The Confusionist Game

Antonieta was playing games with the life of Don Guadalupe. Petra came to warn her that, if she doesn't stop inciting Carmelo to search for a non-existent proof that he (Carmelo), was the son of Lupe, she threatened to expose her to the whole village that, she had a son and he is living.

By the time Martina and Lupe arrived back at the ranch, her attitude had changed towards her boyfriend- Romero. This sent Romero into a state of sorrow, and he went to the bar to get drunk. He already suspected that vanity boy, Ricardo, must have deceived Martina during her trip to the city.

Lupe also confessed to Sebastian that Catalina was specially kind and courteous with him while he was at the city.

Martina asked Sebastian to advice her on how to recognize when one is truly in love. Sebastian asked her to tell him why she was interested in such sensitive subject. She confessed to him that Ricardo kissed her when she was in Mexico city, and she had an irresistible feelings for him, but did not know if that was love. Sebastian warned her that Ricardo is the worst in the Negrete family and should not toy with him. He advised that Romero is a cool, affectionate and responsible guy. Notwithstanding all these counsels, Martina later called Romero and broke up with him. Romantic Romero was stunned!

Adela was disappointed to learn that Catalina had traveled to the ranch to meet Sebastian. She told Gustavo that she had sealed a deal with Carmelo, and Catalina has only spoiled the deal by returning to live with Sebastian in the Ranch. Ricardo however comforted her by telling her that rich ignorant girl, Martina, had fallen in love with him.

When Carmelo heard that Catalina had returned to the ranch, he rushed to the foreman's hut to charm her. He was more gentle and pretended that he only wanted to be her friend. He lied to her that Sebastian was a drunken brute and she would soon discover that he was a drunkard and would abuse her. Sebastian was furious to see Carmelo chatting happily with his wife. He indicted her that she could not do without the companionship of any man. If it is not Eduardo yesterday, it would be Carmelo today, and who next, tomorrow?

Having sown confusion and distrust, Carmelo left the couple to slug it out. Sebastian chose to sleep on the couch while he asked her to sleep on the bed. While he pretended to have slept, Catalina woke up and began to weep, saying that he should forgive him for her past mistake. She poured out her sorrows and frustrations, talking to herself, over her unreciprocated love for him. Later the next day, Sebastian went to warn and forbid Carmelo from coming to the shack or chatting with his wife.

Emilia was offended because Carmelo insulted her, and she responded that she was going to 'spoil' Carmelo's enjoyment by going straight to Catalina to tell her the truth that, Sebastian was the true son of Lupe and that she was only being tested. Would she carry out the threat? Next episode would determine that!

Revived from the Shadows of Death...

The virtues of Catalina as an industrious and caring lady with compassion and conscience has begun to emerge, even to the confusion and consternation of her skeptics. As Lupe fainted and collapse on the floor, Catalina took charge and began to roll out instructions for first-aids, to the two girls - Martina and Luisa.

Catalina succeeded in reviving the old man from the shadow of death. By the time the physician arrived and diagnosed Lupe. He announced to him that, he just suffered a bout of heart attack and would need total rest, until comprehensive medical attention is administered on him.

He protested, saying he does not want to spend the night in the house of those whom he did not trust (referring to Catalina and her family). All the courtesy extended to him by Catalina were rejected or reluctantly accepted by him. He and Martina wrongly believed that she was a phony 'actress', trying to be to be nice to them. He bluntly told her that the only thing that would make him better is if he she leaves Sebastian alone by divorce.

Catalina overheard Martina and Luisa hotly arguing in the living room. Martina accused Luisa that her sister (Catalina) of witchcraft for having done something to Sebastian, because Sebastian is still madly in love with Catalina, despite all what Lupe had done to separate them. This was sweet music and great news to the ears of Catalina, she began to make up her mind to travel to go and join her husband (for the third time), in the ranch.

Adela the leach was having great funfair at the ranch because of the exquisite reception given her by creepy and cruel Carmelo. When Sebastian arrived in the ranch, he was told by Romero that Adela was being given grand reception in the mansion by Carmelo. Sebastine stormed out of the Cantina to confront and order Adela the greedy parasite out.

Carmelo came to challenge Sebastian, telling him that in the absence of "his" father, Lupe, only him- the "son" Carmelo, is in charge, and Sebastian should not embarrass his guest (Adela) anymore. Sebastian had to 'step-down' to avoid uncovering the secret plans he had.

Ricardo performed some romantic city-magic (kisses and neckings), on Martina at the penthouse, and suddenly, Martina was swimming in cloud nine, she even told Lupe to relax and spend as much days as possible at the penthouse. Lupe was confused by the sudden change of attitude by Martina, who had been very antagonistic to the Negretes, but now friendly and relaxed.

Carmelo's confidence has grown so much that he even confronted Sebastian in the kitchen that he (Carmelo), is the real and true son of Lupe. Sebastian was mad with irritation but was caged by his own ridiculous identity change and six months test for Catalina.

Meanwhile, rumors began to fly around that Carmelo was keeping Antonete as his mistress because people see him going in and coming out of her house at odd midnight hours. The truth however was that Carmelo did not want his conspiracy with Antonete to be known by anybody, including Adela, that was why he night-crawls to have meetings with Antonete. By the time Adela left the ranch, Carmelo gave her loads of money to help him woo Catalina.

Sebastian became hungry and dared not go into the main house to eat, because he doesn't want Adela to know that he was the true son of Lupe. Suddenly the aroma of a sumptuous meal being cooked penetrated his nostrils and he followed the direction which eventually led him to Carmelo's former shack where he Sebastian, now lives. He was astonished when he entered to find Catalina in the kitchen cooking his food.

Before Sebastian began to challenge her for her surprise appearance, she told him that as his wife, her place is by his side and not at the city. she also explined the evil tricks of Emilia assuring him that the encounter at the restaurant was a trap set by Emilia for Eduardo and her.

Petra took courage and came to confront Antonete with the ugly secret she had ran away from for over 30 years. That her son is alive and not dead, and would soon show up!

(Remember Antonete had paid a handsome money to Petra, some 30 years ago to help her drown her newly born baby-boy in a remote river. Petra wisely took the money but disobeyed the evil agenda to kill that son. She raised the son, lying to all around her that the boy was her unknown sister's son. I wont be surprised if Carmelo was that bastard son).