Chapter 7
THREE MONTHS AGO
Holding Lucca in my arms, I put my hand over my eyes to block the sun and tilted my head back, my gaze losing itself in the vastness of the Bosco Verticale residential complex.
They were two magnificent towers. We stood in front of the taller one.
“Let’s go in,” Dad said.
Mamma was practically bouncing beside him.
A building employee appeared, running to open the door.
Inside, I stopped, admiring the scale of the lobby, completely awestruck. Everything was so sophisticated and modern. The gigantic staircase made me tired just looking at it.
Rocco went ahead of me, with mamma at his side. He didn’t stop at reception, going straight to the set of elevators, then called one.
I followed them in silence, divided between curiosity and fascination with the building.
We entered the elevator and went up to the fifteenth floor.
Selena was far too happy, smiling the whole time, but I could have sworn there was a hint of fear in her gaze every time our eyes crossed.
In front of door number 15A, Dad took a key from his suit jacket pocket and opened it.
He encouraged me to go in first. And once again, my jaw dropped.
There was a large open space divided into three areas: living room, dining room, and a small kitchen with a counter separating it.
The rectangular four-seat table stood behind the green sofa right by the entrance, the kitchen to my right, then a narrow hallway.
“Let’s see the bedrooms,” Selena suggested.
Rocco stayed in the living room while I followed mamma.
Everywhere I looked was a reminder of how poor I was now.
I listened to Selena sing praises about the building’s wonders and how beautiful and fabulous each room was. Even the powder room was so beautiful it made you want to live there.
Mamma was happy, and I was happy for her.
Papà loved spoiling her with extravagant gifts.
“There are three bedrooms.” She opened the first door. “And the suite has a bathroom with a tub,” she added, sounding like one of those real estate agents.
The first and second bedrooms were small and empty.
The third was larger and had a queen bed with a gorgeous white upholstered headboard and two dark Proven?al-style nightstands.
Windows that went from floor to ceiling were in almost the entire apartment, offering plenty of natural light and a good feeling of comfort, of home.
Mamma led us back to the living room and to the balcony with a mini forest.
“Now, just look at this wonderful view!”
I let my gaze wander and marveled at the sight of the Unicredit Tower and the city rising on its sides. Everything about this building was dazzling.
“This project is a worldwide reference in innovation, sustainability, and design. It was recognized as the most beautiful and most innovative skyscraper in the world by the Illinois Institute of Technology and won the International Highrise Award, beating 800 competitors from 17 countries. The square footage here is highly coveted,” Rocco said.
“Isn’t this vegetation charming, love?”
“It is, Mom.”
“It brings freshness to the apartment. You can have lovely breakfasts here and afternoon teas. Or spend some time reading a book. You can even pick lemons from your balcony!”
Why the hell were they behaving like real estate agents?
We went back inside and I sat on the green sofa. There was little furniture, only the basics with almost no decor. It was as if someone had just moved in.
“What do you think of the place, Antonella?”
“It’s fabulous, Dad.”
“This area was restored not long ago,” mamma informed me. “The building is well located and very safe, and most importantly, it’s close to everything you need.”
Rocco had his gaze on me.
“Fabulous enough to live here?”
My mouth fell open. “Wait, what?”
He took an envelope from inside his suit jacket and offered it to me.
“It’s yours.”
“M-Mine?” I stammered, stunned, looking at the envelope.
Dad sat in the stylish chair, unbuttoned his jacket, and crossed his legs, looking casual. “And Lucca’s. I took the liberty of buying it.”
I said nothing for a while, absorbing his statement.
“Well, darling? Say something. You liked it, didn’t you?
I told your father this apartment was perfect for you and Lucca to live in.
This mini forest on the balcony won me over.
There’s a playground downstairs too, where you can take Lucca, and there’s everything you need right next door, not to mention the company is ten minutes from here. ”
“It’s incredible, Mom.” I stared at Dad. “I can’t accept it.”
“You can and you will.”
I pressed my lips together.
“It’s my gift to Lucca. Open it,” he reinforced gently.
I pulled Lucca’s hand away from the envelope before he tore it.
Mamma intervened, taking him from me. “Come with grandma, sweetheart. Let’s go see the little plants. There are lemons and ladybugs and…” She went out to the balcony with him.
I pulled the paper from the envelope. It was the apartment deed in Lucca’s name, with usufruct in mine. I read each line four times to be sure of what I was reading.
I took another moment, emotional.
After our conversation, papà had kept in touch by phone.
There were no big conversations, just calls to ask about his grandson and about me, whether we needed anything.
He made himself available. We had lunches and some dinners.
He even asked me to come back and live with them.
Every little thing he did made me more at ease and comfortable with his presence, sliding toward a normality as natural as breathing, as if the bad things between us were only bad memories.
Rocco wasn’t forcing, but he was present enough to be taken seriously.
Working around the lump in my throat, I said:
“Dad, thank you, truly, but I can’t accept.”
“There are no returns, carina.”
I looked around once more, feeling a mix of joy and sadness.
“What’s the problem?” he wanted to know.
“This is… a lot.”
He dismissed my argument with a wave of his hand.
“I have enough for your great-great-grandchildren.”
