Provócame

Episode 2

MARIANO: I’m going to kill you!

-THEY CONTINUE ARGUING AND YELLING AT EACH OTHER AND ARE ABOUT TO START FIGHTING AGAIN, BUT ROBERTO STEPS BETWEEN THEM AND THIS TIME ACTUALLY SUCCEEDS IN KEEPING THEM APART-

ROBERTO: Enough! Enough! It’s over!

-PEDRO APOLOGIZES TO VICTORIA-

PEDRO: I’m sorry! I lost control!
VICTORIA: Yes! You don’t need to tell me that!
MARIANO: Señora! I will not work with him!
VICTORIA: The contract will be followed as we agreed!
PEDRO: Señora, I will not live in this man’s house!
MARIANO: Don’t worry! You will not set foot on my lands!

-ANA LAURA, BEHIND THE DRAPES, LISTENS IN SURPRISE, TO MARIANO’S COMMENT-

ANA LAURA: My lands!

VICTORIA: The only thing that matters to me, is the animal’s welfare and you, Mariano, if you were a little more intelligent, would think the same way! Please, please! Can we calm down a little? Why don’t we think about what just happened here? Roberto will be the mediator between you. And as long as Chocolate needs him, Pedro will remain by its side and in the best possible conditions. Is that clear?
MARIANO: We can always undo the deal. Isn’t that right?
VICTORIA: Ah, well! If you want to lose the animal that will bring you glory, it’s fine with me!
MARIANO: No! I don’t want that!
VICTORIA: Well, then, Pedro, go find Chocolate. You’ll go back to the finca with them!
PEDRO: Señora, are you sure?
VICTORIA: I know what I’m doing! And I trust you!

-PEDRO AND MARIANO LOOK AT EACH OTHER ANGRILY, AND THEN, PEDRO LEAVES THE ROOM. ANA LAURA, BEHIND THE DRAPES, WONDERS WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO HER.
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-CARMEN CAN BE SEEN OUT IN THE FIELDS, PERFORMING SOME FORM OF RITUAL. SHE’S KNEELING AND PRAYING IN FRONT OF SOME CANDLES AND BURNING INCENSE. A SCARED TOTI IS WATCHING HER. HE MUMBLES TO HIMSELF AND WONDERS WHO WILL BE THE RECIPIENT OF HER SPELLS, THIS TIME-
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-JULIETA IS IN THE STABLES AND IS VERY HAPPY TO SEE CHOCOLATE BACK. SHE CARESSES THE HORSE AND BEGINS TALKING TO HIM-

JULIETA: Hello. I’m Julieta. You’re very beautiful. Pedro told me you like children. Is that true?

-PEDRO ARRIVES AND PRETENDS TO BE CHOCOLATE TALKING-

PEDRO: Especially pretty girls like you!

-WHEN JULIETA SEES PEDRO, SHE JUMPS INTO HIS ARMS-

JULIETA: Pedro, you came back!
PEDRO: Yes, mami. And this time, it looks like we’re staying for good.
JULIETA: Chocolate is beautiful!
PEDRO: Do you see now I wasn’t lying?
JULIETA: But I didn’t like that you left without saying goodbye!
PEDRO: I’m sorry. But I didn’t have any other alternative.
JULIETA: I’d love to be able to ride it!
PEDRO: Do you know how to ride?
JULIETA: More o.
PEDRO: More o?
JULIETA: More or less! I’ve never tried to. But I’m sure that if I try, I’ll do it very well!
PEDRO: Well, since you feel so strongly about riding, I could teach you.
JULIETA: Really?
PEDRO: Yes. First you need to saddle it, so you can see how it feels. Come on.

–PEDRO PICKS UP JULIETA AND SITS HER DOWN ON CHOCOLATE-

PEDRO: Are you all right? Let’s go for a short ride. But with him, you must go step by step. It’s like when you make new friends.
JULIETA: Like you and me. Because we are friends, right?
PEDRO: We are very good friends! But with Chocolate, you have to take it very slow. Day after day, you will get to know him better, because he doesn’t know you and you don’t know him.
JULIETA: Yes, but I’m sure I will love it very much. And you too.
PEDRO: You are very sweet.

-JULIETA, STILL SITTING ON CHOCOLATE, KISSES THE TOP OF ITS HEAD-

PEDRO: He’s very beautiful, isn’t he?

-CHAPA APPROACHES PEDRO-

CHAPA: Pedro, Mariano says he’ll see you now.
PEDRO: It’s about time! Come, my love, get off. I have to go. But talk to him, he likes that very much.

-PEDRO LEAVES TO GO TALK TO MARIANO-
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-VICTORIA’S HOUSE. VICTORIA AND ANA LAURA ARE SITTING DOWN DRINKING COFFEE (OR TEA). ANA LAURA SEEMS VERY SAD-

VICTORIA; Are you feeling a little bit better?
ANA LAURA: Yes. But I didn’t really expect Pedro to react the way he did.
VICTORIA: Well, yes, but you have to admit that Mariano pushed him to the limit.
ANA LAURA: I don’t know what happened to Mariano. I feel I don’t know him anymore. Victoria, it’s evident that Pedro is your protégé.
VICTORIA: I’ve known him since he was little, and truthfully, I love him very much. His mother used to work for me, and really, in his field, Pedro is the best.
ANA LAURA: My mother was right when she used to say you were a very generous person.
VICTORIA: I tried to be, with anyone who deserves it, of course. I miss your mother very much. I’ll never have another friend like Leonora.
ANA LAURA: I also miss her very much. I feel that if she were here, I wouldn’t be going through this.
VICTORIA: I’ve been asking myself what caused you to make this drastic decision.
ANA LAURA: I don’t know. I made this decision, but now I feel everything is going wrong.
VICTORIA: Whatever prompt you to act this way, had to be very serious.
ANA LAURA: I found out my marriage was a financial arrangement between the two families
VICTORIA: My God! My God! How did you find out?
ANA LAURA: I heard it. I heard it myself. To be honest, I was full of illusions and I don’t know now if I should marry someone who’s only interested in my lands.
VICTORIA: Of course not! Of course not! What are you going to do now?
ANA LAURA: I don’t know. I made this decision and now I don’t know how it will end.
VICTORIA: May I help you in any way?
ANA LAURA: No, no. It’s all right. I just need time to think. Being here, having some peace and quiet, is enough for now.
VICTORIA: We could at least call your father.
ANA LAURA: No! No! I don’t want to let anyone know. I just need time to think.

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-PEDRO MAKES HIS WAY TO THE HOUSE, TO TALK TO MARIANO. LISA LETS HIM IN AND LEAVES TO NOTIFY MARIANO THAT PEDRO HAS ARRIVED. WHILE HE WAITS, PEDRO PICKS UP A PHOTOGRAPH OF ANA LAURA. HE SMILES AND IS STILL LOOKING AT IT, WHEN IGNACIO, LOOKING VERY ILL, COMES IN THE ROOM-

IGNACIO: That’s my oldest daughter.

