EPISODE 22

 

Later that evening, Marianna, Isabella, Alejandro, and Horacio meet again. Alejandro says that they should start their plans as soon as possible. Isabella agrees then looks at them and says they should begin with the first phase the next week. Everyone agrees to that. They then continue with their meeting.

Sometime later that night,

Gina is walking around. The next day is the 18th anniversary of her father's death. It is during that time each year that she felt even sadder and depressed and missed him more. She remembered the little things like how he would pick her up and carry her around and call her butterfly or read to her and Hector or how he would wear shorts and a vest every Saturday evening with his favorite beer in his hand as he watched football or his collection of old coins. She hears her phone ring.

It's Antonio. Gina doesn't pick up. He will sense something and might even try and follow her. She won't know what to say and she will have to blatantly lie to his face, and lying to him about who she and her brother really are, is hard enough. Antonio is in his car, he's just arrived at his house. He tries again but still, Gina doesn't pick up. He is worried about her. He has always had a feeling she is keeping something from him but the sadness in her that week had been more than usual. Antonio runs his hand through his hair. What else is he supposed to do? He loves her but she won't let him through to help her deal with whatever is bothering her.

Unable to deal with it, Antonio leaves for her house. He reaches and finds Aurelio. After he accepts a glass of juice, he asks Aurelio if he's seen, Gina. Aurelio says he has no idea where Gina is because she left and wouldn't tell him where she went. Aurelio tells him not to worry because he will get used to it. Antonio is confused and asks him what he means. Aurelio says Gina and Hector are usually sad during this time of the year, every year. Antonio asks him if he knows why.

Aurelio says he doesn't but maybe it is because of something that happened when the two of them were children before his parents adopted them. Aurelio then asks Antonio if he will look for her. Antonio says he will. Antonio asks Aurelio where he thinks Gina could be. Aurelio says normally she would be at his grandparents, Emma's, Martin's, or his parents but if she wants to be alone, probably a park. He says that he called his grandparents, his parents, Emma and Martin and Gina isn't with any of them. Aurelio adds that Clara told him to let her be.

Sometime later, Gina is at a park, sitting on a bench, watching a few people walk back, deep in her thoughts, when she feels someone sit near her. She looks up and it's Horacio. He asks her why she looks so sad. Gina is quiet and says to herself that she wishes he would just leave. Horacio asks her if her loving boyfriend, (using a sarcastic tone to refer to Antonio) is treating her well. Gina ignores his sarcasm and says Antonio treats her well. Horacio says she does not look like someone who is in a happy relationship. Gina tells him, her being down does not mean Antonio does not make her happy. Horacio asks her where her perfect boyfriend is because he should be comforting her through her sadness and pain. Gina says she wants to be alone, for a little while and if he has nothing to say apart from trashing Antonio, he should leave.

Meanwhile, Antonio arrives at the park and gets out of his car. He tries to call Gina again, but the phone rings and it's not picked up. He moves on and after walking for nearly five minutes, he sees Gina, on a chair, with Horacio sitting near her. He sees Horacio touch her face and lean in and kiss her. Gina wakes up and points to him to leave. Meanwhile, Gina tells Horacio, to never do that again. Gina says now even more than ever, she cannot stand him and will never go back to him. Antonio walks towards them, a dark look in his eye. Gina is surprised to see him there and afraid of what he will do. 

She hopes he and Horacio won't fight. Antonio quietly walks towards Horacio, holds him up, and punches his face. He then tells him to keep his filthy hands off his girlfriend. Horacio winces then tells him not to feel too high and mighty because he is Carlos Diaz's son. Horacio then tries to retaliate but Antonio is much faster and stronger than him. Gina looks around and shouts out for help and after what seems like forever people arrive and separate them. Horacio tells Gina he hopes whatever is making her feel sad is sorted then smiles and leaves. As the crowd thins, Antonio tells Gina to follow him because they need to talk.

Meanwhile, John is wandering aimlessly around the city. It is dark and cold and he is hungry. The five escaped patients have each wandered off in their own way. Antonio and Gina are both in the car. Antonio sarcastically comments that he can see what she meant when she said she wanted some space to be alone. Gina tells him she meant it, and Horacio just came out of nowhere and ambushed her. Antonio says she needs to be more forceful and make it clear to Horacio that she won't entertain him or whatever tricks he has planned. Gina says she has told Horacio to his face, severally but he (Antonio) hasn't talked to Isabella to get her off his back. Antonio says that this isn't about him, and Gina asks him what it's about.

