At Crystal Blue, Benjamin and Jake return to the lounge. Felipe is pouring himself a shot of brandy to calm his nerves. “I think I’ll want a shot too,” Jake jokes, not eliciting any laughter from anyone. “Your uncle just left,” Felipe announces grimly. “And what did he say? Does he want you to fire me?” Jake’s eyes widen. “No, he came to apologize for having a quarrelsome maître,” Felipe shoots him a reproachful look. “Well, it’s not like I do this every day,” Jake gestures dismissively. “I was just angry at the possibility that Luís Vasquez deflowered my sister.” Felipe raises his eyebrows. “Is it still just a possibility?” “Exactly,” Jake confirms, embarrassed. “Well, I’m off to my duties,” Benjamin pats Felipe on the shoulder and walks away. Daryl and Diane pass by Benjamin and greet him. They approach Felipe, sensing the gloomy atmosphere. “What happened here? Jake, did you fight a thief?” Daryl asks. “No, I fought with Luís Vasquez.” Daryl and Diane exchange ironic gl
At the Rocha Hotel, the kitchen was ‘burning’ with activity. Benjamin was sampling dishes from the cooks with his critical and analytical sense, frowning when he sensed something was off—particularly with Sybil’s dishes.“Sybil, I keep getting rubbery or bland shrimp.” Benjamin warned her with the typical tone of voice that a chef uses.“Chef Teixeira, I’m doing my best!” Sybil retorted, slumped at the appetizer station.Benjamin pointed to the chef next to Sybil. “Let me see your dish.”Benjamin tasted it. The shrimp was delicious and perfectly seasoned.“Send this to table 12.”“Yes, chef!”Sybil reacted in disbelief, feeling unjustly treated. “What’s wrong with my dish?”“Come with me!” Benjamin took Sybil and led her out of the kitchen into the hallway.“What’s the problem?” Sybil grumbled.“I should be the one asking you that question.” Benjamin complained. “Did anything happen while I was gone?”“David Rocha insulted me, and I insulted him back,” Sybil chose to reveal.“What? Sy
The Mountain family celebrated the fireworks in the living room of the Mountain Penthouse, where they could observe the famous balcony through the access door. Tony watched closely from the balcony, filming the spectacle for posterity, as he said. Daryl poured champagne for everyone. Diane grabbed her glass, and they both clinked, smiling, confident that everything would turn out well. Kelvin and Karen were on the sofa, taking care of Anthony, who, surprisingly, was not bothered by the fireworks. The baby, about to turn one, looked around with bright eyes as if he were aware of everything happening. “It’s his first New Year’s Eve, dear.” Kelvin kissed Karen’s cheek. Daryl raised his glass to the ceiling. “Guys, it’s time to share something that will excite everyone! Hey, Tony, come here for a moment!” Tony returned to the living room. “I managed to capture a good angle of the show.” Felipe came in from the kitchen holding a platter of fried snacks. “Here’s more cheese balls and
At Vaztrans, Olivia was pacing back and forth, as if she were suffering from withdrawal syndrome, so to speak.Withdrawal from her nephew.“Luís went to Spain and hasn’t come back, HASN’T COME BACK! When will he return?”Olivia shoved her hand into the pocket of her business dress and pulled out her cell phone.But her hands and fingers trembled so much that she couldn’t finish dialing Luís’s parents’ number.The electronic voice told her with each attempt that the number was wrong, preventing her from making the international call.“How is that possible? I typed it right— oh, I missed the number ‘5’.” Olivia shook her head.The door opened, and Sofia walked in. “Mom, good morning! You left the mansion early. What happened?”Olivia turned to her daughter, revealing bloodshot eyes.“Mom, you look extremely worried! How can I help you?”“I wanted to know when your cousin is coming back.” Olivia replied as if it were no big deal.This did not go unnoticed by Sofia. “Huh? Is that why you