-AT THIS POINT, IGNACIO PUTS HIS HAND ON HIS CHEST AND FAINTING, FALLS TO THE FLOOR. PEDRO MANAGES TO HOLD HIM IN HIS ARMS, AND LOOKS AROUND THE ROOM, TRYING TO GET HELP-

-ROBERTO AND MARIANO ARE IN THE OFFICE-

MARIANO: I don’t want to have to look at his face! Is that clear?
ROBERTO: But that’s what we agreed with Señora Victoria. She pays him to take care of the horse.
MARIANO: If it’s a matter of money, we’ll pay him double or triple the amount, but he must leave!

-AT THIS MOMENT, PEDRO CAN BE HEARD SCREAMING FOR HELP. PATRICIA ARRIVES FIRST, FOLLOWED BY MARIANO AND ROBERTO, AND THEN BY FLORIA AND MAGDA-

FLORIA: Take him to the hospital!
PEDRO: Yes! Help me carry him!
MARIANO: No. Roberto and I will take care of him!
PEDRO: But, let me help you!
MARIANO: I said no!
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-JULIETA IS STILL WITH CHOCOLATE, WHEN MATIAS ARRIVES-

MATIAS: Who said you could touch him?
JULIETA: No one. I touch him because I feel like it.
MATIAS: You knew where he was, didn’t you? You lied to everyone!
JULIETA: I’m not a liar, little boy. Chocolate just got here!
MATIAS: Yes, but he’s mine, so you can go now.
JULIETA: Why can’t you let me stay with him a little longer?
MATIAS: I don’t want you to teach him bad habits, little girl!
JULIETA: Pedro told me I could help him take care of Chocolate. He even helped me ride him.
MATIAS: What? When did you ride him? Doesn’t that man know Chocolate has a competition coming up? What if you had hurt him?

-GUNTHER ARRIVES WITH THIS DOGS-

GUNTHER: What’s wrong now? Is sabandija bothering you?
MATIAS: This girl has no business being here!
GUNTHER: That’s true. Out! Out! Go to your mother! She’ll be complaining later on! Out! Out!
JULIETA: Gunther, why are you so mean? Weren’t you ever a little boy?
GUNTHER: I was young once but I was always very mature and obedient. Out!

-ALL THIS TIME, GUNTHER HAS BEEN TALKING WITH HIS THICK GERMAN ACCENT. MATIAS THEN IMITATES GUNTHER’S ACCENT WHEN TELLING JULIETA TO LEAVE-

MATIAS: You heard, little girl! Out!

GUNTHER: Young Matías, Gunther doesn’t like that you’re making fun. Gunther doesn’t like it at all!

-JULIETA, LOOKING VERY SAD, LEAVES-
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-PEDRO ARRIVES AT MARISOL’S DOOR-

MARISOL: Pedro, you’re back! Come on in.
PEDRO: Señor Ignacio just suffered an attack.
MARISOL: What do you mean? What happened to him?
PEDRO: I don’t know. He fainted in my arms, but they didn’t let me stay.
MARISOL: Is it serious?
PEDRO: He didn’t look well to me. Ana Laura should be notified, don’t you think?
MARISOL: Do you know where she is?
PEDRO: Yes.
MARISOL: Do you want to call her from here? It really isn’t a problem.
PEDRO: Are you sure?
MARISOL: Feel free to call her.

-PEDRO PICKS UP THE PHONE. WHILE HE’S DIALING, MARISOL ASKS HIM IF HIS SITUATION TURNED OUT OKAY

-I DON’T KNOW. I THINK I’M GOING TO HAVE SERIOUS PROBLEMS WITH MARIANO-

MARISOL: Who doesn’t!

-PEDRO HAS A QUESTIONING LOOK ON HIS FACE, AFTER HEARING MARISOL’S COMMENT-

-VICTORIA, ANSWERING THE PHONE-

VICTORIA: Hello. Pedro, you call at last! How did everything go?
PEDRO: Fine, fine. But I’m not calling for that reason. Ana Laura, is she there with you?
VICTORIA: Yes, she’s right here. Do you want to talk to her?

-VICTORIA HANDS THE PHONE TO ANA LAURA-

PEDRO: Ana Laura, can you hear me?
ANA LAURA: Yes, I can hear you. What’s the matter?
PEDRO: I’m calling about your father. He just suffered an attack.
ANA LAURA: What did you say?
PEDRO: Yes. They took him to the hospital and I thought you’d want to know.
ANA LAURA: But, what’s wrong with him? What happened?
PEDRO: I don’t know, but I think you need to come over here. Forgive me for interfering.
ANA LAURA: No, no. It’s all right. Excuse me, Pedro, will you come with me to the hospital?
PEDRO: All right, I’ll see you there.
ANA LAURA: Okay, thank you very much. –ANA LAURA HANGS UP THE PHONE-
VICTORIA: What do you mean the hospital? What happened?
ANA LAURA: I don’t know, my father became ill. Thank you, Victoria. I’m leaving.
VICTORIA: Ciao, ciao.
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-MARISOL’ HOUSE. MARISOL AND ROSA ARE TALKING-

MARISOL: You don’t know how difficult it was to get rid of Cecilia. She has an awful attitude.
ROSA: I don’t know how you put up with her. The times I would have told her to shut up!
MARISOL: You don’t think I’m dying to do just that? After all they did to my family? But I can’t.
ROSA: I don’t understand, Marisol. Why do you want to stay in this house? You are a young and intelligent woman. Why do you need to put up with all this?
MARISOL: What about Julieta? I can’t put my daughter at risk! Besides, if I didn’t leave when I should have, why do it now? It’s too late.
ROSA: You were 15 years old! What could you have done at that age? Now you can. Don’t tell me you are afraid of Mariano…You are! Marisol, what did he do to you?
MARISOL: Nothing, nothing! And Julieta must never find out what happened between the Linares and myself! Never! Do you hear? Never!

-JULIETA WALKS IN, AND OVERHEARS WHAT MARISOL JUST SAID TO ROSA-

JULIETA: What is what I must never know, mom?

-MARISOL AND ROSA LOOK AT EACH OTHER IN SURPRISE-
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-THE HOSPITAL. PATRICIA IS LEANING AGAINST THE WALL. MARIANO IS LOOKING OUT OF A WINDOW. ALVARO APPROACHES PATRICIA-

ALVARO: Aren’t you going in to see him?
PATRICIA: No. I can’t stand seeing him that way. I’m going to ask Mariano to take me home.

-ANA LAURA ARRIVES AT HIS MOMENT. ALVARO GRABS HER BY THE ARMS. MARIANO ANGRILY RUNS TOWARDS HER-

ALVARO: You finally appear!
ANA LAURA: I’m going to see my father!
MARIANO: Where were you?
ANA LAURA: I will talk to you later, Mariano.
ALVARO: First you need to apologize for putting us through all that embarrassment!

-ANA LAURA CANNOT BELIEVE THEY CHOSE THIS MOMENT TO ASK FOR EXPLANATIONS AND TRIES TO WALK AWAY TO GO SEE HER FATHER-
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My dear friends, I apologize for stopping in the middle of a scene, but the lights are flickering and I’m afraid to lose what I have already typed, so I will continue with this scene tomorrow! We have had terrible winds since yesterday that have caused blackouts and interruptions in the telephones lines. Even as I type this, the wind is so strong that it just brought down some tree branches outside my door! One of them fell on my sister’s car last night, thankfully, it only made a small scratch! I better go look for my emergency candles or at least a flashlight! Hasta mañana! Leticia.
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Hello, Everyone!
The winds have finally died down! The damage can be seen everywhere, but fortunately for us in this area, is to a minimum!

