CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
My hands rubbed my eyes. Ding. Another email?
Hello Lina,
I hope this message finds you in good spirits.
We reviewed the new sketches and have sent our feedback on your changes.
Please refer to the glossary that we’ve attached; it works as a design bible for all things Perchance to Dream productions. I understand this is all new for you, but if you need someone else to take some of your work to meet the deadline, just let me know.
I’m eager to have these completed on time, as it will be crucial for the upcoming project presentation. By the way, I wonder if you had time to look at the course I sent?
Abigail Highwater
Art and Design Manager
Perchance to Dream Publishing
No, Abigail, I haven’t managed to read the three emails you fired off just an hour ago. I’m working. My fingers curved around my now-cold coffee cup, and I groaned. Another late night, and there was no chance I’d stop working now. I stood up, glancing at the clock. Eleven p.m.
Rocco still hadn’t come home. He hadn’t made it back before one a.m. all week.
Is this really the life Luca imagined for us?
No, this is CEO Rocco, the perfectionist who believes he needs control over everything.
He packed his online calendar with meetings for every department.
He hadn’t even mentioned The Age of Sin’s wins at San Sebastián or our Critics Choice Awards invite in Los Angeles.
I missed him. I wanted him back, but there was nothing I could do.
Jacob’s face popped up on my screen, along with a FaceTime notification.
Jacob? I winced, realizing I’d forgotten we agreed to a quick catch-up at five p.m. his time and eleven p.m. mine.
Grabbing my brush, I quickly tugged it through my hair and then hit connect.
FaceTime connected, but it wasn’t Jacob. “Grandmother?”
“There you are, Adelina,” she said in a light tone, and I was glad I brushed my hair.
Hers was pulled back into a chignon, with every strand in place.
She had a brooch on her pale-pink shirt that caught my eye.
Its shape resembled the flying hearts in Jacob’s painting. “Is that Jacob’s art on your collar?”
“Yes, it is,” she beamed as she touched it. “His marketing team created these for the exhibits. They’re already sold out.”
“Wow, that’s great. I want one.”
She smiled. “I’ll see about putting one aside when they restock.”
“Where’s my big brother?”
“He’s here. I put in the call for him so he could stay on schedule.”
I could see his wheelchair behind her, and she moved to the side. Jacob was there; he’d colored his skull cut purple. “Nice hair.”
He grinned and signed, “It’s part of my new image.”
“It’s actually a nice color,” Grandmother said and placed her hand on the back of his chair.
My jaw dropped open. “Have we been invaded by alien body snatchers?”
She smirked. “Hardly. Jacob’s testing his image as an artist personality. You needed to marry well. There’s a big difference.”
Jacob signed. “You can’t argue with that, little sis,” he added with a playful grin. But behind his eyes, there was a trace of brotherly worry.
I plastered on a smile. “You can, and things are fine here, too. Glad to see you’re good.”
“Thank you,” Jacob signed. “You really all right, Lina?”
I yawned. “I am.”
He frowned.
I waved my hands dismissively.
Grandmother took a seat next to him. “So, tell us what you’re doing.”
“I’m working on my illustrations, and Rocco’s working at Marini Corporate.”
She smiled. “That’s good. I’ve heard some very positive news on that front.”
“You have?”
“Yes. Marini Shipping stocks are still up. It’s a win with Rocco at the helm.”
Marini Corporate released a press statement after our meeting stating that Rocco would continue working there, and in the last few weeks, the stocks remained strong.
It was also good to hear Grandmother admire Rocco.
We were still waiting for the board’s decision.
Rocco was sure it meant an even split, and they had to wait for someone to switch sides.
They didn’t seem to be in a hurry since they were still making money, which didn’t look good for Rocco moving on without losing something.
I couldn’t believe they would treat Rocco so horribly after all he’d done, but a chance to take power brought out the worst in people.
“So, catch me up.” I signed. “What’s going on?”
Jacob signed. “Most of my work is on tour. I’ve sold numerous pieces, and I can’t keep up with so many requests.”
“That’s why I’ve hired a manager and publicist to help Jacob,” Grandmother spoke and signed.
“He also has an accountant, lawyers, everything. But he also needs to rest more, or he’ll have to cancel.
” Her voice rose with authority, and I was sure Jacob would be offended by being treated like a kid.
But he grinned and signed to her, “You’re my O.G.
manager, Grandmother. There’s no one better. ”
“Oh, Jacob,” she laughed and leaned over and pecked his cheek.
My hand touched my heart, beating so hard in my chest I was sure it would explode.
Never had I ever thought they’d share a friendship.
Then again, Jacob never complained when she fussed over his room, his clothes, and his physical therapy during our visits over the years.
