"There's nothing to be sad about. You own shares at our company now. You should be proud of yourself." I smile at the thought that I just made one of his dreams come true.
"I can't believe you did this for me." Paul smiles widely in response.
He looks at the contract with his eyes so big that I can't help but smile again. He has the silly look of a child who just got his first computer and limitless access to games.
"You deserve it, and you know that," I say proudly, patting him on the shoulder. "If you weren't here, working so hard with me for the past twelve years, I don't even know if we ever would have reached this goal."
Who could imagine twelve years ago that I, a boy from the Florentine countryside with nothing but a desire to become successful, and Paul, a son of Indian immigrants without a university degree, would someday own shares in a company worth over two billion dollars?
"Thank you so much." Paul comes closer and gives me a big hug. "But I'm still upset that you're leaving."
"I'll be back," I promise, "so don't grumble. “Are you getting older or something?" I make a joke to ease the strained atmosphere, and he starts laughing.
"Are you sure you don't want to come to our celebration today? Amanda cooked so much, you’d think it was for a wedding. All of our family will be there."
"Thank you." I shake my head. "I'm really exhausted, it's been a long day. And I have to pack my bags before leaving for Tuscany. I still haven't bought presents for Vi and Fran, so the first thing I'll do tomorrow is go shopping."
"Aren't you gonna order something online as always?" He raises an eyebrow in surprise.
"Not this time. I want to be involved in the process."
I think for the first time since I moved to London, I'm gonna buy a present for someone myself.
"You really have changed, Ricardo." He looks deeply into my eyes as if he's trying to understand something, slightly nodding as if confirming his own words. "And this change is for the better."
After we shake hands as a goodbye, Paul turns to the door to walk away, but I stop him with a question that's been bothering me all this time. "Do you miss those days when we were both single and partying so hard like there was no tomorrow?"
He turns to look at me again, obviously surprised by my question, but I say nothing else. I know he understands perfectly what I meant: he can love Amanda deeply and still miss those days sometimes, and that's okay.
He takes a moment, looking out the window.
"Sometimes I think about that." He lowers his gaze as if trying to remember something, brushing a hand against his head. "But then I come home to Amanda. She always gives me a smile when I come home, even if I'm late and forget to tell her beforehand."
He looks at me again.
"I would never trade what I have now for those parties," he says confidently, and I know he's serious.
I believe him because that's exactly what I feel now.
"You should get going," I say, and turn away to look out the window again.
"Goodbye, Ricardo, have a safe flight tomorrow," he says quietly and closes the door behind him.
Since when did our conversations go from talking about work and goals to talking about love and feelings?
I smirk, answering the question myself: since the day you fell in love, Ricardo.
Chapter Three
Angie
"Thank you so much for coming," says Fran, and she hugs me so tight that the bouquet of flowers almost slips from my hand. She kisses my cheeks, smiling widely, and takes the flowers.
"Angie! I'm so glad you're here!" Vi shouts loudly from another corner of the room and rushes to hug me as well. "We're going to celebrate in YAB later today. Will you come?"
I stare at her in surprise.
YAB is one of the most famous nightclubs in Florence. I’ve never been there before. To be honest, I hate nightclubs—I don't like loud music and I can't really dance.
"Please come," Fran begs when I don’t answer. They’re both looking at me with puppy-dog eyes. "You'll meet all our friends there. It's going to be a huge party. We’ve been planning it for months."
"I thought you were celebrating at home," I mumble, not sure why I’m so surprised: they're turning twenty-five. I don't think they want to spend their birthday with family only.
I look around and see that there's no one else here except us. Where's everyone?
"Our aunts and uncles are here; they're all sitting outside. The weather is so wonderful today, so Mom decided to set the table in the garden," Vi gibbers so rapidly that I barely get what she says.
"Yeah, but our cousins will come straight to the club," Fran interrupts her. "They were lucky enough to avoid this boring dinner with the parents, but unfortunately we couldn't skip this part although we tried to."
They both laugh loudly in unison. I look at them, slightly shocked, still trying to decide how to reject this invitation.
Fran has styled her hair in beachy waves, while Vi wears hers straight, but they still look so alike, especially when they mumble loudly together, interrupting each other all the time.
"So the real party begins at midnight," Fran concludes. "Will you come?"
I guess that leaves me no choice but to accept the offer: it's their birthday celebration, so I can't really say no, right?
"Of course I will," I give up, trying to smile.
My stomach rumbles at the thought that I’ll see Ricardo in a moment.
"You're a special guest, we'll give you the best seat at the table," Vi chuckles, taking me by the hand and leading me through the hall into the living room, which has direct access to the garden.
I have never been here before. Last time, when we had dinner with Ricardo's parents, we were sitting in the dining room and didn't walk outside. It was so homey, so cozy. But today, their home is decorated with flowers, and the stair railing is decorated with pink and white balloons. It all seems so festive. Why would someone want to leave this party to go to the club?
I'm boring, I know.
"Yes, we don't even know how to thank you for everything you've done!" exclaims Fran happily, following us.
I really don't know what she’s talking about.
"I don't know how you convinced Ricardo to come back to Tuscany, but you did a great job. Thank you so much, you're amazing," Vi continues as enthusiastically.
"Is he coming back? Like, just for your birthday or longer?" I ask right away. My eyes widen in surprise, and my breathing quickens.
He's coming back, he's not ready to give up.
I feel like I can't breathe.
The girls look at me with confusion.
"I'm not surprised he didn't tell you," says Fran after a pause, shaking her head. "I figured something was wrong when he told me you left earlier."
"I knew you wouldn't leave if everything was okay," adds Vi, and Fran nods her head in agreement.
I take a deep breath as I look at the glass doors leading to the garden.
"Don't worry, he hasn't come yet." Vi winks at me and pulls me to follow her out onto the terrace.