Chapter 12 - THE MAN WHO LEARNED TO BE GENTLE
Enzo Rinaldi was not accustomed to being vulnerable.
He had spent decades building walls.
Around his businesses.
His home.
His heart.
Adeline changed that slowly.
Not by demanding it.
But by refusing to be impressed by power.
She challenged him.
Questioned him.
Disagreed with him.
And laughed when he took himself too seriously.
One afternoon, Enzo invited her to his estate.
She expected marble floors.
Expensive art.
A grand dining room.
She found all of those.
But she also found a small greenhouse behind the main house.
Enzo opened the door.
Inside were orchids.
Herbs.
And a collection of delicate plants.
Adeline stared.
"You garden?"
He looked embarrassed.
"Sometimes."
She smiled.
"You're telling me the most feared man in Providence grows orchids?"
Enzo sighed.
"Apparently."
She laughed.
He showed her a small table near the window.
On it rested a broken ceramic bowl.
Adeline studied it.
"Where did you get this?"
"My mother."
His voice softened.
"She died when I was young."
Adeline looked at him.
"Why haven't you repaired it?"
He smiled sadly.
"I didn't know how."
She touched the bowl carefully.
"I could."
Enzo looked at her.
"Would you?"
She nodded.
"Yes."
They spent the afternoon working together.
Adeline explained the process.
The materials.
The patience required.
Enzo listened.
At one point, their hands touched.
Both went still.
Enzo looked at her.
"Adeline."
She raised her eyes.
He hesitated.
Then said:
"I don't want to frighten you."
She smiled softly.
"You don't."
He leaned closer.
Slowly.
Giving her time to move away.
She didn't.
Their first kiss was gentle.
May you like
Unhurried.
And nothing like the life either of them had expected.
