EPISODE 142

 

Later that Saturday,

Anna Patricia is at her parents' home with Ricardo. Neither of her parents are there. She hears a knock on the door. She goes and opens it. She is shocked and repelled to see that it is Carlos. She tells him to leave her alone. He ignores her and walks past her into the house. He asks her how she is. Anna Patricia says that it's none of his business. He looks around at the simple house with disdain. He says that a queen like her deserves a palace and he can give her that.

 

Anna Patricia tells him that she will never want anything to do with him and her answer will never change. Carlos asks her if she thinks that she will gain access to the Montes De Alba fortune by being with Gabriel. Carlos says that he and Helena are at the top of Montes De Alba Inc. and will never cede an inch to Gabriel or his children. Anna Patricia sighs in frustration, Carlos is crazy. She tells him that eventually, his and Helena's crimes will be uncovered and they will go to jail and leave everyone to live in peace.

 

Carlos tries to say something but she cuts him off. She tells him that he is a pest. Just then Ricardo, who was in Anna Patricia's room, comes out of the room. Carlos is shocked to see the boy there. He sarcastically asks Anna Patricia if she has sunk so low as to be reduced to a babysitter. Ricardo walks and clutches her hand. Anna Patricia says that she loves Ricardo and is happy to take care of him.

 

Two days later on Monday Morning,

At Martin's house,

Marianna is awake earlier than usual, that morning. She is in the sitting room, deep in thought. She thinks about running into Alejandro while out with Thiago and then runs one hand through her hair. She says to herself that she is afraid that he might target her family as payback. Martin comes into the room and finds her deep in thought. He calls her. She looks at him but doesn't say anything. He asks her if she is fine. She says that she is. She says that she was just thinking about things. He asks her what she was thinking about. She stands and says that it's early and on a Monday and she doesn't want to bother him with her small issues. She picks up her phone which was on the chair and turns to leave.

 

He, however, anticipates what she will do next and rushes to her side. He holds one of her hands and she looks at him. He says that something is clearly bothering her. He asks her if she is still worried about Alejandro. Marianna nods meekly. Martin lets go of her hand. He tells her that Alejandro is just trying to mess with her head. Marianna says that Alejandro is crazy, dangerous, and vindictive. She says that he knows she found her family and he is capable of hurting them to get to her. She then starts pacing around nervously and saying that he could target her grandfather because he is old and Thiago because he is a child. In an instant, Martin has his arms around her to calm her down.

 

Elsewhere,

At Ramon and Clara's house,

Ramon finds Anna Patricia awake, making breakfast. After greeting her, he says he would like to discuss something with her. He says that he has noticed something. Anna Patricia asks him what her mother did this time. Ramon assures him that she didn't do anything. He says that he has noticed how close she has been growing to Ricardo over the past few weeks and how much the child loves her. Ramon sees how Anna Patricia's face lights up at the mention of Ricardo.

 

She says that he is a special little boy. Ramon says there is a certain fulfillment, a certain level of happiness he can sense that the child gives her that only Martin gives her. Anna Patricia asks her father to come out clearly and say what he means. Ramon says that she is a very maternal woman and she loves her son very much. He then adds that he knows how much it pained her that she was never able to have another child and Ricardo is helping fill that void.

 

Anna Patricia stares at her father suspiciously. He says he was simply making an observation. Anna Patricia tells him that she knows him well enough to know that there is another reason why he is talking about Ricardo. Ramon smiles. He calls her my daughter and tells her that she knows him too well. Anna Patricia asks him what he is really trying to get at. Ramon says that she could talk to Gabriel about formally adopting Ricardo. Anna Patricia looks at her father like he is crazy. She calls him dad and asks him where he would get such a crazy idea from.

 

Back at Martin's house

Marianna calms down and frees herself from him. She says she knows that she must look crazy and on the verge of a breakdown but she is just so worried that Alejandro is planning something to hurt her family. Martin says that he doesn't think that she is crazy. He says that she should talk to her family about her concerns and ask them to be more vigilant. He adds that she should go to the police and get a restraining order.

