at him and they hold their gaze. Is the same thing happening to her with Alonso? Regie doesn’t answer. She turns away and looks for the name of the lawyer because he can’t go on living this way. Regie gives Gerry the contact information for an Agustín Rodriguez.
He thanks her for listening. He knows what Alonso did to her with the union (co-opting them and hijacking her legislation). She knows, but she doesn’t want to fight over it. She hates that part of politics, the negotiating, the back room deals. Gerardo hates getting into the weeds, too, but his press secretary says that’s the only way to survive. Regie thinks that’s terrible. When he says he knows there are people a lot worse than they are, she gives him a look. Gerry looks back and asks if she knows what that look on her face reminds him of. She smiles slightly and asks what it is.
He says it reminds him of the day she fought with Alonso. So, he remembers that? Yes, he remembers—the touch of her skin [editorial comment: ISBIS*] Below and out of view of anyone looking through the inner office window, he reaches out and the back of their hands touch and one of his fingers touches hers lightly. The two have not stopped looking at each other. He breaks the spell. He says he won’t burden her with any more of his memories. He’ll leave. Regie is left wondering what is happening to her.
Emi is putting on his clean pants when Natalia comes into his room. She comes right out with it. She trusted him and he did not live up to his word. She lied for him and he failed her. What a shame to have lost her trust in him. She doesn’t let him speak. She turns and walks out.
Hugo calls Emi in on Skype. He’s a mess. He starts blubbering that he can’t go on like this; his mother took him out of school and now he can’t see him. He asks him to connect so he can see him one last time. He took the abuse until Emi started insulting him and now he doesn’t know what to do if he can’t see him any more. Emi snorts that he sounds like a girl. Hugo is crushed and crying hard now. Couldn’t Emi tell? He’s been in love with Emiliano.
Daniela is explaining how the new law is to be implemented to some folks in Regina’s office when Regina excuses herself to take a call on her cell. Daniela excuses herself as well and follows Regie to the outer office. It was a Dr. Saldiva, a psychologist she trusts. Dr. S apparently has told her that Emi can’t be forced to see her. It has to be voluntary. She’s telling all this to Daniela who ends up by saying how much she admires her. Regina admires her even more. Daniela says she is so grateful that Regie gave her a chance. She’s so glad that now that opportunity will be extended to all women who need that refuge. They hug.
Natalia greets Al at the house. He tells her he doesn’t have much time and is here to see Emilio. Nat says, oh, a doctor visit? She tells him his “patient” left without permission. He backtracks and sits down with her. He brings up the Omar situation. She doesn’t want to talk about it. He says Omar regrets what he did and is repentant. He’s desperate. He can’t live without her. She retorts that he doesn’t know how to live with her. There’s no turning back the clock. She doesn’t want to be forced to go back to him. Al says he’s not obligating her, they’re just talking right now.
Nat knows he’s already made up his mind to make her go back, so, she says, if he talks about her husband, she’ll talk about his wife. She tells him to change or he’s going to lose Regie. Being in the house, she can tell they are no longer a couple—and how long has it been since the two made love? Al is embarrassed to be discussing this topic with his mother. [editorial comment: He's embarrassed not by the question, but by the answer he would be forced to give.] He tries to get up and leave. No, she says, he can’t escape. It’s not just about making love. He should be talking to her about politics. Nat reads the papers every day and she doesn’t like what he’s doing. He’s mistreating her, hurting her, abandoning her, using her. She doesn’t like it at all.
Blondie is visiting Ceci, not so much visiting as imploring her to get her out of this situation. It’s not what she signed up for and doesn’t want to stay in it any longer. Ceci explains that her father can be very dangerous and asks Blondie to hang on just a little while. Blondie leaves, not quite believing her, but hoping, nevertheless—as if she had a choice.
Emi has rushed over to Hugo’s house and is desperately ringing the bell. When Hugo’s mother answers the door she doesn’t want to let him in, but he pushes past her and goes up the stairs saying he thinks Hugo is about to do something crazy. He’s possibly in danger. In the room, they find Hugo stretched out on the bed with a bottle of pills next to him. [editorial comment: These must be super-fast acting killer pills.] Hugo is dead. They can’t revive him. His mama accuses Emi of killing him. Emi breaks down.
Omar comes to see Natalia and asks that she return home with him. Nat is not interested. Omar says he would like her to come back under her own steam, willingly, other wise, he will kill her and then kill himself.
