At two in the afternoon, Katherine met her father in the Main Square as arranged.Better said, almost arranged. She sported J.J in the stroller, much to Ephraim's panic and terror."What is this brat doing here?" Ephraim shouts in terror, startling other passersby, "Get him out of here! Get him out of here!"Katherine raises one of her eyebrows, "Dad, this is already sounding crazy to me. Why do you reject your grandson?""I told you I just wanted to see you! This brat has the damned blood of Josias Rocha!"Katherine is offended, "So that's it? You're going to take your hatred for my husband out on your innocent grandson?""He may be innocent, but his mother is not!" Ephraim speaks about the reason for his coming, "What is this story that you have been going to bed with Jock Russo?"Katherine becomes more appalled, "What? How did you hear about that?" Katherine interrupts herself and then smiles wryly, "Oh sure, how silly of me to ask!""That's right, Jock came here to bring you back
The next day, Josias goes early to Simeon's house to convey the decision of the executive board of Rocha Constructions.He listens to the song "Too Much Information" by Duran Duran and wonders if the news would be too much for them.However, when the door opens, Josias is determined, "Good morning, Dora.""Josias, what are you doing here so early? Come in."Josias enters and finds Melissa putting on Alan's shoes."Son, at this age and you still need your shoes put on?""Daddy!" Alan and Caroline exclaim excitedly.The two children run up and hug him. Melissa stands up and smiles."He's still fumbling, Josias, I'm helping him." The ex-wife explains what happened."I fell like an idiot in the middle of class, Dad," Alan replies scratching the back of his head.Josias giggles, "Okay, you must learn so you don't embarrass yourself anymore."Josias sits on the couch and places Caroline on his lap, "And how are you, my little princess?""I am fine, missing you."Josias hugs Caroline very fa
Now the living room radio is playing "Heart-Shaped Box" by Nirvana, but no one is paying attention. Josias, Simeon, and Dora are too appalled by William's accusation that his dismissal was pre-planned.Josias is the first to recover from the jolt, "William, you're completely out of your mind! What revenge are you talking about?""Don't be cynical, you know everything!" William bawls."Well, if there's a need for revenge, it's because you did something against my mother, isn't it?" Josias reverses the situation, "What happened?"William tries to get away with it, "I told your mother some truths and she took offense."Simeon rages, "What truths, son?""That she was a lousy mother to have abandoned you, that's why you're this damn bastard today. If Elza hadn't left or taken you along, my sister would be pure and decent to this day! She wouldn't have been humiliated to find out that you were keeping a mistress hidden on the opening day of the building that bears her name!"Josias puts his
Josias is sitting in the armchair in the penthouse living room. The radio is playing "More and More" by Captain Hollywood Project, but Josias remains quiet and waiting.Katherine approaches in her apron and cap, "Is the radio volume okay for you, my love?""I'll have to turn it off when my parents arrive," Josias replies dryly."I thought your father was already— forget it, I get it." Katherine retreats for fear of irritating Josias.The doorbell is rung. João Paulo appears to answer it."Hi, sonny!" Vernon greets him, "How was the entrance exam?""The results aren't out yet, Dad." João Paulo says, "But Josias is already looking for a nice apartment in Victoria for me to live in.""Aren't you going to live in one of the communities, or sororities that exist at the university?" Vernon asks good-humoredly."No. According to American movies, that's all about unruly partying, alcohol, and unbridled sex. How does one manage to attend college under these conditions?" João Paulo replies.Elz
On the sidewalk of the building where the Rocha Penthouse lies, everyone is saying goodbye to João Paulo.The result of the entrance exam was out and João Paulo was among the first 100 approved for the higher course in Journalism.Vernon hugged his son effusively, “Son, when you get back, look for your old father who has a spot at LCN waiting for you!”“Or he can work at Marçal Publishing.” Elza opines, wiping her tears with a silk handkerchief, “Bernardo Marçal will not object.”The hug is undone.“Thank you, guys. Let’s think first about getting my degree.”Uélton and Benjamin carry the bags and put them in the trunk of Josias's car.“Buddy, are you carrying survival items?” Benjamin asks jokingly.“They're my books, Ben. And I will probably come back with a lot more.”The two best friends hug each other.Josias approaches the others, “What great commotion is this? It seems that João Paulo will never come back.”“Isn’t four years away from home too much for you, son?” Elza asks mela
1994Josias is sitting in the armchair in the living room, calmly reading the new issue of Maggiezine. Although the magazine was more aimed toward the female audience, Josias feels that he is honoring Melissa by reading it.Katherine would burn with jealousy at other times, but she holds back because at any moment Maggie's interview could appear in the magazine.J.J appears, walking into the room. The boy will be three years old and is already eating solid things.Josias notices his son's presence and smiles, “Hello, J.J! Exploring the penthouse?”“Daddy!”J.J goes to him. Josias picks up his son and puts him on his lap. Josias tries to read the magazine, but the son keeps pointing and trying to move the pages.“Calm down, son, let daddy read the magazine.”“Mommy!”Josias is surprised by J.J’s eagle vision. Neither had he noticed.On the left page of the magazine, there was a picture of Katherine taken on the sofa in the same living room they are in. The title of the report reads: “M
Josias enters Rocha Constructions for another day of work. Carmen is exclusively happy that day.“Good morning, Carmen.”“A great day for us all, sir!”Josias smiles and is surprised, “Wow, did something happen that I don't know about?”Carmen stands up, “Sir... it finally happened. I'm pregnant!"Josias joins in the excitement, “Wow, Carmen! Congratulations, I thought Tiago was sterile!”Tiago appears as if by magic, “Who is sterile here?”Everyone laughs. Josias hugs Carmen and then shakes hands with his friend and financial director.“Congratulations, guys. I am very happy with the expansion of the Bento family.” Josias comments.“Unfortunately, Marcelo is not here to celebrate with us.” Tiago sighs, “But we still have Igor as an uncle and Elisa with a cousin for my firstborn.”“We still don't know the sex of the baby, but that comes with time.” Carmen replies, “Oh, I'm so happy.”“It reminds us that we're going to need a new secretary.” Tiago erects his index finger.Josias has a
Josias is very comfortable in his presidential chair. The room has been renovated and the wall is painted light gray.He's calling his mother, “Hello, Mom, this is your dear son.”On the other side, Elza is sitting at the desk with a bright smile, “Hi, my son! And so, have you seen the report of the first months of Rocha Hotel?”“They’re encouraging, Mom. Customers looked for our hotel, especially at Christmas and New Year.”“I just hope our competitors don't want to build a hotel right in Sunset Village. That’s where the fireworks after the countdown take place.”“Yes, since 1983...” Josias gets melancholy.He remembers that when City Hall started the New Year's Eve tradition at Sunset Village, Josias was there with Melissa. Both had promised to work hard and Josias had promised to get his driver's license.“Son? Josias?” Elza called him to reality.“Hi, Mom, sorry. I was rambling.”“What were you thinking about?”Josias takes a deep breath, "I can't hide anything from you, huh?"“Of