60- Sofia's Death
POV- Eleonora Vitale.
"Dad, I can't believe this man is still in my life, after all." I say as I put my hand on my forehead.
"I'll understand if you don't want to go, my dear. To tell the truth, I also didn't want to see Viktor Sorrentino. But my professional ethics do not allow such a privilege." Says my father, sighing.
"Dad, Viktor Sorrentino no longer affects me as it used to. I could lie saying that I don't feel anything for that gentleman anymore, but I prefer to tell the truth. And facing it will be even better for the process of forgetting it entirely. Then I'll be happy to accompany you." He smiles and nods.
In the past, Dad had signed a contract with Viktor Sorrentino's company. The project had already been announced and, unfortunately, could no longer be canceled. It is a sponsorship by the Sorrentino Corporation in a world fashion show event.
I was a little silly to believe that I would see myself completely free of his presence in my life. "But I was only wrong..."
"If you really feel good, then I'm very glad you go with me." He says Daddy and comes to me, hugging me and kissing my forehead.
"If you don't mind, I'd like to invite a friend. It's been a while since we've seen each other, and it would be nice to be accompanied by a female presence. Woman's things, you must know."
"Gossip, of course I know, my love." I put my hand on my chest and pretend to be offended.
"Are you calling me a gossip, Mr. Castelli?" He smiles and nods unabashedly. "In my defense: let's just catch up." We laugh and continue our conversation.
THE NEXT DAY...
"Babe, we're finally seeing each other again!!" Rodrigo says as he enters my room, and Alice, who is with me, helps me get up because of my belly. "And what fabulous belly is that, huh?" She greets me with a kiss on the cheek and bends down to do the same on my belly, then also greets my friend. "When will this beautiful little thing be born?"
"In a few days..." I smile as I rest my hand on my belly.
"I got it. Well, are you ready to transform into Greek goddesses?" He asks, and we nodd, smiling.
\[...\]
"Heavens, you're a divine bitch." Alice says.
And yes, our friendship is already at that level!
"She looks like a fairy, her belly just made her more beautiful." Comments Rodrigo.
"So you make me embarrassed." The two come up to me and hug me, but soon we move away with the knocks we hear on the door. Then the figure of daddy emerges behind it.
"Are you ready, kids?" He asks. Alice and I exchanged meaningful glances and answered in unison:
"We are, captain!!" Dad doesn't understand, but smiles at our euphoric attitude. So we continue towards the celebration.
After a few minutes, we finally arrived at the place, and we could already hear the classical songs. Dad and Alice helped me out of the car. "Which was a complete suffocation!" But already inside, we greeted some acquaintances and guests. However, the weight of my belly quickly demands a place to sit.
"Dad, I'm getting tired." I communicate it.
"Let's sit down." He says, and we looked for the table with his last name and soon found it. We sat down and started commenting on the event.
"Alfred, mon amie! How long has it been since we've seen each other, um?" A well-placed man approaches, saluting papà.
"Antonie, mon chéri! It's really been a long time since we've seen each other. How have you been?" He gets up, and the two exchange a hug.
"Well, very well. What about you?" Asks that Antonie, looking truly happy.
"Me too. Now let me introduce Eleonora, my daughter." Points to me. The boy frowns. Understanding his confusion, my father hurries to speak: "I'll explain it another time. Daughter, this is Antonie Bernard, manager of Model & Fashion and son of Leroy Bernard, a great man whom I had the opportunity to work alongside for many years. Unfortunately, the same is no longer with us." Antonie lowers her head, and because I share the same pain, I say:
"I understand well how you feel and I'm sorry for your loss. And nice to meet you..." I extend my hand, still seated. "This is my friend, Alice Mitchell." Alice stands up, and the two shake hands.
"Antonie, join us." Dad suggests, and he nods, sitting in front of me. Our eyes cross for a moment, and embarrassed, I look at another point. More precisely to the stage, where I notice a movement.
I see Viktor and Giselle go up. The two were arm in arm, and although I wanted to be indifferent, I couldn't deny that the scene hurts inside me. The same is put behind the microphone, and the baranga is a little further back.
"First of all, I wish everyone a good night. Well, this night is very important not only for Sorrentino Corporation, but also for Model & Fashion. After a long time, we finally managed to sponsor such a great agency. That makes me somewhat happy." He continues his speech, and for a moment he sets his eyes on me. I face it without showing any expression or reaction. "Now I would like to give the floor to Antonie Bernard." Upon hearing his name, he stands up, and before walking away, Dad suggests:
"Daughter, why don't you accompany Antonie? He seems to have come without any company." I smile nervously, and the boy comes next to me and extends his hand. Embarrassed, I hold her and stand up. He seems to be scared by my pregnancy, but he keeps quiet and doesn't comment on anything. So we walk up to the stage, and begrudgingly, I have to greet Viktor, who casts meaningful glances between me and Antonie.
But it doesn't say anything, and I thank heaven for that. Antonie starts her speech, and he looks at me, making me a little embarrassed. Then it's Dad's turn. He starts by talking about the sponsorship, and everyone applauds him for his well-placed words.
"Well, taking advantage of the fact that everyone is here, I would like to say something wonderful that happened in my life a few months ago. After many years, I finally found my daughter, Eleonora Vitale." A spotlight comes over me, as well as the looks of the people around me, some curious and others simply watching. "You must be wondering how I changed daughters like this, so suddenly..." He smiles and speaks again: "I found out that Vittoria was not the person I was looking for, and I only had the privilege of finding Eleonora by coincidence. The important thing is that now we are together. Daughter, I promise to make it up to you for all the days you were helpless." His words move me, and tears run down my face.
He finishes his speech and comes to me. Affectionately, we hug each other, and he says kind words. Then he sits down, and dinner is served. "Finally, I'm feeling my stomach in my back!"
"Alfred, I hope to be welcome to your table." Renzo's voice fills the small silence that had become at our table.
"Renzo, of course it is. My problem is with your friend. Then you can sit with us." Strangely, Antonie Bernard stands up and walks over to me, sitting in the vacant seat next to me. Renzo frowns, but sits down in the place that remains.
"Well, I'm going to touch up my makeup. I'll be back in a moment." I get up, and Alice does the same, but I stop it, saying that it will be quick. So, I leave the table and walk with long strides to the bathrooms.
Everything is going perfectly well, until the door is opened slowly and the figure of Viktor appears behind it. I don't show any reaction like the other times and let him feel my cold gaze.