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At Rocha Constructions, Pollyanna opens the door to Josias’s office.“Mr. Rocha? Young Benjamin Teixeira is here, but he doesn’t have an appointment.”“And does he need an appointment, Pollyanna? Let him in.” Josias smiles.Pollyanna smiles and lets Benjamin in. He changed into jeans and a plain T-shirt.“Hello, Josias. Thanks for answering me. I need to consult you on a matter.”“Good to see you, Ben. How are your parents? Resting? I think Vania is going to retire or has she already done that...?”“She’s almost. Let’s not go into details, otherwise, she thinks she’s getting old.” Benjamin jokes and they both laugh.“OK. Help yourself, I know you’re old enough now.” Josias points to the drinks table.Benjamin pours himself a shot of brandy, “Very good... Josias, I need to ask you something.”Josias sits on the sofa, “You don’t need to ask me for permission. You’re always welcome in my hotel kitchen. Jane and my mother talked about it.”Benjamin is a little embarrassed, “Actually, I wa
At Lafayette Mansion, the family is gathered for breakfast. Except for Nadia.Jacques is bothered by her daughter’s absence, “Does anyone know what happened to Nadia? She moved and no one had the decency to tell me?”Ingrid smiles dreamily, “She must have spent another night of lovemaking with her boyfriend.”Jacques was drinking coffee with milk, but he chokes and goes ‘PFFF’, “Cough, cough! Ingrid, this is not funny!”Ingrid widens her eyes, “And I said that to be funny? Man, our daughter is not a little girl anymore!”Thierry objects, “So because she’s no longer a little girl, does she have to treat herself like a harlot?”Ingrid frets over her husband and son, “Ugh, it’s not like that at all... I just hope you two don’t have a heart attack when you get the wedding invitation.”Jacques frowns and chooses the most buttered toast, “Why should I receive a wedding invitation if her boyfriend is already living as a married man and enjoying a married life without the proper formalities?”
The four workers who were talking got surprised by who was talking to João Paulo and broke up the group, hurriedly moving away into the company.João Paulo complains to the person who spoke to him, “Argh, you disturbed me. Now you are the one who will give me the answers I need.”Sofia crosses her arms, “Answers? What kind of answers? You seemed to be eavesdropping on the conversation of my father’s workers.”João Paulo smiles playfully and extends his hand, “Pleased to meet you, João Paulo Queiroz Rocha.”“Shouldn’t it be the other way around?” Sofia shakes his hand reluctantly.“In my work, I reverse last names.” João Paulo explains, “My brother’s last name carries more weight than my father’s, unfortunately.”“Jeez, how inconsiderate of your father!” Sofia exclaims in horror.“My dad is OK with that.” João Paulo blinks, “Miss Vasquez, could we talk about—”“Wait a moment: who said I’m here to give you an interview?” Sofia exclaims outraged, “My father has given me orders not to spe
At the Vaztrans headquarters, Erasmo asks Olivia if she wants to donate money for Josias’s fashion event. Olivia feels lost.“Darling, reason with me.” Olivia starts.“That is the problem,” Erasmo grumbles.“I just want to show up to Melissa Rocha’s meeting to hear what she has to say. Suddenly, we can decide positively.” Olivia stands up, “And then there’s the issue of models.”“What about the girls?” Erasmo asks, still frowning, but mildly interested.Olive sighs. She wasn’t referring to the girls...Sofia walks into the office, “Hello, Mom and Dad. You won’t believe what happened.”“So it’s better not to speak.” Erasmo rolls his eyes.“Don’t be boring, man!” Olivia smiles at Sofia, “Yes, daughter, tell us what happened.”“That journalist João Paulo Rocha Queiroz was at the company’s door, spying on the workers’ conversation. I scared him out of here.” Sofia smiles in pride.Erasmo suddenly smiles and opens his arms, “Congratulations, my daughter! A hug!”Father and daughter embrace
At Crystal Blue, Patrick gradually got closer to the scene between Benjamin and Diane, and he revolts when he hears the worst.“Mrs. Mountain... Diane...” Benjamin clears his throat unnecessarily, “I’m terribly sorry. I wanted to work here, but I was also called by Rocha Hotel... And I think it would be more interesting for my career to work there. No offense.”Diane’s smile fades, “Oh, Ben... if that’s what you think, then I can only wish you good luck and happiness. But Crystal Blue is always open.”“Interesting for your career?” Patrick whinnies, now standing behind Benjamin.Benjamin slowly turns to Patrick. Yes, apparently, he was smaller in proportion to Patrick, but he wasn’t intimidated.“Are you talking to me, buddy? Or should I say: neighbor?”“It’s funny that we still haven’t come across the corridors of the Teodoro Building.” Patrick mocks him, “You look like you live in some exclusive apartment.”“No, I’m people like us.” Patrick turns to Diane, “Are we clear, Diane?”Dia
The next day, Sofia is in her custom-decorated room, with various shades of pink on the walls and curtains. She is in a red nightgown, sitting on the bed, smiling when she finds the number of Rocha Mansion in the phone book.As she dials, she waits anxiously, her heart pounding...“Rocha Mansion, good morning?”“Good morning, this is Sofia Vasquez.” She says by forcing her voice to sound like she’s been awake longer, “Can I talk to Alan Rocha?”“Wait a moment.” It was Hector.Sofia waits as long as necessary. Maybe she called too early, maybe Alan was sleeping. What if he was sleeping? Would he be mad at her?Alan’s voice came through the other end of the call, “Hello, Sofia! That was a surprise.”“Good morning, Alan. Did I wake you up too early?” Sofia worries.“No, I’m already awake,” Alan answers.On the other side, Alan was only in his pajama bottoms, “I took a while because I went to see my friend Reuben.”“Is there a problem with him?” Sofia narrows her eyes.“He got stuck again
Pollyanna appears in the doorway of Josias’s office, pale and wide-eyed, “Mr. Rocha, I can call the police right away!” Daryl scoffs at the secretary, “Call Sergeant Ivan Moraes! He will be here in two seconds!” “Shut up!” Josias roars like a lion, “I won’t allow you to mock my employees, you madman! What do you want, what happened this time?” “Oh, let’s play amnesia!” Daryl claps his hands ironically. Josias gestures for Pollyanna to leave. She struggles for a few seconds, wanting to stay, but decides to obey her boss and leaves. After the door is closed, Josias sits in the presidential chair, “OK, let’s get down to business. Why did you come to my workplace kicking down the door like a savage?” “You won’t admit that yesterday you manipulated the game once again, snatching Benjamin Teixeira away from me?” Daryl leans over his desk, his face fierce. Josias understands the reason for the conversation and smiles sarcastically, “Well, is this all because Ben didn’t want to work wit
Josias and Daryl continue their clash: Josias is always cool and calm as Daryl explodes and shakes with rage. “Why are you smiling like that?” Daryl asks through gritted teeth. “It’s because you didn’t realize where you went wrong.” Josias responds with mild disdain, “Allow me to enlighten you: you met with Ben and discussed the perks of working at Crystal Blue while you were trying to downsize my hotel, correct?” Daryl clears his throat unnecessarily, “I just told Benjamin that working at Crystal Blue would make it easier for him to be projected into the foodie market than just being an extra employee of yours at the hotel. Let’s face it, Josias: your restaurant doesn’t have the same references as mine.” “So, while I told Ben not to stress and left the decision in his hands, you did the opposite!” Josias bursts out laughing, “Why, Daryl, this is why he chose me! He felt more comfortable with me. And as for my restaurant...” Josias smiles defiantly, “Who knows, maybe the scenery d