Matthew and Thomas continued their conversation in Abner’s office, the awkwardness between them palpable.“It looks like I’ve touched on a sensitive topic,” Thomas observed.Matthew looked embarrassed. “It’s something, isn’t it? It wasn’t supposed to be a sensitive issue. The wedding day is approaching, but for some strange reason, I keep making my fiancée handle her work matters instead of focusing on the wedding preparations.”“Have you sent out the invitations?” Thomas asked gently.“No,” Matthew admitted.Thomas jolted. “Has she chosen the wedding dress?”“No.”“Did you have your bachelor party?” Thomas pressed further.Matthew, now extremely embarrassed, spoke softly, “No... No...”Thomas looked worried, thinking about what to say next. “My dear, it seems like you don’t really want to get married.”Matthew’s desperation showed. “But I should get married! I NEED to! Look at the huge problem Alfredo Dantas STILL causes me, even though I’m the president of the conglomerate!”“Cheer
The dinner hosted by Vanda in honor of Karl was in progress. Patricia and Hélio were getting to know him better.“Tell me, Mr. Vieira—” Patricia began.“You’d better call me Lawrence, or Larry,” Karl responded charismatically.Patricia laughed. “Ha, ha, ha... My dad and my boyfriend are going to kill me.”Ronaldo was surprised. “Huh? I didn’t know about this.”Everyone laughed in a cascade, creating a relaxed atmosphere. Ronaldo didn’t want to play the jealous boyfriend.Karl continued, “Okay, so I don’t break up a lovely couple, you can call me Lawrence. Your mother will call me that, and so will your father.”Hélio asked jokingly, “Is every public relations person like this, charismatic and friendly with everyone?”“We have to handle the public in the best way possible,” Karl replied.“Imagine how many books we’re going to sell, huh?” Vanda grinned, imagining the money coming in her pocket.Karl, pointing to the carbonara on his plate, said, “Vanda, dear, now is the time for pleasur
At the opulent Sterling Mansion, in the dimly lit study, Matthew stood with an air of anxious tension, his cell phone pressed firmly against his ear.His face was etched with confusion and frustration, the silence on the other end only heightening his unease.Across town, in the more modest yet still refined Andrade Mansion, the ringing of Walter’s cell phone cut through the quiet of the night.Walter, disheveled and in nothing but his boxer shorts, fumbled hurriedly to grab the phone from his bedside.His voice was tinged with anxiety as he answered, “Hello?”“Walt, I need to have a quick chat with you,” Matthew’s voice came through, sharp and urgent.Walter’s tone softened, “Take your time, I’m not in a hurry.”Without missing a beat, Matthew pressed on, “Did Elaine come by causing trouble?”Walter sighed deeply, collapsing onto his bed with a sense of weariness. “The news spread quickly. Jacque is doing her thing.”Matthew’s voice was terse, “No, it wasn’t Jacque who told me. It wa
In the cozy living room of the Cardoso family house, the evening settled into a tranquil rhythm.Roses, elegantly arranged in a vase, added a touch of romance to the room. Cindy and Jackson, nestled comfortably on the couch, continued their conversation, their bodies close in contented intimacy.“What did you think of dinner, dear?” Cindy asked, her voice soft with affection.Jackson, patting his belly with a satisfied grin, replied, “It was very tasty.”Cindy’s eyes twinkled with playful mischief. “Don’t worry, my love. The food won’t affect your toned belly, much to my delight.”Jackson chuckled, “Do you think you’re the only one happy about that?”Cindy, with a subtle shift in topic, suggested, “Anyway, to let dinner digest, let’s talk about the latest news. Did you know Nate was fired so I could be promoted?”Jackson’s eyebrows shot up in surprise. “Really? He’s no longer at Urbano?”Cindy nodded, her expression serious. “After what he did, trying once again to usurp Matt’s throne
The next morning in the Sterling Mansion, Matthew’s suite was enveloped in a soft, muted darkness, pierced only by the occasional creak of the double bed.The sound underscored the strength and vigor of its occupant, who stirred as the alarm clock rang with an insistent buzz.Matthew emerged from beneath the covers, his expression startled but his body still full of energy. He was red and sweaty, yet remarkably unwearied.“Huh? Is it already six in the morning?” Matthew mumbled, his voice showing disbelief.Elaine, who lay beside him, was utterly exhausted. Her fatigue rendered her unable to respond or even move.Matthew, gritting his teeth with a sense of determination, muttered to himself, “I was just getting started…”He reached over to turn off the alarm clock, then threw back the covers and got out of bed.As he opened the curtains, sunlight poured into the suite, revealing the disarray left from the night before. The room was a testament to the passionate encounter they had shar
The day was bright and bustling at the Lion's Den Community Center. A large, cheerful crowd had gathered in the heart of the slum where Matt and many others had grown up.The long-awaited inauguration of the new water and sewage treatment system had everyone buzzing with excitement. Word of Patricia Borges' inaugural speech had spread quickly throughout the neighborhood, and the anticipation was palpable.On a makeshift stage, Ronaldo and Cindy waited, watching the crowd.Cindy held up a recorder, speaking into it with a reporter's flair. "And here we are, eagerly waiting to see Patty Borges stepping out of anonymity, once again facing the media and society. Will she succeed in her inaugural speech? We shall see!"Ronaldo, who seemed a bit bored, responded without much enthusiasm, "Don't doubt Patty's ability. She did very well at the auction."Cindy shot him a glance. "I wasn't at the auction, remember?"Ronaldo smirked. "How could I forget?""Anyway," Cindy continued, "if you're con
Cindy led Jackson, Hélio, and Vanda to the stage with the confident air of a host, even though she was the journalist.Her excitement was obvious as she beamed at Jackson, "I'm so glad you all came! I'm really happy about this, dear Jackson."Jackson grinned back, his eyes sparkling with pride. "You didn't think I was going to miss it, did you? My little sister is being honored."Hélio chimed in, his voice warm with affection. "We wouldn't miss this for the world, future daughter-in-law."The words "daughter-in-law" sent a shiver down Cindy's spine, the weight of the title making her pause for just a moment.Together, they approached Patricia on the stage, where photographers were busy capturing every moment, their cameras flashing incessantly.Patricia greeted them, her voice tinged with nervous excitement. "Mom, Dad, bro... I'm feeling butterflies in my stomach."Vanda, ever the comforting presence, smiled softly. "You wouldn't be human if you didn't feel that."Patricia chuckled, t
The grand celebration at the Lion’s Den Community Center was in full swing.The crowd’s excitement reached a fever pitch as it was time for Patricia to deliver her speech. Although the representative had been expecting a written draft, Patricia had chosen to speak from memory.She took a deep breath and addressed the eager audience. “Good morning, dear neighbors. As someone who was practically born and raised in this neighborhood, I can say that I am very proud to represent you. My ex-boyfriend, Matthew Sterling, also spent his childhood and teenage years here, and he didn’t hesitate to help the community as soon as he had the means and the power to do so. He appointed me as a spokesperson to lead that charity auction which helped raise funds. On behalf of Silva Oil Company, my current boyfriend’s company, we want to express our wishes for a dignified life for all of you, dear neighbors!”The residents erupted in cheers. “Long live!!” they shouted, their voices merging into a wave of