“Boys, we need to be practical. Look at Romina. When Carlos stood her up at the altar, then bam! She went after the rich boss. Look at her now, she hit the jackpot. She’s smart. And that’s how we should think.”
Savannah went to see Daniela at the company and mentioned that she looked hungry and starving, asking if her stepmother was bullying her. Daniela told her that it wasn’t because of ‘that golddigger’; it was because she wanted to prove herself. Savannah then took the file Mina had brought earlier and asked Daniela why Mina was helping her then.
Daniela took the file and dumped it into the dustbin. At Maxwell, Cassie stopped LJ and asked if she was avoiding her. LJ said she was, and once again, Cassie tried to convince her to admit what she had done to the authorities. LJ told her that she didn’t regret it and it was nothing compared to what Marga had done to her. LJ feared that Marga would bully her more if she found out.
“Marga wouldn’t do that,” Cassie said. “And besides, I’m here. I’ve got your back.”
LJ shook her head. “I’m sorry, Cassie. You really don’t know the real Marga but I do.” LJ walked away, and Cassie was left wondering.
At the mansion, Kulas and Jude had brought Carlos home from the hospital. Carlos tried to make them leave and Kulas asked if he wouldn’t even offer them some snacks since they had gotten hungry while they waited for him. Carlos told him he couldn’t do that because the house didn’t belong to him, and suggested that they eat outside.
“Don’t you feel sorry for us?” Kulas asked. “If I pass out, it’s your fault, okay?”
Daniela then came in and greeted Kulas. The older man took Daniela to the other side of the room and told her that she had to attend to her husband whenever she was home, and that she had to be cautious since Mina was living there too. Daniela asked if Carlos had told him anything.
“No, it’s just a thought,” Kulas said. “You know how men can be. A little care and attention can even fòöl the best of us, and that’s something Romina’s good at.”
“Okay dad. I’ll keep that in mind.”
Carlos was trying to convince his father to go home when Robert and Mina arrived. Since it was rush hour and the traffic would be terrible, Robert asked Kulas to join them for dinner to pass the time. Carlos objected to it but his dad quickly accepted the offer. Mina said she would cook for everyone and Daniela told her that she would rather handle the cooking.
Marga took out the Mean Squad and ordered. Nadya tried apologizing for having ignored her for some time now, but Marga cut her off and told her not to explain or do it again. Maureen mentioned that she was glad Marga was rich again.
“Maureen, how many times do I have to tell you?” Marga asked. “I was never poor. Never. Who started that rumor anyway?” The girls stared at her and Nica excused herself to talk to some guys who sat at a different table.
Cassie arrived home 15 minutes late and Mina asked what had happened. Nanny Esther explained that the car had broken down. Robert then asked where Marga was. Daniel came in and told him that Marga had gone out with some friends, and she even thought Cassie would be joining them. Cassie said she didn’t go with them because they were going to be staying out late.
“And so?” Daniela said. “You don’t have school tomorrow. And Cassie, it’s important to know how to have some fun sometimes.”
Robert told Daniela that they had a house rule for Cassie, and Mina added that it wasn’t safe for her out there. Daniela told Mina that she was being too strict with Cassie, and Robert asked her to drop the matter. Cassie was left staring at his parents in concern as Daniela went to get dinner ready.
Back at the restaurant, Nica rejoined her group and Marga asked if she knew those guys. Nica said she didn’t, explaining that they were college boys and they had invited them to a house party. The Mean Squad was excited and ready to leave for the party but Marga insisted that they remain where they were.
“But Marga…” Nadya began.
“When I say it’s better here, then that means that you listen,” Marga said to her.
A few seconds later, a band came in and Marga smiled triumphantly. At the dining table at the mansion, Cassie commented that the food was delicious. She asked nanny Esther if she was the one who had cooked, and Esther told her it was Daniela.
“I didn’t know you were a good cook, Daniela,” Cassie said to her.
“Yes, Cassie, I love cooking. I actually had to go to a culinary school to learn that. So I don’t just cook regular dishes.”
“Oh…so that’s the reason after you married Carlos, he also started to cook gourmet dishes,” Kulas jumped in. “And before, he only ate street food all the time.”
“Dad, let’s not talk about that here,” Carlos pleaded.
