Liv took a sip of her iced tea. “You have a backlist of requests stretching more than half a year and raising your prices hasn’t deterred anyone. I know that you will be able to help them resurrect the company. With your design ideas and a tighter control on spending, Berceto can make a comeback.”
Looking at Liv, she asked, “Could you make sure that the loose ends get tied up here, then come to California to help me with the launch?”
“Yes, I’m sure my husband can survive without me for a few weeks. Maybe I’ll get him to work on a few home renovations.”
Relief flowed through Emilia. At least she wasn’t going to be completely alone. “To help get Berceto back on track, the launch will be important. Are you sure you can come for several weeks?”
“I’ll talk to my husband, but I’m sure it can be worked out,” Liv said over her shoulder as she went back to work.
Emilia went through a private door and up a flight of stairs to her condo. She needed to book a flight to Los Angeles so she could check on her grandfather and get to the bottom of what was happening in the business. Each time she had questioned her parents on the phone, they had dismissed her concerns. But the balance sheet told another story. The company was hurting for cash, even with the extraordinary commissions she was bringing in over the last year.
After arranging a first class plane ticket for later that day, Emilia dialed her parents’ house and began packing for an extended trip as she waited for someone to answer the phone.
When she heard her mother’s strained voice, she asked, “Ciao, Mama. How is he?”
“The doctors are worried. All this talk about selling the business has him in turmoil. Your father was hoping that if Berceto could just hang on a bit longer that things would get easier.”
Emilia knew her mother hated uncertainty. While she was supportive and loyal, she liked to have things resolved. Her mother was very similar in personality to her two sisters. All of the Rosa women were hardworking and traditional, but it was her mother, Francesca, who disliked change the most. If she was disappointed, she would never admit it. Her father, Peter, was hardworking and intent on keeping the family image pristine.
“It must be very hard for Papa as well.” Emilia took a deep breath and tried not to think of losing her grandfather.
As an afterthought, her mother said, “Your father and uncle are meeting with Alexander Armati today to discuss the offer he presented.”
A blaze of anger so deep passed through her that her limbs began to shake. Alex Armati. The man who had caused her downfall. But her family didn’t know that he was the man that appeared in the nude photographs captured of her at the private gala. His face had been obscured so the press hadn’t been able to identify him. At the time, she’d refused to disclose who it was because she feared her father and uncle would demand he make amends with the family.
Instead she chose to flee and wait it out. But four years later, it was just as complicated. Running away had solved nothing.
But she would not allow Alexander Armati to take the family business from her. It was her legacy, her birthright. He may have tarnished her reputation, but she would not allow herself to be marginalized this time up without a fight.
“Why would they do that? It is too soon to make any decisions.”
“Without your grandfather’s creative leadership, the business is slipping further into decline. And you are not ready to take over. This might be the right time to take on a partner and Alexander Armati would be ideal. He is powerful, has a sharp business mind and is exceedingly wealthy.”
“It is too upsetting to even think about right now. I think we should put off any decisions until after Nonno recovers.”
“I know this is hard for you. But your father and uncle will know the right thing to do.”
Emilia had a sinking feeling. She was convinced that they wouldn’t make the right decision. They didn’t possess the passion for designing jewelry. For them, it was just a business. Given the fact that the business was in trouble, they would accept any lifeline offered to them.
“I booked a flight home, Mama.”
She knew her mother missed her but would also be worried about the negative publicity.
“What if by returning home it fuels the curiosity of the media? It will bring more anguish to Nonno.”
“Decisions about Berceto need to be made and I can’t be a part of that process unless I’m there.” Emilia added after a brief pause, “I’ll see you this evening.”
After a five-hour flight to Los Angeles, Emilia took a taxi to her parents’ house. Her parents had moved in the last four years, so she had to rely on the driver to get her to the right place. They passed through a security checkpoint where a guard leaned in and asked her name. She answered and the car was waved through.
It made sense to her. Her parents would feel more protected from the outside world with gatekeepers.
After paying the taxi driver, she walked the short distance up to a mansion in muted beige brick. Ringing the doorbell, Emilia forced herself to hold back her emotions and pretend everything would be fine.
She wore jeans and a white button down shirt even though her parents would complain about her casual attire... She knew it was important to them that she looked the part of an educated and privileged business owner. They complained when she had started dying her dark hair an unnatural red and hated the fact that it now reached her mid-back.
Fear crept along her spine as she waited for the door to be opened. Alexander Armati was a frequent guest of her parents and she knew coming to Los Angeles would put her in his direct path. Avoiding him would be impossible. He had been courting Berceto Designs for four years.
She had no desire to see him or get drawn into a discussion about the past. But she knew that their paths would cross at some point. He wanted Berceto. Would he mention that night? Or would he let it go? He had reached out to her many times but she steadily ignored his requests to speak with her.
Emilia tried to dispel thoughts of Alex Armati from her mind and waited for the door to open. Why was returning home so difficult for her? It probably had something to do with her family’s disapproval of who she had become.
