Chapter 15
CHAPTER 15
Angelina
She woke to a heartache the size of Texas. Angelina was too hungry to stay closed up in her room, so she tiptoed out to the kitchen. The door to Joseph’s room was open but it appeared he’d not spent the night. The thought was both a relief and a worry. Where had he gone? Had he found relief in another woman’s arms after her dismissal? No, that didn’t sound like him. If anything, Joseph was insanely loyal, well except when he turned on her all those years ago. How could he have done that while insisting he’d been in love with her? He should have dismissed all their concerns and fought for her.
It hurt to think about it. After a quick meal of toast and eggs, she made herself a coffee and returned to her room. The last thing she wanted was to run into Joseph after their confrontation last night. Her thoughts were still a jumbled mess.
He didn’t return that evening or the next. The place seemed cavernous and lonely without him. Monday morning arrived with Dante, and a sleepy Bella, waiting downstairs to take them to work.
“Where’s Joseph?” Angelina tucked her hands in her pockets and kept her eyes off Dante.
“He has business to attend to.” The man placed a hand on the lower backs of the ladies and ushered them outside to the awaiting vehicle.
At least work was her happy place. After spending most of the weekend working on designs, Angelina had plenty to show. Madison joined them via zoom and for the most part, loved what they’d presented.
“From what I’ve seen so far, it’s a go.”
Angelina and Stephan grinned at each other as Angelina went on. “I liked all but a couple, so let’s go ahead and get those into the sewing room. Then I’d like to do a private showing with a couple of our buyers and see what their reactions are.”
“That’s amazing. We’re so excited.” Angelina high-fived Stephan.
“Stephan. Would you mind if I had a private word with Angelina?” Madison’s tone dropped.
“Sure, I’ll be right outside.” Stephan’s chair screeched as he slid it back and left the room.
“Maddy, this is so exciting. I can’t thank you enough for the opportunity.”
“No need to thank me. Like I told you before, you won the position with your talent and hard work.”
Her face heated. It was a huge compliment coming from her aunt.
“How are things going with Joseph? I know he talked to Roman very early Saturday morning. Is everything all right?”
“Yes, and no.” Did she really want to discuss this? Madison was her boss and Joseph’s mother.
“How so?”
“He confessed he’s been in love with me for years.”
Maddy’s eyes widened. “I can’t say I’m surprised. I never knew what happened to make you two drift apart. I thought you would have kept in touch.”
“I tried and so did he. We figured our phones had been blocked.”
Madison frowned. “What? From what I remember, Joseph was hurt when you never returned his messages. Whenever I mentioned it to Roman, he told me not to bring it up to my sister, Joseph, or you.”
“According to Joseph, Roman and my father told him that if he really cared about me, he’d let me go. To protect me against enemy attacks.”
Maddy dropped the pen she held. “What? Yes, it can happen, but love is worth the price. At least it was to me.”
“The weird thing is now they basically pushed us to be an engaged couple. What do you make of this?” Angelina hoped her aunt might have some insight.
“I have to admit it did seem strange to me also, but I was so busy with the show and everything I never really stopped to consider it.” Madison waved her hand before picking up the pen again.
“Is there any way you can find out? Ask Roman what’s going on?”
Maddy raised an eyebrow. “You mean without being too obvious?”
“Yeah, something like that.” Whatever worked.
“Sure. Nothing bugs me more than when Roman keeps secrets from me.”
“Thank you, for everything.” If anyone could find out some answers, it would be Maddy.
“You’re welcome, Angel. I’ll let you know if I find anything out.”
“I’d appreciate it.” It was times like this she really missed her family.
“Of course. Take care.”
The screen went dead. Angelina took a deep breath and strolled to the sewing room where Stephan had wandered off to.
“I separated the designs she liked here.” He spread them out on a worktable. “Now we have to pick out the color scheme and fabrics.”
It was good to have something non-Joseph to concentrate on.
Later, after making tremendous progress, she returned to her desk to discover a bouquet of flowers were waiting there. It bought Joseph back to her mind, front and center.
The scent of sunflowers and irises filled the area. She breathed in their sweet scent. The flowers bloomed at different times of the year yet here they were in the same bouquet. Where did he find them? Did they grow here?
The accompanying card stared up at her from beneath the vase. No need to read it to know who it was from. Joseph was the only person who knew they were her favorites. She was hardly a flower person, but he was with her the one-time Angelina had found some. It had been an early July farmer’s market in Genoa. They’d wandered into the area of vendors while waiting for their parents to finish up at one of their businesses.
Among the long tables and tents of fruits, vegetables, and specialty foods, a display of dark purple flowers had caught her eye. In the middle of one was a stunning bright yellow and brown sunflower. Joseph trailed after her and stood behind her while she smiled and studied the beautiful bouquets. The grower has explained how the irises were no longer in bloom in Genoa but had been brought in from northern Minnesota.
If she’d had any money with her, the flowers would have gone with her. Later in the day, Angelina had walked into her home and came across the same wonderful fragrance. Joseph had gone back and bought every one of the bouquets.
He’d blushed when she’d ran to his house to say thank you. It was right before her sweet sixteen. Was it the flowers which had triggered their fathers to get involved or had they witnessed their kiss at the party?
It was a nice gesture but did nothing to erase the years of heartache. The card could wait, she stuffed it into her purse as her phone buzzed to signal her ride. Angelina gathered her things and met Bella in the lobby. Looking stylish in a dark burgundy suit, Dante waited. He seemed to prefer to brighten things up with a nice tie or pocket square whereas Joseph’s look was darker and more conservative.
“Hey, Dante.” The relief at seeing him instead of Joseph washed over her.
“Gangster.” Bella acknowledged him. It was hard to tell if they were flirting or they really didn’t like each other.
“Face.” He responded.
“What do you mean?” Bella narrowed her eyes and slapped a hand on her hip.
“Soon be seeing your lovely face all over. Magazines, billboards, runways.”
“I hope so.” She hurried out the door.
Dante took them out to eat. It was quick meal with Angelina’s two companions trading jabs back and forth. An hour later, she was back home. Alone. It was nice to not have to confront Joseph and her conflicting emotions, but after her chat with Madison, and being away from her family for so long, she was lonely.
His room was empty and his bags were gone. A hot bath, and a glass of wine might be what she needed. Spying the card from the flowers poking out of her purse, Angelina pulled it out and headed to her room.
It was hard not to hold her breath as she opened the envelope and pulled the note out. She’d recognized his bold handwriting anywhere. No, premade card from the florist for him. No, Joseph liked to do things his way.
Her eyes watered as she read the few lines.
I’m sorry for what was done to keep us apart.
Never again will I let others decide our fate.
We are like the iris and sunflower. One dark and one bright.
You are my light. I will do whatever it takes to make things right and win your heart.
Forever yours, Joseph.
Tears flowed. Not only from emotion but fear. He wasn’t here, which meant one thing—he was doing something he shouldn’t be.