“Why not?” Kulas asked. “I’m proud of your wife. I’m happy you married her.”
“Dad, everyone knows this already,” Gino pointed out.
“Yeah, but Cassie didn”t know, did she?” He turned to Cassie. “Your sister and Carlos make a pretty good pair, huh?”
“They do,” Cassie said. “They’re a match made in heaven.”
“I actually think they’re a match made in heaven too,” Mina jumped in much to Kulas’ surprise. She turned to Cassie. “Fortunately for me, chefs aren’t your dad’s type because all I could cook are meals you could eat at a food store.”
Kulas laughed while Robert seemed amused now, and Neil told Mina that that was back then. Robert them said that he didn’t mind if someone was a good cook or not.
“Because the first time Romina made the first coffee, that was it,” Robert added. “Lövê at first sight.”
Carlos looked shocked. Cassie commented that her parents were like characters in a soap opera, always acting so sweet. Daniela rolled her eyes while Mina hugged her daughter gladly. Robert was laughing now, while the Bartolomes seemed not so happy.
After dinner, Nanny Esther was going to throw away the leftovers when Kulas asked her to wrap it up for him to send home. Esther agreed to. Kulas then went to the fridge and took out some more food in a lunch box, telling Esther to add that as well. Esther told him that he couldn’t take it with him because he wasn’t the one who had bought it.
Kulas was annoyed. “Who asked for your opinion,” he said. “You’re just a maid.”
“I’m not just a maid,” Esther shot back at him. “I took care of Daniela.”
“And am Carlos’ father, so am part of this family.”
Mina arrived on the scene and asked what was going on. Kulas told her that he wanted to take the leftovers home. “I’m sure you’ll understand. Or do I have to ask for permission from Mr. Robert first?”
“It’s okay. Please help yourself,” Mina said.
Kulas thanked her and commented that Mina was so different now, living the higher life. He then ordered Esther to pack up the food for him. Mina gave Esther the go-ahead, giving Kulas a look. At the rented house, Jude arrived to find that there was no food.
Jude heard a noise outside and he went to check, thinking it was his dad and his brother. When he opened the door, there was no one outside though. Jude closed the door and went back in. He heard the noise again and he grabbed his güñ and looked out through the windows. No one there. Jude then opened the door and pointed his güñ.
“Hey, what you doing?” Kulas almost had a heart attack. “Put that down.”
Jude lowered the gun and asked when they had gotten back. Gino told him that they had just arrived. Jude asked his brother why he hadn’t cooked dinner and Kulas told him that they had brought him some food which he had taken from Mina.
“It’s embarrassing,” Gino said to his father. “You almost took everything.”
Kulas said there was nothing embarrassing with it since they would have thrown the food away anyway. “Boys, in this day and age, we need to be practical. Look at Romina. When Carlos stood her up at the alter, then bam! She went after the rich boss. Look at her now, she hit the jackpot. She’s smart. And that’s how we should think.”
“Find yourself a rich woman, Jude,” Gino said and Kulas laughed.
At the mansion, Mina found Cassie still awake and asked why she hadn’t gone to bed yet. Cassie told her that she was just finishing up some homework while she waited for Marga. Mina told her to go to sleep because Daniela was waiting for Marga. Cassie agreed and Mina k$$sed her and turned to leave. Cassie called her back and asked if she could go to the Open Mic at the cafe.
“But you don’t listen to that music,” Mina pointed out.
“That’s why I want to go,” Cassie said. “I might end up liking it.”
“Who are you going with?” Mina asked. “I’m guessing there would be a lot of boys.”
“I’ll be with Marga,” Cassie told her, smiling. “Can I go?”
Mina asked her to go another time. Cassie’s smile disappeared as Mina added that Esther couldn’t accompany her, and those kinds of events were too crowded and noisy.
“But mama…”
“Trust me. I’m sure you won’t enjoy it.”
“But mama…”
“Cassie…can you do this for me?”
“Okay.”
“Thank you.” Before Mina left, she told Cassie to go to bed once she was done working.
Cassie looked sad and disappointed. She picked up her phone and watched a live video of Marga and the Mean Squad having fun at the restaurant.
Robert and Mina were walking around when Marga arrived home. Marga greeted her grandpa and Robert asked where she had been. Marga said she had been having dinner with her friends.
