To her dismay, Aldo had planned a meeting with Tony in town that morning and wouldn't be back until the afternoon, so he wasn't able to attend her cooking lesson.
She was disappointed that Tony was so busy, but she knew how important this trip was for reconnecting with his Italian family, and felt it would be selfish of her to protest too much. She had busied herself strolling the grounds, and decided to take the afternoon to lay by the pool with a book.
"Bongiorno, Angela. And how was your cooking lesson with Rosa?" Angela peered over the rim of her book to see a bemused Matteo looking down at her, drink in hand.
"Oh, you know, I'm not sure Julia Child is going to come calling any time soon, but it was edible," Angela joked.
"Ah, but she cooks French cuisine. So what does she know?" He winked at her. "You will take a turn around the grounds with me? There is something I would like to discuss with you."
"Of course, Matteo." He offered her his hand and she took it, swinging her legs out of the lounger to stand. Matteo gestured to the nearby gardens as they set off on their stroll.
Aldo sipped his cappucino as he laid out some papers on his desk and lowered himself into a chair.
"So. How was your visit with Antonio?"
"Ah, it was...very enlightening. Very enlightening, Aldo. There's just one part that's bothering me."
"Yes?" He looked at Tony warily – the way he looked at everyone.
"Why didn't they tell me?"
"They wanted to, eventually. They were planning to bring you here, together and tell you everything when you were older. I think when your mother died, your father was a bit lost. He had a broken heart. He was always very secretive about his time during the war, even with me. There was a lot I think he was not proud of, from that time. Of course, that's any man who comes back alive from war."
"And why didn't you ever tell me?"
He shrugged. "It wasn't my story to tell," he said, slurping his cappuccino. "I was still very much a boy. My time in the war was very different from my brother's. Antonio knew them much better then." Tony knew this was Aldo's way.
"My mother's sister. Is she still alive?"
Aldo shook his head. "No. She died four years ago. She was quite a bit older than your mother; I think maybe six years."
"But the...neices, and nephews? Her children?"
"Yes, I expect they are still around. I don't know them at all. Your mother was estranged from her parents after she married your father. I think it made her very sad, your grandmother too. But your grandfather forbid it. She still kept in touch with her sister, I believe, through letters. But I don't know that she ever saw her or her children again."
Tony nodded, still thinking.
"Now, let us get down to business. I suspect you are wanting to get back to your...ah, Angela," he raised his eyebrows at Tony. "What questions do you have for me?"
"Okay, first, how would it work with me living overseas?"
"I think you would want to have an office space for yourself. And the phone bills might be quite steep, though you make enough to afford it. But our foreman, Giovanni, already runs things day to day here. He consults me with any business decisions or problems. I think you would want to spend several weeks here three or four times a year; possibly more, if you are wanting to expand. Do you think that's manageable?"
"I think so. I'll have to talk to Angela. I can't sign anything until I do. But I think it would work."
"Antony, you aren't planning on continuing to be her housekeeper?"
"Ah, no, not necessarily. I mean, maybe. That's why I need to talk to her."
Aldo said nothing, but nodded.
"How much land is undeveloped? Is there room for expansion?" Tony's wheels had been turning on how he might be able to monetize the lemon trees, olive groves, and wine in the United States.
"Absolutely. There is plenty of room to expand all three. A conservative estimate would be twice the current revenue. But I don't really know how much you could make on the lemon and olive groves. The olives make very good oil. I have not explored it much because it has only recently become more popular outside of Sicily. I am old, Tony. This was not my project to take on at this point. But – you could. You could be a very rich man."
"So – ah, Aldo – how rich we talkin'?" Tony asked delicately. He really didn't know what to expect. "And how will this be structured, exactly?"
"I had my attorney draw up the papers. I will maintain a ten percent interest in the vineyard, enough to live off of. There is another twenty percent that the famiglia owns. But I am giving you the rest of my shares, and the ownership stake in the vineyard."
"Aldo, if you don't mind my asking, what is your stake worth? Is that enough for you to live on?"
"Si, it is almost $100,000 a year in American dollars. It is plenty for a man like me. But I appreciate that you asked. It shows I am making the right decision."
Tony's eyes grew wide, calculating his share. Just $100,000 was plenty for a man like him, too; 7 times that was beyond his wildest dreams. He cleared his throat, adjusting in his seat uncomfortably. "And where will you live? On the property?"
"Rosa and I will remain on the property until it no longer makes sense. That is part of the deal. Later..." he waved his hand, suggesting the passage of time, "when we are gone. It is all yours. But we remain in the house until then."
Tony nodded. He wasn't in any position to push back, nor did he really mind. The house was massive, with plenty of room for the whole family to come and stay. He was glad Aldo would still be around to consult as he learned the ropes.
"I think that's great Aldo, really. It will be nice to still have you around overseeing things."
"Yes, I think so too. But you are in charge. I will step back. There is so much potential, Tony. More than I have wanted to deal with in my later years. But you could easily expand the lemon groves and olive groves. We do nothing commercial with those except sell them locally. And the vineyard has plenty of room to expand too. I would love to see it happen. And I think you are the man who would seize the opportunity."
