Oinotas

  Oinotas As the plane landed in Florence. Greta sat up in her seat, waiting for the impatience of the other passengers to subside. As soon as the aisle was less crowded, she got up, took her suitcase and got out of the aircraft. At the gate, a gentleman dressed in black with a black hat, held a sign with her name, "Miss Harrison." "Good morning!", she greeted him as she was approaching him. "Miss Harrison?" he replied. "Good morning. I'm Achillio, your aunt's chauffeur. Please allow me!", he continued and took the suitcase out of her hands. "Thank you!", she smiled. "Follow me, please." A black Mercedes was parked outside the airport. Achillio opened the back door to Greta, put the suitcase in the trunk and started the car. After a drive through green landscapes, they arrived at a large stone mansion surrounded by vines. It hadn't changed at all since last year. Achillio opened the door for her. At the entrance of the mansion, Genaro was waiting. He led her inside the house and she asked him to direct her to her aunt's office. Passing through the luxurious living room on the first floor, Genaro turned right, opened a two-leaf, walnut-carved door and extended his hand, inviting Greta inside the office. "Thank you!", she replied with a smile. He bowed discretely and walked away. She walked inside the room. In front of her, a large wooden desk. To the right a small living room with two armchairs and a sofa in front of the fireplace and at the other side, a library that covered the entire left wall of the room. Behind the desk, a huge balcony door occupied the wall area, offering a view of the vineyard. Greta approached the desk; she touched her aunt's chair lightly and caressed the top. She took a look at the desk. Documents arranged, books, a computer in the middle and photos. Photos of Greta's parents, her mother, her husband and Greta herself, six years old, fifteen; holding two glasses of wine and another in her 20s; in which they were together in the vineyard. "It's time, miss!", Genaro interrupted her. Greta followed him to the car. As soon as the modest ceremony at the church ended, she was approached by a young man, dressed in a black suit, and after expressing his condolences to her, he introduced himself as Giuseppe Cantolo, her aunt's lawyer. He asked her if he could visit her at the mansion in the afternoon. Greta agreed and thanked him. At exactly six o'clock, the mansion bell rang and Genaro opened up to Mr. Cantolo and escorted him to the living room on the first floor, where Greta was waiting for him. "Once again, I would like to express my condolences. Your aunt was a wonderful woman." "Thank you!", Greta said with a melancholic gaze. "I've been informed that you've recently lost your parents too." "Yes, six months ago.", she replied and turned her eyes to the window. "Would you like me to offer you something?" "No thanks! Duty doesn't allow me. For now, at least!" Greta sat in the chair opposite him. Giuseppe put his briefcase on the table and pulled out his papers. "Your aunt had drawn up a will where she leaves you the administration of the vineyard and everything that relates to it." Greta was surprised. " Being childless, she wanted all her belongings to be passed on to her beloved niece, she told me every time and showed me your picture with a smile." Greta smiled lightly. "I loved her very much, too, you know! She raised me." "Miss excuse me, this came for you." interrupted them, Genaro. "For me?", she wondered. "Yes," he continued, giving her an envelope with her name on it. She opened it. "Second summons confiscation", was written on the paper with the details of her house in New York. Greta folded the paper and put it back in the envelope, putting it on the coffee table next to her. Her gaze, made Giuseppe asked her, "Bad news, I suppose?" "It's not the first time in the last few months!", she responded with a slight bitterness. "Excuse me. Continue, please!" "There's an issue. As you know, your aunt wasn't married to Alfonso Giovese. His son, Banito Giovese, claims the vineyard even though there are no transfer documents. Alfonso Giovese passed away so suddenly and hadn't had time to draw up a will. His son uses the absence of marriage and claims that he is the rightful heir of the vineyard and everything else." "And what happens now?" "Legally, Mr. Banito Giovese is right, but we could come to a compromise and no one will lose. Besides, between us, the son didn't have the best relationship with his father. He refused to work in the vineyard and left years ago, after an intense fight they had. Alfonso Giovese, not wanting to abandon him, provided him, annually, with a high amount of money, which your aunt continued to send him after the loss of his father." "Where's Mr. Giovese?" "After their fight, he went to Paris to study and stayed there. With the money he took every year he could support himself, study and then open a company, which he runs to this day." "How old is Mr. Giovese now?" "He must be thirty-five." "And when was the last time he came here?" "He's been here twice, since he left. Once at his mother's funeral ten years ago and another last year at his father's." "And how didn't we meet?" "He left right after the ceremony." "And now what has changed and he wants to run the vineyard?", she asked in wonder. "He doesn't want to run it. He wants to sell it." "What do you think I can do?" "We could make a settlement if of course you are interested in running the vineyard. He will continue to take the annual income or otherwise, if it's sold, you'll get