Melissa meets with her family. Daryl and Diana arrive almost late and sit behind them.Kelvin leans towards her, “Where have you been, honey?”“I was talking to the bride, thinking she needed help.”Kelvin smiles, “How lovely, honey, you helped the bride...”“It wasn’t necessary.” Melissa responds dryly and faces the altar, “She was already dressed and made up by professionals. But I can't blame her. When I married Josias, I could count on my family and friends. Kate couldn't even count on the father who uttered curses when she tried to invite him.”“Glad you understand, sweetheart.” Kelvin kisses Melissa's cheek.Daryl is frowning and wanting to squeeze Melissa's neck, “Did you hear that, darling?” he whispered.“Yes, and I don't mean to make a fuss about it.” She whispers back.“She's comparing marriages—” Daryl cuts himself off as William takes a seat next to him, “Oh my God, did Josias invite you? I thought you hated him.”“And I hate him.” William snorts, “The invitation came on
1998Great commotion and agglomeration in the East Lagoon neighborhood. Today is the inauguration of the new headquarters of Rocha Constructions!Josias keeps pinching himself to see if he's dreaming or if he's fulfilling yet another dream. He looks up and thanks God for all the achievements he has had.When looking at the crowd that awaits him, he instinctively looks for Everaldo. Where is he? Isabel swore he was at the wedding, but he didn't see him either among those present or at the wedding feast.Tiago was at the entrance of the building, on an improvised platform, speaking with a microphone to the crowd.“My dears, many of you know me as the 'money man'.” Laughter among those present, “Yes, I was the one who provided the start-up capital. There was a man, Romualdo Silva, who believed in a dream. After seeing how skillfully he and his team built my house in Happiness Slum, I couldn't stay quiet, I had to help him. Well, look how far we've come!”Everyone applauds effusively. Tia
In Teodoro's building, Beto and Teresa are happy to see the inauguration of Rocha Constructions' new headquarters.The radio announcer announces, “At this moment, countless onlookers, among them the company's builders, are entering in an orderly manner to tour the new facilities. Josias Rocha spared no expense or luxury in the new headquarters. It’s some great construction for a great company that doesn’t stop growing. Continue now with our normal schedule.”The radio started playing “My Heart Will Go On” by Céline Dion. Teresa hugs Beto, remembering the movie.“Shall we watch it one more time, dear?” she lovingly suggests.“I'm still not over that Jack died.” Beto wrinkles his nose, “I think there was room on that board.”Teresa laughs, “What matters is that he protected her until the end, while the other one escaped when it was only for women and children to get into the lifeboat.”“You are right, my dear.” Beto kisses her on the forehead, “So, can we plan our wedding? Or are we goi
Flávia doesn't agree that Alan is speaking so aggressively. The boy is only twelve years old and will be thirteen this year. Why does he have this ruthless, cold businessman talk?“Alan, take it easy.” She tries to defuse the situation, “You still have a lot to learn.”But Alan stares at her with a frown, “Mrs. Freire, the sooner I accept my fate, the better.”The answer makes Uélton smile from ear to ear, “See, Reuben? Be aggressive and domineering like your best friend Alan, and you'll conquer the world.”Flavia rolls her eyes. She totally disagrees with this position and wants Reuben to be as meek and docile as possible, “What is this, Uélton? Do you want our son to be a bandit like Renan Vasconcelos?”Melissa is displeased, “Please, don't mention that name in this clean place! Flávia, you don't want your son to become a weakling either.”Flávia was going to retort, but Isabel's wise look made her silent.Reuben approaches Alan, “What about your brothers?”Alan maintains a mature l
Katherine is drooling over her new room. It’s on the side of Josias's office, having the same large windows that light up the space, not as big as the executive director's office, but definitely bigger than the one in the Vargas Building.“And then, dear?” Josias asks, seeing her happy, “Is the room approved?”“It sure is!” Katherine hugs him, “Who said you weren't? And so, son, do you approve?”“Cool, Mom,” J.J. responds sweetly.“Oh, you’ll come to visit Mom and you can wait here.” She points to an armchair, “Let's put some books on this shelf.”Melissa stops at the office door and watches Josias with his new family formation. She smiles slightly.Isabel approaches from behind, “They're pretty happy, aren't they?”Melissa gives a slight start and turns to her friend, “Yes, Izzy. They are happy and I thank God for that.”“And you, my dear?” Isabel gently asks, “Are you happy?”“I am.” Melissa nods, “I have my kids and twins. In fact, I think it's time for me to leave.”“Isn't there a
The next day, Josias is showing off his new office. Octavio, Tiago, Alfred, and Pollyanna applaud another achievement by Josias.“With all due respect to Jack, but I am the king of the world!” Josias jokes, paraphrasing the film.“What now, master?” Tiago asks, “How does it feel to win another stage of your life?”“Everaldo said I would have more blessings and I didn't believe it.” Josias stares at the urban skyline, “But he was right, as always. Are there more things to conquer?”“Of course, there is more. The sky is the limit.” Alfred responds excitedly.“Okay, everyone, let's start 1998 with a great job!” Josias claps his hands.The desk phone rings and Pollyanna walks over, “Oops, I've already started my work.” She answers, “Hello?”On the other side, Miguel is at his desk, “Hello, can I speak to Mr. Rocha? Here is Mr. Damascene.”“Just a moment.” She passes the mouthpiece, “Sir, it's your lawyer.”“Let's go away.” Octavio gestures and the others leave, leaving the boss alone.Jos
Simeon and Dora get upset when they hear their eldest grandson announce that he won't be going to college.“What do you mean by that?” Dora exclaims, “Caio, nowadays, anyone who wants to have a full and fulfilled life needs to study more!”“Grandma, I’m already getting tired of High School.” Caio explains himself, “I'm learning what I need to continue working at the pizzeria.”Simeon raises his eyebrows, “So that's it? Are you thinking of staying forever at this pizzeria? My grandson, this is for people like your father and your grandparents, people who have no prospects for the future.”William feels outraged, “HEY, what do you mean, I have no purpose in life? My goal is to make this goddamn pizzeria grow, dammit!”Dora places her hand on her glabella, “Do we need this language?”“I think it's the only language you understand me,” William grumbles.“Son, get some sense in your little head.” Simeon advises him, “You are no longer the teenager of the '80s. Time is passing, your life is
Melissa is stunned when Alan arrives unexpectedly, and just with a scandalous question.She takes a deep breath and decides to answer calmly, “Son, I'm not in love with your father.”Alan makes a face that Melissa can't read. Disappointment?“O really?” He finally confirms, “If you saw yourself in a mirror...”“How I was?” Melissa smiles, deciding to take this topic as a joke.“Like a little girl in love talking to someone from the Backstreet Boys.” Alan finally smiles.Melissa bursts out laughing, “Son, what a scare! I thought you were asking seriously.”Alan is slightly embarrassed. He WAS asking seriously, “Well... Kelvin can rest easy, right?”“I won’t betray your stepfather just now that I have given birth to your brothers.” Melissa bends down and kisses her son's forehead, “Don't worry, young man, your mother won't create any scandal like Rosemary's mother.”“She and Pedro still haven’t returned,” Alan notes this detail.“Carmen said they're going to stay there. It's better than