We continue with a little more of Provócame. Hasta luego, Leticia

-MARIANO HOLDS ON TO ANA LAURA’S ARM AND IS DEMANDING AN EXPLANATION-

MARIANO: You have to explain to me why you left me waiting!
ANA LAURA: Let go of me!
MARIANO: I won’t let you go until you tell me…..

-PEDRO APPEARS-

PEDRO: Didn’t you hear her? She wants to see her father! Let her go! Let her go, Mariano!
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-AT THE ESTANCIA, CARMEN AND ROBERTO ARE IN THE KITCHEN-

CARMEN: How is Señor Ignacio?
ROBERTO: He’s in the hospital, Carmen. I just came looking for Cecilia.
CARMEN: I will pray for him. He’s not a bad person.
ROBERTO: You better pray for us! You can’t imagine how bad things are getting with Pedro!
CARMEN: What do you mean? He came back to the estancia?
ROBERTO: Yes. Victoria practically forced us to bring him back. I think she’s up to something. I just don’t know what it is.
CARMEN: It’s useless to ask questions. But, it doesn’t matter. I’m doing something to try to get Pedro out of here.

-CECILIA WALKS IN AT THIS MOMENT AND HEARS CARMEN’S COMMENT-

CECILIA: To get Pedro out of here? Why? What’s going on with him?
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-BACK TO THE HOSPITAL-

MARIANO: You have nothing to do with all this, so don’t interfere.
ANA LAURA: He’s not interfering. He’s here to accompany me, that’s all.
MARIANO: Ah! You accompanied her. Well, she’s here now. Thank you very much. So long!
PEDRO: I will leave when Ana Laura asks me to.
MARIANO: I’m sick of you! I’m sick of you!
PEDRO: What’s wrong with you, brother? Why do you act this way?
MARIANO: Show me some respect!

-AT THIS MOMENT, ALVARO AND ANA LAURA INTERVENE-

ANA LAURA: Pedro, it’s all right. Please leave, please.

-PEDRO NODS IN AGREEMENT AND, RELUCTANTLY, LEAVES. MARIANO ONCE AGAIN GRABS ANA LAURA BY THE ARM, AND QUESTIONS HER-

MARIANO: How did you meet him? How did you meet him?
ANA LAURA: Where’s my father?
ALVARO: Down the hall. In the coronary unit.
ANA LAURA: I’m going to see him.
MARIANO: I’ll go with you.
ANA LAURA: No! I’m going alone! -ANA LAURA WALKS AWAY-
ALVARO: Mariano, stop, stop! The best things will be to go home.
MARIANO: I prefer to stay here, father.
ALVARO: No. That’s not a good idea. We’ve had enough scandal for today. Come on!

-ALVARO AND PATRICIA START WALKING DOWN THE HALL., WHILE MARIANO STILL STANDS, LOOKING ANGRY-
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-MARISOL’S HOUSE -

JULIETA: I hate that you treat me like a little girl. What is what I’m not supposed to know?
ROSA: I...better go get dinner started. It’s late.

–ROSA LEAVES. MARISOL LOOKS ABSOLUTELY MORTIFIED AND SORROWFUL WHEN TALKING WITH JULIETA-

MARISOL: Julieta, even if I tried to explain things to you right now, you wouldn’t understand.
JULIETA: Why?
MARISOL: My love, please go play. Please let me finish what I’m doing here. Please, I’m asking you.

-JULIETA, SENSING HER MOTHER IS MORE UPSET THAN USUAL, THIS TIME DOES NOT INSIST ON OBTAINING AN ANSWER-

JULIETA: All right, I’ll go.

-JULIETA GOES OUTSIDE AND MARISOL REMAINS ROOTED TO THE SAME SPOT IN THE KITCHEN. SHE THEN BEGINS TO RECALL IMAGES OF HER PAST. THE MEMORIES ARE EXTREMELY UPSETTING TO HER. THE IMAGES SHOW A YOUNG TEENAGE GIRL, TAKING CARE OF A HORSE IN THE STABLES. A YOUNG MAN, ABOUT THE SAME AGE AS HERS, COMES IN AND ASSAULTS HER. SHE BEGINS TO STRUGGLE WITH HIM AND STARTS SCREAMING, BUT TO NO AVAIL. THE IMAGES THEN FADE AWAY AND MARISOL IS BACK IN HER KITCHEN, CRYING INCONSOLABLY-
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-THE HOSPITAL- IGNACIO IS CONNECTED TO MEDICAL EQUIPMENT AND IS WEARING AN OXYGEN MASK. ANA LAURA IS SITTING BY HIS SIDE. IGNACIO OPENS HIS EYES AND SEES HIS DAUGHTER-

IGNACIO: My little one! Why did you leave that way? What happened?
ANA LAURA: Let’s not talk about that right now, please!
IGNACIO: No, no! You have to apologize to Mariano! To everyone! What you did was not right!
ANA LAURA: Don’t worry about that, right now!

-IGNACIO GROWS MORE AGITATED AS HE TALKS TO ANA LAURA-

IGNACIO: We can’t leave things this way! You have to get married, please! It’s the only solution!
ANA LAURA: All right, father!
IGNACIO: I promise you, everything will be all right! I promise you he’ll make you very happy!
ANA LAURA: Father, father. Please!

-IGNACIO LOSES CONSCIOUSNESS AND ANA LAURA RUNS OUT OF THE ROOM CALLING OUT FOR THE NURSE. THE DOCTOR AND NURSE COME IN, AND ANA LAURA IS SCREAMING, WANTING TO KNOW IF HER FATHE IS GOING TO BE ALL RIGHT. THE DOCTOR INSTRUCTS THE NURSE TO TAKE ANA LAURA FROM THE ROOM-
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-BACK TO THE ESTANCIA’S KITCHEN, WITH CECILIA, CARMEN, AND ROBERTO-

CECILIA: There’s nothing I hate more than people hiding things from me!
CARMEN: No, señora. We are not hiding anything from you.
CECILIA: How do you know that young man?
ROBERTO: Well, because of the horse scene. We’ve known him since he was a young boy.
CECILIA: And why do you feel he should leave the estancia?
ROBERTO: No, I don’t think that. I think he’s a wonderful young man. There’s no problem.
CECILIA: I’m not crazy! Carmen said she was doing something to make him leave! Why?

-FLORIA COMES IN THE KITCHEN, INTERRUPTING THEM. SHE’S READY TO BE DRIVEN TO THE HOSPITAL. SHE ADDRESSES CECILIA-

FLORIA: Are you coming to the hospital?
CECILIA: Yes, but a little later. I have to take care of a few things here at home. Roberto, will you take Floria to the hospital, please?
ROBERTO: Yes, of course! Let’s go!

