The Tide of Fortune

Chapter 9 In the Ballroom Hotel

At the men's store, Reginaldo has already tried on the tuxedo and is at the checkout paying for his purchase. The credit card has been swiped, and the purchase has been approved.

Reginaldo smiles satisfied, the credit is real.

The awful seller approaches with extreme surprise, "What happened here? The purchase was approved?"

The intern replies with debauchery, "The terminal beeped approving it, are you deaf?"

"But how is that possible? Marcio, a credit card has to belong to the holder with ID!"

Reginaldo interrupts him sternly, "Shut up, you idiot! You tried to belittle me for my looks, but now you've lost a sale! And I'm very happy about the commission Marcio will get. Now get out of my way, I won't call the manager to complain."

The salesman takes the hint and walks away.

The lady clerk carefully puts the suit away in a large bag.

"Thank you very much, young lady. Marcio, in the future I want to reward you for this kindness." Reginaldo affirms like a sovereign.

Marcio is surprised, "You're welcome, sir! I just did my job."

Reginaldo smiles lightly, "You certainly did more than the ordinary. I won't forget you."

Reginaldo picks up his tuxedo and hurriedly leaves.

******

At the Ferreira house, Laura doesn't want to challenge her parents as openly as Eduardo wanted.

"Ed, you are getting ahead of yourself. Like I told you, I want to have fun at the party."

Eduardo repeats stubbornly, "Let's have fun rubbing it in everyone's face that you're mine."

"And when a reporter asks a neighbor about you, he'll tell him that my husband is actually someone else."

"Your neighbors are discreet; otherwise they would have already told someone that you are married. Come on, Laura, have a backbone, and let's fight for our love!" For Eduardo, everything has an easy solution.

"And are you sure you will support my quirks with your books?" Laura teases him, "Because be sure that I will be disinherited."

Edward wants to tear his hair out such as his anger, "Do you really care? I've never seen you lift a finger in that hotel."

Laura smiles debauchedly, "And I probably never will! I hate to serve, I want to be served!"

Eduardo smiles and extends his arm, "Then let's go, it's getting late."

Eduardo and Laura leave.

In the outside area, Eduardo's car almost collides with Reginaldo's car which enters at high speed. Reginaldo honks his horn furiously, but Eduardo's car continues on its way.

Reginaldo parks and turns off the engine.

"What an imbecile! He came here again to take my wife. Well, just wait..."

******

Hotel Ferreira.

The ballroom is packed with high society people, mostly Sunset Village residents. Tuxedoed gentlemen of the most varied styles and ladies in their glamorous dresses. The younger the woman, the more low-cut the dress.

The birthday girl was one of those who was wearing a strapless, sleeveless dress, and the short length of the dress made it clear that she was without a bra and panties.

Antonio walks out with his wife Marianne and leaves greeting all the guests.

"The party looks wonderful, Tony."

"Thank you, darling. I had it organized so you would enjoy it too."

"And our birthday girl—" Marina is in shock when she sees the birthday girl's dress, "Ehr... looks like she wants to get pregnant today."

"I wonder if she has become friends with our daughter?" Antonio asks sourly.

Marianne frowns, "Honey, stop belittling our daughter. It's not her fault she was raped by a maniac. It's not her fault that she was forced to marry the rapist."

Antonio replies sternly, "In the 1950s, a father would force the pervert who deflowered his beloved daughter to marry her. Why can't I do the same?"

"Is it because we’re in 2021 and not 1951?"

Marianne grabs a glass of champagne and walks away with grace and elegance. Antonio is not amused.