At the Rocha Mansion, Josias looked spectacular in black Speedos and sunbathing in the Sunset Village sun. Alan practiced strokes in the pool. Reuben, Pedro, and Henrique were with him, frolicking around.“Go, Alan! So you win the next Olympics!” Reuben screams.“Help Brazil win more medals in 2004!” Pedro laughs.Alan stops his strokes and takes off his swimming goggles, “You nags! Aren’t you satisfied with the Brazilian team having become the five-time champion?”“YES!” All the boys vibrate. They’re lovers of the national sport.Hector appears and smiles as he sees the youth having fun. He has a silver tray in his hand with a cell phone vibrating.“Mr. Rocha, someone is calling you.”Josias smiles slightly, “It must be Everaldo. Time for my blessing.”Josias sits on the deckchair and answers the cell phone, but he gets the creeps when he sees Daryl’s number on the caller ID.“Hello, Daryl? What do you want now?”In Crystal Blue, Daryl is in his office frowning and standing.“Jeez, y
Daryl, still trying something out, made his way to his family at Café Montanha. Diane, Francisco, Isabel, and Rodrigo were listening attentively.“And poor Kelvin thinks that by making love to Melissa more consistently and wildly, he’ll convince her not to leave him.” Daryl narrates his younger brother’s lament, “But that’s not the problem. Melissa doesn’t want to leave Kelvin due to their lack of marital intimacy. Melissa DOESN’T WANT TO LEAVE HIM, that’s the point.”Isabel scratches her forehead, “Daryl, we’ve been hearing this since Melissa left for Victoria. By the way, we thought this was to solve this problem.”“Looks like it just got worse.” Daryl swallows hard, “Looks like the distance only made Josias crave Melissa even more.”“Like Mr. Darcy?” Isabel asks without mocking.“I don’t know.” Daryl leans over the bench and buries his hands in his head.Francisco clears his throat, “Well, I won’t be the one to step in front of Josias and stop him from getting Melissa back. Of cour
William, not caring about Daryl, butts into the conversation.“None of that, Rodrigo, let’s be pragmatic! Daryl is reaping what he sowed. Why did your cousin get into where he didn’t belong? Why did he fall into Katherine’s trap, spreading the word that Josias was going to dethrone Alan? Why did he get into a fight with Octavio, almost getting barred from Jack and Veronica’s wedding? Why did he enlist Gabriela Alves, an inexperienced journalist, to try to be the next Mrs. Rock when Josias didn’t even know her?”Everaldo listened to all of William’s questions as if he didn’t know about it.The ambulance pulled up and parked on the sidewalk. Paramedics quickly appeared.“Excuse me, guys! Do not crowd on top of the patient, he needs to breathe.”“I hope no one has moved him.”“Just to check the pulses.” Rodrigo admits, “He’s still alive.”“OK, let’s take him.” Paramedics perform the procedure.Rodrigo glares at William, “You never liked Daryl. By the way, you never liked us as a whole! S
2003Mayor Tobias is, along with the people of Sunset Village and more of today's celebrities, opening the Lagoon City Marina. The place promises to be the point for rich people to have and store their sailboats and yachts.Josias, as always, is there, wearing sunglasses, a light T-shirt, and knee-length shorts. Not even Tobias dared to wear a suit. The day was especially hot, and around the inauguration, countless bathers in skimpy clothes accompanied the event.After posing and effusive applause, the Lagoon City Marina was ready to receive the first recreational craft.Josias approaches Tobias, "Do you realize that with each passing year, Lagoon City is looking more and more like Miami?""Thank God for that!" Tobias jokes, "And you know we're growing. With the new residential subdivisions that I approved in the East Zone of the city, we passed 300,000 thousand inhabitants, and I hope to reach the mark of 400,000 when we are in the next decade.Josias nods admirably, "The Exact Scien
The next day, Josias and Melissa woke up cuddling together in the double bed as if they were the old Rocha couple. At least, in Josias’s mind, that certainty was stronger.Melissa looked around Josias’s equally luxurious bedroom and felt like she was in a dream. After years in the penthouse master suite, this suite that looked more like a VIP room in a European hotel took her breath away.“Josias, I must admit that you have good taste,” Melissa comments.Josias smiles, spooning Melissa into his arms, afraid of losing her again, “Say I’m dreaming.”“You aren’t dreaming, Josias.” Melissa looks around and finds some bags from the expensive stores she used to frequent, “Which bags are those?”Josias lets go of Melissa and leans against the headboard, showing off his muscular torso. He smiles, “I needed to get you some new clothes.”Melissa gets still under the covers, “Sorry, Josias. I didn’t even bring a nightgown.”Josias goes back to stroking Melissa’s shoulders, “Hey, calm down... I’m
Josias and Melissa are now at the dining table, having a sumptuous breakfast. The maids serving breakfast can barely hide their admiration for being in front of the Lady of Lagoon City.“Anything else, ma’am?”“No, thank you.” Melissa thanks them with a charismatic smile.The maids leave.Josias is pleased with what he saw, “They admire you, Melissa. Little do they know that they are serving the mistress and owner of this mansion.”Melissa smiles awkwardly, “Josias...”“No discussion.” Josias takes her right hand, “Yesterday I claimed you. You are mine, Melissa, and I am yours.”Melissa glares at Josias. Is this really happening?Between ricotta cheese and cubed pieces of ham, Melissa decides to tell him what’s going on.“Josias, I need to remind you... Under the law, I’m still married to Kelvin.”“Damascene Lawyers are now available.” Josias states, “I called them while you were upstairs getting dressed.”Melissa smiles slightly, “Thank you, Josias, but is this truly necessary?”“Abs
The next day, Daryl gathered the Mountain family together to discuss the urgent matter. Everyone interested was in sofas. Daryl kept his foot in a cast, sitting in the armchair.“I think I should buy a new armchair.” He suggests through clenched teeth.“Daryl, we’re all here.” Bernardo says, “What happened this time?”“Turns out, family, that Melissa moved out of Kelvin’s apartment. She probably came here.”Everyone is stunned by the information.“Daryl...” Maggie feels her voice shaky, “Kelvin didn’t call me.”“He didn’t say anything to me either,” Francisco says.“Well, he’s probably too embarrassed to admit defeat.” Daryl asserts with a frown, “How sorry I am to be in this situation. My little brother is in pain and needs comforting.”“Did he tell you why?” Isabel asks, worried.“No, he doesn’t know.” Daryl responds, “Melissa left with just cash and a few credit cards. Clothes, jewelry, the twins, all that was left behind.”“The twins too?” Rodrigo is startled.“Exactly.” Daryl nod
Josias was at Rocha Constructions, imposing in his pinstripe suit, huddled in the conference room with Tiago, Alfred, and Octavio.“Guys, I called you and left Lorraine out because we need to touch on something that doesn’t concern the company.”“We’re listening, master.” Tiago sharpens his ear.“Since yesterday, Melissa showed up at my mansion, desperate, disheveled, and with the clothes on her back. No suitcases, and most interestingly, without the twins.”The gentlemen who hear such a bombshell gape in shock.Alfred is the first to break the silence, “But... But what happened?”Josias has a gloomy face as he answers, “Melissa overheard a conversation behind Kelvin where her husband complains to Daryl about everything that has gone wrong since 1999. It was evident to Melissa that everything they’d done, especially the opening of the franchise of Crystal Blue in Victoria, was just to get her away from me because she attempted to confess the truth to me about Gabriela and that whole f
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