Chapter 60 – Flying Over Paradise
March 4, 2026 – Rio de Janeiro
The day dawned perfectly in Rio de Janeiro.
The sky was blue without a single cloud, the sun was shining brightly, and a warm breeze blew from the beach, bringing the scent of the sea.
It was the ideal setting for what Gustavo had planned.
His friends had already experienced Carnival, the barbecue, the energy of the Brazilian people…
But now, he wanted to show Rio de Janeiro in a way that few tourists had the chance to see.
On the spacious balcony of his house, Gustavo was wearing a white t-shirt and shorts, barefoot, preparing a hearty breakfast for his guests.
There was a table full of tropical fruits, coffee, cheese bread, tapioca, scrambled eggs and natural juices.
Little by little, the others started to appear.
Timothée was the first to come down, still in his pajamas and with his eyes puffy from sleep.
"Are you a morning person?" he asked, grabbing a cup of coffee.
Gustavo laughed.
"Only when I have a special mission."
Kendall and Kylie came in soon after, both wearing light summer clothes and sunglasses.
Kylie looked at the table and widened her eyes.
"Okay, I could live in this country just for the food."
Justin and Hailey arrived, arms around each other, looking like they had slept wonderfully well.
"I'm already addicted to this Brazilian breakfast," Justin commented, grabbing a cheese bread.
Hailey poured herself a passion fruit juice and sighed.
"What do you have planned for us today, Gustavo?"
Gustavo smiled sideways.
"I'm going to show you Rio in a way you'll never forget."
Timothée raised an eyebrow.
— What does that mean?
Gustavo took a piece of papaya, chewed it slowly, and then announced:
— Today, we're going by helicopter.
The silence lasted three seconds.
Then Kylie slammed her hands on the table excitedly.
— DO YOU HAVE A HELICOPTER?!
Gustavo laughed.
— Yes. And I'm a certified pilot.
Timothée's eyes widened.
— Wait… we're going to FLY over Rio, piloted by you?!
— Exactly.
Hailey looked at Justin and smiled.
— This is going to be EPIC.
A short time later, the group arrived at the private helipad where Gustavo's helicopter was parked.
It was a luxurious model, with panoramic windows, perfect for an unforgettable view of the city.
Before getting in, Gustavo put on his aviator sunglasses and adjusted the controls.
— All right, guys. Everyone buckled up?
"Yes, Captain!" Timothée joked.
Kendall and Kylie were recording animated stories, showing off the aircraft.
"First time in Brazil and we're already flying over Rio in a helicopter. Not bad," Kylie said.
Justin smiled and took out his cell phone camera.
"This guy can do it all. He wins an Oscar, sambas on stage, flies a plane… Gustavo, is there anything you don't do?"
Gustavo laughed and turned the controls.
"Cook. I'm terrible at cooking."
Timothée patted him on the shoulder.
"Well, nobody's perfect."
And then…
The helicopter began to take off, rising gently.
Everyone's eyes widened as the city began to reveal itself below them.
The first stop was Brazil's most famous postcard:
Christ the Redeemer, with open arms over the city, shining in the sun.
— This is INSANE! — Hailey screamed, pointing at the statue.
Kendall looked on in shock.
— This looks like a movie set, but it's REAL.
Timothée took off his sunglasses and stared in silence, impressed.
— Man... this is something I'll never forget.
Gustavo smiled and gently turned the plane so everyone could have the best possible view.
— Now do you understand why I love this place?
Justin took out his phone and went live on Instagram.
— I'm officially obsessed with Brazil.
In the comments, fans were freaking out.
"JUSTIN, TIMOTHÉE AND KYLIE IN RIO?!? IS THIS REAL?"
"GUSTAVO, THE BEST TOUR GUIDE IN THE WORLD."
"OMG, WHERE ARE THEY GOING NOW?"
And the answer came right after.
Gustavo gently turned the helicopter and pointed it forward.
"Hold your phones. Now, let's go to Copacabana."
The view of Copacabana from up there was indescribable.
The blue sea mingled with white waves, while the golden sand sparkled in the sun.
People walked along the iconic boardwalk, cyclists pedaled, and the city pulsated with life.
Kylie put her hand on her chest.
"This is one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen."
Kendall agreed.
"The combination of beach and city… It's perfect."
Hailey took out her phone and took several photos.
"Gustavo, we need to come back here every year. I'm serious."
The helicopter then approached Sugarloaf Mountain, that iconic rock formation that seemed to float over the sea.