Emiliano calls his mother. He says Hugo is dead and it’s his fault.
Alonso and Mauro are in Al’s office. There’s a knock at the door. Mauro doesn’t answer it fast enough for Al, but he finally gets up and lets Ceci in. Mauro can’t get out fast enough. She’s ready to work. He comes up close to her and tells her he doesn’t like to be toyed with and--hauls off and hits her. [editorial comment: I was surprised she didn’t go flying across the room and land on her behind with the force of that slap.]
He thanks her for listening. He knows what Alonso did to her with the union (co-opting them and hijacking her legislation). She knows, but she doesn’t want to fight over it. She hates that part of politics, the negotiating, the back room deals. Gerardo hates getting into the weeds, too, but his press secretary says that’s the only way to survive. Regie thinks that’s terrible. When he says he knows there are people a lot worse than they are, she gives him a look. Gerry looks back and asks if she knows what that look on her face reminds him of. She smiles slightly and asks what it is.
He says it reminds him of the day she fought with Alonso. So, he remembers that? Yes, he remembers—the touch of her skin [editorial comment: ISBIS*] Below and out of view of anyone looking through the inner office window, he reaches out and the back of their hands touch and one of his fingers touches hers lightly. The two have not stopped looking at each other. He breaks the spell. He says he won’t burden her with any more of his memories. He’ll leave. Regie is left wondering what is happening to her.
Emi is putting on his clean pants when Natalia comes into his room. She comes right out with it. She trusted him and he did not live up to his word. She lied for him and he failed her. What a shame to have lost her trust in him. She doesn’t let him speak. She turns and walks out.
Hugo calls Emi in on Skype. He’s a mess. He starts blubbering that he can’t go on like this; his mother took him out of school and now he can’t see him. He asks him to connect so he can see him one last time. He took the abuse until Emi started insulting him and now he doesn’t know what to do if he can’t see him any more. Emi snorts that he sounds like a girl. Hugo is crushed and crying hard now. Couldn’t Emi tell? He’s been in love with Emiliano.
Daniela is explaining how the new law is to be implemented to some folks in Regina’s office when Regina excuses herself to take a call on her cell. Daniela excuses herself as well and follows Regie to the outer office. It was a Dr. Saldiva, a psychologist she trusts. Dr. S apparently has told her that Emi can’t be forced to see her. It has to be voluntary. She’s telling all this to Daniela who ends up by saying how much she admires her. Regina admires her even more. Daniela says she is so grateful that Regie gave her a chance. She’s so glad that now that opportunity will be extended to all women who need that refuge. They hug.
Natalia greets Al at the house. He tells her he doesn’t have much time and is here to see Emilio. Nat says, oh, a doctor visit? She tells him his “patient” left without permission. He backtracks and sits down with her. He brings up the Omar situation. She doesn’t want to talk about it. He says Omar regrets what he did and is repentant. He’s desperate. He can’t live without her. She retorts that he doesn’t know how to live with her. There’s no turning back the clock. She doesn’t want to be forced to go back to him. Al says he’s not obligating her, they’re just talking right now.
Nat knows he’s already made up his mind to make her go back, so, she says, if he talks about her husband, she’ll talk about his wife. She tells him to change or he’s going to lose Regie. Being in the house, she can tell they are no longer a couple—and how long has it been since the two made love? Al is embarrassed to be discussing this topic with his mother. [editorial comment: He's embarrassed not by the question, but by the answer he would be forced to give.] He tries to get up and leave. No, she says, he can’t escape. It’s not just about making love. He should be talking to her about politics. Nat reads the papers every day and she doesn’t like what he’s doing. He’s mistreating her, hurting her, abandoning her, using her. She doesn’t like it at all.
Blondie is visiting Ceci, not so much visiting as imploring her to get her out of this situation. It’s not what she signed up for and doesn’t want to stay in it any longer. Ceci explains that her father can be very dangerous and asks Blondie to hang on just a little while. Blondie leaves, not quite believing her, but hoping, nevertheless—as if she had a choice.
Emi has rushed over to Hugo’s house and is desperately ringing the bell. When Hugo’s mother answers the door she doesn’t want to let him in, but he pushes past her and goes up the stairs saying he thinks Hugo is about to do something crazy. He’s possibly in danger. In the room, they find Hugo stretched out on the bed with a bottle of pills next to him. [editorial comment: These must be super-fast acting killer pills.] Hugo is dead. They can’t revive him. His mama accuses Emi of killing him. Emi breaks down.
