At the Rocha mansion, Angela descends the marble staircase in the shape of a letter “C” after storing her wedding dress in the master suite. She checks that Lilian isn't around and goes to her private room.Upon entering and closing the varnished door, she sits in the armchair and dials Gustavo's phone.On the other side, Gustavo answers without a shirt, showing that he enrolled in a gym and is now more robust and corpulent, almost like Jock, “Hello?”“I want to know how our plan is progressing,” Angela asks categorically.Gustavo smiles, stretches out his free hand, and turns on the radio. The song “Piel Morena”, by Thalía, moods his apartment, “Everything is alright here. She has completely forgotten about Josias and only has eyes for my dick.”Angela is disgusted, “I thought you were going to say ‘she only has eyes for me’!”“Oh, but you know how the slut behaves. If I get more than five hours of sleep, it's a miracle.”Angela puts her hand to her glabella, “Gus, for God's sake. Ge
Angela enters Rocha Constructions at the same time Uélton intended to leave.“Uélton, can we talk, please?”Uélton is surprised by the request, “Madam, I need to go to the construction site.”“I don't intend to delay. There's something I want to work out with you.”Uélton is suspicious, “Well then. Do I stay right here in the lobby?”“No, let's talk in the privacy of the kitchen.” Angela gestures for Uélton to follow her.After they enter the empty kitchen, Angela closes the door leaving Uélton fearful.“You're not going to kill me, are you?”Angela sneers, “Are you always like this, clueless about saying the most absurd things?”Uélton finds the question funny, “Oh, I know! Will you ask me to discipline my tongue? Madam, Josias has been asking me this since 1982 without success.”Angela becomes stern, “And you pride yourself on being indiscreet and irresponsible with your words? Do you find it amusing to hint to my fiancé that he should go back to Melissa?”Uélton understands where A
Angela is astonished to hear Uélton say that she is doing Josias a favor by putting doubts in his heart.“Did I hear right?” Angela hisses, “The best friend says he's doing good to leave Josias torn between two women?”“I don't want Josias divided.” Uélton replies, “I want Josias 100% in Melissa. That was Everaldo's prophecy.”Angela pretends not to be upset with Everaldo, “I... I don't believe in such nonsense. Everaldo is a human being like us, he doesn't make prophecies. Everything Josias has achieved is thanks to his hard work.”Uélton smiles mischievously, “Come on, you noticed that Everaldo didn't mention you. Now you are nervous, worried about when Josias will break off the engagement.”“He will break up because of your fault!” Angela screams furiously.“No, he will break up because he's come to his senses and realized that it doesn't make any sense for him to be engaged to the woman who destroyed the perfect marriage. I don't blame the other concubine, Katherine.”In this, Ang
The next day, Gustavo decides to put Angela’s option into practice. She's right, Katherine stays at home all day doing nothing, just eating, sleeping, and making love to him. Expenses have increased because of her, now she has to help with the bills.So, over breakfast, he starts the conversation, “Kate, today I'm going to get a job for you. What can you do besides sex?”Katherine chokes on her coffee and coughs violently to clear her throat, “Cof, cof! What? Do you by any chance think I am worthless?”Gustavo responds with an ironic smile, “Okay, show me your work card full of stamps from countless companies.”Katherine is embarrassed. Did she only come into the world to be despised and humiliated? “Ehr... I don't even have a work card. Remember that I came from the countryside to marry Josias.”Gustavo rolls his eyes, “Okay, don't start the litany again. I'll recommend you a job at Ramos Supermarket. As you have no experience, maybe Roberto Reis will give you a light and easy job, s
