Filed to story: Submitting to My Bestie’s Daddy Read Online >>???
“Ah. Yes, this is a terrible, terrible tragedy,” Sofia agreed, switching to English.
“It is. But how have you been? I haven’t seen you in forever,” James went on.
Sofia was more James’s age and made him smile in a way I didn’t think I ever had. Though I tried to tamp down on it, the little green monster in me started rattling his cage.
“Oh, I have been very well,” Sofia said, her laugh like a trill of birdsong. “I know the old man did not like me much, but I thought I would come pay my respects just the same. And pay my respects to the new Don Valentino.”
James winced. “I’m glad to hear you say that, Sofia. I would have thought, with all the bad blood between you and my uncle, you would have written me off entirely.”
Sofia shook her head. “Never. We became such good friends when I went to the States after what Eugenio did. I was afraid you would not want to see me because you have renewed your family ties.”
“I’d always want to see you, Sofia. And what Eugenio did had nothing to do with you,” James reassured her.
There were about ten people left in line, and some had begun tapping their feet. I was about to start tapping along with them, though not because I was worried about the line backing up. I was worried about this new woman that had suddenly popped up—or popped back—into James’s life.
I tugged on James’s sleeve. “James, I think there are others waiting in line to give their condolences.”
James blinked and looked past Sofia, as though seeing a world outside her for the first time. “Yes, you’re right. I’m afraid we’ll have to catch up later, Sofia. Where are you staying in town?”
“I actually don’t have a room reserved yet. I booked the first flight I could get here when I heard about your uncle,” Sofia said.
I knew what was coming next, but it still felt like a stab in the back.
“You must stay here, then. Giana! Please find Mrs. Esposito a room in the mansion. We’ll talk later, Sofia. It’s just so good to see you,” James gushed.
Or at least I interpreted it as gushing. I tried not to feel sour and forced a smile on my face. “It will be so nice talking to you, yes.”
Sofia looked at me, then at James, and burst out laughing. “James, idiota! You never introduced me to your lovely companion!”
‘Yeah, James, you never introduced me,’ my mind echoed, my lips pursing in displeasure a moment before I regained my composure. “I’m Becca. I’m sure we’ll have plenty of time to get acquainted later,” I said sweetly.
James cleared his throat self-consciously and used the distraction of the next person in line to escape my wrath and Sofia’s teasing.
As Giana escorted Sofia away, barking orders in Italian to nearby servants, I wondered about her. I wondered about her and James.
Who was this woman who could so enthrall him that he didn’t even remember I existed?
Becca.
When the wake was finished for the day, I sat in James’s office for a good ten minutes, less interesting to James than a potted plant, as he caught up with Sofia in Italian. With every passing minute, I could feel the little green monster becoming more and more powerful.
Finally, Sofia gave that birdsong laugh of hers again and turned to me. “So, Becca, I hear you graduated from a top-tier university recently. Something to do with statistics or economics, right? And you were working on your masters degree?”
I thought of expanding on that a bit, but I simply shrugged. “Yes, something like that.”
Sofia’s smile slipped a little. “Well, you’ve been so busy with the children, I’m sure you haven’t had a chance to do any internships.”
I remembered New York, then, and the internship I’d had at Neal’s office for a little while before everything went south. It all seemed like a foreign memory now. My stomach twisted. “Not a complete one.”
“Too bad. I’m sure you’ll be brilliant when the opportunity to finish presents itself. James says you’re very smart,” Sofia said.
“Thank you,” I replied politely.
James started talking in Italian again, and Sofia laughed. I wondered if it was an inside joke, and if it was aimed at me.
Sofia brought the conversation back to English. I felt grateful to her for trying to include me in the conversation, even if James wasn’t. I’d have to have a stern talk with him later about that.
“We were just talking about old times. James helped me get settled in the United States and helped fund my first fashion boutique. Then, of course, he fronted a good deal of capital when we franchised. I am forever grateful to him.”
James smiled at her, that same easy smile I couldn’t remember being aimed at me anytime recently. “I knew a good investment when I saw it.”
“Please. James, I know you know NOTHING about handbags,” Sofia giggled.
“No, but I know about you. I knew you’d rise to the top, no matter what. And it did turn out to be an excellent investment,” James said.
Sofia pouted. “I was most disappointed to see you sold your shares. Was that so you could be dead?”
James nodded. “Yes. I liquidated everything and willed it to Becca. She’s taking care of the children, after all. I wanted a bright future for all of them.”
“You’re so thoughtful, James,” Sofia replied. “It’s good you were thinking ahead about the children’s future.”
“If not their future, then there was really no point in earning that kind of money in the first place,” James said.
Again, I sat like decor, watching the two of them talk back and forth.
“How long do you plan to stay in Florence?” James asked.
Please be a short time. Please be a short time…
“I haven’t decided yet. I will certainly be around for the funeral. I wanted to check on a few of my boutiques around the country,” Sofia said.
“Oh, yes, you had three locations, didn’t you?” James mused aloud.
Sofia giggled again. “I have seven now. Aren’t you interested in knowing how the company you helped get off its feet is doing?”
“I know you’re doing well, being the up-and-coming successful businesswoman you always were. That’s all I need to know,” James grinned.
A lightbulb suddenly went off in my head. “You own Esposito,” I gaped. The bags cost more than a kidney, but they were gorgeous.
“I do,” Sofia said proudly. “I stitched the first styles myself by hand. Then I was the designer. Now, I have designers and only sketch every once in a while when I’m feeling inspired.”
“Your purses are so lovely,” I complimented her. Credit where credit was due, after all.
Sofia smiled serenely at me. “Why thank you. I will send you whichever one you please. Just let me know.”
My jaw dropped. She was just going to GIVE me an Esposito? “Wow… thank you.”
“Anytime. Now, James, to business,” Sofia began.
James looked at me suddenly. “Becca, would you mind giving us a while? This is nothing you need to be involved in.”
“What don’t I need to be involved in?” I pushed back, not feeling comfortable leaving James alone with this successful goddess.
“Please.” It wasn’t a request. James’s tone suggested he might lift me up and toss me out the door if I didn’t comply.