La Vega's house: Mauricio was with
Carlota in an empty room. Proudly he said it's going to be his son's room. Carlota said
it's too early for discussion, she didn't want Mauricio to have high hopes for the baby as
the artificial insemination is still in its early stages, they didn't even know if the
woman is going to be pregnant. Mauricio confidently said 'of course she will, nothing will
go wrong'. Mauricio took Carlota in his arms and asked if she wants the baby as much as
him. She said she'll be happy with Mauricio with or without the baby. Mauricio assured her
when they have a son, they'll be a happy family together, but Carlota didn't look too
keen.
Mauricio asked if he can bring the woman to stay with them at the house during her
pregnancy. Carlota vehemently said no, she'll have no such thing, she can accept the
presence of Mauricio's child in the house but not of another woman. Mauricio looked at
Carlota; dismayed. Just then the maid knocked on the door and told them Canela the dog is
in labour, and she seems to have problems. Carlota told her to call the vet; she said she
had but there was no answer. Mauricio said he will attend to Canela and followed the maid
out. Carlota shook her head refusing to believe such a thing is happening.
Perez house: Juana's friends and well-wishers went with Ana Maria back into the house.
They had a few drinks together almost in silent and soon left; clearly the party spirit
had subsided. Alone, Juana Ana and her mother looked at each other uncomfortably. In her
room Azucena browsed through an old photo album looking at Ana Maria pictured with her
father and lamented over the happy days that had gone by. She couldn't get over her grief
that Ramon her husband had left her 20 years ago for no apparent reason.
La Vega's house: Mauricio and a male servant were in the doghouse with Canela. Clearly
Mauricio was fascinated with the arrival of new-born; he said its life most beautiful
gift, and the servant agreed with him. Mauricio said he'll stay with the dog and told the
servant to rest. Late into the night Mauricio had his first taste at midwifery. When the
first puppy came, Mauricio talked to Canela that it was a sign that he too will have a son
to hold soon. He looked out to the horizon and mused that life for his son are beginning
to form. He looked at Canela again 'your puppies are going to be playmate for my son,
they'll be great together'
In the bedroom they shared together; Juana deliberately avoided eye contact with mother,
she then asked if it's alright if she does some study. Ana Maria said after what happened
she couldn't sleep either. Then she tried to explain it wasn't her fault her farewell
party ended miserably. If only grandma hadn't came out the way she did everything would
have gone smoothly. Juana said she loves mama, and wanted to see her happy beside the man
she loves, but she doesn't think Alfonso is the man for her. It has been more than a year
and he doesn't show sign that he is going to leave his wife. Ana Maria said it takes time.
Juana said he is just using her, she doesn't like how grandma treats mama but nevertheless
she agrees with grandma that Alfonso will never leave his wife for mama. Ana Maria thinks
grandma has poisoned Juana's mind as she actually believes Alfonso will leave his wife and
marries her. Juana said 'mama… I just hope when you finally realize that Alfonso will
never marry you, I'll be far way in Los Angeles, because I don't want to see you unhappy,
it breaks my heart to see you suffer'. Ana Maria burst into tears and hugged Juana and
asked Juana to forgive her. She complained that her love life has always been a mess;
somehow true love has always eluded her. Juana said not to be pessimistic and things will
get better soon.
In her hotel room Desiree talked to herself saying that Francisco will not divorce and
leaves her penniless, she will see she'll get will she deserves. The phone rang and
Carlota said she is sorry to disturb Desiree at such late hours but she has to tell
Desiree that Mauricio had suggested having the woman who is going to be pregnant with his
sperm stay in the house together with them, and how she had opposed to the idea. Desiree
said she did the right thing and that she should be the only 'woman' in the house. Desiree
went on to say Carlota should reject the baby as well; she could make a better life
without Mauricio. Carlota said no, she'll do anything to keep Mauricio.
Perez house: Morning came. Azucena slowly descended down the stairs to her daily
pie-baking routine in the kitchen, grumbling at having to wake up early every morning.
From her room Juana heard grandma bustling about and went to help. Azucena noticed her
haggard look and said so. Juana said she didn't sleep well last night with so many on her
mind. Azucena said young people shouldn't be burdened with thoughts. They talked while
grandma kneaded the dough. Juana said when she comes back with her degree they'll put it
in a frame and hang it in grandma's kitchen. If Grandma were to bake pies then, it'll only
for their own need and not for sale. Grandma looked at Juana with tears in her eyes
seemingly carried away with the happy thought.
