In the Mountain penthouse, Maggie answers Daryl's crucial question. Melissa and Kelvin wait anxiously.Face straight and serious, she replies, “No, Daryl. I was not a prostitute. My mother lied.”Listeners are shocked to the extreme.Melissa stands up abruptly, “So this is the truth? We need to speak to Bernie immediately!”Maggie turns to her sister-in-law, “Melissa, didn't you know I already tried? I've written a thousand letters, faxed, phoned, but he seems to guess when I'm the one calling. Last week, Elza informed me that he no longer allowed my calls to be forwarded to his suite.”Daryl wiggles, “So someone needs to visit him. Or you can go to the company, little sister.”“Daryl is right.” Kelvin adds, “And before you got here, bro, Josias was talking about Maggie not giving up her job as editor-in-chief.”Daryl doesn't show impatience in front of the ladies, “Okay, this needs to be sorted out too. The public still doesn’t know that the great Marçal couple is separated.”Melissa
On Tuesday, Josias finishes having breakfast with his two children.“Boys, when you get back from school, Ernesto will take you guys to the Mountain penthouse. Alan and Caroline are waiting to play.”“That's great,” David exclaims not so enthusiastically.Josias senses the lack of courage, “What happened, son?”“Dad, I miss Mom.” David answers with his head down, “Why doesn't she want to come back?”Josias doesn't know how to respond in a way that David understands, “Son, your father and mother are not getting along.”“Is it because of that friend?” David pouts, “I don't like him, Dad. He took my mom away!”J.J looks at his older brother without understanding what is happening.Josias pats David's head, “Don't worry, David. You will not be without your mother.”David calms down and goes back to eating his ham bread.******At Uélton's house, Flávia is anxious to know how it did between him and Wallace yesterday. Uélton is listening to the song “These Days”, by Bon Jovi, as if he wants
Angela remains disgusted with life, living in Gustavo's apartment. She is knitting a wool coat for David as she listens to the radio playing “Jesus to a Child” by George Michael.Gustavo appears in the uniform of the Ramos Supermarket warehouse. Against his expectation, Gustavo indeed strengthened and stout his body thanks to so many times that he carried heavy boxes of goods. This makes Angela have second thoughts about her friend.“Gus, you're getting into the same muscular shape as Will Campos.” She slyly insinuates, “Did you get a girlfriend?”“No, and I don't want to date you.” Gustavo sits in the armchair, disgusted with the world, “You'd better think of a way to at least get your son back.”Angela sighs, “If I only knew how to defeat my future ex-husband...”Someone knocks on the door. Angela pretends she didn't hear and continues with her knitting. Gustavo snorts and goes to answer......To Josias.“What the hell are you doing here?” Gustavo quacks.“Good morning, Gustavo. I n
Angela turns off the radio forcefully, very upset with Josias announcing that David wants to see her without Gustavo around.She folds her arms and grimaces in disgust, “You didn't have to denigrate Gus's image for our son.”“You don't understand what's on our son's mind.” Josias replies icily, “He saw you taking your boyfriend to my mansion. David thinks he is to blame for our breakup.”“But that's not true!” Angela is amazed, “Gus and I are not dating! Josias, you must tell our son the truth!”Gustavo returns to the living room, “Mr. Rocha, you can rest assured that I have no interest in getting close to your son. I just want my best friend to have her rights as a mother.”Josias looks at Gustavo as if he were an insect, “Angela will have her socializing life with David under my terms.”“Hey, aren't we formally arranging at the Family Court?”Angela rolls her eyes and looks at Gustavo impatiently. She knows that any judge will corroborate and collaborate with Josias's demands, so wh
In the afternoon, Veronica visits Café Montanha, floating with happiness to tell Jack the news. Rodrigo notices her all joyful and laughs.“Hey, why are you so merry?”“Little brother, I am the happiest woman in the world!” Veronica passionately declares, “Finally, my dream will come true.”“I'm aware that someone from the past was looking for you.” He responds by going to the coffee machine.“Cut the 'past' one, it's making me look old.” Veronica quips, “Jack Motta will be my future. I was forgetting about him until the day he called me.”“Don't let him know you were making out with other guys.” Rodrigo prepares two espressos.“None of that, I was saving myself for Mr. Right, which is Jack.” Veronica sits on the stool.Jack enters the cafeteria as agreed. He approaches and lightly touches Veronica's shoulder.She turns to him with a bridal smile, “Jack... it's been a long time since we've seen each other...”“Let's forget about it and start seeing each other more often.” Jack smiles
A few days passed. The Campos family is celebrating the renewal of ‘Sweet Love’.At Simeon's house, Melissa is hugged by Dora.“Daughter, what a thrill! You know your mom is the number one fan, right?”“I believe in you, mother.” Melissa thanked her for the compliment.Alan jokes, “Sorry, Mom, but I prefer Spider-Man.”William, as usual, is irritating and bitter, “Good thing, kid. I was already suspicious of you.”“WILL!” Simeon interrupts his son insulting his grandson.Alan just shrugs and eats his piece of walnut cake.Melissa sits next to the kids and Kelvin, “I'm seriously considering hiring Jack Motta to be a new character.”William does ‘tsk’ with his tongue, “Oh, what do women see in this guy?”Kelvin jokingly responds, “The same they see in you.”Alan laughs so hard, making him choke on the piece of cake he's been chewing. Kelvin slaps him on the back to help him.“Be careful, my little grandson.” Dora warns him, and then turns to Melissa, “If Jack Motta accepts the role, the
Kelvin is driving back to the penthouse. Melissa is thoughtful in the passenger seat. Alan and Caroline are each with a piece of the walnut cake made by Grandma Dora.“Honey, do you think Angela and Gustavo will try something?”“I don't think so, I'm sure,” Melissa responds in a funereal tone.“Don't worry, my love. I will be around to protect you.” He smiles at her.“I need to speak with Josias so that HE will protect us all,” Melissa responds.Kelvin doesn't take offense, “Okay, let's see if he can hear us.”“I just hope Daryl doesn't mind, as I'm talking about the safety of my kids.”Alan swallows the last bit, “What's going on, Mom?”Melissa is startled and turns around with a comforting smile, “Nothing's happening, son.”Alan thought his mother's smile came on too quickly, “Really? Just now I was listening to you with a sad tone.”Melissa is surprised to see that her son is no longer ignorant, “Alan, enjoy your happy childhood. When you are of age, you will realize how difficult
In Teodoro's building, Cristina and Moacyr are announcing to Diane the decision they have made concerning the management of the place. In keeping with tradition, the lobby radio is playing “Estoy Aqui” by Shakira.Diane is stunned by the information, “Auntie... I can't imagine the building without you two!”Cristina giggles, “Have I become such an integral part of the smooth running of this place?”“Certainly.” Diane warmly states, “And who will take care of the place?”“Someone who has no impediments.” Moacyr replies, “We thought about calling Carmen, but she has James to take care of. Josias is talking to Roberto Reis, although he has an important position at the Ramos supermarket.”Diane shrugs, “Still, he's the best option. After all, he is the son and is supposed to inherit this building.”“His sister is busy being a prostitute in the capital.” Cristina adds with a contemptuous tone, “If she comes back, the tenants will leave in a stampede.”“Not to mention the Freire family is r
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