On another day, Caroline was talking to Reuben on a bench in Ibrahim Square. Pedestrians passed by, recognizing the couple and smiling at them.Reuben grins, “Honey, they think we’re married when we’re still dating.”“We’re not dating, Reuben.” Caroline is crestfallen.“Then let’s fix this!” Reuben says playfully, “Be my girlfriend, Caroline Campos Rocha.”Caroline smiles weakly at Reuben.“Let’s not joke about serious things, Reuben.”“But I’m serious!” Reuben exclaims, but his playful expression doesn’t convince Caroline, “I love you, Carol, you always knew that.”“Yes, I know. But I’m not in the mood for that right now, Reuben.”Reuben continues smiling, “I know. You’re upset because Alan is dating Sofia.”“I wish it was just that.” Caroline stares at him, “I suspect her family’s intentions. Now they managed to improve the company and save it from bankruptcy. But I wonder what it would be like when Alan and Sofia were married.”“If that happens, Uncle Josias would help, but in retu
At Ibrahim Square, Felipe and Caroline are surprised by Cláudio’s interference. He’s wearing business clothes and a tie, not looking remotely like the sexy model who poses in only Speedos.“Mr. Guzman, what do you want now?” Felipe rolls his eyes.“I want to know why you’re late for work. Then you complain to your father that I won’t let you be maître d’ at MY restaurant.” Cláudio responds mockingly.Caroline gets scared, “Felipe, are you late for work? Oh, my God, I didn’t want to hold you back!”“No way, Caroline!” Felipe shakes his hands, “Don’t feel guilty. I was the one who wanted to stop and have a chat. But you’re right, I need to go.” He glares at Cláudio.“While you go, I’m going to have a word with the Princess of Lagoon City.” Claudius scoffs, “Now I’m qualified for such a privilege.”“Bye, Carol.” Felipe walks away, swearing under his breath.Caroline turns her attention to the former swimming instructor, “What do you want to talk to me about, Cláudio?”“Carol, weren’t you
At Rocha Constructions, Josias announces to Alfred and Octavio that Reuben will work at the company. The gentlemen are walking through the halls, among busy employees.“Guys, Reuben will replace Pollyanna. Go easy on him.”“I don’t understand why.” Octavio jokes, “Reuben is an intelligent guy, and very smart.”Josias smiles at the corner of his mouth, “You know very well that he’ll make a lot of mistakes in his first days as secretary. Don’t make him feel stupid or inferior. Be patient with him.”Alfredo jokes, “If you have patience with him, Josias, so will we.”“I know it sounds strange, but I’m actually hoping Reuben will help my son when he takes the throne.” Josias stops in front of the elevator and presses the button.“Meanwhile, Caio retires me.” Octavio takes a deep breath.“Are you already thinking about retirement, Octavio? It’s still early!” Alfred laughs.“Keep dreaming!” Octavio giggles, “Look how time flies! And to think that I joined this company in 1983 and now it’s 20
In the hallways of General Hospital, Maggie, Bernardo, Daryl, and Diane are anxiously walking to Dr. Silvana’s office.“I didn’t expect the test to come out so quickly!” Maggie exclaims.“These are the wonders of modern technology, my dear!” Bernardo jokes, “And I couldn’t take the anxiety anymore.”Daryl nods, “Let’s put this doubt to rest once and for all.”“A doubt that is only raised by your mother.” Diane frowns, “How I wish she was around to know—”The four stop their steps as they turn the corridor to the right. They are shocked when they catch Shirley talking and shamelessly flirting with Dr. Braggart. She smoothes her hand over his chest, getting him embarrassed.“Dr. Braggart, how do you get your body in shape?” She licks her lips, thinking she is a twenty-year-old woman sensualizing the man she loves.“M-Mrs. Mountain, I’m a doctor, it’s pretty normal that I take care of my health.” Dr. Braggart tries to be polite.“Congratulations. You look like my man, Frank, equally musc
Olivia later finds herself in another peculiar situation. Not only did she have to dodge her daughter’s questions, but she has noticed someone else dodging: Cláudio.It was a beautiful day when she was crossing Ibrahim Square and noticed her beloved Cláudio trying to jump over a bench to get to the other side of the square, running away from Olivia as if she were Lady Death.“CLAUDIO!” Olivia screams, unaware of how ridiculous and needy she looks, “What do you think you’re doing? You look like you’re trying to get away from me.”Cláudio swallows hard. Melissa’s warning for him to stop the plan echoed freshly in his mind.“I’m sorry, Mrs. Vasquez. I have to work and I don’t have time for your gossip.” He responds distantly.“But I have time to honor Crystal Blue to eat your salmon.” Olivia blinks mischievously.“The salmon is not mine. The recipe was created when the Bento family—”“You got it, don’t be cute.” Olivia laughs, thinking that Cláudio was laughing.“Mrs. Vasquez, what do yo
Olivia is now in her office talking to someone on the phone. She is impatient with the meeting she had with Cláudio hours before, resulting in something she did not expect.“Yes, the wages of drivers and changers have been increased, as my dear husband promised... Oh, didn’t you read that in the minutes? Well, believe me, my dear... If you don’t pay what we promised, they will go on strike, and we cannot allow our company to go through yet another embarrassment. Do you know how much we sweat to get João Paulo Queiroz off our back?”Erasmo enters with a triumphant smile. He is slightly surprised to find his wife so stressed on a historic day.“OK, my dear husband has appeared.” Olivia puts her hand on the mouthpiece, “Honey, isn’t it true that you promised our employees a pay raise?”Erasmo was going to deny it, but something was stopping him. He smiles fakely and ‘confirms’, “Yes, dear? Isn’t that in the memo?”“They say you forgot to type that part.” Olivia rolls her eyes. Those inco
Josias arrives at Rocha Mansion and is welcomed by his wife in the foyer. They hug and kiss romantically.“Where are the children?” Josias asks with a charming smile.“The twins are in the living room, Alan is chilling with Sofia on the garden porch, Caroline is chatting to Rosemary online, and Ruben is somewhere in the corner trying to get out of the tunnel.”Josias laughs. He wasn’t necessarily expecting information from Reuben, “Will he ever get out?”“The twins are counting on it.” Melissa breaks the hug, “And how are things?”“Now that we have an office in Belo Horizonte, things are more controlled. With Wallace in charge, I can breathe easier and focus on the projects I have close to me.”“And that means less travel, right?” Melissa walks with Josias to the master suite, “I’m still not over the accident you had in 1991.”“That’s many years ago, darling. Don’t be so morbid.” Josias kisses her cheek.Alan and Sofia find them as they go upstairs. Sofia looks better.“Dad, hello.” A
At Rocha Mansion, Alan closes the door of the most isolated guest room where Reuben is naked; covering himself with the tunnel he was trying to leave.“You appeared before my sister like that, and didn’t ask her to leave?”Reuben smiles mischievously, “Alan, I thought you understood that I’m going to marry your sister. Still, rest assured she didn’t see anything she shouldn’t have. I warned her, yet she still wanted to stay here and help me out.”“So you still can’t get out of this tunnel by yourself.” Alan scoffs, “You’d better give up your attempt, my friend.”Reuben narrows his eyes, “You’re only saying that for your sister, correct?”“I don’t want her to see you like this all the time and start to doubt the idea of marrying you! Is that how you intend to support her?”Caroline returns with a glass and pitcher of water, hearing her brother’s question, “Alan, what’s going on here?”Alan turns to her, “Carol, why are you getting involved with Reuben in this situation? If my Dad finds