6. Cuore Mio
CHAPTER 6
CUORE MIO
S erena
I glance up at the clock from my desk and mutter a curse when I notice it’s just past seven. I’m supposed to meet Papà at my apartment in less than an hour. Like always, I got sucked into the work and lost all track of time. There isn’t one thing about this internship I don’t love. From assisting in the design process, from concept to development, including sketching, sourcing fabrics, and helping with fittings, every second has been amazing.
“I’m out, girl.” Santi’s head of dark hair pops up over the cubicle, and he releases a dramatic yawn. “I’ve been working like a dog all day. It’s aperitivo time for me.”
“Lucky you.” I watch only slightly jealously as he throws his satchel across his shoulder. “Have an Aperol Spritz for me.”
“No need to twist my arm.” He gives me a smile, and I’m relieved things are back to normal again.
Once my cousins left, I took my fashion bestie out for a drink to make up for my less than stellar behavior. I don’t know what comes over me when I’m around my family. I’m like a different person. I miss them already, but I bury the twinge of sadness and remind myself I’ll see them in a few weeks back in Manhattan.
“ A domani .” Santi drops a kiss on my forehead and sashays out.
“See you tomorrow.”
Once he’s gone, I run my fingers across the delicate petals of the violet bloom that sits on the corner of my desk before I refocus on my latest sketch, a bright floral pattern with smatterings of zebra and leopard print. I’m a total whore for animal motifs mixed with brilliant, obnoxious pops of color.
Which is why I’m a great fit for D&G. I’m lost for a few more minutes, my brain completely immersed in the drawing and my pencil moving on autopilot. If I could do this for the rest of my life, I’d be happy. Who needs a man when you love your career, right? I may have still been a little salty about that encounter the other night. No man ever says no to me… especially not seconds from sex. Even if it was for a good reason.
A married man? That would have been a new low for me.
“You’re still here?” Bianca’s voice sends my head spinning over my shoulder.
“Yes, I was just finishing up on this design.” I hold up the colorful sketch, and my boss rewards me with a smile.
She walks closer, bringing the glasses perched on her head down to her nose. Squinting, she scans the design, and I find myself holding my breath. There’s not much in this world that flusters me, but this woman’s word means everything. She’s the difference between a permanent position at Dolce & Gabbana and a one-way ticket back to Manhattan. Not that my life in the city wasn’t great, but these past few months in Milano, the fashion capital of the world, have been a dream.
“It’s excellent, Serena.” She pushes the chic glasses up to sit atop her neatly gelled chignon. “Your work in the last month has been exceptional honestly. I’ve never seen someone advance so quickly. It seems Milano is good for your soul.”
“I couldn’t have said it better myself.”
Her dark eyes sparkle with excitement, and her red-stained lips curve into a smile. “In fact, I’m supposed to wait until the end of the month to tell you, but if you promise to keep it between us…”
My pulse accelerates, the enthusiasm in her gaze leeching into my skin. “Yes, of course, anything.”
“The partners and I have spoken, and we’d like to offer you a permanent position as a design assistant. It’s an entry-level job, but you’ll be assisting the more senior designers with their tasks, conducting research, creating sketches, and learning about garment construction. It’s a great opportunity to gain valuable industry experience, develop skills, and begin building your career in fashion design.”
“Damn, that sounds amazing!” I press my lips into a tight line before I start cursing like a sailor.
“I am pleased that you are interested.”
“I’m more than interested, I’m ecstatic.” I can’t believe this is finally happening.
“Very well, now you must keep the news to yourself. We have decided only to keep one intern, and we wouldn’t want the others to hear before the end of the program.”
My happy heart sinks when Santi’s face materializes in my mind. He’s going to be so disappointed he didn’t get it.
My Apple watch vibrates, the reminder popping up on the screen. Merda , dinner with Dad. I shove all the papers scattered across my desk into the drawer and jump up. “Thank you so much, Bianca. This is going to be amazing, and I promise to keep the news to myself until it’s time.”
“Yes, I believe it will, Serena. I’m looking forward to watching you grow within the Dolce & Gabbana family.”
“I’m sorry, but I have to run. I’m meeting my father in ten minutes across town.”
“Of course, please give Dante my regards.”
My eyes widen, and I’m certain they look cartoon-character ridiculous. “Oh, you know Papà ?”
It was my Aunt Jia’s connections who’d gotten me into this internship, but I had no idea Bianca knew my father too.
“Yes, we met a few times prior to your arrival.” The light in her eyes darken, and a pit of dread sinks to the bottom of my gut. Did Papà threaten her? Am I only getting this job because of my scary-ass father?
