Chapter 13 - THE GIRL WHO GOT THE SCHOLARSHIP
Tessa's scholarship interview took place on a rainy Thursday.
She wore a navy blazer borrowed from Dana's daughter.
Rose drove her to the university.
Neither spoke much during the trip.
At the entrance, Tessa turned.
"What if they ask about the video?"
Rose looked at her.
"Then tell the truth."
"What if they think we're embarrassing?"
Rose smiled sadly.
"People will always have opinions."
Tessa looked down.
"What matters is whether you know who you are."
Her sister swallowed.
"I want this so badly."
"I know."
"What if I'm not good enough?"
Rose reached across the console.
"Tessa, you built a financial model that helped save our bakery. You're seventeen. You're already doing things I couldn't do at thirty."
Tessa laughed nervously.
"That's because you hate spreadsheets."
"I do. They're evil."
They hugged.
Then Tessa walked into the building.
Rose waited in the car for ninety minutes.
When Tessa returned, her expression was unreadable.
"How was it?"
Tessa sat down.
"They asked about the bakery."
Rose froze.
"And?"
"I told them everything."
"Everything?"
"About Dad. About the rent. About working after school. About the financial plan."
Rose held her breath.
Tessa smiled.
"They said they were impressed."
Three weeks later, the scholarship letter arrived.
Tessa opened it at the kitchen table.
She read the first paragraph.
Then the second.
Her mouth fell open.
"Rose."
"What?"
"Rose."
"What?"
Tessa began laughing and crying simultaneously.
"I got it."
Rose stood.
"The scholarship?"
"Full tuition."
Rose covered her mouth.
Tessa jumped into her arms.
They held each other for a long time.
Then Rose whispered:
"Dad would be so proud."
Tessa nodded against her shoulder.
"He'd be proud of you too."
That evening, Luca arrived carrying flowers.
Rose met him at the door.
"Tessa got the scholarship."
He smiled.
"I heard."
"How?"
"Your sister called my grandmother."
Rose laughed.
"Of course she did."
Luca handed her the flowers.
"There's something else."
She looked at him.
"I've completed the first stage of separating the legitimate companies from the criminal operations."
Rose's smile faded.
"How?"
"With attorneys, auditors, and a great deal of cooperation with investigators."
She studied him.
"Are you going to be okay?"
He considered.
"I don't know."
Rose stepped closer.
"Thank you for telling me the truth."
Luca took her hand.
"I want a future with you."
Her heart tightened.
"Then keep building one you can be proud of."
May you like
He nodded.
"I will."
