At Marçal Publishing, Caio decides to leave João Paulo's office, “Uncle, we'll talk another time. Excuse me.”
“I’ll call you.” João Paulo guarantees.
Caio looks at Gabriela suspiciously and leaves.
Gabriela closes the door and speaks in an accelerated tone, “João Paulo, you must hate me for good reason. But allow me to explain.”
“Explain what, Gabriela?” João Paulo suddenly smiles, “I know you aren’t a promiscuous adulteress. I was there, close to you, and I saw no immoral intent in the interaction between you and my older brother. Whoever took these pictures and sent this email is looking for trouble.”
Gabriela gets mixed emotions, “Ehr… you don't see me as a bitch?”
João Paulo stands up abruptly and, with the same magnetic and seductive gaze, walks slowly towards Gabriela, like a lion hunting a zebra without
At Café Montanha, Rodrigo is talking to Isabel and Francisco about his training as the new poster boy for Rocha Constructions.Isabel asks, “Rodrigo, don't you think it's weird that you're here wearing that attendant's apron?”Rodrigo chuckles, “I'm a humble guy, Mrs. Freire. Or can I call you Izzy already?”Francisco gives his son a playful push, “Isabel is fine.”Rodrigo laughs, “He, he, he. Anyway, Isabel, I'm getting some pose and posture lessons. My instructor says I'm photogenic and I'll replace Jack masterfully.”“There was another guy called Jock Russo, where is he?” Francisco asks curiously.Isabel smiles, “I saw it in an ad for men's underwear inside Maggiezine. It was a centerfold.”Francisco looks at Rodrigo askance, “I don’t know if I want my son to go to that extreme, huh.”Rodrigo has fun with the couple.Jo&at
At Rocha Constructions, Katherine feels that she will be working out the terms of the divorce right there in Josias Rocha's cold and impersonal office since they have not signed any prenuptial agreements.“If I had known it would come to this point, I would have remembered the agreement.” Katherine grits her teeth in dissatisfaction.“We thought our marriage would last forever.” Josias reasons, “I fought until the last moment, Kate. But you are the one who voiced the idea.”Kate barks, “It's because I don't want to be in this situation anymore! You were interacting romantically—” Seeing that Josias was going to interrupt her, “DON'T INTERRUPT ME! I don't care how many times you deny it; you were indeed romantically interacting with Gabriela Alves! All you had to do was feed her strawberries and whipped cream in some motel suite!”“You were supposed to be there.” Josias tries to
A few days passed.Katherine visits William's home. He takes advantage of the fact that Caio is not there but hastily attends to her so that the neighbors don't see her at the gate. From the street, she could hear the song “The Real Slim Shady”, by Eminem.“Will, won't you go deaf with the music so loud?”“Get in quickly, I don’t want no one to see you around here!” William is startled.Katherine smirks, “What's the matter? If your son appears, I’ll say I came here to investigate the photographs.”“So how are things?” William asks more calmly.“The divorce will be finalized today.” Katherine is beaming instead of crying her eyes out.“You are the first woman I have seen smiling at the prospect of divorce.” William scratches the back of his head.Katherine laughs, “Honey, I want to set a precedent for all Brazilian women not to
At the Rocha Mansion, the children are surprised by Katherine's primary concern.Alan scolds her, “Miss Bezerra, your son is leaving never to return, and you worry about my half-brother's whereabouts?”Katherine rolls her eyes impatiently, “I don't want to discuss this, Alan. First, my son will return to defeat you. Second, why is David not saying goodbye to my son?”Rosemary responds in the same impatient tone, “He went off to call and he hasn't come back yet. We're eating all the canapés, don't blame us!”Katherine rages at the word 'call', “Keep the party going and eat all the canapés!”Katherine withdraws, leaving the children.Alan frowns, “What did she mean by J.J. defeating me?”J.J. responds, “My mother is very upset, Alan, don't mind.”Alan smiles slightly, “J.J., I really hope you'll come back when we grow up to work together i
Hours later, Josias and Katherine go down the stairs of the historic building where the Family Court operates. A lawyer for each of them follows the steps of their clients.Josias has his head down while Katherine has her head held high in a haughty pose.“I finally fulfilled your dream, Josias.” Katherine was behind Josias and dared to tease him, “Or shall I call you ‘Mr. Rocha’ now?”Josias stops going down the stairs. The lawyer tries to pull Josias away so that Katherine cannot reach him. Why make things worse?But Josias didn't want to run away and waited for Katherine to reach him, “I won't care what you call me. I won't be around to hear you.”Katherine laughs, “Exactly. Today, I’ll take my flight to Victoria, and from there, I’ll go to São Paulo. Afterward, I’ll go to the USA. Claudio awaits me.”Josias smiles imperceptibly, “So you found him?&
Two days later, Josias is still trying to get used to the emptiness of the Rocha Mansion without Katherine neighing through the corridors. David, however, is quiet eating all the breakfast options.As he smears blackberry jelly on toast, he continues to chatter, “And don't forget, Dad, that heartless one pushed me and made me hurt my knee. She must have been very hysterical as she had lost all the wealth she had squandered at your expense. Now she must be on the streets of the U.S. looking for a guy she's only known for a few months. When is my Mother going to come back?”Josias gets puzzled, “What did you say, David?”David asks arrogantly as if it's already decided, “When is my Mother going to come back? Tomorrow?”Josias smiles with pity, “David, your Mother is famous in Rio de Janeiro and must remain so. If she wants to come to Lagoon City to expand her business, she has the Rocha Hotel at her disposal. But sh
Josias enters Rocha Constructions and feels that everyone throws him looks of regret. He doesn't understand what's going on.It’s only Pollyanna who dares to speak directly, “Mr. Rocha, we are sorry for your loss.”“Have our competitors overtaken us?” Josias jokes, “Is that why they're all looking like we’re in some burial?”Pollyanna is embarrassed, “No, sir. We... We saw it on the morning news. The plane Kate Bezerra and your son J.J. were on crashed into the high seas.”Josias's smile slowly fades, “But they survived, of course. Everaldo said they wouldn't die!”Pollyanna doesn't dare to confirm the worst.Josias goes like a sleepwalker to his office. He only finds himself when he's helping himself to a big shot of brandy.Tiago and Octavio enter the office also in funeral voices.“Master...”“Please, Tiago, no.” Josias doe
At Vernon's apartment, João Paulo quickly switches the 24-hour news for music videos as soon as he hears the door open.When Josias enters the living room, his younger brother is apparently watching the music video for Cold Play's song “Trouble.”Josias smiles yellowly, “At least someone is having fun around here. Good morning, bro.”João Paulo doesn't say anything, just stands up and hugs his older brother tightly.Vernon cleared his throat, “Josias, do you want to talk to the Mountain Penthouse folks?”Josias undoes the hug and turns to his stepfather, “I don't think it's a good idea. I don't want to hear accusations and reprimands.”Vernon wonders, “Melissa wouldn't do that.”“Dad, Melissa is no longer the same one I fell in love with in 1980.” Josias lets his shoulders bend, “She's now Melissa Mountain, and she's been sucking in the air of