As Caroline passed through the kitchen to exit the back door of Crystal Blue, she was intercepted by Daniela.“Miss Rocha!”Caroline froze in her steps and looked at Daniela. “Yes?”“I’m Daniela Lombardi, I work in accounting at the restaurant, and I’m seeing Pete Reis. Do you know him?”“Yes, his half-sister is my best friend, Rosemary Reis.” Caroline wipes away her tears.“May I know the reason for your tears?” Daniela approaches with a serious face.Caroline felt that Daniela would not be a friend offering her shoulder. “Ehr... Sorry, did I disturb something?”“Actually, Miss Rocha, I work in the office, and I was about to go in when I realized that you were inside, talking to Mr. Mountain. By coincidence, my cell phone rang and I walked away. It was Pete.” Daniela explains with a strange smile.Caroline stares at Daniela, processing the information. So, the cell phone ringtone was hers, but she said she was passing by casually... was that really it, and she was being paranoid?“I
Flávia finds Reuben working at his desk at Rocha Constructions.“Hello, Mom! Any news?”“Your grandmother Izzy is going to retire and hand over leadership of the soap opera to Melissa,” Flávia responds while analyzing her son’s body expression. Is he fine?“Oh, that’s nice! Melissa can carry on Grandma’s legacy.” Reuben smiles childishly.Flávia approached the subject little by little. “You look really good, son.”“I’m fine, Mom. Thank you very much for coming here and asking me. Uncle Josias is in the office, but Melissa is at João Paulo’s house, along with Grandma Dora, Tess, and a few others. I don’t know if Olivia Vasquez—”“Did you break up with Caroline?” Flávia got straight to the point.Reuben stopped typing on the computer and had a transformation = from some mama boy to a man his age.“Mom, I love Carol and I’m going to marry her. A trivial quarrel won’t ruin our love.”“I’m glad you think so.” Flávia takes a deep breath, “But I received information that you two broke up.”“
The day of Rosemary and Thierry’s engagement arrived.At the Lafayette mansion, cars began arriving and parking on the lawn. As it would be something exceptional, Jacques allowed it for today.So, the cars arrived, and the guests arrived at the ballroom.The code attire was a black tie, as required by any formal party with the Rocha family present.Jacques was checking Thierry’s bow tie. They were both near the snack table. Employees walked around setting out food and drink options.“Dad, it’s finally happening.” Thierry says anxiously, “Is the tie better?”“The tie was already fine.” Jacques replied jokingly, “I just wanted to check.”“Ah, Dad, don’t be a clown.” Thierry laughs.Ingrid approaches them wearing an imposing purple ankle-length dress. “You boys, try to behave.”“Hello, Mother. Wow, you look divine!” Thierry kissed his fingertips.“Thank you, son. Wait until Rosemary appears.” Ingrid blinks.“She is the bride of the engagement party, not of the wedding.” Thierry jokes.“S
The engagement party was in full swing with more guests arriving.Alan, Sofia, Erasmo, and Olivia were the next to arrive.Raymond, the celebrity of the moment, raised his eyebrows upon seeing Josias’ firstborn.“Wow! That baby from the 80s has grown up and married a beautiful young lady!”“Mr. Chaves, great to see you in good health.” Alan hugged him.“I’m not sure about ‘good health’, but I’m glad to see you.” Raymond joked.As they pulled apart, Alan pointed, “My dear wife, Sofia Vasquez Rocha. He is a great family friend, grandfather of Caio, Rose, Pedro, and Little Theo.”“My grandpa too!” Maycon innocently exclaimed.Alan was taken aback. Logically, Maycon wouldn’t be Raymond’s biological grandson.Sofia greeted Raymond, “Nice to meet you. You’ll forgive me, but the family lineage is a bit confusing to me.”“With time and dedication, you can figure out who’s who.” Raymond joked and winked.“These are my parents, Erasmo and Olivia.” Sofia stepped back for Raymond to see them bett
Raymond decided to answer Brigitte’s question, “Well, my dear, it depends on how you want your party to turn out. If you want a successful party, with beautiful memories to cherish until you reach my age, don’t invite Caio’s mother. Believe me, you don’t want Pamela as your mother-in-law.”“Why not? I don’t know her.” Brigitte is astonished.Raymond kindly smiles, “But what is there to know? Everything they say about her is true.”Brigitte frowns. “I still can’t help feeling that I would be unfair to her if I didn’t give her at least a chance.”“You better come to Victoria with me when I return.” Raymond winks, “That way I can protect you. Don’t bring Caio along because he might get stressed out. Better yet, don’t even tell him because he might try to stop you.”“Okay.” Brigitte is a bit hesitant but decides to agree. After all, she needed to see for herself who the infamous Pamela Chaves was.Josias approached Raymond. “Everything okay, Ray?”“I was getting to know my grandson’s futu
The next day, the Reis family was discussing a very important matter at the breakfast table.“So, folks? I think Maycon is old enough to understand what I’m going to ask.” Rosemary smiles sweetly.“Oh, Heavens, here comes the bomb...” Beto pretends to be feeling pain in the left side of his chest.“Should I, or should I not, move to Lafayette Mansion’s quarters?”Teresa spits out her coffee, extremely surprised.“PFFF... What kind of question is that, Rose? Cough, cough...”Maycon bursts into laughter, not understanding what it would imply for Rosemary to move closer to Thierry.Pedro scratches his nose. “I think you guys need to marry first, don’t you think?”“Thierry’s ‘room’ has been transformed and expanded. I’m eager to live with him!” Rosemary asserts, “And everything looks so beautiful...”“I know, Ingrid proudly showed me yesterday.” Teresa nods.“Well, daughter, you know your old man has always hoped you would marry as a virgin.” Beto looks sideways at Maycon, unsure if he co
Josias was restless, pacing in circles in his mansion’s study.The door opened, and Melissa laughed at her husband being found like that.“It seems like we’re playing around in circles until we sit on a chair when the music stops abruptly.” Melissa closes the door, laughing.Josias stops circling and smiles at his beloved wife, “It sounds like a joke, but I’m thinking about the next decision that will change our lives.”Melissa approaches him. “If it makes our lives better...”“I always make decisions to improve our lives, my dear.” Josias chuckles and takes both of her hands, “We have Rocha Constructions, our main source of income. We have shares in Vasconcelos Fabrics, shares in Cardozo Perfumes, we own a hotel, and I make a little money at Crystal Blue.”“A lot, huh?” Melissa gets dizzy with so many assets and sources of income that Josias lists.“So I was wondering if we could invest in another venture.” Josias smiles like an anxious boy.“On what?” Melissa is curious.“I was thin
Josias was surprised by Reuben’s reaction when he asked the question.“Reuben, what happened?”“Uncle Josias, I’d better not answer that question.” Reuben gulped.“Why not? Am I intruding on the couple’s privacy?” Josias smiles understandingly.“That’s almost it. You already have enough problems.” Reuben smiles nervously.“OK, I won’t insist. But you know you can count on me for anything, huh?” Josias looks at the door, “Looks like they’re coming.”The conference room door opens. Alfred, Caio, and the new director of the finance department entered and greeted each other.“Good morning, gentlemen.” Josias positioned himself in his chair, “Reuben, our secretary, will take note of this meeting. No word to the press for now.”“Yes, Mr. Rocha,” replied the other director.“From today onwards, consider the start of our next venture. I talked to my wife, and she accepted the idea of having a party and ceremony hall to rent to anyone who wants to throw their parties.”The announcement impacte