1994 (#24) - Esther's engagement and Norman's lies

Esther, the faithful housekeeper of the Chancellor home, has always been looking for a man in her life; the right man who can help her raise her daughter Kate. So when she responds to an ad found in a marriage agency by one Norman Peterson, Esther hopes with all her heart that this is the one. Norman shows up at the first blind date with Esther showing himself to be a serious man, reliable and well-financed, claiming to be a rich banker. Esther, visibly fascinated by the man, but worried that Norman would never be interested in a woman forced to work as a maid to raise her daughter, feeling very uncomfortable lies claiming to be a rich woman widowed by her poor husband. Returning to work, Esther confesses to her boss, friend and confidante, Katherine, that she had invited the man to a dinner at her villa without specifying that Esther only works there. Katherine and Rex, then are disconcerted when Esther asks them to lie and stage, for one evening, that they are the housekeepers of Villa Chancellor. Initially opposed to this charade, Katherine is eventually persuaded by an amused Rex to grant this favor to Esther, who happily thanks them both and promises that she will tell Norman the truth as soon as possible. Upon Norman's arrival, Esther is happy to welcome him into "her" manor, strutting her stuff as the wealthy owner of the entire villa and not shrinking from giving orders and bossing around two bewildered and almost annoyed Rex and Katherine. The following day, Katherine confesses to Rex and Esther that she doesn't like Norman at all, convinced that the man has something to hide; these suspicions are also confirmed by Rex, although a naive and offended Esther believes that the two are only envious of her man. And so, while Rex is dissatisfied with the new maid who should replace Esther, Josephine Gaudioso, in the end, it is Norman himself who reveals himself for what he is, namely a simple liar. Norman, in fact, surprises Esther by revealing that he is not a banker at all, but rather a simple barber and that he did not have the courage to tell the truth when he discovered that the woman is very rich. Esther, incredulous, surprised and amused at the same time, then confesses the whole truth to Norman who, however, does not seem to take it well at all and decides to break off the relationship, leaving Esther alone and bitter.