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
Kelvin goes to Karen's apartment to discuss the bombshell news he received.As he knocked on the door, he could hear the song "We Are Golden" by Mika blaring through the speakers.Karen opened the door wearing somewhat sloppy clothes."Isn't that music too loud for the baby?" Kelvin asked ironically as he entered."Don't be a clown!" Karen slammed the door shut, "You still don't believe it?""My dear, nausea can mean anything. If I feel nauseous, does that mean I'm pregnant too?" Kelvin sits on the sofa, observing the mess around him.Karen turns off the radio and glares at Kelvin."I already feel like you're going to tell me to have an abortion.""Karen, don't even think about it!" Kelvin yells, "You're not going to trick me or tie me down with a baby that obviously isn't mine."In a fit of rage, Karen grabs the pregnancy test stick she bought at the pharmacy and throws it at Kelvin's face. "There's your damn proof!"Kelvin was startled by the stick suddenly landing in his face. Upon
The meeting is over. In Josias' office, he serves drinks from the drinks table to those nearby.Alan exclaims, "Caio, you outdid yourself! Congratulations!""A shopping mall in Lagoon City," Alfred nodded, "We have shopping centers, but not one of that size.""I'm glad I could contribute something." Caio is smiling.Josias raises his brandy glass and everyone imitates the toast."Mom will love the surprise, Dad," Alan assures."It's just another proof of my love for her." Josias drinks.Alfred chuckles. "Why do you need to prove anything to her after so many years of marriage and companionship?""It turns out there are still people who dare to doubt our love," Josias responds enigmatically.The others want to decipher the phrase.Caio asks worriedly, "What do you mean by that, Uncle Josias? Kelvin...?""Wow, you guys thought of him right away!" Josias nervously laughs.Alan becomes serious. "Although I am eternally grateful for Kelvin raising me, I know he still has a soft spot for my
In the Teodoro Building, Theodore paid a visit to see how things were going.He stared at the portrait of the building owner, who would have been his grandfather.Pedro appeared with some papers in hand. "Hey, man! What are you doing here?""I'm looking at your grandfather's portrait." Theodore replied, "Don't you think I should change my name?"Pedro chuckled, positioning himself behind the counter. "Is it even possible to do this?""My father said it's possible." Theodore leaned on the counter, "If my name is an embarrassment to you, you can tell me."Pedro shook his head. "I can’t understand why.""I was named 'Theodore' because of your grandfather. My damn mother wanted everyone to believe that Mr. Reis was my father. In reality, my father was her boss. It was an insult, some disrespect to your grandfather's memory, that I received that name."Pedro waved off the idea. "Don't beat yourself up about it, Little Theo. It wasn't your fault. Yes, our mother was disrespectful. It shows
At Vaztrans, Erasmo is reading emails from unhappy passengers sent by the customer service department."The buses are back out of line, outdated, old, rusty..." Erasmo scratches his head with both hands, messing up his hair, "We need an urgent loan!"Ironically, Olivia showed up in the office with five shopping bags from expensive stores."Hi, dear! I bought that pair of shoes I've been coveting for weeks! I finally got it—""Hide those bags IMMEDIATELY, you careless woman!" Erasmo shouted horrified, "We don't know if Alan or Josias may show up here!""Relax, they're not here." Olivia shrugged.Sofia is the next to enter. "Mom, I can't believe you had the nerve to spend the amount of a new bus on clothes and shoes!""Helen Queiroz was walking with those high heels and I NEEDED to be up to her level!" Olivia justified herself, "No one insults me like that."Sofia frowns. "And who said Helen was insulting you? She probably didn't even think of you when she bought the shoes for herself."
At Vaztrans, Olivia and Sofia are bothered by the latest news regarding Caroline."Dear, you need to teach Carol to mind her own business," Sofia complains, unable to hold back any longer."Calm down, Sofia. Carol is studying for the college entrance exam. She promised to become a journalist to work at Maggiezine." Alan tries to console his wife.However, Sofia becomes more exasperated, "NO! How dangerous it would be for Carol to be a journalist! She would gossip countless barbarities about me, you can count on that!""I don't think Bernie Marçal would dare to create a copy of that journalist who gave them a hard time... what's her name again?""Gabriela Alves, Sandra's legitimate mother," Alan replied, "No, Maggie won't allow Carol to use her magazine for personal vendettas.""Let's hope not. But why does she have a grudge against Miss Lombardi?" Olivia complained about gossip but now wants to know about one."Carol, for some reason, wants Pete to end his relationship with Daniela bec
Erasmo passes by Reuben, panting and with sweat stains under his arms, marking his cotton dress shirt."You're sweating," Reuben said, distracted."Young man, focus!" Erasmo banged on his desk, "Announce me to your boss.""You're going to talk to Uncle Josias all sweaty?" Reuben asked indignantly."ARGH!" Erasmo almost had a fit, "How did you manage to be the secretary and representative of the most powerful man in Lagoon City?""Not sweating like a pig," Reuben replied as he picked up the phone, "Uncle Josias, Erasmo Vasquez wants to speak to you... Oh, you were expecting him. Did you also expect him to come all sweaty under the armpits?"Erasmo restrained himself from punching Reuben."OK, bye now." Reuben ended the call, "You can come in. But don't get too close to Uncle Josias. You're sweaty."Unable to control himself, Erasmo told Reuben to go to hell and hurried into Josias's office."Your secretary urgently needs a refresher on how to greet visitors!" Erasmo slammed the door shu
The next day, Erasmo was fearfully discussing with his family what Josias had decided.Olivia and Sofia had wide eyes."Is he going to kill my grandson if we don't comply with his wishes?" Olivia exclaimed horrified.Sofia instinctively placed her hands on her belly. "That's impossible! Father, you must be exaggerating.""No, daughter!" Erasmo insisted, "Either we put Alan as a partner, dividing some shares, or the loan will be denied!"Sofia clenched her fists. "This means that what Caroline has been braying about for years has been engraved in her father's mind and heart. She succeeded. We are now labeled as untrustworthy, and this is the treatment we receive when we're genuinely in trouble!"Alan approached wearing formal attire, missing his tie and suit."Good morning, family! Is breakfast ready?""Yes, Alan. But we are discussing a very serious matter," Olivia replied.Alan noticed the somber tone in her voice and the palpable oppressive tension in the dining room."What happened?