The big night of Pedro and Daniela’s wedding had arrived. The ceremony took place at the Rocha Events Hall in Lagoon City. Josias walked around the venue in his new navy blue suit (he liked that color), approvingly looking at the facilities. The hall was partially covered, giving guests the option to enjoy the party outdoors or under the safety of the roof. If it happened to start raining, there was the covered area. The huge table of snacks and drinks was frequently visited by guests. The bride and groom, standing near the cake, couldn’t help but notice their reminiscing. “Do you remember, dear?” Pedro asked, “It was at a snack table that we met.” “Yes, I just can’t remember which wedding...” Daniela nodded. “We were so connected that we don’t even remember anymore, heh heh...” Pedro covered his mouth with his hand. Beto and Teresa approached them. They were all elegantly dressed for the occasion. Pedro wore a black tuxedo with a vest, while Daniela wore the most modern brid
Helen managed to spot Suzy chatting carefree with David. “What is she doing with your nephew?” she asked indignantly. João Paulo turned his head in the same direction as Helen and spotted Suzy. “Well, they work together at the hotel, right?” “I hope it’s just a working relationship,” Helen grumbled. “Dear, don’t make a fuss about it. I’ll wait for the conciliatory hearing to better understand what that woman wants,” João Paulo shrugged, finally noticing there was pie in front of him. “Hmm... Chicken pie. Eat your slice.” “I lost my appetite after that affront!” Helen stood up. “Hey, no scandals!” João Paulo grabbed his fork. “Don’t worry, dear. I know how to behave on special occasions.” Helen stepped away, heading toward Brigitte and Caio. Both were toasting with their glasses of champagne. “One more member of the second generation getting married, your brother!” Brigitte remarked. “Exactly. And what a woman my brother chose, huh?” Caio declared jokingly. Helen approached
It was a bright morning at the Teodoro Building, where Beto and Teresa were managing the lobby as they took care of things while Pedro and Daniela enjoyed their honeymoon. Beto sat at the front desk processing tenant payments, while Teresa assisted with inquiries from prospective renters.“Rent is $250, and that includes utilities,” Teresa explained to a client who seemed interested.“Wow, that’s a great deal! The price is cheap considering the building’s quality, especially for being on the outskirts,” the client replied, impressed.“Would you like to finalize the contract today?” Teresa asked with a friendly smile.“I need to talk to my wife first, but we’ll come back later today,” the client assured her, leaving with a positive nod.Beto glanced up from his work. “All set, Mrs. Marocas. You’re up to date on your rental payments.”“Thank you for your patience, Beto. I’ll see you later, Tess!” Mrs. Marocas replied warmly.“See you!” Teresa called after her.With a moment of peace in
It was a lively morning at Montanha Café. Neilton struggled to arrange two tables for the arriving Reis family.“Wow, what a festive occasion, folks!” Neilton exclaimed, pulling the tables together.Beto, the proud grandfather, couldn’t contain his excitement. “Neil, today the snacks are on me! Rose is pregnant!”Neilton’s face lit up. “Wow, Rose, congratulations!”Beaming with happiness, Rosemary replied, “Thank you, Neil. I can hardly believe it!”Just then, Rodrigo entered, dressed sharply in business attire, with nothing on his mind but grabbing a coffee. Noticing the excitement in the café, he approached the group, curious.“Hey, what’s going on? Is it what I think it is?” Rodrigo asked, grinning.Everyone burst into laughter.“How does everyone guess so quickly?” Thierry chuckled.“Come on, you’ve been telling everyone in Lagoon City that you wanted to be parents! How could I not guess when I see you two baring your teeth in the streets?” Rodrigo replied, sharing in their joy.“
Inside the master suite of the Rocha Mansion, Josias and Melissa are on their phones, receiving two very different pieces of news.Melissa smiles brightly. “Beto, this is wonderful, congratulations!”On the other hand, Josias is somber as he speaks into his phone. “Isabel, we’re on our way as fast as we can.”Melissa, still holding her phone, turns to Josias. “Send my best to Rose. We were just packing when Josias got a call. Something about Izzy.” She covers the phone with her hand and looks at her husband. “Honey, Rosemary is pregnant! What happened with Izzy?”Josias covers his phone too. “Isabel called. Francisco woke up very weak this morning. She called an ambulance... It seems like he’s dying, dear.”Melissa is horrified. “Oh, God! What do we do now?”Josias, torn between emotions, hesitates. “I’m happy for Rose, but Francisco’s situation is urgent. We need to get to the hospital.”Melissa goes back to her phone. “Beto, we just found out Francisco is in the hospital. It seems..
In the quiet hallway of the Rocha Hotel, David presses his ear against the door, taking advantage of the fact that no one is passing by. Inside the office, tension fills the air as João Paulo and Suzy stand opposite each other, neither sitting down.“Well then, Mr. Queiroz,” Suzy says, trying to keep her composure. “I’m hearing your proposal.”João Paulo, his frustration barely concealed, snaps back. “There’s no need for that ironic smile, Miss Cogo. Let me ask you one question: how much do you want?”Suzy remains calm, despite the loaded question. “How much would you be willing to pay?” she asks. “I don’t want to ask for a million reais just for you to complain to the judge that I’m being cruel.”João Paulo sneers. “How sensitive of you!”Suzy chuckles softly. “Didn’t we agree not to be ironic?”He crosses his arms, clearly irritated. “Miss Cogo, you must understand that when I wrote that column, I didn’t know you.”“And that gave you the right to call me a bimbo, a night lady?” Suzy
It had been a few hours since Rodrigo, Kelvin, and Daryl entered Francisco’s hospital room. Francisco lay pale and weak in his bed, barely able to chew the food the nurse had fed him. His frail condition was evident, and the concern in the room was palpable.“If this continues, it’s better to bring processed food or soup for dinner,” the nurse advised gently. “He can’t go without eating, but he barely managed to have lunch.”Rodrigo nodded, trying to keep his composure. “We understand, nurse. Thank you very much.”As the nurse left the room, the soft beeping of the multi-parameter monitor filled the silence, recording Francisco’s weakening heartbeat. His eyes were closed, his breathing slow and labored.“I’m so sorry, Rod,” Daryl said, breaking the stillness.Rodrigo took a deep breath, trying to hold back his emotions. “At least the two brothers will meet in Paradise now,” he replied softly.Daryl nodded, his voice laced with both sorrow and hope. “Along with our mother.”Kelvin chim
The next day was filled with grief, as it marked the funeral and burial of Francisco Mountain.Wallace had made it just in time for the memorial service and now stood by his mother, Isabel, as she struggled with the pain of loss. Together, they wandered through the familiar rooms of the house, their hearts heavy with memories.“So many years spent in this house, Mom. So many memories...” Wallace said, his voice filled with nostalgia.Isabel nodded. “Yes, first your father... and now Francisco.”Wallace glanced at her with concern. “Are you really going to move? Sell this house?”Isabel sighed, the weight of the decision evident in her response. “Yes, my son. I don’t want to be the widow who dies months later from staying here, alone.”With a nod of understanding, Wallace spoke firmly, “Then it’s decided. You’ll live with me, Vera, and Elton.”As they talked, Josias and Melissa approached. Melissa embraced Isabel once again, offering more support.“The folks from LCN send their condole