-ROBERTO AND FLORIA LEAVE. CECILIA TURNS TO CARMEN-

CECILIA: I know where the problem is coming from and you do, too. (SHE MEANS HIS CONNECTION WITH VICTORIA) I want to know everything about that peon. Who he talks to. What he talks about. Everything! And you, are going to help me!
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-JULIETA IS IN THE STABLE WITH CHOCOLATE. PEDRO ARRIVES-

PEDRO: Have you been taking good care of him?
JULIETA: Yes! All this time! Well, I left to use the bathroom and those things.
PEDRO: I understand. But did you get a chance to know each other better?
JULIETA: Well, more or less. It would be better if he could talk. Did you visit my mother?
PEDRO: Your mother? Yes, yes. Why?
JULIETA: Did you notice how sad she is? I think she needs a boyfriend!
PEDRO: A boyfriend?
JULIETA: Yes, because when one is in love, one is happier.
PEDRO: Yes, I believe so.
JULIETA: Did you leave a girlfriend behind back home?
PEDRO: No.
JULIETA: Would you like to have one, here?
PEDRO: And you? Don’t you have a little boy chasing around?
JULIETA: What?
PEDRO: A little boy, a boyfriend! You know what I’m talking about!
JULIETA: Ah! No, no!

-GUNTHER WALKS OVER VERY CEREMONIOUSLY, WITH HIS DOGS AND MATIAS IN TOW-

PEDRO: Matías, do you come to see Chocolate?
MATIAS: No. I want to let you know that tomorrow I begin training.
PEDRO: Very well. Whenever you like. He’s ready.
GUNTHER: Frau Patricia wants to let you know the responsibility for Matías’ well being rests entirely with you.
PEDRO: Tell her not to worry. That’s not a problem.
GUNTHER: I will also stay to see the training with my two assistants. (THE DOGS.)
PEDRO: I think Chocolare would be a little bothered by that.
GUNTHER: Why? They’re not people! They are animals! Come on! (TO THE DOGS) Greet the gentleman! Greet the gentleman!

-PEDRO SEES THE AGGRESSIVE WAY GUNTHER IS USING IN TRYING TO INSTRUCT THE DOGS, WHO, AS USUAL, ARE COMPLETELY IGNORING HIM. PEDRO OBVIOUSLY THINKS GUNTHER IS ACTING A LITTLE STRANGE, AND TRIES TO EASE THE SITUATION-

PEDRO: It’s all right! It’s all right! Don’t worry about that!
GUNTHER: No! It’s part of their training!
MATIAS: Come on, Gunther. Let’s go.

-GUNTHER IS STILL TRYING TO GET THE DOGS TO SALUTE PEDRO. THE DOGS GET UP AND LEAVE AND GUNTHER HAS NO CHOICE BUT TO FOLLOW THEM.

JULIETA: He looks a little dumb, but he’s actually a good person inside.
PEDRO: That man? He’s a little crazy, don’t you think?
JULIETA: No! I was talking about Matías!
PEDRO: Ah! Is that the little boy you like?
JULIETA: Ay, no, Pedro! Of course not! Eh…I better go home or else I’ll hear it from my mother! Can I come back tomorrow?
PEDRO: Or course you can!
JULIETA: Good! Ciao!
PEDRO: Ciao, love.

-JULIETA GIVES PEDRO AND HUG AND KISS AND RUNS OFF. TOTI ARRIVES TO TALK TO PEDRO-

TOTI: What are you doing my friend? I see you’re back with us!
PEDRO: Yes, not by choice. Listen, if you see Roberto, will you tell him I’m looking for him?

-PEDRO WALKS AWAY AS CHAPA APPROACHES TOTI-

CHAPA: Since this guy got here, I can’t stop asking myself one question.
TOTI: What’s that?
CHAPA: Where is he going to live?
TOTI: In the big house, perhaps. I think he’ll be more comfortable there.
CHAPA: As long as they don’t decide to put him in the room with us, everything will be fine.
TOTI: That’s what I don’t like about you! You’re always so selfish!
CHAPA: Totino!
TOTI: Toti!
CHAPA: Totino! There are plenty of things I dislike about you! More than plenty!
TOTI: Well, then, feel free to tell me what they are. There should be complete trust between us.
CHAPA: Tsk! Tsk! I’m keeping my mouth shut. Totino!

-CHAPA THEN KISSES TOTI ON THE FOREHEAD, AND WALKS AWAY, SMILING AND CALLING HIM TOTINO-

TOTI: He always calls me Totino. I don’t like that!

-TOTI YELLS AFTER CHAPA: TOTI!
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-MARIANO AND ALVARO WALK IN THE HOUSE-

ALVARO: That’s why I didn’t want you to buy that horse, Mariano.
MARIANO: Yes. We now have to see what can be done with the contract. We cannot just throw out that peon without a valid reason, right?
ALVARO: And why not? He who arrives uninvited, leaves uninvited!
MARIANO: I don’t understand what you are trying to say. –CECILIA WALKS IN THE ROOM-
CECILIA: What your father means is that we have to give Pedro reasons to want to leave.
ALVARO: But, well, let’s forget all this nonsense, and let’s give her the news.
MARIANO: Ah, Ana Laura came back.
CECILIA: She came back? And how is she?
ALVARO: Great! Better than before.
CECILIA: Were you able to talk to her?
MARIANO: No. It wasn’t the right time. But I will. There’s so much I have to tell her.
ALVARO: You’re wrong. If you want to marry her, you have to use your intelligence.
MARIANO: Father, Ana Laura’s destiny is to be my wife, and she’ll marry me one way or another.
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-MARISOL IS OUT FEEDING SOME DUCKS. PEDRO APPEARS WITH CHOCOLATE IN TOW-

MARISOL: How are you adapting?
PEDRO: Fine, for now. How are you?
MARISOL: I’m fine. Why?
PEDRO: Julieta said you were a little sad.
MARISOL: That’s life.
PEDRO: She also said you need a boyfriend. –PEDRO SMILES WHEN SAYING THIS-
MARISOL: She did, did she? Well, my daughter is full of fantasies.
PEDRO: I think she’s wonderful!
MARISOL: Yes, she’s the light of my life, but sometimes she’s too smart for her own good.

-ROBERTO APPEARS-

ROBERTO: Were you looking for me?
PEDRO: Yes. I want to talk to you.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-FLORIA AND ERICA ARE IN THE LIVING ROOM. ANA LAURA WALKS IN. ERICA RUNS TO HUG HER-

ERICA: Ana, you’re back!
ANA LAURA: It’s all right! It’s all right!

-ANA LAURA COMES AND HUGS HER GRANDMOTHER-

FLORIA: My dear little one! At last! At last!
ANA LAURA: Grandmother!
FLORIA: My love, my love!
ANA LAURA: It’s so good to be home again!
FLORIA: You must have had a very good reason to do what you did!
ANA LAURA: Yes. I had my reasons, but this situation with dad is killing me!
FLORIA: No, it’s not your fault, my love! Your father is going through some difficult moments.
ANA LAURA: Yes.

