2021-05-19 19:41:58Josias hadn't remembered to pick up his watch or his wallet, nothing more. All he wanted to do was get out of his house as soon as possible. The only thing he remembers at the moment was that when he went to take a shower, the clock said seven in the evening. He supposed it would now be half-past seven at night. So the neighborhood bus was still running.
Josias quickens his pace and goes to the street where the bus passes. As he approaches the bus stop, a boy is waiting for the next time. Josias sits on the bench and is also waiting for transport.
As he sits, Josias leans over and heaves a sigh of dismay. The boy who is waiting to drive with him would never have imagined that the boy who sighs had just lost his father murdered by loan shark collectors.
Josias still didn't want to shed any tears; he doesn't want to draw undue attention from the other boy. He puts his hand in his pocket and counts the money he collected in a hurry to escape. Yes, the money would be enough for the trip. But where exactly did Josias go?
Josias's neighborhood (probably not anymore) is called Rainbow Garden, where the majority of the residents are manual laborers. It wasn't a classy suburb, but it wasn't an ugly, sloppy neighborhood either, since the population was humble. Residents did their best to keep the neighborhood clean and orderly. There was a Residents' Association that looked after the neighborhood and looked for basic services with the City Hall, such as transportation; Street lighting; security; education, and health. The streets were paved and residents had sewage, telephone, and gas.
But, as everywhere, there is always the bad apple that bothers the good apples. And in the Rainbow Garden, it was no different. The moneylender that Josias's father had the folly to borrow money from was known in the neighborhood. His house was one of the best; it looked like a Beverly Hills mansion. And the henchmen who worked for him put fear in the neighborhood. They did the dirty work. When the police came to arrest, they were the ones who were arrested. The moneylender managed to get rid of the evidence and remained at large.
The bus approaches the horizon. For the first time, the other boy notices that Josias is shirtless, and sweatpants are not a typical piece of clothing to be worn by someone who is going to board the bus bound for Downtown. Josias, however, has his thoughts distant; he didn't even care about the other's critical eye.
The bus stops, the rear door opens and the two boys enter. The changer also notices Josias's little dress. Josias, walking around the bus like a somnambulist, oblivious around him, sits on one of the benches and leans against the window. The bus travels and Josias follows the landscape. The second guy sits behind Josias, with visible curiosity.
The bus leaves Rainbow Garden and continues through Lagoon City. And that's when Josias realized that he didn't have enough to spend a night anywhere. Therefore, he could not continue his journey to Downtown or a wealthier suburban area.
Wandering around Downtown or in a noble neighborhood in the state where Josias is would be unwise. People would easily take him as a beggar, or a deviant drug user, or a mental imbalance who had run away from the asylum. And becoming a beggar was all that Josias didn't want.
That was how, when paying attention to the landscape again, Josias realized that he was passing through the entrance to Happiness Slum. The name had nothing to do with the appearance of the area; it was a low-class, bad-reputation place. However, it was the only worthy place for someone with a financial situation like Josias.
Josias straightens up on the bus seat and starts thinking about getting off the bus, when the other boy, overcome by curiosity, stops the other, taking him by the wrist. “Hey, man, are you in need of help?”
Josias looks indifferently at the guy. He’s dark, handsome, with glasses, a long-sleeved shirt, and jeans. He is the same age as Josias, probably a religious boy who is going to church.
Josias doesn't want to be rude and gives a slight smile. “No, man, thank you very much.”
“Are you sure? Do you need some change?” The boy starts looking in his pockets for some money. But when he releases Josias's wrist, he pulls the signal wire for the driver to stop at the next bus stop.
“Do you really want to help me, buddy?” Josias speaks more firmly, “Pray for me.”
The boy stops looking for money, looks at Josias, and smiles widely. “Sure, brother, I'll pray for you. What's your name?”
The bus was slowing down as it approached the requested stop. Josias notices and responds quickly, “Josias Rocha.”
“Josias Rocha. I, Everaldo Siqueira, will pray for you and plead that God will bring you the best for your life. You will get out of this and be successful. And I believe that you will have the willpower to overcome your adversities! Amen?”
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Chapter 3272 Gossip Is Always Good!
