Without waiting for a reply, she turns and strolls out, her steps light but purposeful, disappearing toward her small sanctuary on the estate. How does she do it? Always one move ahead, sensing the shift in the air before it even happens. Call it a sixth sense. The weight of her words lingers. With a steady breath, I make my way through the sprawling Carlisi mansion, toward my own private corner of the world—the south suite, the room across from Charlotte’s soon-to-be room.
4
Charlie
The weight of the letter sits heavily on me. Perched on my lounge room windowsill, watching the restless city while drinking my coffee. I think to myself,What do I really have to lose?
I grip the new phone Caterina gave me in the other hand. When I swipe to unlock it, the phone is empty except for a few preloaded contacts. Luciano, that was expected, but alongside his name is Stefano, Carlo, Mattia, Gabriele and Rosa.
Tapping Luciano’s name, my finger hovers over the screen. What do I even say to him? Do I use my full name or short version? Do I call him or just send a text? I go with the safer option, typing my message.
Hi Luciano, Charlie here. The letter said to contact you if I accept. What do I do now?
The reply is instant.
Pack your bags.
Uh, what about the rest of my stuff in the apartment?
Don’t worry about it.
I can’t leave it for a year untouched??
I’ll sort it.
When do I need to be ready by?
9:00 a.m. on Monday.
I’ll send someone to get you.
A man of few words…
The following days roll by in a blur. First on the agenda is quitting my job. I head over to the diner, my only sanctuary where the coffee’s strong and people don’t ask too many questions. I let my boss know that as of Monday, I’m out, I quit. He shrugs like I’m just another inconvenience. Just another confirmation of how far I’ve drifted from the life I was supposed to have.
Next, I meet up with Mel. I stir my coffee absentmindedly, trying to find the right words to break the silence. “Mel, I need to tell you something.”
This draws her attention back to me. She looks me up and down, her eyes widening. “Don’t tell me you’re pregnant. Shit! Who knocked you up?”
“What?” I shriek at her, causing the tables beside us to look over. I can’t believe that was the first thing she thought of. Am I really that reckless?
“Oh, sorry, not pregnant. Got it,” she says, sipping her coffee with a smirk.
“My birth mother’s lawyer showed up the other day. She’s gone and left me everything.” I sip my coffee, waiting for her reaction.
Eventually, Mel blinks, her brow furrowing. “Wait, what…? She’s gone? Like dead?”
I shrug, tucking my hair behind my ear. “I don’t know exactly, but I’m moving into the family estate. It’s one of the conditions before I can officially inherit it.” I bite my lip nervously.
Mel shifts in her seat, trying to mask her worry but failing miserably. “Charlie, are you sure about this? It sounds… odd. You know nothing about her or her family, and now you’re going to move into the family estate?”
“But what if it is legit, Mel?” I ask. “It would set me up for life.” The letter said estate and businesses in plural, so they must be rich.
Mel reaches over, squeezing my hand lightly. “Just remember I’m here, okay? I want you to check in with me every couple of days.”
I smile, the faintest glimmer of gratitude breaking through my guarded exterior. “Thanks, Mel.”
Back at home, packing my life up is quicker than expected. All my clothes and the few pairs of shoes I have lay scattered around my bedroom floor. I refold everything and pack them into a couple of bags in no time. Moving onto the hallway cupboard next, I stumble upon an old, neglected box. It’s unmistakably my father’s belongings; untouched, silent, waiting in time to be open.
