“Just try to lay a finger on me, Nadya, and I’ll make you disappear from Maxwell. I know some secrets that I can use against you. How will your parents react when they find out that their precious daughters are nothing but thieves?”
Myrna apologized to Daniela for having mistaken Romina for Carlos’ wife since they both looked the same age. “Who was that?” she asked.
“Oh, that woman?… My stepmother,” Daniela said.
“You’re stepmother? Oh, I hope I didn’t offend your father.”
“It’s okay. It’s understandable. Carlos all his brothers were still young when you left, so it’s obvious that you’re clueless.”
Marga and Cassie came up. Daniela told Myrna that Marga was their daughter. Cassie excused herself and by Marga asked who Myrna was.
“Your grandmother, apparently,” Daniela replied. “She’s your father’s newly resurrected mother.”
“Hello, Marga.” Myrna offered her a smile before hugging her.
In the kitchen, Mina had a talk with Carlos concerning his mother. “I remember you told me before how hurt you were feeling when your mother left you. But she’s back now. Don’t allow your anger to consume you. Time flies so fast.
You may regret it later. You’re lucky that your mother is still alive and well. My mother’s gone and I can never bring her back no matter what. You can replace the painful memories of the past with happy ones, so please think it over.”
The Mondragons had dinner with Kulas and his family. Jude came in and Kulas told Robert that he had invited him over to join them for dinner. Robert said it was fine with him. Neil got up while Jude took his seat at the table and Mina told him to relax and not to be shy.
“Be like Kulas. He feels free here,” Robert said to Jude.
“Of course. This is like our second home,” Kulas commented.
Robert mentioned that it had been a long time since the dining table was full. “Thank you for staying for dinner,” he said.
“Thank you for being so welcoming to me and my family,” Myrna told him.
“You should stay longer next time, maybe overnight,” Daniela jumped in. “There’s a pool outside, treat it like your family outing,”
“Just tell our helpers in the house if there’s anything you need,” Mina added.
“Thank you.”
Kulas shoved some food into his mouth. “What’s this? It tastes like grass.”
“It’s peso,” Daniela told him, sounding bored.
“That’s Daniela’s specialty,” Robert told him. “She prepared it. Myrna, try it. It’s actually good.”
“Mommy, it’s superb,” Marga commented.
“Thank you,” Daniela said. “That’s a given since I prepared it, right?”
Neil stood with Esther a few steps away from the dining table. “Nanny, I feel like I have indigestion,” Neil said to Esther, making a funny face.
Daniela approached Mina after dinner and told her that she hoped she had had fun entertaining their guests earlier.
“I always make sure that every guest enjoys themselves here,” Mina said.
“Exactly,” Daniela said to her. “I don’t know how you do it. You managed to entertain my mother-in-law despite the awkward atmosphere. It’s as if you two really understand each other.”
“Well, they faced us nicely. And am just trying to he a good hostess.”
“Sure.”
“Is there anything wrong with what I did, Daniela?”
“Oh, not all. Am actually glad you were there. It was a shock for me and Carlos but thankfully, you spoke to Carlos about his mother before dinner, because if it were me, I’d tell him to kick her out and never talk to her again after everything she did.”
“It’s not you who will make the decision, Daniela. It’s up to Carlos, and no matter what, she’s still his mother.”
“That’s why I have to get involved. Carlos is my husband. Whoever gets into his life will also become part of ours, don’t you think?”
“I’m sorry Daniela. I understand if you think am not in the position to speak about it. It’s your decision as a couple. It won’t happen again.”
“Thank you Romina. I knew you’d understand.”
At Kulas’ house, Gino was going to bed when his mother asked him to stay for a while and tell her some stories. Myrna said she wanted to make it up to Carlos but she didn’t know much about the people they were with a while a go.
“The Mondragons?” Gino said. “Well… before Carlos married Daniela, he was actually in a relationship with Romina.”
“Mr. Robert’s wife?” Myrna asked, surprised.
“Romina used to be our neighbor,” Gino went on. “Carlos lōvêd her very much and they were going to get married but something happened and they broke up.”
“Why? What happened?” Myrna asked.
