5. Chapter 5
Giselle
W ell, so much for keeping this purely business.
I’m not sure what’s come over me, but Loys is such a surprise. He was so sweet holding me steady while grape stomping and made me feel so comfortable sharing such closeness with how he made me laugh at his own expense. I expected the complete opposite from a rich European business man. Now, I just want to get to know him. For business reasons , I remind myself. Okay, who am I kidding? I’m incredibly attracted to him—so much that it’s scary. And it’s not just that he’s ridiculously good looking, it’s that he’s self assured, humble.
“So, you're from Italy, but you don’t sound Italian. Were you born somewhere else?” I ask him as we sip our wine. I can’t put a finger on his accent. It sounds more like Spanish, yet with the gruffness of German.
“Ah, yes. That’s because I’m originally from Austria, but I grew up in Madeira,” he explains, and my eyebrows furrow, not ever hearing the name of that place before. “It’s an island off Portugal.”
“Portugal? I’ve heard it’s gorgeous there. What was it like?”
He smiles dreamily, looking off into the distance as if recalling happy memories. “It's beautiful. The turquoise ocean, the vibrant culture, the Portuguese food. My childhood was filled with lazy days at the beach and exploring the countryside.”
“Do you miss it?”
“I do miss living on the coast. I’ve always loved the ocean, but Tuscany is a lovely place to live as well. It’s similar to here, but much warmer.” I can’t help but notice how fondly he speaks of home.
“I’ve always wanted to go to Italy and see how the wine country compares to ours. And eat all the pasta.”
Loys chuckles at that. “A fellow pasta lover, huh?”
“Oh, definitely.”
“Well, I must insist you come to Italy and let me take you to all the best pasta spots then.”
“Deal,” I say, and we clink our glasses together, both of us smiling over the rims as we take our sips of wine. My head is starting to feel warm and my body is buzzing. I’m not sure if it’s from the wine or being near him. I peel my eyes off of his for a moment, trying to catch my breath that feels lodged in my throat. Looking around the terrace, everyone is chatting and drinking, the sound of merriment in the air making it clear they are enjoying themselves. Spotting my dad and giving him a smile, he lifts his glass up from across the way. He’s talking with one of the other potential investors, and it’s a sobering reminder that I should be trying to get to know Loys’s intentions.
“So, with all the wineries in Italy and across Europe, why would your company want to invest in our Moratti Estate Winery?” I ask, catching him off guard. He clears his throat and sets his wine down on the table. I track his movements as he leans over onto his elbow and rests his chin on his hand. Nothing about him seems like a typical business man. He’s so laid back. It’s refreshing.
“Well, I think the wine world knows now that Napa Valley wines are some of the best in the world, and there’s not many new wineries to invest in back home. The family that owns the company I work for also wants to diversify their investments, so this seemed like a perfect opportunity. They love that this is a family-run winery, just like theirs. And if I’m honest, as a wine lover, I wouldn’t mind adding this to their portfolio.”
“And does our wine meet your expectations?” I ask, feeling bold. If he doesn't like our wine, he doesn’t deserve to be our partner.
“It’s incredible. It’s quite possibly the best cabernet sauvignon I’ve ever had. And your vineyards and winery are stunning. It’s all been quite lovely. Every part,” he says, looking deeply into my eyes. I’m not sure if he’s talking about the wine or me.
I hope it’s both.
My father made his way over to us minutes later, and I feel knots form in my stomach. I hadn’t even met the other potential investors, but I desperately want Loys to be the one. I don’t get the sense that he’s in it for the money or that he wants to change anything about what we’re doing.
“Mr. Silesia, I presume?” my dad asks, holding out his hand for Loys to shake. We both stand up at the same time to greet him.
“Please, call me Loys.”
“It’s nice to meet you. I’m sure my daughter has done a good job at telling you all about our winery here, but please let me know if you have any questions.”
“She’s been wonderful. I’m very appreciative of the warm welcome. This has been an incredible day. I’m very impressed with your wine and as I stated in our inquiry, Habsburg-Lorraine Enterprises is ready to discuss your terms and desires for a partnership, Mr. Moratti. And after today,” he says, flicking his eyes to mine, “I see how special your winery is, and we would be honored to be a part of ensuring its future.”
My dad smiles graciously at Loys and looks back and forth between us briefly. “That is very kind. I appreciate your words, and please know, we don’t take them lightly. But, this isn’t something I plan to rush into. How long do you plan to stay in St. Helena?”
“As long as it takes, sir.”
“Wonderful. Well, I’d like to meet with you and our CFO in the morning. Stop by our office at ten. Until then, enjoy the evening.”
“Thank you,” Loys says, shaking my father’s hand. We stand together in comfortable silence, finishing off our wine as my dad walks away. Once my dad’s out of ear shot, Loys releases a deep breath. “Did I sound like a blubbering fool? Be honest.”
I can’t help but giggle. “You absolutely did not . I think he likes you.”
“And what about you?” he asks, stepping closer.
“What about me?”
“Do you like me?” he asks, and my eyes go wide at his bluntness and my stomach erupts with butterflies. We’re standing so close that I can see the gold flecks in his eyes.
“Oh, well, yes, I do. I think you’re pretty great from what I can tell. I think you’d make a great partner.”
“So you’ll put in a good word?” Oh , so that’s what he was getting at. Here, I thought he was about to kiss me.
“Maybe,” I say, biting my lip. “I should probably go and meet the others first, so I can give my dad a well-rounded opinion.”
“Of course. I’m sorry I’ve hoarded you all evening,” he says, stepping back and putting space between us.
“It’s fine. I mean, it was nice. I didn’t mind.” Oh god, I’m really messing this all up. Maybe he was just being nice and I was reading into things. It’s probably just the way European guys are, and I thought he’s been flirting. I’m such an idiot.
“Well, I look forward to seeing you and your father tomorrow. I think I’m going to head back to my hotel.”
“Have a good evening, Loys.”
“You too, Giselle,” he says, and then he leans in and kisses me on the cheek. I curse myself for how soft his lips feel against my skin. I stand there, frozen in my spot, watching as he walks away. My chest aches for some strange reason. I only just met him, but somehow I already miss him.