-MAGDA COMES TO GREET ANA LAURA. CARMEN IS WATCHING FROM AFAR-

MAGDA: Querida! How are you? Has anything happened to you?
ANA LAURA: No, I’m fine. I’m just a little tired.
MAGDA: I’ll prepare you something good to eat!
ANA LAURA: Grandmother, the only thing I need is a little tranquility.

-MARIANO COMES IN THE ROOM AND TAKES ANA LAURA BY THE ARM-

MARIANO: And I need for us to talk, right now! I’ve waited long enough!
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-PEDRO AND ROBERTO ARE RIDING THROUGH THE ESTANCIA-

PEDRO: These lands are very beautiful, but I’m not in the mood for a scenic tour. Where am I going to sleep tonight?
ROBERTO: In town.
PEDRO: In town? A finca this big doesn’t have a space for me?
ROBERTO: They don’t want you here, Pedro. Listen to what I’m saying. You need to return home right away!
PEDRO: I’m not leaving! Especially now! Now more than ever, I need to find out why everyone is acting so strangely towards me!
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-MARIANO FOLLOWS ANA LAURA TO HER BEDROOM. HE GRABS HER ARM AND IS ACTING DESPERATE-

MARIANO: Ana, please, tell me why you didn’t want to marry me?
ANA LAURA: I’m going to ask you to please let go of my arm!
MARIANO: Fine, I’ll let you go, but please try to understand me! Please! No one in my entire life has ever humiliated me that way! Why me? Why me? Tell me!
ANA LAURA: I asked myself the same question! Why me? Why me?
MARIANO: Stop driving me crazy! Stop driving me crazy! Tell me what I did so wrong to cause you to leave me waiting at the altar! Please, tell me!
ANA LAURA: It was your betrayal.
MARIANO: What betrayal are you talking about, Ana? We’ve been together six years, and I swear, I haven’t been with another woman. I’ve been faithful to you!
ANA LAURA: I’m not talking about infidelity. I’m talking about how you betrayed me. You, your family and my old man! All of you!
MARIANO: I don’t understand! I don’t understand!
ANA LAURA: I’m talking about how behind this wedding, there was a financial deal going on! Fortunately, I listened to everything just in time!
MARIANO: What did you hear? Explain it to me! Be a little more clear!
ANA LAURA: What you talked about with my father in the library the other day! That’s what I’m talking about! That’s what I heard!
MARIANO: Is that it? No, my love, my love! You’re confusing everything! You’re confusing everything!
ANA LAURA: Ah, I’m confusing everything! A paper in exchange for another! Me, agreeing to marry you to save my father’s life!
MARIANO: This business deal was your father’s idea! But I assure you, it has nothing to do with our marriage! I assure you!
ANA LAURA: I can’t believe this! This business deal was my father’s idea?
MARIANO: Yes! It was your father, honestly!
ANA LAURA: Oh, my God! My God! Well, it doesn’t matter! I will not change my decision!
MARIANO: What are you saying? That you won’t marry me?
ANA LAURA: No, I will never marry you. Never! Now, will you please leave?
MARIANO: Ana, Ana! You can’t refuse to marry me!
ANA LAURA: Oh, no? And why not? Are you going to force me?
MARIANO: Not I, the circumstances will.
ANA LAURA: Are you threatening me?
MARIANO: It’s too bad, Anita! We could have gotten married willingly, but I see we’ll have to do it the wrong way!
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-PEDRO IS TALKING TO CHOCOLATE-

PEDRO: That’s the way things are, my friend. You’ll have to spend the night alone. I’ll come early tomorrow morning. And please behave, because what these people like is to use the whip at every move.

-PEDRO PICKS UP HIS SMALL SUITCASE. HE’S GOING TO MAKE HIS WAY INTO TOWN TO FIND A PLACE TO SLEEP, WHEN JULIETA APPEARS-

JULIETA: Pedro! Where are you going with that suitcase?
PEDRO: I’m going into town, to find a place to sleep.
JULIETA: Aren’t you staying here in the estancia?
PEDRO: No. I’m a caretaker without a bed to sleep on!
JULIETA: What if you can’t find a place to sleep?
PEDRO: Then, I’ll sleep in the fields! It wouldn’t be the first time. Besides, it’s nicer.
JULIETA: Why don’t you come live with us?
PEDRO: No, my love. Thank you, really, but that’s impossible.

-MARISOL COMES OVER AND JOINS THEM-

MARISOL: It’s good to know there’s a place where I can always find you!
JULIETA: Yes, that’s good. Oh, I have news for you. Pedro is sleeping at home with us.
MARISOL: What? They didn’t give you a place to stay?
PEDRO: No.
JULIETA: It doesn’t matter. Everything is taken care of. He’s sleeping at home.
MARISOL: Julieta, we don’t have a comfortable place….
PEDRO: No, that’s crazy. There’s no way…
JULIETA: What? You don’t want to stay with me?
PEDRO: No, it’s not that. I just don’t want to give your mother any trouble, my love.
JULIETA: Mom! Say something!
MARISOL: The only thing I can offer you is a sofa.
PEDRO: No, I already said no. Thank you.
JULIETA: Oh, come on, Pedro. Please!
MARISOL: We don’t lose anything by trying!
PEDRO: No, really. I don’t want you to go to any trouble.
MARISOL: Come on. You’ll be closer to your horse. It’s a good idea.

-MARISOL SMILES AND PEDRO AGREES TO STAY. JULIETA RUNS TO HUG PEDRO-

MARISOL: Shall we go?
PEDRO: Let’s go!

-THE THREE OF THEM WALK TOGETHER. JULIETA, HOLDING ON TO PEDRO’S HAND-
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

-PATRICIA IS SITTING IN THE LIVING ROOM AND IS TALKING TO GUNTHER, WHO IS CLEARING AWAY A TRAY WITH THE TEA SERVINGS-

PATRICIA: This business of spending the night at that horrible place drives me crazy. I hate hospitals, Gunther!
GUNTHER: If Frau wants, I can help taking care of him!
PATRICIA: What nonsense! I’m the wife, I have to deal with this. Although, it is to both our benefit that he remains alive for a long time!
GUNTHER: Yes, Frau.

-GUNTHER LEAVES WITH THE TRAY. CECILIA AND ALVARO WALK IN-

CECILIA: How’s your husband?
PATRICIA: He’s there. Improving little by little.
CECILIA: Poor man!
PATRICIA: Yes, what can one do! I heard the good news! Ana Laura is back?
ALVARO: Yes!
PATRICIA: Was there a reconciliation?

-MARIANO WALKS IN THE HOUSE AT THAT MOMENT-

MARIANO: No. But there will be a wedding, nevertheless.
PATRICIA: Well, congratulations. I’m very happy for you.
MARIANO: Thank you very much. Tell Ignacio I will go see him tomorrow.
PATRICIA: Yes, of course. Now, if you excuse me, I need some rest. Good night.

