2000.Many Brazilians mistakenly welcomed the 21st century, others committed suicide thinking the world was going to end this year.But our hero Josias did neither one nor the other.He continued to work hard and protect Katherine as if she were a piece of china because of the curse Everaldo had uttered.While some fear the future, others rejoice and swim headlong.Wallace and Vera, for example, were finally able to celebrate their wedding without fear of Pamela intruding on the ‘forever hold your peace’ part.“By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You can kiss the bride!” Father Mathias, famously known among the group, united and blessed another couple.To the applause of guests and family, Wallace and Vera finally kiss like newlyweds.Isabel cries and looks up, missing Harold and Uélton, “You would love to be here.”When Wallace and Vera walk down the aisle, they get the famous rice shower.Josias applauds with satisfaction, “Uélton, your older brother is
Josias narrows his eyes and doesn't recognize the owner of the broad, muscular back.The last time he saw his younger brother was at his and Katherine's wedding. Josias had already noticed that João Paulo was working out and getting bigger.But was this big, muscular, and attractive man the younger brother he met in 1985?“João Paulo?”The man turns and smiles, “Josias!”Josias got shocked. Yes! It's João Paulo! But......Since when did João Paulo become a Calvin Klein underwear model?Josias noticed his square, masculine jaw, three days' worth of stubble, his shoulders and arms defined and toned, his chest large and lightly hairy behind his white knit shirt, and thick legs wrapped in brand-new jeans. Josias knew that if his brother lifted the hem of his shirt, the six-pack would appear perfectly sculpted.He decided to give the brother he hadn't seen in so long a hug and he felt crushed by the bear hug very strong and firm.“Little brother! You literally grew up! You're my height...”
João Paulo is presented at Marçal Publishing by those who still don't know who he is. Those who already know him are dazzled to see how the boy has grown.Bernardo introduces the Maggiezine team, “Guys, for those who don't know him yet, this is Josias Rocha's brother, João Paulo Rocha Queiroz. He will be our new contributor to Maggiezine.”Everyone claps in welcome. However, women are impressed by the newcomer's Arab beauty.Gabriela sees Josias in the likeness of his younger brother and doesn't take her eyes off him.“Gabriela, as agreed, you will be responsible for briefing our new journalist.” Bernardo points João Paulo at her.The other journalists and editors were jealous of Gabriela.“Very welcome, Mr. Rocha Queiroz.” Gabriela shakes his hand respectfully.João Paulo smiles at her and the others, “Please, you can call me João Paulo. Oh, Mr. Marçal, I sign my articles with inverted last names: Queiroz Rocha.”Bernardo is surprised, “But why the inversion?”“I told my father that
At Marçal Publishing, João Paulo is getting to know his computer. Gabriela doesn't take her eyes off him.“Do you have much time working here, Miss…?”“Alves, but you can call me Gabriela if I’m going to call you João Paulo.” Gabriela smiles at him.“OK.” João Paulo stares at her.“I have one year of service, I graduated in 1998,” Gabriela responds humbly.“I graduated a year early. So I'm older than you?” João Paulo also grins.“What a thing, no?” Gabriela laughs, “Then I shouldn't treat you as a boss but as a colleague.”“Fortunately.” João Paulo stands up, “Maybe I can teach you something?”“It would be a joy.” Gabriela refuses to use the word ‘pleasure’, “And how is your half-brother?”João Paulo's smile disappears like magic and the charismatic face turns into a frown, “Josias is my brother. Cut the ‘middle’.”Gabriela widens her eyes and covers her mouth with both hands, “Oh! Sorry, João Paulo! It just makes me confused!”“There is nothing to confuse.” João Paulo refuses to forg
On Tuesday, Vernon is trying in vain to tie his tie in his bedroom. His cell phone rings. He goes to the dressing table to answer it and sees that it's Josias's number on the caller ID.“Hello, Josias! How can I help you so early?”“Vernon, did João Paulo return to Victoria?” Josias is still lying in bed, leaning against the headboard and with the blankets covering him from the waist down.“No, he slept here like a little angel.” Vernon smiles, “Why?”“Bernardo said he left the premises of Marçal Publishing in a hurry. Looks like we already got a disagreement.”Vernon breaks his smile. Elza enters the room and listens to the conversation from here.“My son quit his job?”“No, he just left unsatisfied according to the security guards at the entrance.” Josias soothes him.“Let's talk to him.” Vernon responds firmly, “Bernie did us a favor by hiring João Paulo, we're not going to let him pass up this opportunity.”“Thanks. Let's leave things in peace.” Josias smiles and says goodbye to h
Elza enters the Rocha Hotel and finds Jane directing the maids with cleaning.“Girls, you cannot wear the same cloth all the time. See,” she runs her finger over a chair, “you guys cleaned it, but because the cloth was dirty, it just spread the dirt. Use a different cloth for each occasion, and then the furniture will be 100% clean.”“Thank you for the advice, Mrs. Motta.” One of the maids bows like she's Japanese.“Glad you understand.” The maids leave and Jane finds Elza, “Hello, Elza! How is your day?”“Very worried.” Elza lets out a sigh, “My baby has barely started labor and already fought with I don’t know who.”Jane laughs, “Elza, from what you've told me, João Paulo is no longer a baby. Is it true that he is as big and seductive as Josias was in his twenties?”Elza gives the manager a slight push, “Be respectful, girl! Don't let your hubby hear you.”The two ladies burst out laughing. João Paulo's beauty will still generate many comments among women.Elza continues, “It’s just
João Paulo arrives nervous because of the clash he had with William. But upon entering his office, he finds Gabriela waiting for him.Gabriela, in turn, thinks that João Paulo is nervous because of her and starts to apologize, “Sorry for the invasion, João Paulo, but I need to talk to you!”“We're talking.” He responds curtly and heads for the desk.“I want to apologize for the terrible sin I committed yesterday. Please, don't resign because of me.” Gabriela only needed to kneel.“I won’t resign.” João Paulo sits down, “And I'm not angry because of you. I met an asshole along the way.”Gabriela holds her tongue in time to ask, ‘Your father’? She clears her throat unnecessarily and continues, “So what's your first article going to be?”“How Will Campos went from winning scorer to paralyzed failure.”Gabriela bursts out laughing, “Ha, ha, ha! João Paulo, you really are your father’s son.”“GABRIELA!” Maggie exclaims unexpectedly.Gabriela takes another fright and takes her hand to her h
Josias is reading the outline of the speech he intends to give at the inauguration of the Uélton Freire Building.The desk phone rings and he picks it up with mild irritation, “Presidency, good morning!”“Mr. Rocha, it’s your brother. Can I transfer the call?” Pollyanna asks cautiously.“Yes, you can, Pollyanna.” Josias calms down when thinking about his dear brother, “Hello, João?”João Paulo is at the desk equally irritated, “Josias, we need to talk about Will and Caio Campos.”Josias lets out a long sigh, “Let me guess: you went to see your nephew and he acted like a jerk.”“Is he really my nephew?” João Paulo scratches the back of his neck, “Will even raised that doubt.”Josias bursts out laughing, “Ha, ha, ha! What an imbecile! If you are my brother, it stands to reason that you are Caio's uncle. Ah, João Paulo, don’t be angry with him.”“I'm about to write an article to defame him.” João Paulo has his fingers itching to get started.“No need, Will has had enough punishment. Now
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