a share." "But you said that due to the absence of marriage, I legally don't own anything." "It's true!" "Then why would Mr. Giovese do that?" "Your half-cousin, you mean." "Even so!" "We're not missing anything to talk to him." Greta got up from the chair and headed to the window. She looked at the vineyard and took a look at the envelope she had placed on the coffee table next to her. "Excuse me. If I'm not too indiscreet, what's your situation?" Greta looked at him in surprise. "I mean, what do you do? Where do you live? Would you be interested in the vineyard?" "Just before I lost my parents, I finished my studies in chemistry, towards oenology." " Perfect coincidence ", Giuseppe smiled excitedly. "Not so much, as you can see." His enthusiasm was appeased. "As I told you before, I was raised by my aunt. My parents worked all the time, they had a bookstore, and she kept me after school, since as a journalist she worked in the mornings. She taught me to love wine, she loved it. She hadn't studied it, but whenever there was a wine tasting, she would always be there and she had real talent; you know! She distinguished flavors that were difficult even for experienced wine connoisseurs to distinguish them, at the first sip. In such a soiree, she met uncle Alfonso. I was 15 years old; she had taken me with her that night. It was the first time I tried wine under the right conditions", she laughed lightly. "Uncle approached her and they talked all night. I got the chance to try as many wines as I could. Of course, I wasn't experienced in the process and many times I didn't spit out the sips but, especially when I liked wine, I finished every glass." Giuseppe laughed. "My aunt found me later, fallen asleep on a couch, drunk. When we went home, my parents found out I was drunk and they had a huge fight with my aunt. The next afternoon I was at her house when the bell rang and she received a bouquet from uncle Alfonso, along with an invitation to dinner. My aunt had been divorced a few years ago and she hadn't found a man to move her since. They started dating, until they fell madly in love and auntie told us she was going to follow him to Italy. Just like it happened. After a while she returned to New York without telling us why. She was incredibly sad, but she wouldn't tell me the reason. Until a few months later, uncle came and took her. Since then they have stayed here!", she said with a smile that included a dose of sadness. "You missed her!" "Terribly! I was looking forward, impatiently, to finish school, get my degree and come work by her side, as I had promised. But I lost my parents and I had to stay at the bookstore. Then debts started to pilling up and I had to close it." "Why didn't you ask for your aunt to help you?" "I didn't want her to know anything. I thought I could take care of everything alone, then come here and have nothing to keep me in New York. But I didn't manage to do it!", she said and quickly wiped her right cheek. Giuseppe discreetly took his eyes off her. The next morning, Greta asked Genaro to show her around the vineyard and winery. As soon as she entered the place where the wine was made, she offered to help. They showed her around and she started right away. Her hands were on fire. Giuseppe interrupted her late at night. Just then, she realized that the time had passed, everyone else was gone and she was still working. She invited Giuseppe to join her for dinner and got a bottle of wine. A week passed, in the mornings she was in the vineyards, examining the grapes, then at the winery and in the evening, she had dinner with Giuseppe. They talked about New York, her life there, her parents. He told her about his life and everything he remembered about her aunt; who also had a habit of dining with him once a week. One night Gennaro interrupted them, escorting a thirty-five years old gentleman. "Good evening!", Giuseppe said and stood up from his chair. Greta looked at him, in surprise. "This is Miss Harrison, Jenny Harrison's niece. Mr. Banito Giovese.", he said addressing to Greta. "Nice to meet you." Greta got up from her chair and gave him her hand. "Likewise.", he said casually. "I was trying to reach you!", continued Giuseppe. "I was away on a business trip. I've found a buyer, he will be here in three days.", Banito announced. Greta was surprised. "Wait a minute! We can make a settlement.", Giuseppe stopped him. "What do you mean settlement?", Banito retorted. "Miss Harrison has also a share in the vineyard", he continued. "Legally not! I am the rightful heir and you know it." He turned to Greta, "Miss, you have three days to gather your aunt's things. And now if you'll excuse me. Good night.", he uttered coldly. "Wait a minute", Greta stopped him. "If you want, you can stay here at night. The house is big, as you know." "No! I have booked a room at the hotel. Good night.", he repeated coldly and left. Greta took the glass in her hands and looked at the dark sky. Giuseppe tried to talk to her, but he realized it didn't make any sense. He said good night to her and left. The next morning, he went to the hotel to find Banito. "Mr. Giovese!" "Oh, It's you." "I'd like to talk to you!" "I hear you." "Miss Harrison is very interested in the vineyard. She had studied oenology; she can run the place and you can keep receiving the annual income or if you want, we can make some adjustment!" "I've already lost a lot of money by letting her aunt stay here last year. The vineyard is rightfully mine and I will use it as I want. Good morning!" "Mr. Giovese,", he tried to stop him