In Melissa’s office, Caroline feels more comfortable talking about her concerns.“Mom...” She sits on the couch. “I need to talk about something that’s been bothering me for weeks.”“And why did you only tell me about this now?” Melissa is shocked.“I wanted to prove that I was an adult by solving my problems.” Caroline sighs, “But it looks like I still need to learn.”“Let me be the judge of that.” Melissa sits in the armchair with an encouraging smile.With that, Caroline continues, “I realized that Felipe Mountain is taking an interest in me as more than a friend. If I had any doubts, today he wanted to demonstrate more openly, but I rejected him.”Melissa is stunned by the information. “Huh... Felipe? Kelvin’s nephew?”“And Daryl’s son, which shouldn’t surprise me,” Caroline complains.“No, daughter, this SHOULD surprise us!” Melissa asserts. “When Felipe met us, he was a kind boy and promised to be the opposite of his adoptive father. But now...”“I would say ‘the blood spoke lou
Melissa showed up at the Cardozo Perfumes office. The secretary made gestures and a scolding face for the saleswomen in training to keep quiet because they were talking about her ex-husband.Helen, undeterred, got up from the couch and smiled at her. “Good morning, Melissa.”“Good morning, Helen.” Melissa smiled, “When they told me you were working as a salesperson...”“It’s better than babysitting. I’ll no longer be paid to take care of Sandra. She calls me Mommy.” Helen laughs.“Sandra has no memory of her real mother, Gabriela Alves.” Melissa laughs. “Kelvin arrived?”Helen looks defiantly at her other sales mates, and then turns to Melissa. “Yes, he arrived. We were talking about him.”“Ah, I imagine how the apples of your colleagues’ eyes had a party.” Melissa laughs as she heads to Kelvin’s office.Helen sits back down on the couch. “Now do you understand?”The saleswoman who demanded the ‘right’ to drool over Kelvin exclaimed in astonishment, “But... but it was the Lady of Lago
At the construction site, Alan and Alfred were surprised by Melissa’s desire to talk to Felipe.“Mom, what’s going on?” Alan became more worried. “Allow me to speak to Felipe. You don’t need to cross the construction site to do so.”“But I’m wearing the helmet.” Melissa smiled as she pointed to the white helmet.“This isn’t the right color.” Alan chuckles.“Mrs. Rocha, your son is at the age where he feels he must protect his mother,” Alfred explains good-naturedly. “Maybe if you can make his wish come true...”Melissa nods, knowing that’s what Alan felt. “OK. Alan, your sister complained to me yesterday that Felipe is flirting with her, and almost got into an argument with Reuben at Rod’s apartment, the same day we visited him to see Frank.”“What an idiot!” Alan exploded in anger.The other builders were equally outraged by Felipe’s boldness. Is he blind? The Princess of Lagoon City already has her boyfriend!“I need to make him understand,” Melissa stated. “This is about your siste
Caroline thought five times before accepting Felipe’s ‘invitation’ to talk.“Hector, how is Young Mr. Mountain?”“He’s calm, Miss Rocha.” Hector responds, but his voice doesn’t reassure her.“Is my Dad home?” Caroline takes off her headphones.“No, he is still working.” Hector thought quickly. “Miss Rocha, talk to Young Mr. Mountain in your mother’s office. Tonico, one of the gardeners, will be lurking outside and watching you.”“OK. Thank you, Hector.” Caroline smiles in relief and leaves the bedroom.Hector quickly descends the stairs, not looking like the usual stiff and formal butler, and darts out into the garden.“Tonic! Problem! Felipe Mountain showed up to talk to Miss Rocha, but we’re smelling trouble! Keep a look out the window of Mrs. Rocha’s office.”“OK.” Tonico, a robust g
The next day, Josias and Alan were talking in his office after breakfast. Father and son were sitting in the red upholstered armchairs.“Son, how did you do with the job? Do you think you can take care of everything when it’s my time to retire?”“Of course, Dad.” Alan grinned. “The employees treat me with respect. But you can tell that they are good people and aren’t forced to be kind just because I’m the boss’s son.”“OK, I’m glad to hear from you.” Josias takes a deep breath to touch on the subject he truly wanted. “I heard your mother showed up at the construction site.”“Don’t worry, Dad. I took charge of the situation.” Alan answers promptly. “And I hope Mom stays focused on women’s issues, leaving the heavy lifting to us. For example, she should be with Sofia planning the upcoming wedding.”“In a way, she was tak
At the Mountain Penthouse, Felipe was already leaving for work when Kelvin caught up with him, still wearing a blue robe.“HEY, wait a second, you smartass!”“Uncle, I can’t be late for work.” Felipe said without looking at Kelvin.“OK, I’ll get straight to the point.” Kelvin approached his troubled nephew. “I heard that you faced Alan Rocha. Do you want to be fired from the company you were mercifully hired at?”“I didn’t want that to happen!” Felipe exclaims impatiently. “I just wanted people to leave me alone. I was calm, laying tiles, when the owner’s son appeared shouting and threatening me.”“Ah, he threatened you for no reason, huh?” Kelvin smiles wryly.Felipe is forced to be honest. He lowered his head as he replied, “No. He doesn’t want Caroline to love me.”“He doesn’t want you to confuse
At Cardozo Perfumes, the secretary appeared at Kelvin’s office door.“Good morning, Mr. Mountain. Mr. Josias Rocha wishes to speak with you.”Kelvin looks up from the monitor. “Huh? Josias? Did he say what it was about?”“No, sir,” The secretary answered with a facial expression as if she said ‘And he would say it to me?’“OK, tell him to come in.” Kelvin prepares for whatever may come.Josias enters with a confident expression, leaving the secretary almost suffocated by his aura. She goes out, closing the door.“Josias...” Kelvin stands up and the gentlemen shake hands.“Kelvin, I know you’re busy,” Josias states. “So I’ll be brief. I understand that your nephew has started pestering my daughter, saying that he loves her, even though Caroline is deeply in love with my late best friend’s son.”Kelvin swallows hard. “I’m aware of this, Josias. I’m really sorry. It seems unreasonable considering that you gave Felipe a job before this.”“I intend to keep the job, as long as Felipe doesn’
Octavio woke up in his bed. As he stretched, his left arm didn’t touch his dear wife Jane’s body. This meant for him that Jane was already working early at the Rocha Hotel as the current manager. He smiled contentedly, seeing how Jane was making the most of her new job.Augusto entered his father’s room, going straight to him, shaking him. “Dad, I need to go to school!”“Calm down, son!” Octavio yawned. “Let me get up first... and you’re stepping on your dad’s underwear.”Augusto noticed when he looked down and walked away. Smiling, Octavio took the piece of clothing and got dressed under the blankets.Father and son went to the kitchen thinking about what they would make for breakfast. However, they had a surprising vision of Jane still at the table, casually eating breakfast and not finishing getting ready.“JANE?” Octavio exclaimed. “What are you still doing here?”Jane turned to her husband. “And why are you wearing boxers in front of our son?”“I asked first.” Octavio checks the