“Romina was rãpëd. That’s why they broke up and the wedding was cancelled. And Daniela married Carlos.”
“Really? So that’s why I felt tension between them earlier,” Myrna said.
“It was awkward. Ever since they broke up, Daniela has always been angry with Romina. She and her father didn’t talk for a long time too.”
“They seem wealthy,” Myrna commented.
“They’re filthy rich. They own Camila Sardines.”
“How about you? Tell me more about you. Do you have a girlfriend?”
“Girlfriend?” Gino got up from the bed. “Ma, of all things you can ask, it’s not yet my priority. Am too young for that.”
“Come on, son, you’re too handsome not to be noticed by women.”
“Am going to bed, mom,” Gino said, hurrying out. “Have a good night sleep.”
Myrna laughed. “He doesn’t want to answer the question,” she said to herself.
At the mansion, Carlos had a flashback of when his mother had come in and asked for his forgiveness. He dropped some documents he was carrying and he was frustrated when he wasn’t able to easily pick them up from the floor. Suddenly, he threw his crutches away angrily.
Daniela came in a second later. “Carlos, what’s happening?” she asked. “You should have told me or the maids if you needed anything.”
“Nothing. Am not useless, okay?!”
“Am not saying that, just let me know what you need.” Daniela bent down to pick up the documets on the floor.
“No, I’ll get it. I messed up. I’ll fix it!”
“What’s this really about, Carlos? Is it your mother’s unannounced visit? Carlos, don’t take out your anger on me. If you didn’t like what happened earlier, neither did I. But it wasn’t me who invited them and convinced you to have dinner with her. It was Romina. I did nothing wrong.”
In the living room, Cassie’s phone beeped and she hurried over behind the stairs to check her messages. One of the guys from the Open Mic Night had invited her to an upcoming street art event. While she was typing a reply, Daniela caught her and asked what she was doing.
“Who’s been texting you? I heard your phone ring,” Danny girl said.
“It’s no one,” Cassie replied.
“Is it a boyfriend?”
“What? No, it’s not. Am too young for that, Daniela…am talking to my friend I met at the Open Mic Night. His friends are holding a street art event. Their group is really talented that’s why I really want to attend, but…”
“But?”
“But am sure mamma won’t allow me. Especially after what happened last time.”
“Hmmm, Cassie,” Danny girl said, taking her hand. “Your sister is here to help you. I’ll take care of it.” Cassie smiled in appreciation. Meanwhile, Marga stood at the top of the stairs, watching them jealously.
“Really?” Cassie asked.
Danny girl nodded and smiled. Marga seemed pissed off from up there. Marga was sulking at the poolside when Daniela found her. Danny girl said she had been looking for her everywhere and Marga told her she hadn’t been able to sleep.
“Why were you talking to Cassie earlier?” Marga asked.
“Don’t worry about that. Don’t tell me you’re jealous,” Danny girl said. “That was all part of the plan, an act.”
“What are you up to mommy? The plan won’t harm Cassie, right?”
“Marga in life you have to look out for no one but yourself. We have to do everything it takes, so that in the end we’ll surely win. And if you’re on my side, you’ll never lose.”
“Why does being number one matter so much to you?” Marga asked.
“Because if you’re not number one, you’re nothing, you’re insignificant. Marga, am doing all of this to make sure you have everything because I know what it feels like to be second best. Success is the only thing that matters. Always remember that.”
Danny girl then splattered some water on Marga’s face, saying that she looked sad and hadn’t washed her face yet. Marga laughed and Danny girl laughed along with her.
At Camila, Bonita asked Neil to sign a memo for disciplinary action due to the documents he had misplaced. She told him not to take it the wrong way and Neil said he understood and that he had to face the consequences because he didn’t want his sister to be blamed for his actions.
Bonita was surprised that he had taken it so well. “Hmmm, you’re definitely siblings,” she said.
Marga stood staring at the Maxwell Prime trophy. The Mean Squad approached. “Just enjoy staring at it, because you’ll not be there again,” Nadya mocked.
Marga turned to face them. “How can you say that I won’t win? Unlike other people, I don’t need people backups to win.”