Omar comes to see Natalia and asks that she return home with him. Nat is not interested. Omar says he would like her to come back under her own steam, willingly, other wise, he will kill her and then kill himself.
Emiliano calls his mother. He says Hugo is dead and it’s his fault.
Alonso and Mauro are in Al’s office. There’s a knock at the door. Mauro doesn’t answer it fast enough for Al, but he finally gets up and lets Ceci in. Mauro can’t get out fast enough. She’s ready to work. He comes up close to her and tells her he doesn’t like to be toyed with and--hauls off and hits her. [editorial comment: I was surprised she didn’t go flying across the room and land on her behind with the force of that slap.]
EPISODE 12
OMAR THREATENS NATALIA
"MUJER HONRADA, LA PIERNA QUEBRADA Y EN CASA" (AN HONORABLE WOMAN IS @ HOME WITH A BROKEN LEG).THIS CLASSIC SPANISH PROVERB IS ALIVE & WELL IN THE MISOGYNIST WORLD OF "LA CANDIDATA"
Alonso accuses Cecilia of lying to him. He never told her to do that. Cecilia thinks back on it all. Mauro told her and she thought they were Alonso's orders. That is why she got close to Hernán; to control him. She asked him to withdraw the information he was going to publish. Alonso wants to know if Mauro also asked her to sleep with Hernán. Cecilia just looks at the floor.
A very upset Emiliano, in the middle of Hugo's medical emergency, calls Regina. He says he is at Hugo's house and Hugo is dead from pills he took. Hugo's mother is blaming him for it all. Regina calls an ambulance. Emiliano needs to stay put, Regina is on her way.
Gerardo gets home and Ximena is there in tears. She comes clean about lying to him the night before. Her mother was not home when he called and she ended up going out herself. She informs Gerardo that Teresa is up to her old tricks: she is asking her for money again. Furthermore, she said that Teresa wanted to make a pact not to tell him about it. Teresa also hit her. Then she started taking everything out of the house saying she was going to sell it all. She cannot/does not want to live with her. Gerardo discovers that Teresa followed Ximena back to his place and that Teresa stole his father's watch. He shakes his head in exasperation.
Natalia informs Omar that she does not want to/cannot get back together with him. Omar says it is her choice. If she chooses to leave him, he will kill her. He will not allow her to expose him in front of everybody. It is bad enough that she came to stay at their son's house. How much more is she planning on humiliating him? Natalia thinks he should be in prison for killing Javier. No, he will be in prison for killing her, the damned ingrate she is. Natalia threatens to scream. Omar doesn't care because nobody will come to her aid. The time has come for her to end her tantrum. Come home with him or he will kill her on the spot. He proves his point when he takes out a gun.
Casino time! Teresa is acting like a jackass at the roulette table.
Gerardo is even more angry because it is clear that Teresa cleaned him out all of his money. She told Ximena she was only coming by to collect her things. He tells Ximena to call her mother. Surprise: there is nobody answering. Gerardo knows where she is. He is going to the casino. Ximena is to wait for him.
Cecilia is still explaining to Alonso that she did it to protect him. She was keeping Hernán under control. He says she should have told him. She insists that she never would do anything to hurt him. Alonso apologizes. He behaved badly. She knows he likes her. She nods. Alonso is okay with Cecilia being friends with Hernán to keep him under control BUT he does not want her sleeping with him. He dismisses her.
Regina arrives at Hugo's house just as the paramedics are taking Hugo to the hospital. He is not dead. Hugo's mother lashes out at Regina screaming that she will see that murderer Emiliano in jail. She climbs in the ambulance with her son.
Natalia is still trying to wrap her brain around Omar saying that he loves her and how he wants to be with her yet he is threatening her with a gun????? Omar knows she does not understand him. Natalia does not get how he could kill her: his wife and the mother of his son. He will only let this nonsense go if she returns to him. She doesn't get it: he NEEDS her. He raises the gun again: either go with him or she is a goner. She finally agrees to go home with him to calm him down. He makes her swear that she will go back with him. He reluctantly lets her go to her room to pack her bag. She better not tell anybody about this.
Casino time! Gerardo confronts Teresa about the money she stole from him. She's not going anywhere. She is on a winning streak. He then asks the casino owner why he allowed Teresa back in. The casino owner thought when Ignacio made the deal with him that her banishment was over. The owner then tries to convince Teresa to go while she is winning because her luck could change just as quickly.
