EPISODE 108

 

Later in the evening,

Marianna is jogging in the park when she sees Martin from a distance. He is busy talking to a beautiful young woman. They are sitting on a park bench. Marianna rolls her eyes, at them. She calls Martin a shameless flirt and says that she doesn't care what he does. She then remembers the day, some time ago, when he kissed her right there in the park. She shakes her head and says that she cannot stand him and she cannot start thinking about him. She adds that she won't allow Martin to get into her head and make her betray her friends.

She continues and says that she must help her friends make sure that Antonio, Gina, Hector, and Adrianna are never happy. Marianna looks at them again and sees Martin kiss her. She frowns but remembers their last kiss. She reluctantly admits that as irritating as he could be sometimes Martin was handsome as hell and a damn good kisser. Marianna then tries to convince herself that she isn't jealous. She rolls her eyes and says that the woman isn't on the same level as her.

Elsewhere,

Antonio is in his grandfather's study, as that is where his grandmother told the butler to direct him to wait for her when he arrived. He sips a glass of juice then stands up and begins to pace around. He is deep in his thoughts when he hears a knock on the door. He turns and he sees his grandmother. He goes to her and hugs her. He asks her if his grandfather will join them. She says that his grandfather will come back from his trip the next day.

She adds that the conversation she wants to have with him is a private one anyway. Claudia's eyes then become teary, and she wipes away a lone tear. Antonio holds his grandmother's hand and looks at her worriedly. He asks her if she is okay. Claudia waves him away. She then says that she wants to talk to him about Isabella. Antonio clenches one hand and says that after everything that has happened, he wants nothing to do with Isabella.

He adds that he doesn't even want to hear her name mentioned. Claudia tells him that she understands him but she feels guilty about how she looked down on Gina and pushed him towards Isabella. She adds that he was separated from such a good woman as Gina, and Gina was separated from her son, because of her (Claudia).

Antonio tells his grandmother that all of that was in the past.

He adds that what matters is that he has Gina back and that they can rebuild their family with their son. Claudia says that things are much more complicated than that. Antonio looks at his grandmother confused. He asks her what she is talking about. Claudia takes a deep breath and says that she went to the police the previous day and made a statement on Isabella's case. Antonio is shocked and asks his grandmother what she knows about the case.

Elsewhere, at the mental hospital,

Aranza has come to visit John (Gabriel). They are in the garden of the hospital. He looks at her and wishes he could tell her that he is her father. Aranza folds her hands and then stares at him. He asks her what is wrong. Aranza says that they are all treating her like a baby and she doesn't like it. John asks her what she means. Aranza says that they know about his family as well as who he really is but they won't tell her anything.

John tells her to relax, he adds that something like that is a delicate and complex process that cannot be done haphazardly. He adds that he and his family haven't seen each other in decades and it has to be done properly so that they can all adjust well. He adds that it is only a matter of weeks or a few months, and he will be back to his former life.

Aranza starts to cry, and he comforts her and asks her if she is fine. She says that she doesn't want him to forget her because he is the closest she has ever got to having a father. He wipes away her tears and says that he will never forget her, and she is a daughter to him. He (to himself) calls Aranza his little princess and says that she has to forgive him because he cannot reveal himself as her father yet. He then hugs her.

Back in Juan Patricio's study,

Antonio is shell-shocked. He knew his grandmother might drop a bombshell, but this? This was bigger than he thought. He asks her how she could know Isabella was going to drug him and keep quiet about it, as well as actively help Isabella and Horacio separate him and Gina. Claudia wipes away her tears and says that she is sorry for all the harm she did to him. Antonio moves away from his grandmother and paces around.

She adds that she gave her statement so that it can be used to build a case against Isabella and her accomplices.

Antonio turns and tells his grandmother, that despite the problems they have had from time to time, he was always sure ever since he was a child that she loved him. Claudia says that she does love him. Antonio tells her that she has a funny way of showing it. He adds that there could have been side effects from whatever drugs Isabella's accomplices used or a mistake could have happened, despite any assurances Isabella gave him. Claudia says that she understands that and she will always be sorry.

She adds that she wants to prove it by also giving her statement in court and doing all she can to bring Isabella to book. Antonio says that for the first time he is disappointed in her and ashamed to be her grandchild. Claudia (while crying), tells him not to hurt her that way. Antonio gives her one last look, wipes away a lone tear, and says that he wouldn't mind never seeing her again. He then leaves. Claudia is left crying.

The next day on Thursday,

Isabella, Alejandro, and Horacio, secretly meet again. This time it is at, Alejandro's house. Isabella asks him if he is really sure, that the reason he is calling them there that early has nothing to do with Marianna. Alejandro says that he is. He says that there is a plan he has that might take some time, but could potentially unravel something. Horacio asks him what he means. Alejandro says that they should find out, the life stories of Hector and Gina. Horacio and Isabella are both surprised, at this. Isabella asks him how that is relevant to them.

Alejandro says that he doesn't believe the story they made everyone believe that they were the orphaned grandchildren of one of Ramon's friends, and he thinks that there could be something they are hiding. Isabella says that could be true but she doesn't see how that is any of their concern. Alejandro says it is simple. He adds that Hector and Gina are both very cagey and secretive about their childhood, and no one except the Ortiz family knows about the first eight years of their lives. He adds that not even Adrianna and Antonio, know anything.