“Are you referring to us?”
“If it hits you, then you’re guilty.”
“How dare you,” Nadya said, her hand ready to strike.
“Just try to lay a finger on me, Nadya,” Marga dared. “And I’ll make you disappear from Maxwell. All three of you.”
“As if you have the power to do that,” Nica jumped in. “Wake up, Marga.”
“But I know some secrets. Your secrets, that I can use against you.”
“Secrets?” Maureen seemed confused like always. “I don’t have any secrets.” she added foolishly.
“How about… when you stole Cassie’s design for the Eco Fashion Show. How will your parents react when they find out that their precious daughters are nothing but thieves?”
“Go ahead. Tell them,” Nadya challenged. “But you’ll go down with us. You benefited from it to too,” Nica pointed out.
“But you stole the design,” Marga said.
“You don’t even have any proof,” Nadya challenged again.
“With my untarnished image and school records, I can make the whole school believe when I say you were all behind that.”
“Marga, please leave me out of this, alright?” Maureen pleaded. “I don’t wanna go against you. They just forced me. Am sorry.”
“My, oh my, Maureen. Don’t worry. I am willing to forgive. All you have to do is apologize to me and be loyal again.”
“Are you crazy?” Nadya asked. “We could never be friends with someone who’s beneath us.”
“Don’t be so sure, Nadya. Think it over carefully. Your pride or your future?”
Back at the mansion, Kulas brought Myrna to see Carlos. Carlos asked why she was there again and Kulas told him that they both had to talk and fix things.
“Fix what? What she ruined?” Carlos said. “I don’t even know why you let her into your life again.”
“Son…
“Leave now.”
“Carlos…”
“Come on dad, she betrayed you before, and you’re letting her fool you again. If you want to forgive her, then fine, it’s your life. But don’t expect me to do the same.” He turned to Myrna. “You don’t have any right to ask us for anything.”
“Son, am sorry,” Myrna pleaded, laying hold of him.
“Let go of me,” Carlos demanded, shaking her off. “Let me go!”
“Carlos! Your mother is sick!” Kulas yelled. “She just wants to spend time with you and your brothers. While she still can.”
Maureen blamed Nadya and Nica for the situation they were now in. Nica told her that they hadn’t forced her to help them. Maureen asked what their next line of action would be since Marga would definitely carry out her threat if they didn’t give in to her demands.
“Guys, I don’t wanna get suspended,” Maureen said.
“Do you think we want this too?” Nica asked. “My gosh, my parents will k!ll me if they found out about this.” She turned to Nadya. “We need to do something.”
“Why are you so afraid?” Nadya asked. “Am sure it’s just a bluff.”
Out of nowhere, Marga walked up to them. “Do you really want to bet on that, Nadya?” she asked. “Nadya… am a very good friend, and we both know you wouldn’t want to be my enemy.”
After a beat, Nadya stretched out her hand to Marga. “Truce?”
Marga didn’t shake Nadya’s hand though. “I’ll be at our bench. Follow me.” Marga walked away.
“Are you sure about this Nadya?” Nica asked.
“Just for now. But next time, we’ll take her down for good. We will dethrone her, and that will mean… forever.”
Cassie, Kristoff and Fatima sat at a table. Fatima brought out some food and Kristoff asked if it was all for her. Fatima said she had asked her mother to pack more food for her so they could eat together.
“But if you can’t eat them all, then I’ll take care of that,” she added.
Cassie then had the shock of her life to see that Marga had reunited with the Mean Squad. She went over to their table and asked to have a talk with Marga.
“Can’t it wait? We’re bonding here,” Marga told her.
“This won’t take long,” Cassie said, dragging her away. When they were out of the earshot of the Mean Squad, Cassie asked Marga what she was doing with the girls. “I already told you what they did, didn’t I?”
“So?”
“So you should stay away from them.”
“Why do you care, huh?”
“Am just worried about you, Marga.”
“Worried? We both know that’s not true. You’re just like them; you all betrayed me.”
“They’re not true friends, Marga.”
“Cassie, it’s not about friendship. It’s about control. I only hang with them to watch their every move. That way, they won’t be able to betray me again.”
