Italian Mess

The afternoon went by like the wind. It was quick like feeling its breeze brush through right your face. And it's over. I was on the way home now. Knowing that I made it to the list, my parents told me we're celebrating tonight. The last few days of University and I'm out. The darkness of the sky invaded the colorful hues of the last few minutes of the sunset. Traffic is what I'm always frustrated at and It's a good thing I did not get stuck in it. Basically, I wasn't that early for dinner or late either. My parents demanded that I'd take a business course. And I did. For their sake.  Not for my benefit—never. Graduation is fast approaching. I hope they'll be satisfied that I did follow them. They also expected me to graduate in a college program in an Ivy League School. My younger brother, Leonardt Von Heissler, who is in Flight school is getting his Pilot license and also taking Aircraft maintenance classes. In my car in our driveway, I noticed that there's an unrecognized car on the driveway. I muttered under my breath, "Holy s**t!" Did dad get a new car? Don't tell me that's mine? Do we have visitors? This is too early for a graduation gift. My eyes bulged as it was a new black Lamborghini Veneno roadster. Damn. A shiny and super sleek sports car. I shouldn't get my hopes up again. Cars were something I'm fond of. I watch too much Fast & Furious movies and Need for Speed. My car was also something. An Audi R8 Coupe. It was also fast and sleek. Well, my parents told me early this morning that we would talk about something serious at dinner. Maybe this is what they're talking about. A new car? Thoughts already cascaded unto my head. Our mansion-like home was fully lit. It meant my mom and dad are home. They're always busy but manage to make time for family. I hurry towards the door with the curiosity at its finest orbiting inside my head.  My dad, Heinrich Heissler, is the CEO of Heissler Shipping Inc. and my mom, Sofia Lombardi-Heissler, is an agricultural entrepreneur and handles organic supermarkets. She also manages the Azienda we have in Italy that produces wine, fruits, and other fresh greens. I opened our front door and in an instant, the smell of luscious food seized my nostrils. A couple of muffled voices could be heard. My brows furrow in an instant. The smell of home plastered a grin on my face, "I'm home!" "In the dining room!" My mom's voice echoed. I placed my bag gently in the living room. Electricity jolted right through me as I walked towards the dining room. "Dad, did you get a new car? What's up?" I greeted them with excitement and a big smile plastered on my face. " My eyes caught a man who had black hair and a woman that made me stop in my tracks as my throat ran dry. He looked like he's the same age as my parents, with deep-set eyes, beard, mustache, broad shoulders.  He looked handsome at his age and had strong features. Very businessman-like. The woman beside him was a brunette. She's beautiful, simple yet elegant with the dress that suited her perfectly, who rested her hand on his arm. His wife? I don't know them but are familiar. Like I've seen them somewhere. Both my mom and dad exclaimed seeing me, "Congratulations, Soleil!"  They hugged me one by one. I whispered as my mom hugged me taking in our dining table filled with food prepared, "Thanks, I thought it would be just us for dinner. I didn't know we'd have guests over?" Familiar.  "Oh, this is my new business partner in Organique, Domenico Bosconova, and his wife, Celeste. I felt spontaneous, so I invited them over since they had no plans for dinner. They have farms also that produce top quality products that Organique needs. This is a win-win party! A new business partner and you graduating from college!" My mom raised both her hands in the air. I continued to stare at them, wondering where on earth did I see their faces. I'm trying to get hold of the thought. "That's really sweet of you, mom." Not anymore focused that I was graduating but I got my eyes on these guests right before me, "Hi, Mr. and Mrs. Bosconova, Good Evening," I gave them a warm welcome. "Congratulations, Soleil! Soon enough, someone will take over the business," Domenico greeted me with his voice deep enough to call the attention of an entire room and his accent.  One thing is for sure, he has this dominant accent I can't get a hang on. I still continued forcing a smile. This is awkward. "Thank you, Mr. Bosconova," I replied. Leo arrived just in time for dinner and we all started eating. Dinner was pleasant. My mom cooked her best dishes, making it celebratory for both of us. Celeste looks familiar, which I cannot put my brain into. It repeatedly went in circles inside my head the entire dinner. I continue glancing and smiling at them.  These Bosconovas were sitting across from me at the dining table enjoying a small conversation with my parents. They kept talking about business as usual, so I didn't bother to eavesdrop. The business was never my interest. I gripped on my utensils to focus on my food and tapped my toes on the floor instead, to stop glaring at them. Staying quiet is easy when you don't like the vibe of the room. They were too engrossed in their own conversation, making it so serious. Leo stayed silent in his seat, secretly on his phone he held on his lap. Rude. We both didn't bother talking to each other. Dinner passed right before my eyes. Our guests bid their farewells after eating desserts and a cup of tea. While my parents walked them out, I helped Alessia clean up the table. Leo, who ran impatiently, went up to his room. Alessia was our maid who maintains the cleanliness of the house and laundry since my parents are busy most of the time. My parents came back and made their way to our coffee table at our patio. Dad called out, "Lei, honey, can you please come here?" Alessia grabbed the rag I was holding and nodded at me. She meant she got it. I made my way towards them and sat. This seemed to be a serious talk or some revelation or the one they want to talk about. I hope this is not terrible news again. They usually give me that serious voice and reveal something that gets me off guard, always. "Okay, I thought you got me a new car, but okay, what's with all of that?" I chuckle. "You're graduating soon," My mom responded with a firm voice. "Y-Yeah? Uh, what's going on? Spill the tea, mamma." "Your dad and I-" She trailed. Oh damn, don't tell me they'll get a divorce? Or she's sick or dad's sick. I furrow my eyebrows at them. This is insane. I hope this is not awful news like people dying or people leaving. I cannot take it anymore if ever someone leaves again. Pulling myself back out of a dark place was hard. This will be devastating, again. Oh my god... Please don't tell me she's pregnant, or she's having an affair. I cannot have another sibling, I'm tired of Leo, and wow, the age gap of having a new little bro or sis. I just can't right now. I place a hand on both of my temples while gushing out all these thoughts. The thought about knowing what to do after college and now you're asked to babysit? I'm disoriented.  