While I thought she was ignoring him, I could now see that Jacob saw it as her own way of showing she cared.
“That’s great, Jacob. I’m so proud of your success, and keep it going. ”
“Thank you,” Jacob signed. “Now, tell us, what’s up with you?”
“Working on a billion things, but I’m loving it. Let me show you.” I picked up the camera and showed them the studio, with half-painted canvases, stacks of open sketchbooks, and open books marked with sticky notes for references.
“You should get a maid in there. What a disaster,” Grandmother said, frowning.
I laughed, setting the webcam back in place. “This is my creative chaos. Don’t worry, I’ll make it spotless if you come visit.”
Grandmother’s face lit up. “You want me to visit?”
“Of course I do, especially if I’m pregnant,” I said as casually as I could muster.
Her jaw unhinged. “You’re pregnant?”
“We’re trying,” I said. “I could be; I’ll let you know.”
Her eyes filled with tears, one hand covering her mouth, the other fluttering in the air.
I’d rarely seen my grandmother cry, but I understood that having a baby meant her family and legacy would live on.
That’s why she poured so much of herself into me after what my parents did.
I wanted this for her as much as I wanted it for Rocco and me.
“Look at the mess you caused,” Jacob signed jokingly.
“Constance, what’s wrong?” My grandfather’s voice grew louder as he entered the room. He was holding take-out, something he never ate, at least around me. Today was full of surprises. He set the food down and hurried to my grandmother, his expression full of concern.
“Adelina might…might be pregnant.”
“We’re having a great-grandchild?” he said in an enthusiastic tone. The absolute joy that crossed his face brought tears to my eyes. He pulled her up into a tight hug. I hope I am pregnant. That was another thing Rocco was fully committed to. There wasn’t a night without him waking me up to try.
“Adelina? Did you hear us?” Grandfather asked, frowning. “Is she okay?”
Jacob laughed and signed, “She’s having a good dream.”
I straightened up in the seat and smiled. “I’m sorry. Could you repeat it?”
“I said I’m very happy with this news. It’s made our year. Do you know when you will find out?” he asked.
“Rocco and I want to wait another week, but we will call you the second we do.”
“Fertility treatments are also something you should consider,” Grandfather began.
Grandmother, Jacob, and I groaned, and he huffed. “I only suggested it, that’s all.”
“If it’s necessary and the doctor recommends it, I will,” I told him, and he smiled broadly.
“Good, Adelina. I’m very proud of you for your new job and starting a family,” Grandfather said. “And we’re here any time you need us.”
“She invited me to visit,” Grandmother gushed.
“Both of you,” I said, laughing. I never thought I’d see this day: my family happy, treating me as an equal and not a child. I’d always wanted to belong, and now, we could finally be a real family.
“Me too?” Jacob mused.
“Of course,” I said to him. “Is your tour coming here?”
He smiled and signed. “In a few months. If my doctors approve. I’m bringing Cindy.”
“Oh?” I said, remembering all my conversations with her as his personal carer.
“Cindy’s Jacob’s new girlfriend,” Grandmother said and raised her brows.
“What happened to your other girlfriend, Jacob?” I asked.
He smiled. “I realized I love Cindy, and she finally said the truth. That she loves me back.”
“She’s not working here,” Grandfather added. “But she oversees Jacob’s personal treatment team.”
No one knew Jacob better than Cindy. She always found extra time so I could visit him and always pushed for better care. I hadn’t realized there was love between them, but the softness in Jacob’s eyes when he spoke of her made it clear. “I like Cindy a lot, Jacob. I’m so happy for you both.”
He signed. “We have to go. I love you, Lina.”
“I love you, too, Jacob,” I signed to him.
“Okay. I’m hungry,” he signed to Grandmother.
Her smile grew broader, and she signed, “That’s right. Let’s keep our schedule,” she said to him, then looked at the screen. “Take care of yourself, Adelina. Get plenty of rest, and please let Rocco know we asked after him. Okay?”
I grinned. “I most definitely will. Goodbye, everyone.”
I waved at the screen. Ding. Another email? Lily Crane.
Adelina,
I love the new changes!
Keep it up,
Lily
Those few words sent a fresh surge of energy through me.
I reopened Abigail’s email and grabbed my notebook.
I thought back to what Rocco said about Lily’s approval and a sense of pride raced through me.
I was achieving my own success. Despite the losses I’d suffered in my life, I was finally putting my best foot forward.
And my brother is happy. Nothing could give me more joy. Apart from seeing my husband in daylight hours. Perhaps he was right. Perhaps he had spoiled me to the point I was desperate for him.
That wasn’t a bad thing, right?