Outside of Hugo's house, Emiliano is still upset and is reiterating to Regina how Hugo called him to say goodbye and also to tell him how he was in love with him. Emiliano now sees himself as a piece of garbage now that he has managed to destroy Florencia and Hugo. Regina consoles him the best she can. He wants to go to the hospital to see how Hugo is doing. He feels like if Hugo dies, he will die, too. Regina is taking him home to avoid any scandal knowing they would not be welcome at the hospital.
Gerardo drags Teresa out of the casino accusing her of stealing from him and extorting her own daughter. She needs help. She fights back accusing him of just wanting to shut her away so he does not have to pay attention to her. If she is "crazy",like he says, he bears the responsibility for leaving her abandoned at home all those times. Thanks to that she found the casino! Gerardo agrees to take responsibility for it all and he will put her into a treatment center. She reminds him that it is voluntary on her part, she is not going, and that he will never be rid of her.
The Blonde prostitute Susana has just bathed and who pays her a visit while she is still wrapped in her towel? Mario. He has just stopped by to go over the plan for Omar with her. She is so beautiful that she will have Omar at her feet. She wants to go just rest since she didn't get a chance to yesterday. Mario says she liked it, right? As he removes her towel, he says it can be even better. . .
Alonso is still fixed on Cecilia sleeping with Hernán. He asks Mauro if he told Cecilia to keep Hernan under control. Mauro admits he did but he never said for her to sleep with the guy. Mauro suggests that maybe it is her way of manipulating men. Is Mauro sure they slept together. Well, he went into her apartment at night and they both came out in the morning. Surely they weren't discussing politics all night. Mauro will fix things.
Cecilia, who is visibly shaken is back at her desk. A laughing Pacheco takes one look at her and states that the mistreatment has begun. He welcomes her to the real world where they are mere members of the disposable workforce. Mauro calls her to his office. Pacheco laughs and rubs his hands in glee.
Regina is in the car still on the way home with Emiliano who still wants to go to the hospital because he feels responsible for what Hugo did. Trying to comfort him, Regina says he should not feel responsible which cues a bratty comment from Emiliano. He has to mention just how different he is from her. How can he be responsible and not her? She does not understand. Well, his dad says she was responsible for Florencia's death. She tries to convince him she would never do that. He starts bawling again and she does her best to comfort him.
Natalia arrives at home with Omar. What does he want from her? He wants her to be his wife. He wants to touch her; touch her skin. . She will never sleep with him again. She reminds him she only came because he threatened her with a gun. Omar informs her she will never leave the house again unless it is as a corpse.
At home, Regina is explaining the whole Hugo situation to Alonso. Hugo the friend he was torturing tried to commit suicide but not before he told Emiliano he was in love with him. Hugo is in a coma in the hospital. Hugo's mother does not want them there. She also wants to file charges against Emiliano for what he did to her son. To Alonso, it is one more scandal that has to be stopped ASAP. Regina wants him to talk to Emiliano because he needs him but it is clear that Alonso is more concerned about the political implications of Hugo being in a coma. He asks where his own mother Natalia is. She went home with Omar. He calls Mauro to find out all he can about Hugo's condition and his family. Mauro calls a guy named Ochoa to do the investigation. Later, Regina expresses to Daniela her disappointment in Alonso not having at least seen or talked to Hugo. They are both concerned about Hugo's parents and the information they might have. Regina doesn't know how she is going to speak at the shelter. She is just overwhelmed by it all: Emiliano, Hugo, Natalia . . .
Mauro levels with Cecilia. Her being under the watchful eye of the gov comes with the territory especially when their relationship went beyond just work. He knows she is no innocent. It all comes down to the fact that she controlled Hernán too well. Cecilia insists she only did what she was asked to do. Hernán is now on their side. She does not like being watched, monitored. Mauro says she will have to take that up with Alonso. He just follows orders. He does have one bit of advice for her though: be careful!
Gerardo has an announcement for Ximena: Teresa is there to stay a while at his place with them so they can solve her problem as a family. Ximena is not happy. Teresa blames Gerardo for poisoning Ximena's mind against her. Teresa announces that she is going to sleep in Gerardo's bedroom. He can sleep with her or on the couch. Ximena tells Gerardo she cannot live like this.