He continues and says that is where they come in. He adds that they will investigate them, and see how they can use that information. Horacio says it is a bit of a gamble because the reason Hector and Gina don't like talking about their childhood could be because of something traumatic like abuse or a tragic death, but not necessarily something they could use. He then adds that it is good to have the information anyway, just in case it is useful. Isabella says that she loves the idea.

Elsewhere at Montes De Alba Inc.,

Gina, Adrianna, and Aranza are in the cafeteria. Adrianna asks Gina what's wrong with Antonio. Aranza says that she doesn't believe what he was saying that he is a bit unwell. She adds that Antonio rarely called in sick. Gina looks at both of them but says nothing. Aranza adds that she is getting worried. Gina tells her to relax, she adds that it's not too serious. She adds that his grandmother confessed to him that she knew Isabella was going to drug him and that she suggested to Horacio to take away her (Gina's) son.

She adds that she even offered to foot the bill for the lawyer if necessary. Adrianna and Aranza are both shocked. Aranza says the worst one was the drugging one. She adds that Antonio could have been hurt. Gina says that he is hurt and disappointed in his grandmother. Adrianna says that they all need to be there for Antonio more than ever. Gina agrees.

One week and some days later on Friday, Hector is released from the hospital. On Saturday they all (including the children) go to Antonio and Gina's house in the afternoon for a party. The only person who should be there but wasn't was Aranza. Gina asks herself where her nosy little sister was. Antonio looks at Gina and asks her what's wrong. She says she was just thinking about Aranza.

She then looks at Aurelio and asks him if he is sure he isn't covering up for Aranza. Aurelio says that he isn't. He adds that they all know that Aranza is nosy and from time to time she is always up to something. He adds that he thought that they would come together but she said that she had something to do. He asked her what it was but she wouldn't say anything.

She says that she had to work on a surprise for Hector.

Hector asks Aurelio what surprise he is talking about. Aurelio says that she didn't tell him. She just said that she wanted to do something for him. Hannibal (the real one) and Ricardo (the real one) both want water so Gina goes to give them. Adrianna says to herself that she hopes her cousin isn't up to something crazy.

Elsewhere, At Alejandro's house,

He is there with Horacio and Isabella. They are talking about the first mention of their case which was coming up the next week. They didn't know that Claudia had made a statement to the police against them. Horacio, says that there isn't enough evidence to convict them in court and soon enough the case will fall apart. Isabella says that they need to tie up any loose ends, especially over Emma's murder.

Horacio changes the subject and asks about the investigation on Hector and Gina. Alejandro says that the investigator is already on the ground, but given the amount of time, since Hector and Gina were adopted, it will take some time. He adds that they did a background check on the man Hector and Gina said was their grandfather, and there is no one by such a name, and neither are there records of an old man dying leaving behind two grandchildren from the area.

He adds that they didn't find any records of young children named Hector or Gina from around that time. Isabella and Horacio are both shocked. Isabella says it is now clear that Hector and Gina are hiding something and they have to find out what that is no matter how long it takes.

Back at Antonio's house,

There is a knock on the door. Martin goes to open it and Aranza is there. She smiles and he looks at her suspiciously. She asks him to move a little bit more inside because Hector's surprise has arrived. By this time Gina is back with the children, who are holding cups. Adrianna looks at her cousin and asks her what she did. Aranza tells everyone to stop being so dramatic. She then steps inside and turns around and tells an unseen person behind her that they can then come in.

Some footsteps are then heard as everyone waits curiously. They are even more shocked to see who it is. It is John (Gabriel). Like everyone else, Gina is shocked. For a few seconds she stares at her father and then overcome by the emotion of seeing him there, she goes over and hugs him, just like she would do as a child when he would come home from work. Antonio looks at the unfolding scene a little uncomfortably. He asks himself just who he is to her.

He adds that the respect and love she shows him are beyond what someone would show a stranger, and more like what someone would show family. Hector rolls his eyes. He tells himself that his sister hasn't changed a little bit since they were children, and she still wants to make sure she is their father's favourite child. He adds that his sister is still a little spoiled brat. Antonio looks at Hector's reaction and says to himself that he looks jealous, which is a little strange.

Back at Alejandro's house,

They are still discussing the investigation on Hector and Gina. Alejandro says that they have to act like nothing is up. He adds that they will go to the trial as expected, as they work on this unexpected ace up their sleeves. Horacio asks if they are telling Marianna anything. Alejandro says that they aren't sure, what she discussed with Martin when he came to the house, or if she has told Hector anything when she went to visit him in hospital, so it isn't safe. Isabella says to herself that Gina and Antonio will never be happy together, as long as she is around.

Shortly after at Antonio's house,

Aranza took it upon herself to make the introductions and had just finished. Gisela Paulina (the real one), innocently calls him grandpa and asks him to carry her. Adrianna apologizes on her daughter's behalf and says that she will take her. John waves her away and carries Gisela. He plays with her and she smiles. Adrianna asks herself why her daughter would call a stranger grandpa. Ricardo and Hannibal rush to him as well. Hector then smirks at Gina.

She rolls her eyes at him and then turns away. Aranza goes to Hector's side. He hugs her and thanks her. Antonio wonders just what Hector and Gina are hiding and why he would smirk at her. Gina knows exactly what her brother means. She tells herself that her son will be their father's favorite grandchild, not his daughter. She sighs inwardly and says that he is too obsessed with outshining her.