Timothée took several photos and laughed.
"I'm going to print these photos and hang them in my house."
— Do it. — Gustavo laughed.
And then, he announced the next stop.
— Now, I'll take you to a beach that almost no one knows about. Only we will be there.
Everyone's eyes lit up with excitement.
"EXCLUSIVITY?" Justin exclaimed. "Okay, now I'm excited."
Gustavo guided the helicopter to a more secluded area of the coast, away from the busy beaches.
It was a small cove hidden between mountains, with white sand and crystal clear water.
"This is paradise," Kendall whispered.
"It looks like a movie set," Kylie added.
Gustavo landed the helicopter gently and smiled.
"Welcome to the quietest part of Rio."
Everyone got out, took off their shoes and felt the soft sand under their feet.
Timothée went straight to the sea, feeling the warm water.
"I never want to leave here."
Hailey and Kylie were already taking photos and videos for their social media.
Justin opened his arms and took a deep breath.
— Okay, Gustavo. You convinced me. I NEED to buy a house here in Brazil.
Gustavo laughed and patted him on the shoulder.
— I'll help you find the best one.
And so, the group enjoyed an entire day in this private paradise.
They swam, relaxed on the sand, drank coconut water and laughed until the sun went down.
It was the kind of experience that none of them would ever forget.
And deep down, Gustavo knew…
He had just turned all of them into lifelong fans of Brazil.
Chapter 61 – Farewell to Brazil (For Now)
March 5, 2026 – Private Airport, Rio de Janeiro
The afternoon sun shone brightly on the hot asphalt of the private airport, where a luxury jet was already prepared to take off for Los Angeles.
In the exclusive terminal, Gustavo and his famous friends walked calmly, but the mood was one of farewell.
After days of experiencing the best of Brazil, it was now time for their guests to return to the hectic routine of Hollywood.
But none of them really wanted to leave.
Before arriving at the airport, Gustavo and the others had spent the day relaxing in the pool at his house, enjoying their last moments in Brazil.
Timothée, who until then had been more reserved about this type of experience, had been the first to confess:
"Man, I never imagined I would fall so in love with a place. Rio is surreal."
Kylie was still holding a coconut in her hand, taking the last sip of water.
— Seriously, Gustavo. This was one of the most incredible trips I've ever been on.
Kendall, who was now wearing comfortable pants and a light sweatshirt for the flight, smiled and looked at his friend.
— You have no idea what you've done. We're leaving here OBSESSED with Brazil.
Hailey Bieber quickly hugged Gustavo.
— And I'm still digesting that barbecue. I won't be able to eat meat in the US for a while.
Justin laughed and crossed his arms.
— And I swear I'm going to learn how to play the tambourine by the next time I come.
Gustavo laughed out loud.
— I'll hold you to it, Bieber. Next time, you'll play at Carnival.
Now, walking towards the jet, everyone was visibly exhausted, but happy.
When they arrived at the private hangar, the jet was already ready, the engines humming lightly in the warm late afternoon air.
The pilot waited next to the aircraft's stairs, while the assistants organized the guests' bags.
Gustavo looked at everyone and crossed his arms.
"So that's it? Are you going to abandon me in Brazil?"
Timothée laughed and patted him on the shoulder.
"Brother, if you stay here, Hollywood will send a rescue team. You have to go back too."
Gustavo smiled and made a calming gesture.
"Don't worry. I'll be back in Los Angeles soon. And when I get there, we'll meet again."
Kylie took out her cell phone and opened Instagram.
"Okay, before boarding, I need to post one last goodbye story."
She started recording, catching Gustavo and the others in the background.
"This is the sad moment. We're leaving Brazil after CRAZY days. But we'll be back, right, Gustavo?"
Gustavo smiled at the camera and winked.
"Definitely." Next time, you guys come to Carnival AGAIN. And I'll make you parade in a samba school.
Kendall raised her hands.
"I'm in! But only if I can wear an amazing costume."
Hailey pointed at Kylie.
"Kylie has to come as a drum queen."
Kylie laughed.
"Oh my God, can you imagine?!"
Timothée pointed at Gustavo.
"And you? Are you going to parade too?"
Gustavo crossed his arms and smiled.
"If it's to represent Brazil properly, of course."
Before boarding, one by one, everyone said goodbye to Gustavo.
Timothée was the first to hug him.
"Man, thanks for everything. This trip was unique."
"We're with you, bro. And get your samba ready for next year."
