A few more days later, Dr. Braggart enters William's room smiling, "Good morning, Mr. Campos! Today we have good news."
William, awake, returns the beaming smile, "Don't tell me, Doctor! Am I...?"
Braggart chuckles, "You told me not to talk, but I'll tell you anyway: yes, today you're free. Anytime someone can take you home."
"Thank you very much, doctor!" William feels like he's going to cry, "I really haven't had any pain in my ribs anymore."
"Thank God for that!" Dr. Braggart giggles.
William vibrates and claps his hands. It's time to go home!
***
Melissa hangs up the phone and turns to Josias, who is coming out of the master suite, finishing putting on her striped suit.
"Any news, honey?" Josias asks with a loving smile.
"Will has been released. We can bring him from the hospital today." Melissa sings the news, barely holding back with happiness.
"Great! I'll give the answer to Romualdo about the City Hall pro
In the Main Square, Igor and Stacy meet. He's going to Silva Constructions, she's going to the psychiatrist."Hello, Stacy!" Igor greets her with a smile, "How have you been since that day?"Stacy begins to notice how indeed Igor is always kind and friendly to her, "I'm great, Igor. Thank you so much. The psychiatrist has been trying to free me from thoughts of guilt, unlike the one who embarrassed me in the middle of the hospital."Igor tries to be the peacemaker, "Well, Stacy, let's understand that Mrs. Campos was always a nice lady. I think at that moment she was devastated by everything that happened to her son.""She broke into the restaurant for the sole purpose of beating me." Stacy shakes her head, "That didn't seem like momentary despair. When I confessed to her that I cheated on William with another man, she was upset, but she didn't have that violent reaction. Why right now?""That's why I say: this is not the normal Dora. The Dora Campo
Josias shakes his head. He is still not satisfied with Romualdo's posture."Romualdo, you don't have to tell Mayor Ibrahim that I 'neglect' my work, as we know this is a lie. I have always fulfilled my obligations. The construction of the Teodoro building and the Happiness Slum soccer field speak for me. Like I said, if there's an emergency, I'll go away to help my family.""I disagree." Romualdo folds his arms, "Almost every day someone came to my company to talk to you about personal matters. When I banned visits, you disappeared from here.""And since I work as a realtor at Gomes Real Estate, that hasn't changed!" Josias asserts, "The difference is that Laerte Gomes didn't mess with my patience like you do."Romualdo purses his lips, he doesn't like the comparison.Josias continues, "Anyway, I can agree to unwanted visits to your company, but as for me helping someone I love... no boss in the world is going to stop me, Romualdo. Still, you need
Melissa and William enter the penthouse. Dora is with Alan kneeling on the rug, playing dominoes."Wrong piece, Alan." Dora tries to teach the game to her three-year-old grandson."Hey, guys!" William catches their attention.Dora gives a start and automatically stands up, letting the dominoes that were in her hand fall to the rug, "Son! You're back!""But without the gold medal, Mom!" William dares to mock Dora's delusion.Dora doesn't take offense at the time, she just wants to hug her son tight and cry with happiness.Melissa puts Alan in her arms and tells him, "It's Uncle who's back, son!"William breaks the hug, "There, no more drama. Let's liven up this living room, I want joy now!"William goes to the radio and turns it on. The song "Love Changes Everything" by Climie Fisher enlivens those present.***Harold enters the kitchen looking for something to eat and finds his wife bent over the table, writing.
The next day, Elza and her family are having breakfast in the kitchen."Did you see the contest Maggiezine is having at the publishing house where I work, honey?" Vernon asks proudly.Elza holds back a giggle, "Sorry, honey, but the name of this new magazine will be peculiar. Who is Maggie?""She is my boss's wife, dear, Mr. Marçal," Vernon speaks reverently.João Pedro swears not to be like that when he has his wife in his thoughts, "And when will the launch be?""When we have enough material to release it." Vernon rubs his hands together anxiously, "We already have the William Campos interview, we can talk about the Happiness Slum football field..."The landline rings and Elza gets up to answer it, munching her loaf of bread with strawberry jam."Hello?"On the other side is Josias, "Hello, Mommy! It's your ugly son."Elza chokes as she laughs, "Cough, cough... Ha, ha, ha, son, what's that? You can be man
William and Alan are splashing around in the middle of the penthouse living room listening to the song "Theme From S'Express" by S'Express.Melissa approaches from the corridor formally dressed to leave, smiling with their amusement, "Looks like I have two kids."Ernesto comes from the other hallway all sober in that same English outfit just to be the driver. William is surprised by the sight."Wow, Ernesto! That way no one will think you're the driver but my sister's husband!"Ernesto just glances at William and replies in perfect voice, "Being Madame Rocha's husband is a privilege far beyond my capabilities. I'll never think of replacing my boss. Excuse me."William crosses his arms and glares at his sister, but Melissa doesn't see him because she's looking at her purse, "Come on, Ernesto. Behave, you two!""Bye, mom!" Alan says goodbye.Melissa waves goodbye to her son and blows him a kiss.As the lady and chauffeur leave, W
Harold knows that Isabel doesn't want Uélton to donate money to them, because of Uélton's expenses with Flávia and Reuben. But Harold has yet to have a definition of disability retirement.The banknotes in Uélton's hand become more tempting than the forbidden fruit of the Garden of Eden. Uélton extends the money to him."Here, Dad, take it. It's from the heart." Uélton says with a childish smile.Harold looks down the hallway. As Isabel is still in the kitchen, he takes his son's money without delay, "Thanks so much, son. But won't it be missed?"Uélton shrugs, "No, don't worry. I want to dress Flavia like a queen and give all the best to my heir, but you need to be considerate too."Harold stands up and gives wise advice, "Remember, son, the most important thing now is to get the bills paid. Cristina is our friend, but if you fall behind on the rent, she can throw your furniture out and kick you out
Josias puts his hand on João Paulo's shoulder and leads him to Crystal Blue, "Let's have an exquisite lunch, little brother. That way we can talk more calmly."João Paulo is encouraged by the possibility of eating caviar. He licks his lips.However, the receptionist could throw João Paulo out of the restaurant if it weren't for the fact that he was accompanied by the illustrious Josias Rocha."Ehr... Mr. Rocha, what a pleasure to see you again!" The receptionist can't take his eyes off João Paulo because he's still wearing a school uniform and a backpack on his back, "Your wife is with your mother at a reserved table.""Let them talk." Josias speaks in an imperious tone, "Of course, they want to talk freely. And I want to have a straight chat with my little brother, okay?"The receptionist quickly calls one of the waiters to indicate another reserved table. Josias and João Paulo sit down and see Melissa talking to
After lunch, Melissa returns to the penthouse. William comes from the hallway to meet her."Hello, Melissa. We've already had lunch and Alan is taking a nap. I think I'll take a nap too."William speaks still intimidated by Ernesto's presence."Excuse me, ma'am." Ernesto leaves.As Ernesto disappears down the corridor, William asks in a low voice, "But what's wrong with this guy anyway?"Melissa sits on the sofa and removes her gloves and hat, "He was Josias's secretary when he worked at Silva Constructions. With Josias gone, Romualdo fired him."William takes a seat in the armchair, "Argh! It had to be Romualdo!""Now Josias has rewarded Ernesto Paes for bringing him here. He has been a great help to me." Melissa concludes with a sweet smile."I'm glad to hear you're happy." William comments.Melissa, however, breaks her smile as she remembers Pamela, "Oh bro, I wish you were really happy.""Is there something st
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