Back at Natalia and Omar's, Omar is turning their home into a prison for Natalia. He tells his goons that under no circumstances is she to leave the house and that they need to find a companion for Natalia that can be with her 24/7. Larreta, the head of the party, comes by to see Omar and to tell him there is a problem: Regina's poll numbers are right on the heels of Alonso's; only a couple of points apart. She has progressive ideas that can make enemies of the businessmen. Larreta says that the plan is to lower her profile but what they really need is a statement from her rejecting any interest in the candidacy for president. He knows he is putting Omar in a difficult position but this is the only way to clear the way for Alonso to the candidacy. Omar will take care of it. BTW, where is his charming wife Natalia? She is in bed with the flu.
Regina is at the women's shelter inauguration talking about the Universal Child Welfare Law and how that could help all of the women sheltered there achieve a dignified life. They are all excited and supportive. Susana, the blonde prostitute, is also there watching from the doorway.
Omar goes to talk to Alonso. Alonso asks about his mom and Omar says they are giving their marriage a second chance. The real news Omar has is that Larreta stopped by to inform him about the problem of Regina's growing popularity with the public. Alonso cannot be living with the opposition in his home. Omar wants Alonso to have Regina make a public statement that she is not interested in running for president.By the way, Mario is also in agreement. Alonso Is not too sure. He already neutralized the laborers union threat and capitalized on a law that had been nothing more than a proposal for Regina. Omar is going to see she is removed from the senate. Alonso expresses a certain reluctance with that not wanting to see his home life turned into a living hell. He wants Regina to stay in the senate. Magda interrupts and announces a visit from Dr. Contreras which breaks up the meeting. The doctor has good news for Alonso. He is cured but suggests Alonso uses a condom.
Another political meeting is happening at Gerardo's office. There is good news for Gerardo: his poll numbers are up since the approval of the Child Welfare Law. The problem is that the members of his party want him to stop the law. They want him to vote against it. Gerardo tells them that would be political suicide. How can they go against a law that they all support? Ignacio says it is going to destroy them. The party guys explain. The answer is very simple: it is the gov's law. He has ownership of it. They are mere participants. That is why they need to stop the legislative process or delay it so that they do not lose the election.
Cecilia runs into Hernán outside of the government building. She tells Hernán that the gov knows about everything even that he spent the night at her place. Hernán tries to be flip about it but Regina reminds him that the gov he has spies all over the place. Now she has to win his trust again. So, she does not want Hernán to publish anything at all about the gov or his marriage. Hernán makes the point that he lives off of the articles he writes. She asks him to help her out and just for once write something that helps Alonso. He says he is not into writing science fiction. They start to quarrel but he decides that since he likes her so much, he will help her out. Now she owes him one. He goes to kiss her when Mauro shouts her name and says he wants to see her in his office.
Ochoa gives Alonso the info on Hugo and his family. Hugo is out of his coma. They pumped his stomach. Hugo's mother has a gift boutique with a partner where she sells "brand name" clothes at low prices. Alonso says"contraband"! She has no money in checking and a half a million peso loan for her business. The interest is eating up all the money. Alonso tells Ochoa to send out a financial inspector and to close her down.
Alonso calls Emiliano to tell him that Hugo is out of his coma and is okay. When Emiliano starts blaming himself, Alonso reminds of the recording Hugo made of him and Florencia and that Hugo wanted to ruin his life. According to Alonso, Hugo can rot. Alonso will take care of it all. Emiliano needs to value his name and do "something" like study.
Emiliano calls Regina at her office with the good new about Hugo. Regina is worried about the possible, legal/political ramifications if his mother comes after them. Daniela tells her not to worry because Alonso would never let that happen. Gerardo drops on by say he saw her photos from the inauguration of the women's shelter. He updates her on Teresa. He now has a lawyer. He also gives her the news that his party wants to put the brakes on the Universal Child Welfare Law legislation because her husband the gov appropriated it. It is his baby now. The party wants Gerardo to make objections to certain articles in the law. They don't want the law to benefit any of the candidates. Regina is angry because they had an agreement. He really doesn't want to do it. He feels guilty. He would be incapable of ever hurting her. He grabs her hands. She lets him.
Cecilia follows Mauro to his office expecting to be chastised about Hernán. Instead he has a new assignment for her: character assassination! He needs her to damage Regina's public image. She does not get it. Mauro explains that they have to get Regina out of the game. Her poll numbers are too high. Mauro wants her to be shown as a competitive woman that is using her husband to get ahead and who would be nothing and nobody without him. It should be easy for her. Hernán can go ahead and publish what he has.She is shocked.
