On the day of the next issue of Maggiezine, all readers bought their copy or had a copy delivered to their homes by mail.And the reading was graceful and interesting, especially concerning Isabel Freire's autograph session.However, when avid readers reached the gossip column...******Isabel was in her room putting on red lipstick. The grape-colored dress fit her perfectly, and the high heels were in the living room, waiting to be put on.The landline rang vigorously while Isabel put on her makeup. She expected them to give up...Reuben answered, wearing his school uniform, “Hello?”On the other end, Carmen is on the line, “Good morning, Reuben. Can I speak to your grandmother?”“She's getting really pretty for the book signing. Are you going too?”“For sure.” Carmen giggles, “When she can talk...”Isabel appears in the living room, “Who is it, Reuben?”“Mrs. Bento.” Reuben passes the mouthpiece to Isabel.Isabel answers, “Carmen, how are you?”Carmen changes her voice from motherly
Katherine is horrified when she reads the Maggiezine article in one of the living rooms. She quickly yells at one of the maids.“Did you call me, madam?”“Cremate this damn magazine immediately!” she orders nervously."Yes ma'am." The maid picks up the magazine as if it were full of maggots.Katherine is wide-eyed, sweating, and breathing hard. This cannot happen! I knew I was photographed, but if I knew it was someone from Maggiezine... why would those bastards do this to me?Katherine then has a flash of intelligence. She smiles as she remembers the rumor that Octavio wanted to bar Daryl Mountain from his wedding, even though his cousin was marrying Jack in the same ceremony. Josias was the one who stopped this madness. And Josias had told her, days before, about Daryl repeating what she'd told Melissa and Kelvin about Alan having the throne threatened...“It's the damned Mountains, it had to be! And in their midst... MELISSA!”Katherine takes an expensive vase and throws it into th
At the Marçal bookstore, Isabel was visibly upset by the question of the journalist that couldn't be more than twenty-five. Is he still an intern or apprentice to Vernon?“Young man, I don't want to discuss this unpleasant matter.”“Do you think the swimming instructor is innocent or guilty?” He insists as if he didn't hear what Isabel said.Francisco tries to push the journalist, “Comrade, move away or ask questions concerning the autograph session. We don't want to get involved in other people's affairs.”“But you are practically the family!” The journalist tries to convince them, “Mr. Mountain, you are Melissa Campos's current husband's uncle. Surely you—”The door opens and Bernardo and Maggie enter.“Is everything okay here, guys?”“Bernie, get rid of this abusive journalist!” Isabel demands, “He doesn't want to ask about my books or my family; he only came to reap more controversial statements about Josias and Kate!”Maggie takes the lead, “Young man, I suggest you stick to what
Isabel's autograph session began. Security guards and store inspectors had to control the flow of fans so they wouldn't crowd like wild animals at the famous writer's table.Some had already bought the book but wanted to buy another one just to have Isabel Freire's valuable autograph. Who knows, in the future, this copy may be sold for a more appreciated value...Francisco being on Isabel's side scared away men between 50 and 60 years old who were romantically interested in her. Isabel never showed her age and was considered a 'hot grandma' by them.“Honey, why do readers break their smiles when it's their turn?”Francisco smiles from the corner of his mouth, “It's not because they see you, honey, it's because they see ME. Smarties...”“Your girlfriend is famous and coveted by senior males. Can you handle it, honey?” Isabel asks playfully.“Of course!” Francisco responds good-naturedly, “At the end of the day, I'm the one with you...”Isabel melts like sugar. The next reader appears a
The press who were dying to glean some bombshell information during Isabel's book signing rushed to see Mrs. Kate Rocha slapping Mrs. Maggie Marçal.Celebrity fight always gives an audience!But Bernardo and Francisco were faster and stopped the two ladies.Bernardo roars, “What's going on here? Mrs. Rocha, why did you hit my wife?”“Your wife is a damn gossiper!” Katherine screams at the top of her lungs, “By what authorization did she have to divulge personal matters?”Maggie massages her burning cheek. Bernardo keeps holding her so she doesn't jump on top of Katherine.“Kate, I thought I was doing a public benefit!” Maggie asserts, indignant, “That man harassed you. Why would you want to keep it hidden?”“This wasn’t necessarily hidden, the police were already taking care of it!” Katherine retorts, “Now the swimming instructor is going to flee Brazil when he sees his face in the magazine. That’s if he hasn’t already!”Bernardo responds, “Wait, until yesterday, this guy was giving C
Josias could hardly believe it when he heard that his wife had been involved in fights. He turned red with anger and his eyes boiled with indignation, “What does this mean? How did my wife get involved in such a scandal?”“Melissa would never get involved in that.” Rosemary asserts.Beto hurriedly approaches, “Daughter, don’t get involved in this matter.”Josias nods, “It's okay, Beto. I need to check this further. Excuse me, see you another day!”Rosemary and Pedro say goodbye, “Bye, Uncle Josias!”Josias waves goodbye with a slight smile and leaves.Rosemary turns to Beto, “Dad, now that it's just us, we need to talk about our family.”Beto is interested, “What is it, Rose?”“Will the other baby my mother bore count as our half-brother as well?” Rosemary asks with displeasure.“I don't even know his name.” Pedro scratches his head, confused.Beto purses his lips. Pamela's promiscuity confuses her children! “Guys, in a way, he's your half-brother. Now I cannot guarantee a normal coex
Katherine is crying her eyes out on the bed in the master suite at Rocha Mansion. She's already in her nightgown even though it's still afternoon.J.J. enters the room and is startled by what he sees, “Mom, are you feeling ill?”“Don’t worry, son. Mom has already taken a pill. Go play with Alan.”“Alan left, remember?”“Fortunately...”“What?” J.J. widens his eyes.“It was nothing, son, Mommy has a fever.” Katherine doesn't face her son.“I'm going to check if Daddy's coming.” J.J. slowly walks out of the suite.Coincidentally, Josias appears and bumps into his son in the hallway, “J.J., is your mother here?”“Yes, Dad! She's in the room with a fever! Don't worry, she's already taken a pill.” J.J. responds with an angelic smile, “Daddy, Mommy isn’t going to die, is she?”Josias had to stop himself from saying yes. He just strokes his son's hair and leads him further away from the master suite door.Katherine heard Josias's voice and tried to force tears to sad him.Josias returns to t
At Marçal Bookstore, Wallace, Vera, and Reuben appeared to greet Isabel. The session is finally over and Isabel exercises her hand to relieve the pain of so much autographing.“It seemed like the queue would never end!” Isabel exclaims with a smile, “But I'm glad the session was a success.”Wallace clears his throat, “I was at the construction site when the radio announced an assault here.”“Yes, Kate came out of nowhere and slapped Maggie. It was because of the article.” Isabel shrugs.Vera wonders, “But why is Kate nervous? I think everyone should know about the depraved instructor!”Isabel purses her lips, “Tiago Bento and Carmen informed us that Mr. Guzman is innocent and that Kate invented this slur. It's all a misunderstanding that's growing like a snowball. Josias, the poor fellow, still hasn't read Maggiezine or his father's article.”“This is impossible!” Wallace exclaims.“That's why I also feel like there's something wrong with this story.” Isabel scratches her chin, “But m