Chapter 2 - Helena

The weather in Italy was pleasant which contrasted with the weather in which Helena Belinni's lawyer's office was. Helena was seated formally and elegantly dressed and smiling politely at the couple in front of her. She had already chosen her successor, but she knew that she must somehow control him after he left that world.

-What do you think? – she asked when she saw the expression of disbelief on their faces. – want to increase the value?

Before the man could respond, his wife stepped forward and asked softly.

-Because we? I don't remember meeting the lady and the reason for all this doesn't cross my mind.

-I understand - she smiled while making a discreet sign for the lawyer to leave the room leaving her alone with the couple - Actually, I met Romeo when I was younger. Romeo was a great friend. He helped me a lot and I just hope you guys can help me instead.

–Romeo? Are you talking about my father? – the woman asked thoughtfully. Seeing Helena confirm, she sighed – I understand you want help, but don't you think you're asking too much? How can I hand my daughter over to someone I don't know just because of a debt of conscience that isn't even mine? Do you realize how illogical this is?

“I understand and that's why I beg you. I'm not looking to pay for your daughter or anything similar, I just believe we'll be helping both of you.

-How this madness will help my daughter. She is only 14 years old.

-I know, but I don't want anything to happen today or tomorrow - she smiled sincerely - I just want my grandson to find someone and be happy.

-And my daughter will be exempt from this happiness? What if she falls in love tomorrow, gets engaged and wants to get married? Do you think it's fair?

-I understand your distress and therefore I would like to propose something.

– One more proposal? Know that I only have one daughter. – became ironic. She still couldn't understand why she'd come to that office. They had received a letter a week ago inviting them to come to the office and because they were in need of money they hadn't imagined the bad idea, but she was sorry now.

-My proposal is that I will pay the debts you owe, I will pay for your daughter's studies and whatever else you need. I will help your husband get a promotion at the company he works for and I only ask for his daughter's name in return. Just her name in case my grandson doesn't fall in love with anyone until I die.

-If I do that, let's assume he doesn't fall in love with anyone and stays married. What is going to happen?

-Nothing - he lied smiling - I just want him to be afraid and become a real man.

“That doesn't sound right to me,” she pondered calmly.

-Darling, don't be silly - her husband said next to her ear - think that all our worries will go away. We just need to put her name, it's no big deal. Think that soon all this will become a joke in our family.

The woman looked at him not knowing what to think. Their debts only increased, while the money seemed to disappear.

-You're promising me that my daughter won't be forced to do anything, correct?

-Absolutely not - he said smiling when he realized he had won.

-Very well - said after hesitating - we accept, but making it clear that we do not want Emma to be forced to do anything further.

– You have my word.

They nodded and it didn't take long for the lawyer to return to his office and find the three of them smiling. He showed the document to Mr. and Mrs. Sartorelli, explained the clauses and finally looked slightly smiling at Helena as he saw them sign the paper.

-As of today, you are part of the Belinni family - Helena said as she stood up and extended her hand to them.

***

Emma's parents stormed out of the law firm. Her mother still couldn't trust everything that was said, let alone the lady who was there.

-Something in this story is not right - she said to her husband, who just smiled. Nothing mattered to him, as his debts would still be paid that week and he would soon have a better position at the company he worked for.

***

Emma opened the door to her house with a smile on her face. She loved going to afternoon poetry classes where she could ramble on about her unrequited crush and use that feeling to her advantage. As soon as he saw his parents sitting at the table, he realized something was wrong. She put the books under the couch and walked over to where they were.

–Papà, Mamma… – he said before kissing them on the cheek – did something happen?

Giovanna, Emma's mother, tried to smile as she removed a paper from the envelope that was on the table, without success. She still didn't feel safe. Something told him he shouldn't go through with it.

-Actually my daughter - Lorrenzo said calmly as he took the paper from his wife's hands - we need you to sign this here - he placed it in front of her along with a pen - it's nothing much, just... A formality for .. .Our future is guaranteed.

-THE. Our future? – Emma repeated confused – what is Papa talking about?

-Nothing, honey. Nothing to worry about. Just sign.

Emma looked at the paper in front of her, held the pen and smiled at her father before putting her name on the document in front of her not knowing how much it would change her life.

Giovanna swallowed hard and cried out to the heavens for her to be wrong and for everything to go well.

***

At the insurance company Felicità, the general manager in charge of opening new branches in Brazil read all the reports in disbelief at the problems the project was encountering. He reread them all, pointing out the most important issues to be resolved, and then made numerous phone calls. He was willing to finish it by the end of the month.

-I can enter? - A male voice interrupted Raoul's concentration as he read the second report.

Raoul raised his head and saw his cousin, Enzo.

– Any problems in marketing? – Raoul asked seriously when he saw Enzo enter his room and close the door.

“Not really,” he said as he sat down opposite his cousin, “I just wanted to come and talk. You know how boring it is to be in an office all day, right?

-Enzo, I don't have time for jokes - Raoul returned as he turned his attention to the reports - if you're so busy why don't you come and help me read these reports?

“You know as well as I do that my soul is that of an artist. I don't know why I went to do our grandmother's wish and work here – he sighed deeply as he looked around – this company is great, but it's not for me. I want to feel the wind, I want to be free.

-Then just get out of my room and out of this building.

-As if it were easy - he muttered - speaking of easy how is Raquel? Have you already decided to take up the romance?

Raoul stopped what he was reading and looked blankly at the man sitting across from him. He knew there were a lot of comments about him and Raquel, but the last thing he wanted was to start a relationship with her.

-I believe you are as wrong as everyone in this company. I know they're talking about me, but I have no intention of dating, marrying, or anything other than taking her to bed. Raquel is just another one I have fun with and nothing else.

-How cold - Enzo said while making a face - and she knows it as well as you?

-I hope so - he commented while staring at him for a few seconds - that's not what you came for, right? What was there?

Enzo looked at his serious cousin for a moment and then laughed.

-I can't hide anything from you, can I?

"Nobody can," he said calmly.

-I heard that our grandmother has already decided who will be her successor.

-And who is it? – Raoul asked, convinced that he would be the next president of the company.

–No one knows, it seems that she will only say in her will, which can be changed at any time. She really is a stubborn woman, isn't she?

-I'd say it's more of an old woman.

Enzo shrugged his shoulders at his cousin's comment, but remained in the room in silence. " He's really confident" he thought.