Carla is standing in the entryway to the building where she and George live. She has her cell phone pointed at her, recording shorts to post on her social media.“Hi, everyone, look at this new blouse I bought at the Lisbela store, right there in Lagoon City Downtown! After we saw Mary Mountain leaving there with bags in her hands, I had to check the reason for the visit, right? And our friend didn’t disappoint, the outfits are divine and in trend this season. Have credit on your card and go check it out!”George comes downstairs shirtless and wearing red shorts and sneakers, “Honey, I’m going to jog on the beach promenade.”“And I'm going to the Sea Breeze coffee shop. One more selfie to delight my followers?”George chuckles, flashing the Latino smile that hypnotizes Carla, “Aren't you going to be jealous?”“My followers respect me, they know you are mine,” Carla responds in a good mood. They take the selfie.******At Mendonça Manor, Anestor sees Joshua and Reginaldo walking throug
The opening day of the Laura Fabrics store has arrived. Laura is elated and confident that everything will work out.The store is duly renovated, repainted, tidy, and organized. A huge poster announced the opening, attracting the attention of the surrounding residents. The hangers were full of quality clothing. Paula was stationed at the entrance to greet buyers, while Jacob was at the register to take cash or credit card payments.“Is everyone ready?” Laura exclaims excitedly.“Yes, mistress!” Paula exclaims equally excited.But Laura frowns, “Paula, for Christ's sake, cut that 'mistress' off. You are no longer my maid. How is your new apartment?”Paula is equally discouraged, “I rented a little space in a building across the street, one that seems to house these students who come to do exchange programs. I need to improve my knowledge of the English language because they barely speak Portuguese.”“On the contrary, you can serve as a motivation for them to learn Portuguese since they
In Taddeo's apartment, he and Carla are talking about the present and the future. In the living room, Carla notices that her future father-in-law is wearing a pair of denim shorts that were part of George's acquisitions and she can't control herself.“Mr. Correia—““Still with that formal treatment?” Taddeo interrupts her, “Call me Taddeo, daughter.”Carla shakes her head, “OK, Taddeo... sorry, it's the force of habit.”“Your habit is to cut formality once you are marrying my son.” Taddeo chuckles.“Taddeo... I need to ask you why George bought you so many fancy clothes.”Taddeo stops laughing, “Daughter, why did you bother?”“Ehr...I'm not bothered. Curious is the right word.” Carla tries to smile.“Well, there’s nothing to be curious about.” Taddeo leans back on the sofa, “My son wanted to do this favor to his old father. Seems like he loves me a lot, huh?”“Of course your son loves you, Taddeo, you are his hero. And he insisted on buying you a very elegant outfit to you be present
George rings the doorbell to Taddeo's apartment. He gets up and walks to the door with some difficulty in his left leg, confirming Carla's fears. When he opens the door, it's George.“Hey Dad, you didn't ask who it was. Be careful, huh!” George hugs him and Taddeo kisses him on the cheek.“I know it's you. Who else would ring my bell?”George was going to say 'Mrs. Ferreira', but he sees Carla on the couch and stops in time, “Ehr... I don't know, interesting question. But you never know, safety is key.”“Come in, son, your fiancée is here.” Taddeo gestures and closes the door.George sits down next to the bride, “So, are you getting to know each other better?”“Sure,” Carla responds quickly, hoping Taddeo won't bring it up...But Taddeo is no telepath, “We were just talking about the usefulness of the fancy clothes you bought. I told her I intend to wear them to the parties you take me to.”“Certainly, Dad, and you can be sure we'll have plenty of parties to attend!” George nods excit
Carla retires to the kitchen, “I'll get some tea, and if there isn't any, I'll put some water on to boil. We need a break here, apparently.”“I don't have tea ready, Carla.” Taddeo responds, “If you don't mind...”“No, I'd rather help.” Carla leaves in a bit of a hurry, not understanding her future father-in-law's outburst.When Carla walks away, George asks in a quieter tone, "Dad, would you like to explain to me what's really going on?"“Son, it's better that you don't know.”“Too late. I bought these fancy clothes precisely so you could look decent and elegant for Mrs. Ferreira.”“You better call her Marianne.”George smiles slightly, “See? It's clear that the two of you have known each other in the past and are great friends... or should I say more than friends with your outburst.”“Don't call Marianne a bitch.” Taddeo warns his son with a somber expression.“What is the problem with Antonio Ferreira? Did you know him too?”Taddeo is surprised, “After everything you've told me abo
Marianne in her office liked Carla and George's selfie. And she can't help noticing his daughter's young realtor.Why is she feeling a special connection with Taddeo's son?Antonio enters the office and finds his wife distracted.“Woman, wake up! We have a hotel to run!” Antonio bangs the desk, scaring his wife.“Oh, you couldn't be kinder and more careful, huh?” Marianne complains about how scared she was.Antonio snatches Marianne's cell phone and looks at the selfie, “Who are these imbeciles?”Marianne gets up angrily, “You don't know the couple and you already conclude they are imbeciles?”Antonio shrugs, not caring about anything or anyone.Marianne snatches the phone back, “They're the couple you stopped from having the engagement party here. I had to call them to apologize for the ‘fumigation’.”Antonio smiles like a rowdy elementary school student, “Friends of Reggie, I just did right.”“Yes, precisely why I apologized!” Marianne asserts, “Tony, don't you know about the big re
At the Ferreira Hotel, Marianne starts to inform Antonio that she wants a divorce, but Antonio is already reacting with revolt and resentment.“Why are you so surprised?” Marianne fearlessly asks what she wants, “You should be surprised I didn't file for divorce sooner!”Antonio seems to have woken up from a trance by asking, “Are you serious? Do you want this horrible thing called a divorce? What is going on in this world, why doesn't anyone want to stay married?”Marianne smirks, “If you're referring to Laura and Reggie's affair, I might remind you that she wanted to stay married, but you set them up. How do you expect me to stay by your side after that?”“So that's what this is about?” Antonio crosses his arms, “Woman, that marriage shouldn't even have taken place. The idiot used a fake name! I hope the Fabray family doesn't come after me wanting revenge because I was tricked by the fraudster!”But Marianne keeps unconvinced, “No, Tony, there were other ways to handle this. When yo
Aline is outraged when she hears Anestor wanting to threaten her in front of Reginaldo.“Is this serious?” She smiles contemptuously, “Now I've gone from being a lover to being blackmailed and threatened? Wow, Anestor, congratulations, you are a rollercoaster of emotions.”“What do you mean?”“I mean you have more unstable emotions than many women!” Aline mocks the butler bursting out laughing.Now Anestor changes to another emotion: anger, “Miss, don't you have a sense of danger? Imagine what would happen if my master knew that we had passionate nights of love, what would he do?”Aline stops talking and nonchalantly replies, “If Reggie finds out about this, he'll fire you. That’s simple.”“How about you?” Anestor insists.“I’ll continue to be the girlfriend and future Mrs. Fabray,” Aline responds with a confident smile.Anestor reacts mockingly, “Miss Mendonça is very confident! Do you really think Reggie will forgive this betrayal?”“I don't know; I'm just sure he won't forgive YOU