TWELVE
2014 Words
ENZO—---
So this is the infamous Leonardo Dante's villa, I can't wait to see his daughters and mostly the one who made him this way. Although I am not sure she still resides here, I just hope Leonardo Dante business offer is worth all this trouble.
"Sir, Mr Leonardo Dante would be with you soon." One if his servants said before being and then walking away, I stare at the pictures on the table but all I can see is only one daughter, no signs or picture of the other one.
"Mr Enzo Ferrari." I heard from behind me as Leonardo descended from the stairs with a wide smile on hus face and his daughter the one on the picture frames.
I stood up almost immediately acting like a gentleman as we shaked hands.
"Mr Dante." I replied taking my seat with him also sitting opposite mine.
"What would you like to take?" His daughter asked also faking the smile on her face.
"I am fine," I replied, she nods and sits beside her dad.
"Are you sure Mr Ferrari?" Leonardo asked.
"Yes ,let's just get straight to business". I said adjusting my tie.
LEONARDO---
As Enzo adjusts his tie, I can't help but feel the weight of desperation weighing down on me. My company is on the verge of collapsing, and if Enzo doesn't agree to help, it could all be lost. I take a deep breath, trying to gather my thoughts before making my proposition.
"Enzo, I know you're a wealthy and powerful man," I begin, choosing my words carefully. "I also know that you have great respect for family and tradition. So I come before you today with a request, a plea even."
Enzo looks at me, his expression unreadable. I can see the gears turning in his mind, analyzing the situation and considering the potential benefits.
"I'm listening," he says calmly.
I take another deep breath, gathering the courage to make my offer. "Enzo, I am willing to... give you something in return for your help. Something that means a great deal to me."
Enzo raises an eyebrow, leaning back in his chair. "And what would that be, Leonardo?"
I glance over at my daughter, Aurora, who is sitting beside me, her eyes filled with curiosity and concern. She may not fully understand the implications of what I'm about to propose, but she trusts me to make the right decision.
"Enzo, I offer you the hand of my daughter, Aurora, in marriage," I say, my voice steady despite the nerves bubbling in my stomach.
Enzo's eyes widen ever so slightly, and for a moment, there is silence in the room. The weight of my proposition hangs heavily in the air.
Finally, Enzo speaks. "Leonardo, this is a significant offer, one that cannot be taken lightly."
"I understand that, Enzo," I reply, my voice tinged with desperation. "But I have no choice. If I don't find a way to save my company, everything I've worked for will be lost. Aurora's happiness and future are at stake."
Enzo leans forward, resting his elbows on the table, and studies me intently. "I appreciate your honesty, Leonardo. And I understand the gravity of your situation. Give me some time to think about it."
Relief floods through me, knowing that Enzo is at least considering my offer. "Please, Enzo, take all the time you need. I'm willing to do whatever it takes."
Enzo takes a deep breath, clearly conflicted by the proposition. He had always prided himself on being a man who made his own choices, but the weight of tradition and duty pressed down on him now.
"Leonardo," Enzo begins, his voice cautious, "I must admit that your offer surprises me. While I understand the urgency of your situation, I cannot make a decision of this magnitude lightly. Marriage is a sacred bond, one that should not be entered into solely for the sake of business."
Enzo's words strike a chord with me, and I nod in understanding. "I agree, Enzo. I do not take this decision lightly either. But I am desperate, and my company's survival depends on it."
Enzo's gaze softens slightly, and he places a reassuring hand on my shoulder. "Leonardo, I sympathize with your struggles. But I cannot make a decision that would affect the happiness and future of your daughter without her consent. I will not force her into a marriage against her will."
I glance at Aurora, who has been listening intently throughout our conversation. Her eyes are filled with a mixture of apprehension and determination. I can see that she understands the gravity of the situation and is willing to make sacrifices for the sake of our family.
"Enzo, I assure you, Aurora's happiness is of the utmost importance to me," I say earnestly. "I would never force her into a marriage that she does not want. But if there is a chance that she could find happiness with you, someone she respects and with whom she shares values, I believe it is worth considering."
Enzo pauses, clearly mulling over my words. "I admire your dedication to your family, Leonardo. I will take your offer into consideration. However, I require some time to discuss this matter with Aurora directly, to gauge her thoughts and feelings. I will not proceed further without her consent."
Relief floods through me once again, knowing that Enzo respects Aurora's autonomy and will not proceed without her agreement. "Thank you, Enzo. I appreciate your willingness to handle this matter with sensitivity."
Enzo stands up from his chair, his expression serious but compassionate. "Leonardo, I make no promises. But I will speak with Aurora and consider the potential of this union. In the meantime, I will also investigate other avenues to help save your company."
