Teresa appeared in the lobby of the Teodoro building after hearing screams and was horrified to see Caroline staggering after being slapped.Felipe, like a good gentleman, caught Caroline before she fell to the ground.Daniela smirked maliciously, thinking the gentlemanly gesture was intentional. "Oh, how kind! He holds the maiden so she doesn't fall! Caroline, make up your mind: Reuben, Felipe, or my man!""What is going on here?" Teresa approaches them."Mrs. Reis, I came to announce to Daniela that her father has been fired from Crystal Blue for obvious reasons," Felipe explains, "But Miss Lombardi is misinterpreting everything and offending Carol.""SHE slapped me first!" Daniela yells, feeling unjustly treated.Caroline massages her sore cheek. "It's true. And I see that you deserved it. You're not good enough for Pete, and I'll do everything possible to break up this relationship!""Carol, don't overreact!" Teresa also disagrees with this."You see, Tess, how I don't share the s
At Mountain Café, it was Reuben and Caroline's turn to meet for a black coffee, but they weren't celebrating like Rosemary and Thierry were.Reuben was horrified to see the bruise on his beloved's face."Darling, tell me immediately WHO hit you!""Reuben, please don't make a big deal out of this." Caroline covered her cheek with her left hand while sipping coffee with her right hand."I have to. What kind of husband would I be if I didn't care?" Reuben approached to get a better look."Quite funny. You said you'll be my husband." Caroline smiled bitterly."Hey, I'm not joking about this.""No, you're not. It happens that Daniela—""IT WAS DANIELA? Why does she feel entitled to slap you? Who does she think she is?" Reuben shouted, attracting the attention of the other customers.Rodrigo approached them. "Hey, lovebirds, could you please STOP scaring off the customers?"Reuben swallowed hard, realizing the exaggeration. "Sorry, Rod. I'm just really upset to know that the daughter of the
Rosemary and Thierry's wedding took place in Victoria, as planned.Maggie, as always, turned the occasion into a headline for Maggiezine.Readers marveled at the elegantly dressed and smiling bride and groom.Some felt sorry that the ceremony did not take place in Lagoon Blue. But when they read the inside pages and came across photos of Moacyr, Cristina, Raymond, and others from the still-living first generation, they understood.In the editorial, Bernardo talked to Moacyr on the phone while Maggie entered contentedly."Yes, buddy, it was a wonderful event, and you looked very stylish in that tux... I know you're all gray now, but age comes to us all, right? I'm getting there too..." Bernardo noticed that Maggie was present, "Okay, give my regards to Cristina. Maggie says 'hello' to you."Bernardo ended the call and stood up. "So, when do we make millions with this issue?"Maggie laughs, "How will we know? The finance and sales departments are STILL calculating the numbers! The print
Moments later, Daniela came down the stairs and passed through the lobby.Seeing Beto in good spirits and healthy, she smiled respectfully and greeted him, "Good morning, Beto.""Daniela, can we talk for a few minutes?""Yes." She approached the counter."I'm a little confused." Beto smiled, "My wife told me that you were eager to have Felipe Mountain as a coworker when he offered to work away from you. What's going on in your life?"Daniela swallowed hard. "Beto, I don't want to send you to the hospital again. Tess is too young to be a widow.""Thank you for your concern. But, explain to me. I'm still alive, and I'm still the head of the Reis family." Beto asked."Well... I didn't want Felipe to work in the penthouse just to avoid my father's rumors. Today is his last day of work. The gossip will stop. There's no need for any more drastic changes." Beto studied the future daughter-in-law's body language. She showed no signs of desperation or anxiety."So you're just looking at the p
David talks to Angela at the Angel store."Mom, it's been a while, and I still don't know what you're doing with your life."Angela, typing on the computer, looks up at her son with bewilderment."What are you talking about, son? You know what I'm doing.""I'll tell you what you're NOT doing!" David leans forward, "Winning back my father to finally make us a family. How am I supposed to build mine if I have no reference?"Angela furrows her brow. "Don't be ridiculous. You lived in Rocha Mansion last year and saw what a family dynamic is like. There couldn't be a better fatherly example than your father.""Yes, I watched how he handles that bunch of crazies with skill and power." David proudly smiles at the memory of his father."So, what you need to do is find a girl and do the same." Angela shrugs."But I can't just think about myself. What's going on between you and Kelvin isn't the ideal."Angela mischievously smiles. "It's not ideal, but it's working for now.""How so?" David beco
Kelvin gets up from the desk with an expression of disbelief.Even if Angela had told him that, he would definitely refuse!Josias smiles scornfully. "I can see she didn't pass the message on to you.""Josias..." Kelvin could hardly speak properly. He trembled with gradually rising wrath."Take it easy, Kelvin. I better explain what's going on. I don't know if you noticed, but Angela is using you to make me jealous and provoke Melissa," Josias responded calmly.Josias' calmness was a stark contrast to Kelvin's anger."What nonsense is this?" Kelvin finally managed to shout."It's not nonsense. It's reality." Josias replied with a slight smile."You like coming here and rubbing it in my face that Melissa is with you, huh?""Kelvin, don't get me wrong. But Melissa and I have a beautiful love story that dates back to the 80s. You only showed up in town ten years later, and if it weren't for Angela and Katherine, Melissa would've never set eyes on you."Kelvin is forced to agree. "Yes, yo
At the Rocha Mansion, Pedro discovers that Caroline has no qualms about wanting to meddle in his love life."Carol... what nonsense is this?""Is it nonsense to want to help a friend get rid of a harlot?""How much does Daniela charge for her services?" Pedro retorts."I don't know!" Caroline gestures impatiently, "I just know that she doesn't deserve your love!"Pedro closes Caroline's bedroom door. At least, that's what he thought, as a crack was left open."Friend, I appreciate your concern, but it's not that big of a deal." Pedro smiles gently."Pete, aren't you angry that her father almost killed yours?" Caroline asks with sad eyes."You really like my Dad, huh?" Pedro embraces her."Of course! Beto is a good guy and part of my past, my childhood, just like Claudio.""Have you noticed that you only have good-looking and muscular friends?" Pedro jokes."It must be because of my Dad." Caroline shrugs."And your fiancé, Reuben? Equally well-built and attractive. Tell him to take it
At the Rocha Hotel, Benjamin finds David smiling like never before.He approaches the kitchen counter. Behind Benjamin, the chefs are preparing their stations for the lunch service."Hello, David! You're more cheerful than when you woke up.""Sorry for my terrible morning mood, buddy." David rejoiced, "I need your team to make an effort with the menu. Here's what the Army Commander ordered for lunch.""Who would've thought, the commander is on vacation here and chose our hotel!" Benjamin takes the paper."His wish will be our command, and I'm not speaking symbolically!"Benjamin studies David, "Can I know what happened for you to be so radiant?"David suddenly remembered that Benjamin belonged to the enemy side. He wipes the smile off his face."I can't tell you, man.""Why not? Share your joy with me!" Benjamin insists."If I tell you, will you promise not to lecture me in front of your chefs?" David looks over Benjamin's shoulder.Sybil was suspicious, looking sideways as she choppe
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