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
Chapter 2709 Our Enemies May TryAs agreed, Alan and Sofia used Josias’s yacht to travel on their honeymoon.Josias, in turn, asked Alan to learn how to use the vessel to ensure that he returned home just as Everaldo had prophesied.At a dinner given by the Vasquez family, Erasmo snorted in disdain as he cut into a piece of lamb loin seasoned with Indian spices, “Humph! You guys take the negative words of an unknown guy seriously. Just trust in God, everyone.”“But Everaldo is an envoy of the Lord,” Melissa replied.Olivia lowers her head so she doesn’t get caught giggling.Josias raised an eyebrow. “I don’t think you called us here to criticize Everaldo, did you?”“Did you manage to talk to him, Josias?” Erasmo appears not to have heard Josias.“No. When the bride and groom came down from the altar, he disappeared just like the rain of rice.” Josias sighed impatiently. It seems that the conversation he has always wanted to have with Everaldo since 1981 will never materialize.“It’s a
The next day, Josias walked into his office with Reuben following behind.“Reuben, before you tell me today’s schedule, can you tell me what’s bothering you?”Reuben cleared his throat. “Uncle Josias, what I have are family matters. I don’t want to add to your burden.”Josias turned to him and smiled. “Are you sure? We’ll all be family one day. Or have you given up on marrying my daughter?”“Never.” Reuben grinned. Afterward, he headed to the drinks table. “Grandma Izzy wants to employ Felipe Mountain because of his last name.”Josias was surprised. He remembered Felipe’s readiness to resign during Alan and Sofia’s wedding party.“Ah, so that was why. He said he wanted to leave the job I gave him because of his crush on Carol.”Reuben turns to Josias with wide eyes. “Do you know, uncle?”“Felipe told me at the wedding party.” Josias smiled. “Pour me a shot too, Reuben.”“Wow, I can imagine how Melissa must feel...” Reuben shook his head.“She was really upset, and Kelvin apologized in
At the future Angel store, Angela was surprised by the visit from Dora and Isabel. The two disagreed about something she said to David.“Angela Souza. How long time,” Dora said in a tone that didn’t make it clear: was it longing or contempt?David believed it was the last option. “What are you ladies doing here?”Isabel looked David up and down. “The boy grew up. Congratulations, Angela. You knew how to raise him well.”“As I was saying before I was rudely interrupted,” Angela retorted, “David grew up well because he has Josias’s genes. I didn’t understand why Mrs. Campos disagreed.”“You still keep instilling these things in the boy’s head.” Dora complained, “Don’t talk like he has anything to do with the untouchable Rocha family.”Angela smiles wryly. “I suppose Josias doesn’t even dream you two are here. What is that? Are you afraid of my presence? Or does Lagoon City not deserve to have one of my stores?”“We don’t deserve the presence of the store owner!” Dora exclaimed angrily.
At Rocha Constructions, Josias and Alfred talk in the presidential office.“It’s a shame that Felipe wanted to resign. Are you sure the Mountain family was right to hire him at the coffee shop?” Alfred scratched the back of his head.“Hey, it’s their business, literally meaning.” Josias points to the drinks table.Alfred decides to pour himself a shot of whiskey. “And then? Are your bags packed?”“Yes, and my wife’s too. Although... Angela arrived ahead.” Josias seems to have remembered this only now.Reuben came in with more ice cubes just as Josias said, “By the way, I’m wondering why Angela hasn’t tried to contact me yet.”“She tried, Uncle Josias.” Reuben quickly responded, “But I deleted her email.”Josias and Alfred laugh heartily.“In addition to being secretary, Reuben became my protector.” Josias joked. “Thank you, Reuben. I don’t think I need to take Melissa to Rio after all. I just need to take advantage of the fact that Angela doesn’t know my whereabouts.”Alfred worried.