I nod gratefully, feeling a glimmer of hope begin to stir within me. "Thank you, Enzo. I truly hope that we can find a solution that benefits us all."
With a firm handshake, Enzo takes his leave, the weight of our conversation still heavy in the air. As I watch him depart, I can only hope that this risky proposition will be the key to saving my company and securing a future for both my daughter and myself.
ISABELLA —
Fury coursed through me as I listened to my colleague's hurtful words. How dare she spread such rumors and attack my daughter like that? I couldn't let her get away with it.
Taking a deep breath, I stood up from my desk and walked confidently towards her. The entire office seemed to hold its breath as I approached, their eyes locked on the confrontation unfolding in front of them.
"Who do you think you are, spreading lies and attacking my daughter?" I said, my voice firm and filled with anger.
She smirked, clearly enjoying the attention she was receiving. "Oh please, Isabella. Everyone knows the truth. Your daughter isn't Enzo's biological child, and you're just trying to use her to get something from him."
The room fell silent, the weight of her words hanging in the air. I could feel the eyes of my colleagues burning into me, waiting for my response.
"How dare you make such accusations without any proof?" I fired back, my voice shaking with fury.
She scoffed, unfazed by my anger. "Proof? Haven't you heard the whispers, Isabella? It's all over the office. People are saying that Enzo himself isn't sure if Sofia is his daughter."
My heart ached at the mention of Enzo's doubts, but I couldn't let her see my pain. I had to stand strong for Sofia.
"You have no right to speak about things you know nothing about," I said, my voice low and filled with determination. "Sofia is my daughter, and Enzo has always been her father. We don't owe anyone any explanations."
With that, I turned away from her, refusing to let her hurtful words affect me. I walked back to my desk, my head held high, and continued with my work as if nothing had happened.
But deep down, the wounds of her accusations still cut deep. I couldn't help but wonder if there was any truth to her words. Did Enzo really have doubts about Sofia? And if he did, what did that mean for our relationship?
I pushed the thoughts aside, knowing that I needed to focus on my work. The last thing I wanted was for my personal life to affect my professional life. I had to stay strong, not just for myself, but for Sofia too.
As the days passed, the rumors surrounding Sofia and Enzo's relationship continued to spread throughout the office. It seemed like no matter what I did, I couldn't escape the whispers and judgment of my colleagues.
But I refused to let their opinions define me. I knew the truth about Sofia and Enzo's bond, and that was all that mattered. Their love for each other was unbreakable, and I would do whatever it took to protect it.
Meanwhile, at home, Sofia's little world was starting to crumble. The whispers from school had reached her innocent ears, and she was beginning to question her place in our family.
"Mama, are those people at school right? Am I not really Daddy's daughter?" she asked one night, tears streaming down her cheeks.
I pulled her into my arms, holding her tight as I whispered words of love and reassurance. "Oh my sweet Sofia, don't you ever believe those lies. You are Daddy's daughter, and nothing can ever change that. We are a family, and our love for each other will always be stronger than anything anyone says."
Sofia nodded, her eyes filled with a mixture of sadness and confusion. "But why would people say such things, Mama? It hurts."
I sighed, feeling the weight of her pain. "Sometimes, people say hurtful things because they don't understand. They're scared of what they don't know, so they try to tear others down to make themselves feel better. But we can't let their words define us. We know the truth, Sofia, and that's all that matters."
Sofia wiped her tears, her small face determined. "You're right, Mama. We won't let their words bring us down. We'll stay strong, just like you always tell me."
I smiled at her bravery, pride swelling in my chest. "That's my girl. We'll face whatever comes our way together, and nothing will ever break us apart."
From that moment on, Sofia and I made a silent pact to ignore the rumors and focus on our love for each other. We were a team, ready to face any challenge that came our way.
But deep down, the doubts and uncertainty still lingered. I couldn't ignore the nagging feeling that something wasn't right between Enzo and me. And I couldn't shake the fear that our lives were about to change in ways we couldn't even imagine.
But I needed to settle whatever was happening between me and Enzo, if he thinks of me as a nobody he should at least consider Sofia's feelings, I know I was a reckless mother for not considering how my daughter would feel before chasing him away.
I brought out my phone from my purse after successfully getting Sofia to take a nap and opened Enzo contact on my phone staring at the screen for a while a little hesitant to make the call. After breathing in and out heavily I dialed his number and to my surprise it ranged. Making my heart leap out as I was about to end the call when I heard Enzo's voice.
"Why are you calling me?" He asked.
"Sofia made me call." I lied.
"But I can't hear her screaming Daddy?" He questioned making me chuckle, I can't believe I made such a huge excuse without thinking.
"She is already fast asleep but she made me promise to call you and tell you how much she missed you." I said to Enzo who was quiet for a while.
"I miss her too." He replied ending the call immediately.
- Writer