Gustavo enters Beto's office to plead for a vacancy for idle Katherine.“Good morning, Mr. Reis.”“You are Gustavo, correct?” Beto tries to remember, “What can I help you with?”Gustavo keeps standing, “I have a girlfriend who lives all day scratching her butt at home, and the bills need to be paid. I promised her to see if there's a way to fit her here in the company.”Beto smiles slightly, “She has experience as a supermarket cashier or general services?”“No, she only knows how to have sex,” Gustavo responds shamelessly.Beto bursts out laughing, “What is this, man? Are you harboring a streetwalker like ‘Pretty Woman’?”“Nothing like that.” Gustavo realizes that highlighting Katherine's unique talent won't result in her getting a job, “Ehr... you know her, she's Miss Bezerra.”At this, Beto laughs louder, tilting his head back, “No chance, Gustavo! You must get rid of this bitch immediately. I just talked to Will Campos about how the dishonored woman destroys a man's life. She's go
Uélton gets up and strokes his wife's hair.“Don't worry, my love. That evil woman will do nothing with it. Unless she wants to lose everything she has achieved so far.”“The mansion, the title of Mrs. Rocha, the bastard's paternal acknowledgment...” Flavia nods, “Yes, if Josias knows she's against you, he'll send her back to the Capital.”“Yes, so she becomes friends with Pamela and Vera Reis.” Uélton jokes.Flavia also gets up, “Sometimes I wonder if these two have found normal jobs or are acting like prostitutes to make ends meet.”“Beto tells Josias that Vera Reis 'works' as a striper in an illegal nightclub, where clients force her to get drunk, use drugs, and have sex with her. So she is no more than forty.”Flavia shakes her head, the subject is unpleasant for her, “Anyway, honey, let's forget about these whores and mind our own business, okay? Our son is turning nine and he needs his dad there more than ever.”Uélton and Flávia exchange a light kiss.******At LCN, Veronica me
Daniel is surprised to see Veronica Montanha enter his office flanked by Melissa and Isabel.“Are the best writers I have bringing in a future star?”Melissa accepts the compliment, “Thanks for the compliment. Daniel, Veronica is looking for an opportunity in the soap opera world.”Veronica and Daniel shake hands. Daniel's smile is very wide.“Okay, I'm flattered to see you look up to LCN.”“I want to honor the broadcaster in my city,” Veronica responds.“Have a seat, ladies.” Daniel gestures and the three women sit down.Melissa takes the floor, “Daniel, I'm not sure about letting Veronica on my soap opera because we're waiting for the answer about the renewal for the second season. But in Isabel's case...”Isabel concludes, “There is a character that will be perfect for her.”Daniel nods, “Well, it's no mystery to anyone that 'Love Just Happens' will be renewed for a third season. So I agree with Melissa. It will be safer to include our dear Veronica in a show that we already know w
At Marçal Publishing, Bernardo and Maggie talk affectionately about an internal article dedicated especially to them and Henrique. The photo of the baby about to turn one year enchanted countless readers.“Our baby will grow up to be a beautiful boy.” Bernard admires him.“Yes, and so I have to buy a carbine.” Maggie gets off his lap.“Why a carbine?” Bernardo raises his eyebrows, “To teach him how to shoot?”“No, so I can shoot sluts who'll want to hook him.” Maggie crosses her arms.Bernardo laughs, “Then start saving enough ammo. According to our readers, Henrique will displace Jack Motta.”“Schi!” Maggie calls for silence with her index finger to her mouth, “Don't mention the forbidden name!”Bernardo stops enjoying himself, “Why? Who forbade it?”“When we mention the forbidden name, my mother appears out of nowhere!”Bernardo stands up indignantly, “Maggie, we walked away from her precisely so you can stop thinking about this bullshit.”Suddenly the door opens, “But that's where