Melissa and Josias, along with Alfred, left for Rio de Janeiro to check their ventures more closely, just to make sure everything was okay. Good thing they now have an office there, as well as in Belo Horizonte!Ironically, two things happened after the Rocha couple left. First, it started to rain heavily. Second, Angela tried a new approach.At Rocha Mansion, Dora and Simeon stared at the windy rain, shaking the palm trees as if they were going to break.“Beloved Jesus!” Dora exclaimed, “If this continues, the mansions that are closest to the sea will be affected! Will they suffer a flood?”“If they suffer, they have money to pay for renovations, or everything is insured.” Simeon hugs her from behind, chuckling.“Well, I also started thinking about another hypothesis.” Dora was scared by some lightning. “I hope Alan and Sofia docked at a marina in Blue Cove or Guarapari.”“Ah, is this how they’ll be lost, as Everaldo prophesied?” Simeon joked, “Don’t worry, honey. You heard the man o
Josias visits the Rocha Hotel since he didn’t have a day off for the staff. In the management room, Eugenio gathered David, Benjamin, and Sybil. “Why is that mere cook present at this meeting?” David asked disparagingly. “Because that’s how our boss ordered it,” Eugenio replied dryly. “I didn’t say anything and didn’t call this meeting, so if you’ll excuse me...” Benjamin and Sybil were horrified to see David leaving the meeting just like that. However, when he opened the door, David came face to face with his father. “David, where do you think you’re going?” “DAD!” David exclaimed, extremely surprised. “I didn’t know you were coming!” “Didn’t Eugenio tell you I was coming?” Josias asked with a scowl. David understood who the ‘boss’ was. Benjamin and Sybil felt vindicated. Josias sat down at the desk, taking Eugenio’s seat, while the manager remained humbly standing. “Very well,” Josias began the meeting in a formal tone, “I’m here just to make things crystal clear. First
Melissa and Mary visit the Mountain Café.“A guava juice for me, Mr. Mountain!” Mary requested, smiling sweetly.“Of course, my princess!” Rodrigo replied, thinking Mary was very adorable. “Neil will make a delicious cup for you.”“Thank you. But the princess is Carol,” Mary responded, striking a serious pose.Melissa and Rodrigo laughed heartily. Mary is something else...“Rod, how has it been managing the café in your father’s absence?” Melissa asked seriously.Rodrigo served a baked chicken pastry with ketchup to Mary. “I'm getting by, Melissa. Josias was here earlier, more concerned about my loss than his own, as always. Isn’t he supposed to be resting?”Melissa nodded. “My husband is like that: he only relaxes when all of us are relaxed.”“An impossible mission because of certain people.”Neilton approached with the glass. “Who ordered a guava juice?”“I DID!” Mary grabbed the glass and went to a table.Melissa leaned forward, “Neil, Rod, how are Daryl and Diane? Behaving?”“Cont
At João Paulo’s house, he and Josias were about to have a significant conversation.“Walter, do you want to go with your mom to the kitchen?” João Paulo asked, looking at Helen. “I think she made some walnut cake.”“It was carrot cake,” Sandra replied, already getting up from the couch.“You got it.” Helen appeared and picked up Walter in her arms. “Let’s let Dad and Uncle Josias talk.”“Bye, Uncle!” Walter waved goodbye to Josias.“Bye-bye, I want a piece later!” Josias chuckled.Once alone with João Paulo, Josias became serious. “Don’t let anything or anyone ruin this family scenario, little brother.”“I’m fine. No one wants to ruin anything,” João Paulo replied casually.“Well, I hope David hasn’t caused you any trouble.”“He probably doesn’t even know I exist, man.” João Paulo shrugged.“But I stopped by Café Montanha and found out that the Vasquez family has replaced the Mountain family as the ‘annoying people.’”João Paulo sighed in disappointment. “Yeah. They—”The doorbell ran
Josias visits Café Montanha for a coffee and finds Rodrigo there. “Rod, how have you been?” Rodrigo is taken aback. “How am I? You’re the one who suffered a horrific loss recently!” “But you also lost your father. We’re in the same situation,” Josias explained as he sat down on a stool. “I’m okay, Josias. Life has a way of cheering me up. For example, I’m back at the diner after Thierry decided to take his place at the supermarket.” Rodrigo smiled. “What about the photography studio?” Josias smiled back. “It’s still going to operate, and Thierry will make periodic visits. But he’s going to appoint one of the staff to manage the studio.” Rodrigo served a pizza pastry to Josias. “Thank you. Well, I hope everything is alright between you two. I need to visit Rosemary and meet Jean Luc — is that the name of the baby?” “Yes, the name of the supermarket heir. Meanwhile, Frank will be here or somewhere else.” Josias interjected, “If Frank wants to work at Rocha Constructions, count
