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
Maggie returns to Marçal Publishing. Bernardo and Diane are waiting for her in her office.“What’s up, dear?” Bernardo asks anxiously.“I’ll pass the message to Daryl.” Diane asserts.Maggie glares at Diane, “Sister-in-law, my brother has ruined everything. It’s entirely his fault, and there’s nothing we can do about it.”“OK, tell us what happened,” Bernardo asks.“Kelvin became stressed with managing the Crystal Blue franchise and took his frustrations out on Melissa.” Maggie summarizes the story, “There was one day Melissa overheard Kelvin complaining to Daryl about everything that happened. Melissa realized that opening up the franchise wasn’t about expanding Crystal Blue, but was solely about taking her away from Josias.”“And what did Kelvin say in his defense?” Diane asks.Maggie shakes her head, “There was no defense. Melissa left and took refuge at Rocha Mansion with the clothes on her back and without the twins.”Bernardo and Diane are stunned.“WHAT?” Diane barks, “So she r
Melissa was walking around the garden, admiring the peonies and azaleas. Alan was beside her, talking about the property.They stop by the spot where Josias and Katherine’s wedding was held.“I miss J.J., Mom.” Alan suddenly has a shaky voice, “He wasn’t supposed to die.”“No, son, it was never the case that he died, not even Kate, however much we hated her.” Melissa apologizes.Alan shakes his head, “You didn’t hate Kate, Mom. Those are things that Daryl and Kelvin put in your head. Before 1999, you never had any clashes with her. And if it were true that Kate was having an affair with Mr. Guzman, you wouldn’t have participated in this far-fetched plan.”“Yes, you’re right, I failed that part.” Melissa feels guilty, “That’s why I don’t understand why your father still wants me.”“I think deep down, the love he feels for you hasn’t died yet.” Alan smiles slightly, “And I feel like I can tell the same for you.”“Yes, you can say.” Melissa nods.She turns away and is amazed at what she
Nadia enters Café Montanha with the sole objective of dating Rodrigo. But he is very preoccupied at the counter as he takes care of the establishment. The clientele is enjoying the coffee and snack options. The radio plays The Darkness’ song “I Believe in a Thing Called Love”.“Hello, my dear!” Nadia tries to hug and kiss Rodrigo.“Honey, today I ain’t in the mood.” Rodrigo dodges.Nadia smirks, “Manly men like you are always in the mood. Don’t you remember how we spent New Year’s Eve in your apartment?”Rodrigo blushes to the roots of his hair, afraid that the customers have heard, “Schi! Calm down, dear. I am going through a serious moment.”“And can you tell me what matter it is?” Nadia sits on the stool, “I’m your girlfriend. I’m here to help.”“Well, since you insist...” Rodrigo prepares a cappuccino for her, “Melissa is in town. But don’t tell everyone!”Nadia lowers her voice, “Rod, is Melissa your cousin, married to Kelvin, the ex-wife of Josias Rocha?”“It’s her. Apparently,
At Rocha Mansion, Daryl is waiting in the main living room, sitting on the couch because of his foot. He has a mysterious smile, thinking that he will convince Melissa to return to her husband.Daryl can barely hide his surprise when he sees Simeon enter the living room instead of Melissa.He’s torn between sitting still or getting up and running, “Ehr... Mr. Campos? I was hoping to speak with Melissa.”“What the hell, what right do you have to talk to my daughter?” Simeon blusters, “GET OUT of here, before Josias returns and starts the ethical cleanup here!”“What are you talking about?” Daryl is startled.“Do you want to bring about the extinction of the Mountain family here?” Simeon asks with his arms crossed.“No, and I doubt he could pull off such a feat without drawing the attention of the authorities,” Daryl responds confidently.“No one will miss you if Josias buries you alive in the beach sand.” Simeon asserts, “Now get out of here because you won’t talk to my daughter. How d
Days later, Francisco and Isabel returned to Lagoon City.At Café Montanha, Rodrigo and Nadia were making out on the counter when he received a call on his cell phone.“Wait, honey, I need to get it.” Rodrigo walks away.While Nadia waits, Cláudio enters the cafeteria and smiles maliciously when he sees her back.“I would recognize you from anywhere.” Claudio jokes.Nadia is startled and turns to him, “How would you recognize me from the back? Have you been memorizing the details of my butt?”Cláudio was about to confirm it rudely, but Rodrigo approached them again.“Nadia, I... Argh, what are you doing here?”“Aren’t you going to sell me a cappuccino?” Claudio asks ironically.“I don’t feel like it, but who am I to suppress the free trade law?” Rodrigo turns to Nadia, “My father and Isabel have arrived and need a ride.”Reuben appears in the cafeteria, “Rod, Grandma said to me hold the fort while you get her.”“Yes, Imma going there.” He smiles at Nadia, “The twins came.”Nadia isn’t