Thus, the Reis and Lafayette families appeared at the opening of the Melissa Mall as planned. Caio approached them, noticing the absence of the patriarch.“Hey, where’s Beto?”“My dad had a slight discomfort when he buttoned his shirt and felt it tightening on him,” Pedro explained.“Oh, Jeez, is he okay?” Brigitte asked, extremely worried.“Yes, he’s going to watch the ceremony at home with Tess,” Rosemary replied.“Oh, what a relief. Look, you brought Jean Luc!” Brigitte leaned over the stroller.Thierry smiled with paternal pride. Jean Luc, in turn, was sleeping despite all the noise and commotion from the adults.“He wakes up wanting to eat in the early morning,” Rosemary joked, causing laughter among the women.Daniela stepped back a bit, thinking about the possibility of becoming a mother herself.Diane noticed her and approached her. “What’s wrong, Daniela? Are you yearning to be a mother too? With someone big and virile like Pete, it shouldn’t be too hard...”Daniela pursed he
David, the one who swore not to embarrass others and even mocked some, was now the one causing the biggest mess by attacking William.Everyone around was shocked by the scene, hearing Rosemary’s scream.Thierry, who was still nearby, was the first to stop David.Other men rushed to help, separating the fight.Daryl had the presence of mind to position himself behind William just as he was falling.Photographers from Maggiezine and LCN were reveling in taking pictures, capturing every detail of the moment!“That was close, buddy!” Daryl exclaimed, saving William from another fall.“Mr. Mountain... Daryl...” Dora approached with tear-filled eyes. “Thank you so much! If Will had fallen again... his leg...”“He could end up paralyzed, in a wheelchair!” Simeon exclaimed furiously. “What happened here?”David glared at everyone. “Maybe your son shouldn’t provoke others if h
Days went by. Melissa Mall became one of the most visited commercial spots by tourists and locals alike.It also turned into a quite profitable venture!Due to high demand, the ‘Jobs’ section of the LCN newspaper doubled in size, exciting the unemployed.The lower class was one of the beneficiaries in terms of jobs and income.In the Teodoro Building, a tenant excitedly said to Daniela, “I got a job, I got a job! I’ll be a saleswoman at an international luxury store!”Daniela raised her eyebrows in surprise. “Really? But do you have any experience as a saleswoman in international luxury?”The tenant, a young lady in her twenties, shrugged. “They are desperately in need of workers, right? They can’t afford to be too picky. And how will I gain experience if they never give me the opportunity?”“You’re right, girl! Everything
At the Vasquez Mansion, Sofia was playing with A.J. on the floor of her suite. “Missing Daddy, little one?” Sofia asked as she encouraged her son to walk toward her. A.J. made his way over, planting kisses on his mother’s cheek, full of playfulness. “Yes, I miss him too...” Sofia laughed and laughed. Her phone rang, and she checked the caller ID. “Look who’s calling!” Sofia exclaimed excitedly as she answered. “Hello, darling! A.J. and I were just talking about you...” In Alan’s guest room, he replied somberly, “Dear, unfortunately, it has happened.” “Your grandfather...?” “It was truly his time to go.” Alan sighed in mourning. “Oh, darling, I’m so sorry! Your dad and João Paulo must be devastated, especially João Paulo and Elza!” Sofia stood up from the floor. “Yes, everyone is sad, but trying to accept that this is part of life. João Paulo is speaking with all the press contacts. Someone from LCN will replace him in the column because he doesn’t want to write about his fat
Days later, newsstands sold the Maggiezine with Vernon Queiroz on the cover. Thierry had found a photo of Vernon from the 90s, back when he was publishing Josias’s biography. He looked younger and smiled brightly at that time.He took care of the restoration and remastering. The result was the same as always: a hit in sales and online traffic.At Lafayette Mansion, he commented to the others at the breakfast table, “Modesty aside, but I really nailed the photo editing, huh?”Rodrigo was reading the magazine and was sitting across from Thierry. “Wait your turn to read, brother-in-law.”Nadia leaned to the side. “Oh, but we’re curious— WOW, bro, how did you get that photo from their wedding? Elza looks so beautiful...”Rosemary smiled, reminiscing. “When they showed up here in Lagoon City, I had just been born. João Paulo was already ten years old.”Nadia concluded, “So that photo is from the 70s. Look at Vernon, with all black hair and sideburns...”“Are you guys going to let me read i
Brigitte showed up at Rocha Constructions to deliver some good news to Caio in the presidential office. “Come on, Brigitte, I’m waiting!” Caio was dying of anxiety. “Your uncle authorized me to pass Melissa Mall to Ignacio’s management!” Brigitte declared. “Yes! Wonderful! I need to gather everyone to make the announcement.” Brigitte’s joy faded. “What? What do you mean, dear? You want to meet with David to tell him he won’t get his paws on Melissa Mall?” “Why would David be in that meeting?” Caio shook his head. “He doesn’t respect Melissa. He doesn’t want anything to do with the ‘Mountain’ side of the family, right? When Josias builds ‘Angela Mall,’ then we can invite David to talk.” “Phew, thank goodness...” Brigitte smiled. “You will need another lawyer to handle the bureaucratic formalities.” “I know, your expertise is just marriage, divorce, and wills.” Caio kissed her cheek. “Who do you recommend?” “If Leo Borges isn’t busy suing someone, he can take care of this.” Bri
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
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.
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