“But…”
“Just mind your own business, okay? I got it all under control.”
At Camila, Mina asked Daniela if she had anything urgent for her to sign. Danny girl told her that she already had the papers ready, adding that she would take care of the commercials. As Mina turned to leave to meet up with a client, her phone beeped and she checked it.
“Is there a problem?” Daniela asked.
“Um…I have to pick up Cassie, but I still have a scheduled meeting.”
“I can go if you want,” Daniela offered.
“Um…no, it’s okay. I’ll just inform Mr. Renee.” (the driver).
“Romina, but Cassie might be expecting you to take her out. I can actually go out with her. That’s what you did with Marga before when you went shopping. Cassie is a nice kid. I also want to bond with her.”
“Daniela, you don’t have to. It’s okay.”
“It’s just dinner,” Danny girl tried to persuade. “Romina, come on.”
“Dinner?” Robert was approaching. “What about dinner? Who’s having dinner?”
“Daniela offered to fetch Cassie from school,” Mina explained. “And she wants to have dinner with her. I can’t leave because I still have a meeting.”
“Dad, just give me a chance,” Danny girl pleaded. “That’s all am asking for, Romina. Cassie is a nice girl. Please.”
“Hmmm… I don’t see anything wrong with it,” Robert said. “It’s actually good, so that the both of you can bond. Go.”
Mina forced a smile. “Okay.”
“Have fun,” Robert said, leaving with Mina.
“We’ll have so much fun,” Danny girl said to herself mischievously.
Daniela went to pick up Cassie from school. She told her that the event she had wanted to attend was happening today. “Let’s go,” she urged.
“Wait, but mama doesn’t know am going there.”
“I’ll come with you,” Danny girl said.
“But, Daniela… the last time…”
“Cassie, your mom and I talked about it. Believe me. Do you want me to call her now? If you don’t wanna go there then we can just go home. But you don’t wanna miss this chance, right?”
Cassie thought for a second. “Okay. Let’s go there.”
Robert came to Mina’s office and teased her, greeting her with a ki$$. Mina told him that she had a final meeting to attend, apologizing for delaying him. Robert then asked how Daniela was doing at work since he had been hearing good reports about her recently.
“To be honest, I still can’t believe that Daniela is really capable of change,” Mina said. “Her performance at work has improved, so I hope that this continues.”
“That’s good. Lövê, I know that Daniela can be too much sometimes, but am hoping that it’s not yet too late for her. I hope this continues too.”
Daniela and Cassie were at the street art event. Danny girl talked to Savannah on phone, telling her that she was now ‘playing sister’. Savannah asked if she was now close with Mina’s daughter.
“Oh please, don’t make me vomit,” Daniela said. “Although she has good taste in art, almost like a Mondragon.”
“Daniela?” Cassie came up to her and she stopped talking on the phone. “I can’t believe am really here,” she said excitedly. “I don’t know how to thank you.”
“I told you that I will take care of it, right?” Cassie laughed and Danny girl smiled at her. “Anything for you, my dear sister. This will be our little secret, okay?”
The guy who had invited Cassie joined them, telling Cassie that some of his friends wanted to meet her. Cassie left with him and Danny girl got back on the phone.
“Okay, go and enjoy your fake bonding,” Savannah said to her.
The guy introduced Cassie to two of his friends. “Wow, those are really cool tattoos. They look like paintings.”
“Thanks. Am glad you appreciate artists like us,” one of them said. “Am a tattoo artist. Do you want one? I give discounts for first time customers.”
Standing nearby, Daniela had ended the phone call and started recording Cassie as she checked out the tattoos of the guys.
“Thanks, but I think I’ll pass,” Cassie said.
A few minutes later, Cassie told Daniela that she wanted to go home. Daniela told her to keep on enjoying herself since they hadn’t even spent an hour there. Cassie said she had really enjoyed herself and she hadn’t thought that she would have been able to come there.
“Thank you for bringing me here, Daniela,” Cassie said.
“Of course. So next time if there’s an event you want to attend and your mom won’t let you, I can help you. I can talk to her for you. Or I can go with you to make sure you’re safe.”
