William and Brigitte enter the living room. “So, my dear daughter-in-law, what have you been up to?” “Not much.” Brigitte sits on the couch. “I came to talk to Josias about the will he wants me to handle.” William notices a triumphant smile on Brigitte’s face. “You seem to be quite happy about this.” “Yes, I am!” Brigitte exclaims ecstatically. “It was something I was looking for. Taking care of something related to the Rocha family means I will grow in importance at the agency.” “Miguel Damascene will trust you deeply, huh?” William smiles in solidarity. “Don’t mess things up because he’ll be watching.” “And how wouldn’t I know? I know my boss.” Josias opens the door and finds his future lawyer. “Hello, Brigitte! Can we talk in my office? Will, your parents are coming.” “Okay, I’ll wait here.” William nodded. Brigitte stood up and left with Josias. Shortly after, with the door still open, Simeon and Dora entered. “Son, tell us what it is,” Simeon commands, sitting on the c
The Reis family enters Café Montanha, in a celebratory mood. Neil greets them. “What will it be today, family?” “We want grilled cheese with hot chocolate!” Maycon exclaims excitedly. Everyone laughs as Beto chooses a table. “My son, keep in mind that you won’t be able to eat this every day. We’re making an exception today because we’re celebrating.” “But if we celebrate every day...?” Maycon tries to be clever. Teresa kisses her son’s forehead. “Don’t push your luck.” Pedro approaches the counter to place the order. “Where’s Rod, Neil? Are you alone?” “Not exactly. There’s someone from the orphanage in the kitchen helping me,” Neilton explains as he grabs the order pad. “Mr. Mountain has retired, so to speak, and Rod is helping his wife at the Lafayette Supermarket.” “Oh, how interesting!” Pedro smiles. “Well, we’re celebrating that I don’t have heart problems for now.” “Excellent news. But it’s good not to overdo it on the grease and fried foods. Your younger brother’s ord
After reading Beto’s text, Josias now visits the Teodoro building to celebrate with the Reis family. Beto jokes, “Don’t try to understand a parallel conversation that the women are having.” Josias, however, guesses effortlessly. “Are they discussing the honeymoon between Pete and Daniela?” Beto is left speechless, shocked to know the women are discussing that ‘lack of shame.’ “WHAT? The women are worried if Pete is going to have a heart attack after... consummating the marriage?” Josias bursts out laughing. “PFFF... Daniela is really a conscientious woman, huh?” Beto also relaxes and starts laughing. Of course, he raised a man and expects Pedro to perform with mastery and virility during intimate moments with his wife. “Then they can’t say we men are the perverts.” Beto and Josias quickly stop laughing when Pedro approaches. “Uncle Josias, thanks for coming. So, how are things? I hear you’re going on vacation again.” “I didn’t understand that ‘again.’ After working like a pack
Kelvin and Karen’s wedding party took place at the Mountain Penthouse.It was a simple ceremony, without much fuss. Public opinion of Karen Britton was not the best; thus, to avoid individuals throwing tomatoes at the Green Park Church, Kelvin opted for an intimate ceremony. The couple formalized their union at the registry office and invited the rest to celebrate.In the living room, the sofas were removed, and the cake table was set up in their place.Karen, wearing a modest wedding dress, was cutting the first piece with Kelvin guiding her hand. The couple’s expressions were radiant, and Thierry didn’t hold back on the photos.The guests applauded and expressed wishes of happiness.“Very nice!”“Kiss! Kiss!”Kelvin took a spoon and put the first bite of cake into his wife’s mouth. More photos.Maggie leaned over to Bernardo. “They really seem like they were made for this. I don’t understand why they had such an unpleasant start.”“Maybe it was Angela’s influence,” Bernardo suggeste
Daryl interrupted the conversation between Alan and Felipe, which was becoming uncomfortable for Sofia.“Mr. Mountain, take your son away from here,” Sofia complained, “My husband and I were having a private conversation.”Felipe stood up. “Don’t worry, Dad. I was asking Alan if we shouldn’t treat each other as cousins now that Uncle Kelvin has been a kind of father to him.”“That would be a good idea, Alan!” Daryl turned to Alan with a snake-like smile. “It would help put any animosity to rest—”“I don’t know if my dad would be willing to go that far,” Alan interrupted.“Yeah, son, no one can say we didn’t try,” Daryl called Felipe, and the son promptly obeyed.Alone again, Sofia breathed a sigh of relief. “Phew! I never trusted that guy!”“Well, me neither,” Alan sighed. “What makes me breathe a sigh of relief about Carol running off with Reuben is that she didn’t give in to the charms of that womanizer over there.”“Although we haven’t seen him with any woman these days, right?” So
Josias surprises Angela by saying she should leave when she expected him to ask her to stay. She gets up abruptly from the couch, looking at him accusingly. “What kind of nonsense is this, Josias? Do you want me to leave?” “You’re the one who asked for my modest opinion,” Josias replies without showing that he's mocking Angela. “I can’t believe this!” Angela is stunned, shaking her head. “All this time... It seems I haven’t moved beyond the status of ‘concubine’!” “Angela, that was a status the press invented to label you.” Josias frowns. “I never called you that even once. You and Katherine fought over the status of Mrs. Rocha, but truth be told: I’ve always loved Melissa.” “You married Katherine!” Angela points a finger at him. “Why can’t you marry me now?” “Can you really ask me something like that?” Josias shakes his head. “Woman, I’m still with Melissa. When I married Katherine, I didn’t have Melissa.” “And now you’re intent on supporting Kelvin’s marriage so he won’t go a
In Angela’s apartment, David reacted with dismay to the outcome of his mother’s conversation with Josias. “Mom, this is absurd! My dad doesn’t even consider the possibility of starting a family with us!” “He is convinced he loves Melissa, that damned woman...” Angela’s voice falters as tears threaten to spill. “You can cry, Mom.” David hugs her. “I want to cry too. My dream of seeing you two together has crumbled.” “Son, I don’t know if I should give up entirely or return to Rio temporarily, like a strategic retreat.” Angela looks intently at David. “A strategic retreat, that’s what you need.” David encourages her. “Do you really think so, son?” Angela’s eyes glisten with unshed tears. “Well then, who would take care of the stores in Espírito Santo for me?” David strokes his chin thoughtfully. It’s a tough decision to make... “Mom, I’ve always wanted to be part of my dad’s legacy. It’s not that I don’t want to take care of Angel’s store, it’s just that I fear—” “Your place is
The next day. Ben and Neilton are flabbergasted by David’s announcement. “David, have you thought this through?” Benjamin asks, worried. “Yes, Ben. It’s time for me to move out. Is the rent becoming too high for you two?” Neilton shakes his head with a slight smile. “No, not at all. We have enough money to split the rent in half. Or, we could put an ad in the newspaper looking for a third guy. The question is you.” David sighs. “I’m moving into my mother’s apartment. She left to go back to Rio de Janeiro. And there’s more: I’ll be taking care of her stores.” Benjamin and Neilton remain apprehensive about David’s plans. “Are you going to tell your dad today?” Benjamin asks cautiously. “Yes, and I imagine he won’t be happy.” David scratches the back of his neck. “He wants you involved in his conglomerate businesses,” Neilton explains to him. “But Alan doesn’t want that. I know he’s eager to see me out. And right now, I have neither the strength nor the money to fight back. J.J.