in vain. In the evening, he went, for dinner to the vineyard. "What are you going to do?" "What can I do? I'm going to pack auntie's things and I will leave." "To New York?" "Yes, I'll look for a job." "But you like this job! And as the winemaker told me, you're very good." "In New York unfortunately there are not many vineyards.", she smiled condescendingly. "You could ask the new owner to work here." "It won't be the same. Besides, I don't have anyone here. At least in America, I have my friends." The next morning Greta took a walk through the vineyards and the winery. As soon as she walked in, she couldn't resist, she approached the machines and got back to work. Giuseppe interrupted her again before dinner. "Tonight, is our last dinner", she told him. "Tomorrow morning I'll pick up auntie's things and by night I'll be gone." Giuseppe wanted to talk her out of it, but he saw that he couldn't. "Do you want to go for a walk on the vines?", he suggested. "To teach me something before you go?", he smiled. They walked through the dirt roads, to their right and left the vines and above them the star-studded sky. The light of the moon and the stars softened the dense darkness. Giuseppe looked for her hand and she accepted it. Then he leaned over and kissed her. She looked at him, "I guess a kiss for goodbye will be a beautiful memory.", she smiled at him. Giuseppe didn't answer. The next morning, she asked Genaro for her aunt's luggage and to show her where her things were inside the house. She started packing her clothes in her suitcases and kept one for all her documents. In the afternoon, Giuseppe visited her to say goodbye. He found her sitting on the dining terrace, next to a small wooden case reading some letters. "Good evening!" "Good evening", she replied. "Sit down", she suggested. "What's that?" "My aunt's letters. I was tempted to open them." She gave him a letter. "It's Banito's fault that she left." "What do you mean?" "Read!" Giuseppe looked at the letter. "My light, Don't leave me. Banito doesn't mean what he says. He hasn't accepted his mother's death yet, and he can't imagine another woman next to me. But you, my angel, are my life! From the first moment you lit up in the crowd that night, I knew you were the woman of my life. I loved Miranda, but with you, it's something different, I can't explain it. When you find your other half, everything around you stops, you feel like you're connected by something incomprehensible, something timeless, and when I met you, it was like I always knew you. We've been tied up through time, over the years, I don't know. All I know is I can't live without you. It's you and me. Banito lives his life elsewhere. He hadn't been to the vineyard since we lost Miranda. Don't let him break us up. I couldn't bear to live without you. I love you with all my being, Your oinotas. » "Oinotas?", he asked. "I think it's a union of the greek words of wine and love. My aunt used to mention it to me.", she said and continued in another tone. "Giuseppe, thank you for the ticket. As soon as I can, I promise I'll give you the money back." "Don't mention it and above all, don't worry! Your aunt came back. They didn't lose their oinotas.", he said, trying to make her laugh but in vain. "He wanted to kick her out then, as he does now." "What is this?", he asked her and pulled a sealed envelope out of the case. "I don't know.", she replied. Giuseppe unsealed the envelope and read the contents. "Greta!", he exclaimed and popped out of the chair. "What?", she asked frightened. Banito came on the porch with an old gentleman. "Oh, Miss Harrison, you are still here?", he said coldly and turned to Giuseppe. She sighed and left. "Mr. Cantolo. Right?", he said with some doubt. "Mr. Demire saw the vineyard and we have agreed. We need a lawyer to draw up the agreement.", he continued. The words caught up Greta as she walked into her aunt's office. She took the pictures and put them on the last suitcase. She stroked her chair and as her eyes began to water, she came out of the room. "Is everything okay?", she asked Genaro. "Yes, miss. Your suitcase is in the car and Achillio is waiting for you. The rest will be sent by me, don't worry!" "And the wooden case that's outside, please! Thank you very much, Genaro." "I'm so sorry, miss! Honestly, I'm so sorry!" Greta smiled bitterly at him and walked out of the mansion. The car was getting out at the highway and her eyes stood in the vineyard and the winery until they were gone. Half an hour later she was at the airport. Achillio took out her suitcase and escorted her to the gate. "Greta! Greta!", she heard a voice behind her. "Giuseppe?" "Stop!" "What happened?" Giuseppe was trying to regain his breath and passed her a piece of paper. She started reading it and asked him surprised, "What's that?" "Gioveze's will. Your uncle's!" Greta kept looking at him the same way. "He made it the day of his death, in the presence of a lawyer. He's passed it all to your aunt." "How?" "It looks like he wasn't well and he realized that... He wanted to secure your aunt!", he continued. "What about Banito?", she asked. "He doesn't leave him anything! Just the annual income." Greta was looking at him stunned. "The vineyard is yours!", he shouted cheerfully. The suitcase fell out of Greta's hands and she jumped on Giuseppe. She hugged her and he hugged her too. They looked into each other's eyes and kissed. "It looks like the kiss won't be a beautiful memory of a goodbye!", he told her and smiled at her. She returned the smile to him slyly and kissed him again.