“I’ll tell you a secret.” Her host walked to the mahogany cabinet opposite the television and retrieved a wine opener from the bottom shelf. “This room is my favorite. If there were a kitchen and sitting room attached to it, I might have kept it as my personal living area.”
They both laughed.
Nearly every single person I’ve spoken with switches from speaking Italian to English the moment I open my mouth. In the US, how many times have I seen people stare blankly at a person speaking a language other than English? We never make an effort.
Here, it’s almost as if it’s ingrained in Italians as a part of their culture. They are consummate hosts. It makes me want to do everything in my power to learn even a few basic words of their language.
“I came up here to bring you a bottle of Sciacchetrà, and to see how you are settling in. Have you decided how many nights you’ll be staying with me?”
Castillo Roccia is a splurge. I’m going to be sorry when I look at my expense tracker, but considering the view and that I’m literally staying in the heart of the town, the pros outweigh the cons.
Sabrina’s hand twitched. “For now, it will be four nights, but if I need to extend, I’ll let you know.”
“If Lorenzo has his way, he’ll talk you into staying as long as you are able.” Giulia chuckled. “For now, I’ll tentatively put you down for five days.”
“Speaking of Lorenzo, you haven’t heard any news about how the Toscani family is doing, have you?”
“My husband left not long after Lorenzo to assist with the repair efforts on Isola Nostrum. He rang me about an hour ago. They’ve managed to restore power. And thankfully, the only major casualty was one of the storage facilities. There have been landslides all over the area in recent days.”
“That’s great news.” Some of the pent-up tension in Sabrina’s neck eased. “Earlier, I searched online for any news reports on the situation, but instead I found that there is actually very little out there about Isola Nostrum.”
“That, my dear, is because the Toscani family is notoriously tight-lipped about their island home.” Giulia chuckled. “Isola Nostrum is one of the seven European microstates. It’s located about an hour and ten minutes from here and is similar in size and scale to Riomaggiore.”
Sabrina gulped. “Isola Nostrum is its own country?”
“Si. I just hope that with all the recent damage caused from the flooding, on top of whatever has happened today, they will be able to find a way to financially survive,” Giulia said.
Sabrina stood and picked up the bottle of wine and started to open it. “What do you mean?” The cork came off with a satisfying pop. She poured herself a tiny bit. “Would you like some?”
“No thank you.” Giulia shook her head. “Tourism is the lifeblood of the Cinque Terre, and when the winemakers have a difficult year, like this one, the area can at least depend on the tourists to supplement income. The same can’t be said for Isola Nostrum. They have historically been closed to any sort of tourism. The king is afraid it would ruin the island.”
Sabrina was glad she didn’t have anything in her hands. Her eyes widened. “The king? As in a royal king?”
“Si. The Casa di Toscani has been the ruling house of Isola Nostrum since the Middle Ages.” Giulia wrung her hands together. “It’s really more of a ceremonial title. The only town on Isola Nostrum, Ananostrum, has a population of less than one thousand.”
Oh. Em. Gee. That makes Lorenzo a prince.Sabrina slowly sank down onto the bed and slouched.I was such a clueless fool earlier. Why did I have to talk about being fired, and Jane Austen, of all things?
“I just can’t believe it.” Her face burned feverishly. “Lorenzo is a crown prince.”
“Actually, Lorenzo’s sister, Leonora, will be the future queen.” Giulia patted Sabrina on the shoulder. “Please do not feel so embarrassed. Locals are aware, but to us, Isola Nostrum is an extension of the Cinque Terre. In all likelihood, Lorenzo never would have said anything to you.”
Her gaze turned to Giulia. “Why are you telling me this?”
Giulia winked. “Call it a premonition, but you are just the breath of fresh air that is needed around these parts.”
Sabrina blinked slowly. Was this a sign?
How could Giulia know that from the short time I’ve spent in Italy, it has felt more like a home than Waco or Dallas? She must have some type of mind-reading ability. I’ve seriously begun to wonder if maybe my future lies in a place like the Cinque Terre.
Also?.?.?. maybe I’ve been approaching the whole digital nomad slash virtual assistant thing from the wrong angle. Some of the blogs I’ve looked at mentioned picking up odd jobs like teaching English or cleaning up someone’s home. I wouldn’t mind doing either of those if it meant seeing an income start to flow into my bank account again.
“Whatever you decide to do with what we’ve discussed is up to you.” Giulia picked up the glass of wine. “But if you have any further questions in the meantime, you can direct them to Lorenzo when he next joins us for dinner at the end of the week, on Friday.”
I didn’t think I’d ever have the opportunity to get to see him again.
Sabrina’s face burned as she relived their parting moment and the kiss on the cheek she gave him.
She accepted the glass and swirled the amber liquid around. “I couldn’t intrude on your dinner.”
