Chapter 108

**Francesca**

"Francesca, Giovanna, give it to both of them," my mother says walking into the lab where Gio and I are.

"For us, Mom?" - I ask in surprise since I'm not expecting anything, so I smile at her who analyzes me.

Today, especially, I'm smiling at nothingness, I'm even feeling pain on my face from so much smiling.

"Yes, for both of them," he confirms.

We ran out of the laboratory towards the house where we found parked a car of the most famous flower shop in Florence.

As soon as we approach, the man leaning against the car smiles.

"Miss Francesca and Giovanna?"

"Yes, that's us," I reply.

He opens the sliding door of the car, picks up a gorgeous arrangement of blue, purple and pink cornflowers mixed with orange lilies.

The arrangement is beautiful, huge and refers to love.

In Italy, the cornflowers are given at court by the boy and if they quickly wither they say that the love has not been reciprocated. Which is not the case, since I love my Fernando too much. Lilies are considered the national flowers of Italy and the color orange, in particular, means love.

I pick up the arrangement smiling because I know it's from my Fernando and inhale its delicious smell.

Oh, I'm so happy!

Then he delivers another similar arrangement to Giovanna.

- There are two men in love with the ladies, I hope they are reciprocated, after all love is everything in life.

"Yes," we say together, proudly holding our flower arrangements.

- Need I say who the senders were? — he asks curiously.

"It's not necessary, we know who they are, don't we, Fran?" - Gio says watching me.

"We know who you are and thank you so much for this special delivery," I say and man shakes his head in agreement.

The man is gone and we stare at our hands like two fools. Soon Mom approaches and analyzes our expressions.

- May I know what that means? — she asks.

"It's pampering two men in love," Giovanna says and agrees.

- Can I know who the two are? - Mom asks.

"John and Lorenzo, CEO of the Rocatelli group and his process director," I respond by observing my mother's reaction.

I don't know if she remembers that I was once involved with Lorenzo and what happened next due to Giuseppe's frames.

"The name Lorenzo Rocatelli is not strange to me," Mom says and Dad approaches.

- And those flowers? And what are they talking about Lorenzo? I met this boy when I was little. He was always very centered, an excellent boy, very friendly with Giuseppe.

"Daddy, it's flowers from two men in love with your two girls," I say slyly.

- I didn't like it anymore, but I have to twist my arm, they have good taste, after all the flowers say about their intention. But what about Lorenzo Rocatelli, I didn't understand the connection of the subjects?

"I'm dating Lorenzo, Dad," I say sighing.

- Wait, did I hear that right? - My father asks. - It's been years since I've seen you happy or taking someone on. In fact, not even at the time of Giuseppe did I see you like that smiling at nothing. Look, Rose, the girl can't help but smile. And that shining eyes?

I look fondly at my father who knows me so well, even though he hasn't kept up with my growth.

"Let's just say that my heart has always been Lorenzo's and because of situations that escaped our purview we were separated for ten years," I say lowering my head, remembering this dark phase of my life.

- Wasn't he involved with the issue of those photos? — my mother asks, analyzing me. - And then in your endless sadness, where did I think I'd get sick? I mean, if I remember correctly you got sick.

- What story is that, Rose? What photos? Those photos they spread at school? - My father asks nervously.

- Dad, that was something they invented to separate us, I found out about it yesterday, but I don't want to talk about it because it involves Giuseppe.

"Daughter, I saw how much you suffered and I don't want to see that again," my mother says. - Know that I am against this relationship, even though I know that you are of legal age and can do whatever you want with your life.

I know that if I don't open up the details of this story, my mother and as a consequence my father may be against our love and I don't want that.

- Mom, Lorenzo didn't do any of that, we were victims of Giuseppe who wanted everything Lorenzo had, including me. Sorry, Dad, I wouldn't say anything, but I don't want you to have reservations with my beloved. I found out that Giuseppe did everything to separate us, which includes lying, forging evidence and pitting me against Lorenzo during those years. As for Lorenzo, he was forced by his father to go to study abroad and then believed that I had died.

- What story is that, daughter? — my mother asks in amazement, with her hand on her heart. - Don't even play with this death story.

- Giuseppe took advantage of the fact that Lorenzo called when Gio received the news of his mother's death and confirmed to his then friend that it was me. Let's say he enlisted the help of fate and used it to its advantage. Lorenzo even came to the funeral and all the time thought it was me, since Giuseppe once again confirmed everything.

- That's right, auntie... I know it's hard to believe, but that's what happened and it was all Giuseppe thought up — Gio completes angrily.

- Why does hearing these things still scare me? Giuseppe even dead does not tire of surprising me. What did my nephew do with his life, my God? Lorenzo was his best friend, and yet he stabbed his friend in the back—my father says, sadly. - I blame myself so much for this...

"Dad, it's not your fault, it was his personality and that wouldn't change anything. I even read in Giuseppe's diary that I found that he made a deal with his former secretary for her to go out and put my mother in her place, just to make me feel grateful to him. Guiseppe knew how to build a web and get involved in it.

- Antonia? That explains the time she was given without working—my father says falling for it.

"And his death," he added. - Since she could say something if pressed.

- Yes. By the way he thought of everything.

"But it's past waters and now I just want to think about the future and my future is Lorenzo. - I smile, sighing.

"Well, knowing that I won't oppose you two and I'll give my blessing," my mother says and hugs her.

- Thank you, Mom, this is very important to me. Now it's putting these arrangements in pots to last a long time," I say looking at Gio who smiles in response.

- Gio, what about John? I want to meet you," my father says with his arms crossed, analyzing it.

- Uncle, he's wonderful. You know that conversation we had at the time of Marco? - Gio says holding my father's hand.

"That he wasn't the right guy?" — he asks, parsing it.

- That one... So now I think things have changed and John is the right guy," Gio says smiling.

"Now I want to meet this guy, he's accomplished a feat," my father says, hugging her. "I just want you two to be happy, even if I don't like the idea of two marmanjos taking my little girls. - My father does a pout to complete his drama.

My phone rings, I hand the arrangement to my mom and pick it up. I look at the viewfinder and smile when I see the name Fernando shining.

"Hi, I loved the flowers," I say as I answer.

- I'm glad for that. But I don't think any of them get to your feet.

- Ah, my dear...

"I was wondering if it's over there and if I can pick it up," he asks anxiously.

"I'm done and I was going home to get ready to meet you.

- No need, amore mio. I'm seeing how beautiful it is. Come here at the entrance of the winery that I am waiting for you.

I smile as I look at the entrance to the winery and run towards the stopped car.

"Fuii," I say, looking back, smiling at my father and Gio watching me.

"Judgment, daughter," my mother says with a laugh.

- You can leave...

As soon as he sees me, he gets out of the car and I jump into his lap, kissing his lips.

"Oh, I miss that," he says spinning me. - Shall we?

- Can I find out where?

- To Paradise.

I kiss him again and then he puts me on the floor.

"Are we going to my house?" - I ask mischievously, twirling a lock of hair on my finger.

- We're not going to your house or mine. Come in I'm dying to be alone with you. - Bite my lip.

I smile and then get in the car, feeling fifteen again.