 

Marianna says that it would be a waste of time because she wouldn't be given one. Martin says that Alejandro has been harassing and stalking her and given the case, that is a good enough reason to get a restraining order. Marianna asks how she will explain her inaction over Alejandro's harassment. Martin says that she should say the truth. He says she didn't take him seriously but his continuous harassment coupled with the fear that he might harm her family prompted her to do something.

 

Marianna remains quiet. Martin says that she shouldn't let Alejandro prevent her from living her life or getting closer to her family. Marianna says that her worries aren't just about Alejandro. Martin asks Marianna what else she is worried about. Marianna says that while she doesn't care about what most people think about her, she is worried about Thiago hearing things about her from other people. Martin asks her if she thinks Alejandro would talk to Thiago. Marianna says that with Alejandro they should expect anything.

 

Back at Ramon and Clara's house,

Ramon shrugs and says that his idea is not that crazy. He adds that it is clear that she loves Ricardo and vice versa. Anna Patricia says that it is true but adopting Ricardo is a very big step. Ramon asks her if she is afraid of Gabriel's reaction. Anna Patricia sighs. She tells her father that while she did want more children, she had long accepted that it was never going to happen and she had learnt to be contented with her son, nephew, niece, and the twins.

 

Ramon reminds her that she had long given up on love but she met Gabriel. Anna Patricia stares at her father and says that it's not the same. She remembers Gabriel's comment before he left the hospital. He had said that he would enjoy having his grandchildren around but also sending them back to his children at the end of the visit because he was past taking care of young children. She says that Gabriel wouldn't be too keen on the idea. Ramon calls Anna Patricia to get her attention again. She tells her father that he is putting ideas into her head.

 

Ramon denies that. He says that he is simply stating things she has only thought about but avoided admitting out loud. Anna Patricia looks at her father and then tells him not to do anything fishy. Ramon looks at his daughter and innocently asks her what she means. Anna Patricia tells her father that she knows him and her mother too well and they have always been nosy and have meddled in her life. Ramon promises her that he won't meddle in anything to do with Ricardo. Anna Patricia, however, does not believe him and looks at him suspiciously.

 

Back at Martin's house,

Martin tells Marianna that she and her cousin should talk to Thiago before anyone else does. He adds that they shouldn't lie to him that she made mistakes but they should put things appropriately for a twelve-year-old. Marianna says that Thiago suggested a joint birthday with Dianna and she loved the idea. Martin says that it's a good idea because it will help her family grow closer. He looks at her and says that she doesn't look convinced. Marianna says that the children's birthdays are in two months and for her, that is a lifetime.

 

She says that she doesn't want to commit to such long-term plans because she doesn't know what will have happened by then. He asks her if she is referring to the case. Marianna nods. She says that for all she knows Alejandro or one of his goons could fabricate evidence to make her look like a murderer or anything could go wrong. Martin places one hand on her cheek and the other on the other cheek. He tells her to stop being so negative. She says that she is being realistic. She insists that she could be in jail by then.

 

Later that day,

Hernan is having dinner, with Adrianna, Gisela Paulina, and his father. Gabriel says that there is something that he has been thinking about over the past several days and he has come to a decision. Hernan asks him what it is. Gabriel says that he will start looking for a place of his own. Both Hernan and Adrianna look at him shocked. Hernan asks him why he is doing that. He adds that neither he nor Gabriela are chasing him away and they both love him. Gabriel says that he knows that but he can take care of himself. He adds that he is not too old and doesn't need him or his sister to take care of him daily.

 

Adrianna says that she had assumed that once they had gotten the mansion back, then he would most likely want to go back and live there. Gabriel says that initially, he had thought that it was what he would do. He says that it won't happen overnight and he wants to live by himself in the meantime. Hernan insists to his father that he is not a burden and no one is chasing him away. Gabriel says it's not because he feels he is a burden but because he needs and wants to do it.

 

Elsewhere at Ramon and Clara's house,

Clara looks at Martin and asks him what he has done. Anna Patricia looks at her mother. She then looks at her son. She asks him what is going on. She adds that it is not like him to come announced in the middle of the week. Martin tells them not to worry, and that nothing is wrong. He says that he just wanted to let them know about something he has been thinking about for some time and had finally decided to act upon. Ramon asks him what it is.