Caio and Rosemary continued talking in the Teodoro Building canteen. The pressure cooker Rosemary was cleaning would have to wait after she said something that confused her older brother. “Did I say something wrong?” she asked. “No, I just reacted to what you said. Funny: there wasn’t exactly a dialogue,” Caio admitted, finding it amusing. However, Rosemary remained serious. “You two didn’t talk about it? Why?” “There was no reason for us to do that,” Caio explained, taking the pressure cooker from her hands. “I just saw from afar Brigitte throwing away her pills.” “You guys discussed this before. And after?” Rosemary looked genuinely worried. “We didn’t talk about it after,” Caio replied, a bit apprehensive this time. Rosemary shook her head. “Caio, I know you’re eager for a baby. But you need to check if Brigitte did this for you, for herself, or just out of spite.” Caio was stunned by that possibility. Brigitte, just getting pregnant out of spite? Rosemary smiled sadly. “D
Chapter 3271 The Importance of Dialogue
Caio appeared at the Teodoro Building, still dressed from Rocha Constructions. He was surprised to find Thierry at the counter instead of Rosemary. “Huh? Did you abandon the supermarket again?” he asked, approaching the counter. “Nah, my sister said I could stay here for a few days. Soon, we’ll have more reinforcements,” Thierry responded cheerfully. “More reinforcements? Are you swimming in the tenants’ money?” Caio smiled. “Somewhere around there. This building must be the most profitable in the entire slum.” Thierry joked. “And the best part: no one tries to rob us.” “Of course, who would rob from the most powerful man in town?” Caio looked reverently at the portraits of Teodoro and Beto. “Your dear sister is in the canteen. I believe she’s the one you want to gossip.” Thierry pointed while heading to the computer. “Exactly. Thanks.” As Caio was leaving, he said, “She’ll tell you the gossip later!” Thierry chuckled as he took the computer out of standby mode. In the cantee
Chapter 3270 New Venture for J.J.
In the Teodoro Building, Rosemary not only followed the tradition of always keeping the radio on but also danced with a broom in the lobby. Some tenants passed by and found it funny.Thierry appeared and was the one who laughed the most, making Rosemary stop.“Your boring!” she pretended to be angry. “The tenants were more discreet.”“Of course, no one offends the daughter of the owner of this building.” Thierry approached his wife and kissed her tenderly.“My hot French hubby...” Rosemary purred. “Anyway, what brings you here?”“I came to see how things are in my brother-in-law’s absence.” Thierry had already positioned himself behind the counter as he spoke.“Hey, I don’t need more help. Diane Mountain offered to help, wanting to reminisce about old times.” Rosemary leaned on the other side of the counter.“She offered? That’s interesting.” Thierry smiled.“I don’t think you know, but during the 90s, she lived here with her uncle, Moacyr Barbosa.” Rosemary also smiled, reminiscing a
Chapter 3269 Felipe Wants to Move Out
Following Josias’s advice, João Paulo Queiroz Rocha’s next column featured Pedro and Daniela Reis with their firstborn, Raymond Chaves Lombardi Reis. The audience melted over the newborn. Letters and emails flooded Pedro and Daniela’s inboxes, along with gifts and bouquets from various parts of the city and Espírito Santo, wishing happiness and a good journey in raising the future heir. As promised, Pedro and Daniela traveled to Victoria to show the baby to Raymond and Cristina, Pedro’s maternal grandparents. After all, the grandfather was being honored. Rosemary remained in charge of the building, aided by some staff Pedro had hired along the way. Diane appeared that day, looking at the portraits of Teodoro and Beto hanging on the wall. Rosemary showed up wearing an apron. “Hello, Rosemary,” Diane greeted. “How are things here without Pedro and Daniela?” “Well, as you can see, things are complicated. But I’m managing,” Rosemary smiled, wiping sweat from her brow with her forear
Chapter 3268 Don’t Feel Like a Failure
Felipe stormed into the Mountain Penthouse, banging loudly on the door. The noise was enough to make Daryl and Diane rush into the living room, startled. “Oh, son, it’s just you,” Daryl reassured himself. “How was your visit at the shantytown building?” “They’re still slum-dwellers and rude as ever!” Felipe growled, collapsing onto the sofa and angrily kicking off his sneakers. Diane pursed her lips. “They didn’t welcome you. Well, don’t complain that you don’t care then.” “Why should I care, after all?” Felipe exclaimed, raising his hands. “I’m the media sensation thanks to Aunt Maggie. I should be happy and celebrating my life!” “That’s right, son,” Daryl said, giving a thumbs-up. “So, Dad, I hope you understand what I’m about to ask you now.” “Go ahead, I’ll help you,” Daryl said, rubbing his hands together. Felipe hesitated for a few seconds before asking, “Would you agree with me if I announced that I want to move out?” Daryl was about to agree, but he wouldn’t pretend t
Chapter 3267 Caio Will Be a Good Father
Beto left the apartment and stayed in the lobby, looking at the photograph of him and Teodoro.“Dad, you would have liked to meet your great-grandson,” he said with longing.Suddenly, Felipe appeared, taking advantage of the open gate.Beto turned to him and frowned, disapproving of the young man’s appearance.“Hey, the gate was open,” Felipe apologized.“That doesn’t mean we want you here,” Beto retorted.“I heard Daniela gave birth.” Felipe didn’t back down, trying to push through.Beto, with the speed of a lynx, blocked the younger man’s path. “You are forbidden from entering my son’s apartment, understood?”Pedro hurried out upon hearing his father’s angry voice.“Dad, don’t get worked up. I’ll handle this,” Pedro said, grabbing his father’s right arm.“Okay, son. At my age, I can
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