Romualdo sits down in the presidential chair and looks at Josias. "My friend, I thank you for not taking the reins of this matter without consulting me. Someone else would have already closed the deal."
"I wouldn't be able to." Josias smiles humbly.
"Anyway, it costs nothing to listen to what they want to hear from us." Romualdo declares.
"I've put Ernesto on notice, I'm thinking of sending him in my place. I need to check the construction sites." Josias announces.
"Ah, yes, send your secretary to do numerous tasks to make up for his absence." Tiago jokes. The other gentlemen join in the laughter.
*******************************************************
At the Crystal Blue restaurant, the receptionist guides Melissa to Elisa's table as if he were escorting the First Lady.
After she sits down, Elisa greets her: "I liked your punctuality, dear. I've already taken the liberty of ordering the dish of the day, meatballs in tomato sauce."
Josias visits a construction site in Saint Gabriel, where William, Simeon, Milton, and Uélton are working. The walls of the house are still being erected.Josias announces to Uélton and William, "Pamela's third child is born.""My congratulations to the baby who came into the world, I do not congratulate the mother." Uélton comments."As seen, you didn't promise to discipline your tongue this year," Josias comments rolling his eyes.Uélton smiles: "No way, you guys like my humor."William asks sticking to the subject, "And Roberto Reis will take over?"Josias takes a deep breath and shows concern. "Guys, I've been informed that Seu Teodoro is seeing a cardiologist. It seems that this whole mess is too much for him. I insist that these children of his have caused nothing but confusion and headaches."And we suspect that Seu Teodoro himself is in connivance with these confusions." Uélton reminds him.
Tuesday. Josias and Melissa have breakfast in the dining room, at the huge rectangular table made of mahogany. The chairs were also mahogany with white quilts. The previous set was old and Josias decided to buy the new set.Melissa happily watches Caio eating bread and butter. "Who would have thought, Josias? Three years have passed.""Is your mother still wanting to come here and take care of him?" Josias asks."Yeah, she's home alone. Dad's gone all day to work. Will managed to get back to our old house that no one wanted to buy." Melissa utters the last sentence in a mournful tone."Unfortunately, dear, no one in good financial condition wants to live at Happiness Slum." Josias tries to confort her."I want more, aunt!" Caio asks, in a voice so cute that Melissa doesn't refuse."Since your mother is coming, we don't need to hire a nanny." Josias is relieved. Being rich and popular comes at a price: the bills to pay.***************
Simeon watches William struggling to move blocks into the room that will be the kitchen.He speaks with disdain: "Yeah, son, it's hard to reconcile soccer with bricklaying. If your team would pay..."William leaves the blocks on the floor anyway, furious. "Dad, stop fussing! You look like a little woman whining!"Construction workers around are surprised by a son talking like that to his father.Simeon shakes his head: "Is it going to be like that now, son?""Yes. When I brought the cup to Happiness Slum, I will accept your apology." William withdraws.Uélton turns on the battery radio and the song "The Power of Love" by Huey Lewis and the News echoes throughout the construction site. William approaches him, frowning and with his arms crossed."Everyone is talking about this movie, Will. How about we see it in the movies?" Uélton asks nonchalantly."Could be, buddy. I'll talk to Stacy." He responds coldly.
Dora visits Penthouse Rocha with Stacy. The two are talking to Melissa while Caio plays around the room with a plane. He runs from one side to the other doing "Whoooooooo".Stacy smiles with the boy and expresses her wish: "Oh guys, will I have the same joy?""Of course, girl, don't be silly." Melissa encourages her, "Will is so hunk and manly; you'll have four more to make up for."Stacy is flushed with embarrassment. "I still find myself unworthy of making love to that man so perfect and wonderful.""And me, friend?" Melissa giggles, "I was completely lost on my wedding night, thank goodness Josias was very understanding. He had his moments too... he didn't even know how to open the champagne!"Women laugh. When Caio approaches, making the coffee table the landing strip, the ladies decide to change the subject."Now we have children here, let's watch our words." Dora says jokingly, "Anyway, Stacy, now it's time to schedule your wedding."
Josias and Melissa are having dinner. She cooked beef in the pressure cooker and made a sauce with mushrooms. Rice and vegetables complement the dish. Caio was in the living room watching a children's tv program.Melissa breaks the silence: "What's your mother's name?""Elza. Now she bears the surname Queiroz." Josias responds bitterly."You never got a chance to talk about what happened, right?" Melissa tries to understand the situation carefully."No. I was about ten years old when she got tired of my dad's idle life and left us. She was so mad she didn't want to fight for my custody. So I never heard from her again. If she heard about our marriage, it's because she wasn't that far away.""Does she intend to go back to town? What do you think she wants?"Josias has a grim expression. "If she thinks she's going to enjoy our wealth, she's sorely mistaken!"*******************************************************Now that he is l
Teodoro and Beto play cards in his son's apartment. The radio is playing "Slave of Love" by Bryan Ferry, which is totally ironic, as the song seems to describe Beto."Pamela's son was born," Beto announces.Teodoro plays the wrong card and gives the victory to Beto."Ha, I won!""Hey, that wasn't worth it!" Teodoro complains like a drunk, "You cheated by announcing this bad news.""Don't you want to meet your little granddaughter?" Beto teases him.Teodoro leans forward and slaps his son. "Shut your mouth! My grandson will be someone genuinely begotten by you in a god-approved marriage!"Beto just caresses the burning cheek. Did everyone decide to slap him? "I don't know if God will approve, but I'm going to have to marry Pamela."Again, Beto lowers his head to pick up the cards and doesn't see Teodoro making a horrible face as he puts his hand on his chest, on the side of his heart. When Beto lifts his head, Teodoro already ha
While Adrian gets dressed, Vera is thinking about how to let him down. After all, she just wanted him to have her first time so she could marry Wallace and keep her lie."You were quiet all of a sudden, dear." Adrian watches."Adrian, I hope you don't think we're getting married tomorrow." She turns to him, "Last night was wonderful, but now I need to get my ideas in order."Adrian stares at Vera without understanding anything. "Yesterday it wasn't just our bodies that got tangled up, but also your ideas?""That's right." She expresses through the body language that she is impatient for him to leave, "Like I told you, I'm not used to this."Adrian smiles slightly as he puts on his shirt. "You know where to find me. I'm leaving, see you later!"Adrian kisses her on the cheek, but he feels like he's kissing a corpse. He leaves and Vera wipes her cheek in disgust.********************************************************Ernesto en
At the Crystal Blue restaurant, Ernesto is at the table with Bruno. They still haven't ordered anything from the menu to keep the space free, so Ernesto manages to flip through the portfolio Bruno brought."The fact that you sold my boss's penthouse weighs in your favor." Ernesto says, "But the majority partner at Silva Constructions is concerned that you can provide excellent service. You know, we want to work with the best."Bruno is sweating but maintains his posture. "We can guarantee that we can do so. Mr. Gomes has just assembled a team of brokers to help them sell their properties.""Yes, it coincided that you called when Silva Constructions decided to invest in apartments." Ernesto smiles, "Very well, young Castelo, I'll take this information to Mr. Rocha and Mr. Silva. Shall we ask?"Bruno nods. Ernesto gestures and the nearest waiter answers them.*******************************************************Elisa and Stacy have lunch in