For those interested, my book landing page is linked below. Please give me a follow on Amazon.
Piazza Bella - Aperitivo: I | II | III | IV | V | VI | VII | VIII | IX | X | XI | XII | XIII
Piazza Bella - Antipasto: I | II | III | IV | V | VI | VII | VIII | IX | X
Piazza Bella - Primi: Prologue | II | III
“I’m not interested in considering any offers, Bella.”
“You must not ignore this approach, sister. It would seem rude, and the owner of Ristorante Quadri is such a nice man.”
“I’m not leaving here.”
I was being obstinate, a result of recently accrued emotional damage that caused me to immediately pull up the drawbridge to my inner thoughts and feelings. Bella was patient and smiled disarmingly, placing a comforting, calming hand on mine that trembled wildly.
“Okay, Carla, I get it, but still, please take a meeting and politely decline if that is your choosing. At least make him part of your network. I’m just saying… don’t close the door.”
I had already panicked, and my infrequently sparked flight response kicked in, squeezing up anxiety levels and choking me. Too many emotionally overwhelming situations had unfolded in an awful sequence, and this felt like a final straw that would break my sanity. I sobbed uncontrollably, surprising my sister, who leaped from her stool and hugged me tightly.
“I can’t take any more pressure, Bella. It’s too fucking much, what with Luca’s cancer, Liam, Salvatore, and now this problem. I can’t process it all, never mind dealing with it. I must focus on our kitchen, staff, and the menus we plan to roll out.”
“I understand perfectly. A simple meeting to say hello will hold him off until you are ready to have a discussion.”
“I might never want to step up. Some people are happy in their lives… exactly as I am right now.”
“We can have coffee with him together, sister. He is not a pushy man; if you say no, it won’t be a problem. He is getting in early because you and Luca will be hot property soon.”
“Luca as well?”