David appears again at Café Montanha, aiming to talk to Felipe about the impressions he had. The coffee shop radio plays “You Know I’m Not Good” by Amy Winehouse.“Good morning, Mr. Mountain? Or can I call you Felipe?”Felipe stays on guard. “What do you want, my customer?”David smiles kindly, “I think we’d better leave the formality behind. I’m David, and you’re Felipe. After all, we are the same.”Felipe frowned, “How exactly are we the same? I’m an adopted son, and you were born from a lover’s womb.”David swallowed this insult so as not to divert his plan. “Ehr... We’re the same in the sense that we have the same idea about Caroline. We don’t agree with her choice of boyfriend.”Felipe took a flannel to clean the countertop. “I’m listening to you without compromise.”David felt that Felipe already realized that he intended to propose something. “OK, since you want to get straight to the point... Well then. The other day when we were together in this coffee shop, I felt like you i
At the Happiness Slum police station, Amoreira was talking to Dylan about the photo shoot.“Dad, do you want ME to pose with Rosemary? Thierry is going to kill me!”“Thierry is the photoshoot director,” Amoreira responded calmly. “Don’t be scared, son.”Dylan took offense, “I work at a police station located in the favela! How can I be fearful?”Amoreira scratched his head, feeling that this didn’t make sense. “OK, think about it with me: are you in love with Rosemary Reis?”“No.”“Are you in love with Rosemary Reis and jealous of Thierry Lafayette?”“No.” Dylan rolled his eyes.“Do you intend to fall in love with Rosemary Reis one fine day and avoid the temptation by not posing with her now?”“Dad, where are you getting at with these ridiculous questions?” Dylan crosses his arms.“I want to show you that there is no reason for you to be afraid of posing with Rosemary.” Amoreira extends his thumb, “Can we start?”“The cell we reserved is this.” Dylan points to an empty, clean cell.“O
The new edition of Maggiezine contained photos from the Cardozo Perfumes advertising campaign. To Karen’s delight, the photo where she is with Cláudio became the centerfold.As a result, people began to crowd the Cardozo store or empty the sales stand in Ibrahim Square. Looks like Nicole wasn’t an ‘idiot’ at all...At Maggiezine, Maggie popped champagne with writers, editors, and designers. Bernardo and Henrique were present, as were Kelvin and Felipe.“Here’s to another successful edition of our magazine!” Maggie exclaimed.“Cheers!” Everyone shouts excitedly.Kelvin took the bottle and started pouring the drinks. Bernardo approached his wife and kissed her on the cheek.“Congratulations, dear. Seeing you succeed is all I wanted in my life.”“And we’re paving the way for Henrique,” Maggie responded, excited.“I already said the magazine will go to Carol and Mary!” Henrique crossed his arms, upset. He doesn’t want to take over the magazine, ever!Maggie giggles and strokes her son’s h
At the Teodoro Building, Rosemary asked Pedro about the repercussions of her photo shoot, but Pedro stood back and was afraid to answer.“Come on, bro, don’t hide from me. Did people not like it? Was I very well behaved while Cláudio Guzman and Karen Britton rocked the sensual poses?” Rosemary insisted.Pedro finally decided to answer, “That’s not quite right, little sister. Step over to this side of the counter, you’ll understand.”Rosemary walked around the counter and saw the computer. Pedro scrolled through the LCN page with readers’ comments.He selected some comments with the mouse and Rosemary read them. After that, she became uncomfortable.“Why do people think I make a great pair with the police officer? Don’t they know I’m dating Thierry Lafayette?”“Looks like they don’t know yet, little sis.” Pedro scratched the back of his head, “I, for example, have never seen an explanatory article.”Beto appeared coming from the apartment with the newspaper in hand, also questioning th
Alan and Caio are talking in Octavio’s office. Other architects are working on their designs, each at their computers or drawing tables.A girl who is interning like Caio presented a floor plan to Alan. “What do you think about this, Mr. Rocha?”“Fabiana, the plant is very good. I wouldn’t be able to differentiate your plant from a professional with twenty years in the market.”Fabiana blushed. “Thank you, Mr. Rocha. I’ll present this floor plan to the client.”She backed away. Caio smiles at Alan.“You’re learning more and more from your father, huh?”“I need to learn.” Alan looked up and sighed. “Did you hear about my father?”“Yes, he lifted the ban and authorized David to appear as often as he wants.” Caio shook his head, “I fear for the future of the company.”“Its future is assured: with me.” Alan lifts his chin, “No one will take my throne. Carol and Mary are destined to work at Maggiezine. I don’t know what Ignacio will do, but he’ll also be welcome at Rocha Constructions, as
At Rocha Hotel, Jane was talking to Benjamin in her office. Chef Hamilton was present, passing his chef’s hat to Benjamin as if it were a ritualistic ceremony.“Here you go, my boy. Now, you’re the Master Chef, as you deserve.” Hamilton declares emotionally.“Cool!” Jane applauds as if she were on a live program. “Ben, congratulations! You deserved this promotion.”“You’re welcome, Jane. Hamilton, it was an absolute pleasure working with you!”The youngest and oldest shake hands.“Hamilton, can I talk to Benjamin a little first? Then we need to talk about your retirement.”“Yes, Mrs. Motta. I’ll wait outside.” Hamilton respectfully withdraws.After Hamilton leaves, Jane and Benjamin talk confidentially.“Friend, I need to tell you something. Alan forwarded me an email from Lauro that he sent to Josias!”Benjamin is perplexed. “What do you mean? Was Lauro sending emails to Josias? For what purpose?”“Alan said that Elza instructed him to do this, as a way of reporting my performance as
At the Angel store, Josias and Angela meet again after many years. But Angela felt that she wouldn’t be pleased with this reunion when she saw how the great love of her life was frowning and indifferent.Josias closed the door and began, “Well, Angela, here I am just as you wanted. We need to talk honestly.”“And since when did we talk dishonestly?” Angela smiles at him.Josias keeps serious, not in the mood for clowning. He spots a chair and sits down. “I hope today isn’t the first time. You’ve been sending me a bunch of emails, not to mention the ones that have been deleted.”Angela clenches her fists. “The secretary was erasing them...”“Don’t blame Reuben. He is an excellent secretary to me.” Josias warns her.But Angela didn’t get the warning. “You only employ him as a secretary and allow him to date your daughter because he is your best friend’s son.”“And where is the crime?” Josias raised an eyebrow.“Reuben Freire is mentally retarded. The sooner you accept this, the better f
The next day, Josias talked to Melissa about it. The couple was about to go down for breakfast. Josias was on the sofa in the master suite wearing his genuine leather shoes while Melissa was sitting on the bed with her arms crossed.“What did you say?” Melissa questioned him, “Are you going to contact David?”“Not the way you’re thinking.” Josias was staring at his shoes as he responded, “I want to give him an opportunity. Can’t I?”“Not inside Rocha Constructions.” Melissa protested.“Luckily, I don’t have Rocha Constructions as my only company. In fact, I was thinking in a long run.” Josias straightened up, smiling at her.“What’s the reason for the smile?” Melissa wasn’t convinced by her husband’s beautiful smile.“We have our eldest son who will take over Rocha Constructions, and our daughter will be involved in Marçal Publishing. You’re taking care of the charity works. I don’t know what Ignacio intends, but I still have three more options so David doesn’t complain empty-handed.”
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