Kylie and Kendall hugged Gustavo together.
— You've officially won us over. See you in LA.
Justin and Hailey were the last ones.
Hailey smiled and held Gustavo's hand for a second.
— I swear I'll come back to this paradise.
Justin pointed at him.
— And I'll practice my tambourine. I promise.
Gustavo laughed and punched Justin on the shoulder.
— I hope so. And when I get back to LA, we'll schedule something.
As soon as everyone got on the jet, Gustavo stood on the runway, watching as the engines gained power.
He took out his cell phone and recorded one last story, showing the aircraft in the background.
📸 Caption:
"And there they go. But don't worry, Brazil. They'll be back. Everyone's back."
The jet began to move slowly, accelerating until it took off and disappeared into the horizon.
Gustavo stood there for a moment, watching.
He knew that trip had been special.
And he knew the next time would be even bigger.
With one last smile, he put on his sunglasses and turned to leave.
He still had many stories to live.
And Los Angeles was waiting for him.
Chapter 62 – Reuniting with the Family
March 6, 2026 – Rio de Janeiro
After weeks of an insane journey, between awards, parties, Carnival and trips around Brazil, Gustavo finally had a moment to breathe.
He had lived days that seemed like something out of a movie: winning the Oscar, taking Hollywood to Carnival, flying a helicopter over Rio… But in the midst of all this, one thing was left behind.
His family.
Everything had been so rushed that, despite exchanging messages and making a few quick calls, he had barely seen his brother Walter Salles and his parents since he returned to Brazil.
Now, it was time to fix that.
The afternoon sun was shining brightly, and Gustavo was driving his SUV through the streets of Leblon, heading to the restaurant where he had arranged to meet his family.
In the passenger seat, his cell phone rang.
He looked at the screen and saw Fernanda Torres' name.
He answered with a smile.
— Nanda! You called me? That's a miracle.
— Oh, oh, well… Did the celebrity finally remember us?
Gustavo laughed out loud.
— What are you kidding me about? I was dealing with diplomatic matters between Hollywood and Brazil.
— Oh, sure. And does that include jumping off the Oscar stage and making foreigners dance samba?
— Exactly.
She laughed on the other end of the line.
— Well, have you reunited with your family yet?
— I'm going now. All that's left is you and Selton for us to reunite everyone.
— Then let me know when it's time for real. I want to see your face in person after all this.
— Deal. Now let me go, because if I'm late, my mother will kill me.
They said goodbye, and Gustavo went to the restaurant.
As soon as he entered the restaurant, Gustavo saw Walter sitting at the table, talking to his parents.
Upon seeing him, the three of them smiled broadly.
His mother stood up first, walking quickly towards him.
— MY BOY!
She hugged him tightly, and Gustavo felt the familiar warmth he hadn't felt in weeks.
— Hi, Mom. — He smiled, closing his eyes for a moment.
His father came right after, patting him on the shoulder proudly.
— We finally got to see you in person! You've become a meteor, boy.
Walter, always calmer, stood up and opened his arms.
— Come here, champ.
Gustavo hugged his older brother and let out a long sigh.
— Wow... I needed this.
They sat at the table, and the waiter quickly brought juices and some appetizers.
Gustavo's mother couldn't stop smiling.
— My son… I have no words to say how proud I am of you.
His father nodded.
— You made history, Gustavo. We knew you had talent, but this? An Oscar for Best Actor? The whole country stopped for you!
Gustavo laughed and took a piece of cheese bread.
— Look, I'm still processing all of this myself. It's as if it happened to someone else.
Walter, always observant, took a sip of coffee and looked at him.
— And you? How are you dealing with all of this?
Gustavo was silent for a moment, reflecting.
— It's crazy. A year ago, I was nervous because my first film was going to premiere in Venice. Now, I'm giving an interview on an American talk show and dancing at the Oscars.
The three of them laughed.
His mother touched his hand affectionately.
— My son, just don't let this rush keep you away from us. I know the world wants a piece of you now, but… we are your foundation.
Gustavo held her hand and smiled.
"I know, mom. And I promise I won't disappear."
Walter patted his brother on the shoulder.
"You better not disappear. After all, now you have to start thinking about your next project."
"I'm already on it. I just want to breathe a little before diving into another movie."
Gustavo's father smiled.
"Well, for now, enjoy this moment. You deserve every second of it."
Gustavo smiled, finally feeling like he was truly home.
Because, no matter how much the world called him, his family would always be his safe haven.
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