What is this? "Don't tell me you're pregnant?" I blurted out with impatience, as my eyebrows continued to furrow. "No, I'm not in that age range already. We sort of planned on sending you to Italy for the summer to just monitor our farm there and the winery. Everything there, in short." Italy. Before I could react, dad continued, "You can bring friends if you want to make the stay much more fun and exciting. And to top it off, you can explore the rest of Europe while you're there. We'll pay for the expenses."  I take in word for word what he just said. He gestures, "You know how businesses work, so you simply monitor and give it an assessment. We know that you're independent and can manage. Now, this is an experience for you to widen your horizon. Help you plan to take over our business or make your own, perhaps. Consider this as our graduation gift to you," How could one word bring you back so many splendid memories? A name of a person can even bring you so much pain. What more when it's a place that used to be your safe haven. Time flies so fast and things change. I changed but the memories I get haunted by, don't. I pursed my lips, "Wait for a second, what if I say no?"  Do I have other options out of this? I'm thankful it's not what I was thinking about. My head and my heart exploded about all the possibilities. I don't know how to feel about going to Italy. I've been avoiding it ever since. Should I be happy? Sad? Yes, surprised. And yet again, disappointed that I'm undertaking an obligation.  "We know you wouldn't," She answered with no doubt. I hate saving my parents' asses. Most of the time, they give me the 'you're the sun of our family, the only one who'll save us' line. I'm the sun of our family, literally, figuratively and in all different ways, you can count. Without them thinking about how I'd feel about their decisions. What if I take it? I have nothing to lose other than my sanity being in Italy. I'll go around Europe, bring my friends over, and by chance to meet some dude for the summer. Also, I have nothing else to do and this probably would be it. It's time to get to know thyself in the place I used to call home. "This is all unfair. I even haven't had my opinion about getting sent to Italy. Was I even asked if I was okay with it? No. You kind of concluded the moment you planned this and have given me no choice at all, even If I argued my way out of this. I'm tired of hearing all that crap, but okay for the last time...since you're paying for all of that stuff." I stood up and paced back and forth as I ranted. I cross my arms as I raise an eyebrow at them, "What is happening with Italy's management? Isn't it going well? I thought grandpa would give it a visit now and then. What about the rest of the Lombardi, Nonno, your brothers? my cousins? Leo?"  "Your Nonno has other plans in mind. I cannot go because I have things to do here the entire summer in supplying the chains. I don't trust your cousins cause they're irresponsible and most especially, I don't trust your uncles anymore after they sold most of the Lombardi properties in Italy. The Lombardi only have both of us women. That makes us the only reliable ones. Leo will take some advanced training." Mom explained as she was getting worried. After my mom's mom, Nonna, died, Nonno and my mom's brothers gambled. There were times they won, but most of the time they lost. Resulting in debt and in order to pay, they sold off most of our properties in Italy except the Azienda. I inhaled the good energy in hopes that I'd be getting positivity out of this, "Okay, I'll do it. I'll bring Aury and Elodie with me like what dad suggested. Most probably, Alex is coming as well if he's offseason," I answered straight with my head held high and no hesitation. They encourage me by bringing people who'd make me feel better. Why do my parents keep doing that? "Thank you for doing this, Soleil. You're indeed the sun of the family." Her smile reached ear to ear, "This means a lot to me and you'll be leaving 2 days after your graduation. I'll book the tickets by tomorrow and the necessary paperwork. I'll give the farm a call tomorrow to prepare for your arrival and clean up the vacation house. Also, I'll be informing their parents once I have confirmed tickets," I steady my breathing as I push away the negativity of this plan.  I sighed with so much defeat in my voice, "Right, and Dad?" My dad looked at me adoringly, "Yes, Lei?" "Can you send one of your yachts there too? Monte Carlo or Amalfi perhaps?" "I'll check where Victoria is, I think in Miami if she's available for use. Anything else?" "None so far. I'll go to bed now. I had a long day. You guys should too. Work must be tiring. Good night and thank you!" I kissed my parents' cheek and went upstairs, back to my room. I just finished a college program I didn't want and here I am asked to do something...again. Before I got into my room, I stopped by my brother's door to check on him. As usual, on his computer playing his video games while ranting about his stupid teammates. I left and headed to my room. I took a shower. Refreshed to let the water stream down my body as my thoughts wandered everywhere. In a short while, I prepared for bed. Before I closed my eyes, I pressed a pillow unto my face and screamed. I remembered I forgot to ask my parents about the deal with the Bosconovas. They were something. Everything seemed unusual, or was I just overthinking all of this? Done with the Heisslers, now with the Lombardi, who gambles? I inhaled the heaviness of the air and pressed my face again, continuing to scream at my pillow.