A few days later, Josias returned from his mission in Victoria. Tiago was practically camped out in the mansion, waiting for his master to return.“Master, how was your expedition?” Tiago asked.Josias chuckled, “First, say ‘good morning,’ Tiago.” He handed his bags to Hector.“Apologies, master.” The gentlemen entered the foyer. “I’m worried about my niece. Has my wife been around?”“Yes, Carmen has been a great help and source of wisdom.” Josias sighed. “Rosemary was convinced she did the right thing, but once she truly realized what she had done, she sank into depression.”“And what about the son of the advertiser? They say he’s from the same agency the Lafayettes are shooting the commercial for.” Tiago furrowed his brow.“We won’t do anything, especially since Rodrigo works with them. By the way, have you seen the commercials?” Josias asked.Tiago calmed down. “Yes, they fired the blonde woman who wore tight shirts and rehired the traditional and conservative family, with Rodrigo
During lunchtime, Josias decided to visit Crystal Blue. Felipe, working as a waiter, warmly welcomed him.“Mr. Rocha... Welcome! It’s been a few days since I last saw you here.”“I was traveling to Victoria for personal matters,” Josias replied kindly. “Is your father here?”Felipe tried to maintain a smile on his face, but Josias noticed the hesitation in the young man. “Uh... He’s in his office.”“Don’t worry, Felipe, I won’t do anything. You can even frisk me.”“Don’t make me do that!” Felipe took it as a joke and relaxed.After sharing a laugh with Felipe, Josias made his way to the office. Daryl was at the computer with a slight smile. Last week’s revenue had increased by 5% compared to previous weeks when rumors of a feud between him and Josias circulated.The door opened, and Josias entered. “Daryl, I need to talk to you.”Daryl looked up and spoke in a serious tone, “Suit yourself.”Josias entered and closed the door. Then he stood in front of the restaurant owner’s desk.“Her
Josias got up and decided to go to the hospital to check on his friend Beto.But as he was taking steps towards the door, putting on his jacket... Damn it! Today he had a meeting to discuss a new project in Guarapari!In fact, the door opened, and Alfred found him. “Josias? Are you ready? We’re heading to the conference room.”Josias tried to disguise his concern. “We’re ready, Alfred.”“Is something wrong? You seem worried.” Alfred tried to be friendly.“Something happened, but people keep telling me that I need to focus more on business and stop being a babysitter for my friends.” Josias smiled bitterly.Alfred looked at the clock. “Well... That’s what people say. But what about YOU, Josias? What do you want to do?”Josias felt tempted by Alfred to postpone the meeting and go to the hospital. But... “No, let’s go to the meeting. I’ve already given the order to Pollyanna. They’ll take care of everything for me.”“Then let’s go!” Alfred smiled and made way for his boss to pass.Meanwh
At the General Hospital, Josias approaches the information desk and asks the nurse, “Good afternoon. I need to speak to the doctor in charge of the patient Roberto Reis.”The nurse smiles and replies, “We’re already aware of your involvement, sir. The cardiologist surgeon, Dr. Fraga, is still in the operating room with his team. Please keep calm.”“Thank you,” Josias nods in response.Teresa appears down the corridor. She looks tired but manages to smile. “Josias...”“Hi, Tess,” Josias approaches her and they hug. “How is our champion?”“He’s still having surgery,” Teresa replies. “The rest of the family is inside.”Josias looks concerned. “What a situation, Tess. What brought this on? Wasn’t he taking his medication properly?”Teresa breaks the hug and faces Josias, uncertain whether or not to speak.“Go ahead, Tess,” Josias encourages her.Teresa swallows dryly and says, “What would you say if you knew that Beto read about Rose’s abortion in the LCN newspaper?”Josias’s face reddens
The next day, Nadia showed up at Café Mountain to talk to her boyfriend. At least she thought she was dating Rodrigo.As she was greeted by the aroma of espresso and the song “Don’t Let Them Get Me” by Pink, Nadia finds Rodrigo wearing an apron that hugged his body.“Hmm... my boyfriend likes to show off his muscular body, huh?”“Stop it, honey, you’re making me shy.” Rodrigo strokes her head, “But... are we officially a couple?”“Wow, aren’t we?” Nadia is surprised, “After the romantic night we had, according to my father...”“Well, it’s confirmed: we’re boyfriend and girlfriend,” Rodrigo replies hurriedly before Jacques enters the café demanding compensation for his little princess.Nadia laughs, “What a rush... Anyway, how is Roberto Reis, the man who managed the supermarket before me?”“You hold him in high esteem without ever having worked with him, huh?” Rodrigo finds that interesting.“It’s the way Mr. Ramos spoke of him when he sold the supermarket to us.” Nadia admits, “I can
Everyone in Beto’s room rejoices with him waking up. Teresa has to stop herself from climbing on top of her convalescing husband.“DEAR! Beto... my love... you’re awake!”“Yes, guys, why all the fuss?” Beto speaks, his voice is weak.Everyone laughs.“Sorry, brother-in-law.” Wallace says, “We overdid the voice.”“It’s the first time a patient has woken up because of visitors.” Vera jokes.Wallace puts his hand on his wife’s shoulder, “Come on, Vera. Let’s leave the family for now.”Wallace and Vera leave.Beto takes a deep breath. Color is returning to his face.“Daddy, are you not going to die anymore?” Maycon asks just to be sure.“Who said that?” Beto tries to raise his hand to stroke his son’s head, but he is still weak. A needle stuck in his hand hinders the process.“That’s what everyone said.” Maycon shrugs, “But Grandma Isabel prayed to God and he healed you.”Beto smiles and nods.Pedro says, “Dad, Reuben said you have to be alive for his wedding feast.”“Reuben is a... good-
Days later, Beto is received with honors and festivities back at his home.All the tenants who were up to date on their rent crowded into the lobby. Beto was moved and allowed himself a few tears. The clapping was deafening and lasted for minutes.“LONG LIVE BETO!”“HURRAY!”Teresa hugs Beto, “See, dear? They love you!”Beto visualizes the portrait nailed to the wall, “Hey, did they advance my tribute yet?”Vera laughs, “And there’s more, bro: Josias wants to build a building in Guarapari with your name.”Beto looks around until he finds Josias.“Yes, you deserve it, buddy!” Josias and Beto embrace.In a corner of the lobby, Daryl watches the scene with some envy. He wanted to win Beto’s friendship, and now he doesn’t have Beto’s or Josias’s! He was only there because of Rodrigo and the Freire family.Diane senses her husband’s embarrassment, “If you smile, they won’t mind.”Daryl groans, “I care. We are here, celebrating, but I have to hide in a corner.”“Do we HAVE to hide in a corn
Josias enters the apartment, worried about his brother.“João Paulo, today we had an amazing party at the Teodoro building. Why didn’t you go and take Sandra with you?”João Paulo is a little embarrassed to answer, “You said the reason. Sandra.”“What about her? Is she sick?” Josias checks his niece.“No, she’s fine.” João Paulo smiles at his daughter, “I don’t think she would do well at a noisy party. I bet there was a lot of screaming and cheering, huh?”Josias nods, “Yes, the folks were happy with Beto’s safe return. We lost his father in 1985 in the same location. We didn’t want to lose the child fourteen years apart.”João Paulo agrees, “Yes, Beto turned fifty. He’s still young.” Sandra starts to look drowsy, “Excuse me, Josias, I’m going to put her in her crib.”Josias sits on the sofa and waits for João Paulo to return from his daughter’s room. He observes framed photographs of João Paulo and Sandra in different situations.When João Paulo returns, Josias doesn’t waste time, “L