"You might be right Aldo. I'd love to try. I'd love to do it – for myself, for the whole family."
"Excellent. My attorney will be here shortly to review all the details with you. You take your time to think about it, though it would probably make sense to sign everything – do the deal – before you leave Sicily."
"I agree, Aldo. I'm hoping to talk to Angela tonight. I'll let you know when I've decided for sure."
Angela fussed with her sarong and straightened herself as she walked next to Matteo. She was a little self-conscious talking to a prospective client in her two-piece bathing suit, but was summoning as professional a demeanor as she could muster in the situation.
As they started toward the vineyards, Matteo began, "Angela, my father and I are prepared to offer you the contract. We have begun speeding up our production and would like to launch the American campaign in time for the Christmas season. Is that something your firm can handle?"
"Certainly we can, and I'm flattered you want to take a chance on us without a formal pitch or proposal."
"My father liked your ideas so much, he doesn't want to look anywhere else. You really impressed him, and it's clear your firm has a successful track record with this kind of campaign. Plus, he wants someone with a connection to Italy. You, it seems, are very close with the Micelli family. We feel we would not be forgotten over here in Italy. The account is yours, if you'll have us. My father is prepared to offer $10 million to begin the campaign, with additional bonuses contingent on the success of the launch. And of course, you may have some time to think about it or talk it over with your team."
"I don't know what to say, Matteo, I'm stunned. But I don't need to talk it over with anyone - I'm the President of the Bower Agency," she smiled jovially. "I can say with full confidence we would be thrilled to have the account, and I can assure you it will be our top priority as soon as I've returned to the state. We are honored you think so highly of us. Thank you."
"We would also like to extend an offer to have you back in Italy for our official launch party in December. Tony is welcome too, of course - bring your team, bring the whole family."
"Thank you Matteo, I'll have to talk it over with my...Tony...but we will try to be there."
"Wonderful news," Matteo's eyes sparkled. "Shall we have some bubbles to celebrate?" She paused a moment, unsure of whether that would be appropriate given Tony's reaction the other evening. Toasting to a new account with a new client, however, was perfectly in bounds.
"Sh...sure, Matteo. That would be lovely, thank you."
They made their way back to the table, and Matteo waved a groundsboy over and whispered something to him. A few moments later, he reappeared with an ice bucket, a bottle of Prosecco, and a cheeseboard.
"I also wanted to apologize again for my behavior the other night. I think the wine got the better of me. I hope you'll forgive me."
Angela waved her hand, "It's already forgotten, Matteo, truly. Don't think anything of it."
And she meant it. Out of the many times a man had inappropriately made a pass at her over the years, she could count on one hand the number of apologies she had received. Matteo was a flirt, but she trusted him.
He held out a flute of champagne, "To Bellavita and the Bower Agency. A beautiful partnership."
"To a beautiful partnership," she clinked his glass.
Matteo sipped his champagne. "I just hope I didn't cause any problems between you and Tony. He seemed upset with you."
"Oh no," Angela laughed nervously, "Tony just gets like that sometimes. He was...surprised. Since, you know, we're here together. But truly, we are not...together together. We're just good friends, like I said. I think the wine may have gotten the better of him too."
"It seems to me, Angela...you and Tony...are more than friends?" His eyebrows were cocked, his expression all-knowing.
She pursed her lips and said, with a twinge of brusqueness, "It's complicated."
"Not for him. I think he is in love with you," he winked.
She laughed nervously, "If you only knew how truly complicated it was. But we are fond of each other, I – Tony!"
Tony was strolling up in his swim trunks and a linen shirt, a towel slung over his arm.
"Well hello there, Angela – Matteo." He gave Matteo a cordial nod and turned to Angela, "Rosa said you were taking a dip."
"Well, I was about to, but Matteo found me. He had some exciting news to share."
"My father loved Angela's ideas, and we are prepared to offer her the account for our expansion into the US markets."
"Aw, really? That's fantastic, Angela. Congratulations. And hey, Matteo, you did good. There's no one better to handle your business. She will work night and day until she gets it right. I know because I make the coffee when she's pulling an all-nighter," he joked.
"I couldn't agree with you more, Tony. We feel very lucky to have made her acquaintance. We have you to thank for bringing her to Italy. Please, have some champagne." Matteo poured him a flute and Tony took it, clinking glasses with Angela and Matteo.
"Well, she's a pretty easy travel companion. I'm lucky she was able to get away from work to join me." Angela smiled at him, her eyes soft.
Matteo's eyes darted between them. "I'm going to leave you two to swim and finish this Prosecco. I'll see you tonight."
"Thank you Matteo, and thank you again for the opportunity; I'm thrilled to show you what the Bower Agency can do for Bellavita."
"We can't wait." He met her eyes and smiled, then nodded at Tony as he departed.
"See you tonight, Matteo," Tony waved.
