2021-05-19 19:45:51Josias finishes crying and breaks the hug. He wipes away tears. “Thank you very much for your consideration, Seu Teodoro.”
“You welcome, young man. Come on; I offer you coffee.”
Josias takes the opportunity to ask, “Seu Teodoro, how does it work here? For example, I know that we are not in a five-star hotel, but in my room, there is not even a sink.”
Teodoro smiles, he understands that Josias did not want to be ungrateful. “I understand. Well, downstairs here are the bathrooms. I did my best to have the men's and women's bathrooms so that everyone was comfortable and had no complaints. We have families with children, and I wouldn't be comfortable with letting children bathe with adults.”
Josias agrees with the head, it was necessary to be careful. But, families with children? When verbalizing the question, Teodoro explains, “Here I had some two-bedroom apartments built, providing that families could come to me. I wasn't going to miss the opportunity.”
Josias smiles at it. Teodoro is not a fool to miss opportunities. He has business acumen.
“Well, let's see if the last few bucks left will make it possible for me to buy a toothbrush and towel,” Josias says as he follows Teodoro into the kitchen. Yes, on the ground floor there was a place for Teodoro to prepare his meals. In the enclosure, there’s a table with four chairs, a sink for washing, another table with cups and plates and a bottle of coffee, and a refrigerator.
Teodoro gestures to him, and Josias helps himself to coffee. Teodoro prepares bread with butter and hands it to Josias. The boy pulls out one of the chairs and sits down to eat. The feeling of eating without having brushed his teeth before is weird to him, but this is temporary.
“Further ahead there is a pharmacy.” Teodoro explains while pouring more coffee, “We don't have it here in the slum. You will have to leave here and follow the avenue.”
“I think I know where it is,” Josias responds at the same time as he chews.
Teodoro pulls out another chair and sits down. He leaves the coffee cup on the table and puts his hand in his pocket. Pulling it out, he hands Josias a few more bills.
“Here, son,” He says, in a tone that his voice is kind enough for Josias not to refuse, “take it and go further, who knows for the Downtown, for you to buy a bath towel and you know what else. Bath towels are not sold at the pharmacy. And nobody is going to hire an employee who doesn't bathe.”
Josias smiles and accepts the money, mentally promising that he will pay it back.
After having breakfast, Josias leaves Teodoro's building and starts walking to the pharmacy. It is an opportunity for him to get to know Happiness Slum as it is by day, as he had his first impression at night.
When he had his normal life, he always passed by car or bus in front of the favela. He never imagined that he would be walking inside it.
The noisy bar was closed with one of the customers sleeping on the sidewalk. The group of teenage girls who danced Olivia Newton-John was now in uniform going to school. When Josias passes in front of the house of that lady in the nightgown, she is now going out in secretary attire. And when Josias passes in front of the house of the naked man, he comes out wearing a mechanic's jumpsuit.
Everyone is going out for some activity. And Josias, going out shirtless and in sweatpants, is going where? Some residents began to notice the boy. Young man, isn't he going to study or work? Is he another thug who has come to bother the good citizens?
Upon arriving at the pharmacy, Josias promptly chooses personal hygiene items. As he searches and chooses, his gaze crosses with a brunette girl with curly hair, aged 17, in the hair products section, undecided between two brands of shampoo. She smiles when deciding on one of the bottles and keeps the other. Then she goes to the cashier to pay.
Josias finishes choosing what he wants and goes to the cashier to pay. The clerk, when summing what the girl bought and checking her money, alerts her, “Missing R$ 2.00, miss.”
The girl opens her eyes wide, checks the money. “It is not possible; I counted correctly before leaving home!” She rummages in the pockets of her shorts but finds nothing else.
Josias, seeing the girl in trouble, steps forward and stands beside her at the counter. “Excuse me, allow me to help you, miss.”
