Chapter 54 Regret That Does Not ConvinceThe next day, Nathan was in the foyer of the Sterling Mansion, as advised by his father.Jarbas was surprised by the visit so early, “Hello, Mr. Sterling. Whom do you wish to see?”“I want to see my grandfather,” Nathan says, wearing sunglasses. He hadn’t gotten the necessary amount of sleep.Sheila emerges from the living room, listening to the conversation. “Jarbas, from now on, it’s necessary for you to call Nathan ‘Mr. Gouveia’. ‘Mr. Sterling’ is a title deserved only by my father-in-law and my son.”“WHAT?” Nathan, who was supposed to make peace, forgot about the peace pact, “What do you mean by that, Aunt Sheila? You don’t have that right!”Sheila is stunned. “I don’t have?”“Have you already recognized YOUR last name or are you trying to be a copy of Grandma Alice?”“I’m not trying to be a shrew-like her! I’m just reminding you that things have changed around here! Your surname is Gouveia and should be called as such!” Sheila retorts fir
On Sunday, Vicente knew that Abner and his family would go to Church. He waited for them to return to pay a visit to the Sterling Mansion.Jarbas opens the door for him, “Mr. Gouveia, good morning.”“Good morning, Jarbas. How was the mass?”“Very interesting and spiritual. Did you also attend?”Vicente quickly lies, “I went to the Downtown Cathedral, close to where I live.”Jarbas nods his approval, thinking that Vicente is a Christian. “Very good. Boss Sterling will be satisfied and will see you.”Vicente raises one of his eyebrows. How did Jarbas know he wanted to see Abner?Jarbas leaves and Vicente decides to wait in the living room.Matthew appears wearing a polo-neck shirt and knee-length shorts. “Uncle Vicente? What a pleasure to have you here.”Vicente turns around and does his best to appear charismatic, “Hello, nephew! I need to talk to your grandfather. But how are you? Having a lot of fun?”Matthew smiles, a little cautiously. “The one who was having fun on Friday was your
In Vicente’s apartment, he enters victoriously after talking to Abner. Nathan is sitting in front of the piano, trying to play something, but he doesn’t have the slightest idea of ‘do-re-mi’ to play ‘Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star’.Andreia is next to him, in agony. “Wrong key again, son. This is it!” Andreia presses the key angrily.“OK.” Nathan snorts and presses the key, but the sound is quieter.“Nate, you have to control your fingers because this is a piano, not a keyboard.” Andreia neighs.Nathan, in turn, plays the keys too hard.“Ugh, but don’t ruin the piano either!”Vicente chuckles, “Honey, leave our son. This way, he will never learn.”Nathan quickly moves away from the piano. Vicente sits in his place and starts playing Beethoven’s Fifth Symphony as if it were the most common thing in the world.“See, Nate? I bet Matthew can play the violin.” Andreia mocks her ‘son’.“Are there violin classes for favela residents?” Nathan yells. He can’t take so much contempt anymore.Sudd
At the Gibraltar Club, Jackson and Patricia meet Matthew celebrating the promotion. Patricia even has a certain interest, but something stops her.“He’s celebrating something and those appear to be his co-workers.” Patricia sits on the bar stool.“And you’re not dying to know what it’s about.” Jackson urges her on, “I thought you guys were friends.”“David Rocha is my friend now.” Patricia takes offense, “He’s the one I spend most of my time with.”“Looks like you decided to swap the poor guy for the rich guy.” Jackson jokes.“Nothing like that.” Patricia grimaces, “Matt was the one who left me for his rich, promiscuous ex-girlfriend.”“Patty...” Jackson tries to comfort her.Matthew looks towards the bar and finally sees the pair of siblings. “Oh, Patricia and Jackson are there. Excuse me, gentlemen.”Augusto and Brennon look in the direction and are enchanted by Patricia’s beauty.“Wow, could this be Matthew’s chick? She is a beauty!” Augusto praises her.“And the big guy appears to
Tuesday. Matthew is now well-received by other colleagues at Golden Letters.“Matt! We learned that you’re now a permanent employee! Congratulations!”“You handled last week’s literary event masterfully.”“We found out that Jonah Lopes mentioned you on his social media!”“Seriously?” Matthew asks, somewhat wary of drawing undue attention, “I haven’t had a chance to tell him who I am, but I’m glad to know he enjoyed our service. Golden Letters didn’t do badly this time.”“Cool!” Everyone applauds.Elaine enters the company. She is ostentatiously tanned and has the smile of a woman who has made love non-stop to an Italian stallion in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea, under the sun and moonlight.Nayla and the other women who fawned over Matthew turned to her immediately. “ELAINE! You came back! Ah, tell us everything, my friend!”“Calm down, people. The spicy details will be told at lunchtime. Let us not deviate from the true reason for our celebration.” Elaine stares at Matthew with
The waiter who served Walter and Matthew wasn't too pleased to see one of the expensive glasses being smashed on the floor. Other customers watched the scene, fearing that a fight was breaking out. But it wasn't anything big, just Walter being shocked by the news given by Matthew.“Excuse me, waiter. Include the value of the glass in the bill.” Walter said as he tried to calm down.“OK, sir, be careful.” The waiter walks away to clean up the broken glass with a broom and dustpan.Matthew sips his drink, “Calm down, Walt. The news shouldn’t shock you like this.”“For sure it shocks me!” Walter exclaims in a low voice, “First, I know that Patricia does not behave indecently. Second, I know she comes from a good family. Third, I know that Jackson Borges would never let something like that happen!”Matthew puts his hand on his chin. "Do you want to know? When she told me this, Jackson was on her side. They were both here, but they didn't look like they were going to order any drinks. I wa
Wednesday. Matthew passes by the university’s main square and can’t resist stopping by the kiosk.Clayton welcomes him. Patricia isn’t around yet.“Hi, Matt! Came to check out your future business?”“Clayton, it seems like you don’t believe me when I tell you I want to help.” Matthew frowns.“Look, Matt, I didn’t mean to offend you.” Clayton explains good-naturedly, “I know you want to help me. Managing my kiosk is probably some kind of extracurricular job you need to do to earn your degree. I’m happy to be your guinea pig. Patricia, however, drew my attention to something.”“The money.” Matthew rolls his eyes. Why doesn’t Patricia believe him?“Yes, where are you going to get the money to invest in my beloved kiosk?” Clayton turns serious, “If you’re thinking about taking out a bank loan, I won’t allow it.”“Why not?” Matthew feels like laughing.“Because you certainly already have a lot of commitments to pay.” Clayton responds worriedly, “Tell me: how much did your new cell phone co
Alice returns to the Sterling Mansion after her appointments to charity work. Jarbas meets her in the foyer.“Good afternoon, Madam Sterling. Here is what you asked for.”“And what did I ask for?”Jarbas holds out a piece of paper, “The phone number of someone in the Silva family, Mrs. Sterling’s relatives.”Alice smiles malevolently, taking the paper. “Thank you, Jarbas. She is here?”“I don’t know, ma’am.” Jarbas apologizes.“OK, she must be doing more shopping. I don’t understand why she lived like a slum dweller for many years if what she wants most is to have a life of luxury and spending.” Alice goes upstairs to her suite.Upon entering the master suite, she goes to her double bed and sits down. Nobody was around.Alice takes out her cell phone and dials the number. A male voice sounds from the other end.“Hello?”“Hello, good afternoon. This is Alice Sterling speaking.”“Mrs. Sterling?”“Yes, and I’m calling on behalf of Sheila Silva Sterling.”The male voice falls silent for a