Chapter 13 - THE MAN WHO LEARNED TO ASK
Six months after Sophia left the estate, Alessandro called her.
Not about work.
Not about security.
Not about Emma.
He asked whether she would like to have dinner.
Sophia hesitated.
Then smiled.
“Yes.”
They met at a small Italian restaurant in Greenwich Village.
No bodyguards at the table.
No private room.
No expensive spectacle.
Alessandro wore a simple navy sweater.
Sophia wore a green dress.
They talked for hours.
At the end, Alessandro looked nervous.
Sophia noticed.
“What's wrong?”
He smiled faintly.
“I'm not used to asking for things.”
She laughed.
“Then practice.”
He took a breath.
“May I see you again?”
Sophia smiled.
“Yes.”
Their relationship developed slowly.
Alessandro continued cooperating with legal authorities and restructuring his businesses.
He faced consequences for past conduct.
Some assets were sold.
Some relationships ended.
He could not erase what he had done.
But he could choose what he did next.
Sophia continued teaching.
Emma thrived at preschool.
Alessandro visited them when invited.
He helped Emma build a cardboard castle.
Learned to make pancakes.
And discovered that a four-year-old could defeat him at memory games.
One evening, Emma looked at him.
“Are you Mommy's boyfriend?”
Alessandro nearly dropped his fork.
Sophia laughed.
He looked at Emma.
“I think so.”
Emma considered.
“Okay.”
Then she added:
“But you still need flowers sometimes.”
May you like
Alessandro smiled.
“I know.”