In her bedroom Carlota woke up to find Mauricio's side of the bed hasn't been slept in.
The clock on the table showed 5am and she wondered where Mauricio was. She put on her robe
and went looking for him. Mauricio was still with Canela, stroking and talking to the dog.
The male servant came with a cup of coffee and asked how everything was, Mauricio said he
stayed with Canela all through the night and helped her delivered nine puppies, isn't that
amazing he asked. Carlota popped in her head and saw what Mauricio was doing and looked
away in disgust.
In the Perez kitchen: Nicolas was talking like a chatterbox while waiting for his supply
of pies. Juana sat on the sofa throwing a few laughs here and there at Nicolas antics.
Azucena gave the basket of pies to Nicolas cautioning him not to peddle the pies himself,
but to give them to his brother, since that was their agreement. Nicolas nodded his yes
somewhat guiltily; fact is behind her back he does the hawking himself. Azucena caught his
mischievous look 'I'll have a talk with your brother and tell him not to involve you with
the business'. Nicolas objected saying 'No… if you talk to him the business will have
a bad turn because he is lousy with numbers'. He cutely tapped on his chest and said 'You
can depend on me as your business manager because I never make mistakes' He opened the
door and was gone amidst Juana's laughter. Azucena shook her head smiling. Ana Maria came
down the stairs and asked Juana if she was ready. She said she was and Ana Maria left
without a glance to her mother. Obviously she was still sore over last night incident.
Azucena said to Juana 'You see how your mother treats me?' Juana tried to console her
'maybe she didn't mean to, maybe she was in hurry'.
Office: Mauricio came and said to David his article was nice and well-written and he likes
it. He also has a present for David and tells him to come over to his house that night and
collect. David delightfully said 'thanks'. Mauricio told Ines to have Armando sees him in
his office as soon as possible. David saw Brandy passed by and asked if Juana is coming to
get her that evening. Brandy was not in a cooperative mood 'No, why…any particular
reason?' David tried to look indifferent 'No… just that I like the motor she rode'
Brandy said 'Yeah… right'. Armando came on the scene and said to Brandy to be wary of
David because he is trying to seduce her. David said not to take notice of what Armando is
saying, it's not true, and Armando believes in keeping seven different women dangling at
the same time. 'And you?' asked Brandy. David said he believes a man should stick with one
woman.
Somewhere Manuel was jogging briskly. From the opposite direction came a woman; they
passed each other, Manuel made a u-turn and came after her like a bee to a flower. The
woman glanced sideway and noticed Manuel was not far behind; she kept running.
School ground: Juana thanked the football coach for lending her the parasol. He asked if
she was going to take photos at a wedding ceremony. Lili who was Juana said Juana is going
to be the photographer at a rich man's anniversary party that night. Juana smiled dreamily
and added 'the well-known magazine - Positivo, it's going to be held at the owners house
Mauricio De La Vega, how's that?' and she gave a short laugh. The teacher smiled 'that's
fantastic, congratulations'
On a bridge over a beautiful lake, Manuel was keeping pace with the woman jogger; a few
feet behind following her everywhere as he was playing a game of follow the leader.
Finally she stopped, exhausted. Manuel stopped with her still on his toes and coaxed her
to continue, but she had enough and limped away, Manuel went after her trying to change
her mind.
In his lawyer's office, Rogelio and Alfredo were with the lawyer waiting for Francisco to
show up. Alfredo asked if his father had contacted Francisco, Rogelio had tried but
failed, seemed Francisco had switched off his hand phone. The lawyer told Rogelio he could
only wait for an hour. Alfredo drew his father aside 'I'm nervous, Francisco should be
here by now to sign the documents'. Rogelio told his son to relax, Francisco is known for
his unpunctuality. Alfredo said Francisco can be as unpunctual as he wants to be after he
sign the transfer, by then Mauricio will only hold a small share in the magazine and be
forced to sell out. 'It's a pity this time it involve my son-in-law' smirked Rogelio.
Meanwhile in Mauricio's office Armando was telling the former 'if Francisco gave him the
option to buy first his problem will be over'. Mauricio said it's not that simple since he
already applied a loan for printing, but nevertheless he'll find a way. 'Then what is
worrying you?' asked Armando. 'I don't know' confided Mauricio 'but I sensed Francisco is
having financial problem, I hope he won't sell his shares to other buyers. If that happens
we may have to give up the magazine'. That didn't make Armando happy at all.
