When Flavia managed to break the bad news to Josias, he promptly took care of everything else.Therefore, yet on Sunday afternoon, Harold Freire's wake and burial took place at Lagoon City Cemetery.It usually rains at funerals and burials, but Harold's death seems to have caught even the weather off guard, as the sun continued to shine, urging the citizens of Lagoon City to head to the beach.But today would be a sad day for the Freire family and their friends. In the hall where the wake takes place, Isabel is standing, staring at her dead husband. He was with the same serene smile.“You had that smile on, and I thought you were sleeping.” She says in a plaintive tone, “I should have sent you to the hospital. You had been slow to wake up, I had to scream and shake you! Why didn't I understand that you were saying goodbye when you said you loved me? Sorry, Harold, I was stupid and killed you!”The last sentence came out in a choked voice. Wallace approaches his mother, wearing a black
Wallace remembers the day he was arrested. The year was 1986 and he was on the run from the police. After arguing with Isabel, Harold entered the room where he was being registered.Harold fades his smile. Then he enters the room.Wallace looks up and is surprised to find his father. “Wow, did you come too? How did you know I came?”“How did we know you were captured as a fugitive criminal?” Harold slams the door and approaches his son exuding hatred, “You ask 'how did I come', like it's the most normal thing in the world for you to go to a police station to be booked!”“Father, please—“Harold doesn't listen and slaps his son. “You mean you're macho enough to make your mother cry in disgust? Is that what you are? You mean a handsome, attractive man like you needs to force a woman to have sex with you?”Wallace has mixed emotions. Could it be that Isabel was the 'good cop' and Harold is being the 'bad cop'? “Dad, don't talk like I'm proud. I didn't want things to end like this.”“Well
Shirley is the only character in this book to be happy today. Not knowing what's going on, she bakes her shortbread cookies for tomorrow while whistling Roxette's song “June Afternoon”.Suddenly, the radio interrupts the song to give the news, “We interrupt our programming to break urgent news: Harold Freire, the husband of writer Isabel Freire, has died at the age of 69. Mr. Freire was found dead in his sleep at his home this Sunday morning. Doctors say the death was of natural causes. The wake is being held—”Shirley turned off the radio, shocked by the information. She followed 'Love Just Happens' and admired Isabel's work.The door opens and Francisco comes in without knocking again.“Oh no, woman! For the second time, I find you unprepared to leave!”Shirley purses her lips, then defends herself, “If you're talking about Mr. Freire, I just heard the news on the radio.”“What a horror, Shirley!” Francisco is not convinced. He is also in black clothes, “Everyone has already gone to
Days later, Daryl and Diane returned from their honeymoon only to learn that there was a funeral while they were out having fun.“Oh my God!” Diane exclaims and turns purple with embarrassment. They're in their apartment, “Kelvin, tell me that's a lie!”“Why would I lie on such a subject?” Kelvin justifies himself.“OK, forgive me.” Diane puts the suitcases on the sofa, “It just seems shameful that while we were having fun, the Freire family was in mourning.”“We can visit them.” Daryl decides. He turns on the radio and The Offspring's song “Gonna Get Away” fills the living room.Melissa sits on the sofa and notices the suitcase, “You didn't go to Acapulco with that suitcase, correct?”Diane smiles, “No, I got back with her. She has gifts and souvenirs that I bought during the trip.”“Cool. I hope everything went as you had hoped.” Melissa smiles.“Everything went wonderfully.” Daryl comments, “The plane didn't crash, the cruise we were on didn't sink, I didn't get seasick and everyon
Beto looks like he won't get a straight answer from Vera as to what she's afraid of. Then he goes to the radio and turns it on. The song “Angel” by Simply Red feat Fugees has a group of teenagers playing dominoes to sway to the beat of the music.“Vera, I’m gonna have to fire you,” Beto announces in cold blood.“But WHY?” She shrieks, making the group of teenagers laugh.Beto takes a deep breath, “It's because I never know what's really going on with you. You came back from Victoria expecting us to take you in with no questions or answers.”Vera is visibly trying to hide something. Her voice shakes and her skin is as white as snow, “I... I can't say.”“Ah, then get out of here before you bring trouble to my children and my tenants!”“NO!” Vera covers her mouth with both hands, and then goes back to speaking more quietly, “I just want to have a little money to go back to the capital.”“Don't worry, I'll give it to you right now.” Beto opens the cash drawer and takes out some bills at r
Wallace is surprised to hear this stranger speaking directly to him and wanting to confer with his mother. He is obviously suspicious, “My lord, don't you see the absurdity of wanting to talk to my mother?”Renan remains calm, “Be sure, young man, that I don't intend to do anything disgraceful to your mother.”“So what do you want?” Wallace is gruff.Renan changes tactics, “Is she still upset and grieving?”“Technically she is, but she decided to go back to work on the soap to clear her mind.”“I understood. Then I can speak directly to you, young man. Can you meet me at the Rocha Hotel restaurant at noon?”“I don't have money to eat at this restaurant,” Wallace speaks grimly.“And who says you're going to pay? It's on me, young man.” Renan seems to enjoy the exasperation of the others.“OK, we have an appointment.” Wallace waits no longer and hangs up, suspiciously, “Better me than my mother.”******Josias enters Rocha Constructions and finds everyone working. The mourning has passe
Wallace enters the Rocha Hotel restaurant. He didn't need anyone to guide him to any table because Renan stood out among the guests in a navy blue Italian-cut suit.“Mr. Vasconcelos?” He greets him with a serious face.“Allow yourself to smile a little, Mr. Freire.” Renan jokes, shaking his hand, “Sit down. I hear the caviar here is delicious.”“Can we cut to the chase? Or is the matter so nasty that I need to eat first?”Renan holds out the menu to the youngest, “I don't believe you're one of those people who lose their appetite easily.”Wallace is definitely out of patience, “Oh Heavens, you called me to—”“Relax, Mr. Freire!” Renan enjoys the unhappiness of others, “You are useful to me to solve my problem. I'm glad I didn't have to bother your mom.”“Annoying is the right word,” Wallace replies sourly.The waiter approaches and Wallace deliberately chooses the most expensive option of the day. But Renan reacts as if the dish cost only R$5.00.Wallace suddenly smiles with relief as
The election is over. Tobias Ibrahim is elected as the next mayor of Lagoon City for the next four years.Josias was present at the arena where the vote count took place. When the victory was confirmed, everyone who was with the inaugurated mayor celebrated with champagne and fireworks.But Josias's joy was not complete when he saw Renan Vasconcelos among them. Beside him, there was a girl in a provocative, low-cut dress. Was it her...?He puts those moments out of his mind for now. What matters now is greeting the new mayor, “Congratulations, Tobias! May your governance be as wonderful as your father's, bringing happiness and prosperity to the citizens of Lagoon City.”“Thank you so much, my friend Josias, for supporting me!” Tobias could have taken off to the moon with so much happiness, “This victory is yours too!”“Good, let’s all be blessed!” Josias whispers in his ear, “Just don't trust that Mr. Vasconcelos.”Tobias just chuckles, thinking Josias was joking.Our hero is not sati