Regina is still in her office when she has an unexpected visitor: the blonde prostitute Susana from the shelter. Susana needs her assistance. As she talks, she starts to cry. She needs to get out of the country. She is working for a high class call girl ring. At first everything was great. They pay good money. You have to be with politicians and please them but suddenly they want you to do drugs with them. Her boss wants her to pump the clients for information. The job has turned into hell. Her boss abuses her. He forces her to take drugs or to have sex with groups of men. He is a sadist. Regina tries to get her to calm down and says she will help her. Regina needs some information. Unfortunately, that never happens because Mario literally darkens the door. He has come by to talk to Regina. Susana sees him. He sees her. Her face is full of terror.
A very upset Emiliano, in the middle of Hugo's medical emergency, calls Regina. He says he is at Hugo's house and Hugo is dead from pills he took. Hugo's mother is blaming him for it all. Regina calls an ambulance. Emiliano needs to stay put, Regina is on her way.
Gerardo gets home and Ximena is there in tears. She comes clean about lying to him the night before. Her mother was not home when he called and she ended up going out herself. She informs Gerardo that Teresa is up to her old tricks: she is asking her for money again. Furthermore, she said that Teresa wanted to make a pact not to tell him about it. Teresa also hit her. Then she started taking everything out of the house saying she was going to sell it all. She cannot/does not want to live with her. Gerardo discovers that Teresa followed Ximena back to his place and that Teresa stole his father's watch. He shakes his head in exasperation.
Natalia informs Omar that she does not want to/cannot get back together with him. Omar says it is her choice. If she chooses to leave him, he will kill her. He will not allow her to expose him in front of everybody. It is bad enough that she came to stay at their son's house. How much more is she planning on humiliating him? Natalia thinks he should be in prison for killing Javier. No, he will be in prison for killing her, the damned ingrate she is. Natalia threatens to scream. Omar doesn't care because nobody will come to her aid. The time has come for her to end her tantrum. Come home with him or he will kill her on the spot. He proves his point when he takes out a gun.
Casino time! Teresa is acting like a jackass at the roulette table.
Gerardo is even more angry because it is clear that Teresa cleaned him out all of his money. She told Ximena she was only coming by to collect her things. He tells Ximena to call her mother. Surprise: there is nobody answering. Gerardo knows where she is. He is going to the casino. Ximena is to wait for him.
Cecilia is still explaining to Alonso that she did it to protect him. She was keeping Hernán under control. He says she should have told him. She insists that she never would do anything to hurt him. Alonso apologizes. He behaved badly. She knows he likes her. She nods. Alonso is okay with Cecilia being friends with Hernán to keep him under control BUT he does not want her sleeping with him. He dismisses her.
Regina arrives at Hugo's house just as the paramedics are taking Hugo to the hospital. He is not dead. Hugo's mother lashes out at Regina screaming that she will see that murderer Emiliano in jail. She climbs in the ambulance with her son.
Natalia is still trying to wrap her brain around Omar saying that he loves her and how he wants to be with her yet he is threatening her with a gun????? Omar knows she does not understand him. Natalia does not get how he could kill her: his wife and the mother of his son. He will only let this nonsense go if she returns to him. She doesn't get it: he NEEDS her. He raises the gun again: either go with him or she is a goner. She finally agrees to go home with him to calm him down. He makes her swear that she will go back with him. He reluctantly lets her go to her room to pack her bag. She better not tell anybody about this.
Casino time! Gerardo confronts Teresa about the money she stole from him. She's not going anywhere. She is on a winning streak. He then asks the casino owner why he allowed Teresa back in. The casino owner thought when Ignacio made the deal with him that her banishment was over. The owner then tries to convince Teresa to go while she is winning because her luck could change just as quickly.
Outside of Hugo's house, Emiliano is still upset and is reiterating to Regina how Hugo called him to say goodbye and also to tell him how he was in love with him. Emiliano now sees himself as a piece of garbage now that he has managed to destroy Florencia and Hugo. Regina consoles him the best she can. He wants to go to the hospital to see how Hugo is doing. He feels like if Hugo dies, he will die, too. Regina is taking him home to avoid any scandal knowing they would not be welcome at the hospital.
