The next day, Reuben was walking with Caroline through the halls of Rocha Constructions.Caroline was amazed to see Reuben wearing business clothes and a blue tie, as he’ll now work as her father’s secretary. The employees who came across them waved respectfully. Everyone imagined that Reuben was the luckiest young man in Lagoon City.“He is Boss’s secretary and dating his daughter, who would have thought!” They whispered among themselves.The truth is that Reuben and Caroline weren’t dating yet, but they behaved like that.At the moment, they were in one of those arguments that couples always have.“But, Carol, you need to understand that your father is not an idiot.” Reuben says, as always tactlessly, as he reaches the desk that belonged to Pollyanna, “He knows how to read minds and hearts.”“I think only God does that.” Caroline is confused.“What I mean is that your father knows who deserves and doesn’t deserve trust.” Reuben turns on the computer.Caroline remains in doubt, “Does
Alan talks to Caio in the college corridors.“Man, you overdid it.” Caio advises his cousin, “Why did you lie to your father?”“I didn’t lie!” Alan gets angry, “Reuben was naked, just covering himself with the Lycra tunnel from the waist down. If he decided to get out the tunnel and...?”“No, he would never do something like that.” Caio shakes his head.“Remember that he is the son of Uélton Freire.” Alan becomes suspicious, “As much as he is my father’s best friend, I know how he did things without thinking. Reuben follows in the same footsteps as his late father.”“Reuben won’t forget the gas cylinder open.” Caio raises his index finger, “And he won’t get your sister pregnant before her time. I was four years old when this happened. Reuben’s mother almost died during childbirth, having a high blood pressure at the same time.”“And that’s why they didn’t have any more children.” Alan nods.“Anyway, Alan, my problem is that you implied something happened to your father.” Caio continue
Caroline was caught with the question that doesn’t shut up: does she want to marry Reuben?With Flávia’s urgent look demanding an answer, Caroline decides to be pragmatic, “Mrs. Freire... Flávia. I like your son very much.”“But not enough to marry him,” Flávia assumes.“Well, it’s still early for me to think about marriage, and sometimes I think Reuben is just joking when he says we’re betrothed.”“This is not true!” Flávia exclaims desperately, “Carol, Reuben truly loves you. I know you’re still young to get married, but when the time comes... Don’t you prefer my son? Reuben is a pure boy with good feelings. He would never joke about something as serious as marriage.”Caroline is moved, “Wow, Flávia, you defend your son very well.”“It’s maternal instinct. You’ll understand when you’re in my shoes.” Flávia smiles slightly, “So, Caroline, I ask you: if being friends with Sofia means having the happiness of having my son as your husband in the future, wouldn’t such a sacrifice be wort
At Crystal Blue, Caroline is surprised to see Patrick replacing Felipe as maître d’.“Good morning, Miss Correia.” Patrick grins and checks the computer, “You’ve reserved a table for two. Okay, I’ll call the waiter.”“Pat, I’m still not used to seeing you in a tuxedo, I’m sorry.” She holds back a giggle.“Do you think I must live in Europe Garden to deserve the profession?” Patrick is uncomfortable.“No, it’s not that...” Caroline shakes her head, good-naturedly, “A little more, and you can dominate your own restaurant.”“The opportunity arrived, and I had to take advantage of it,” Patrick comments calmer when he sees that Caroline isn’t making fun of him.He gestures to the next waiter. Felipe appears and is embarrassed to meet Caroline.“Carol... I...”“Table 05, Felipe!” Patrick speaks rudely.Felipe glares at Patrick and focuses on Caroline, “I’m sorry.”“What are you sorry about?” Caroline is shocked.“I’m the one who should be at the counter as maître d’,” Felipe complains.“But
The next day, Sofia wakes up early thanks to her cell phone. She shifts in bed, uncomfortable with the fact that someone is calling before the alarm clock.“Urgh... can’t I sleep some more?” She complains.After rubbing her eyes, she checks her cell phone and is shocked to see Caroline’s number.“It’s the brat, my annoying future sister-in-law!” She listens, “HELLO?”On the other side, in Caroline’s room, she is awake, dressed casually, and with a vibrant tone of voice, “GOOD MORNING, Sofia! How are you? Did you sleep well?”Sofia was going to respond rudely that she was still sleeping, but she remembered that she could earn Alan’s respect if she treated her sister-in-law with courtesy, “Yes, Carol, I slept well. Thank you very much for asking. How can I be of service?”“Do you want to talk to me in an hour at Café Montanha?” Caroline invites her.Sofia swallows hard. One hour? “Yes, it will be wonderful. We’ll meet there.”“OK, do you want Hector to pick you up?”“No, it’s not necess
At Café Montanha, Caroline and Sofia meet. Rodrigo is surprised by the two acting like friends.They exchange kisses on each other’s cheeks and choose a table to sit at.Rodrigo approaches them, “What do you want?”“Now that Reuben is no longer here, what a shame, I’ll have some instant coffee.” Caroline asks, “And homemade bread and butter.”“I’ll order the same thing.” Sofia asks, “Is Reuben not here anymore? Did he get stuck in the tunnel for good?”“No, he left.” Caroline proudly reports, “Reuben is now my father’s secretary.”Sofia’s eyes widen, “Wow, how wonderful! My congratulations to him.”“Now he will have a salary to support me.” Caroline jokes.“HA, HA, HA!” Sofia laughs, “Caroline, if I know you well, you already have a job lined up somewhere.”“Actually, my aunt Maggie is expecting me to study Journalism to work at Maggiezine,” Caroline informs her.Rodrigo serves both of their orders, “Bon appétit!”Sofia takes the first sip, “Congratulations, Carol. Your future promise
Josias gets up and continues talking to Felipe in the headquarters office. Felipe has to restrain himself from showing obviousness because he likes to launch intrigues.“Felipe, are you sure about this? Aren’t you confusing it with other customers?”“How could I confuse your beautiful daughter and the ugly secretary?” Felipe asks mockingly.“But my daughter... Well, I confess that today she said something that left me in doubt.” Josias scratches the back of his head.“I thought you deserved to know that, Mr. Rocha.” Felipe takes a step back, thinking about leaving.“Why?” Josias suddenly asks him.“What did you say, sir?” Felipe appears to have been struck by lightning.“Why did you want me to know that?” Josias repeats, “I thought you hated me now, Felipe.”“I don’t like the idea of having my inheritance stolen.” Felipe retorts, “But I felt like I should have come.”“Do you have feelings for my daughter, Felipe?” Josias crosses his arms. He feels like there’s something else to this s
Josias is in his office still thinking about what Felipe said. His cell phone rings.Upon realizing that it’s an unknown number, Josias decides to look at the calendar on the desk. December.It’s probably Everaldo!“Hello?”“Hello, my great friend Josias!” Everaldo’s voice softened our hero’s heart.“Everaldo, you need to appear and assume your human form!” Josias exclaims, “I really need your help, man!”“What are you talking about, Josias?” Everaldo laughs, “I’m human.”Josias shakes his head. He will never believe that, ever!“OK, what does 2005 hold for me? Will my son be happy in his marriage? Can I trust the Vasquez family?”“Your son will have a happy marriage like yours, after all, he takes after you.” Everaldo responds, “As for the Vasquez family, they’re not the ones I would worry about.”Josias grips his cell phone tighter, “Do you know something I don’t know?”“What do you mean?” Everaldo chuckles, “You’re the one who’s on top of things. You know who deserves and doesn’t d