Josias visits the Rocha Hotel since he didn’t have a day off for the staff. In the management room, Eugenio gathered David, Benjamin, and Sybil. “Why is that mere cook present at this meeting?” David asked disparagingly. “Because that’s how our boss ordered it,” Eugenio replied dryly. “I didn’t say anything and didn’t call this meeting, so if you’ll excuse me...” Benjamin and Sybil were horrified to see David leaving the meeting just like that. However, when he opened the door, David came face to face with his father. “David, where do you think you’re going?” “DAD!” David exclaimed, extremely surprised. “I didn’t know you were coming!” “Didn’t Eugenio tell you I was coming?” Josias asked with a scowl. David understood who the ‘boss’ was. Benjamin and Sybil felt vindicated. Josias sat down at the desk, taking Eugenio’s seat, while the manager remained humbly standing. “Very well,” Josias began the meeting in a formal tone, “I’m here just to make things crystal clear. First
Melissa and Mary visit the Mountain Café.“A guava juice for me, Mr. Mountain!” Mary requested, smiling sweetly.“Of course, my princess!” Rodrigo replied, thinking Mary was very adorable. “Neil will make a delicious cup for you.”“Thank you. But the princess is Carol,” Mary responded, striking a serious pose.Melissa and Rodrigo laughed heartily. Mary is something else...“Rod, how has it been managing the café in your father’s absence?” Melissa asked seriously.Rodrigo served a baked chicken pastry with ketchup to Mary. “I'm getting by, Melissa. Josias was here earlier, more concerned about my loss than his own, as always. Isn’t he supposed to be resting?”Melissa nodded. “My husband is like that: he only relaxes when all of us are relaxed.”“An impossible mission because of certain people.”Neilton approached with the glass. “Who ordered a guava juice?”“I DID!” Mary grabbed the glass and went to a table.Melissa leaned forward, “Neil, Rod, how are Daryl and Diane? Behaving?”“Cont
At João Paulo’s house, he and Josias were about to have a significant conversation.“Walter, do you want to go with your mom to the kitchen?” João Paulo asked, looking at Helen. “I think she made some walnut cake.”“It was carrot cake,” Sandra replied, already getting up from the couch.“You got it.” Helen appeared and picked up Walter in her arms. “Let’s let Dad and Uncle Josias talk.”“Bye, Uncle!” Walter waved goodbye to Josias.“Bye-bye, I want a piece later!” Josias chuckled.Once alone with João Paulo, Josias became serious. “Don’t let anything or anyone ruin this family scenario, little brother.”“I’m fine. No one wants to ruin anything,” João Paulo replied casually.“Well, I hope David hasn’t caused you any trouble.”“He probably doesn’t even know I exist, man.” João Paulo shrugged.“But I stopped by Café Montanha and found out that the Vasquez family has replaced the Mountain family as the ‘annoying people.’”João Paulo sighed in disappointment. “Yeah. They—”The doorbell ran
Josias visits Café Montanha for a coffee and finds Rodrigo there. “Rod, how have you been?” Rodrigo is taken aback. “How am I? You’re the one who suffered a horrific loss recently!” “But you also lost your father. We’re in the same situation,” Josias explained as he sat down on a stool. “I’m okay, Josias. Life has a way of cheering me up. For example, I’m back at the diner after Thierry decided to take his place at the supermarket.” Rodrigo smiled. “What about the photography studio?” Josias smiled back. “It’s still going to operate, and Thierry will make periodic visits. But he’s going to appoint one of the staff to manage the studio.” Rodrigo served a pizza pastry to Josias. “Thank you. Well, I hope everything is alright between you two. I need to visit Rosemary and meet Jean Luc — is that the name of the baby?” “Yes, the name of the supermarket heir. Meanwhile, Frank will be here or somewhere else.” Josias interjected, “If Frank wants to work at Rocha Constructions, count
At the Rocha Mansion, Josias receives a visit from Benjamin. “How have you been, Ben? Any news about your parents?” The two embrace. “Actually, that’s what I want to talk about.” Benjamin scratches the back of his neck. The embrace breaks. “Let’s go to my office.” The two gentlemen enter Josias’s imposing office. “Any problems with Adolfo?” Josias asks, becoming serious. “Not yet, but I hope not to have any,” Benjamin replies with some sadness. “You know, Josias, what happened with your father made me think about my family, about how important it is for all of us to be together in the final moments.” “That’s true. João Paulo can tell you that better than I can.” “I think you can say it too. Vernon was the father you never had.” Benjamin clears his throat. “So, I’ve been looking into some hotels and realized there’s a demand at the Rocha Hotel in Victoria.” Josias looks at Benjamin, understanding where he’s going with this. “You want to go to Victoria to be close to your pare