“This might be the last time. I don’t want to do it again.”
“But why?”
“I don’t want mama to get mad at me, and I don’t want you to get into trouble. She might find out that you’ve been accompanying me and you might fight again. Especially if she finds out that you brought me here. I don’t want that to happen.”
“Cassie, you are a perfect daughter. I don’t understand why your mom is so strict with you,” Danny girl said. “She doesn’t give you any freedom to decide on your own, and that’s very sad.
I don’t see anything wrong with what you’re doing, so the next time you want to attend an event like this, just let me know. I’ll ask your mom. That way, she’ll let you go. Or it could be our little secret if you rather don’t want her to find out where we go.”
Mina and Robert arrived home to find only Marga there. Robert was about to call Daniela when she came in with Cassie.
“Where’d you guys go?” Robert asked.
“Where have you been?” Mina added.
Cassie stared at Daniela.
“Ah, we just watched a movie,” Danny girl said.
“Movie?” Mina stared at Cassie. “You should have invited me and your dad.”
“Next time, invite us too, okay?” Robert added.
“Dad, Romina, we were just bonding as sisters. Don’t make a big deal out of it.”
“We aren’t, Daniela. Am just teasing her. And am not making it a big deal.”
At the Tejada residence, Kristoff talked to someone on phone about another upcoming Open Mic Night. Kristoff said he had only been able to go the first time because his dad had been out of town.
Bernard barged into Kristoff’s room and Kristoff complained, telling him to give him some privacy. Bernard apologized, saying that he was only excited because his aunt had called.
“She told me about some colleges abroad,” Bernard said. “I wanna know what your plans are for college so I can prepare for it.” No response. “But if you aren’t sure, it’s alright. As long as you’re taking a business course.”
“Dad, I wanna go to a music school,” Kristoff said. “I found one in New York.”
“Son, we’re talking about college here. That’s just a summer program.”
“Am serious, dad. I really wanna take music.”
“No, that’s just a hobby.”
“No, dad, that’s my passion. That’s what I want.”
“What you want is no good for you. You can’t make a living becoming a musician. What you need is a real job. A job that can pay you.”
“But dad, that’s not for you to choo…”
“I didn’t bring you here to chase some fantasy. Have you forgotten how many times you had to sleep in the car so your mom could pursue music in LA? Kristoff, your mother chose music over your security and future. And I won’t let you do the same thing to yourself.”
“But dad, please…”
“No, no, no, that’s final.”
At the Mondragon Mansion, Marga complained to Cassie about her being with her mother and not even informing her.
“For someone who claims she doesn’t want to compete, it looks like you’re even competing for my mom’s attention now.”
“Marga, are you mad? Why are you even thinking that I’ll do that? Do you really think I’ll steal your mom from you?”
“Whatever. So tell me, where did you really go? I know you didn’t go to the movies.”
“To see the street art. I told Daniela that I got invited to the event, so she took me there.”
“And you went with her.”
“Why not? Your mom is really nice. I finally know how it feels to have a big sister. I just feel guilty because we had to keep it from mama.”
“You felt guilty but you still went with her.” Marga gave her a look.
Daniela joined Carlos in bed and he asked her about her day.
“Stüpïd office mates. And I had to take Cassie out too,” she complained.
“You went out with Cassie?” Carlos seemed surprised.
Daniela groaned. “Am so exhausted. How was your day?” she asked.
“My mom came here earlier,” Carlos revealed. “Dad says she has cancer. I don’t know what to feel, Daniela. I admit, am mad at her. But am worried about her too. Maybe being at home doesn’t help. I do nothing but think.”
Carlos glanced at Danny girl to find her sound asleep. “Daniela.” No response. Carlos blinked back tears.
At Kulas’ house, Myrna woke up from bed and went to check Gino’s room. She found Gino asleep. Next, she went to Kulas’ room which he now shared with Jude. Kulas and Jude were both asleep. She went back to her room and made a phone call.
“Hello, am here. Am with them now. You were right about everything.”
