Saverio’s expression grew taut and he pursed his lips together. ‘I have no idea what you’re talking about.’
‘I believe in redemption, Saverio. I believe people can change for the better. My wife has brought about the most incredible changes in me, and I’m a new and improved man for it. I believe you’re capable of it, too. Despite your flaws, you’re an intelligent man. This is your chance to make a change.’
Saverio scowled through his grimace and shoved Matthew to the side, unlocking his car. ‘Get out of my way.’
‘I’ve seen many people and corporations in the very place you are – at a crossroad. They chose to continue down their current path instead of bringing about change. They ultimately fell, failed and caused further harm. Don’t do it, Saverio.’
Now in his car, Saverio could hear Matthew through the closed window. He stared at his hands on the steering wheel. ‘Leave me alone, Matteo.’
‘Do the right thing, Saverio. Walk away. Leave these people and this community alone. They deserve peace. They need the space to grow and thrive.’
‘You know nothing!’ he screamed into the steering wheel.
‘I know plenty. Riccardo told me about your upbringing. Your mother. Your devastating loss. You’re allowed to hurt. I know you need space to heal, and it can take a lifetime. Living this same life won’t change anything for you. Go. Walk away. Leave the people of Fiorellino to do the same. They are good people.’
‘Or what?’ His beady eyes locked with Matthew’s through the cloudy glass.
Matthew tore the list from his notepad and fixed it securely facedown under the wiper blade against the windscreen. Saverio ran his eyes along the bulleted items and drew in a deep breath, averting his face from Matthew’s gaze.
‘I trust you’ll do the right thing, Saverio . . . for you, and for Fiorellino. And please call your brother. I know he misses you.’ Matthew turned and walked away. He wound his way around themunicipio, across the piazza and back home to La Viola on foot, hopeful that his choice of a face-to-face private confrontation would help Saverio save face and grant him the dignity and courage to start over.
quarantaquattro
Just as they had done twelve months earlier, Matthew, Sarah, Luca and Silvia gathered in Alberto’s private study at Palazzo D’Adamo.
Sarah noted the tense grip Matthew had on her hand, which he held in his lap. She cast him a discreet sideways glance, which he instinctively returned.
Sat beside Alberto was Tommaso Donnini, a representative of the D’Adamo Trust legal team.
After formal introductions, Alberto started, ‘It has been ayear.’ He looked between the four sat across from him. ‘There is much to say and plenty to reflect on. Tommaso is here in a legal capacity to oversee the signing of the D’Adamo Trust and to answer any final questions you may have. Are we ready to proceed?’
Matthew and Sarah nodded, whereas Luca sat quietly. Silvia sat perched on the end of her seat, her knuckles white.
At Alberto’s signal, Tommaso handed over two folders, each containing copies of the documents Alberto was ready to speak to.
‘First, congratulations on the successful completion of your renovations and business operations. As you will note in the first document,’ he gestured to a spreadsheet, ‘both properties achieved impressive returns for the period in question. Palazzo D’Eccellenza out-earned Convento delle Viole by the sum indicated in the final column.’
Luca exhaled in relief and Matthew’s throat tightened. Silvia’s thin lips curled into a victorious snarl.
‘Interestingly, however, Convento delle Viole provided lodging to approximately twenty times the number of guests of Palazzo D’Eccellenza. So, the question is asked about the price of lodging versus the number of potential satisfied guests.’
‘Alberto, we marketed our property strictly as a luxury estate; the finest amenities and facilities. A paradise for adults of well-cultured breeding.’ Silvia waved her hand nonchalantly.
‘That’s interesting to hear, Silvia, as I have a review from one of our surveillance guests I would like to read you.’ He cleared his throat. ‘I’ll skip ahead to the important part . . .I was made to feel like I didn’t belong, as if we were a burden to the peace and opulence of the property. The hostess scowled at me on several occasions as I walked the corridors with my daughter, Sophie, at night.’ Sarah’s hands suddenly clasped over her mouth, her lips quivering. ‘She’s a restless sleeper and going through a regression. I was made to feel like I was bringing down the quality of the experience for other guests. The day we arrived, I asked the host if the request for a portable cot on my reservation had been seen to. He laughed and walked away. . . Luca? Silvia?’
Luca’s mouth flung open and he was able to form nothing more than a stammer. ‘I . . . But . . .’
Alberto shifted in his chair to face Matthew and Sarah. ‘A review from the same surveillance guest, but this time from their time at Convento delle Viole:Smiles and warm hugs. That was the first impression I had upon our arrival. My baby daughter was particularly upset during our time at this property. At no time was I ever made to feel like a burden. Quite the opposite, really. The hostess actually helped me in a way so profound, the thought still makes me well up.’
Sarah closed her eyes and dropped her head, not believing the turn of events. Matthew wrapped his arm around her shoulders and lowered his head to rest on hers.‘Not only did she acknowledge my struggles, she watched my baby all night – yes, all night – so that I could sleep. I’ll always be grateful for the kindness she showed me in what was a very vulnerable moment.’Alberto lowered the paper and asked, ‘Sarah, would you like to say anything?’
Too overcome with emotion, she shook her head, wiping away tears with the back of her hand.
‘There are plenty of other reviews, but I’ll leave you to read them at a later date. I would, however, like to share comments from surveillance staff.’
Sarah and Matthew shared a look of confusion. Their only official member of staff was Angelo. What would he have said about them?
‘Here are a few keywords extracted from Palazzo D’Eccellenza’s Cristiano Neri, employed as caretaker:terrible communication skills;ill-tempered;incapable of managerial leadership;little to no commercial and hospitality experience;no respect for each other, let alone staff.’