At the Rocha Mansion, Josias receives a visit from Benjamin. “How have you been, Ben? Any news about your parents?” The two embrace. “Actually, that’s what I want to talk about.” Benjamin scratches the back of his neck. The embrace breaks. “Let’s go to my office.” The two gentlemen enter Josias’s imposing office. “Any problems with Adolfo?” Josias asks, becoming serious. “Not yet, but I hope not to have any,” Benjamin replies with some sadness. “You know, Josias, what happened with your father made me think about my family, about how important it is for all of us to be together in the final moments.” “That’s true. João Paulo can tell you that better than I can.” “I think you can say it too. Vernon was the father you never had.” Benjamin clears his throat. “So, I’ve been looking into some hotels and realized there’s a demand at the Rocha Hotel in Victoria.” Josias looks at Benjamin, understanding where he’s going with this. “You want to go to Victoria to be close to your pare
Someone rings the doorbell at João Paulo’s house. The homeowner goes to answer after taking a shower and putting on clean clothes. But when he opened the door, João Paulo felt like slamming it in the visitor’s face. “Don’t be rude!” Erasmo exclaimed. “What do you want, you old bore?” João Paulo shot back. Erasmo barged into João Paulo’s foyer. “The mourning is over. Let’s pick up where we left off.” “Are you crazy? Who decides how long mourning lasts? We just got back from the trip!” “Not exactly, it’s been a day. Life goes on, my friend!” Erasmo replied mockingly. João Paulo remained serious. “But I don’t want to continue living this way, where fights and intrigues are the order of the day. Mr. Vasquez, you have a business to run, and I have a family to raise.” “But you found time to slap my son-in-law when he was here defending his family, didn’t you?” “Alan was extremely rude, but that was some time ago.” João Paulo frowned. “I don’t feel the same anger as before.” “So a
At the Vasquez Mansion, Alan could hardly believe that the people were thinking about more intrigues and disputes. “Guys, don’t you understand that I even forgot the reason I slapped Uncle João Paulo?” “Ridiculous!” Erasmo gestured. “You just maintained respect because it was a difficult occasion. But now, the mourning is OVER!” “Do you think João Paulo will rest, dear?” Sofia asked, sitting next to him. Alan shook his head. “If Uncle João Paulo doesn’t want to rest, then he is truly despicable. But my dad is back in town. He wouldn’t dare to do that.” The news should have been uplifting, but the members of the Vasquez family merely exchanged silent glances. With Josias present, it’s quite likely that he will put a stop to their fighting. Alan turned to Olivia. “In the meantime, we should celebrate the recovery of my dear mother-in-law!” Olivia and Sofia smiled awkwardly because of the secret they were keeping. “That’s right, let’s celebrate life!” Erasmo wrapped his arm arou
Josias Rocha and his family returned to Lagoon City. Those who were waiting for them stayed in the mansion and greeted them cheerfully in the foyer. “WELCOME BACK!” Melissa, crying, embraced her parents, William, and the twins fervently. Josias greeted them with a light smile. “Where’s João Paulo?” William asked. “He went straight to his house. His kids needed to rest from the trip.” Melissa wiped her tears with her fingers. “Alan went straight to his mansion. Especially now that his mother-in-law has woken up from the coma.” “That was a scare; I thought we’d have two funerals,” Simeon commented. Everyone headed to the living room. “Is Paris very beautiful, Mom?” Mary asked. “Yes, sweetheart, it’s stunning. We’ll go shopping together another time, okay?” “Do you have pictures?” Ignacio asked anxiously. “Yes, son, we took some pictures.” Melissa sat on the couch, pulling out a package from her bag. Josias sat in the armchair, taking a deep breath. William approached him.
At Café Montanha, Daryl walks in for a coffee and finds Rodrigo at the counter while Neilton serves the others. “Hey, are we back to the old tradition?” “Don’t be a clown, man.” Rodrigo laughs. “Yes, Thierry is at the supermarket, as we agreed.” “Hi, Neil. Can you make me a cappuccino while I enjoy a natural sandwich?” Daryl places his order. “Sure thing, Mr. Mountain.” Neilton heads to the back. Daryl sits on the stool. “So, how do you feel after getting back to your element?” “I don’t regret at all helping my dear wife at the supermarket, Daryl,” Rodrigo admitted while preparing the natural sandwich. “I’m not talking about regrets.” Daryl joked. “But it’s undeniable that after Uncle Francisco’s passing, you prefer to stay here, carrying on the legacy he left.” “Just like Crystal Blue.” Rodrigo smiled. “Hey, I’m aware that you’re looking to open another restaurant in Sunset Village. Do you think you can manage it? How’s the prospecting going?” Daryl picks up the sandwich but