07:00 p.m., Crystal Blue.
Cláudio was wearing a gray suit and matching tie, waiting at one of the tables for the partner of the night that will never come.
He rushed to make the reservation as soon as he had ‘confirmation’ from Nadia. Daryl chose the best available table and even discounted the price of the grilled salmon.
Now he was at the reception desk acting as maître d’. But to his surprise, Claudio’s lady still hasn’t shown up...
Jacques and Ingrid walk in, talking excitedly.
“Good evening, Mr. Mountain!” Jacques greets him, “Please arrange a table for two.”
“We know you have free tables,” Ingrid says.
Daryl is uncomfortable. Was Ingrid mocking the fact that the number of patrons had dropped because of the rumors? “Yes, we have vacant tables. Ehr...” Daryl lowers his voice, “I was waiting for Nadia Lafayette.”
“Our
In Rodrigo’s apartment, he and Nadia are having the time of their lives, having a romantic dinner.Rodrigo wasn’t 100% sure that Nadia would accept the invitation, so he had to speed up certain preparations. For example, the song he picked up on the radio, “If Tomorrow Never Comes” by Ronan Keating, while beautiful, was not necessarily a message of love. He had also asked Isabel to help cook something Italian while she prepared her clothes.When Nadia arrived at the apartment wearing a beautiful dark green dress with an accentuated waist, she knocked on the door and was answered by an elegant Rodrigo in a black suit and gelled hair. He held out one hand, handing her a red rose with no thorns.“Awn, thanks.”“Welcome.” Rodrigo smiles at her and invites her inside.Now, dinner was winding down and the couple got to know each other better.“I would love to meet your sister.” Nadia says
The next day, Josias is having breakfast with Alan.“Dad, I was elected the valedictorian of my high school graduation. Would I be able to deliver a good speech? I’m gonna ask Hector to write something nice for me.”Josias chokes on the latte he was drinking, “Cough, cough! What is it, son? No, don’t order any of that! Sit down at my desk and put your gray matter to work!”Alan is fearful, “I wouldn’t know how to tell my colleagues. Obviously, Principal Fernandez expects me to give a speech like the President of the Republic because I’m your son.”Josias smiles and strokes his head, “First you write, and then you pass the outline to me. I’ll help you with the details, but the central idea has to come from your head. Say what you hope for the future and motivate your colleagues to succeed in life.”“Would it be the same thing?” Alan wonders, “I’ll g
Daryl Mountain and Josias Rocha meet face-to-face after several weeks of avoiding confrontation. But something inside Daryl said it was better to settle this peacefully.“Daryl, thanks for coming.” Josias smiles and extends his hand to him, “I thought you weren’t serious.”“I’ve been speaking frankly.” Daryl shakes Josias’s hand, “We need to speak urgently, Josias.”“Sit down.” Josias points to an upholstered armchair for him.Daryl sits down. Josias sits facing each other. The armchairs were moved by him precisely for this meaningful conversation.Josias admired Daryl’s English-cut suit. He was also in a navy blue suit, thinking of leaving for work after talking to the owner of Crystal Blue.“Josias, I think you know why I came here.” Daryl starts.“I suggest you speak.” Josias smiles slightly.Daryl sighs. He will force
At Rocha Mansion, the controversial chat between Daryl and Josias continues.Daryl was surprised by Josias mentioning some secret of his.“Josias... what secret are you talking about? And even if there was a secret, how did you find out about it?”Josias smirks, “His second question cancels out the first. You just confirmed that you do have a secret.”Daryl breaks into a sweat, “OK, what do you know about me?”Josias leans forward, “I know why you had to adopt Felipe.”Daryl starts to get puzzled, “Josias, have you been researching my heir?”“No, that’s not it.” Josias nods, “I managed to get in touch with Dr. Antenor, a former lab colleague of Dr. Silvana.”“OK!” Daryl gestures, “I got it! You figured it out, huh? And now you’re going to use that to keep me on a leash while you snatch Melissa away from my little br
Josias gave permission and encouragement for Daryl to fire the pistol at him.“Come on, Daryl! You couldn’t get anyone to side with you in the war, that’s why you smartly came to ask for forgiveness. It wasn’t because you repented of your sins. You still think Melissa deserves to be with Kelvin. You still think you did the right thing by shoving Gabriela into my life. You still think Octavio is the enemy when the truth is the opposite. You just came thinking about getting rid of the blame. For that, I don’t forgive you and we’ll continue to be enemies. Satisfied? So, FIRE!”Daryl remains standing still, aiming, aiming......Until he decided to put the gun back in his pocket.“I better withdraw. We got nothing. But at least I tried.” Daryl gets up.Josias is disgusted, “What have you tried? Daryl, if you have nothing else to say, GET OUT OF HERE!”“Not before telling you
At Café Montanha, Daryl is irritated by the unusual result of the conversation he had with Josias. He approached the counter.“Can I get you some chamomile tea, Daryl?” Isabel asks gently.“Please, Isabel.” Daryl sits on the barstool, “I’m ruined.”Francisco is worried, “What happened?”“I visited Josias in an attempt to make amends.” Daryl responds, frowning.“Oh, what good news!” Francisco vibrates.“You assume that Josias accepted, eh, Uncle?” Daryl retorts bitterly.Rodrigo swallows hard, “He didn’t accept?”“No.” Daryl huffs, “He insists on getting Melissa back, no matter how much it hurts Kelvin and the twins.”Wallace chimes in, “Daryl, remember that Josias always loved Melissa, and she—”“And she loves my little brother!” Daryl punches the
At Café Montanha, Daryl was already gone, calmer. Alan and Reuben were at the counter talking to Rodrigo. The radio plays “Stay Together to the Kids” by Blink 182.“Good thing the War was canceled.” Reuben rejoices, “See? Whoever said Uncle Josias was a bad guy didn’t know what he was saying.”“I also thank God for that.” Rodrigo smiles, “Still, all that talk made it easier for me to have my kitten.”“Wow, congrats, Rod!” Alan congratulates him, “Do we know who the lucky one is?”“Yes, Miss Lafayette.” Rodrigo advertises as a herald.As soon as he finishes pronouncing the last name, Cláudio enters the cafeteria.“But... are you already bragging about depraving my girl?”Alan and Reuben are startled by the outburst.Rodrigo gestures for the young people to move to the back of the counter, “Cláudio, what do you want now? Watch out, you’re in my territory.”Cláudio smirks, “Isn’t your territory the modeling agency, where do you take those indecent photos in Calvin Klein underwear?”Rodri
The inauguration of the Uélton Freire Orphanage has arrived.It was a memorable occasion. Josias, once again, was summoned to give a speech. The Freire family was present, dressed elegantly.Tobias brought some children who were waiting at the Minor Institute to be transferred to their new home. Photographers did not skimp on pictures with them.Balloons were released into the air and fireworks were set off.Josias is given a wireless microphone and starts talking, “Hello, citizens of Lagoon City! I’m getting savvy in the art of opening public buildings in this city, eh?”The audience applauds, cheers, and laughs, all at the same time! Josias is a citizen loved by the people!Alan just watches how Josias is admired and yearns to achieve the same level of respect and power.“They love your daddy, buddy,” Reuben whispers to him. Both are wearing suits and ties.“Yes, and I hope they love me too.”Josias continues, “Well, you already know who Uélton Freire is. I’ll never get tired until