Rosemary was locked in her room listening to Spiller's song “Groovejet (If This Ain't Love)”, on high to prevent anyone from disturbing her. She was sitting on the bed with her feet up on the mattress, hugging her knees, and letting the tears cascade down her face.
A suitcase started to be filled, but she couldn't finish it. The reason was that she had opened a drawer and found a picture of her and Patrick in Crystal Blue.
“I beg your pardon, Pat… but how can I be your wife if I am and will always be in love with my dear beggar… John… why did you have to be a lie?”
The door is pounded, “Rosemary, turn that volume down! Do you want to go deaf?”
She screams, “YES! I want to go deaf so I never hear any lies again!”
“Rosemary, my daughter, please, open the door.”
Rosemary has a start. It wasn't Beto's voice, but Josias's.
She turns the volume down, wipes away
Patrick came home from school and didn't feel like preparing lunch. So he decided to take advantage and eat the lunch offered in the canteen.But when he walked in, he noticed countless tenants applauding Rosemary, who was in their midst, excited and smiling. The radio was playing the song “Gone” by 'N Sync.Rosemary and Patrick's eyes meet right over the violin part.Before either of them could say anything, Beto climbed onto a desk and, with a glass of acerola juice, he called out, “Guys, I know this is a sad moment, but I don't feel like crying.” Laughter from the others, “So, I want to say goodbye to my daughter with joy. Rosemary will be greatly missed, but we believe she will return matured and strengthened, overcome by the tragedy!”Everyone cheers and claps, except Patrick.Wallace appeared as if by magic, “That's right, Pat.”“That’s right WHAT?” Patrick is startled.<
The wedding of João Paulo and Gabriela arrived.Well, at least for a lot of people, it didn't, because they were completely unaware of the event.In the apartment, the door opens, and Gabriela and João Paulo enter carrying Sandra in their arms (always him, never her). Gabriela opens her canvas bag and takes out a manila envelope.“HERE! Our marriage certificate! We are married, dear João Paulo, now I’m officially your wife.”João Paulo sits on the sofa, lulling Sandra, “Are you sure you want this, Gabi?”“Yes, dear.” Gabriela gives him a sardonic look, “Since your older brother didn't want to spend the money to pay for a decent ceremony for our reception, and since we couldn't get a date at Green Park Church, then, we have no choice but to celebrate for own account!”“You wanted a sumptuous wedding.” João Paulo analyzes her.“Wha
Gabriela's apartment was full.Josias gestures, “Guys, watch out, the baby girl is sleeping.”Vernon returns from the kitchen, “They have a good white wine, Josias. But how about we use our bottle?”Elza hurries, “I'll get the glasses ready!”“I don't know if there will be enough for everyone—” Gabriela tries to warn, but Elza has already gone to the kitchen.João Paulo turns to Josias, “Brother, you didn't seem willing to celebrate my union. What made you change your mind?”“Tiago found out you hadn’t gotten a Church date,” Josias responds with a smile.“Ah, you sent your ‘servant’ to investigate me, huh?” João Paulo starts laughing, “So you cared!”Gabriela has mixed feelings when she sees the Rocha brothers getting along.She wanted to be married to the eldest... Katherine died in vain!
Everyone is surprised when Everaldo finally shows up to give the blessing.“Wow, how much we miss him!” Francisco exclaims.Gabriela is lost, “Who is this guy?”João Paulo explains it, “he is a heavenly being who always comes into contact with Josias when the year is ending. Last year, he didn't show up, and Kate and J.J. died.”Gabriela rolls her eyes and retorts in atheistic disbelief, “Come on! That was just a coincidence! Do you really believe that these things happen?”Isabel shoots Gabriela with her eyes, “I can tell that you don’t believe in a Superior Being that is in the Heights.”“Hello?” Everaldo manifests himself when João Paulo puts on speakerphone, “Josias, my comrade, how good to hear your voice!”“I still haven't spoken, and how did you find out I was here?” Josias asks, always dazzled by how Everaldo alw
At the Lafayette Mansion, the family ate breakfast in burial silence. The Christmas tree was set up and decorated, but that didn't cheer up the family members.“I don't know how I'm going to get through the holidays without my son.” Ingrid is sorry.“Maybe he isn’t even thinking about us anymore, guys.” Nadia grumbles, “I had to hire Claudio to replace him.”“Claudio?” Jacques is surprised, “Are we that close yet?”Nadia blushes shyly, “No, Dad. We are just co-workers.”“What about Rodrigo Mountain?” Ingrid seems not to have heard her daughter, “I liked him.”“Why the past tense, Mom?” Nadia despairs, “I like him too, and I haven't discarded him as a friend.”“We’re not speaking as a friend.” Ingrid smiles as she drinks her coffee with milk and mint, “We are talking about the man who wil
2002Josias is reading an e-mail from Caroline on the office computer located in his mansion. Alan enters the enclosure and finds his father smiling.“What’s up, Dad? Excited for 2002? You will be forty years old!”“Schi!” Josias puts his finger to his lips, “Do you want everyone to know?”“Everyone will find out anyway.” Alan chuckles, “Especially whoever bought the biography.”“Go on, keep mocking, age will catch up with you too.” Josias tickles his son, “Beto is going to be fifty.”“Thank God, it looked like he wasn’t going to arrive sooner.” Alan sighs.“Daryl Mountain will also be forty, we are the same age,” Josias remembers with a smile.Upon pronouncing the enemy’s name, William suddenly appears, “Hello! The butler let me in! But why are we pronouncing the name of the villain?”
Beto is surprised by Patrick’s decision. The tall, strong, and resolute boy no longer looked like that teenager in love with his ‘daughter’.“Pat, do you want to explain to me what’s going on?”“Mr. Reis, my father is being transferred to the Serra team.” Patrick informs him, “And with that, he will move there.”“Dr. Antenor went there too.” Beto mentions, “But what about you?”“I’ll turn 18. According to the contract you printed, I am entitled to own an apartment or studio apartment, correct?”“Very correct.” Beto blinks.“Therefore, I’ll continue to live here and work. I graduated from high school, remember that.”“Yes, I remember, congratulations.” Beto holds out his hand and Patrick shakes it awkwardly, “But won’t you be alone a lot in a two-bedroom apartment?”&ld
After the meeting ended, Mayor Tobias approaches Josias.“Hey, hey, hey, buddy! Come here, there is something I want to discuss with you.”“I’m listening,” Josias replies between chuckles.“First, congratulations on forty years.” Tobias gently states, “Don’t worry, it’s not as scary as I thought.”“Thanks.” Josias laughs.“Secondly, speaking of homeless street children, I have another project that needs to be put into practice. We require another orphanage in the city. I was thinking of honoring it with... how about your best friend, the funny one?”Josias feels a lump in his throat, “Uélton Freire Orphanage?”“Yes, excellent!” Tobias nods, “This shelter would specialize in boys. According to research carried out by my advisors and the Housing Department, the majority of street children are boys.”
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