“Son, as you can see, Izzy and I started dating.” Francisco happily announces.“Good, Dad, congratulations.” Rodrigo smiles, “Veronica will love the news.”Isabel stands up, “I think we can talk to her right now. Is she on LCN?”“Yes, she is shooting some scenes.” Rodrigo gestures, “Mrs. Freire, before you go, I have a call for you.”Isabel is curious to know who called. She waves Francisco to wait and goes to the telephone set nailed to the wall.“Isabel Freire, hello?”On the other side is Jane, “Mrs. Freire, Mrs. Queiroz wishes to speak with you.”Isabel waits attentively. Jane's tone indicated urgency and concern.“Izzy, can you hear me?”“Perfectly, Elsa. What happened?”“Are you aware that Daryl Mountain wants to see you out of Mountain Penthouse?” Elza announces bluntly, making Isabel jump.“What?” She widens her eyes, “Who does this young man think he is?”“The head of the Mountain family, the one who looks out for the best interest of his ones, words from him before he left,”
Isabel arrives at the Mountain Penthouse at the same time as Reuben, Caroline, and Kelvin.“Grandma, I'm glad you came.” Reuben greets her, “Just missing my mother.”“We'll probably see her at Roberto and Teresa's wedding in Victoria,” Isabel speaks surreptitiously.“Oh yes, and we’ll also see Rosemary, Pedro, and Junior!” Caroline flutters, “I miss them.”Melissa finds everyone in the living room. She notices that Isabel has an uneasy look on her face.“Melissa, can we talk in your office?” Isabel asks.“Yes, let's go.” She looks at the children, “Has Alan been to his father's house yet?”“Yes, mom.” Caroline responds despondently, “I wanted to go with him...”“Another day you will, dear.” Melissa smiles at her daughter and she calms down.Afterward, the two ladies go to the office. Melissa was working and her walkman was playing “Crush” by Jennifer Paige, unbeknownst to her that William was 'crushed' to the floor.“I'm going to turn the volume down.” Melissa does so, “Speak up, frie
Josias and Alan enter the office for a phone call.“Son, I'm just going to take this phone call and we'll have lunch together with J.J.”“OK, I want to know how he is.” Alan nods.Josias takes the mouthpiece, “Hello?”On the other side, Melissa doesn't know which tragedy to speak about first, “Josias, I'm desperate, not knowing what to do!”Josias smiles slightly, “Take it easy, I'm here to help you.”Melissa takes a deep breath to calm herself. It always works, “How was your conversation with Alan?”“He has food for thought.” Josias faces his son, still wanting to talk more.“I hope he changes his behavior because Izzy is leaving the penthouse right now.”“WHAT?” Josias wonders, “Why are Isabel and Reuben leaving?”Josias purposely repeats the information to impact Alan. In fact, Alan is also startled and feels guilty.Melissa sneers, “Do I need to answer this question? Izzy said he is AFRAID of our son, isn't that an outrage? She fears that Alan will push Reuben off the balcony beca
After lunch, Josias takes Alan and J.J. to the hospital.Alan is scowling and mumbling, “Dad, I told you I don't want to see my suicidal uncle. When will my will be respected?”“When you're 21, and I can't even guarantee that.” Josias responds fatherly, “Son, this sounds cliché, but you’ll understand that there are certain things that need to be done, even if we don't like it.”“You hate Uncle Will.” Alan insists, “Why did you come too?”“Because of your grandparents and your mother,” Josias responds seriously.“Are they my grandparents too, Daddy?” J.J. asks innocently.“Of course, my son.” Josias smiles gently at his youngest son.Alan notices the difference in treatment and becomes more sullen.Upon reaching the lounge, they enter and find Caio, Simeon, and Dora.“How is your clumsy son?” Josias asks jokingly.Simeon sighs, “We don't know if his leg will hold this time, Josias. It's already the third or fourth time he's operated on it!"“Remember, Seu Simeon, all expenses will be c
Josias is indignant when he sees that Alan becomes more rude and rebellious.“Alan, you hate your Uncle Will so much that you're becoming just like him.”Alan widens his eyes to the fullest, “WHAT? How is such a thing possible?”Dora feels her heart sink, “Josias, you don't have to be so rough on my grandson. I'm sure he won't be hospitalized here all the time. Right, Alan?”Alan smirks, “Sure, Grandma. I will triumph in this world. I can't say the same for Uncle Will. Cousin Caio, no offense.”“I really want you to be a winner, Alan.” Caio asserts.Simeon gestures, “OK, OK, let's stop this shameful talk! Are we a family or not?”Alan was going to retort, but Josias's fierce gaze silenced him. Another slap would be too humiliating.******Kelvin takes Isabel and Reuben to Wallace's house. Wallace awaits and welcomes them.“Mom, welcome back!” Wallace hugs her, “You too, nephew.”“This is my first time living here, Uncle Wally.” Reuben jokes.Adults laugh. Wallace breaks the hug and tu
At General Hospital, William receives the news that he will no longer be able to walk normally, and he becomes uneasy and indignant.He tries to get up from the hospital bed, but Caio and Simeon hold him down.“What are you saying? Let me get up, I can't become a paraplegic!”Dora is distressed, “William, nobody mentioned paraplegia. You're going to have a little trouble, that's all... maybe a pair of crutches—”“You'll want to put me in a wheelchair if I don't get smart!” William blusters.Simeon narrows his eyes, “Son, why did you want to jump out of the window? Don't you realize this was a bad idea?”William huffs, “I just wanted to get away, Dad! I do everything to not have to rebuild Uélton's house!”Caio shakes his head, “You did it, Dad. Mrs. Freire and Reuben are going to live in their old house, where Wallace is now.”Anyone who thought that William would calm down with this was wrong. He became more furious and dissatisfied.“WHAT? Why did nobody think of it before? Everyone
The day of Beto and Teresa's wedding arrived. As mentioned before, the ceremony was held in Victoria, in a church chosen by Raymond.Beto was thrilled to see his children again (most still think Rosemary is his daughter).“Dad, don't you think this is weird?” Pedro scratches his head, “You were already married to Mom. Do we need to repeat that?”Beto laughs and hugs the heir, “Yes, sonny. Now I'm going to marry Tess.”“OK...” Pedro decides not to delve into the matter. The world of adults is very complicated.Josias and his troupe showed up at the Church and witnessed the marriage bond. Melissa almost gave up, but Raymond assured her that Pamela would not be there. So she was acting as maid of honor at the altar, smiling at yet another wedding.Wallace dared to ask Carmen as the priest delivered the wedding speech, “And your little sister?”Carmen smiles, amused, “Pam didn't want to see her ex-husband being happy with someone else. She threatened to ruin the moment by screaming 'I obj
Daryl is working in his office at Crystal Blue. Diane has a copy of Maggiezine in her hand. Her husband's walkman had no headphones, and they were both listening to the song “Iris” by the Goo Goo Dolls.“Your sister was very precise in choosing the best photo of Beto, huh?” Diane drools over the beachy photo, “No one will believe Beto has such a muscular body at forty-six!”“Does the guy have all this?” Daryl jealously questions her.“Yes, that means you should join a gym, honey.” Diane jokes between giggles.“Have you ever seen a restaurateur have a flat stomach, honey?” Daryl tries to be funny, but he's seriously considering doing some calisthenics, “I'm always wrapped in food. Kelvin keeps in good shape because he stands at the entrance as our maître d'.”“OK, but here’s the incentive.” Diane approaches her husband and kisses him on the cheek.Then she goes outside and finds Melissa storming into her hubby's office, “Hey Melissa, what happened?”“Time to speak some truths to your h
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