Gerardo drags Teresa out of the casino accusing her of stealing from him and extorting her own daughter. She needs help. She fights back accusing him of just wanting to shut her away so he does not have to pay attention to her. If she is "crazy",like he says, he bears the responsibility for leaving her abandoned at home all those times. Thanks to that she found the casino! Gerardo agrees to take responsibility for it all and he will put her into a treatment center. She reminds him that it is voluntary on her part, she is not going, and that he will never be rid of her.
The Blonde prostitute Susana has just bathed and who pays her a visit while she is still wrapped in her towel? Mario. He has just stopped by to go over the plan for Omar with her. She is so beautiful that she will have Omar at her feet. She wants to go just rest since she didn't get a chance to yesterday. Mario says she liked it, right? As he removes her towel, he says it can be even better. . .
Alonso is still fixed on Cecilia sleeping with Hernán. He asks Mauro if he told Cecilia to keep Hernan under control. Mauro admits he did but he never said for her to sleep with the guy. Mauro suggests that maybe it is her way of manipulating men. Is Mauro sure they slept together. Well, he went into her apartment at night and they both came out in the morning. Surely they weren't discussing politics all night. Mauro will fix things.
Cecilia, who is visibly shaken is back at her desk. A laughing Pacheco takes one look at her and states that the mistreatment has begun. He welcomes her to the real world where they are mere members of the disposable workforce. Mauro calls her to his office. Pacheco laughs and rubs his hands in glee.
Regina is in the car still on the way home with Emiliano who still wants to go to the hospital because he feels responsible for what Hugo did. Trying to comfort him, Regina says he should not feel responsible which cues a bratty comment from Emiliano. He has to mention just how different he is from her. How can he be responsible and not her? She does not understand. Well, his dad says she was responsible for Florencia's death. She tries to convince him she would never do that. He starts bawling again and she does her best to comfort him.
Natalia arrives at home with Omar. What does he want from her? He wants her to be his wife. He wants to touch her; touch her skin. . She will never sleep with him again. She reminds him she only came because he threatened her with a gun. Omar informs her she will never leave the house again unless it is as a corpse.
At home, Regina is explaining the whole Hugo situation to Alonso. Hugo the friend he was torturing tried to commit suicide but not before he told Emiliano he was in love with him. Hugo is in a coma in the hospital. Hugo's mother does not want them there. She also wants to file charges against Emiliano for what he did to her son. To Alonso, it is one more scandal that has to be stopped ASAP. Regina wants him to talk to Emiliano because he needs him but it is clear that Alonso is more concerned about the political implications of Hugo being in a coma. He asks where his own mother Natalia is. She went home with Omar. He calls Mauro to find out all he can about Hugo's condition and his family. Mauro calls a guy named Ochoa to do the investigation. Later, Regina expresses to Daniela her disappointment in Alonso not having at least seen or talked to Hugo. They are both concerned about Hugo's parents and the information they might have. Regina doesn't know how she is going to speak at the shelter. She is just overwhelmed by it all: Emiliano, Hugo, Natalia . . .
Mauro levels with Cecilia. Her being under the watchful eye of the gov comes with the territory especially when their relationship went beyond just work. He knows she is no innocent. It all comes down to the fact that she controlled Hernán too well. Cecilia insists she only did what she was asked to do. Hernán is now on their side. She does not like being watched, monitored. Mauro says she will have to take that up with Alonso. He just follows orders. He does have one bit of advice for her though: be careful!
Gerardo has an announcement for Ximena: Teresa is there to stay a while at his place with them so they can solve her problem as a family. Ximena is not happy. Teresa blames Gerardo for poisoning Ximena's mind against her. Teresa announces that she is going to sleep in Gerardo's bedroom. He can sleep with her or on the couch. Ximena tells Gerardo she cannot live like this.
Back at Natalia and Omar's, Omar is turning their home into a prison for Natalia. He tells his goons that under no circumstances is she to leave the house and that they need to find a companion for Natalia that can be with her 24/7. Larreta, the head of the party, comes by to see Omar and to tell him there is a problem: Regina's poll numbers are right on the heels of Alonso's; only a couple of points apart. She has progressive ideas that can make enemies of the businessmen. Larreta says that the plan is to lower her profile but what they really need is a statement from her rejecting any interest in the candidacy for president. He knows he is putting Omar in a difficult position but this is the only way to clear the way for Alonso to the candidacy. Omar will take care of it. BTW, where is his charming wife Natalia? She is in bed with the flu.
Regina is at the women's shelter inauguration talking about the Universal Child Welfare Law and how that could help all of the women sheltered there achieve a dignified life. They are all excited and supportive. Susana, the blonde prostitute, is also there watching from the doorway.
