The building where the Silva Construction Company headquarters will be has one of the walls covered by graffiti, another wall is peeled and with visible cracks. In other times people could say it was a blue building, but now, it is difficult to say. It has four floors and almost disappears in front of other buildings between ten and twelve floors.
"Is it right here, Tiago?" Josias asks in disbelief.
"Yes, it was the best place we found. Seu Romualdo ran the entire Downtown, it was not easy."
Josias resigned himself. Someone with Romualdo's vision would even find a cheaper rental office, even if it meant an unattractive location like this building.
Tiago takes the keys out of his jeans pocket and opens the gate, which is rusty and corroded with rust and salt spray. Then, they enter the building through the side door that leads straight to the stairs. Josias realizes that the second floor is being used as a private dental clinic. The third floor is vacant a
Meanwhile, at the women's clothing store (one that Melissa would never dream of setting foot on); Elisa is choosing a dress for Melissa.The occasion for the two to talk as friends ended up coming naturally."So, how long have you been dating Josias?" Elisa asks with such certainty that Melissa gets embarrassed."Oh, no, he's not my boyfriend anymore." Melissa tries to fix it."Sorry, honey, but a man as handsome as Josias can't be without a girlfriend. Run and grab him while there's still time." She speaks while examining the clothes rack.Melissa blushes with embarrassment. "He's indeed handsome; he looks like an Israeli king, like David.""Well then, why did you let that sheik go? Were you jealous of the concubines?" Elisa chooses a lilac dress and holds it out to Melissa.Melissa is mesmerized by the dress, tries on the fabric, and feels it is silk. She is slow to respond because of this.Smiling at the choice, Elisa takes
At Central Square, Elisa and Melissa are waiting for Tiago's van with the lilac dress she bought and many other plastic bags containing purses, shoes, pantyhose, and makeup. Melissa is amazed and eager to make her neighbors jealous. If Pamela gets jealous, it'd be even better for Melissa.Meanwhile, without them noticing, Everaldo approaches and waits for the bus to Rainbow Garden. He ends up tuning his ear to the ladies' conversation."So, are you really going to dance with Josias at the party?" Elisa asks.Melissa responds dreamily, "If he asks me, yes.""Enjoy it, girl, and accept the marriage proposal." Elisa encourages her."Why are you so sure that he will propose to me?" Melissa doesn't understand her friend's insistence."Because it looks like you were born to each other. You said he had just run away from Rainbow Garden and was short on cash, but he still wanted to help you buy a bottle of shampoo. Well, darling, on this day it was
In Josias's room, he is applying a cream or gel to his hair to make it easier to style. Now with his wardrobe, he can buy and store numerous personal items that were previously missing, such as gel after-shave.He looks in the mirror and checks the look. He smiles, pleased with him. Who knew he would now be wearing a black suit in style, about to go to a wedding party?Josias looks at the shoes that are also new. He was advised by Tiago to buy a shoe polish for them.While walking down the stairs, Josias meets Jeremiah, who promptly mocks him when he sees him well dressed."Where are you going, to a costume party? Are you dressed up as important people?""Is that envy because you will never be like me?" Josias replies in the same tone."You always thought more than you are." Jeremiah speaks contemptuously, "You always acted as if you didn't belong here, as if you were never one of us. One day, buddy, you will wake up from the dream and feel
In the ceremonial club, the ample space was decorated all in white, to match the bride's dress. Powerful reflectors instead of ordinary lamps made the place brighter. There weren't many people, as the Bento family was not famous in the city.Josias looked at the guests in general and discerned that they were all basically from the same social life as them, just wearing better clothes. No tycoons, celebrities, politicians, or film and TV artists. Because, knowing Tiago, that was all that was missing from the party.However, this made Josias more relaxed. Being the guests from middle class to down, he and Melissa would not have to worry about etiquette at the table, nor remember to choose cutlery from the outside to inside. Josias mentally bet that the menu would also be on par with the weddings he had already attended when he lived in Rainbow Garden.Round tables covered with white linen towels were also available in the two corners of the club, leaving space in
"You can kiss the bride!" The priest speaks with a slight smile. It is so good to marry young people from a good family and of good nature.Saulo lifts Elisa's veil, and with a romantic smile, the two approach and kiss. Saulo was without his glasses and had to strain his eyes a little, but nobody paid any attention; the kiss was beautiful and everyone claps.Josias, while clapping his hands, reflected on him: if he did not save Elisa from the clutches of Jeremiah, she would no longer be a virgin and probably Saulo would not want to marry her, as everything indicates that Saulo is too (or he wanted to show decorum in front of the priest). And Elisa herself would probably consider herself unworthy to marry someone as correct and decent as Saulo if she went through that nightmare.That is why both Elisa and Saulo will be forever grateful to Josias. And now he's there, with his alleged ex-girlfriend Melissa applauding the newlyweds' kiss.On the dance floor,
Josias abruptly gets up from his seat to face Fabrício. The guests who were nearby are surprised and look at the two men.Melissa, however, takes Josias's arm from where she is sitting. "Josias, don't dare yourself to this cardboard scene. Everyone is looking and the party is not yours.""Don't worry, Melissa." Fabrício smiles with disdain, "It is typical of people like Josias to be hot-headed.""You forget that I also live in Happiness Slum." Melissa counters with annoyance."Not for long." Fabrício smiles mischievously, "In the future, you will emerge from that poverty and be a lady of high society. All that remains now is to know through whom."Josias interprets Fabrício's speech as a pick-up line and prepares to move forward, but Tiago approaches the confusion. "Is there a problem here?"Josias takes a deep breath, but still keeps a frown and a gaze on fire. "This guy is bothering Melissa."Fabrí
A few more weeks go by. Josias continues to study in the Building Technician course. Every once in a while he shows up at Igor's house under construction and ends up giving some guidelines he learned in the course. He is talking to Uélton who is on top of a scaffold."Are you sure that the rope knots are secure? I don't want you to be in an accident." Josias warns him.Uélton, as always, takes it all in play, "Sure, my comrade! Milton made a Boy Scout knot. After all, we can't have accidents; otherwise, it gets worse for the construction company!"Josias purses his lips. He was not necessarily thinking about the company, but about the safety of his best friend."Well, if you can get down, you'll be in the picture." Josias shows him a camera in his right hand."Ah, to take pictures you have to call my brother," Uélton says the joke and steps down from the scaffold.After calling the other bricklayers and helpers, Josias t
The next day, Tiago, Josias, and Romualdo are watching a telephone company technician install a telephone line for the office. Josias is impressed with another stage of Silva Constructions completed."Everything ready, boss!" The installer checks the line signal, everything is working."Thank you very much, young man!" Tiago thanks him. He signs some papers and the installer says goodbye.Romualdo tries the phone and checks that it is working."Yes, we are on the line." He smiled. "Now we can spread the news."The two go to one of the tables that will be Josias's table. On top of it, the photos are already revealed of the construction site."And with the pictures taken by Josias of my brother's future home," Tiago adds, "We have the material for the advertisement. Now we need to take some pictures of my home.""I contacted former Rainbow Garden clients." Romualdo speaks next, "And they agreed that I would take some pictures."T