“It isn’t about that, Dad. I can’t afford an apartment like this or depend on you. Look at this place. It’s expensive. I’ll never be able to maintain it on my own.”
“So?”
I turned my gaze. Mamma joined us.
“It’s beautiful, Mom. But…”
“No buts, my love. There is no but. It’s yours. It was what you wanted, and we can give you that. I mean, it isn’t only our gift.”
“What do you mean?”
“Your father and I bought the apartment for Lucca,” she said, emphasizing Lucca.
“Therefore, you can’t refuse. Your uncles bought the furniture.
We agreed the basics would be enough, so you can decorate it the way you want and start your life here.
You know, if it depended on your uncles, especially Gio, even you wouldn’t fit in here anymore.
Your grandparents will cover the condo fees until you’re able to do it yourself…
We know how important this is to you, love.
And we’re proud that you want autonomy and independence.
Being a single mother isn’t easy. We can offer you the foundation to start over here. You only have to accept.”
“I don’t even know what to say,” I said, my voice choked.
Mamma brightened, smiling from ear to ear.
“Say you accept, and let’s order dinner to inaugurate your home.”
“I can’t afford a place like this,” I murmured to no one in particular.
“About that,” Dad spoke up, his tone professional, his unshakable expression unchanged.
“Our company has an internship program. The best interns are directed into the trainee program one year after being hired. I’m sure we can fit you in.
It’s a low-level position with appropriate pay, but it will be enough for you to support yourself.
The interns rotate through departments and sectors, learning functions and developing skills.
Monthly meetings take place to evaluate each one’s performance and find out where they work best. You’ll be entitled to health insurance, which will cover Lucca, in addition to other benefits HR will go over with you, should you accept the offer. ”
“And Lucca?”
“The work is Monday through Friday, from nine to three.”
“Giulia, your nanny’s daughter, can take care of Lucca,” mamma said. “She’s a trustworthy, responsible girl and loves children. And from what I heard from nana, she’s unemployed and really needs a job.”
“I don’t know if I’ll be able to pay her.” Just thinking about leaving Lucca, even for a few hours and with someone unknown, gave me a certain desperation. On the other hand, the job offer excited me very much.
“That’s why you’ll earn a salary,” papà commented.
“I don’t know.”
“I thought you wanted to work, since you didn’t accept the allowance.”
“I do, Dad, but I’m not studying anymore.”
“Everything would be easier if you came home…”
“Mom!”
“Being a mother doesn’t stop you from doing anything, love.
You can work, study, have fun, whatever you want.
Is it harder? Yes, maybe it is. A child requires a good chunk of our time, but they come to add to our life, not take away from it.
And you can continue the course remotely, but that isn’t a company requirement, is it, Rocco? ”
I took Lucca from her, pouting while Dad nodded.
“Vicenti’s motto is not only to offer quality work to our clients, but quality in our employees’ careers as well.
We want them to grow with us, and in this way, we can have more qualified staff.
Being enrolled in a course is a prerequisite for the position.
Your college will be paid for by VCG. This is a bonus for employees with potential…
Don’t look at me like that. The agency only stands to gain by creating a good career plan and polishing professionals who are still raw to work according to our requirements. ”
“Wow, if I didn’t already work, I’d definitely go there!” Mamma put on a dramatic show. “That plan would dazzle any employee.”
“How do you know I have potential?”
“You’re my daughter. Being a champion is in your blood.”
Emotion filled my throat, locking away my voice.
Mom nudged me. “Do you know who engineered all of this?” Not remotely discreet and with a suggestive smile, she pointed at papà. He blushed. That’s right. Rocco blushed.
“You did this?”
“It’s nothing much,” he dismissed with a wave of his hand.
Mamma huffed. “He’s being modest.”
“I haven’t been the best father in the world, but I know you, Antonella. I admire that you want to stand on your own two feet. I’ve been there too, though maybe not for the same reason. It’s all right to have pride, carina, but you have us too.”
I would never get used to him being this… fatherly.
“You could have bought a less…”
“No,” he said categorically. “This was my hard limit. It’s perfect for you and my grandson. You can do it your way. You’ll earn your own money and your independence.”
“When can I start?”
“Stop by the company’s HR department Monday morning.”
I handed Lucca to Mom, then hugged Dad so hard, receiving the hug back as tears filled my eyes. It was spontaneous. And it was all right. It was good.
“Thank you, papà. This is… more than I can say.”
“We’re a family, despite everything. This is what we do.”
I heard Mom sniffle, or maybe it was me.
“Would you accept the car in the garage?”
I laughed a little. “No, Mom.”
“But love…”
I pushed back.
“No. The apartment… fine. The car crosses the line.”
“I told you,” Dad said to her, with a victorious expression.
Mamma rolled her eyes, and I held myself back from laughing.
“When can I come?”
“Today, if you want.”
I moved in the next day with everything I owned, happier than a pig in the mud.
Enchanted with my new home, I stared at every corner, every object, opening and closing drawers and doors, touching and picking things up as if it were the first time.
Emotional.
Happy.
Touched.
Everything was mine. No one could take this from me.
Days later, I started working at Vicenti Creativi Group.
A month later, I started online classes.