Chapter 2
A uniformed maid opened the door and invited her in. Leaving her suitcase in the foyer, she stepped further into the house. Her mother was on the phone in a formal sitting room and motioned her to come in.
“Emilia, I’ve missed you more than you know.” Her mother moved forward and hugged her tightly.
“I’ve missed you, mama.” Her mother was the same. Stylish. Impeccably groomed. Calm.
They hugged for another minute before her mother stepped back and looked at her critically. “I don’t know why you dye your beautiful hair.”
“It’s odd to come home to a different house.” Emilia glanced around the opulent setting and didn’t recognize anything.
“This house is in a gated community so we have complete privacy.”
“The house is beautiful, Mama.” She knew how much her mother craved privacy. A memory surfaced of wanting to go to the beach with her friends and her mother insisting that her photograph could be taken and that one of her parents needed to go along with them. As she looked at the beautiful interior of the house, an old feeling of being trapped flashed through her.
“I’ve had your room freshened up so you can get settled.”
“I can’t stay here.” She met her mother’s gaze and tried to soften her words, “I need to be closer to the ocean and will probably stay with Nonno until I find a place.”
“I don’t understand. Why wouldn’t you stay here? This is your home.”
Emilia straightened her spine as she decided how much she should say. “This is your home. I need more freedom. A gated community and a meticulous mansion feelsfeel suffocating to me. I’d rather be out in the world.”
“You need protection. As the heir to the Berceto fortune, there are those who would take advantage of you.”
An image of Alexander Armati flashed in her mind. Had he taken advantage of her? At the time, she willingly sought his attention and fell into his embrace without a thought of the images being captured on film.
She shook her head. “I’ve been on my own for years, mama.”
Her stomach was in knots. She said quietly, “Maybe I should go and see Nonno?”
“He was released this afternoon with a heart monitor. Your father just left his house. He has a visiting nurse with him. But I know he was overjoyed to learn that you would be home. Have dinner with your father and I then go over.”
“I hope he makes a quick recovery. All of this turmoil around the business can’t be good for him.”
“I’ll show you the room that I had set up for you in case you want something. We moved everything from the old house and had it placed in a walk in closet for you.”
Her mother led her to a suite of rooms. The grandeur of the house surprised her. The company was in trouble and needed an infusion of cash so why had they spent millions on a new house? Her mother must have been set on living in a private community, away from everything.
“I’ll check on dinner while you have a look.”
Emilia opened the doors to the walk in closet. Her clothing from four years ago was all neatly arranged. Walking into the space, she noticed everything was labeled. There were childhood art projects, trophies from swimming competitions, and her doll collection from when she was very young. Stepping forward, she picked up her leather riding boots from boarding school. She and her cousins were obsessed with horses years ago and would ride almost every day while at school.
Finding her way back to a magnificent dining room, she saw her father. The tears she had been holding back began to fall. He wrapped her into a tight embrace.
“Don’t worry, Lia. He is fine. We were very lucky this time.”
“I feel so grateful.”
Composing herself, she drew back and her father pulled out a chair for her. A maid served a chopped mixed green salad for the first course.
Emilia kept her voice neutral. “Mama said you met with Alexander Armati today.”
Her father didn’t meet her gaze but nodded. “The economy has changed. While you have been able to sell designs to the very wealthy, the small jewelry stores have been buying less and less. So sales have been dismal.”
“Nonno has been worried?”
“At first I thought it was just a blip in the economy. The cost of the natural resources had increased, but the other part of the equation is people aren’t spending at the same rate. Unfortunately, we expanded and moved the shop at the wrong time. Now we can barely hold on. With your Nonno’s health failing, we have to make some tough decisions.”
Emilia thought about her grandfather and the stress of facing the overwhelming business issues. Her father and uncle would try to take the safest option instead of fighting for the company.
“There has to be a way to cut costs and increase sales. Nonno started the company almost seventy years ago. He spent his life building it into a successful, highly respected jewelry empire. To let all of that go seems wrong.”
Her father looked anxious and didn’t meet her gaze. “We aren’t letting it go, but we do need to sell off shares if we are going to survive.”
The maid came in and served a main course of grilled mahi mahi over a risotto with roasted eggplant.
Taking a sip of wine, her mother said, “The business is not easy. And your father and I are getting too old to deal with the stress.”
Her parents looked defeated. They barely held her gaze and spoke softly. It had to be an enormous strain on them as well.
“Papa, I know it is dire, but we can find a way to re-invent ourselves instead of giving up. I have a few ideas for the launch. We can use some of the publicity around the large commissions that I’ve done to spotlight Berceto.”
Her father sat back and nodded his head. “With your return, things could improve. The company needs new energy and focus.”
“I don’t want to sell a large portion of Berceto. I know we can turn the company around.”
Her mother said, “Be reasonable, Lia. Your grandfather’s heart is weak. He doesn’t need more stress. If the business was sold or took on a business partner who could invest a substantial amount of cash, then Nonno could rest.”