Angela looked at Tony, who was looking at her with a smattering of smug self-satisfaction, his eyebrows raised, as if he was seeking some redemption.
"Very gracious. Thank you, Tony."
"See, I can be mature."
"You can. I feel like you're growing," she said with a teasing wink.
"Pshaw, Angela. I really am happy for you. How big is the account?"
She cast him a steely gaze under her eyelashes. "Ten."
"MILLION? Holy cow, Angela! That is big! That's as big as Pescher Fragrance. You're going to need an office in mainland Europe soon, Angela."
She nodded triumphantly, put her sunglasses on and sat back in the chair, spinning the flute between her fingers. "It's very exhilarating, expanding our European footprint." She sipped her Prosecco thoughtfully. "Oh hey, what did Aldo want to talk to you about?"
Tony shifted uncomfortably in his seat. "Uhm, well, just some family business he wanted my input on. There are some things I need to discuss with you, but Aldo is getting his papers in order for me to look at. I'll know more tonight at the wedding...we can talk then, capice?"
She nodded. "Capice. We'll...talk tonight then," she said with a small smile, her eyes studying his for some hint of what he wasn't telling her. "Want to go for a swim?"
He rose from his chair and took her hand, pulling her up to stand. "I'd love to."
"Angela - are you decent?" Tony called from behind the closed bathroom door.
"I hope so."
"Okay, I'm coming out." He walked out with his towel around his waist to see Angela in a fitted, flowing silk dress - a soft pink, with florals in shades of coral and red – and espadrille wedges. Her hair was pulled up, a few tendrils trailing down the nape of her neck. "Wow," he breathed.
He took her hand and stepped back to admire her. "Wow. Angela. You're….you're be-autiful." His eyes were soft but electric.
She frowned. "You sure? My dress got a little wrinkled in my bag."
He swallowed. "Ah, no, I didn't notice any wrinkles. But why didn't you say something? I could have ironed it for you""
She shook her head. "Nope, you're off the clock, Tony. We're on vacation; we're friends."
"Well okay. As your 'friend,' I would have been happy to iron it for you. Or you could have hung it in the bathroom while I took a shower."
"Too late for that."
"Wait, I have an idea." He walked over to his bag and pulled out a small travel spray bottle. "It's just water, but it works like a charm."
He sprayed the lower half of her dress all over and smoothed it taut, taking care to respect her chest. They were so close, he could smell her perfume. She shivered at his touch and he looked up at her, smiling slightly. She smelled as heavenly as she looked - like jasmine and lilies. "You, uh, might want to do this part," he said, gesturing to her chest. "But it worked," he said softly, meeting her eyes. "You're a perfect 10 now. A knockout."
"Impressive. You really do know all the tricks," she breathed softly, trying not to sound as aroused as she felt.
He stepped away from her slowly, acquiring distance, but desperately seeking some words to cut the electiricty between them too. "I, uh, actually learned this one traveling with the Cards. We'd have these dinners right after the games - you know, with the owners? And sometimes we wouldn't have but a minute to change, but we'd just landed and our suits would be all crumpled. A buddy of mine always traveled with a spray bottle. So now I do too."
"Full of surprises as always," she said simply, but then "what would I do without you?" tumbled out, and she froze.
His eyes snapped to hers. He ran his hand through his hair and looked up at her. She bit her lip.
"I mean really. I'm not sure what I would do," she said quietly, choosing to embrace honesty over some obvious lie to cover her feelings. Her cheeks flushed, and she brought her hands to them. He stared, refusing to cut the silence this time. Aroused and devastatingly gorgeous, he couldn't remember a time he had been more tempted to sweep her up into his arms and cover her in kisses.
He looked like a deer frozen in the headlights. The towel around the waist was secretly her favorite look of his, and while it wasn't exactly an uncommon sight back home, rarely were they alone, together, in a room where they were sleeping, as tiny droplets beaded on his chest, biceps, and hair. She had an indescribable urge to kiss each drop, one by one. The last time they were together like this they'd very nearly been pulled together by some kind of intense magnetic force, and that was two years ago – and even then, she was tempted to see where it could lead, if he was. But back then, they were fresh off of an accidental kiss, and he wasn't ready. The walls of Jericho remained intact.
But now...but now! Her heart was pounding. What exactly were they doing here?
"I don't know what I'd do without you, either, Angela. That's why I wanted you to come here with me." He licked his lips as he met her eyes, then bit his bottom lip. "And ay yo, I'm really glad you did," he said sincerely.
Her heart swelled with hope. "Me too."
Tony swallowed. "I, uh, I better get ready. It's 10 to 4. Rosa will come knocking down our door if we aren't down there at 4 on the dot."
She cleared her throat. "Of course."
Saved by the clock.
A/N: Sorry, I mightily resisted the urge to include a swimming scene. Unfortunately, my mind couldn't go anywhere but down a smutty, smutty path with that scenario and they aren't quite ready for that yet, ha! Gotta drag out the pining a little longer...use your imaginations :) but I can assure you there was no fear of water involved (most annoying episode/plot inconsistency of the series!).