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Building My Life Chapter 8 Glad to meet you
The girl is startled and faces the boy who wants to help her. Between the shocks, there were seconds to admire. For someone in his 30s, Josias would be considered skinny; but for someone her age, Josias was muscular.Josias donates R$ 2.00 of his already limited money to help her. “Here it is.” He turns to her, “Sorry, miss. But, I saw you so smiling when choosing the shampoo; I wouldn't want you to leave without it.”The girl smiles in thanks. “Thanks. It's the shampoo everyone is using; I don't want to be left behind. My friends said it was great.”“By the way, my name is Josias,” Josias spoke with such certainty that they would meet again. Meanwhile, the clerk adds up and receives payment from him.“Melissa.” The girl responds, now taking a closer look at the boy who helped her.They say that while men turn their heads and make it obvious that they are admiring a woman; a woman can do t
Building My Life Chapter 9 Going to Downtown
Teodoro smiles when he sees Josias enchanted by a resident girl of Happiness Slum. “My boy, take it easy with that heart. Do I know her by any chance?”“Her name is Melissa.” Josias responds as if he is singing, “And she lives further on.” Josias, however, shakes his head, “Well, what am I doing? Okay, the girl is beautiful and nice, and she was admiring my chest, even though I am not muscular; but, I need to find something. She must think I am a pervert for walking without a shirt.”“There is nothing wrong with a man walking around without a shirt, especially in this heat.” Teodoro ponders, “But, as I warned you, better to start buying your things.”Josias smiles as he remembers. “Her father is very strict; he doesn't want his dear daughter to marry a poor man. So I better get ahead.”Josias starts walking out of the reception. Teodoro asks him, “Hey, where are you
Building My Life Chapter 10 Would it Be an Angel?
Upon returning to the building, Teodoro was already having lunch. He holds the plate up and invites Josias. “You can go in there if you can.”Josias approaches the counter. “Do you believe that I almost saw the boy who encouraged me not to give up?”“What do you mean, give up?” Teodoro frowns, “Were you trying to kill yourself?”“No, but all of a sudden, when I was on the bus, this boy in religious style and clothes was on a seat behind me, and when I was leaving, he asked if I needed help. When I asked him to pray for me, he smiled and promised that not only would he pray for me, but that my life would be great and successful.”Teodoro stops chewing and swallows. His face is serious. “And you don't know who it is?”“He embarked at Rainbow Garden, but I had never seen him before.” Josias scratches his head. “Although the neighborhood is large and I don't know
Building My Life Chapter 11 Routine on the Building
Josias takes the key from Teodoro and goes up the stairs. Upon entering the room, he takes off his sweatpants and places it on the back of the chair. Today is hot to have a beer, just as Melissa's father wishes. He leaves the balcony door open and lies down on the bed, takes off his briefs, and curls up on the sheet.Do not misjudge Josias for sleep naked. It's just that he is disgusted to wear the same briefs, and his sweatpants are also in utter misery.Josias wakes up the next day, which promises to be another hot day, already getting discouraged with the prospect of work. He gets up and goes to the balcony, looking at the horizon and the activity of the favela. The same girl from the other building meets Josias and this time she dares to wave a hello, to which he corresponds. At this point, the girl is wondering if Josias wears a shirt. If she knew...Josias takes the towel that is folded on the chair and wraps it around his waist, goes to the dresser, and t
Building My Life Chapter 12 Finding Something to Begin
When Josias goes down to the bathroom, he decides to just wash his face and brush his teeth. He no longer cared about other men bathing uninhibited in front of him, as he only took a shower late at night, before going to sleep, just so he wouldn't meet anyone.As he approaches the reception, Teodoro is almost crying with the debut of “Lady”, by Kenny Rogers, being played on the radio with profusion. “The guy sings very well, how wonderful...” Teodoro notices Josias's presence, “Hello, boy, good morning. Are you going out again?”Josias reaches out his hand to prevent Teodoro from giving him more money. “Not today, Seu Teodoro. I am going to take a walk right here in the locality.”Teodoro raises an eyebrow. “Really? Well, I must warn you that here you will only find that type of job that requires a lot of effort and very little reward.” He makes a “money” sign with his fingers.Josias
Building My Life Chapter 13 I Do!
