2007Josias was walking calmly along the sidewalk of Getúlio Vargas Avenue. Behind them, two men in suits and sunglasses left no doubt to passersby that they were the bodyguards.With that, people just gestured or nodded ‘good morning’ to Josias. No one dared to approach him to ask for an autograph. Although Josias wasn’t the type of celebrity who hated interacting with his fans, sometimes not being bothered was essential.Especially today. Josias was looking for a store to check the information he received...When he stopped at a certain store, ten minutes after Ibrahim Square, he saw with amazement a team of workers renovating an empty place. A hanging sign announced: ‘COMING SOON, ANGEL STORE’.Yes, what was written on the website was true. Angela Souza decided to return to Espírito Santo to expand her company, which has grown absurdly in the last decade.To accompany the expansion, she announced new stores in Victoria, Vila Velha, and Cachoeiro do Itapemirim.But something inside
At Rocha Constructions, Josias was talking to his best friend Octavio about the projects for 2007.Josias leaned over the desk and signed a document. “Okay, here is the authorization for the renovation of Harold Freire Residential. I don’t know how Uélton hasn’t haunted me in the early hours of the morning.”“Maybe he haunted Alfred and he’s afraid to tell us.” Octavio jokes and the two gentlemen burst into laughter.Josias goes to the drinks table. “Speaking of which, we need to celebrate your second son. Has Jane already had tests?”“Yes. The baby is a girl.” Octavio’s eyes are shining. “I’ll have a little princess who will be just like her mother.”“Hopefully. You must start looking for a rifle for when she reaches adolescence.” Josias pours two shots of brandy.“Do you speak from experience?” Octavio cleverly included Caroline in the conversation.“Look, to be honest, I didn’t need a shotgun concerning Carol.” Josias admitted, “She always wanted Reuben, and he never gave me a hard
At Rocha Mansion, Alan is caught off guard by his mother’s question about his in-laws.But he decided that honesty is always the best path, “Mom, my future in-laws were curious about Angela Souza.”“It’s because they didn’t know her like we did.” Simeon shook his head.“How crazy. Don’t allow her to be part of your life, my son.” Melissa closed one of the suitcases. “It will only cause pain and suffering. Especially for you.”“Why, daughter?” Dora asked.“Her dream was always to have David as the heir.” Melissa has a fierce look. “And I feel like she would try anything to get my son out of the way, especially now that J.J. is no longer with us.”Alan hugs Melissa. “Don’t worry, Mom. Everaldo didn’t prophesy any of this.”“No, but he talked about you getting lost and finding your way home.” Melissa broke the hug. “Does this have anything to do with the honeymoon?”“Sofia and I plan to spend a few days on the yacht.”Simeon snaps his fingers. “So, is that it? You’ll get lost on the high
In Ibrahim Square, Helen passed by with Sandra and didn’t find the sales stand where she used to be.“Mommy, where is that ugly girl who sells perfumes?” Sandra asked innocently.Helen, however, giggled at the ‘ugly girl’. “Daughter, don’t talk like that when the girl is around.”“OK.” Sandra nodded. “Shall we go to the store?”Helen continued smiling, thinking that Karen had given up selling perfumes in the square with how hot it had been this summer.Upon entering the Cardozo’s store, she and Sandra are relieved by the cool air conditioning.Adelaide approaches them. “Do you ladies need anything?”“I want to buy lipstick!” Sandra exclaims.“Ha, ha, ha...” Helen strokes her adopted daughter’s hair. “Sandra, you’re still new to these things. And this elegant lady is not the saleswoman, she is the owner of the store.”“Cool!” Sandra smiled like little girls usually do.“Aunt Brigitte is in the back. She has cream biscuits waiting for you.” Adelaide points to the cashier.After Sandra r
The day of Alan and Sofia’s big wedding has arrived.Green Park Church was packed. Father Mathias was delighted to perform the speech and wedding ceremony for Josias’s firstborn son.The guests entered and handed the invitations to Josias’s bodyguards who were assigned to this specific role.Dora and Simeon whispered to each other as they passed, “Is this all to prevent the ex-concubine’s invasion?”“Or her hateful son,” Simeon whispered back.They sat on the groom’s side.The bride’s side was emptier because Sofia’s circle of friends was smaller.Teresa, acting as organizer, instructed some guests, “Guys, if the groom’s side is out of seats, you can sit on the other side without any problems. No one will watch the ceremony standing up, for God’s sake!”Octavio and his family had just entered and heard this. “Oh, then let’s stay here at once.”Teresa took a good look at Jane’s dress, which wasn’t wide enough. Jane also showed tiredness and a rush to sit down.“Jane, are you okay?”“He
Sofia and Olivia were startled by Caroline suddenly appearing, acting as if she was catching some compromising conversation.But Olivia became tenser: if Caroline heard her clear her throat when talking about the ‘completed plan’...Caroline slammed the door shut: BAM! “I knew it! You managed to carry out the plan. The plan to marry my brother to get money from him. What happened, is Vaztrans in bankruptcy again?”“CAROL!” Sofia screamed pleadingly, “For God’s sake, not now, NOT TODAY! Today is supposed to be the happiest day of my life! Don’t you love your brother?”“I love my brother, and that’s why I’m going to stop him. I’ll tell him right now!” Caroline screamed.But when she turned to open the door, she found Reuben outside waiting for her. “Carol! Please, calm down.”“Honey, I can’t calm down.” Caroline retorts, “I need to tell Alan that Sofia is only marrying him to get money out of our family.”“LIE!” Sofia screams desperately.Reuben grabs Caroline. “Honey, we’ve been throug
“By the power invested in me, I pronounce you husband and wife. Alan, you may kiss the bride!”Alan didn’t even take a second: he leaned over and kissed Sofia modestly. The bride could no longer hold back her tears.The guests applauded effusively, especially the bride’s parents: the plan was completed successfully!Caroline just stared at the Vasquez family with a firm resolve to get to the bottom of this situation. Maybe, with the bride and groom away, enjoying their honeymoon...“What did you think, darling?” Reuben asked her.“My brother will be a very happy man if he doesn’t fall into his in-laws’ traps, as you said, my dear,” Caroline replied.Peter approached them. “Come on, Carol! Do you still think that the Vasquez family only married your brother for the money? This plot is so overused...”“Someone needs to check Vaztrans’ financial spreadsheets.” Caroline smiled mischievously. “But later; now it’s time for us to have fun!”The newlyweds already came down from the altar and
After Sofia’s distant cousins fiercely attacked each other over the bouquet, Alan and Sofia said goodbye and went on their honeymoon.The party continued for the guests.But Josias was already yawning when he approached his table. “Wow... honey, shall we go home?”Melissa was shocked. “Now that they’re serving pieces of cake that contain the frosting?”“You can’t get fat. I’m going to be forty-five years old and I need to keep my stomach toned.” Josias replied between yawns.Melissa smiled mischievously. “Those six-packs of yours won’t go away with a slice of cake, darling.”A waiter passes by with a tray and Melissa gestures aristocratically for him to leave two small plates.“OK, you insisted...” Josias surrenders to the deliciousness of the cake.Benjamin approached them. “So, what did you think? Lemon zest and walnut filling. I thought it would be acceptable.”“Acceptable?” Melissa exclaimed with her mouth full. She swallowed and continued, “Cousin Ben, you’re still modest. I stil