I’ve never seen my dad cry. Even at Mom's funeral, he was unshakable like a rock. I was angry with him then; I couldn't believe he could be so indifferent. But during the night, I went downstairs to get a glass of water, and I heard him crying in his home office. The door was closed, and I didn't see him, but I heard that he was really crushed. I was a sixteen-year-old girl who didn't know what to do, so I just went back to my room to deal with my own grief.
"Dad, I'm sorry," I mumble. "I didn't mean to upset you. I just wanted you to know that I appreciate everything you gave me: my life, this home, our company. I want to celebrate this with you."
"Honey, I feel upset, yes." He exhales loudly, and my heart begins to ache with this pain I feel inside. "Not because of what you said, but because you think that way and, moreover, you thought so throughout all these years."
I stay silent, afraid to even breathe because I want him to continue speaking.
"You and Chiara were the reason I stopped drinking," he continues. "I was afraid that if I died, I would leave both of you without a father, and I couldn't allow that, not after everything you had been through. And when you came back home from boarding school…that's when I started living again. I knew I had to be strong to be able to take care of you."
I feel tears coming to my eyes this time, but I don't feel upset. I feel relieved. Something I was afraid of for so many years was just a misunderstanding…a misreading by me.
"Honey, I can sell the company and still be happy. I have my house, I have money, I have Valentina. I'm in love at the age of sixty-five, can you believe it?" He gives me a broad smile, and I gladly smile back.
Of course I can believe it because I see it with my own eyes.
"But the most valuable gift this life gave me is you. You and your sister. So please never forget that." Dad stands up, comes closer to me, and takes my head into his palms, giving a kiss to my forehead. Mom used to do that every morning before school.
"She'll come back someday, Dad," I say quietly, and I know he understands perfectly that I'm talking about Chiara.
"I believe so, too," he says with a slight smile. "Are you ready to go?"
"I think I'll have a croissant first," I chirp.
Fundamentally nothing has changed, but I feel so much better now. This painful conversation made me feel better in the end. I’m not afraid to go to the party anymore. I know everything's gonna be okay.
"Valentina spent so much time looking for those food containers," Dad chuckles.
"Dad," I say, giving him the are you serious? look, "she left so we could talk."
For a couple of seconds, he just looks at me, processing the information, and then starts laughing loudly.
"I can't believe I didn't get that."
Chapter Two
Ricardo
I'm standing next to my office window, looking at a rain-flooded London. I watch drops fall onto the glass and then slowly flow down. I do nothing except watch those drops fall, watching as the heavy gray sky covers the city. No phone calls, no messages, no conversations. I simply stand and watch. I guess it's some kind of meditation for me.
It’s rained every day since Angie left. When she was here, the sun shone all the time, and the sky was so blue, as if we’d never left Tuscany. And since the day she walked away, the sun has decided not to show itself either. This city became gray again. And for the first time in my life, it feels so empty.
Empty without her.
I fell in love with London the day I first came here. The weather didn't bother me at all. I was okay with the food, even though it was so different from Italian. I quickly got used to the fast rhythm of life Londoners were living. I enjoyed every second. I was young, stubborn, longing for success, hungry for money, and ready to do anything to achieve my goals and desires. I wanted to win the world and prove to everyone that I was worth something.
And I did everything to become who I am today. I studied a lot, I worked hard, and I fought even harder. There was nothing in this world I could've been scared of on my way to success. Nothing could stop me.
Until her.
She came back to my life, and it changed me completely. She showed me that there is so much more to live for besides money and success. She gave me the strength to believe in love.
And then she walked away…
That's when I started hating this city. My life became miserable and worthless in a moment. I hate my apartment, which always seemed fine but now looks ridiculously big and painfully empty without Angie. I hate my crowded office with people rushing by, requiring something from me, while I just want to be alone. I hate myself for being me, for letting her go again only because I needed to sign the deal.
Ironically, the day after Angie flew back to Tuscany was the day our company finally entered the stock market. The day I officially became a billionaire with over two billion dollars in stock. That means I've achieved everything I've ever wanted.
Except it's not what I want anymore.
It seems that reaching the stock market was my crazy idea since the day I was born. No one ever believed that wine from a small Italian supplier could become so successful. My neighbors lived in their little worlds, feeling that big money was for other people. Even my family didn't believe in my ideas. They were shocked when I decided to study in the UK.
Today we have over eight hundred vineyards. They are spread all over the world, but they all bear the Brandini's Vineyard brand.
I had to celebrate this. I should've thrown a massive party for my employees and their families. At least I had to call my father and tell him that I finally got what I always wanted.
But I did nothing like that. I only thanked Paul and told him I was too tired and just went home. He got a little upset, but he didn't insist on me staying. He knew exactly why I wanted to be alone.
It was so different to how we used to celebrate before. When I earned my first million on a single deal, I took Paul to Vegas and we spent three days drinking, playing poker, and going to strip clubs. He wasn't married then; it was his dream to visit Vegas, and I knew that. We were surrounded by beautiful women, fountains of champagne, and tens of thousands of dollars to spend in the casinos. I thought my life was perfect then, I thought it was a dream come true.
Until one day, Angie fell asleep in my arms, and I finally figured out what real happiness is about.
"May I come in?" I hear Paul ask from behind me.
"I think you already did," I say, still looking out the window.
"Sorry about that." He comes in and closes the door behind him. "I actually knocked, but you didn't answer."
"I didn't hear it," I say, and it's true: I was too deep in my thoughts to hear anything.
"The papers are ready." He comes to my desk, and I hear him placing documents on the table.
"Are you excited?" I ask as I turn around to look into his eyes.
"I don't know." He shrugs. "Both excited and sad, to be honest."
I come closer to the table and take a look at the papers he brought. If I sign this document, my life changes forever.
For a couple of seconds, I simply stare at them but then quickly sign and extend them to Paul.