Chapter 48
Vico
As fast as my old crate carries me toward home, I race along the highway. I've already passed Rome, but I still have about four hours of driving ahead, and I know how to use them.
I turn off the radio, connect my headset to my phone, and dial Adriano's number.
"Well, look who's back," he says moments later, the sound of rushing waves in the background. He's probably at Spiaggia bianche.
I didn't even say goodbye to him in my desperation surrounding Hanna's engagement. A simple apology isn't enough at this point. I clear my throat, feeling ashamed. "I didn't know what to do with myself," I admit openly.
He laughs forgivingly. "Mm-hmm, so it's true then, what Alessia hinted at last week."
"Seems that way." The thought that so many people in my life already knew what was going on with me while I still thought I could fight it makes me smile. I step on the gas to overtake a truck whose exhaust fumes are creeping into my car through the ventilation.
"I'm happy for you, Vico." He sounds unexpectedly sentimental. "I hope you'll be happy with her."
And now he hits a sore spot. "She's still engaged to someone else," I say through gritted teeth. "And she has no idea that I…" For a moment, it's hard for me to continue speaking. Just the thought of saying it out loud overwhelms me. "…that I'm going back to my hometown to make her dream come true." And do everything in my power to show her how much she means to me.
My God. I'm actually in the process of turning my whole life upside down even though I can't be sure that Hanna carries the same longing deep inside her.
Nevertheless, I won't give up. Because where there's love, there will always be hope.
Those were Hanna's words just before she gave me one of the greatest gifts I've ever received. She showed me a future that I had forbidden myself from dreaming about. I haven't forgotten her, and that's good because she gives me the strength I need. I have nothing to lose and only everything to gain.
"How can I help?" Adriano asks on the other end of the line.
"You're the best." My seat creaks as I sit up straight and signal again to change lanes. "Here's the plan."
I quickly explain to him how I intend to save the estate. Adriano promises to activate his contacts, and I immediately get to work after ending the call.
During the rest of the drive, I make calls to restaurants and specialty shops in Tuscany and beyond. Through my work as a graphic designer, I have met many people over the years, and they are the ones I'll be reaching out to soon.
It's necessary because if I want to save the estate, I need to secure the funding. And what could be more fitting than doing that with what has always been the family's pride and joy: the best olive oil in the region.
Many of my contacts remember the Olivetta family's oil and place orders immediately. Maria, the owner of the local store, cheers with joy on the phone, and with each successful call and every mile I get closer to my hometown, I become happier.
Now that I know my plan will actually work, I can't wait to see Camilla and Alessia laughing from the bottom of their hearts again. And even though Aurora acted strangely during her last visit, I'm sure she'll be thrilled as well.
Who knows, maybe even Father will find some joy in the fact that soon we can relive the good memories. He'll reach the point that Hanna described to me about herself and her father's death.
She said she didn't want to miss out on all the beauty. She didn't want to forget but keep it alive within her.
That's what I wish for Father. And that's exactly what I'll do if I'm ever overcome by my own grief someday.
With this thought in mind, I write Camilla a short message. Even if I don't have time for lengthy explanations, she should at least know that there is hope again.