2021-05-19 19:43:51Josias smiles slightly, by the right corner of his mouth. Here he was, shirtless, just in sweatpants and slippers, with less than five bucks in his pocket, without papers (he had just taken them off after insisting a lot on his late father). His life as he knew it is over. Here, in the Happiness Slum, a new Josias was about to be born. He would build his life, using Everaldo's words.
However, there was an excerpt from Everaldo's sentence that deserved attention, “you will have the willpower”. That is, it was not just waiting for God's blessings to fall from Heaven. Josias needed to have the willpower to make it happen, needed to move, and needed to use his hands. He needed courage and confidence.
Arming himself with both feelings, he takes a deep breath and heads for the building.
Upon entering, Josias found that in fact, the owner of the building took care that the entrance was similar to the lobby of a hotel or a high-class apartment building. The rectangular space, painted in light blue, had a counter on one side, where a man in his sixties with a mustache and chubby was, and on the other side, there was a rack of mail for the residents. The shelf was separated into several compartments, each for a room. Two sofas, a clock nailed to the wall, plant vases, and a rug at the entrance that said “Welcome” completed the decoration of the place. Josias smiles widely. The owner of the building tried to make a great job.
Josias approaches the counter. The man listened to the radio, it was a football match. Upon realizing Josias's presence, he turns to the boy.
“Good evening.” The old man speaks in a friendly tone, “How can I help you?”
“Sir, I need a vacant room,” Josias speaks without being afraid.
The owner of the room building for rent watches Josias from top to bottom before proceeding, not believing what he heard. “Really, boy? How do you expect me to leave you here?”
Josias takes a deep breath. He expected that. However, Everaldo's words do not leave his head. “You will get out of this and you will be successful.” He needed to try.
“Sir, here's the matter: I just ran away from home because my father was murdered while I was in my bedroom.” It was the first time that Josias spoke about what happened to someone, “They wanted money from my father, and they were bill collectors for a loan shark.”
“I didn't hear of anyone murdered around here.” The man replies with a frown. Josias's story could very well be made up.
Josias, however, tries to explain, “No, it wasn't here. I don't live here, I ran away from Rainbow Garden. I just took a shower and just had time to put on my underwear and sweatpants when I heard the invasion, the argument between them... and then the shots.”
The lord land looked at him with a suspicious face. If he was a resident of Happiness Slum, it would be understandable if Josias did not go to the police, for the reason they killed his father. But, being a resident of Rainbow Garden... “Why didn't you go to the police, why did you just come here, to a more rough area neighborhood?”
Josias shrugs. “I'm not sure... I just wanted to hide, and I wasn't going to be able to hide in Europe Garden.” Europe Garden is the upper-class neighborhood of Lagoon City.
The word “hide” is what makes the building owner uneasy. “Look here, boy, how am I supposed to know if it’s not YOU who killed, or did something else wrong, and now you’re trying to hide in my building? If the police show up here, don't even expect me to lie to protect you. I don’t get into trouble, the ‘scoundrels’ who live here already know that. They stay over there and leave me alone, and I don't meddle with them.”
Upon hearing that the old man was not to get into trouble, Josias felt even more inwardly that this was the perfect place for him to stay. The loan shark collectors, if they go looking for him, will not show up in the building where he is.
Josias leans over to the counter, dips his hands into the plastic surface, and speaks with urgency and pleading tone, “I know it sounds strange, sir, but everything I told you is true. See, I didn't even have a chance to mourn my father's death. I don't even know if the neighbors heard the shot; if anyone has found him or if the police are there. As I said, I only had time to put this on and I took only a few bucks that I had seen on my dresser, and I took the bus without knowing where to go.”
“And stopped right there!” The man can't help laughing. However, he begins to better analyze the story told by Josias. It was too elaborate, with too much detail, to be a made-up lie at the last minute.
“Let me see how much you have.” The man crosses his arms and makes this request, already aware that Josias is not going to put five thousand dollars on the counter.
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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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