Omar goes to talk to Alonso. Alonso asks about his mom and Omar says they are giving their marriage a second chance. The real news Omar has is that Larreta stopped by to inform him about the problem of Regina's growing popularity with the public. Alonso cannot be living with the opposition in his home. Omar wants Alonso to have Regina make a public statement that she is not interested in running for president.By the way, Mario is also in agreement. Alonso Is not too sure. He already neutralized the laborers union threat and capitalized on a law that had been nothing more than a proposal for Regina. Omar is going to see she is removed from the senate. Alonso expresses a certain reluctance with that not wanting to see his home life turned into a living hell. He wants Regina to stay in the senate. Magda interrupts and announces a visit from Dr. Contreras which breaks up the meeting. The doctor has good news for Alonso. He is cured but suggests Alonso uses a condom.
Another political meeting is happening at Gerardo's office. There is good news for Gerardo: his poll numbers are up since the approval of the Child Welfare Law. The problem is that the members of his party want him to stop the law. They want him to vote against it. Gerardo tells them that would be political suicide. How can they go against a law that they all support? Ignacio says it is going to destroy them. The party guys explain. The answer is very simple: it is the gov's law. He has ownership of it. They are mere participants. That is why they need to stop the legislative process or delay it so that they do not lose the election.
Cecilia runs into Hernán outside of the government building. She tells Hernán that the gov knows about everything even that he spent the night at her place. Hernán tries to be flip about it but Regina reminds him that the gov he has spies all over the place. Now she has to win his trust again. So, she does not want Hernán to publish anything at all about the gov or his marriage. Hernán makes the point that he lives off of the articles he writes. She asks him to help her out and just for once write something that helps Alonso. He says he is not into writing science fiction. They start to quarrel but he decides that since he likes her so much, he will help her out. Now she owes him one. He goes to kiss her when Mauro shouts her name and says he wants to see her in his office.
Ochoa gives Alonso the info on Hugo and his family. Hugo is out of his coma. They pumped his stomach. Hugo's mother has a gift boutique with a partner where she sells "brand name" clothes at low prices. Alonso says"contraband"! She has no money in checking and a half a million peso loan for her business. The interest is eating up all the money. Alonso tells Ochoa to send out a financial inspector and to close her down.
Alonso calls Emiliano to tell him that Hugo is out of his coma and is okay. When Emiliano starts blaming himself, Alonso reminds of the recording Hugo made of him and Florencia and that Hugo wanted to ruin his life. According to Alonso, Hugo can rot. Alonso will take care of it all. Emiliano needs to value his name and do "something" like study.
Emiliano calls Regina at her office with the good new about Hugo. Regina is worried about the possible, legal/political ramifications if his mother comes after them. Daniela tells her not to worry because Alonso would never let that happen. Gerardo drops on by say he saw her photos from the inauguration of the women's shelter. He updates her on Teresa. He now has a lawyer. He also gives her the news that his party wants to put the brakes on the Universal Child Welfare Law legislation because her husband the gov appropriated it. It is his baby now. The party wants Gerardo to make objections to certain articles in the law. They don't want the law to benefit any of the candidates. Regina is angry because they had an agreement. He really doesn't want to do it. He feels guilty. He would be incapable of ever hurting her. He grabs her hands. She lets him.
Cecilia follows Mauro to his office expecting to be chastised about Hernán. Instead he has a new assignment for her: character assassination! He needs her to damage Regina's public image. She does not get it. Mauro explains that they have to get Regina out of the game. Her poll numbers are too high. Mauro wants her to be shown as a competitive woman that is using her husband to get ahead and who would be nothing and nobody without him. It should be easy for her. Hernán can go ahead and publish what he has.She is shocked.
Regina is still in her office when she has an unexpected visitor: the blonde prostitute Susana from the shelter. Susana needs her assistance. As she talks, she starts to cry. She needs to get out of the country. She is working for a high class call girl ring. At first everything was great. They pay good money. You have to be with politicians and please them but suddenly they want you to do drugs with them. Her boss wants her to pump the clients for information. The job has turned into hell. Her boss abuses her. He forces her to take drugs or to have sex with groups of men. He is a sadist. Regina tries to get her to calm down and says she will help her. Regina needs some information. Unfortunately, that never happens because Mario literally darkens the door. He has come by to talk to Regina. Susana sees him. He sees her. Her face is full of terror.
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