-CECILIA, ALVARO AND MARIANO ARE LEFT IN THE ROOM-

CECILIA: What’s that about the wedding?
MARIANO: We haven’t set a new date, but it will be no later than this week.
ALVARO: You have come to an agreement with her?
MARIANO: You could say that.
CECILIA: This deserves a toast!
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-LETICIA AND ERICA ARE WITH ANA LAURA IN HER BEDROOM. ANA LAURA IS ON THE PHONE WITH THE FAMILY LAWYER, ESTEBAN MOLINA. ANA LAURA MAKES ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE LAWYER TO COME AND SEE HER LATER ON. SHE HANGS UP THE PHONE-

LETICIA: Can you trust him? These guys often do a turn around.
ANA LAURA: Of course he can be trusted! He’s Doctor Molina. He’s worked for the family for years! You know him!
LETICIA: I do? Yes, yes. He’s very cute!
ERICA: Yes, and very married!*
*Molina being married. This is another of the inconsistencies found with the novela. If Molina was married at this point, it sure didn’t interfere with his character later on! Maybe the answer lies with all those episodes we didn’t get to see!
ANA LAURA: He’s going to help me. I’m not going to make it easy for Mariano.
LETICIA: Are you sure you don’t want to marry him?
ANA LAURA: Would you marry him if you were in my place? Do you think I would be able to trust him again?
ERICA: No, especially now that Pedro is in the picture!
ANA LAURA: Excuse me? What does Pedro have to do with any of this?
ERICA: Listen, girl. He’s gorgeous! Admit it!
ANA LAURA: He’s an attractive man, but he really is not my type.

-AT THIS COMMENT FROM ANA LAURA, LETICIA AND ERICA LAUGH HYSTERICALLY-

ERICA: Attractive, nothing more?
ANA LAURA: I don’t see what’s so funny, You should really pay attention to what goes on in this house when I’m not here!
LETICIA: All right, but whatever you decide to do, do it soon.
ANA LAURA: Yes, I’m going to have to move fast, because I don’t want to give Mariano the upper hand.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-MARISOL’S HOUSE. MARISOL, PEDRO AND JULIETA HAVE JUST FINISHED DINNER. THE THREE OF THEM ARE STILL SITTING AT THE TABLE, BUT JULIETA BEGINS TO LOOK TIRED.

-MARISOL: Why don’t you go to bed? Go on, you’re very sleepy!
JULIETA: I think you’re right, mom.
MARISOL: Well, a kiss and go brush your teeth.

-JULIETA ASKS PEDRO IF HE’D LIKE TO READ HER A BEDTIME STORY-

MARISOL: Don’t pay attention to her!
JULIETA: Come on, I like to listen to stories before going to sleep.
PEDRO: Well, I…I…
MARISOL: No! I’ll tell you a story later.
JULIETA: No, mom! I already know all your stories.
MARISOL: This one you haven’t heard! It’s new! Listen to me! Once upon a time, there was a little girl who was very dirty and she wanted to go to bed without taking a shower or brushing her teeth, and then her mother told her that if she didn’t do everything she said, and she didn’t stop nagging, the mother was going to tell her new friend that sometimes she…..
JULIETA: All right, mom! Stop! I understand! The story is great but I think I better go to bed!

-PEDRO HAS BEEN LISTENING TO ALL THIS WITH A BIG SMILE ON HIS FACE. JULIETA GETS UP FROM HER CHAIR, GIVES PEDRO A KISS, AND RUNS TO HUG MARISOL AND THEN GOES TO BED-

PEDRO: This daughter of your is a little horror! She doesn’t stop!

-PEDRO GETS UP FROM THE TABLE AND BEGINS TO CLEAR THE DISHES FROM THE TABLE. MARISOL STOPS HIM-

MARISOL: No, please. There are only three plates!
PEDRO: It’s the least I can do! I’m beginning to think the only people that like me around here, are you two!
MARISOL: This is going to sound crazy, but I like the way you are. You are not afraid to say what you think. In general, people around here are very submissive. I don’t know if they are going to like you, but they will respect you.
PEDRO: You are right in something. People here are a little different. I don’t know. Ana Laura, for example.
MARISOL: What about her?
PEDRO: I don’t know. Her behavior is a little strange. I wonder how it went with Mariano.
MARISOL: From Mariano, you can never expect anything good.
PEDRO: You can’t stand him, right?

-MARISOL DOES NOT ANSWER-

PEDRO: I’m sorry. Sometimes I’m a little meddlesome.

-MARISOL, STANDING AT THE KITCHEN SINK AND WITH HER BACK TO PEDRO, BEGINS TO CRY-

PEDRO: I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to upset you!
MARISOL: No, it’s all right. Don’t worry. –SHE CONTINUES CLEARING THE TABLE-
PEDRO: That man has hurt you!
MARISOL: I’m sorry! I don’t want to talk about that!

-MARISOL RUNS OUT OF THE ROOM CRYING-
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-NEXT DAY. THE HOSPITAL. MARIANO IS STANDING OVER IGNACIO’S BED, TALKING TO HIM-

MARIANO: Your daughter finally showed up. But she comes with a little surprise. She doesn’t want to get married! I think it’s time we tell her how everything stands, don’t you think? I’d like you to tell her, but if you take too long, I’ll do it myself. Because the bill collectors, the debts, don’t wait.

-IGNACIO TRIES TO TALK, BUT MARIANO DOESN’T LET HIM-

MARIANO: I wonder what would happen if your daughter doesn’t change her mind? It’s awful being in the hospital, but it’s a lot worse being in prison, don’t you think?

-MARIANO PULLS THE OXYGEN MASK AWAY FROM IGNACIO’S FACE-

MARIANO: Let’s trust that Anita will accept to marry me, for everyone’s benefit.

-MARIANO REPLACES THE OXYGEN MASK ON IGNACIO, AND WALKS OUT OF THE ROOM. HE WALKS DOWN THE HALL AND SEES ANA LAURA TALKING WITH ESTEBAN MOLINA, THE FAMILY ATTORNEY. MARIANO HIDES AND LISTENS TO THE CONVERSATION-

ANA LAURA: It doesn’t matter what business transactions my father made. We can always begin at the bottom, that’s not a problem.
MOLINA: I wish it were that easy.
ANA LAURA: What are you talking about? I own land, I can sell it. I don’t think Erica would mind….
MOLINA: It’s not only a matter of money, Ana Laura. If your father doesn’t pay his debts, he could go to prison. The only ones who can help him, are Mariano and Alvaro.
ANA LAURA: I don’t understand.
MOLINA: This is how it is! Either you marry Mariano, or your father goes to prison for fraud.

-MARIANO SMILES WHEN HE HEARS MOLINA TELLING ANA LAURA THIS-
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-THE ESTANCIA. VICTORIA WALKS IN THE HOUSE. LISA TELLS HER MARIANO IS NOT HOME. VICTORIA THEN ASKS FOR ROBERTO. LISA GOES TO CHECK IF ROBERTO IS IN. IN THE MEANTIME, VICTORIA SITS DOWN AND WAITS. CECILIA WALKS IN-

CECILIA: Victoria!
VICTORIA: Oh, I didn’t think I’d find you here.
CECILIA: How dare you show your face here again!
VICTORIA: Pardon me?
CECILIA: I want you to leave this house. I want you to leave immediately!
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-THE HOSPITAL. ANA LAURA IS SITTING OUT IN THE HALL. SHE IS CRYING INCONSOLABLY. PEDRO ARRIVES AND SEES HOW UPSET SHE IS, AND KNEELS DOWN IN FRONT OF HER-

PEDRO: Ana, did something happen to your father?
ANA LAURA: No.
PEDRO: What’s wrong?
ANA LAURA: I’m desperate.
PEDRO: Why? What happened?
ANA LAURA: They are forcing me to marry Mariano, or else, my father will go to prison. Hug me, please! Hug me! I don’t want to marry him!