Someone rings the doorbell at João Paulo’s house. The homeowner goes to answer after taking a shower and putting on clean clothes. But when he opened the door, João Paulo felt like slamming it in the visitor’s face. “Don’t be rude!” Erasmo exclaimed. “What do you want, you old bore?” João Paulo shot back. Erasmo barged into João Paulo’s foyer. “The mourning is over. Let’s pick up where we left off.” “Are you crazy? Who decides how long mourning lasts? We just got back from the trip!” “Not exactly, it’s been a day. Life goes on, my friend!” Erasmo replied mockingly. João Paulo remained serious. “But I don’t want to continue living this way, where fights and intrigues are the order of the day. Mr. Vasquez, you have a business to run, and I have a family to raise.” “But you found time to slap my son-in-law when he was here defending his family, didn’t you?” “Alan was extremely rude, but that was some time ago.” João Paulo frowned. “I don’t feel the same anger as before.” “So a
At the Vasquez Mansion, Alan could hardly believe that the people were thinking about more intrigues and disputes. “Guys, don’t you understand that I even forgot the reason I slapped Uncle João Paulo?” “Ridiculous!” Erasmo gestured. “You just maintained respect because it was a difficult occasion. But now, the mourning is OVER!” “Do you think João Paulo will rest, dear?” Sofia asked, sitting next to him. Alan shook his head. “If Uncle João Paulo doesn’t want to rest, then he is truly despicable. But my dad is back in town. He wouldn’t dare to do that.” The news should have been uplifting, but the members of the Vasquez family merely exchanged silent glances. With Josias present, it’s quite likely that he will put a stop to their fighting. Alan turned to Olivia. “In the meantime, we should celebrate the recovery of my dear mother-in-law!” Olivia and Sofia smiled awkwardly because of the secret they were keeping. “That’s right, let’s celebrate life!” Erasmo wrapped his arm arou
Josias Rocha and his family returned to Lagoon City. Those who were waiting for them stayed in the mansion and greeted them cheerfully in the foyer. “WELCOME BACK!” Melissa, crying, embraced her parents, William, and the twins fervently. Josias greeted them with a light smile. “Where’s João Paulo?” William asked. “He went straight to his house. His kids needed to rest from the trip.” Melissa wiped her tears with her fingers. “Alan went straight to his mansion. Especially now that his mother-in-law has woken up from the coma.” “That was a scare; I thought we’d have two funerals,” Simeon commented. Everyone headed to the living room. “Is Paris very beautiful, Mom?” Mary asked. “Yes, sweetheart, it’s stunning. We’ll go shopping together another time, okay?” “Do you have pictures?” Ignacio asked anxiously. “Yes, son, we took some pictures.” Melissa sat on the couch, pulling out a package from her bag. Josias sat in the armchair, taking a deep breath. William approached him.
At Café Montanha, Daryl walks in for a coffee and finds Rodrigo at the counter while Neilton serves the others. “Hey, are we back to the old tradition?” “Don’t be a clown, man.” Rodrigo laughs. “Yes, Thierry is at the supermarket, as we agreed.” “Hi, Neil. Can you make me a cappuccino while I enjoy a natural sandwich?” Daryl places his order. “Sure thing, Mr. Mountain.” Neilton heads to the back. Daryl sits on the stool. “So, how do you feel after getting back to your element?” “I don’t regret at all helping my dear wife at the supermarket, Daryl,” Rodrigo admitted while preparing the natural sandwich. “I’m not talking about regrets.” Daryl joked. “But it’s undeniable that after Uncle Francisco’s passing, you prefer to stay here, carrying on the legacy he left.” “Just like Crystal Blue.” Rodrigo smiled. “Hey, I’m aware that you’re looking to open another restaurant in Sunset Village. Do you think you can manage it? How’s the prospecting going?” Daryl picks up the sandwich but