Robert glanced at Mina. “Isn’t it a little late for dinner?”
Marga told him that she had asked permission from her mother and Robert said he and Mina had been worried about her. Marga said nothing bad had happened to her and Maureen’s nanny always accompanied them. Robert said he understood that but it was still dangerous for her at her age to be out this late.
Ronina told her not to take it the wrong way because her grandpa was just worried about her. She suggested that she had to come home early the next time or bring her friends home to hang out. Robert supported Mina’s idea. Daniela came up to them and asked Marga to leave with her grandpa.
“Am I hearing things or did you just scold my daughter?” Daniela asked.
“Daniela, I was just giving her some advice.”
“Save it, Romina. Marga doesn’t really need your advice,” Daniela said. “You’re definitely not a good role model.”
“Am only trying to help,” Mina told her.
“Marga is not Cassie,” Daniela shot back. “I’m not like you who can’t trust her daughter to do things on her own, because I trust Marga. So next time, don’t get involved.”
“Right now, you live in our house, so like it or not, we’re responsible for her too.”
Daniela said she knew that but if she wanted them to get along, then she should never try to parent her daughter again.
At Camila, Daniela made her presentation on the new marketing strategy in the conference room. She explained that they would be using social media to market Camila’s sardines. “Camila sardines will be imbedded in their minds. And they’ll be thinking about it forever and ever,” she finished.
Mina didn’t seem impressed. “And?”
“And?” Daniela seemed confused. “That’s the end of my presentation.” Reluctantly, most of the board clapped for her.
“Where’s the marketing strategy for classes C, D and E? They’re the core of our market.” Mina asked.
“They’re obviously included. I mean all of us have social media accounts now.” Robert stood outside, watching and listening.
“I guess you didn’t read the document I gave you,” Mina said. “Am I right?”
“I told you I didn’t need that, ” Daniela shot back.
“Then we’re wasting our time. Bonita, tell the marketing team to prepare. We can’t rely on Daniel.” Mina excused herself and left and Daniela followed her outside.
“Why did you embarrass me like that?” Daniela asked.
“You embarrassed yourself because you didn’t do your job well enough,” Mina said to her
“Why don’t you just admit that you’re insecure because I’m better than you.”
“You haven’t proven anything yet, Daniela. You’re just a know-it-all.”
“How dare you!” Danny girl raised up her hand to give Mina a slap.
“Daniela,” Robert said, stopping her dead in her tracks.
Daniela told her father that Mina had embarrassed her and Robert said that was not what he had seen, and the fact that she hadn’t followed Mina’s instructions made her wrong. Danny girl stormed off angrily.
At the Mondragon Mansion, Marga told Cassie to get ready for the Open Mic. Cassie said she couldn’t go with her because her mother hadn’t given her permission to.
“Why follow her orders when it makes you so unhappy?” Marga asked.
“I just don’t want mama to get mad at me.”
“I’m sure she’ll forgive you just like the other day, ” Marga said. “Don’t you feel sorry for Krisroff? He’s expecting you to be there tonight…so…are you coming?”
Cassie thought about it for a second. “Okay. Let’s go.” Cassie was still in her shirt and shorts and Marga told her she couldn’t go out with it. Cassie said there was nothing wrong with it and Marga dragged her along to give her a makeover.
Marga and Cassie came down the stairs while Neil and Esther were in the living room. Marga told Cassie to hide while she went to distract them. In the presence that her phone had gone missing, Marga asked Neil and Esther to help her look for it.
They went up the stairs and Cassie came out of her hiding place. The girls hurried to the door only to run into Daniela who was just coming in. Daniela asked where they were going and Marga explained that they were going to the Open Mic.
“Then why do you look so nervous?” Daniela asked.
“My mom didn’t allow me to go,” Cassie said. “Marga’s only helping me sneak out.”
Daniela told Marga that what she was doing was wrong, and she would get scolded by her grandpa again. She batted her eyes at Marga, signaling that she was only putting on a show. She then told Cassie it wasn’t right for her mother to be so strict with her, and as her older sister, she was giving her permission to go.