In Vaztrans, Olivia’s body simply cannot accept that Luís will never return from Spain and starts to convulse with spasms throughout her body. Erasmo and Sofia hold her down, thinking she is possessed. “For the love of Christ, SOMEONE CALL A PRIEST!” “NO!” Olivia screams, “Don’t exaggerate... I’m... fine...” Sofia shoots back, “Mom, you are absolutely NOT fine!” Olivia takes a deep breath. The tremors begin to fade. “I need a glass of water. Why did you say that, dear?” “If the Mountain family gets wind of any indiscretion from Luís, they will use it to massacre us,” Erasmo answers coldly. Sofia pours a glass of water for her mother. “They haven’t done anything yet.” “But that doesn’t mean they won’t!” Erasmo exclaims. Alan enters the room at that moment. “What’s going on? Is Olivia unwell?” “We’re taking her to Dr. Hogan for a battery of tests, dear.” Olivia flinches at the mention of the doctor who also slept with her. “Really, what’s happening?” “Nothing, son-in-law.” O
Maggie was leaving the Mountain Penthouse. As she opened the entrance and exit door, Diane was reaching for the doorknob. “Oh, Maggie, what a coincidence!” Diane laughed. “How have you been?” “I’m fine, thank God.” Maggie dared to say, “The one who isn’t doing well is your husband.” “Why, what’s he going through? Did someone call an ambulance?” Diane rushed inside, desperate. “I’m not referring to that kind of problem,” Maggie replied calmly. “Your husband wants me to publish some inappropriate photos of Olivia Vasquez in the magazine.” Diane smiled dismissively. “When it comes to that ‘lady,’ the word ‘inappropriate’ doesn’t even begin to cover it, sister-in-law!” Maggie raised her eyebrows. “Are you aware of this?” “I am, and I think you should take the assignment. Take advantage of it while Josias is away.” Diane winked. “But that’s exactly what I don’t want, Diane!” Maggie retorted. “I don’t want to take advantage of Josias’s absence to act cowardly.” “Well, we should ask
Vasconcelos Fabrics, headquarters. J.J. was at his desk, working feverishly, taking care of matters related to Fazenda Bezerra. Reynaldo appeared and gently tapped on the glass, smiling amicably. “Come in...” Reynaldo entered. “Good morning, my dear J.J.! How have you been?” “I’m doing well, thank God.” J.J. stopped typing and stood up. “You don’t need to get up.” Reynaldo gestured. “I do, after all, you are my boss.” J.J. extended his hand, and Reynaldo shook it. “I would really like us to have a friendly relationship. By the way, if you could join me for lunch today to discuss business...” “That sounds wonderful, I’m in.” J.J. rubbed his hands together. “This will even help me with another matter.” “Regarding the farm?” Reynaldo raised his eyebrows. “Yes, I need to have a chat with the folks from Lafayette Supermarket. If they are around...” J.J. glanced at his computer monitor. Reynaldo hesitated to ask. “Huh... J.J., have you ever thought about having someone represent
Crystal Blue, noon. Jake receives Reynaldo with all due reverence. “Mr. Borges, welcome once again.” “Thank you. You know I have a table for two, right?” “Yes, the waiter will escort you.” Jake signals to the available waiter. J.J. enters next. “Oh, I made it just in time.” “Come on, J.J.” Reynaldo gestured, and both followed the waiter. After they sat down, Reynaldo asked while flipping through the menu, “What did your half-brother want?” “We’d better not refer to each other that way.” J.J. replied, his eyes on the menu. “Why, isn’t that what you are?” Reynaldo raised his eyebrows. “My father prohibited that in town. He doesn’t believe in ‘half.’“ J.J. smiled amusedly. “Okay, as Mr. Rocha wishes.” Reynaldo shrugged. “Shall we order the famous grilled salmon?” “I’ll have that and toast with cheese and oregano as an appetizer.” J.J. looked up to meet Reynaldo’s gaze. “Reynaldo, regarding your request...” Reynaldo stared at his friend. “I know it sounds like an unreasonable
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