Emilia remained calm. She knew if she showed too much emotion her mother would argue for selling the company. Her mother couldn’t stand uncertainty. “I know you are worried. I’m concerned about the financials as well. But we shouldn’t rush into a decision that we may end up regretting.”
Her parents exchanged glances and the conversation moved to the upcoming trade show.
She held back from saying too much about her design ideas. Her parents would need to see the actual designs to understand her ideas.
They moved to the sitting room for coffee and her father further discussed some of the issues facing Berceto.
At almost nine o’clock, Emilia stood up and said, “I’d like to go over and see Nonno. I’ll come into the shop in the morning.”
Her mother disappeared from the room for a few moments and came back with the keys to a spare car. “Your father and I purchased this car for you while you are in California.”
“Thank you, mama.” Hugging her mother and then her father, she said, “Goodnight.”
A silver Mercedes-Benz SUV was waiting for her in the driveway. Climbing into the luxury vehicle, she typed her grandfather’s address into the GPS.
Driving out of the gated entrance, her thoughts went to Alexander Armati. She had been obsessively devouring articles about him online. His business success along with his polished mannerisms and model-like appearance brought a tremendous amount of attention from the media. He had more money than he knew what to do with and he’d had his sights set on Berceto for years. It was probably why he sought her out that evening. But even the great Alexander Armati wouldn’t have been able to predict her parents’ extreme reaction to seeing nude pictures of their only daughter in the tabloids.
Emilia turned onto the street where her grandfather lived and tried to banish his image from her mind. She would face him soon enough and hopefully four years of distance would allow her to keep her carefully constructed facade intact
Her grandfather’s house came into view. He had lived in the same house for the last forty years. It was private and well cared for and didn’t shout wealth or prestige.
Parking her SUV in the driveway, she walked up the path and let herself into the house.
His housekeeper, Cecilia, greeted her warmly. “You’ve come home. Thank goodness. It’s just what Leo needs.”
Cecilia pulled her through the house until they came to the enclosed porch. Her grandfather was watching a soccer match on television.
“Look who has returned home.”
Her grandfather smiled broadly and put the game on mute.
“Don’t get up. You need to rest.” Emilia reached down and kissed both of his cheeks.
“So, you have come home at last.” Her grandfather winked at her and asked Cecilia to bring them a drink.
Noting the older woman’s disapproval, Emilia said, “Yes, maybe some hot tea?”
Emilia sat in a nearby upholstered chair. “You gave the family quite a scare.”
“I scared myself this time.” He smiled at her and she relaxed.
They spoke about his hospital visit and all the tests.
Cecilia came back into the room with a tray filled with tea and biscuits.
“My parents are convinced that accepting a partner or large investment into Berceto is the right move.”
Emilia poured her grandfather a cup of tea and placed it near him.
“I think it is time for them and your uncle to retire. Their hearts are not in it. Since you went away, they push themselves through each day. I don’t think they have any hope or ambition left.”
Emilia took a sip of her tea. “They sent me aw
ay.”
“You allowed yourself to be sent.” Her grandfather’s voice was kind but firm.
They sat and talked about the future. He made it clear that if she wanted the company, then she would need to fight for it.
“I’ll never convince Uncle James that I’m capable. He will hold the past against me.”
“You don’t need to convince him. He doesn’t own a majority share. And you father and I will stand by you.”
Emilia thought about her grandfather’s faith in her ability.
“Both your father and he underestimate how strong and talented you are. But to take over, you have to be willing to stand alone at times.”
She placed her tea cup down on the table. “I don’t want to force my ideas through. I’d rather work collaboratively.”
His night nurse came into the room and gently suggested that he get some rest.
“Then maybe you are not ready.” Her grandfather stood up slowly. “A leader needs to be tough and at times needs to make hard decisions.”
She said goodnight to him and took the tea tray back into the kitchen.
Being back in Los Angeles brought her unexpected challenges. Instead of simply worrying about design, she had to think about the future of Berceto.
Thinking about her Nonno’s life, she realized he was a legend in his own right. Enormously talented, Leo Berceto had built the family business from nothing. She remembered listening to stories about him leaving home at eighteen years old with a small amount of pocket money to travel to California and seek his fortune. While there were plenty of stories of hard times—times when thieves stole his scant inventory or he was mugged before having a proper place to live—he succeeded in building Berceto Designs into something. Within a few years he had a storefront and was able to produce silver pieces. He found a niche market among the newly wealthy that would spend large sums of money on exquisite jewelry. Slowly over sixty years he built a name for the Berceto family.
She wouldn’t let Alex Armati destroy the legacy her grandfather built. She needed to find a way to keep Berceto family-owned. Starting in the morning, she would look for other sources of revenue to keep the company from imploding. If she were lucky, Alex Armati would give up and move on to another failing company. He couldn’t possibly be as captivating and charming as she remembered.
The Exiled Jeweler: a contemporary romance novel (The Rosa Legacy Book 2) Page 2