Isabel and Harold are at home watching the traditional fishing show.Harold comments with a slight smile, “I miss our grandson in my lap watching these shrimp being caught.”Isabel pats her husband's belly, “He is now studying, to be a good citizen. And I don't think he would fit in your lap, not anymore.”“How time passes. He will be nine years old. Do you remember that Flávia almost died in childbirth?”Isabel worries a little, “I remember. So I hope they don't risk having more children, this could have been a warning for Flávia not to get pregnant again.”The landline rings and Isabel gets up to answer it, “Hello?”On the other side is Daniel, “Isabel, this is Daniel Oliveira. Is the hubby around for me to call you by your last name?”Isabel giggles, “He's not jealous, I will always love him.”“Great, because you're already intimate with everyone here. Now is the time for us to be intimate with your daughter-in-law.”“Flavia?”“Isabel, we saw the recording of your daughter-in-law..
Isabel is trying to call Flávia, but she can't. She doesn't know that Flávia is defending Uélton at Rocha Constructions.“No, no one answers, honey.” Isabel hangs up, “I don't think even Reuben made it home from school.”“Is the boy alone at home yet?” Harold asks, surprised.“Uélton said that our grandson is already a man.” Isabel smiles slightly, “As long as Reuben doesn't open the door to strangers, I'm fine.”“Unfortunately he was isolated. Caio lives here. Alan, Caroline, Pedro, and Rosemary live Downtown, and Junior is in Victoria.”Isabel sits on the other sofa, “This could be resolved if they left the favela and lived here in the neighborhood.”Harold ponders for a few seconds, “Well... he's in good financial shape.”“And that house is many years old,” Isabel remembers fondly.“Maybe that's why Uélton insists on staying there. But... it's like you said: before, we lived in Happiness Slum because we couldn't afford to live in a better neighborhood. Now we have it, and Uélton al
Maggie is now bottle-feeding Henrique. At the same time, she teaches Veronica how to repeat the doing when Maggie is at the company. Veronica watches closely.“Here, Veronica, just sit on the armchair and hold it like this... prepare the porridge well and Henrique will drink it all, won't you, my baby?”Henrique just sucks, not caring about anything else.Veronica smiles, “I hope to enjoy the same experience when I have my baby.”“Of course, God hear you. They say you want to transform the representation of commercials into real life, is that true?”Veronica sits on the other couch, “I'd be lying to you if I said no... Jack Motta is the ideal role model every woman wants to get pregnant.”“Yes, he has good genetics, your children will be beautiful.” Maggie nods, “In the meantime, how are the job prospects?”Veronica withers her smile, “I'm waiting for a call from Melissa, your future sister-in-law.”“Looks like they've already found another model to replace you. How fast they are.” Ma
At Marçal Publishing, Maggie and Veronica are in front of Bernardo to discuss the magazine's article.“Veronica, you are part of the family.” Bernardo nods with a smile, “I think it's a good idea for you to appear in the magazine, so you explain to your fans why you're not acting with Jack Motta in the Rocha Constructions commercials anymore.”Veronica is a little apprehensive, “Will the fans like the answer?”“It wasn't a gross event, was it?” Bernardo raises an eyebrow.“Well...” Veronica scratches her head like she has lice, “I misinterpreted a talk from the director. He wanted me to study acting like Jack and I thought he was criticizing me.”Bernardo drums his fingers on the desk, “Oh my dear... what a pity. But you intend to take acting classes, do you?”Veronica looks at Maggie and her cousin slowly nods, encouraging her.“That will be on my targets for 1995.”“1995 is speeding by, Veronica.” Bernardo jokes, “If we stall, we will already be in December without meeting our goals
At Café Montanha, still undergoing renovations, Francisco is outraged to hear Bernardo's theory echoing from the mouth of one of his nephews.“Daryl, how could you have the nerve to think such a thing?” He denies the thesis, “Are you thinking your mother is a slut?”“I didn't think of anything else.” Daryl scrutinizes Francisco, “Even because I don't know anything about it. Did something happen between you two?”“Nothing happened!” Francisco gets up and breathes with difficulty, “Your mother remained faithful to your father, and I to your aunt. There is no swap of couples in our youth, what a horror!”Daryl tries but can't help giggling, “Sorry Uncle, but imagining the scene...”Rodrigo revolts, “Don't imagine it, cousin, respect your mother.”“I can’t believe Bernardo decided to go along with that insinuation!” Francisco sits down again.Daryl decides to reveal to them, “It wasn't Bernie. It was Maggie who showed up yesterday to inform me and Kelvin that you had a conversation with h
Maggie and Diane start talking about what Daryl told his girlfriend about Shirley and Bernardo.“Maggie, as your older brother's girlfriend, you know I end up listening to their complaints. I don’t stay indifferent and I worry about what you guys are going through.”Maggie isn't comfortable with that, “Excuse me, but don't you think you should worry about your family's affairs? How was that thing about your cousin, Pamela Chaves?”“It was resolved, our family and Melissa's family reconciled.” Diane doesn't lose her composure, “That's why I have time to worry about my boyfriend.”“Daryl doesn't need to worry so much.” Maggie asserts nonchalantly.“This is not true. Maggie, think fondly about making peace with your mother. When your brother and I get married, I want to invite everyone.”Maggie rages, “That's out of the question! If you invite my mother, don’t waste time sending me an invite.”Diane raises her eyebrows, “Do you intend to miss your brother's wedding?”“If you want a peace
At the cinema at night, Angela and Gustavo meet. They don't go to the box office to buy a ticket, but to a secluded corner to chat without being discovered or disturbed.“Friend, what is so urgent that it needs to be said like this, on the sly?” Gustavo is curious.“Gus, I need to tell you about what's going on.” Angela is distressed, “A crowd is growing against my marriage, saying that Josias and Melissa should get back together.”Gustavo narrows his eyes, “But do Josias and Melissa want to come back, or is it just the crowd?”“I'm sure Josias loves me and Melissa won't give up that handsome maître d'.” Angela smiles yellowy, “The problem is the crowd talking and honking in their ear all the time. One day one of them is convinced.”Gustavo wiggles, “I don't believe Josias is one of those guys who go along with what people say.”“So you think I should talk to Melissa?”“Who exactly is raising this question?”“Uélton Freire, my man’s best friend.” Angela scornfully responds, “That big-
Lilian suddenly appears and slaps Angela on the back so she can stop choking. J.J and David are desperate with her bluish face.“Mummy, MOMMY!” David screams at the top of his lungs.Josias gets up to help, but Angela doesn't want Josias's big hand to break her ribs, “OK, OK, I already unlocked the throat! Sorry, guys.”“What a fright.” David pouts.Josias pats his children's heads, “Calm down, boys. It's okay, no one here is going to die.”Lilian offers, “Anything else, ma'am?”“You may leave, Lilian, and thanks for your help.” Angela thanks her with a smirk, “Josias, why did you ask me that question just now?”Josias sits back down with a puzzled face, “What? What question is that? You took a while to get home and I wanted to know if everything went well.”“I told you I was going to be late.” Angela responds without daring to face Josias, “I had some backlogs to take care of.”“I think I will follow up on your observation of putting together a client service team.” Josias smiles, “T
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