Josias gives Romualdo a gaze of astonishment. He had no intention of asking just in the construction site, but the opportunity came and he would not refuse. He just didn't expect to get this easy. Was Everaldo in action again?“Are you sure, sir? Here it looks like work done with care. I don't have a lot of construction experience; at most I helped as Uélton is doing.”Romualdo analyzes Josias's physical constitution from him. Because he was shirtless, it became easier. “You don't look like a fragile boy to me. You're not muscular, but I see a little strength in your arms and shoulders.”“I was never an idle person, or a sedentary person, as they say,” Josias explains, with a proud smile.“Then there is no more talk!” Romualdo sentences, “If you really want to, come tomorrow to start. And what you don't know how to do, we'll teach you. What do you say?”What to say? Of course, Josia
Building My Life Chapter 14 Clueless Guy
The next day, he gets up in fright, because with the lack of a clock he has no idea of the time. Josias goes to the balcony, pays no attention to the girl in the other building, and only analyzes the traffic on the streets. People are going to work and children are going to school. Well, it means that it is not yet eight o'clock.Josias wears his underwear, determining that the first thing to do with the first payment will be to buy a pack of underwear and boxer shorts to stop sleeping naked. After he pulls on his sweatpants; he picks up the brush and toothpaste and runs down to the bathroom.When he is walking down the hall, a girl a few years older than him appears and intercepts him. She is a dark blonde and has a bath towel and shampoo in her hands, apparently a novice in the building.“Excuse me, friend.” She asks Josias, “I'm new here; do you know where the bathroom is?”“At the end of the hallway,” Josias said,
Building My Life Chapter 15 The Future King
After insulted by the guy who insinuated Josias to be a homosexual, he strides out of the bathroom, slamming the door shut, and frowns at the lobby, forgetting to brush his teeth.Teodoro is sweeping the floor excitedly to The Manhattans’ “Shining Star”, pretending that the broom was his dance partner. Josias for a few seconds forgets his anger and laughs at the scene. When Teodoro notices the boy, he disguises and returns to sweep normally.“We just work, work... We get to have some fun, too.” He speaks in an apologetic tone, “How can I help you, Josias?”“Seu Teodoro, can you at least put a sign in the men's room telling the men to close the door? Or rather, can you manage to separate the showers by a box?”Teodoro stops sweeping, he’s looking questioningly at Josias. How many demands!“What do you owe so many requests to, Josias?”Josias gulps; he fears he has overdon
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The management door of the Rocha Hotel swung open. Suzy appeared, approaching a startled Eugenio, pale and stammering. “Uncle, what happened?” Eugenio covered the phone receiver and stared at his niece. “It s-seems t-that... I’m hearing the voice of Luís Vasquez!” Suzy snatched the receiver and immediately spoke, “LUÍS! Is that you, my friend?” On the other end, Luís smiled while in Daryl's office. “Yes, Suzy, I’m back in Brazil!” “Oh, Felipe answered my call! Did he send the ‘guys’ from the Bento family to look for you?” Suzy asked excitedly. Luís didn’t know about that but decided to confirm it to make Suzy happy. “That’s right, my dear. It seems my return to Brazil was necessary.” “Necessary and urgent! Everything is falling apart without you around!” Suzy exclaimed vehemently, “You need to get back to your supervisor position before David—” “Wait, I’ve already been informed about that file.” Luís took a deep breath. “I want to check with your uncle to see if I still have
Chapter 3151 Josias Discovers the Hidden Plan
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Chapter 3150 Luis Discovers Everything
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Chapter 3149 A Cousin Comes to Town
A few days had passed since David’s massacre. The news that he had been fiercely reprimanded by Josias didn’t make it into the Maggiezine, but it was a gossip that everyone had heard, spread by word of mouth. David hadn’t been seen during these days. At Crystal Blue, Eugenio was excitedly recounting the juicy details to his nephews. Felipe appeared from the office, and upon hearing the conversation, he stopped where he was. “So, Josias Rocha asks me to leave my office.” Eugenio’s eyes were shining. “That’s when I thought: ‘That’s it, David is screwed!’ Josias Rocha’s voice was so powerful that I felt the need to change my underwear!” “Ha, ha, ha...” Suzy burst into laughter. “Don’t exaggerate, Uncle!” “Maybe that’s exactly what happened, sis.” Jake also chuckled heartily. Felipe smiled with satisfaction. Josias had forgotten to aim the rifle at Daryl and had listened to his hint. With that, he returned to the office and closed the door, picking up his phone next. On the other
Chapter 3148 Josias Is Insane
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
Chapter 3147 Josias Instructs His Firstborn
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
Chapter 3146 We Need to Talk - Dad
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
Chapter 3145 João Paulo Is a Good Father
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
Chapter 3144 Benjamin Requests a Transfer
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