 

Martin says that he has decided to formally adopt Dianna. Anna Patricia and Ramon stare at him shocked. Clara shakes her head. She says that she had hoped and thought that he had said it on the spur of the moment. Anna Patricia looks at her mother. She notices that her mother is not surprised by Martin's declaration and says it. Martin says that he had talked to his grandmother about it. He adds that he had made the decision some time back, but wanted to wait for a little while before beginning the actual practicalities of the process.

 

Anna Patricia asks him why he would tell his grandmother and not her. Martin says that he had not planned on telling his grandmother and it just came out. Anna Patricia asks him what Marianna thinks about it. Martin says that she was as shocked as them. He adds that she was afraid that it would complicate the process of him dating. Anna Patricia says that Marianna has a point.

 

Elsewhere

Juan Patricio is in his study. One of his henchmen has come to give him a report on Antonio. Juan Patricio asks him what they have been able to find out. The henchman says there has been no change from the last time they updated him. He adds so far it doesn't seem like Antonio knows where his grandmother is and he hasn't been acting differently. He also says that if Mrs. Claudia escaped the hospital, she did it without informing Antonio. Juan Patricio paces around. He says that it all doesn't make sense. He adds that his wife is not smart enough to outsmart him or his son. The henchman says that if she hasn't even tried to contact Antonio then she must be upto something.

 

Juan Patricio asks himself just what Claudia is upto. He asks himself if Claudia thinks she can bring him down by herself. He says out loud that she cannot survive for long without help and if she indeed is planning something, she will need help. He adds that she will have to contact Antonio at some point because who else does she know who is so tech-savvy and intelligent. He then asks the henchman if there is still someone monitoring Antonio. The henchman says that there is, and if something had happened while he was here, someone would have contacted him.

 

Back to Ramon and Clara's house,

Martin tells his mother that he loves Dianna like she was his own daughter and he wants to adopt her regardless of anything else, even what happens to Marianna. Anna Patricia asks Martin if he is sure about what he is doing. She adds that adopting Dianna won't be like buying something that he can resell if it bores him. Martin assures her that he knows what he is doing. Clara says that the decision he is about to make is a very big one and Dianna should be his priority at all times. Martin says he has thought about it enough and Dianna is and will always be his priority. Ramon says that they have to consider Alejandro.

 

Martin says that with everything Alejandro has done he doesn't deserve Dianna's custody. Ramon says that they all know that Alejandro is evil and a killer but it is also clear that he is obsessed with Marianna, as he is with Adrianna. He adds that if Alejandro hears that he (Martin) wants to adopt Dianna he is going to make his life difficult not because he loves his daughter but because he is sick in the head. Martin says that he knows that but he loves Dianna. He adds that after everything that has happened to her, she needs a lot of love and stability and he wants to offer her that. He also says that living with Dianna he has seen and heard from her just how much living with Alejandro negatively affected her.

 

Elsewhere,

At Isabella's house,

She is there with Alejandro and Horacio. They are discussing their ongoing court case. Isabella and Alejandro are confident that if they continue as they have been doing, they will be safe. Horacio isn't so sure. Alejandro tells Horacio that even Marianna's statement is not enough to pin them down. He then adds that nothing can bring them down. Horacio reminds them that investigations are going on and no matter how careful they think they are, evidence can always be unearthed.

 

He adds that they need to consider every possibility and outcome. Isabella tells him to stop being so paranoid. She adds that they need to remain united and continue making sure that all loose ends are tied. Horacio insists that they need to be prepared for any eventualities. Alejandro says that rather than be paranoid about the future, they should focus on other things, like how to use the information they found out to their benefit. Isabella asks him what he means.

 

Alejandro says an example would be finding out about Marianna's family. Isabella asks how that information is relevant to them. Alejandro reminds her of when they found out about the twins' real identities and they unmasked them. He adds that similarly, they should be open to seeing how they can use any other information for their benefit. Horacio agrees. He says that they also need to get their revenge on all their enemies.