Page 68 of Lucas & Melissa Falling in Love
Once the door on the office closes, my father looks at me, expectation in his eyes. And pride.
“My plan for our company is to expand it in the US market. I intend to open a New York office to make that happen and I intend to make that my center of operation.”
I feel Melissa’s eyes on me, feel the spark of her energy in the air, but I concentrate on my father and his reaction. He contemplates my words and I see automatic resistance come to his face when he speaks.
“I like the plan to expand the US market. I might even agree that having an office there, a corporate presence in New York City, might be favorable to accomplishing this.” He pauses and we all know he has abutcoming.
My heart begins to thunder and I hold my tongue, my temper, until my mouth is a grim line and my jaw is clenched. I will not argue as if he’s my father and I’m his child. I maintain my mantle of professional man, reasonable and intelligent, and I relax my breathing as I listen to my father continue.
“But you are the new face of the company and your rightful place is here, in Modena at the international headquarters of our company. There is much you will be expected to do here, in person.”
“I understand this, but, as you said before, you’re still in charge, still CEO. My time to take over hasn’t arrived yet. I can think of no better apprenticeship than opening a new office with a new staff.”
My father nods and I notice a smile tug at one corner of his mouth. But I’m not fooled into thinking he’s capitulated. I know he’s not finished making his points and demands.
“As an apprentice you would need to be present here in Modena in order to learn all you need to know.”
“I could spend some time in Modena, of course.”
“You would need to spend half your time here,” he states emphatically as if it was decided. “You would need to travel back and forth every month.” He looks at Melissa. I glance at her, reach over and take her hand. Then I return my gaze to my father. He’s not going to get away with his subtle pointed inference that this is only about Melissa.
I shake my head. “No, Papa. I will come to Italy once a quarter. We will schedule regular video conferences. Weekly or even daily if you want.”
My father shakes his head, a sign that he is digging in. “What aboutLa Grande Festa Della Terra Dei Motoriin May? You must be present for that. And there are so many other events and races that I will need you to attend either with me, or in my place.”
I contemplate him a moment, knowing that he’s playing the feeble old man card and gauging how much of it I’ll need to take seriously and how much is manipulation.
Before I can form my response, Melissa says to my father, “A Grand Motor Festival sounds wonderful. I don’t see why we would want to miss it. In addition to the festival, how about after every six weeks Lucas spends two weeks in Italy?” She turns to me and says, “It will give you needed face-time at the main office and factory and will give you time to spend with the family too.” She’s smiling and so reasonable sounding that I find myself nodding, though I realize she hasn’t necessarily included herself in the plan. I turn to see my father’s reaction is agreeable. He nods his head. She’s looking between us and grins.
“I bet you have no idea how much alike you two are,” she says as if this is a great revelation.
We both laugh and her brows furrow at my shared mirth with my father, our amusement going beyond what she would understand.
I tell her, “My mother used to say that all the time before,” I glance at my father, “before I left.” I hold my smile, feeling the warmth welling up, that sense of coming home that has nothing to do with where I am, or where I live, but everything to do with sharing a laugh with my father. And with Melissa.
My father says, “There is also the Fierro Racing Circuit. Logistics to work out.”
“I’m an expert at logistics,” Melissa says and she means it. Her confidence convinces him as I watch my father continue to nod his head, approval and respect evident in his calm acceptance.
“I think we have the beginnings of an agreement, son.” He stands. “I know you have a flight to catch soon, but I will expect to speak with you tomorrow—schedule our first video conference for eleven a.m. Italy time.” He grins. “Being the senior Fierro has its advantages.”
I laugh and rise from my chair. He comes around to meet me in a heartfelt embrace. I hold on an extra beat, suddenly wanting to stay. But we both know I need to make my own way, that we’ll work better together if we have some separation.
I watch him hug Melissa, give her a kiss on her cheek and then a parting wink and an admonition for her to take care of me.
* * *
We have morebags to take on our flight back to New York, so Louie drives us to Marco Polo Airport in the limo. Though we encounter some paparazzi who are always at the airport, we are rushed through the lines to compensate.
Finally settled in our first-class seats on Alitalia once again, I have that strange déjà vu feeling that we’ve been here before. Except now everything is different. My entire life has changed forever—or maybe it’s just back on its rightful course after a long, but necessary detour.
“You know, I think these are the same exact seats on the same exact plane we took on the way over here?” Melissa says as she tests her seat’s lounging capacity.
“Mmm hmm.” I give her that look, the one that says I want her, that I’llalwayswant her.
“Do you think it’s a sign that we’re returning back to the same life we came from?” she says.
I raise my brows. I know she’s testing me, teasing me, possibly baiting me. I turn to find the flight attendant and raise a hand to wave her over.