-ANA LAURA FALLS INTO PEDRO’S ARMS. HE PUTS HIS ARMS, TENDERLY, AROUND HER AND AT THAT MOMENT, MARIANO ARRIVES. HE’S SURPRISED TO FIND ANA LAURA IN PEDRO’S ARMS-
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-BACK TO THE ESTANCIA, WITH VICTORIA AND CECILIA-

CECILIA: What are you doing here?
VICTORIA: I’m waiting for your son. We’re doing business together, did you know?
CECILIA: Yes, I know.
VICTORIA: It’s interesting to see that after 25 years, I still make you nervous!
CECILIA: I don’t want you here. Leave my house now!
VICTORIA: Your house? Do I have the wrong address?

-ALVARO APPEARS AT THAT MOMENT-

ALVARO: What are you doing here, Victoria?
CECILIA: Ask her to leave!
VICTORIA: I came to talk to Mariano.
ALVARO: Mariano is not here, and I don’t think he’ll be back anytime soon.
VICTORIA: Oh, well, in that case, please tell him I’m looking for him.

-VICTORIA RISES FROM HER SEAT AND ADDRESSES CECILIA-

VICTORIA: See how easy that was? - VICTORIA WALKS AWAY-
CECILIA: I don’t ever want to see her again! How many times do I have to tell you?
ALVARO: I didn’t ask her to come!
CECILIA: You’re to blame for everything that happened! It’s all your fault!
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-BACK TO THE HOSPITAL-

MARIANO: Excuse me, Am I interrupting something here?

-PEDRO AND ANA LAURA ARE SURPRISED TO SEE MARIANO. PEDRO RELEASES ANA LAURA AND THEY BOTH STAND UP. ANA LAURA BECOMES VERY NERVOUS-

PEDRO: No, nothing. I just stopped by to see how Ana’s father is doing.
MARIANO: And since when do you care about Ana’s father?
PEDRO: Since he fell ill in my arms.
ANA LAURA: It’s all right, Pedro, you may go.

-PEDRO LOOKS SURPRISED THAT ANA LAURA IS DISMISSING HIM IN THAT MANNER AND HE REPEATS, ALMOST SARCASTICALLY-

PEDRO: I may go?
ANA LAURA: Yes, you may go, thank you!
PEDRO: All right. _ -HE WALKS AWAY-
MARIANO: Pedro? What a nice relationship you have with that little peon!
ANA LAURA: Why are you here?
MARIANO: I assume Dr. Molina talked to you and explained to you how things stand.
ANA LAURA: Yes, don’t worry. He explained everything. But I’d like to tell you that I’m taking a little time to give you my answer.
MARIANO: I see. It looks as if these new frienships are filling your head with ideas.
ANA LAURA: No, I don’t need anyone to tell me you are garbage!
MARIANO: I don’t know you anymore.
ANA LAURA: We don’t always get to know someone completely. –SHE WALKS AWAY-
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………….

-MARISOL IS AT HOME, PREPARING A PIE FOR BAKING. SHE IS SINGING AS SHE WORKS, AND JULIETA IS WATCHING HER-

MARISOL: What are you looking at?
JULIETA: I was listening to you!
MARISOL: Do you like it? My mother used to sing it to me when I was little.
JULIETA: I like it when you sing. Sing a little bit more.

-MARISOL CONTINUES SINGING. THE SONG IS ABOUT A CAT WITH A LITTLE STAIN ON ITS NOSE, AND EVERYTIME THE CAT WOULD HEAR A GUITAR PLAY, SHE WOULD MEOW. MARISOL FINISHES THE SONG AND SHE AND JULIETA CHEER AND CLAP THEIR HANDS TOGETHER. IT IS AT THIS MOMENT THAT ROSA, THE COOK, WALKS IN-

ROSA: What’s all this noise? What are you celebrating?
JULIETA: That my mom’s in love!
MARISOL: How did you come up with that nonsense?
ROSA: The question becomes, with whom? If one must know!
JULIETA: Pedro!
ROSA: Who?
JULIETA: Pedro! That’s why she let him stay with us!
MARISOL: Julieta! Go play or do something productive, but get out of here! -JULIETA LEAVES-
ROSA: It seems the truth scares you!
MARISOL: Don’t pay attention to her. You know how she is. One day she’s going to get me in trouble.
ROSA: You can’t deny your daughter picked a very good looking boyfriend for you.
MARISOL: You stop that, too!
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-PEDRO IS IN THE STABLES, WHEN VICTORIA ARRIVES-

VICTORIA: Pedro!
PEDRO: Victoria, what a surprise!
VICTORIA: I couldn’t find you! Where were you?

-THEY HUG AND KISS EACH OTHER ON THE CHEEK-

PEDRO: I went to the hospital.
VICTORIA: Tell me, how is Ignacio?
PEDRO: He’s better. The one who is not well is Ana Laura. She’s desperate. She has to marry Mariano or else her father will go to prison.
VICTORIA: I didn’t think the situation was that serious! But tell me, how is everything around here?
PEDRO: It’s a little difficult. They refused to give lodging in the estancia, but they still expect me to keep up with the schedule.
VICTORIA: Why didn’t you tell me about this problem?
PEDRO: I didn’t want to bother you. Besides, Marisol has been a great help. Do you know her?
VICTORIA: Yes, of course I know her. Marisol’s mother, Ana Laura’s mother and myself, were very close friends.
PEDRO: She’s an extraordinary person!
VICTORIA: In spite of the inconveniences, it looks like you’re adapting well to this place.
PEDRO: Yes, I am.

-TOTI ARRIVES. HE GREETS VICTORIA AND REMINDS PEDRO THAT IT’S TIME TO EXERCISE CHOCOLATE. HE OFFERS TO DO IT HIMSELF, BUT PEDRO TELLS HIM HE’LL GET TO IT RIGHT AWAY. TOTI LEAVES-

VICTORIA: Please give this to Ana. It’s the name and number of my attorney.
PEDRO: She has one already.
VICTORIA: Yes, but a second opinion always comes in handy. And I beg you, if anything happens to you, call me.
PEDRO: Yes, yes, of course!
VICTORIA: Good luck and take care. Ciao.

-THEY HUG AND KISS ONCE AGAIN, AND VICTORIA WALKS AWAY. PEDRO GOES INTO THE STALL TO GET CHOCOLATE. CARMEN IS HIDING AROUND THE CORNER OF THE BUILDING. SHE’D BEEN LISTENING TO THE CONVERSATION BETWEEN PEDRO AND VICTORIA-
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-IN THE LIBRARY, MARIANO AND ESTEBAN MOLINA, ANA LAURA’S FAMILY ATTORNEY, ARE SITTING ACROSS THE DESK, TALKING TO ALVARO-

MOLINA: Ana Laura’s reaction surprised me. I don’t think she’ll be willing to accept all this so easily.
MARIANO: It’s that negrito that is filling her head with ideas.
ALVARO: Stop talking nonsense, Mariano.
MARIANO: He’s much more dangerous than you think, father.
ALVARO: Now is not the time to talk about something so stupid. Molina, did you bring what I asked you to prepare?

