LUNA

chapter 2

I decided to call my father today, I miss him alot and it hurts everytime I think about him and mother, why can't I receive that love from them.

"buongiorno papà" I greeted my dad in Italian, even if I didn't grow up in Italy, my papa made sure I learnt Italian and few other languages, I am fluent in Spanish, German, french and some languages.

"Luna Orlando how are you" he asked me in his always business manner

I ignored his question "hey papa, è passato molto tempo da quando parliamo"

hey it been a while since we talked

"luna sono stato occupato" he said

I have been very busy

"So papà il tuo lavoro viene prima e io ti seguo" I replied him immediately, because if I didn't , he will continue by telling me about all his accomplishments since the last time we spoke.

i know papa your work comes first and i am follow

"Non dire quella luna Orlando, tutto quello che fanno papà e mamma è per te"

Don't say that luna Orlando, everything your papa and mama are doing is for you

"non dire quel papà, beh non sono ingrato e non negherò il fatto che non mi sono mai mancati i soldi papà" I told him, tears was already forming in my eyes

don't say that papa, well I am not ungrateful and i won't deny the fact that I have never lacked money papa

"vedi luna, grazie per la comprensione sempre" he said

you see luna, thanks for always understanding

"sai perché continuo a capire papà"

I sighed into the phone

Do you know why I keep understanding dad

"perché tu e la mamma non siete in grado di darmi quell'amore genitoriale che desidero, quindi non mi preoccupo di questo" I told him

because you and mama are not capable of giving me that parental love i want, so i don't stress myself about it

"Luna Orlando, don't say that"

When he was talking I heard his personal assistant telling him he has a meeting in in 5 minutes

"vai papà, io sono sempre la seconda priorità" I told him

go papa, i am always the second priority

"Don't start again luna, we will continue this conversation when I am done with this meeting and we will talk about the opening of the orphanage in Milan ."

"Non abbiamo bisogno di papà, dillo alla donna che mi ha fatto nascere, dico Ciao."

we don't need to papa, tell the woman who gave to birth me i said Hello.

This is how our conversation goes everytime I talk to papa, at least he picks up my call, my mummy on the other hand, is never available to pick my calls. It is either her personal assistant picks it and tell me in her ever annoying Italian accent

" Signora luna cara, la signora Liliana non è disponibile a rispondere subito alla tua chiamata, puoi chiamarla più tardi e se la chiami più tardi e Lei non è ancora disponibile, vuol dire che devi chiamarla domani"

luna dear, madam Liliana is not available to answer your call right away, you can call her later and if you call her later and She still not available, that means you need to call her tomorrow

Anytime I complain, my mother would say

"almeno dovresti essere grato che ti abbiamo dato vita e soldi luna" in her thick Italian accent

at least you should be grateful we gave you life and money luna.

whenever she comes to United states of America for shows, i only get to see my mother in newspapers.

How can I forget how my mother was mad at me because I rejected a big modelling gig in Italy. When she called me I told her I didn't want to have anything to do in Italy, and she was mad again. She even threatened to cut my allowance if I didn't get on a plane to Italy within 24 hours.

I knew she was bluffing, so I didn't go.

To many people, my mother influenced my modelling career here in America, some wants to work with me because I am Liliana Orlando's daughter.

I remember when a company invited and said if I can get my mother and I to work on this project they were going to pay me more than the actual amount. I never returned to the company again

No matter how I try to hate them, the love keeps overshadowing the hate. Maybe mother is right, they gave me life ... For all I care mother would cleared my existence even before given birth to me.

The following day after my call with my daddy, the board of director and I are meeting again. I know it is about the opening of an orphanage home in Milan.

The board said they were going to withdraw their support from the charity organisation if we don't open an orphanage in Milan in the next 3 month. What is with Milan ?

"Miss Orlando opening an orphanage home in Milan is a must " one of the men in the board said , he is wearing a pink suit, who wears a pink suit to a meeting, Mr Salazar does

"What is it with Milan? Do you know I have to stay in that country for 5 months to open an orphanage there" I asked him

"You didn't have a problem in the past when you had to go to different countries, I remember you were out of America for close to 10 months when you went on a mission to open some orphanage homes in different countries" Mr Louis smirked at me

" That is different why not Venice or Florence" I sighed back to him

"Well you are from Milan and we think to get a building for the orphanage home in Milan is no problem" now it was Mr Louis that replied me.

"Or my parents are trying to influence you guys to make come to Milan" I spat at them.

Even if my parents are not seated here they are still part of the board of directors and also they are involved financially in the charity.

"Well if you have a family issue, it is none of our business" it was Mr Jackson that spoke this time around

Oh they are taking turns to talk..

"Mr Jackson I would love you put your mouth off my family " I spat back at him.

"Ok we all have come to a conclusion, if by July you have not started with opening the orphanage home we will withdraw our support or " Mr Salazar said.

"Or what" I shouted at them.

"We have no choice than to remove you from your position" he said

I knew they were not bluffing, they were powerful men and they can do it and they won't feel anything. My first thought was the children in different orphanage homes and countries how will I face them. What will be their reaction when they hear they are getting no more support from the organisation or the organisation is no longer in existence.

I left the meeting and drove home, when I got home, I didn't leave my car for hours, I sat there thinking of what to do, I can't let the board be controlling my decision. It was until nanny Bianca came knocking on the window of the car I knew I had stayed in the car for so long.

"Luna are you ok? " she asked

"no mum Bianca, I'm not ok"

The first time I called her mummy, I thought she was going to be mad at me, but she told me never to forget that my real mother loves me.

" What happened at the meeting"

"The board threatened to cut their support from the organisation or I leave if I don't set up an orphanage home in Milan. What will happen to those children, they will have to leave or the homes when I can't provide for them. Why will they threatened me like that , mum Bianca I started this organisations"

"Nothing of such will happen luna

Ok you need to come inside the house , we were all worried you were not back, it was one of the villa security that said he saw you drive in 2 hours ago"

"I'm sorry mum Bianca"

She carried my bag out and held out her hand so I can hold while she closes the the door of my car.

When I got inside, I went straight to my bedroom and tried to sleep, after tossing around my bed for hours, I decided I will open the orphanage in Milan, that means I will have to go to Milan for the next 4 months.

The next day I called Mr Louis one of the board of directors and told him I am ready to open the orphanage home in Milan.

I told nanny Bianca and Nanny Sheila about the new plan , they said they were going to go with me to Milan. I refused, I reminded them that the villa here need to be taken care of and I won't be staying in Milan for ever.

"So when will you leave for Milan?"

Nanny Bianca asked

"In a week time"

"Ok dear"

"Before I go need to visit the orphanage home here in New York tomorrow"

"Do you need us to follow you?" Nanny Sheila asked

"No you don't need to follow me, I will drive myself down"

"But it is one hour from here and " nanny Bianca nodded her head in rejection.

"And this is not the first time I will go there myself without a driver or your guys following me "

It was nanny Sheila that spoke this time around

"We are just worried about you " I saw the worry on their face.

"Thank you, but I am ok "

I know the only reason they are worried is because of my decision to go back to Italy after 16 years, like they once said going back to Italy was inevitable.