Isabel enters Reuben's room and finds him with a nurse. When she realizes that her son looks exactly like his father, her heart sinks. Reuben doesn't have the large ears like his father, but he's just as chatty.“Nurse, did you know that I am going to marry Caroline Rocha?” He excitedly comments, “Of course, first I have to get out of here, heal my wounds, wait for my dad to wake up, and then I have to grow old enough to propose. I want to propose in the middle of Ibrahim Square with everyone watching. Do you think she will like it?”The nurse bursts out laughing, “Of course she’ll do, Reuben. Women love romantic guys.”“I hope your boyfriend does the same thing,” Reuben speaks with no sense of being rude.But the nurse points out that Reuben is a child, “He already proposed to me, and we were already married.”“But was it in the middle of Ibrahim Square?”“REUBEN.” Isabel decides to interrupt the conversation, “Don't bother the nurse with personal questions.”The nurse promptly gets
Reuben is smiling childishly and carefree at the three gentlemen he one day aspires to be: wise grandpa Simeon, famous and wealthy Uncle Josias, and cool Uncle Wally.“Hi, guys! Did you come to tell me that I'm leaving the hospital? Am I healed?”“Reuben.” Wallace feels a lump in his throat, “We need to talk to you seriously.”“I know, about the bomb William planted in our house.” Reuben scowls, “Who's going to pay for the house repairs, he?”Josias replies menacingly, “He will pay.”“Great, now I can nap peacefully.” Reuben sinks back into the pillows, “And when my sleepy father wakes, tell him he'll need twenty years for that beauty sleep he so often claims.”Wallace strokes his nephew's hair, “Reuben, you need to know something about your father. He... he won’t wake up anymore.”“Was the knock he took on the head that hard?” Reuben asks innocently.“Yes, Reuben.” Simeon takes care of completing the news, “I'm sorry, boy, but... your father passed away a little while ago.”Reuben st
Contrary to what Simeon and Dora think, William is already awake, but in boxer shorts and a white tank top, sweeping the living room floor to the rhythm of the song “Heaven's What I Feel”, by Gloria Estefan, without imagining that his family is thinking in Heaven this moment.Simeon and Dora go upstairs to the second floor and break down the door, scaring their son.“YAU! What the hell is this, want you guys to scare me to death?”Simeon didn't even think twice and punched his son with a straight right, “DAMN IT! It was you who killed him, you imbecile!”William staggers back, letting the broom clatter to the floor, “OUCH! What happened, why are you hitting me?”“Do you want to take another punch to jog your memory?” Simeon spins his clenched fist in the air.Dora approaches, “Enough, darling! One is enough.”William stares in horror at the person who should be defending the child she bore in the womb, “MOM! Why are you advocating this violence?”Dora rolls her eyes, “As seen, you're
The following day, everyone gathered for Uélton Freire's funeral and burial.Vernon took charge of the news story and tried to be as discreet as possible. If that happened while they were still enemies, the news in the newspaper would come out as acidic and disrespectful towards the deceased.Wallace decided to shelter Isabel and Reuben in his house, in fact, Isabel's old house when Harold was still alive.The radio in the living room was playing “Thank U” by Alanis Morissette, making Isabel sigh, “Yes, I thank God I had a wonderful son.”Wallace notices a detail, “Mom, the fire destroyed a lot, including your computer! How are you going to work?”“Don’t worry son. I have some money saved in my bank account. I can buy another one, just as I can buy other belongings.”“I have what's left.” Reuben shakes out his backpack with some clothes they managed to salvage from the rubble.Someone knocks on the door. Wallace goes to see who it is and finds Kelvin and Melissa outside.“Can we get i
Kelvin and Melissa enter the funeral home and find the other acquaintances. They greet everyone.As they close in on Josias, Daryl snaps back to attention, but a wary look from Kelvin keeps the big brother from making a scene.“Josias, I am so sorry for your loss.” Melissa says, “Uélton was always like a kind of younger brother to you.”“Yes, until João Paulo came along.” Josias waddles in regret, “Why, even with João Paulo, I always cared for Uélton as if he were family, especially when Wallace was in jail.”“Glad he left...” Kelvin says, “In time to say goodbye.”Josias smirks, “The poor guy is thinking he should stay in jail as if he's bringing a curse on the family.”“Well, I don't blame him.” Melissa says with a sigh, “First, it was the father who died two years before, and now, Uélton.”“These are things that happen, none of it was premeditated.” Josias frowns, “I don't think anyone should feel guilty.”Dora approaches them, “Ah, but there is someone who is symbolically guilty,
Josias continued with the eulogy.“Uélton Freire, against the expectations of many, proved to be a great man, a great citizen of Lagoon City, a great husband, father, and son. We’ll miss him. I’ll miss you...” Josias smiles slightly, “Looks like I can no longer ask him to discipline your tongue. Incidentally, his last words were 'I know you love me the way I am'.”Some women start to cry. Isabel wipes her tears with a silk handkerchief, smiling at the memory.Josias can't take it anymore, “That's all, thank you.”Everyone applauds. Wallace is proud of the speech honoring his younger brother.The priest goes up to the tribune where Josias was and begins to say a prayer.But Simeon and Dora are still bothered by the fact that William wasn't there...******At William's house, he is now showered and resting on the sofa. The radio this time plays the song “Say You Love Me” by Simply Red.The door opens and Caio enters. He glares at his father.“Son! How were the funeral and posthumous tri
Time passes, and with it, the pain of Uélton's death felt by the Freire family. Isabel and Reuben are still well-settled in the Mountain Penthouse.The living room radio plays “La Copa de la Vida”, by Ricky Martin. Everyone is excited for the next World Cup, this time held in France, and the perspective of Brazil being five times champion.Melissa shrugged about it, “We were four times champions in 1994. Don't you think it would be good to leave the opportunity to another national team?”Kelvin almost has a heart attack with such a question, “Honey, where's the patriotic spirit? No, the more trophies we win, the better!”“OK, I'm just bored.” Melissa smiles.On the couch, Alan and Reuben were checking their sticker albums.“I already have this one of Romário, take it for yourself.” Alan passes him a sticker.“Thanks, Alan.” Reuben thanks him.Melissa looks at the boys and thinks they are brothers.Isabel comes from Melissa's office, “Melissa, thanks again for letting me use your compu
Wallace is saddened when he hears the bombshell. Carmen and Vera don't know what to say at the moment.After a few seconds, Wallace decides to chime in, “Ehr... Any idea about what to do with my nephew?”“He’ll have to stay with his grandmother.” Carmen talks like it's the most normal thing in the world.“And will he never see his mother again?” Wallace scratches his head, “Don't you realize we're practically orphaning Reuben?”Vera decides to opine, “Yes, dear, but what can you do? Flavia is still shocked and hysterical. She is not herself. If she takes care of Reuben in a traumatic state, she could commit suicide with her son!”Wallace purses his lips and shakes his head, “Let's not talk nonsense! We’re not mental health professionals.”Carmen shrugs, “Well, the mental health professionals staying in Victoria have decided to keep her quiet until she recovers.”Wallace grabs his hair, “Oh God, how am I going to tell my mom this?”“Do you want me to go with you, honey?”Wallace nods w
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