Luana Barros managed to check in at the Rocha Hotel and was treated like a celebrity, being guided and taken to a very elegant VIP suite with efficiency and care by the hotel staff.All of this was due to Mark, but Luana simply thought that Briana was responsible for her accommodation.As she stepped into the opulent suite, reminiscent of Victorian elegance, her eyes widened with astonishment and anticipation. The lavish furnishings and intricate details adorned the room, inviting exploration."WOW! Friend, you are to be congratulated! If it had been your poor husband, I would have been registered in a cow-house!" Luana exclaimed with some mockery.Not far away, there was a table set with cloches, evidencing an appetizing meal.After thanking the bellboys and giving them a tip, Luana closed the door and was going to go to the table for lunch, but someone knocked on the same door.Startled, Luana turned to find a young man standing at the doorway."Christopher? What are you doing here?
Saturday. Briana didn't need to work. However, she was still worried about the project she needed to deliver to the LCN Group.Mark saw her in the living room, restlessly reading the document for the fifth time.He snatched the sheets away from her and said with a calm tone, "Briana, take it easy. Your proposal will certainly be approved even if you were the last to submit it.""It looks like I really will be the last." Briana shook her head."Don't worry. Have faith in yourself, you'll be able to surprise everyone." Mark blinked gently.Briana liked Mark's words, always calming and motivating her.Since she didn't know Mark's identity, Briana thought Mark was just her understanding and supportive husband.Then, she asked with a smile, "Thank you. Since we're going to rest our minds from work, I wanted to visit Luana. Has she been settled in well?"Mark maintained his friendly posture, but his mind couldn't help but remember his best friend's reaction when she met him."She's at the R
Christopher's words echoed through Luana's suite, cutting through the air with some sharpness that intended to slice through the pride of Briana and Mark.Each syllable he uttered displayed his accusation, painting Mark as nothing more than a freeloader, living off the wealth of his wife's family."It's shameful that you stoop to this, man!" Christopher's voice dripped with disdain, "We're supposed to be men, providers for our families, giving our princesses a dignified life."Don't you feel emasculated, living off someone else's money? Back in my grandparents' time, that had a different name!"Briana widened her eyes. Was Christopher calling her husband a male escort?Not even her family dared to be so cruel and indignant!Her retort was swift and fierce, "Enough, Chris! I won't allow you to disrespect my husband like this!""Of course, you allow HIM to disrespect you!" Christopher's words came fast, fueled by his indignation. "You got kicked out of the Vasconcelos mansion, and cause
Briana, in a hushed tone, pleaded with Mark, "Mark, please, let Chris pay for lunch."Intrigued, Luana inquired, "Membership system, what's that?"Christopher, with a smug grin, explained, "Those who frequent the restaurant must provide their family or individual income to obtain a membership card. The higher the network income, the higher your status in this restaurant, allowing you to get more privileges."Luana has her eyes shining. This means her friend Christopher is one of the exclusive members!Impressed, Luana congratulated Christopher, "WOW! Congratulations, Chris! It's great to be around guys who make things happen, right, Briana?"She uttered the question mentioning Briana, but the person she wanted to hit was Mark.While the group talked and flipped the menu, Mark silently resolved to let the situation unfold.Christopher, still somewhat irked, signaled to the waiter, "Bring us options 02, 05, 14, and 25."Luana, eager to add her choice, chimed in, "Wait, I also want that
Briana widened her eyes and gasped for some seconds.There it is! A diamond membership card… coming from Mark's pocket.How on Earth can it be possible?"Mark... My goodness! How did you manage to get such an exclusive card?" Briana managed to inquire after so much astonishment.With a calm posture, Mark replied, "The owner of this hotel is a close friend of mine from my time in the military. He gifted me this card, but I've never used it before."Anxiously, the manager interjected, "I'm sorry, sir, but for you to enjoy the menu, I need to verify the authenticity of this card."Mark handed over the card to the manager, who promptly hurried away to confirm its validity.A sigh of relief escaped Luana's lips. "Phew! Looks like we won't go hungry or be embarrassed after all!"Indignant, Briana remarked, "Huh... I think someone owes an apology, don't you think?"Luana has a jolt. Ask for forgiveness from the layabout one? No way!"Why? Who knows how your husband got this card? Could it be
The ambiance at Rocha Hotel's restaurant became serene as the quartet decided to be quiet.Finally, the plates arrived promptly, adorned with exquisite servings of grilled salmon and gnocchi, enticing the senses with their rich aroma.Briana and Luana, savoring their first bites, exchanged looks of pure delight."Hmmmm... Delicious!" Luana exclaimed between mouthfuls."We owe Mark and his friend’s recommendation for this," Briana added with a satisfied smile.Christopher, however, could not resist his simmering discontent. "Why do you keep praising that guy, Briana?" he grumbled under his breath.He would never acknowledge the fact that Mark, the beggar, was the one capable of providing this awesome lunch to them!Briana rolled her eyes, choosing to focus on her meal rather than entertain her cousin’s provocation. "‘That guy’ happens to be my husband, cousin.""Did my words not reach you?" Christopher retorted sharply."No," Briana replied calmly. "Enjoy your lunch."Christopher’s fru
Luana and Briana spent the morning together at the shopping center, browsing through stores and enjoying each other's company.Mark, although present, kept his distance, respecting their time together.Luana's infectious enthusiasm made the hours fly by unnoticed, and for once, she refrained from teasing Mark, which eased the atmosphere for Briana."I need to head back, my friend," Luana said with a grin as they prepared to part ways amidst their shopping bags. "Shopping was amazing.""See you later," Briana replied thankfully.Luana left without saying goodbye to Mark, who didn't seem to mind the omission.***Briana and Mark arrived back at their apartment building by taxi, unloading their purchases.As they gathered their bags, their attention was drawn to a conspicuously luxurious car parked nearby.Its presence stood out sharply against the backdrop of their modest surroundings."Whose car is that?" Mark asked, eyeing the vehicle with curiosity."Certainly not one of our neighbor
"Mother, what are you saying?" Briana finally managed to question the family's plan with incredulity. "Do you mean our 'capable' family spent the night planning THIS kind of idea?"Nadir remained composed. "What's wrong with marrying Armando? He's handsome, and one of your grandmother's favored options."Armando got closer with a seductive smile forming on his lips. "You know I've always admired you, Briana—"Briana cut him off firmly, retorting in a resolute tone, "I don’t mean to be rude, Armando, but I am already married to Mark and I won't divorce him."What kind of woman do you think I am? Marriage isn’t the same as changing clothes, folks!"Briana got pretty upset, feeling that her family was treating her like a mere commodity.Armando's gaze shifted disdainfully to Mark, paying attention to him for the first time, scrutinizing him with thinly veiled contempt.He questioned Briana, "You married this guy who looks more like your lackey? Briana, when your mother informed me, I tho