-MOLINA HANDS ALVARO A DOCUMENT AT THIS TIME. PATRICIA, IN THE HALLWAY, IS APPROACHING THE LIBRARY. SHE STOPS OUTSIDE THE DOOR AND LISTENS TO THE CONVERSATION GOING ON INSIDE-

MARIANO: What is that?
ALVARO: A pre-nuptial agreement. Do you know what this is for? To pressure Ana Laura into selling us the lands. It has to be signed immediately.

-PATRICIA OPENS THE DOOR-

PATRICIA: I’m sorry, I didn’t think anyone would be in here.
MARIANO: Did you need anything?
PATRICIA: No, no, thanks.

-OUTSIDE THE DOOR, PATRICIA WONDERS WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO THEM IF ANA LAURA SELLS THE LAND TO THE LINARES-
………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

-IN THE LIVING ROOM, CECILIA IS SITTING DOWN, CARMEN ARRIVES-

CARMEN: Are you feeling better, Señora?
CECILIA: A little. That woman has a horrible effect on me!
CARMEN: I have news for you. I listened to a conversation between Pedro and Victoria. She handed Pedro a business card for Ana Laura.
CECILIA: What does she have to do with Ana?
CARMEN: I honestly don’t know. But they talked about her the entire time. And also about Marisol.
CECILIA: Marisol? But, this is a conspiracy! What is this woman trying to do?
CARMEN: I don’t know. That’s all I can tell you.
CECILIA: You did good telling me this. Pay attention. Anything they say could be useful.
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-TOTI AND CHAPA ARE TALKING TO PEDRO AND JULIETA. MATIAS ARRIVES-

MATIAS: Balmaceda, I saw you arrive with my horse. Where did you go?
JULIETA: To walk him a little. Chocolate needs exercise!
MATIAS: He’ll get it! When the trainer gets here, I’m going to start all that!
JULIETA: You could have the best trainer in the world, but if the rider is not good, we have serious problems!

-AT THIS COMMENT MADE BY JULIETA, PEDRO LOOKS THE OTHER WAY, HIDING A SMILE. TOTI LAUGHS ALOUD, WHILE CHAPA KEEPS ON ELBOWING TOTI, TRYING TO GET HIM TO STOP LAUGHING-

MATIAS: That she made a silly comment like that is understandable, because she’s just a little girl, but what are you laughing at, you idiot?
PEDRO: Before you ride him, you should get to know him better.
MATIAS: I know him well enough. All that is left to do, is ride him.

-MATIAS WALKS AWAY-

JULIETA: He should stop wasting time, otherwise, he’ll be an embarrassment during the competition.

-JULIETA HERSELF, SEEMS EMBARRASSED AT THIS MOMENT, BY A COMMENT MADE BY TOTI, AFTER MATIAS LEFT. HE QUOTES AN OLD SAYING THAT IMPPLIED THAT JULIETA WAS ALWAYS GIVING MATIAS A HARD TIME BECAUSE SHE LIKES HIM-

-JULIETA: Well….I better go.
PEDRO: I do, too. I have to go see Leticia.

-TOTI IS STILL LAUGHING AND CHAPA STANDS THERE LOOKING AT HIM, AND NOT SAYING ANYTHING-
…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

-PEDRO GOES TO THE MAIN HOUSE LOOKING FOR LETICIA. LISA TELLS HIM LETICIA IS NOT IN AND SHE ASKS IF HE’D LIKE TO WAIT FOR HER. ANA LAURA ARRIVES AND ASKS PEDRO TO COME IN. PEDRO ADDRESSES LISA AND SAYS HE PREFERS TO COME BACK ANOTHER TIME-

PEDRO: Please tell Leticia that….
ANA LAURA: Pedro! Lisa, it’s all right. I’ll see to Pedro. Pedro, come in, don’t be rude. Come in.

-PEDRO IS STILL UPSET ABOUT THE WAY ANA LAURA DISMISSED HIM AT THE HOSPITAL AND HE DOESN’T WANT TO TALK TO HER-

PEDRO: It’s not that, I have a lot of things to do…
ANA LAURA: Please, I need to talk to you, just for a minute.

-PEDRO, RELUCTANT TO STAY, IS TRYING TO KEEP HIS DISTANCE-

ANA LAURA: I’d like to apologize to you.
PEDRO: It’s not necessary.
ANA LAURA: I believe it is. At the hospital, when I saw Mariano, I became nervous. I was very confused.
PEDRO: It was understandable. Your father’s situation. You were upset. Everything is fine.

-PEDRO TRIES TO WALK AWAY. ANA LAURA STOPS HIM-

ANA LAURA: No, no. It’s not all right. I need to clear this up, because it’s bothering me. I never meant to put you in an awkward situation, do you understand? Suddenly, I needed you to hug me and…

-SUDDENLY, ANA LAURA EMBRACES PEDRO AGAIN….PEDRO SEEMS TAKEN ABACK AND VERY SURPRISED, BUT HE PUTS HIS ARMS AROUND HER. HE FEELS MOVED BY HER APOLOGY-

ANA LAURA: And…I don’t know, I think I made a mistake.
PEDRO: Well, it was what it was!

-THEY LOOK AT EACH OTHER AND ANA LAURA PULLS AWAY. PEDRO IS TRYING TO TALK, BUT STILL SEEMS A LITTLE AFFECTED BY WHAT JUST HAPPENED-

PEDRO: I, also…I found myself in an embarrassing situation. I didn’t know what I was doing, and besides, I also put you in a difficult situation in front of Mariano.

ANA LAURA: I’m asking you to forgive me. Will you forgive me?
PEDRO: Yes, yes! There’s no problem! You are completely forgiven! -HE SMILES-
ANA LAURA: Well, friends, then? Yes?

-ANA LAURA SMILES AND EXTENDS HER HAND TO PEDRO IN FRIENDSHIP. PEDRO TAKES IT AND THEY LOOK INTENTLY IN EACH OTHER’S EYES-

ANA LAURA: Friends?
PEDRO: Friends!

-AFTER A FEW AWKWARD MOMENTS, PEDRO REACTS FIRST-

PEDRO: Ana, Victoria gave me this card for you. It’s the name of her lawyer, in case you need it.
ANA LAURA: No, I don’t think a lawyer can help me. But thank you, anyway.
PEDRO: Victoria says you shouldn’t get married under these circumstances.
ANA LAURA: If I don’t get married, a lot of people around me will suffer.
PEDRO: And what about you? Don’t you care about your own happiness?
ANA LAURA: Even so, I have to get married.
PEDRO: Look, I know I’m nobody to tell you this, but I feel the same way Victoria does. Don’t get married, Ana Laura. Don’t do it!