Nighttime: At the clinic Dr Michelena called Carmen the nurse aside and asked how she had
handled the 'Juana case'. She said they were lucky since it was her first visit nobody
knew much about her and she had erased everything that shows Juana had been to the clinic.
Dr Michelena reminded the nurse not to leak it out to Dr Ricardo. The nurse said she'd be
crazy to do that; he'll fire her on the spot. But for all that she can't get Juana out of
her mind, she'll remember her forever at how she had been inseminated with Mauricio De La
Vega's sperm.
Perez home: Ana Maria was again on the phone. She was complaining to the mouthpiece
Alfonso had not returned her calls. She noticed Manuel came into the room, and she
hurriedly put the phone down. Manuel looked at her worried, 'that was pathetic… you
shouldn't stoop so low…' which annoyed Ana Maria. Juana scrambled downstairs and
asked her uncle if he had put the rolls of film inside the bag. He said he has, and also a
reserve of black and white, it might come in handy. And he told her to be extra careful
with the camera, it's highly sensitive, it may take repetitive shots if triggered
accidentally.
La Vega's place: Everything was ready; clinging to Mauricio's shoulders Carlota asked if
everything is in place'. He said 'yes, you're wonderful' 'I mean the preparation for the
party' Carlota laughed. Mauricio smiled 'perfecto'. Then Mauricio asked if she had spoken
to Francisco's wife about the party. She said 'yes… why?' Mauricio told her he had
tried to contact Francisco all evening but he was off line. Carlota assured him Desiree
said they'll come to the party.
In her hotel Desiree grumbled to herself she has to go to the party alone as Francisco has
not come back. 'I'll tell the people who ask Francisco is divorcing me and leaving me
penniless'. A knock on the door, Desiree went to open and in walked Comacho; Rogelio's
chauffeur with a huge bouquet and a beautifully wrapped box in satin. Desiree asked
'what's that?' 'From Rogelio' said the driver and went out. Desiree looked at the card and
gave a little smile, 'the old man wasted no time'. She unwrapped the box and tried the
shoes, Francisco came in without knocking, looking disheveled. Desiree stiffened and stood
up 'you come back at last'. Francisco didn't answer; he picked up the card, looked at it
and turned to Desiree 'already found someone to replace me, huh?' Desiree said she didn't
know why Rogelio gave her that present but she had thanked him anyway. Francisco said 'you
make the old man dreaming, he doesn't know as soon as he touches you, he'll get roasted'.
Desiree looked at Francisco; eyes narrowed 'I assume I'm going to Mauricio's party alone?'
'No' said Francisco, 'we'll go together, I've decided to unveil Rogelio's malicious
intention to Mauricio'. Desiree looked at Francisco quizzically, but said nothing.
Rogelio Vivas home: Alberto asked his father what he is going to do with Francisco, as he
didn't show up at the lawyer's office. He might get scared and spill everything to
Mauricio. Rogelio said 'I know what I am going to do with him, now let's go'. Alfredo went
out, and Rogelio opened a drawer and took out a revolver.
Perez home: Juana was about to go. Manuel said he has put everything inside the bag. Ana
Maria reminded Juana to take care of herself and try not to come back late. Juana said
Brandy will be there; most likely they'll come back together and told mama not to worry,
and she was off. Ana Maria followed Juana with her eyes and said to Manuel 'there she goes
only for a short while, and already I'm missing her, just imagine when she leaves for Los
Angeles. Manuel hugged her and said 'it's alright… one step at a time.
La Vegas place: At the entrance Mauricio and Armando waited for the guests to arrive.
Armando asked if Rogelio had come. 'No, but he'll soon be' replied Mauricio looking at his
watch. The three-wheeler suddenly appeared and seemed to be out of control, Juana was
shouting to the people in its path to make way as her brakes are not responding; Mauricio
put out both hands and also shouted to the girl to be careful. But La Pitusa went headlong
and smashed the flower pots and the decorative boards aside and careened off the road to
knock a water pipe nearby; water spurted everywhere. Angrily Mauricio approached the rider
and got a big surprise, and could only say 'You?' Juana looked at him feeling guilty, and
moaned 'Si… I'm the party's photographer...!'
Music 'sólo a tu lado quiero vivir'
Continue to episode 4.
Wishing you all the best. Have a good day - The Observer.
Posted on Jun 30, 2003, 10:20 AM |
