In La Vega's home:
Carlota told mama Amparito she knows the identity of the woman with whom papa Rogelio is
in love with. Amparito was thunderstruck and rendered immobilized for two whole seconds,
finally found her composure and barked "Who?... tell me". Apparently Carlota
seems to regret at having telling mama what she knows and began to dilly dally. Amparito
was adamant and insisted that Carlota tells her. When Carlota said "Desiree"
Amparito went into a tantrum and threw a lot of threats at what she would do if/when she
sees that conniving bitch. Amparito was beside herself with rage and need a lot of
"calm down" from Carlota. With the help of the house maid and some sedative
Carlota at last put the poor woman to sleep in her room upstairs.
In Rogelio's apartment Rogelio inquired if Desiree feels comfortable staying there, he
offered her a drink she said no, she had too much last night, and that her stomach is
giving her trouble and went on to add that Camacho had unpacked her clothes and hung them
in the closet and she didn't have time to thank him as he already left. Rogelio said he'll
thank him for her. Desiree told Rogelio she and Carlota had a quarrel last night and she
is very sad their friendship has to end this way. Rogelio sat beside her on the sofa
saying that it must have been bitter, then he casually put his hand on her knee and began
stroking in a circular motion, Desiree inhaled in gasps anticipating the inevitable, she
is about to pay the first installment of living in his luxurious apartment. While stroking
and kissing her Rogelio told Desiree that he'll arrange Francisco's assets and shares to
be transferred to her. Desiree thrilled with the idea and obliged him by taking off the
buttons of her dress, while Rogelio did the same with his.
Brandy came to the office looking very chic and was greeted by the usual tongue-in-cheek
comments from her ladies co-worker. She asked if David has arrived, the others said no and
added "but do you know who arrived early and.... " "Oh my boss..? She is
already here.." blurted Brandy and rushed to her desk much to the frustration of the
others who felt cheated at being deprived of a good gossip.
In Enriqueta's office, Juana and Enriqueta were looking over the photos Juana has taken
the previous day in the restaurant, with Enriqueta praising Juana's work in-between.
Enriqueta off-handedly mentioned Manuel and wanted to know if he said anything about what
happened the day before. Juana said no.. they didn't have much time to talk.. yesterday
was hectic. Enriqueta looked a bit disappointed but laughed it off with " Sure.. work
is work and shouldn't mix with personal problems"
Brandy greeted David smiling sweetly as soon as he arrived, which was late. David gave a
weak smile, exchanged a few words went to his desk with the excuse there's a lot to be
done. Brandy was dismayed, this wasn't how she had envisaged, what has gone wrong?
Mauricio came soon after and told Brandy how beautiful she looks today. Mauricio went
straight to the Photo lab looking for Juana, entered called her name, but she wasn't there
(she was still with Enriqueta), but then he saw her handbag and jacket were on the sofa.
He smiled pleasurably that says something like "Aaah she is here.. my hijo is
here". Mauricio went to his office and asked Ines to get Juana for him.
Juana came out of Enriqueta's office, passed by David desk where he sat stoically banging
away at his keyboard, she made no comment and went straight to talk to Brandy. From the
corner of his eyes David saw Juana passed by his desk, after a while he gave the poor
keyboard one last big trashing and sat gloomily looking at nothing, apparently angry with
himself. At Brandy's corner Juana noticed Brandy was extra beautiful today.. is something
afoot? Brandy said her dreams has come true, David has finally noticed her and they have
kissed and "made some progress" last night. Juana was happy for her friend and
hope everything will turn out alright. Ines came and told Juana, Mauricio wanted to see
her in his office.
Juana went to Mauricio's office, entered.. looking beautiful.. fresh young face blossomed
with love. Mauricio asked her to take a seat. Mauricio pleasantly inquired if everything
is alright and did the bodyguard do their job well?. Juana laughed in her sweet inimitable
way, and said.. ok but she'll have a lot to explain to her family, she'll have to tell
them of her and Mauricio's feeling toward each other. That took some of the smile out of
Mauricio's face, he said "No don't tell them, they won't understand. Look at it this
way.. I don't love you and you don't love me, it'd be wrong to tell them anything".
"But I'm in love", reasoned Juana,"I love you, I know it's difficult for
you, you have a family, a wife.. but if you can't take responsibility of your feelings
toward me, I think it's better I quit my job here and we won't see each other
anymore".
Mauricio was at loss for words and looking desperate, after a while he said, "No..no
don't say that, I don't won't you to leave me. We'll do it differently, I'll go and see
your family, when they sit together, I'll will tell them..". "What are you going
to tell them?" asked Juana. "I don't know" said Mauricio, "I'll think
of something.. please believe me". Juana stood up and said "If I don't believe
in you, I don't know who else to believe", then she said she has some work to do,
gave a weak smile and left.
In Rogelio's apartment, Desiree was wearing Rogelio's robe she found in the bathroom.
Rogelio.. with the looks of content written all over his face said she looks beautiful in
it, but he'll be very angry if he ever finds out she was just using him, she is to him his
beautiful princess, his vida.. a jewel in his heart. He gave her a kiss and left. She
leaned on the closed door, closed her eyes and cried softly.
After Juana was gone Mauricio was busy talking to himself, guilty conscious at how he has
hurt Juana's feeling and whatever happen he can't and won't let Juana go away from him.
Armando knocked and entered bringing in a lot of files. Mauricio deep in thought asked
"Yes.. what do you want?" "What do you mean what do I want" Armando
retaliated, "You asked to see me because you're due for a meeting with the Miami reps
and we have to work on these numbers". Mauricio told him to take a seat. Armando
tried explaining all the facts and figures, but Mauricio wasn't listening, his thought was
elsewhere. Out of annoyance Armando said "We can sell Brandy's and Enriqueta's photo
to get some money.." Mauricio absent-mindedly said "Yes.. yes do that".
Armando was enraged and told Mauricio to leave his problem behind and concentrate on what
they were doing if they are going to save the magazine at all. Feeling guilty Mauricio
agreed.
A female model came in and David asked how he could help. Brandy saw from afar how David
smiled, talking and entertaining the woman and was instantly jealous, she wondered who she
was, and sent a telepathic signal to David not to laugh too much or she'll go berserk.
Somehow David received the signal, looked up to where Brandy was sitting and saw the look
on Brandy's face. He excused himself and told the model he'll find the photographer and
arranged her session, David went to see Juana at her studio. David and Juana looked at
each other uneasily for a while, and David said that the model is here for the photo
session and he wants to know if Juana is ready. Juana said give her two minutes and
everything will be ready by then. As David was about to leave.. Juana said
"David.." David turned to look at her. Juana said "I'm glad you and Brandy
are together, you both will be very happy, she is a good girl.. a bit sensitive, take good
care of her.. don't make her unhappy..." David looked at Juana for one long second
without saying, turned on his heel, walked towards the door saying, " I'll tell the
model to come in..."
In Mauricio's house, Carlota was getting ready to leave, called her house maid and told
her she was going to see Father Jose on personal matter, if her mother wakes up don't let
her out of the house. The house maid said she'll do as told but reminded Carlota that her
mother will never listen to her. Carlota said she won't be long.
Mauricio was alone in his office.. opening and closing a file, there was a knock on the
door, Mauricio looked up and Desiree was there at the door looking sheepishly. She said
"May I come in....?"
Continue today.
Posted on Jun 19, 2003, 6:03 PM
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