At Maxwell, Fatima told Cassie that she had a surprise for her. Cassie was excited. She asked what it was. LJ walked in and Cassie embraced her happily. “I’m so glad that you’re back.”
Marga and the Mean Squad approached. “So you’re back.”
“Marga, I thought we were fine. LJ was already suspended for what she did.”
“Cassie, Cassie, Caasie,” Nadya said. “That’s not how things work around here. In Maxwell, the school’s punishment is very different from Marga’s.”
“Really?” Maureen asked intelligently.
Marga gave her a look. “Really.”
“So don’t think it’s all over because LJ was suspended,” Nica added. She eyed LJ. “You know that, freaker, right?”
“Watch your back, freaker,” Marga mocked before leaving with her squad.
At the mansion, Carlos got out of bed to pick up his phone which he had left on a table at the other side of the bedroom. He slipped and almost fell. Daniela came in and helped him up, complaining that all he had to do was ask if he needed anything.
“Now am going to be late,” she said.
“Why, is it too hard for you?” Carlos asked. “If you can’t do it anymore, just tell me.”
“What are you talking about? Of course not.”
“You dozed off on me last night,” Carlos pointed out.
“Come on, Carlos, I was exhausted from work. I’ll make it up to you tonight.”
“Nevermind. Just focus all your energy on your job. Forget that you have a husband. That makes you happy anyways.”
“Carlos, it’s too early for this. Do you think am enjoying what am doing at the office? Taking orders from Romina? Am just doing this for you and our family.”
Carlos gave her a look. “Really? Are you?”
“Yes, because one of us has to work.” Ouch. Carlos looked hurt. “Am sorry.”
“No, forget it. Go to work. I don’t wanna delay you. You might be late.”
Cassie sat with LJ and Kristoff at a table, a laptop in front of them. Fatima came up to them, saying that their advocacy video had already been uploaded onto the Maxwell website. They went to the Maxwell website and found Marga’s advocacy video. Cassie looked genuinely happy for her niece.
“Honestly, they were able to make the advocacy look good even if they didn’t really do anything,” LJ commented. “Especially Nadya.”
Cassie gave her a look. “LJ…”
“What? Am just speaking the truth. We were there too, remember?”
Somewhere in the school, Marga and the Mean Squad watched Cassie’s advocacy video.
“I told you. We should have sabotaged their advocacy,” Nadya said. “It’s getting more views than ours. And you thought you could win more points for Maxwell Prime.”
Marga glared at Nadya. “It would have been better if you had helped, but you didn’t. So just shut up.”
At Camila, Daniela came to see Robert at his office. Robert told her that he had been hearing good things about her work.
“So, does that mean you’re going to promote me?” Daniela asked.
“We’ll get there,” Robert said. “But you need to go through the right process. And you still need to learn a lot of things.”
“Dad, am so sorry to tell you this but I don’t think that I can last long in this kind of job.”
“What? Why?”
“I don’t have time for my family, especially for Carlos.”
Robert sighed. “Daniela, it’s all about time management. Try to balance your time for work and your family. Romina can do that.”
“Ah, I guess so. She even found the time to do some bonding with my husband.”
“Come on, Daniela.”
Robert had a flashback of the night he had seen Mina talking to Carlos in the kitchen and how Carlos had been staring at Mina as she walked away. He also had a flashback of the time Mina had helped Carlos into his wheelchair after he had fallen down.
And then, the night Daniela had slapped Mina after accusing her of flirting with Carlos. “That’s harmless conversation,” Robert said to Daniela.
“Am sure it is dad. That’s what I also keep telling myself, but remember, they had a past relationship. They almost got married.”
“That’s over. What’s past is past. What they felt for each other before is gone because of what happened to them. What’s important to me is the present.”
“Well, as the saying goes dad, ‘you might be able to bury lövê, but it never dies’. It will eventually show.”
“Daniela, don’t you trust your husband?” Robert asked.
“I trust Carlos dad. It’s the foundation of our family I don’t trust. Remember? Romina married you after Carlos left her. Am so sorry if you have to hear this from me.
“I just want to be sure. I want both our marriages to be secured, so if I notice something, I always want to point it out.” Danny girl and Robert stared at each other.