Antonio says it's about Horacio. He asks her why she didn't wake up to leave when Horacio sat down. Gina says maybe she should have but the point is nothing happened, and he has no reason to be overreacting since even if ever Horacio was to catch her off guard she can deal with him. Antonio says (sarcastically) he should apologize for interrupting the touching heart-to-heart they were having because she was opening up to Horacio. Gina says they were not having any such discussion. She adds that Horacio found her thinking quietly and saw she was feeling low, and that's what he meant when he said he hoped that whatever made her sad would be solved.

Gina says he is being unreasonable and she doesn't have the strength or will to argue. She adds that they will talk when they are both calmer. She leaves and Antonio goes off after her. He catches up with her and holds her hand. Gina tells Antonio to leave her alone. He apologizes for overreacting and says it was a combination of rage when he saw Horacio kiss her and frustration at her not letting him help her with what is troubling her. Gina stares at him; arms crossed and says now he is blaming her for his reaction. She says she will drop herself home and starts to walk off. Antonio follows her and turns her to face him. Gina starts to protest but Antonio kisses her and she puts her arms around him and kisses him back. They then go back to his house.

Friday dawn's bright and early. Aranza isn't going to university that day, as it is the 18th anniversary of her father's, death. Hector is at work when he sees Aranza approaching his cubicle. It is the beginning of the workday and people are arriving. She says she would like to talk to him. They go to the office cafeteria. It is virtually empty. He says he knows it is the anniversary of her father's death and that's why she is sad. Aranza looks like she is about to cry. He moves his chair near her and hugs her. Aranza says the pain is weird because he died before she was born but not knowing him or her older brother and sister still pains her.

Hector is filled with even more guilt for his and Gina's plans and hates having to lie. Aranza then wipes her tears and asks him if she can ask him for a favor. Hector says she can. Aranza fiddles with a pen that was on the desk and looks around then says she would like him and Gina to come to her father's anniversary memorial. Hector is caught off guard. He knows how difficult that will be especially for Gina. It was hard enough for both of them to keep a neutral face, when they took Aranza home from the hospital and saw their house for the first time in 16 years and visiting their father's grave for the first time since his funeral 18 years ago, will be even harder for them.

Even so, looking at Aranza's eager face, he finds it hard to say no. He says he will go but he will talk to Gina later to ask her first. Aranza happily hugs him. Adrianna comes and she joins them. Aranza rolls her eyes when Adrianna and Hector kiss in front of her. Adrianna then looks from Hector to Aranza. She asks him what crazy plans, Aranza has asked him to be part of. Aranza pouts and asks Hector if she is not an angel. He smiles at her and tells Adrianna that Aranza asked him to come with them to her father's memorial the next day. 

Adrianna is shocked and stares at Aranza for a second. Aranza stares back and smiles sweetly. Adrianna asks Hector if it isn't too much for him to pander to Aranza's whims, and do whatever she wants. Aranza rolls her eyes and glares at Adrianna. Hector assures Adrianna it is not a bother. Adrianna asks Aranza what she would do that day since she wasn't going to school. Aranza says she isn't sure. She adds that maybe she might hang around the offices then she would go home.

Meanwhile, John is foraging in a dumpster for food on the outskirts of the city. He has not eaten since the previous morning and he is hungry. He finds some yoghurt and half-eaten chicken in a paper bag and eats. Hector texts Gina saying he needs to talk to her for a little while during lunchtime. Gina then looks at Emma, who is busy, immersed in her computer. She asks Emma what it is she is working on so intently. Emma says she has minimized the document she was working on and is taking a commercial break to read some news online.

She adds that she is checking for updates on the story of the missing mental patients. Gina sighs. Emma is interested in the weirdest of stories. She asks if any of the patients have been caught. Emma says none have been caught so far. Gina is surprised and asks her how hard it is to catch mental patients. Emma says the patients could be anywhere in the surrounding open land or even have reached the city. Gina says it's true but the patients aren't well and are and are dressed in hospital clothes.