On the other hand Isabel and James were facetiming together.Compared to Gael she was more calm and collected,as if her husband wasn't the one cheating with her best friend.
Different from Gael who was always giving a lot in a relationship,showering Hannah with sweet words,presents,always spoiling her,James was the more mature and reserved type.At least that was what Isabel had thought during her relationship with him.She thought he was shy and didn't open up easily,and to certain point had found it attractive and cute,but after discovering his true nature she finally understood.He wasn't mature ,reserved nor serious,but just didn't care for her,was selfish and calculating.
Their conversations had always been more like business talks,like the one now.He always 'asked' for her opinion and help with the company,but never actually gave any credit,becoming the mastermind infront of everybody.To coax her like a child he would say 'I couldn't have done it without my wife and her support' in interviews just to shut her up,only for her to think he geniunely valued her.After getting what he wanted,he would sprinkle a few sweet words,give her few kisses like giving a dog treats after doing a trick.
After she gave him a few pointers,James started saying "I miss you!When are you coming back?"
Isabel sneered inside her heart,but her face didn't change "There are still a few things I need to wrap up."she then smiled "Don't worry I'll be back before you know it!Don't miss me too much…Honey!" she barely spilled out that honey.It felt like she was chewing something disgusting.
"Mmm."
Then silence fell.None of them were initiating a conversation.After saying goodnight to eachother Isabel quickly ended the call.The dark and silent nighttime easily made her enter those dark and depressing thoughts.After finding out this betrayal,she hadn't initiated any conversations neither with James nor with Hannah.She realised that without her initiating anything these people barely called or texted her to the point of complete isolation.These two had never cared.It was always her giving and them unhesitatingly taking.She felt bitter inside,but mostly lonelier than ever.
She rolled on the bed for a few hours and finally those dark thoughts were catching up.What if it's just me?What if I did something wrong first?What if I'm not good enough?Maybe I deserved it.What if I fail recovering the Ricci winery and get bankrupt for taking the risk?Am I gonna be okay?
The thoughts kept on getting more ridiculous and ridiculous,even she knew that some of these thoughts weren't true,but that mild chance of failure haunted her,because most of the things that had happened to her belonged to that mild chance.Finally she got up and started encouraging herself.It's not your fault.They made the choice betraying you.You're going to reach your goals.You're going to get back at them.You haven't done anything wrong.
After a while she opened the drawer near the bed and downed a pill.These days she could only get sleep by eating sleeping pills.Then she layed down again,slowly drifting to sleep.
…
A week later Hannah got a call from Isabel.She answered it and spoke with an exited voice.
"Hey girl!Where have you been?You've been long gone since forever!"
Isabel casually answered "Oh,you know,boring paper stuff.You wouldn't get it."
Hannah didn't detect the strangeness in the words and tone and continued exchanging a few more words then finally asked "So why call?You usually hate calls and only text."
"I wrapped most of the things here and thought about going on a shopping spree in F country.How about you join me and we can also visit a few cafes or go on a spa together,if you are free of course?"
Hannah was thrilled and immediately agreed.Old money like Isabel had the access to many special and rare collections,since prestigious brands cared more about connections and identity than money.The reason that she was hailed as a fashion icon compared to her other model friends was because of both Gaels and Isabels old money identity and because of their pride,they never let her pay when she went shopping with them.
"Okay,then let's meet aftertomorrow in P city.Bye,love."
When Isabel ended the call her smile immediately dropped and was replaced with a cold expression.Then she took the keys from the table and drove to her grandparents old mansion,which was also the house their family had lived for generations.The mansion was in a rural area and a part of the land she had inherited was there.This land was the origin of the Ricci winery.Her ancestors started the business here with a bit of land they had joined together,soon expanding and owning almost all the village ,then other some areas outside of it.
This village was really beautiful.There were small houses,all sorrounded by rows of grape vines.Most of these houses belonged to the workers.The Ricci family had always prioritised quality over money,that's why they kept making their wines the traditional way,though the quantity was smaller and production slower,the Ricci never cared since their main clientele had always been the higher class and their prices weren't affordable by the rest.
When Ricci was under her grandfathers management,the business was about to enter a new area of success,but after her parents,followed by her grandmothers death,he focused most of his energy on her,his only family left in this world.When she was young Isabel had been really interested in the family business,but after all the losses,she feared this place and stayed away from it.
She saw the beautiful old mansion.Even though the color had faded and the wild vines and thorny bushes had uncontrollably grown around it,it still stood tall and magnificent,like an beautiful lady that thought she had aged ,experienced rains and winds she still kept her chin up and elegance alive.This mansion held her happiest and at the same time her saddest memories.After her grandmothers loss,she would have nightmares everynight and wake up crying and screaming.For her peace Isabels grandfather had decided to leave behind his memories,roots and move in another country.
Nonno, sono tornato a casa.Though her mother tounge had mostly faded with time,she still remembered the most important words.Nonno,nonna,mamma,papa.
She entered the front garden and rolled up her sleeves.Now,let's get down to bussiness.
La vecchia signora needs to return back to her gloryful days.