William and Caio are sitting on lounge chairs, acting like they're sunbathing on the penthouse balcony. Both are wearing sunglasses. William is shirtless and wearing shorts with a Hawaiian print.
Inside, the radio is playing "The Power" by Snap!
"What a wonderful vacation, Dad!" Caio exclaims happily.
"Absolutely, sonny," William smiles and stretches.
Ernesto appears with some slight displeasure in his eyes. While he leaves the family very early to take care of Josias and Melissa, the ex-soccer player has been sitting around with nothing to do for two years.
"Mr. Campos, do you want to read the wanted-ads?"
William raises his sunglasses a little and glares at Ernesto in outrage, "What's this wanted-ads thing? Dude, let me enjoy my vacation. Josias is fixing something for me, don't worry too much."
Ernesto shakes his head and goes inside.
As he passes through the living room, he finds Melissa returning from the supermarket.
Carmen is at her house, preparing dinner, watching the pressure cooker beep. She's wearing casual clothes, an apron around her waist, and kitchen gloves so she doesn't get burned."Well, let's see how the roast chicken is." She checks one of the pots on the stove.Tiago arrives, smiling and tired."Baby, good evening!" He greets her hugging her from behind."Good evening, Tiago!" Carmen responds by stirring the wooden spoon in the pan, "If you brought good news, this chicken is for us to celebrate."Tiago nods, "Yes, honey, we can celebrate."The hug is undone. Carmen turns to him and smiles too, "Did we sell Crystal Blue?""We achieved!" Tiago vibrates. A two-hundred-ton weight was lifted from his shoulders, "Mr. Montanha has agreed to buy our restaurant!"Carmen jumps up and down for joy, "Oh dear... that's great, now you can get back to your focus on Rocha Constructions. And we have news."Tiago walks away and sits on
The next day, Josias finds William wearing a navy blue suit and sitting at the table in the dining room. The two gentlemen exchange glances, the first with surprise and the second with confidence."Good morning, brother-in-law!" William greets him, "Surprised to see me in dress clothes?""I confess you looked very good in this suit." Josias pulls the chair from the end of the table and sits down."I'm so excited to get started!" William rubs his hands together, "What exactly am I going to do?""You're going to take a lot of calls, for starting." Josias smiles patiently, "When I'm away, maybe some supplier will call me. For now, you'll just take messages, but in time I want to teach you more details of what I do."William narrows his eyes, "I don't have any technical engineering degrees like you do.""I'll teach you enough so you don't have to." Josias widens his smile, "But if you want to do it anyway, it will be an extra asset on your resum
Stacy is tidying up her apartment's living room to Sinead O'Connor's song "Nothing Compares 2 U." She sways to the beat of the song as she passes a flannel with furniture polish on the coffee table.Her landline rings and she goes to answer it."Hello?"On the other side is Igor, back in his office with the door open. Octavio finds him and this time decides to shut up."Hi, Stacy, this is Igor bothering you again."Stacy smiles, "You don't need to identify yourself, Igor. I already recorded your voice.""Do you like my voice so much that you even engraved it in your memory?" Igor asks in a flirtatious tone.Octavio smiles maliciously. Then he says he's not dating Stacy!Stacy, on the other hand, breaks her smile and nervously grabs the mouthpiece, "Igor, let's hold back. If we keep this up, I'll go back to writhing with pleasure on the sands of Sunset Village with you on top of me."Igor licks his lips and has an involun
At Uélton's apartment, Flávia is putting on Reuben's shoes to go to the Freire grandparents' house. Reuben is well behaved on the couch in the living room. The radio is playing "Groove Is in the Heart" by Deee-Lite. Uélton is in a corner of the living room, organizing the tools in the box to go to work. "Do you understand, dear? Don't let that evil Mr. Queiroz intimidate my holy mother if he doesn't want me to bang a pipe wrench in his head." Uélton remembers her. Flavia smiles, "It won't take such violence, my dear. Let's use all feminine grace, like Empress Sissi." Uélton smiles and hugs his wife, "That's why God created women. If the world were just for men, everyone would be killing themselves." Flávia feels strange with this: so why is Uélton expressing the savagery of wanting to kill Vernon with a pipe wrench? Reuben stands up, "I'm ready, Mom!" Uélton smiles at his son, "So, son? Ready to walk and retire the baby carriag
Tiago takes Josias to Romualdo's former room so that he feels that he belongs here."Feel the power of this room, master." Tiago encourages him, "Here is where you should stay."Josias looks around, "I'm still used to being the Head of Engineering.""This role should be given to William if he had any higher education." Tiago informs him, "You have to worry about leadership, in guiding Rocha Constructions to bigger flights."Josias smiles thinking about the future, "Yes, you're right...""So, will we have more hiring?" Tiago asks."I want to hire my aunt to help me in the Human Resources department. As you said, I must delegate certain tasks to those who understand the subject.""Wasn't your aunt working at Gomes Real Estate?"Josias nods and walks to the presidential chair, "Yes, but she resigned, knowing I would call her here. And she wasn't wrong."Carmen opens the door to the room, "Excuse me, Josias? Vânia Teix
Josias receives Vânia in Romualdo's old room, now, according to Tiago, it must be his room. Carmen is about to close the door. "Want anything? Any cup of coffee…?" "Thank you so much, Carmen." Josias faces Vânia, "Aunt?" "No, thank you." Vania thanks her. Carmen nods and closes the living room door. Josias analyzes Vânia's appearance: slightly wavy hair, no longer that pygmalion hairstyle; terracotta pantsuit and matching skirt with a white blouse underneath. Whoever looks at her like that wouldn't say that Vânia is a resident of Happiness Slum. "Aunt Vânia, I'm happy to be able to help the family by offering interesting hires. And I'm also happy to be able to help you." "I'm listening, nephew." Vanya nods, smiling. "Would you be interested in helping me with the hiring of employees? Do you understand the subject?" Vânia ponders with her hand on her chin, "Well, it's not such a difficult thing to do... k
Josias returns to his office to find William sitting in the chair with his feet on the desk, listening carelessly to Mc Hammer's song "U Can't Touch This" on the walkman. "Will! What is this loose posture in the workplace?" William is terrified. He tries to straighten up in his chair and almost drops the walkman. "Ehr... sorry Josias, but we didn't have any call." Josias smiles, "OK, take it easy. I don't want to be the rigid and authoritarian boss, but you need attention and good behavior. Maybe Tiago or Igor doesn't like to see you like that." William nods like a puppy. Josias continues to speak, "I'm going to talk to your father at the residential complex. Tiago has brought to my attention something important: I won't be able to stay in this room all the time." William stands up, getting the message, "Got it. You now have to stay in the presidential room." "So I'm going to have to hire someone else to help you..."
The next day, Dora serves breakfast for Simeon and Carlos. She places the thermos with the coffee that fills the kitchen with a delicious aroma. "This coffee has a more appetizing aroma than the others, son." Carlos comments. "It's just that I bought a brand new one, Dad," Simeon responds proudly. Dora sits down and grabs a loaf of bread to spread butter, "I know, a more expensive brand, the kind Melissa buys. Watch out my love, don't blow your credit cards." "I'm happy and wanted to celebrate," Simeon responds. Dora seizes the occasion, "So I wanted to ask you something, honey: Melissa asked me to help her clean the penthouse. She doesn't want to hire a maid, afraid that she will seduce Josias. However, if I accept..." "Father will be alone here, I get it." Simeon completes with a worried expression. Carlos holds up his right hand, "I already told you not to worry about me. I can take care of myself." Dora continues wi
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