Mark followed the aroma to the kitchen and found Briana in a red dress with a generous neckline and no straps, smiling lovingly at her husband who had just arrived. "Hello, darling. Welcome to our celebration dinner." Mark already knew the outcome of her day, but he went along with the act. Smiling at the prepared dishes and two lit red candles, he asked, "I need to ask you how your day was?" "Oh, you can ask; I'll let you." Briana joked, moving closer to him. "Congratulations, Briana. You're a natural talent." Mark hugged and kissed her. Mark was impressed. It wasn't just because he supported Briana from the shadows. Briana was truly a talented person, yet her family never gave her the recognition she deserved. For some unknown reason, the spotlight always went to that weirdo Katrina. After the kiss, Briana urged him, "Come on, go up, take a nice shower, and come eat. I'll be waiting for you." "OK." Mark nodded and left. He went upstairs to the master suite. As he passed
At Vasconcelos Mansion, an utterly unpleasant scene was occurring. Sandro and Nadir thought about talking privately with Althea but found themselves in the midst of a family celebration. A family celebration... Without them and Briana... Still, it seems Althea only admitted them to the mansion to rub another victory of Katrina in their faces. Nadir, indignant about this, looked at Claudia and noticed her pearl necklace. "HEY! That's my necklace! Give it back immediately, you thief!" Nadir jumped from her chair like a wild animal and ran at Claudia, ready to cut her throat if necessary to regain her precious pearl necklace! Claudia also stood up and tried to back away. "Hey, stay away, you disqualified!" "NADIR! QUIET!" Althea ordered regally. Gilson stood up to defend his wife while Clóvis held Nadir, who was seething with rage. "Hey, man, are you not going to hold your wild wife?" Gilson questioned Sandro in a mix of perplexity and mockery. "I will not. My wife is right."
The next day, Briana was once again devastated and lying in bed while Mark watched the sunrise, leaning against the balcony railing, looking cheerful and relaxed. Briana, frowning in pain all over her body, was seriously considering taking a tonic or joining a gym to keep up with her husband! Briana's phone rang. Mark quickly went in and checked the device. "It's your dad. Do you want to answer?" Briana didn't respond right away, hypnotized by Mark's muscular build, clad only in a striped boxer shorts. "Sweetheart?" Mark didn't take the hint this time. Briana snapped out of her naughty daydreams. "Um... Maybe my dad wants to talk peacefully." Mark handed her the phone, and Briana answered, "Hello?" On the other end, Sandro was wearing a tacky pajama while Nadir was in their suite's bathroom. "Daughter, why did you take so long to answer?" "Dad, do I really need to say?" Briana smiled mischievously, "Mark and I were in the process of giving you grandkids." Sandro felt a wave
"Don't you feel that way?" Mark asked affectionately. Briana softened her gaze, looking like a little girl waiting for her dad to return from work to hug him. "No, Mark. I may seem naive, but I really felt like my dad was being sincere with me, just telling me what happened to him without any ulterior motive." "I admire your faith in humanity, dear." Mark stroked her hair. "And you, do you not have that faith?" Briana was intrigued to uncover another facet of her husband. "Well, unfortunately, because of my past..." Mark chose his words carefully. "My life hasn't been easy." "Are you referring to poverty?" Briana probed further, "I remember when we just got married, you went to your old apartment to get your things. It was a pretty rundown complex, if I may say." Mark smiled. "Yes, I allow that. I have no issue with that. Anyway, let's keep an eye out, shall we?" Briana crossed her arms. "The one who is really trying to behave out of her character is Grandma Althea. Yesterday,
Moments later, Adrian enters HR, unsuspecting and greeted by an effusive Gene. "Supervisor Curtis, it's always a pleasure to discuss matters with you. At this rate, you'll be a constant presence in this room!" "Really, Gene? What does that mean?" Adrian asks, like a lamb headed to slaughter. "Come in, take a seat!" Gene internally belittles Adrian's demeanor. The guy causes trouble at the company, gets called to HR, and doesn't suspect for a moment why he's there! Does the idiot think he'll get promoted? Sitting across from one another, Gene begins, "Look, Supervisor Curtis, what I'm about to tell you may come as a shock." "Go ahead, nothing surprises me anymore in this world." Adrian grins broadly, "Am I getting promoted?" Gene drops the fake smile. This is too much! "Supervisor Curtis, do you really feel that confident that you deserve a promotion?" Gene asks with caustic aggression. Adrian jolts, finally realizing he wasn't called in for praise. "Huh? What's going on her
At Ferro House, Briana and Luana are having lunch in the kitchen. There were leftovers from yesterday's lasagna. Luana mixed in other things, like rice and a green salad, to add it up. Luana had to do this because Briana still felt shattered and sore. Sitting at the table caused grimaces of pain and discomfort for Lady Ferro, making Luana burst into laughter. "HA, HA, HA! I understand you, my friend." Luana teased while Briana turned beet red from embarrassment. "Stop it, Luana, I thought you were my friend!" Briana couldn't eat due to her awkwardness. "Let me guess: your virile and insatiable hubby wanted to 'celebrate' your victory with the LCN Group, right?" Luana provoked, eager for the juicy details. Briana can't help but let a mischievous smile escape from her lips. Yes, what a celebration… Mark knows exactly how to handle that! Does the Military Force of Aurelia teach their soldiers to be skilled with their wives in marital intimacy? How? Briana tried to veer away from
The chit-chat between Briana and Luana continued. "Anyway, you're not seriously thinking about forgiving your exploiting and dishonest family, are you?" Luana asked 'delicately'. "Ouch!" Briana pretended to feel pain, even though she still felt aches in her legs and backside. That Mark... "Don't get sensitive. I'm speaking the harsh reality this world imposes on us." Luana cut the lasagna, "I feel your grandmother is using your parents as bait to get you back to Vasconcelos Mansion." "Why, so I can go back to being the doormat Katrina wipes her feet on?" Briana shook her head vehemently, "No, thank you! I prefer to stay here, hidden with my husband, being happy and maybe stuffing this mansion with kids." "'Stuffing' would be the right word if he keeps this up!" Luana burst out laughing again. Briana smiles as if to say, 'You never learn, do you?' Luana, stopping her laughter, touched on the third subject, "Hey, friend, I've been thinking…" "Uh-oh, here comes trouble!" Briana m
Meanwhile, Katrina was sulking in the living room of the Vasconcelos Mansion. Christopher appeared and found her like this. "Sis, what's with that face? What did James do to you this time?" Katrina shook her head. "You immediately thought it was something related to my husband. Why do you hate my man, Chris?" "Is he really your man?" Christopher sat down on the sofa next to her. "Yes, he is! What nonsense is this?" "Well, I was thinking about a certain occasion when he should have been with you but chose to spend time with escorts instead," Christopher replied sourly. Katrina poked her brother. "Shh! Don't say something stupid like that! No one knows if that's really what happened." "Oh, sis..." Christopher slowly shook his head, "Your husband is swimming in the pool outside. There are no white marks on him, not even where he should be wearing swim trunks. The Speedos he's wearing now are quite tiny, making the maids swoon." "And so? That doesn't mean he was with anyone..." K