Josias has the odd feeling that Melissa has brought Caroline along to make it easier for him to accept that they are leaving Lagoon City.So, he continues to chat with Caroline and totally ignores Melissa, “What about your Mom's soap opera?”“Mom will talk to the LCN guys tomorrow. And we're going to have a little farewell party. Will you appear?”“No, daughter. We better say goodbye here.” Josias feels his voice trembling.“OK, see you on school holidays, Daddy!” Caroline hugs Josias once more.“Can I have a few words with your mother, Carol?”“Sure! I'm going to the mansion to say goodbye to Alan.” Caroline breaks the hug and leaves the lounge.Melissa's peace of mind went down the drain when Josias proposed to his daughter to leave.After the door closes, Josias shoots Melissa a stern look, “So you've decided to leave? After everything we've been t
Josias enters the mansion and finds Caroline, as mentioned before, saying goodbye to her brother in the main living room.But Reuben and Pedro are present and take the opportunity to do the same.However, Reuben is more devastated than Alan and fervently hugs his future wife, “CAROL! NO, don't go away! Why do you need to go to college if your future is already guaranteed at Maggiezine?”Caroline laughs, “Oh, you mean I can do my job without studying? It makes no sense!”Reuben breaks the hug and looks at her deeply, “You can do it because you are perfect.”Pedro clears his throat, “We will miss you, Carol. Say hello to Junior for us.”“He must be big.” Caroline laughs.Josias enters the living room, “He is twenty years old. Hello, son, hello, Pedro.”“Uncle Josias...” Pedro lifts an imaginary hat.Alan crosses his arms, “Dad, are yo
Josias is now alone in his office, in his blue robe, trying to read a book by Stendhal, but Melissa's departure has prevented him from concentrating. Alan enters the enclosure and finds his father restless.“Father, are you sure—”“Son, don't confuse me.” Josias scolds him, “Your mother decided to stay with her current husband, even though I declared my love to her.”“Father, that is a risk you took.” Alan scratches his chin, “After all, my Mom isn't free. If my mother was someone like Angela or Kate, she would have cheated on Kelvin years ago.”“Precisely why I want her.” Josias buries his hands in his head, “She's a different woman. And damn Kelvin knows that, which is why he wants to take her away from me.”“Take her away?”“Son, do you definitely believe that this talk of opening a Crystal Blue branch came out of nowhere, with no u
Simeon calmly responds to William, “Son, I think we better stay out of this intrigue.”“Why?” William widens his eyes, “Do you want Melissa to go away?”Simeon smiles confidently, “No, but she needs to follow her husband wherever he goes. I'm sure she would do the same with Josias.”“She should as well be Josias's wife now.” William scoffs.“Do you think that if Melissa wants to, the distance would be a hindrance?” Simeon asks.William thinks for a few seconds, then smiles, “No. Josias and Melissa, if they are meant for each other, would find a way to get together even if Melissa moves to Johannesburg!”“So, there we have our hope, son!” Simeon taps William's arm, “We need not scheme anything, nor stoop to the level of the Mountains. If it's God's will, Melissa and Josias will be together.”“Well, I'm sure of one thing: if
Kelvin and Melissa throw a farewell party at the Mountain Penthouse, which will soon be changing hands.Despite the song “Let’s Dance” by Five, no one was in the mood for it.Alan arrives and hugs his mother once more, “Mom, I can't believe we're going to get any further away! Can I visit you on school holidays?”“Of course, you can, son!” Melissa emotes, “Kelvin won't object. Alright, dear?”Kelvin nods smiling, “Absolutely. I’ll miss you, Alan. You are a fellow that I had the pleasure of taking care of.”Alan smiles at his stepdad, “And you continue to take care of my little sister and my twin brothers. Where are they?”“Here!” Ignacio manifests. He and Mary appear in casual attire.Alan hugs the twins. Caroline wipes her tears gently with a Chinese silk handkerchief.Dora and Simeon are next to arrive.“Hello! How is the food preparation going?” Dora asks.“The pizzas are baking,” Melissa responds.“It was kind of Will to give up these pizzas.” Kelvin asserts.Simeon doesn't greet
Ironically, the radio is playing Emma Bunton's “What Took You So Long” when Kelvin and Melissa wanted Gabriela to take forever to not get to the party.And she still asks for Josias?“Josias says he won’t attend.” Melissa responds with a grim countenance, “And you don't know my kids well enough to say goodbye.”“But I know you, your family... and it's a Mountain family party, correct?”“Listen here, you slut—” Kelvin starts cussing.Bernardo approaches them, “Miss Alves? What a pleasure to see you here. Come in, we need to talk to you.”Gabriela widens her eyes, “Bernie? Why are you calling me formally?”Bernardo turns to Melissa, “Can I use your office, sister-in-law?”“Sure, Bernie!” Melissa points in that direction.Bernardo and Gabriela go to the office. Maggie approaches Melissa with a platter of pizza.“Do you want? What are Bernardo and Gabriela going to talk about?”Melissa and Kelvin each choose a slice.“I think today is the time to slaughter the steer.” Kelvin laughs before
Everyone is surprised by the unexpected voice before toasting.Melissa frowns. She expected Josias, but it wasn’t him. Where had she heard that voice before?The Mountain family is stunned when they see CLÁUDIO GUZMAN returning wearing a dark green suit and matching tie. A new close-cropped hairstyle and two-day stubble completed the look. On the lips, a victorious and... charming smile for the late Kate Bezerra Rocha.“Like this? I just got back and you guys are leaving?”“MR. GUZMAN!” Caroline and the other children run up and hug him, “We miss you!”“Are you going to teach Carol swimming in Victoria?”“Reuben!” Isabel puts her hand on her glabella. That grandson of hers...Cláudio laughs pleasantly, “I'm glad I was missed.”Caroline is sad, “Mr. Guzman... did you hear that Kate and my little brother J.J. passed away?”“Yes, I was waiting for their plane at the airport when they broke the news.” Cláudio responds by glaring at Kelvin and Daryl, “Since I was left alone in America, I d
The next day, Melissa, Kelvin, Caroline, Mary, and Ignacio take a last look at the Mountain Penthouse that served them as their home for so many years. The radio, TV, and furniture were left for Daryl and Diana to enjoy.“I moved into this penthouse in 1984, and this was the first home for all my children.” Melissa emotionally attests, “Good times we had here.”“Now we're going to have something truly ours, darling, bought with our money.” Kelvin asserts.Daryl and Diane walk in, “Good morning! Are we feeling better?”“Hey, guys!” Melissa hugs Diane.Daryl takes Kelvin aside, “Allow me to have a few words with you, little brother.”“I even imagine what it is. Claudio Guzman.” Kelvin mutters.“That imbecile has nothing against us, just an unnatural desire for revenge.” Daryl states, “Don't worry, you leaving for Victoria has become a deliverance.”“But what about you, big brother?” Kelvin genuinely worries, “I confess I'm relieved, but I worry about leaving you and Maggie behind.”“I t