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
2005“Nadia Lafayette, I don’t even know where to start. When I met you, I never dreamed that I would be here now, at the altar of Green Park Church, declaring my love in front of our friends and family. But the time came when I started to dream, and then, to believe that the dream would come true. Thank you, thank you very much for believing in me and accepting me as your companion, for the rest of our lives.”“Rodrigo Mountain, they say that women can’t resist the charm of a Mountain man, and it seems that the saying is true. I tried, but my heart spoke louder. You won me over with your charismatic way of being. I wrapped myself body and mind in your love and affection. I’m very honored that you chose me among countless who would envy my place. So I promise I’ll make up for your decision.”Father Matias smiles in front of the bride and groom, “Now, time to recite the classic vows.”Rodrigo, dressed in his tuxedo, and Nadia, dressed in a stunning bridal outfit, smile at each other.I
At Crystal Blue, Cláudio looks pleased at the activity of customers who come to eat the dishes of the most refined and trendy restaurant in the city. He goes towards the bar and finds Diane concentrating on drinks, serving different drinks to different patrons.“A beautifully crafted ‘Bloody Mary’!” She hands the glass to one of them.“Thanks!” The customer smiles and drinks, approving with his eyes.Cláudio leans against the counter, “What’s up, Diane? What was your New Year’s resolution?”“Telling everyone that I don’t know Shirley, how shameful!” Diane drops her smile.“Yes, it was shameful to see your mother-in-law crashing the wedding. Why would she care?”“She thinks she still has rights in the family.” Diane shrugs, “Good thing Daryl is away from her. It’s bad enough that people attribute the worst things to the Mountain family. Can you imagine what they would say with Shirley around us? That old woman is a source of confusion.”“It’s a pity,” Cláudio speaks genuinely, he is no
At Rocha Constructions, Reuben grimaces, thinking that Josias will entrust him with another embarrassing mission.Josias, however, doesn’t seem to want to demand any of this from him, “I want to confirm something, Reuben. You’re willing to do anything to marry my daughter, right?”“Yes, Uncle Josias! I love her like crazy!” Reuben declares passionately.“Then why didn’t you make things easier?” Josias laughs lightly.“I hope that, with Carol and Sofia living together, your daughter will eventually come to truly accept Sofia as a friend.” Reuben finally reveals what he really means.Josias was more amazed at Reuben’s wisdom. He understood: if Reuben just told Caroline to be friends with Sofia because her father told her to, she would never have accepted it.“Reuben, I take my hat off to you!” Josias extends his hand.Reuben shakes it, “Now can we eat? I’m still hungry.”“Yes, let’s go to Crystal Blue for lunch together!” Josias puts the glass on the drinks table.Reuben grins, victorio
At Rocha Constructions, Octavio was talking to Caio about the news.“Son, Josias is going to open a new office in Rio de Janeiro. At the moment, he’ll want to hire professionals from there, but have you thought about a promotion when the opportunity arises?”Caio’s eyes are shining, but he responds modestly, “I need to graduate first, Octavio.”“But your first drawings are good.” Octavio holds out a floor plan, “This model you created for practice could very well be used for a client.”Caio laughs embarrassedly, “You’re trying to cheer me up.”“I’m trying to make you aware of your talent and potential.” Octavio puts his hand on his shoulder, “In the future, if Augusto so wishes, I’ll pass on everything I know to him.”“You have been in the profession for twenty-two years, correct?” Caio is surprised.“Yes, I’ve been here since the company operated in a decrepit building that has since been demolished.” Octavio laughs as he remembers the 80s, “And to think that the second building was