The curiosity in the room was palpable as the Rocha and Campos families gathered in the small office at General Hospital.The young man who claimed to be J.J. stood quietly, his presence both a beacon of hope and a source of doubt.The Vasquez family had been conspicuously excluded, a decision that left Alan simmering with frustration.“Dad, why did you forbid my family from coming? They won't just believe my word,” Alan asked, his voice tight with restrained anger.Josias, ever the stern patriarch, replied with a sour edge, “If they don’t believe you, it means you’re not credible, huh?”Melissa, sensing Alan’s rising tension, placed a comforting hand on his shoulder.Dora, trying to lighten the mood, chimed in, “I don't think they would believe us even if we filmed it.”Simeon, in his usual dry manner, added, “We are very sorry, my grandson, but where did you tie up your donkey, huh?”Alan, refusing to let the conversation derail further, stated flatly, “Don’t forget, you have a grea
At Rocha Constructions, Alan entered his office with a stormy expression, the weight of his thoughts pulling down his usually confident demeanor.The room, despite the hum of the air conditioning, felt colder than usual, reflecting the chill in his mood.Caio walked in soon after, immediately sensing the tension in the air.“Brrr... Can you turn up the air conditioning, cousin?” Caio asked, rubbing his arms as if trying to fend off the cold.Alan, his tone gloomy, replied, “I didn’t adjust the temperature.”Caio looked at him, wrapping his arms around himself to stay warm. “What was the result? My dad said they were going to the hospital today.”“They delivered the results to Dr. Hogan,” Alan said, his voice heavy with frustration, “knowing that he couldn’t receive our complaints.”Caio’s brow furrowed in confusion. “And why would there be complaints?”Alan’s response was sharp, almost bitter. “The guy who ‘came back to life’ is really J.J.!”Caio’s face lit up with excitement. “WOW!
The afternoon sun poured through the windows of the quaint Mountain Café, casting a warm, golden hue across the room.Karen, struggling with the growing weight of her pregnancy, finally managed to settle into one of the tables. Rodrigo approached, his face a mask of uncertainty as he braced himself to handle the demands of the impatient woman.“When is the baby due?” Rodrigo asked, trying to maintain a professional demeanor.Karen, her gaze distant and detached, responded curtly, “Soon. Can you get me an orange juice with no sugar? I don’t want to gain more weight than I already have. And a natural sandwich, no ketchup or mayonnaise. I don’t want to harm my baby.”Rodrigo rolled his eyes discreetly before jotting down the order on his notepad. Just then, Nadia entered the café with a jubilant expression, her eyes sparkling with excitement.“Honey! It’s been confirmed that J.J. is our J.J.!” Nadia announced, her voice brimming with enthusiasm.Rodrigo’s face lit up with a genuine smile
In João Paulo’s office at LCN Editorial, the room got thick with tension.Helen and Sofia, their faces flushed with anger, were confronting each other. João Paulo, who remained seated behind his desk, got his demeanor nonchalant.“Get out of here immediately!” Helen demanded, her voice sharp with indignation. “How dare you make such demands?”Sofia, her eyes blazing with fury, added, “Do you think you can say whatever you want about the Vasquez family and get away with it?”João Paulo leaned back in his chair, a smirk playing on his lips. “I confess: this is quite entertaining!”Sofia’s rage reached its peak. “YOU BASTARD! I want a retraction published tomorrow. Are you hearing me?”Helen pressed on Sofia with mockery, “You still haven’t answered us if it’s true or not that you squandered the money Alan lent.”Sofia, cornered and defensive, shot back, “That... that is none of your business! The money was used for Vaztrans!”João Paulo’s eyes gleamed with satisfaction. “You say it’s non
As dusk settled outside, the living room of João Paulo's house was filled with the warmth of family life. Helen and Rosemary sat together, engaged in a conversation, while Sandra entered with a notebook clutched in her hands, her face beaming with pride.“Look, Mom!” Sandra said excitedly, holding up her notebook. “The teacher gave me a point for keeping my notebook up to date and organized!”Helen’s face softened with maternal pride. “Really, sweetheart? And why did she do that?”Sandra’s chest swelled with pride. “The teacher said that I copy everything she writes on the board and answer the questions correctly.”Helen’s eyes sparkled with approval. “Oh, that's wonderful! Congratulations, sweetheart.”Rosemary, looking at Sandra with a fond smile, added, “I hope to have a studious daughter like you, Sandra.”Sandra, eager to help, offered, “I can help her whenever she has difficulties. My favorite subject is Portuguese.”Rosemary laughed softly. “Ah, she’ll be a writer or journalist
Helen gently applied a bandage to João Paulo’s left cheek, her movements tender and precise. Rosemary entered the living room, her presence a welcome relief.“Hey, I left Sandra with Walter. How are you all doing?” Rosemary asked, her voice filled with concern.João Paulo looked up at her with a grateful expression. “Rose, thank you so much for being discreet.”“You’re welcome,” Rosemary replied warmly. “I could see you needed it. So, are you going to be okay from now on?”Helen, touched by the concern, chimed in, “Rose, thank you very much. You need to get back to your husband, right?”Rosemary smiled, though there was a hint of urgency in her voice. “There’s nothing that can’t be talked about. Besides, he wouldn’t go without dinner.”João Paulo nodded, glancing towards the clock. “I believe Nadia and Rodrigo are coming home from work starving.”Rosemary laughed softly, the worriedness easing. “Well, I really do need to go then. Bye!”She bade farewell to her neighbors, leaving with
Kelvin stumbled through the entrance of the Mountain Penthouse, his disheveled appearance betraying the effects of the evening’s indulgences at Crystal Blue.His tie dangled at an odd angle, his suit jacket draped haphazardly over his shoulders, and his steps wavered as he walked. The sight of Karen, hunched over with a pained expression, immediately drew his attention.“What’s going on?” Kelvin asked with concern.Karen, clutching her belly, managed a strained smile. “Honey... I think it’s time...” she murmured through the discomfort.The realization hit Kelvin like a jolt. Today, he was about to become a father!******Meanwhile, across town, Melissa and Mary were deeply engrossed in their work. Melissa’s office was filled with scattered papers and scripts for the next episodes of ‘Love Spins the World’. Mary, ever the attentive assistant, noticed a mistake in the script.“Mom, you forgot again to put a question mark instead of a period here,” Mary pointed out, her voice firm but he
Next day. The conference room of Rocha Constructions buzzed with the low murmur of conversation as Josias, Alfred, Alan, and Caio gathered for a meeting. Josias stood at the head of the table, ready to address the group with an important announcement.“So, everyone,” Josias began, his voice authoritative, “it’s settled that Reuben will be our representative in Rio de Janeiro. He sent me a rather discouraging report about our Rocha Hotel located in Ipanema. He uncovered a sinister system of corruption orchestrated among bellboys and supervisors.”Alfred, visibly perturbed, let out a scoff. “What else can you expect from someone who lives in Rio?”Caio, ever the mediator, interjected. “Calm down, Alfred.”Josias continued, his tone unwavering. “Well, we have Octavio representing us in São Paulo, Wallace in Minas Gerais, and now, my son-in-law Reuben. I believe he is well qualified for this position, having worked diligently here at headquarters by my side for many years.”Alan, looking
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