Throwing my bag over my shoulder, I offer her an uneasy smile. “ Grazie again. I’ll see you tomorrow, then?”
“ Si , enjoy your night out.”
I’ve never raced out of the office so quickly as a swirl of anger brewed in my gut. Nothing should surprise me about Dante Valentino, but if he went behind my back and bought my way into this job, he was going to be in so much trouble.
I glare at my father from across the table at the quaint restaurant along the canal. The picturesque district of the Navigli is another one of my favorites, but unlike the trendy areas I’d brought my cousins, this one has a bohemian flair with a charming array of boutiques and art galleries offering local crafts and artworks. It’s nothing like the grand canals of Venezia, but it’s cute and the polar opposite of the hectic nightlife of downtown.
Papà stares at me like I’ve grown a second head. Like it’s perfectly natural to offer bribes to advance my career.
“You can’t just butt into my life like that, Pa.”
“What? I was only trying to help. Bribery is the local language in Italy.”
“ Merda ,” I mumble. The man has spent his entire life surviving in the shadows and has no concept of what it’s like to live a normal existence.
“Serena Valentino,” he growls.
“Oh, fuck off, Dad. I know you’ve heard much worse.”
He slams his hand on the table and the old wood creaks in protest. “It doesn’t mean I have to like that foul language coming from my only daughter’s lips.”
“Then you shouldn’t have interfered in my life!”
“Excuse me for caring.” He pouts, crossing his arms over his chest like an overgrown baby. I honestly don’t know how my mother puts up with him.
“First thing tomorrow morning, you call Bianca and take back whatever you offered her. I want to earn this job on my own merits. Capisci ?” I shoot him a narrowed glare.
“ Si , of course, whatever you want, cuore mio .”
My heart . The childhood nickname hits, and the scowl entrenched across my jaw falters. Now, he’s really laying it on thick.
“So you’re actually flying back to Manhattan tonight?” I push the remains of the risotto Milanese across my plate, the vibrant golden color of the typical dish from Milano has become one of my staples. For a second, I’d lost my appetite, but now, it’s starting to return. I may just have to spring for my favorite post-dinner gelato after all.
He nods. “I only came for a quick meeting this afternoon in Rome. Now I must return before Luca misses me.”
I laugh. “Yeah, right. I bet he’s thrilled you’re out of his hair.”
“Don’t be too upset, Sere, I’ll see you back in Manhattan in just a few weeks, no?”
I nod quickly, remembering I promised to return at the end of the summer. Now it’ll only be to pack up my things for the permanent move, assuming I still get the job. At least I’ll get a chance to see Bella and the cousin crew before I leave for good.
“Does Uncle Luca even know you’re here?”
He ignores my question and takes a long sip of his wine, delaying his answer.
My dad and uncle haven’t exactly had the best relationship, especially not when they were young. Now they seem to have come to an understanding. Luca is the ruthless businessman, smart and level-headed while Papà is the enforcer with zero impulse control, but he’ll do anything to get the job done.
Together, they make a formidable pair.
Papà ’s phone vibrates on the table as I pick at the final bites of risotto. “ Cazzo ,” he mutters before continuing on a tirade in Italian.
Once I’ve finished off the risotto, I wash it down with a healthy sip of Barolo . After he’s done yelling at Aldo across the phone, he shoves his cell in his pocket and reaches for his own glass of red wine. Gulping down the rest in a big swallow, he hisses another curse.
“What’s wrong?”
“ Mi dispiace , but I’m going to have to go. Something has come up that I should handle while I’m in town.”
An odd flicker of loneliness settles low in my chest. Now that the anger has past maybe I just need to fill the void with something. Or maybe it was seeing Bella and the rest of the crew and then their quick departure. “You’re sorry? But I barely saw you and we didn’t even get the gelato .” Nocciola is my dad’s favorite, the unique hazelnut flavor not one that’s easily found back home. I’d chosen this restaurant because there’s an artisanal gelato shop just around the corner along the canal.
“What can I say, Serena? I must speak to this associate, and it’s essential I do so in person.”
“Then, I’ll go with you.”
“Serena…” While Uncle Luca has always encouraged Bella and her younger brother Vinny to be involved in the family business—the legitimate parts anyway— Papà has taken the opposite approach. Maybe it’s because while Luca deals with the lawful real estate development and construction side of the corporation, my father has always preferred the dark, underground dealings.
“No arguing, Papà . I’ll go with you to this meeting and wait in the car. I owe you a gelato.”
He smirks, the playful smile lighting up his dark irises. “I can never say no to you, cuore mio .”