Caroline and David finished their breakfast and got up. Reuben was insistent with his request, smiling childishly.David was exasperated. “Dude, stop giving me that stupid smile. It’s not now that you’re going to dishonor my pure sister.”“Shut up, idiot!” Reuben drops the smile, but roars like a lion, “What I want is to live with Carol for the rest of my life. Where’s the dishonor?”“She can find other guys more decent than you.” David turns to Caroline, “Have you ever thought about Benjamin Teixeira, sis?”The three stopped near the stairs. Caroline smiled, amused.“Hmm... I never thought about Ben. He’s so hot and muscular even being a chef! Other guys usually gain weight because they’re always eating and trying dishes in the kitchen, but not him.”Reuben turned purple with jealousy while David smiled mockingly.“But I don’t know if it would be decent, David. Ben is Flavia’s brother.” Caroline hesitated.“He’s my legitimate uncle!” Reuben shouted, “Wouldn’t that be incestuous?”“Yo
Reuben is working frantically at his desk, while the employees of Rocha Constructions notice how irritated he is.“Rough day, Reuben?” one of them asks.“Tell me about it,” Reuben grumbles.“It’ll get better when your boss returns.” The employee, one of the architects, gives a thumbs up while balancing rolls of blueprints under the other arm.Caio passes by Reuben’s desk and feels the same thing. “Reuben, don’t you want to relax a bit?”“Alan is not in the office. Therefore, I don’t know if we can drink from those bottles.” Reuben retorts with a scowl.“But who said we need bottles of alcoholic drinks? We can freshen up with juice, or even take a stroll.” Caio smiles.“I need to finish answering these emails.” Reuben shakes his head.“Maybe it will help to vent to me what is really bothering you.” Caio insists, standing next to his friend.“OK... if you insist...” Reuben stops typing. It seemed like smoke was about to come out of his keyboard, “I wanted to live with Carol like Rosemar
Rosemary and Thierry enter his photography studio.“Are you crazy, darling?” Thierry is concerned, “After everything has been proven and documented, do you think Patrick wasn’t the shooter?”“He reacts as if it wasn’t him, and even accused me of not knowing him.” Rosemary is distressed.“Hey, don’t let him do that.” Thierry warns her, “He is manipulating you, trying to make you feel guilty because you love me now.”“He mentioned that.” Rosemary is confused, pouring herself some coffee, “He asked me if I ever loved him or if I just wanted to have the first time with him until I set my eyes on you.”“What a disgrace.” Thierry kisses her cheek, “Don’t bother with what that idiot says, darling. You were in love with him, yes, but things change. Now you have chosen me. And if Pat can’t get over it, it’s his problem.”“If Uncle Josias releases him, he might take the opportunity and leave town. Felipe, for sure, fired him.” Rosemary sits on the couch.“Definitely. One less enemy.” Thierry sm
Josias and Melissa return from their trip.The family warmly welcomes the Rocha couple at the Rocha Mansion.“MOMMY!” Mary and Ignacio hug Melissa and almost knock her over.“OOPS! My kids are big now, be careful with mommy.” Melissa laughs and laughs.“Hello, dear daughter.” Josias kisses Caroline’s forehead, “Has this young man behaved himself?”Josias pointed to David, who was grinning widely.“Yes, he protected me very well. In fact...”“I even took the liberty to help her with the twins,” David interjects, not wanting Caroline to mention Reuben’s proposal.“That’s right, Uncle Josias.” Ignacio says excitedly, “David helped me to beat that game that I was struggling to finish for a long time.”“Oh, I’m so happy that you all are spending time together as a family.” Josias laughs, “Now, help me with the bags. There must be a hidden gift in there somewhere.”Mary and Ignacio quickly searched for presents in the luggage. Caroline and David laughed.Melissa, however, felt that David ha
At Rocha Constructions, Brigitte and Caio are talking in his office.“My dear, how is Reuben taking the results of the investigation?” Brigitte asks.“What investigation?” Caio teases as he looks over a subordinate’s blueprint, “The guy is just moving on with his life, focused on Caroline.”Brigitte nods, “I see, but Felipe doesn’t seem to want to get over the event. He suspects that the shooter wasn’t Patrick.”Caio looks at his girlfriend. “Well, you’re not going to think it was Reuben, are you? I believe that’s what Felipe wanted.”“I don’t know. At least Daryl Mountain has returned to Victoria and won’t cause any more problems. What an annoying guy!”Caio smiles bitterly, “Can you believe he was a close friend of Uncle Josias? At some point in history, starting from 1999, everything changed when he thought he could interfere in my uncle’s personal life, trying to push a certain Gabriela Alves when Uncle Josias was still in love with his current wife, Kate Bezerra.”“The one who di
Caio and William discuss Reuben and Caroline’s dilemma.“So, my friend Reuben wants to live with Carol just like Thierry and Rose are doing?” Caio chuckles, feeling sorry for Reuben.“Or like his mother and I.” William scratches his head, “I’m not sure if formalizing the union would be the right move.”“Dad, wouldn’t there be any issues considering you two are first cousins?” Caio raises his eyebrows.“The law wouldn’t prohibit a civil union,” William replies, “But it’s the moral aspect that bothers me a bit. Don’t get me wrong, son. I love Flavia, and we’re happy together. We just hope this doesn’t confuse her son’s head.”“I can talk to Reuben, although I believe you’ve already said something about it.” Caio offers.“Yes, I have, but friendly advice is never too much.” William looks at his wristwatch, “I need to go. Did you hear that Josias has returned? I think I’ll stop by the mansion to find out the details of the trip.”“I know. I need to check those blueprints, Father. Thank yo
William visits Rocha Mansion and finds Melissa. They both talk in the same living room where Reuben was before.“Sis, are the pictures from the trip available?” William asks excitedly.“I still have to develop them,” Melissa replies, thinking about the previous conversation.“Did Carol tell you about what happened during your absence?” William notices the older sister’s sadness.“She didn’t tell me.” Melissa huffs, “I had to bring Reuben here for him to tell me what happened. Thank goodness I did that, and I hope Josias never finds out.”“Sometimes I think this was my fault.” William hangs his head.Melissa is surprised by this statement. “Why do you think that, Will?”“Because if it weren’t for me living with his mother... And we have Thierry and Rose living together...” William scratches his neck.“I’m not going to judge the arrangements you all make.” Melissa shakes her head, “I just know that Carol doesn’t want this, and Josias would never accept Reuben living here before marriage
At Rocha Constructions, Josias finds it very bizarre that Felipe thinks Caroline had something to do with the shot he took.“Felipe Mountain, I’m disappointed in you!” Josias frowns, “Not only did you fall in love with my daughter, even though she is engaged to another guy. Now, to prove that you don’t love her anymore, you’d rather accuse her of being the shooter?”Felipe remains impassive. “What’s the problem, Mr. Rocha? If Caroline was the shooter, it would make sense for Pat to want to take the blame for her, assuming the guilt to protect her. But since you know the truth, you’re making sure that Patrick is released.”“Exactly, he will be released to go to Serra.” Josias goes to the drinks table and refills his glass, “And that should make you happy.”“It does. Since you can’t tell me who it was, then I’ll just go with what I know.” Felipe smiles ironically.“You don’t know,” Josias warns him, “Don’t go around accusing Caroline because it wasn’t her!”Felipe nods slowly. “Okay. It
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