Cassie was excited. She even hugged Danny girl before they left. “Everything comes at a price, Romina,” Danny girl thought to herself. “You humiliated me at work earlier. So I’ll show everyone that you’re a bad mother. I’ll prove that I am not the only black sheep in this family.”
Kristoff sat nervously at a table at the Open Mic. A guy came up and asked if it was his first time. Kristoff told him that he used to jam with his friends back in Los Angeles. Marga arrived and Kristoff thanked her for coming. Cassie followed. Kristoff was very surprised to see her in such an unusual outfit.
“Cassie?” Kristoff said.
“Why? Do I look awkward?” Cassie asked.
“No. It’s just something new.”
“Come on, Kristoff,” Marga jumped in. “Just tell her that she looks pretty. Just like me.” Cassie smiled and Krisroff smiled nervously.
Mina and Robert arrived home. Mina told Robert that she wouldn’t be able to work with Daniela anymore because even though she was qualified for the position he had given her, she still needed to learn how to work with people. Robert admitted that Daniela didn’t understand the importance of teamwork.
“Daniela’s very intelligent, but she thinks she knows everything,” Robert added. “It’s about time to teach her something new.”
“What do you plan to do?” Mina asked.
Back at the Open Mic, the band started playing their instruments and Kristoff sang along. Cassie and Marga watched in admiration. They later went to the restroom and Cassie bumped into some guys wearing ‘Comma Merchandise’ shirts and Cassie told them that she had watched their showcase about mental health some time ago and she really liked their design approach. Marga came up and asked what they were talking about.
“They’re a group of indie street artists, Cassie explained. “The design on their shirts is from Carla Indie Street Artist Showcase.”
“Oh…okay.” Marga walked away.
They guys invited her to the next art showcase which would be coming on soon, and Cassie said she would go if she got a ticket. Back at the mansion, Mina was making dinner in the kitchen when Carlos came in. He went for a glass of water, and as he turned to leave, he slipped and Mina hurried over to help keep him from falling.
Carlos thanked her and stared at Mina on his way out. Back at the Open Mic, Kristoff had joined Cassie sat at the table. They saw a couple romancing at another table and Krisroff said he wished they were like them.
“What?” Cassie seemed surprised.
“Nothing,” Kristoff said. “I said Marga’s taking too long.”
Marga rejoined them and complained about the state of the washroom. They were about to leave when the guys in the ‘Carla Indie’ shirts came up and told Cassie that the Carla Indie Artists were having a painting session nearby.
Cassie was excited, and she went along with Marga and Kristoff.
Mina walked into Cassie and Marga’s room and found it deserted. Danny girl came in and told Mina that the girls had gone out.
“What?”
“Marga asked me for permission earlier,” Daniela explained. “I think they went to see a show. Cassie was excited too.” Daniela feigned surprise. “Why, didn’t she tell you? I thought you allowed her.”
“She didn’t tell me anything,” Mina said.
“Ah…I guess Cassie must be at that stage now,” Daniela commented. “You know… experimenting and checking her limits, just like any other kid, Romina. Maybe you should talk to her since she’s not as open-minded as Marga.”
At the Carla Indie painting session, Cassie painted while Marga and Kristoff stood by. Kristoff suggested to Marga that they join Cassie but Marga said she didn’t want her clothes to be stained. Kristoff went to join Cassie.
“Cassie, can you sees?” Kristoff asked. “Where are your glasses?”
“Of course I can see clearly,” Cassie said. “Look…” Cassie painted Kristoff’s nose and laughed.
“Ohh…so you wanna play?”
Kristoff also painted her face. Her phone was ringing and Marga brought it to her. After trying and failing to convince Marga to join them, Cassie took out her phone to answer the call.
“Oh my God.”
“We are so dead.”
Cassie was agitated. “Marga, what should I do? What do I tell mama?”
“I don’t know. Just answer it. You’ll make it worse if you don’t answer it.”
Reluctantly, Cassie answered the call. “Hello ma?”
“Cassie, where are you?” Mina demanded. “Come home. Right now.”
At the mansion, Robert tried to calm down Mina while Daniela and Esther and the others stood by. Cassie and Marga arrived at the mansion.
“You left the house without my permission,” Mina said. “And you went out wearing that? You didn’t even consider what other people would think of you? Honestly Cassie, don’t you use your head?”
Daniela smiled from where she stood, pleased with herself. “You know how dangerous it is out there,” Mina added.
“Ma, we only went to the Open Mic Night,” Cassie told her.
“Even when I didn’t allow you? Cassie, you disobeyed me again. What’s happening to you?!”
“Romina, why don’t you let her explain,” Robert jumped in. “Let’s listen to it.”
“What for, Robert? Can’t you see what she’s wearing?” Mina turned to Cassie. “Is that what a decent woman would wear?”
Daniela approached them. “Dad, Romina, excuse me. I don’t know how you handle these things, but if you’re just going to scold Cassie, can Marga and I please go? You’re humiliating the kids.”
Robert told Marga to leave and Danny girl smiled triumphantly. Mina asked Cassie why she was disobeying her. Cassie was crying now.
“Why ma?” Cassie said. “Would you bother listening if I explained? You never do, because I’ll be wrong. No matter what I say, you’ll always be right. Isn’t that right?”
“Is that what you’ve been learning outside of this house?” Mina asked angrily. “How dare you talk back?!”
“Romina, please…” Robert tried to calm her down.
“Because you’re being unfair ma,” Cassie cried. “I’m not doing anything wrong. I do everything you ask. At least Daniela trusts Marga when she goes out. But you keep me locked up. In this house.”
“Cassie, is that what you really think? Can’t you see that I’m only trying to protect you?!”
“From what ma?! What are you protecting me from? From living a normal life like all my friends do?”
Robert asked Mina to stop and told Cassie to go to her room. Cassie left and Robert told Mina that things would turn out worse if she went on like that. Mina asked if she was the bad person and Robert comforted her as she cried.
Marga was worried that her grandpa might get mad at her for giving Cassie those clothes. Daniela told her not to worry because she hadn’t done anything wrong.
“This is actually a good thing,” Daniela said. “Let them fight. The more they fight, the easier it would be to get rid of them. And in no time, we are going to get back everything that’s rightfully ours.”
Robert went to Cassie’s room. Cassie was in bed, sulking, her arms folded. Robert asked if she was going to ignore him too.
“Are you mad at me?” Robert asked.
“I’m sorry daddy,” Cassie said. “I let my emotions get the best of me. I didn’t mean for it to happen. I’m not angry. I just don’t understand mama. Why is she like that? I never do anything wrong. Why can’t she trust me?”
“Cassie, it’s not like you’re mom doesn’t trust you,” Robert said. “Your mom went through a lot of hardship, and she doesn’t want you to experience it too. That’s why she’s overprotective of you. I hope you always keep that in mind.”
Back at Carlos and Daniela’s room, Marga asked if they really needed to do that and Daniel says it had to be so because they (Mina and Cassie) didn’t deserve what they had, adding that they’ve overstayed their welcome at the mansion.
Back at Cassie’s room, Cassie told her father that she just wanted to live a normal life like kids her own age. Robert told her to always remember that she didn’t have to live up to other people’s expectations.
“You define yourself,” Robert added. “And what truly matters is how you see yourself.” Robert took her hand and told her that it would be best if she apologized to her mother, adding that she shouldn’t talk back to her. “You can blame her for being angry because she worries about you,” Robert added. “Let’s make a deal. Say sorry to her. We love you very much.”
Carlos told Daniela that she couldn’t blame Mina because Cassie didn’t know what her mother had been through, so she shouldn’t encourage the kids. Daniela said she was only being a sister to Cassie.
“You don’t want them parenting Marga, so why do the same to Cassie?” Carlos asked. “It’s a good thing Romina doesn’t say anything about that.”
“What do you mean? What did Romina say about my parenting? Do you talk to her when I am not around?” Carlos told her that they lived in the same house so he couldn’t ignore them.
Daniela runs into Cassie at the kitchen. She asked her if she was okay and whether she had talked to her mother. Cassie asked if she had been doing wrong in what she had done.
“Cassie, there’s nothing wrong with what you did,” Daniela told her. “It’s normal for you to act and dress at your age…if you need somebody to talk to… I’m right here. Sisters back each other up.”
Cassie smiled. “Thank you, Daniela.”
“No worries,” Danny girl said with a smile. “That’s what sisters are for.” The episode ended as Cassie hugged Daniela and Daniela smiled triumphantly.
